Senny's Celebration

Senny's loot... this girl has awesome grandparents, she is fully outfitted for summer, yea!!

like my new hat?

it's delicious!!

this is as messy as it got, folks... I've got clean eaters at my house!

good thing I have cooper around to help me!

all my crazy friends helping me celebrate

baseball in the backyard

three very cute blondies!

Delish Dishes

We've tried a few new things around here this past week and while I don't have pictures, many of the original posts do!

I tried this Tuxedo Salad Saturday minus the mandrin oranges (I'm not a fan) and it turned out pretty well, but Em wasn't lying when she said it made A LOT.

Saturday we also dressed up Seneca's cupcakes for the adults by adding some whipped cream and strawberries. This combined with the yellow cake and chocolate frosting was yummy!

Monday morning I attempted these orange glazed blueberry scones from Taisey. When she delivered them hot to my door they were DIVINE... they tasted pretty good coming from my kitchen, but for some reason, things always taste better when delivered right to you!

Tonight we tried Peanutty Noodles and while we haven't actually eaten dinner yet, the little snitches I've had are pretty tasty!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

There's a million things I could say about this girl, but I'll let the photos do the talking today. She has brought a world of joy into our home and from this smile, I like to think she's pretty glad to be here too.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday today sweet girl!

From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours

I first heard this song when I was in high school and remember liking it then, but it not having any major impact on my life. My mom gave it to me again after we brought Seneca home and I can't listen to the whole thing without tearing up. I feel like we had such a wonderful unique experience with Seneca's birth mother and am so appreciative of the incredible gift she helped deliver to us.

I have a very firm testimony that we are supposed to have the children that we do and that this little girl is here to accomplish great things. I can not begin to imagine the courage and sacrifice that D (Senny's birth mom) went through during her pregnancy and following her delivery. As Seneca's birthday approaches, I have been reflecting on how she came to be. I have an image in my mind of D sitting in the hospital waiting room on the day we went to get Seneca. She was holding her little girl, staring at her face as if trying to memorize her little features. She had tears streaming down her face and kept saying, "I love you," so quietly to her baby girl.

As the mom on the other side of this exchange, I had thoughts float in and out of my head of D changing her mind, of her falling so in love with her baby in the first two weeks that she wouldn't go through with it. She didn't waiver once. At least not that we are aware of. She expressed her commitment to this decision in every conversation with the social workers. I could not be more grateful that she was in tune with the spirit through this process and knew this sweet little girl belonged in our home. Some have questioned or wondered about the openness of our relationship with D, but honestly, how could I deny her any update or photo after the gift she has given me? It seems a pretty small price to pay in return.

This song helps me remember that while the logic of a birth mother's decision to place her baby for adoption may seem clear, the emotions involved are deep.

San Diego

I realized I never posted about our trip to San Diego the end of April. The highlights: legoland (photos to come), Jace's baptism and photos on the beach.

Here is the Robinson Fam after Jace's big day. Cooper kept saying Jace was a Baptist now. We'll have to work on that one.

 

And who, my friends, in their right mind wouldn't want to be married to this guy and have this little girl to hold and kiss all day? No need to answer. I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm the luckiest girl alive!

 

 

 

kiddo update

Preschool Graduation... no, no kindergarten next year, in fact we've got TWO more years of preschool... good thing he loves it!



yeah, that's my kid, the one too cool for the hat with his hands dangerously close to actually being down his pants.

despite the look on his face, he absolutely loved both preschool and sister meadows.



although this is how he showed his reverence and respect for his friends and teachers...




the caption reads: "Senny, be gentle with Beckham." Seneca can hold her own around here. And she whacks with love.

we finally got the hat on, and a smile... no easy feat!

This is our little water baby. She's braver than both her chicken mother and brother when it comes to getting in the chilly water, and she'll stay and spalsh all day.



She also loves the tub!



More to come soon... only a few more days until her numero uno birthday!

Cooperisms

A few moments from the past few weeks:

I was preoccupied with a project and was not paying attention to whatever Cooper was trying to tell me. His response:

"Mom, you are having a very hard time listening to me today." That got my attention.

On Mother's Day, "You are the best mom forever. " He had his dad help him write in a card for me.

