Monday, January 21, 2013

Vacation Pics

Day 1.  

Look who is getting her hair and nails done at Aunt Julie's.  (not sure who is having a better vacation).  


Mother & daughter

My view... does it get better than that ...  Sun, flip flops, beer and the pool.  

She is going to kill me for putting this picture on here.  Brittany had a GREAT time the first night.  




This was my view when I would run on the track on the top of the ship.  I mean, seriously... this was awesome!!!




My mom and I on our first cruise.  

Miss Annie!  Love her!  



The girls (some of them...)


No words for this guy... he also had some fun on Day 1.  




Titanic style!  :-) 

Happy 30th Anniversary Greg and Jodi!  We love you! 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Happy Birthday Nick!

Today my wonderful husband turned 34 years old. I was actually with him at the exact minute he turned 34 too!  You see, even though he is 34 years old Nick is still very much a child at heart. I thought I would take some time today to tell you more about Nick Robertson, since it’s his very special day!


Nick is a man with many, MANY talents. He is an amazing guitar player, he can play piano, sing, plays drums AND to top it all off he plays them all so well. With this talent comes a fascination and obsession with guitars, amps, pedals and anything in between! I can’t tell you how many days we will be having a conversation about something and it will turn into Nick telling me about his new “dream guitar” that he found! I have to admit, this is one of my least favorite and maybe favorite things about him. He has a passion for what he loves and I admire that so much!

Nick is a people person. Wherever we go Nick will either know someone there or make a new friend. On our cruise last week, Nick befriended a couple of the waiter’s who ended up remembering not only his name, but also the number on his sign and sail card (not sure if this was a good thing or not!!!!). Nick has a heart of gold and people see that. He is so open and welcoming to anyone he comes in contact with. To be honest, it doesn’t matter if you’re 1, 3, or 93 Nick would find a reason to chat or interact with you. This is something I most defiantly LOVE about him. I think that’s why we’re still best friends!

Nick is an awesome husband. He is kind, accommodating, thoughtful and loving. Now don’t get me wrong… do I wish he did more laundry, well of course! But if I have to choose between a guy who does laundry and a guy who will watch Parenthood with me weekly and will let me pick our Romantic Comedies on our movie nights instead of action just so we can spend time together … I choose Nick!

My FAVORITE thing about Nick has been watching him become the amazing father that he is. I love hearing our kids say daily to Nick, “I love you Daddy. You’re the best Daddy in the whole world” and I know they mean it. If he isn’t coloring with them, or reading to them, he is on the floor wrestling and playing. He has also been amazing since the day they were born. He has taken an active role in their lives and I know they will forever know how much they mean to their Dad (and me). God really knew what he was doing when he pushed Nick to ask me to marry him and blessed us with Birk and Addy!

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nick. I sure hope 34 blesses you in many ways. I know that the past 34 years you have been a blessing to many people who love you very much.

THE LIST

I saw this blog on Pinterest and it caught my attention so I thought I'd try this out! Sorry for those that read my blog... this might get a big boring!


THE LIST:

1. List 10 random facts about yourself.

Love karaoke, love to sing when I drive alone, addicted to reruns of my favorite shows, used to have curly hair, my favorite color is green (the more it looks like vomit color, the more I like it seems), can't live without Reeces Pieces, Own all the Friends's seasons on DVD, Do not like NFL football, LOVE Volleyball, Love Jesus more than anything!

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

Fear of driving on icy roads. I get terrified when the weather turns bad. I hate driving on it, but I hate riding in the car more with someone who is driving on icy roads. I think it's a control thing.

Fear of missing out on important things. I love my job, and I love helping to provide for my family, but I am afraid I am missing so much in my kids life.

Fear my children will stop breathing. I can't tell you how many nights I still wake up to make sure they are breathing. I think this comes from seeing my son STOP breathing several times. Having to give him CPR to revive him was one of the hardest and scariest things ever!

3. Describe your relationship with your spouse.

Perfect. Now don't get me wrong, there are rough days, but that is the best part. When you get to spend your days with your best friend and you know its forever ... that is perfect, in my book.

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

- Don't stress about the "in crowd. - you WILL find the perfect person to spend your life with. Don't try to rush anything. - Respect yourself more. - Respect you Mom and Dad more! They deserve it. - Always say I love you. No matter what. - Trust in God's plan. Stop trying to think you know what's best. - Run. You'll love it when you get older. Start running more now. - Send more Thank you Notes. - Ask your mom to teach you to sew. You'll want to know someday and why not learn from the best. - Spend time talking to your Dad (and Mom). Trust me, when they are gone ... you'll miss them and WISH you could just sit down and visit.

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

Kids. Running. Wine. Family. College Football.

6. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
-To have enough money to not have to worry about it.
-To teach my kids that doing for others is far more important than always just doing for yourself.
-To still be able to talk to my Dad.

7. What is your dream job, and why?

That's an easy one. A Nurse.

8. What are 5 passions you have?

Music (piano), Running, Reading, Learning, Faith.

