A New Baby Joins the Robinson Clan!

My sister Kathy just had her baby two days before Thanksgiving, and we still had the festivities at her house! Yes, she is insane... Bryce and Kathy finally decided on the name Aaron Thomas Caine. He's of course adorable and pretty peaceful, since there was constant chaos around him, but rarely woke up.

Elina had a cold but wouldn't put on a mask, so she saw him from a distance. She couldn't see what all the fuss was about, because she's seen a lot of babies before. I don't think it's quite sunk in that he's here to stay.

Updates.

Here are the updates on my life.

Work: I'm much more used to my job. Either I got used to using less of my brain, or I slowed down enough to enjoy it. Breaking my watch turned out to be a good thing for that. Hyrum is a fun kid, but it's like watching an overgrown 2 year old! At least I haven't been hit (very hard at least) for awhile.

Dating Life: Yes I am still dating Nathan Bull. NO WE ARE NOT ENGAGED, though my cousin, who went on his first date the same day that we did, is now engaged. I know I live in UT, but how would it work to be married and have a blog called "A Day in the Life of a Single Mormon?" There are lots of things to work through before then... but I'm sure I'll let all of you know if it happens.

Education: I borrowed "War and Peace" from the library, and so far I've read two pages. It's been exciting, because instead of skimming it like I did for college books, I'm taking time to look up words I don't understand; and I looked up the coordinates for Malta and Moldova yesterday. I feel my brain expanding already :D I'm still not sure about where to go next in the schooling part of education yet, but it'll come.

Family: My siblings say that I'm the grouchiest one in the whole family. I was quite sad, but then I decided that they interpret negativity as being grouchy. Can I help it if I have a million sad stories to one good one? I guess I should start looking for happy stories instead of those dealing with the government, health care, suicide, and domestic violence. Hey, the gas prices are going down!!! It's been a happy two weeks as I watch them drop every day. Too bad the money doesn't pile up from the savings as fast. lol

Pictures: I'm sorry, but you'll just have to read these blogs. I'm pretty sure I look about the same as the pictures in previous posts :-) More pictures will be posted, I promise. The reason there aren't many at the moment is that I keep forgetting my camera. There's been fun times like Nate's sister's & mom's play, and his family getting together for Pre-Thanksgiving goodness.

Holidays: Have you ever tried to get to two families for two holidays? This should be interesting. I'm thinking we can eat at mine for Thanksgiving lunch, then left-overs at Nate's Thanksgiving. For Christmas I'm thinking we'll spend early Christmas Eve with mine, Later Christmas Eve/morning with his (we never open presents until at least 10 am) and Christmas afternoon with mine. That way I can make it for the recording of the family CD (I really hope we blend better this time). Again, this should be interesting.

I am thankful for...

Ok, I am more than officially sick and tired of seeing Christmas commercials, hearing Christmas music, and even seeing Christmas decorations.... this early in the year! I actually love all of it, as long as it's AFTER THANKSGIVING. It just seems so commercialized lately. The second midnight strikes on Halloween out comes the junk (commercials), to get you to buy more junk! Because of this, I am determined to think of things I am thankful for, before I think of all the presents I want.

I am thankful for:

• Being rich. Actually I feel really poor most of the time, but honestly you have to admit that "poor" in this country is actually extremely rich to a person living in a third world country.
• Where would I be without running water, electricity, a heater, humidifiers, and all of that other stuff that "rich" people have?
• The Atonement and all that Christ's sacrifice encompasses- as well as the sacrament, and temple ordinances that remind me of the Atonement.
• My cute little family- my babies (e.g. three youngest siblings still at home) are growing up :,( I'm glad I get to be here to witness the transformation, instead of seeing them only a few times a year and being shocked by it!!!
• Friends, even if most of them are miles and miles away. Yeah for "Facebook" and Blogs!
• Friends who live nearby. Sorry I don't see you guys as often as I should.
• Scriptures- My first true love.
• Education- even if it is a different kind than expected.
• Books! I'm getting into Classics again.
  