A few times a week, "Senny, don't sit on Beckham!" Beckham hangs out in the bouncy chair once in a while and Seneca doesn't seem to mind if he's in it, as long as she can get in too!


After receiving medicine at bedtime, "Tasty, my dear!" I laughed out loud. He later said, as I was leaving his room after tucking him into bed, "Good night, my dear." Now he says "my dear" just to have me laugh and then asks me, "what's so funny, mom?"

He and Seneca were having a tickling match on the floor this afternoon and I gotta say, it doesn't get much better than to see them both rolling around laughing their heads off with each other.

I love that kid.

I spent last week with a nagging heaviness in the back of me that I kept trying to surpress. It took a while for me to deal with it enough to understand where it was coming from. I finally confronted the issue last night and my feelings are mixed. It didn't go well. The conversation that I thought would clear things up for me simply exacerbated the problem and brought to the surface many related issues I was not conciously aware of, nor was the other party, in my opinion. As I finished the lengthy discussion feeling emotionally spent, I wished I hadn't said anything at all, that I would have just let things be. The trouble is that had I not acted on this uncomfortable feeling I'd been carrying, I would have continued to feel heavy about the situation. Or would I? It was bothering me so much that I was not myself yesterday and felt I needed to confront the issue, both for my stomach's sake and for the sake of the relationship in question.

The fact is that I can't take it back now. I typically can look back on a situation and see just how I should have handled it, but this one is different for me. I don't know what I would have done differently. I was not especially articulate. There are moments when my words were probably not kind. I was most certainly overly sensitive as I was hurt by many comments, but I can not imagine how the conversation should have gone. Does that mean it shouldn't have happened at all?

Denten was a fantastic sounding board for me and reassured me that I did the right thing, for both of us. He could see clearly how much I was struggling inside and the ache the situation was causing me. He was wonderful to run errands with us yesterday, to take over the kids, and to listen without judging. His concern was that I was going to let this situation affect the way I conduct my friendships, that I would hesitate to be myself around those I should be very comfortable with. I'm not typically a "guarded" person, I'm out there- I'm pretty up front about who I am and while I definately worry about what others think at times, I don't think I change who I am in order to impress. I don't want to feel like I need to guard my heart. I don't want to feel like I have to hold back anything or that I can't trust those I consider friends.

I'm feeling better about things today. Attempting to move on and knowing that time is all that can heal hearts at this point. I had a pretty productive day despite the fact that we didn't set foot inside a church building today. Two of the three little ones are feeling crummy. They were happy to hang out and sleep and I was happy to let them. It was nice to have a whole day just us, no where to go, time to work on some projects, time to just be us together. We all needed a down day and are now ready to move on and have a great week. I'm grateful tonight for Denten and the way he understands me. I'm grateful for pleasant children and the blessing I have of spending my days with them. I'm grateful for supportive, caring friends near by and far away. I'm grateful for the opportunity of a new week.

Cooper's Date with Grandpa

I must begin by saying that my dad has always been great at dates, at least with his daughters. He's also been great at one-on-one time. We have a great time when we're all together, but it's nice that he has made the effort to be with each of us individually as well, makes us feel like we're kinda special!

My dad came down Monday evening and spent the night with us. Early Tuesday morning, he and Cooper caught a quick flight to San Diego. They enjoyed pancakes for breakfast when they arrived (Cooper's request) and then made their way to Sea World where they spent the day together.

Between FINALLY meeting Shamu (I've been hearing about it for months), the walrus and sea lion shows, the sharks and feeding and playing with the dolphins, I'd say they had a fabulous time. My dad had arranged an opportunity for Cooper to observe and assist with the training of the dolphins, he got to feed them, touch them and learned to give them hand signals.

Here's a close-up of that smile.



A few other highlights were Grandpa getting to help with bathroom duties, Grandpa learning that Cooper has a bit of a hard time with a quiet voice on the airplane, cooper also struggles a little with walking in a straight line when distractions are abundant... but I think they kept each other entertained. They both came home happy and exhausted that evening.

Dad spent one more night here and granted me a lunch and shopping date Wednesday before heading to the airport. Thanks Dad, for a fabulous field trip and a fun visit, oh and for an oversized stuffed dolphin that coop wants to sleep with every night ... we love you!!

