My Life . . .My Story . . .My Heritage

Playing in the BIG Sand Box!

2010-07-22T18:49:00.001-07:00

The Robertson's just got back from playing in the St. Anthony Sand Dunes in Idaho. We spent one day at Crater's of the Moon National Park, and then cruised over (four hours) to see The Toblers. Brenda thought they were only an hour away from St. Anthony. Ha ha ha! That's like saying St. George is only an hour away from Pleasant Grove. Anyway, it was a good mistake because we would've never seen them at their home if we really knew what kind of drive we were in for.

Here is Whitney on her 90. She is so dang good. It made me cry to see how independent she can be on a 4-wheeler now. I remember having an anxiety attack when Hayley got on her 70 when she was five years old. Now, look at Hayley--she's on a 200 and Whitney is cruising around on a 90.

Even though it was windy, all the kiddos put on their goggles and headed out to make sand castles. They even managed to dig a tunnel under one of their castles. We camped with the Christensens and the Leruds. It was very fun.

Here are Hayley and Whitney playing on a "comandeered" tractor in the campground. Whitney loved this thing. Look close and you will see the pink teddy bear riding next to Whitney. She never goes anywhere without a furry friend.

Here's a way cool tree on top of a volcano in Crater's of the Moon National Park. It was so windy I almost lost my hat. We hiked through lava tube caves and saw miles of old, hardened lava. Cool park to see if you are over in that area.

We Found the Pause Button!

2009-10-21T17:59:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. We got sucked into the summer vortex of swimming pools and junk food. Then school started and life has been progressing at break-neck speed since then.

Then, fall break hit and brought everything to a crashing halt--thank heavens. We headed to the Sand Dunes for some much needed R&R (rest and riding). I spent some serious bonding time with my 4-wheeler. Raymond even taught me how to jump; what a rush!!!

The weather was perfect. The company (our friends the Wiggins, Pearts, and Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) was pleasant. The food was exceptional. The stars were amazing. It was a little piece of heaven in a gigantic sand pit.

Southern California

2009-07-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from our Southern Cali trip. It was so much fun. We spent two full weeks playing in every theme park in the area, plus we visited the beach and played in Vegas on the way there and back. I have more pictures posted in facebook if you're interested. I'm grateful I have a job that allows me to take off for long periods of time in the summer and play with my kids. These are some good memories.

Stop the Birthdays!

2009-06-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

I don't really hate birthdays. I think they are great. But my girls have just turned 9 and 5. They are no longer babies, toddlers, or anything of the sort. Whitney will be in kindergarten and Hayley will be in 4th grade. This is just too much for my little brain to handle. I've moved on to a new stage in life, but I'm not sure how to handle it.

Thank heaven for little girls

2009-04-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of Hayley and Whitney dancing. I feel so blessed to have two little princesses in my family. They are the love of my life.

Crazy Mom Moment

2009-04-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is Whitney making snow angels--in April. But that's not the crazy moment. The crazy moment came the next day when I turned in Whitney's kindergarten registration papers. It seems so crazy that she is this old. What happened to my chubby little baby who couldn't roll over because she was shaped like Buddah?
It use to be that after work my life was full of playing with a little baby and supervising a very active toddler. Now, it is not uncommon for both my daughters to want to go play at a friend's house when I come home from work. So, I find myself in an interesting position: alone. What do I do with myself? I know many of you are thinking: Miriam, you are crazy. You take a nap, read a book, do something you want to do. But, I find myself completely at a loss. I'm not sure how to feel about my girls not needing me every second of every day. It's a very strange, somewhat uncomfortable feeling. I'm sure it will be divine once I adjust. It's just really crazy right now.

Bragging Rights

2009-02-19T11:13:00.001-08:00

February 19, 2009: Today, Raymond received the "Spirit of Peace" award at Pleasant Grove High School. We've been celebrating Freedom Week and the student body chooses Pleasant Grove citizens to honor as part of their assembly. They choose people who use their lives to serve their community. Raymond received his award with Senator Orrin Hatch! Needless to say, this was a very proud moment for me. Who would've thought he would share a stage and receive the same award as Senator Hatch? So, although the hours are lousy and Raymond has to put up with the "scum" of the earth, I am proud that he is a police officer. It is a very noble and selfless job, and I think he does a pretty good darn job at it.