• Prophets. I've listened to Pres. Monson's General Conference Talks a few times, and WOW What a blessing to have him here to guide us.
• Callings. I still don't have one, including VT (I've learned that things go a lot slower in family wards because they don't expect you to be gone in four months), and I'm realizing how nice it is to serve in the church.
• Oh, how could I forget the great blessing of having someone nice to date? Even if we spend a lot of time freaking out, at least we're freaking out together :)
• HEALTH. I'm mostly healthy right now, and it's a fantastic feeling.
• Teenagers who help me dress. I wasn't aware that I had such bad fashion sense, until I moved home and asked how I looked!
• Dreams and goals. I love to plan things, and even if it doesn't happen, at least I got the joy of planning, dreaming, and making the goal.
• Working with people in a job that isn't rushed and stressful.
• Nice weather. I'm glad I can still pick up Hyrum (the boy I work with) at the bus without wearing 20 layers.
• Taking time to watch the wind blow through the trees, or being able to see an entire sunset is something I haven't done for years. Now my life is scaled back and I can do the simple things.
• Laughing!
• Hip Hop Abs, Tiebo, Yoga for Beginners, and Paola who has all of the above :D
• Cashflow(a game to help you understand finances). Someday I'll finish it in a 1/2 hour!
• Inside jokes. It doesn't matter who it's with, they're always fun to have.
• Road Trips. As always, traveling is one of my favorite things to do.
• Hikes, especially the crazy but memorable ones.
• Not being ticklish! I can definitely use that to my benefit.
• Gardens. It's always nice to have fresh fruit/vegetables.
• Traditions, for holidays and other times.
• Music. Although I am rebellious and don't attend ward choir, caroling is still one of my favorite things to do.
  
• Meeting new people. Love it, enough said.
  

Education- does anybody have an answer?

The topic of education is always an interesting subject in my family. Out of 9 children, Emily, Skot, Kristy, & Kathy have only gone to public school. I went to a private religious school for two years (my favorite pre-college times), and was a wanna-be-homeschooler. Sheri, Cindy, Annie, and Darren did homeschool for 1-9 years. Emily and Darren are now in Success Academy, which is a program for kids to get their Associates Degree by the time they graduate from high school.

With that background, you can see why unusual questions are asked around the house. One of the homeschoolers will ask the public schoolers how they feel about their education, and if they're actually taking time to learn something instead of just getting a good grade. My grandpa (a die-hard public school teacher) will ask my homeschooled sister if she's going to do as well on a standardized test as the public schooled sister. It goes on and on. One thing that will be nice for my nieces and nephews is that my parents won't pressure their grandchildren like my grandpa does. They've let us choose which direction we want to go, and I doubt that will change with the next generation.

The thought that brought this topic up on my mind is that in some ways I feel like I've been jipped in my own education. I can do Algebra, and I know what the Null Hypothesis is, but the other day somebody asked me a simple multiplication/money question, and I couldn't do it in my head! Another thing that makes me question my own education, is that the family I work for is VERY pro-homeschool and mostly anti-public school (the Demilles founded George Wythe, an intense private school). To add to that, I'm also thinking of getting my teaching certification, if I stay in the Cedar City area. I had a day dream the other day about being a high school history teacher. I don't even know how I feel about public school, yet I want to be a teacher? Maybe being a teacher in a boarding school for "troubled youth" would work. It would combine teaching with psychology/social work.

I find myself asking the homeschool question, whether I'm really learning or just doing things for the grade. The answer is that I've done both, and now I get to back track. It reminds me of a saying from my favorite professor: "Don't let school get in the way of your education." To me that means that being educated is more than filling out multiple choice questions correctly. My main question is that since I don't feel extremely educated, how do I go back and get that now? I have a degree, but I still have so much to learn.

I guess it's a good thing I don't have kids yet, because I can't decide which way to go for them. I honestly don't think that any one educational theory is completely correct. Homeschool, public, private, charter. Isn't there a way to combine all of these ideations into one???? What do I do about my own education????? Anyone?

Dancing the Night Away

I forgot how much fun it was to go to a dance. On Nov. 8th Cedar City had a ball for its birthday celebration, and we went to it with Paola and Zack Garrison! I attended one in the past where it was a formal affair, but this time all of the students came in jeans and t-shirts. We were some of the few who dressed up. Poor guys, they were embarrassed, but I didn't mind at all. I felt spoiled because I got to wear my dress-up-dress, and somebody else did my hair and makeup (thanks Paola). Then there's the fact that Nate and Zack don't really like to dance, yet they came anyway. How sweet :)

Twirling, sort of.

SUU Ballroom Dance Team.

TV shows

A wonderful event blessed the world in September, and few people probably realized it. All 8 seasons of "The Cosby Show" were released! I've now decided that it is my favorite TV show of all time. What other one is so clean, family oriented, hilarious, and meaningful? Poor Nate has had to watch quite a few episodes with me, because I wasn't feeling up to much more than vegging on the couch for the past week or so. What a good sport :) My family, on the other hand has seen more episodes than I have even though I'm the one who bought Season 8! I'm also really liking "Psych." Once again, it's funny. But there is a lot of language if you don't have TVG... What is your favorite TV show and why?