My thoughts: Mother's Day

I just want to take a minute and record some quick thoughts that have been running through my head today. Mother's Day has some significance for me on a few levels.

I am grateful today for my mom. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father knew that I needed her in my life, both when I was younger and now. I came really close to losing her at one point and reflecting on the time between then and now, she has blessed my life more than I can describe. I was not nice to my mom when I was a teenager. Really not nice. She was the epitomy of unconditional love and my gratitude for the way our relationship has evolved is huge. She is my go-to girl and I wouldn't want to be without her. I know not everyone has a wonderful friend in their mother, but she is hilarious, patient and caring and I love her very much.



I also now have the pleasure of being the recipeint of attention of this holiday. I've decided the husbands and/or fathers should really get more credit for this day. My children were wonderful to me today, but they sure didn't do it on their own. I am very aware today that there are so many women who long to be mothers and have not have that opportunity yet. I spent a few years with that ache myself and am sensitive to their hearts. I feel incredibly blessed to have these little spirits surround me every day and know that this is what I'm on this earth to do. There are lots of things I hope to accomplish during my time here, but truly none of them will bring me the inner joy and peace that my children have and will.

I have also been thinking a lot today about Seneca's birth mom and what an amazing gift she gave me. I think the world of her. She is courageous and strong and I couldn't be more grateful for the fact that she had the spirit with her during the time of Seneca's birth. I've wondered if she has ached today to see the beautiful daughter she brought into this world. I have stared at little Senny today and kissed her cheeks and hugged her little body and have been so overwhelmed that I am the one that gets to be with her every day. She is an enormous source of joy for me, I can't help but smile when I see her sweet face. I sent a few new pictures to her birthmom with a little update and find comfort in the fact that she expressed nothing but peace with her decision and is comfortable and confident that her sweet girl is right where she should be.



I am very blessed today.

Uninvited

So I'm having a party tonight. It's a dinner party with my girls... we do it once a month and this little friend heard it was here tonight and decided to drop in.



Yeah, that's my lounge chair he's curled up under.



He's not little.

He was not invited.

Senny wanted to know what all the fuss was about. There was fuss, Cooper made sure of it. She couldn't see a thing, however, because between her and her brother, that darn window has a very hard time staying clean!



I was in the shower when Cooper ran in and announced that there was a rattlesnake in the backyard. Just the thing you want to hear, especially when you're clothe-less. Thankfully, no rattle, but not welcome just the same.

All the things "wrong" with Shellie

Follow up to previous post. Note: this list is not comprehensive as I only have a few minutes.

1. Shellie is not a morning person. Or so I hear. She does, however get an amazing amount accomplished between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am.

2. Shellie is really mean to her kids. She does not let them eat sugar cereal in the morning. She instead makes them eat homemade pancakes every day. Every Day.

3. Shellie is really lazy. She does not shampoo, condition, blowdry and style her hair everyday like the rest of my friends do. Oh wait. NONE of us do that!

4. Sometimes Shellie's house is not immaculately clean. Sometimes after she makes dinner to take to someone, her kitchen is a little bit dirty. Oh, and when she's been gone for the weekend. Sorry Nick, but it's true.

5. Shellie is a hoarder. She's got pantries and closets full of food. The Carter's house is the destination should a natural disaster strike anytime soon.

6. She doesn't really care for her children's progress in this world. The fact that her kindergartener can read, her preschooler is imaginative and her toddler is as sweet as can be; the fact that there is gymnastics, swimming and soccer going on at various times, well, none of that is due to their very unattentive mother.

7. Shellie doesn't do it all herself. She has a magic fairy that makes her bed every morning (yes, really), does her girls' hair, carpools and makes really delicious chocolate treats.

8. Shellie is really tight with money. I mean who in their right mind would avoid an unnecessary car payment?

9. Shellie is a terrible procrasinator. When a baby shower is approaching and she doesn't have a gift, she'll have the nerve to create a set of homemade thank-you cards to give instead of a thoughtless store-bought gift. Ugh.

10. There has been the occasion that shellie has not been available to me. Sometimes she's a terrible friend and chooses to spend time with her extended family rather than sit by the phone for whatever I might be needing at the moment.