My 2009 Challenge to Myself

2009-01-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

I decided this year to write my husband a love note each day for the entire year. I decided to do this for several reasons. First, I really wanted him to know how much I love and appreciate him. Second, it is hard to always recall the little things I want to say when I'm writing him a card for a special occasion. So, I decided to spend a few minutes every night thinking about the little things he does and then write him a note.

So far, I haven't missed a day. There's been a few times when I had to write two at once, but so far he has 30 little love notes from me. I have noticed several positive things coming from this. Because I am identifying all the little things that he does, he tries to consistently do those little things. I feel that he has a new sense of appreciation for me as well. It's kind of a neat thing. I would challenge all married people out there to try this little experiment as well.

Hayley's biopsy

2009-01-19T14:08:00.001-08:00

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. Hayley had the biopsy on her tongue Wednesday morning. She was so brave. She didn't even go under general anesthesia. I held her foot during the whole procedure so she knew I was there. I watched the whole procedure and got a little light-headed watching the doctor put three rounds of shots into her tongue. The best news from this procedure was that he didn't hit her nerve and she didn't need stitches. She is healing really fast.
Then, Friday evening we got the call form the doctor. Her biopsy came back negative for cancer. I have never been so thrilled to hear anything in my whole life. The growth on her tongue is not cancerous. It may continue to grow and eventually have to be removed, but the scary part is over. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers. I am grateful for family and friends who fasted and prayed for Hayley.

The Biggest Loser Contest

2009-01-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

My family has decided to have a biggest loser contest. I am way excited to be doing this with my family. I have needed to shed pounds since the birth of my last baby. She's four years old and so I don't have an excuse for any of the extra pounds I'm carrying. I decided to make a proclamation of my participation in this contest by posting my goals on my blog. If anyone out there wants to join in on the fun, just let me know.
Goal #1: Lose 20 pounds by June 1, 2009
Goal #2: Drink at least 60 oz of water each day
Goal #3: Give myself one free day where I don't care what I eat
Goal #4: No sugary treats during the week.
Goal #5: Eat more whole grains
Goal #6: If I drink soda, only 12 oz a day and only diet soda.
Goal #7: 45 minutes of exercise on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Goal #8: Eat at least one serving of vegatables a day (pathetic I know, but I hate veggies)

The Magic of Santa

2008-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

I love the magic of Santa. It doesn't matter what's happening in the "real" world, when a man walks in dressed in red with a big burly white beard, everyone smiles; even the adults. These pictures are from our PGHS Santa party. Santa comes and talks with each child and gives them a gift. Hayley and Whitney were all smiles and they were thrilled to report to Santa that they had been exceptionally good this year. This reminds me to take a step back from mom-mode and really appreciate the good that is in each of my daughters. Sure, they aren't perfect, but they are decent, kind human beings who bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.

Running into a brick wall

2008-12-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Have you ever experienced the sensation of hitting a brick wall? Well, I hadn't until a few weeks ago. Life was moving along at its usual break-neck speed and then something happened that changed things. At a routine dental exam, my youngest daughter Hayley was sitting in the chair getting her teeth checked. She has beautiful teeth and does a great job taking care of them. However, the dentist lingered longer than usual examining her tongue. He finally said, I think this little piece of tissue under her tongue doesn't look quite right. I asked him what he was concerned about and he replied squamos cell carcinoma. My heart stopped, I about fell over and I wanted to throw up. Time stood still. I finally stammered, "um, what?" He said the little patch of grayish-white flesh was probably nothing, but he wanted us to get it checked out. So, she has an appointment with an oral surgeon and I've wasted hours and hours researching the prevalence of oral cancer in children. It is extremely rare. I can't even find much info about it because it is so rare, but right now I am dealing with an uncertainty that is eating me from the inside out. I hope and pray it is nothing. So, I'm counting the days, hours, and minutes until we see the oral surgeon, all the while I feel like I'm holding my breath and am on the verge of blowing chunks.

Children are Angels

2008-12-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

I had a great mom moment the other day. Whitney's preschool teacher asks each of the kids little questions each day and records their responses. She does this so we have a scrapbook of our child; their thoughts, language, and ideas. Well, the other day this teacher asked Whitney, "Who would you tell Santa has been really good this year." Whitney's reply? My mom. Isn't that sweet and so unselfish of her? This reminded me that even though I'm not a perfect mom, and I probably get angry to quick and yell too much, that my children filter through that to remember the good. That is such a refreshing thought.