9. List 10 people who have influenced you.

Mom. Dad. Jodi. Julie. Brothers. Nick. Birk. Addy. Nieces and Nephews God.

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Freshman Basketball when I forgot which hoop was ours and I shoot the ball. Enough said, it's still very embarrassing to me! :-)

11. Describe 3 pet peeves you have.
-Cutting your finger nails in public.
-Interrupting someone when they are talking.
-Being a one-upper. Just let someone have their moment.

12. Describe a typical day in your current life.

Get up, get ready, get kids ready, load the car, drive to daycare, drive to work, work, pick up kids, pick up Nick, come home, start dinner, maybe teach lessons, work out, play, read books, bedtime, Jenny time, bed!

13. What’s the hardest part of growing up?

Being alone. I had siblings, but they were so much older that at times I felt like an only child. I'm so glad my kids will always have each other.

14. Describe 5 strengths that you have

I am passionate, I’m a go-getter, I’m dedicated to finishing, I am ok with saying I’m sorry, I say I love you a lot.

15 What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

Art. I love to be creative, but there are times when I can tell my creativity is not working.

16. What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

Well I could tell you the rated R thing or he would say how much I laugh with him.

17. How did you feel the moment you became a parent?

I don’t remember the exact moment as I was still drugged up. I remember finding out I was pregnant and just feeling like it was a dream. Then seeing my babies for the first time felt like even though the times would be touch … I was meant to be their mommy.

18. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
-Going to the Iowa Hawkeye home games.
-Being invited to go golfing with my dad on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
-Family vacation to Oklahoma.

19. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about parenthood? Favorite: My children's happiness. I love the giggles, the smiles and knowing they are happy.

Least favorite: The pain they have gone through. What they have been through to be alive and each and every time they get sick. I want to make it better. I'd also had sleep ness nights. I wasn't a big fan of that.

20. What’s your favorite quality in your spouse?
He makes me laugh. Sometimes he can be obnoxious, but he is truly my better 1/2.

21. List 5 things you would hope to be remembered for.
-My faith.
-My devotion to family and friends
-That I raised good, faithful children
-That I made a difference in someone's life
-That I stayed true to what is important to me!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Vacation 2013

What a great way to start off the new year than to hop on a plane and then hop on a boat and said to the Bahama’s.

So to kick off 2013, Nick and I did just that.


We were invited over a year ago to go on this vacation with my oldest sister and her husband and family. They also invited my mom. I have to tell you I was pumped. I used to go on family vacations with my sister and her family when I was growing up as it was so hard for my folks to get away from the store that they owned. I always had a blast, last week proved to be no different. I have to be honest here though … I didn’t really know if I would like it or not. I’ve never been on a ship in the middle of the ocean (and I know how I feel just turning around in the van to help the kids with something). We boarded on Thursday around 4pm and left Florida. We sailed through the night and docked on Friday around noon in Nassau, Bahama’s. Friday morning was a bit dicey for Nick and I. We were feeling the motion of the ocean, feeling the effects of the night before and both looked a wee bit peeked. After we each took a motion sickness pill we were golden. Those little puppies did the trick. We then spent the day exploring Nassau with my nephew and his fiancĂ©, and catching up at some local establishments. We got back on the boat in time for dinner and then explored what the boat had to offer. We saw some shows, went to a comedy show, saw live music, danced, sang karaoke, swam …. The list goes on and on.

Saturday was an entire day at sea and it was fabulous. The temperature was about 80+ so we just sat by the pool, enjoyed the on board water park and soaked up every last bit of vacation that we could.

Sunday we left the ship around 9:30am and drove straight to the Orlando airport. Nick and I were fortunate enough to grab an earlier flight back to Omaha to get to my other sisters house and see the kids. They were still napping when we got there. I will never forget the precious look on their faces when they came out of the room and saw Nick and I sitting there. It might have been one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

Today meant back to the grind at work for both of us, while the kids got to spend the day with my mom at home. I’m so thankful for this time w/ family. I’ll try and post some pictures of our trip soon!



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012 Christmas ... in pictures

We, again, had a wonderful Holiday season.  We got to spend time with my family at the beginning of December, had our own Christmas celebration on Christmas day, got to celebrate with Nick's extended family and his immediate family this past weekend followed by a short trip to Memphis for the Liberty bowl.

We are back to work tomorrow to start 2013.  Here's hoping this year is full of God's blessings!


Blizzard of 2012 (the only one)



Finishing our last minute Christmas shopping.  It will take a lot out of you!




Grandma Robertson taking care of a little girl with a fever!  :-(  


Great Grandma Robertson


Thumbs up to Christmas


Looking out the window searching for Santa













Cool Maquoketa Valley shirts that Grandma Robertson bought us. 


Sweet Girl in the ER in Manchester.  She had strep throat.  Just the way we wanted to start our trip to Memphis.  She was a trooper and did great! 








B TOTALLY enjoyed the 1st 1/2 of the game ... sleeping in my arms.  


UNCLE


All ready to go!  





The whole fam!  


This cool 1 2 3 trick .... you might have had to be there to understand. 


The end result ...