See, she's not perfect. Are you happy now lady?!

Ode to Shellie

This has been a long time coming, but after this last week, I can't delay any longer. Everyone should have neighbors like the Carter's. While Nick is pretty great, it's really shellie I would not like to live without.

Sometimes I curse her, but only because she is incredibly talented and brilliant and my jealousy takes over. She is, after all, the one who keeps trying to pull creativity out of me that is simply not easily found. Thanks to her I now have a conglomeration of scrapbooking supplies and a very time-consuming hobby. I also have fabulous window treatments that are waaaaay more ambitious than I would ever attempt myself. The woman can do just about anything on the computer and can create anything, really. She's more handy than most men I know and more domestic than I could ever hope to be. If there's a tool you need, she's got it. If there's a very specific color of paper or ribbon you're looking for, she's got that too.

Let's not overlook the fact that tonight dinner showed up at my doorstep for the second time this week... second! And it's not like I just had a baby or anything. We talked about doing a meal swap and well, she's holding up her end of the bargain! And she's not a bad one to have make you dinner seeing as it is delish every time.

She likes my kids too. That's huge to me. Sometimes it's hard to like other people's kids, but she likes mine. Or she's good at pretending. Having her take one of them for a bit every once in a while is so much more appreciated than she'll ever know.

Shellie is not outwardly mushy and avoids showing her emotions, but they're in there. She is incredibly caring and observant and is a wonderful friend. If only all of you were so lucky to have her down the street. But you don't. and really I hope you never do because I need her. I am certainly a better person for knowing her and it's a darn good thing neither of us could sell our houses right now- who knew this lousy housing market would turn out blessings for me?!

Movin' on up...

Well, I don't know if "up" is the correct term seeing as there is a paycut involved, but in terms of work and environment, it's "up." Dent has a new job. We are excited, really.

In an attempt to not be negative about the current, soon to be former, place of employment, I will say that they have been great to us. They were so patient with the whole bar exam nightmare of our lives and have paid well, offered great benefits and granted needed paternity leave. There have been down sides, but we're going to overlook those for now.

The new place, a small firm in Tempe, is Denten's dream. All Indian law work, of all kinds, the opportunity to build his own practice with terrific mentors. The firm has a fantastic reputation in the indian law world and the potential for movin' on up, if you will, is definately there. And there's the little matter of his office. New. NICE. Overlooks Tempe Town Lake... floor to ceiling windows, really, a dream.

How does this affect me, you ask? Just pretend you asked. Well, for one, I had it in my head that this arizona living situation would be a little more short-term than it's panning out to be. It's a darn good thing I like it here. Dent's commute will be a little longer and the hours will too- that combined with the lower pay could make a busy mama a little distraught, but the fact that mr. robinson will be a happy man when he leaves for work is a big deal to me. He'll get to work on exciting projects and with people he enjoys. So much better than hiding under the covers in the morning dreading the office. So as I pinch my pennies and clip my coupons, I'm so grateful that my husband is employed, that our family is financially taken care of and that Denten is a happy man.

What I've been up to lately... by Seneca

Watching Cooper be Picasso on the back patio- this was his "yellow period."



My dad gave me a chocolate cookie. I cried when it was all gone.



Playing with my buddy Josh. We like to steal bottles and pacifiers and such. He's a pretty great guy. We are both stinkin' cute, although don't look much like each other...



Realizing my head is a little bigger than I anticipated. I got stuck between the wall and the couch. I was not happy about it. Dad rescued me... after he took a picture!



Mostly I like to get into anything and everything. If you leave me unattended, I will find my way into the dishwasher or fridge if the opportunity arises. I also love to sit on my little brother. Yes, you read that correctly. They keep telling me I'm to big to do that, that I'm going to squish him or something, but he only protests occasionally. I'm eating real people food more and more these days. Cooper likes to make me lunch. Today we had turkey and cheese quesadillas with strawberries.. yum! I'm still a champion splasher in the bathtub. Mom says it takes an extra towel just to clean the bathroom when we're done, I LOVE to splash. Cooper doesn't love it quite so much. I'm very squishy and kissable and my mom thinks I'm the most beautiful girl she's ever seen. All in all, life is pretty great for me... just one more month until I'm one!