Oh, Heart Be Still

The Promise Of Forever

By Sydney Roberts

For art class, Sydney, was assigned to do a "stain glass window" picture using markers. She chose to make her assignment a gift for me featuring me holding both Zachary and Aftyn in my arms, something that my heart and arms yearn to be able to do someday. It's entitled "A Promise of Forever" because someday we will be together again. Someday I will hold both my twins in my arms together. The bottom says...*Until we meet again*I'll be watching from above*, it shows Zachary in Heaven watching over his twin sister, Aftyn. Just like I know he does, as well as watches over all his brothers and sisters. Sydney depicted Zachary looking like a missionary because we know he his fulfilling his mission on the other side of the veil. Although I miss my baby, I know his spirit is not that of a baby. This picture gives me both. It also gives me a glimpse into Eternity. Thank You, Sydney. I will forever and ever treasure this gift. 

November Happenings

Here are a few of the November happenings in our house that haven't yet made it to a blog post.

The day after Kaylie's 12th birthday she got her cast removed. Though she never once complained about having it on, she was one happy camper about getting it off. 

On the same day Tyler got to go to Clear Creek (outdoor school) for a day and a half. Even better than that Ken got to with him. Both father and son had a really good time together. 

Since this was Kay's 12th b-day she got to have a friends birthday party which we did the week after her real birthday. We had some crazy fun that night!

This is McKenna and Daric having a winter picnic together. They are such cuties!

And lastly we are now the owners of a bunny rabbit named Zoe. The kids are in love. It all happened rather fast, I'm not quite used to the idea yet. She is pretty cute though,  I think she's growing on me.



4 Adults + 15 Kids = 1 Awesome Thanksgiving

I'm feeling a little giddy over my Thanksgiving holiday. You see...it was really RELAXING. I know you are asking yourself how could this be humanly possible, right?  Considering I am the mom and the mom always ends up cooking for 2 days straight, eating for 30 minutes, then cleaning up for another 2 days.

Check out all the things I didn't have to do this year:

*I didn't cook a turkey

*I didn't make mashed potatoes or gravy

*I didn't bake rolls

*I didn't make stuffing

*I didn't start cooking the day before Thanksgiving.

*I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house for company.

*I didn't have to worry about anything.

WHY?

Because my friends did all of those things for us this year.

We went to our friends house for Thanksgiving, and had a wonderful time.

I got to sleep in and enjoy my family. I got to make a few of my favorite salads with the help of a few of my favorite kitchen helpers. Then I got to go enjoy good food and the company of good friends, all while my kids played and had a wonderful time.

It was a perfect day for me. I feel spoiled. And I'm liking it.

Thank you, Dione and Rory.

Here are a few pics from our at home Thanksgiving festivities.

Me and the kids made these fun and yummy turkeys together on Wednesday night.

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass without taking a picture of the people I'm most Thankful for.

Love you guys

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...

 For Family Home Evening, Monday night, I asked the kids to think about the things in our lives that they are especially grateful for.  

This is our list...

The Roberts Family is grateful...

That families can be together forever.

For education.

A home.

My Grandma (from Daric, I know he loves his Grandpa's too)

The earth that we live on.

To be a Husband and Father. (Ken)

The Atonement.

Food.

Our friends.

The Gospel.

The Priesthood.

Temples

Time with each other.

Mom and Dad. (thanks, kids)

Mrs. Cooper (Emma's 2nd grade teacher)

I didn't even contribute to the list because Ken and the kids pretty much covered it all. I would just like to ditto all the above and echo Ken's response....I am SO grateful to be a wife and a mother. My heart is full.
We all have so much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!

Losing It....Week 14

The last two weeks have not been great for me in the weight-loss department. That's actually putting it mildly...here's the truth...I basically FELL OFF THE WAGON.

Results:

0

I didn't lose or gain this weigh-in.

I could offer up a bunch of excuses but I won't. I'll just start over and do better. My goal for next weigh-in is minus 5 pounds. I can't say I'm not disappointed that I've let 2 weeks go by without making any progress, BUT in a way I'm sort-of glad. Although it will be hard to get back on track, I'm actually looking forward to the challenge. Losing weight started to get too easy, if that makes any sense. Now I have to recommit and work harder especially through this holiday season. So, really I'm glad I had a bad weigh-in, cause it's only going to motivate be to do better next time.

Oh, I just remembered...I promised to post pictures when I fit into my "too small" jeans. Well they fit! But pictures are still not my friend. I FEEL much smaller that I look and that is kind of discouraging when I see pictures. I am about to do something completely horrifying and post pictures of my bum. Yes, I just said, my bum.

*The picture to the left was taken in July just before I started my weight loss journey. It actually greatly helped motivate me because although I have aways known I have a big tushie, I was not prepared to see just what I looked like from the backside.

*Picture on the right was taken a few days ago, almost 30 lbs. lighter in my "too small" jeans. Baby still got back, I know. But it is looking better if I do say so myself.

Oh my heck, I can't believe I just did that!

This really is totally embarrassing. Oh, well...here's two more.

*The picture on the left was taken in February on my 36th birthday, 2 weeks after having Aftyn. I actually weigh not too much more than I do now, but hopefully I'm looking a little better.

* The picture on the right is taken the same day as the "butt" picture, just a few days ago.

 Okay, I think that is as much humiliation as I can stand.

You could wish me luck though, that might help. ;)

I'm Diggin' 63% Off

Do you remember back in the day when hospital photo's were affordable? Granted they were not so cute, but you bought them anyway because who can say "No" to a photo of their child, right? Well, now they actually take great pictures at the hospital, right in your hospital room, using natural light. They are much better than the old ugly ones. The only problem is...now they cost a fortune. I was more than a little broken hearted back in January when I had to say "No" to ordering hospital pics of Aftyn. That was a rough time at Ken's work, we weren't getting paid regularly ("regularly" would be an understatement) and we just couldn't afford it. Many times during the past 9 months I have thought about calling to see if her photos were still available, but I still never could really afford to get them so I never called. I just felt that twinge of sorrow whenever I thought about it.

Much to my surprise, relief, and joy I got an email last week from the hospital photographer offering Aftyn's hospital pictures for 63% off. Even though they still cost me over $60.00 I jumped at the chance to order her hospital photos.

Here are a few...

This one she wanted everyone to know she was 3 days old.

Smart girl!

I'm a happy mama.

 

What's Up With The Tongue?

Today I attempted to take a few pictures of Aftyn only it's not so easy anymore. She will NOT stay still. I had to take a bunch to end up with a few where she isn't trying to escape. And check out the tongue...she has discovered her tongue and has it hanging out on nearly every picture. By the way, she recently had her 9 month check up and she is now 16lbs. 11 oz. Still pretty little for a Roberts, but she does have some chunk on her little thighs. Love it!

This was my attempt to keep the tongue in.

Aah...finally.

This little girl loves to bounce. This is one of her favorite places to play. Aftyn is such a fun baby!