Tag, I AM,

Sorry everyone, I don't write for awhile, then it all comes at once.

I AM:

I am: a daughter of God.
I know: My Father Lives
I want: to never be sick again.
I have: a fantastico familia
I dislike: meat, unless it's a good texture, don't ask me how to explain it because I don't know.
I miss: being 4, that was a fun year.
I feel: like I should go to sleep.
I hear: a footstep upstairs, and Annie rambling in my ear.
I smell: nothing, congestion takes the joy of that away.
I crave: Raspberry Deluxe, *hint hint* mom.
I cry: over stupid boys, but not lately! Thanks Nate :D
I search: the scriptures daily, thanks for that one Annie.
I wonder: why animals like cats and dogs won't leave someone who doesn't like them, alone???
I regret: more things than I don't regret.
I love: my mommy, thanks for that idea mom. What would I do without people here to help me?
I care: about poor people (inside joke, but I think I'm the only one who gets it).
I worry: about Emily's non-sleeping habits.
I remember: when it rained, apparently I danced around in it once, but the memory escapes me, thanks again mom ;)
I believe: in the sun even when it is not shining- that's a good song.
I dance: in the rain :D but I actually went to a dance last night, yipee for me.
I don't: understand people sometimes.
I argue: sometimes just to argue. Arguing about silly things is SOMETIMES fun.
I write: in my journal, or at least I made it a new goal.
I win: The love of Annie when I don't make fun of her spelling. but actually, I win!
I lose: keys and anything else that's small, Emily's trust when I make fun of her sleeping habits, and at card games once in awhile.
I wish: Emily would stop complaining and just go to sleep! But seriously I wish we would all share (by choice not governmental decree), so poverty would be eradicated from the world.
I listen: to normal music, NO CHRISTMAS MUSIC ALLOWED until AFTER Thanksgiving.
I can usually be found: with people.
I am scared: of the "E" word, the "M" word, but no longer am I scared of the "L" word.
I need: sinus spray, like Joy said.
I forget: Names, about 3 seconds after someone tells me theirs.
I am happy: right now, and I'd like to thank those who made this Tag possible, Annie, Emily and Mom. Without them my world would be a "dreary walk alone as an Orphan." I'd also like to thank the Cosby Show for providing the inspirational quotes for my life.

Tag, you're it!

Pressure in the head, Part 2.

Never mind about visiting the doctor... I'll have to wait until next Friday, i.e. payday! Any ideas on home remedies until then?

NATE & ME. (Yes, that is correct grammar.)

I love Picasa 3!

The Infamous Sombrero

This is the sombrero that started it all... Nate didn't realize what he was getting himself into when I said I like to hike. On our first date he planned a short, hour or so hike; but when he mentioned that he liked the Kolob Arch hike, I jumped at the chance. I didn't have a hat, but Nate's roommate had jokingly left this in his truck. He probably wasn't serious when he offered it to me, but to me it looked like plenty of shade!

The hike ended up being about eight hours, and to say we weren't prepared is an understatement. We only had a couple of granola bars (but tons of water thank goodness), I got blisters and started walking in bare feet (this was even more fun when we saw the horse poop covering the trail), and finished hiking in the dark without a flashlight. Who knew there were other hikers as crazy as me??? This was one of my most favorite hikes :D It's always fun to be with someone who can joke and laugh when things go wrong.

Pressure in the Head

Well, I'm over the whining about still being single, or should I say everyone else being married... big deal if our lives are different! Lately my thoughts are consumed with trying to breathe through my nose, and getting the pressure off of my face! After 2 weeks of feeling miserable, I've finally succumbed to the idea that I should go see a doctor. This is a momentous occasion, because the last time I went to a doctors' office for sickness was when I was 15 or so. I've been proud of the fact that I don't even know any doctor's names because I'm "so healthy," until today. I figure that I have a sinus infection, which sounds pretty harmless. The problem is that I looked it up online and the article said you can die from it if the infection gets to your brain, or the infection can simply eat away your frontal bone. Neither of these options sound good to me. I guess it's time to pay attention to the messages on the over-the-counter-meds (which haven't put a dent in the pressure), that say to call a doctor if the symptoms last longer than a week (which mine have).

Does anyone know any doctors in the Cedar City area????? Besides not knowing any names, does anyone know how much it costs for a doctor visit if you don't have insurance????? This is pathetic, but I guess I'd like to stay alive... so I'm going.