More Pumpkin Carving

2008-11-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

Ouch, that hurt

2008-11-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

I had my first ever knee scope this week. Now, you're going to think I'm crazy, but I really don't mind surgery that much. Think about it. After a few pokes of a needle, you go blissfully asleep. You wake up and are somewhat hazy but resting comfortably. Everyone bustles around helping you with the most mundane things. Then, you get to sleep on and off for the next two days in a drug-induced slumber. Plus, a knee scope is not that painful so I had a lot of relaxing without too much pain. I did get a little trunkie and anxious to go outside, but it has been so beautiful this week that I could meander out onto my deck and enjoy the sunshine without freezing my butt off. Through it all, my amazing husband has hovered over me and took care of the house and kids. So, it really isn't that bad. I've uploaded pictures of my scope. In one you can see how I somehow knocked out a dougnut-hole size piece of bone out of my knee cap. Ouch! Overall, I should be much better off now the surgery is over. It is times like these that make me grateful for good health. I mean think about it--do we realize what a blessing it is to be healthy? That alone is one of the greatest blessings there is. I think God for my good health and for the good health of my husband and kids.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-11-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

Simple Expressions of Faith

2008-11-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

I love listening to my children pray. No matter how many times they say the same thing, it still brings me to tears. Last night Whitney was saying the family prayer and her simple expressions of faith touched me deeply. She prays with such honesty and conviction that you would not believe she was only four years old. She never fails to pray for help in being nice to her sister; something she struggles with. Also, she never fails to pray for protection for the missionaries; especially her uncle David. She is always the firs to volunteer to pray and she takes the task very seriously.

Times like this remind me to be grateful for these sweet little angels who are a part of my family. Being a mother has provided me with ample opportunities to learn anew the things I've forgotten; enjoying each moment, having complete faith in "big" people, and believing that miracles happen every day.

I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings of having my children in my home and hearing their sweet prayers. What an amazing experience.

We are in the O Magazine

2008-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

So, I can't contain my enthusiasm. My company, Heritage Makers, is in the O Magazine. We have been listed as one of Oprah's all-time favorites! That means so much to a company like mine. I anticipate a lot of opportunities to come from this recognition. Many have asked me if I would leave teaching if I started making enough money from Heritage Makers. My answer is NO. I love teaching. It provides retirement and health insurance as well. If things go really well, I might consider dropping to part-time though. My students are all anxious to see if I will actually get to appear on the show. I hope so. It would be a moment to remember for the rest of my life.

I Love Halloween

2008-10-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to post a picture of the gigantic spider web we have out front of our house. I love Halloween. I don't know what it is about this holiday. I'm not a big candy eater, I don't like scary movies, and I don't like blood and gore. But, I love this holiday; it's weird. My children start planning their next year's Halloween costume the day we purchase their costume for the current year. They want to wear the costumes every day until Halloween. Whitney, age 4, cannot understand why her Halloween costume is not appropriate for church! I guess it's just the fun of dressing up and not having to follow any "norms" for one day. If I want to dress crazy and be laid back at work, I get one day each year to do just that. I guess most of all, I love experiencing Halloween through the eyes of my children. They remind me, each day, to enjoy the moment. I thank god for these sweet little girls.

I am an elk widow

2008-10-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, I don't get what men find appealing in the "hunt". They leave their comfy homes, wives, and children for a long excursion in the woods. They hike 8 to 10 miles per day, freeze their butts off, and never see an elk. Meanwhile, the little wife at home is going crazy trying to balance the demands of her full-time job, both her children's schedules, and her new business. I also don't get how my kids always end up sick the minute my hubbie leaves town in search of those elusive elk. Bitter? Not really, just really frustrated with the whole situation. My plan for next year is to buy a cow, tie it to a tree, and let him shoot it. It will be quicker, cheaper, and I will definitely have meat in my freezer. God bless the hunters. Heaven help the hunter widows!

Oprah Loves Heritage Makers

2008-10-02T11:13:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to announce that Oprah loves my company--Heritage Makers!! She plans to host us on her "My Favorite Things" show. If you are interested in learning more about storybooking or Heritage Makers, now is the time to contact me. My company is about to explode!!!

The Robertsons Enter the Blog-o-Sphere

2008-10-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have finally entered myself into the blog-o-sphere. My intentions for this blog is to allow my family to keep up with my crazy life; to share my love of storybooking and heritage; and to network and commiserate with other working mothers who need support.