Happy 4th Birthday, Leah!

So Leah turned 4 back on Oct. 11. Now I'm almost a month late on this update. She had a nice day. For the Sunday before, Grandma Sally & Grandpa Dan, the Lee family, and Aunt Stacy and her friend Jim were able to join us for Leah's birthday dinner. For the second year in a row, Leah chose chili for her dinner. She sure loves chili! We had white chicken chili & "regular" chili. Leah is a very sweet four year-old. Her imagination is out of this world and you never know what she's going to say when she comes in the room. She loves to play school and pretends to be her teachers. She loves playing babies and she and Anne are becoming very close. They are frequently on a mission together and it is so cute seeing these two little girls so close. She really enjoys preschool and lately, she's wanted to eat lunch there, so we do that about once a week in the cafeteria and also get to catch up with the big brothers. She is probably out best eater, truly, and would probably win the award for "best dinner eater" most nights of the week. Hard to believe she's four! We sure love her.

How can I be so far behind?

Well, I truly need to get caught up on blogging and my pictures. I knew I hadn't posted anything in a long time, but I was amused to see that my last post - more than 1 1/2 months ago - was about working on pictures...I'm pretty sure I haven't worked on them since then! Just the daily life and other projects have really kept me busy! But, progress is happening, so that's good.

Other things we have been up to...
-the basement project - should have the final inspection this Wednesday! Then we can start rearranging the kids' rooms. The most recent progress - cabinets & counters in during the past couple weeks, speakers are in the ceiling, and the last few safety items taken care of
- different car - done - I'm now the proud driver of a Ford 12 passenger van! I kind of joke about it, but it is comfortable and really gives us a good amount of space. The kids absolutely love it and it will be nice to have some extra seats. I will say, though, that never in my life 10 years ago or earlier did I think I'd ever own one. I think we'll get a lot of great use out of it.
- this weekend I balanced my checkbook for the months of June, 2011-present! WOW, I had some catching up to do!
- then there's the usual stuff - soccer practice, games, homework, routine laundry, errands, cleaning, working, etc.
- finally started working a bit on potential baby names! That's the most recent thing that got promoted to the top of the list. 34 weeks - I guess we should come up with something!

Other things I'd like to work on:
- getting all the kids situated so we can figure out which room we'll put the baby in (and whether that involves another room being painted or not).
- cleaning out the garage so we can park in there again - still have some basement project equipment there.
- take a breather from the projects to just sit in anticipation of meeting our new little person!
-actually getting my picture work done along with my annual family photo album for 2010 (which hasn't been started).

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, but for the moment, these are the thoughts on my mind! I feel a bit sad about any great memories that I may have failed to record lately, but will just hope they come back to me! Just been a busy time around here!

Family Pictures

So, I've been working on some new pictures of the kids. I haven't finished, but at least wanted to post one of the most recent, from just this week Wednesday.

In the midst of things going on, I have found myself flying through this period of anticipation looking forward to December 7(ish) when we'll get to welcome the newest Robinson. This past Wednesday marked 26 weeks already. The baby is doing great and I can't complain about much. Leah's eyes light up at the thought of another sister, but we'll see...either way we look forward to meeting another blessing...hard to imagine - the 1/2 dozen!

Verses to Support How We "Do Everything"

1 Corinthians 10: 31

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

1 Peter 4: 8-11

"Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Colossians 3: 15-17

"And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Ephesians 2: 8-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

Do Everything...

So I've not been the most regular on updating about everything going on in the Robinson household. I have found the month of August to have been gone in a blink. It started with the fun trip to the fair in Washington and the stay with Grandma Donna & Grandpa Jerry (still planning to put some memories & pictures in on that). Then we came back to getting ready for school. In addition, a big frenzy on the work in the basement was going on. In the past 6 weeks or so, the drywall, taping, painting, and flooring has been done. We are now down to basically doors, trim, and waiting for the cabinets. Feels good, but wow, it has been a bit exhausting. School is off to a good start, all the kids are enjoying it and the routine is falling into place.

Last week seemed especially exhausting with finalizing the choices on the flooring and then trying to keep the house in somewhat reasonable order & the kids occupied while Patrick, Grandpa, and Uncle Robert worked in the basement. We appreciate the help so much! By the time Friday rolled around, I was very tired and feeling a bit like I couldn't keep up with all of it as I was heading to work for my Friday evening shift. But then, in the midst of me trying to "Do everything" I needed to do, I heard a message TWICE on that day, on the radio. I heard this song for the first time that day, and I heard it on the way to work AND on the way home. God has such an interesting way of getting messages to us, and on that day, reminding me of the purpose of the tasks I do each day and where I should devote the effort. I thought it was such a great song and the first verse of course got my attention as I see it as part of my daily routine! If you haven't heard it, give it a try...

It is by Steven Curtis Chapman - he has several songs I really like. This one ranks very high, as does his song Cinderella, that literally brings tears to my eyes when I hear it and think of Patrick and our little girls...

"Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman (You have to scroll down a bit & there's a video to click on there)

"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Neat Catholic Family Story

Very neat story about a Catholic family and neat that the Washington Post kept the evidence in the story of the family's ever present faith! Wow, and to think, no multiple births! Really must be God's plan that this was even physically possible for them!

How a D.C. area family with 11 children, ages 12 through 1, makes it work - The Washington Post

First Day of School 8-18-11

What a great day! I can't believe how much older the kids seem even after the first day. I think especially Leah - WOW - in preschool. So hard to believe. She just looks older to me now. She really enjoyed her first day (even though it was only for one hour). Jacob did great going to his first day of kindergarten. He's very familiar with the room as Leyton & Nathaniel were in the same room for kindergarten, with the same teacher; and Leyton was also there for 1st grade with Mrs. Hensler again. Nathaniel even showed him around a bit, "You can hang your backpack over there, where ever you want." Jacob sure is growing up, too. He said he had a lot of fun and would be going back tomorrow. And then my big boys...second grade, really? It is so hard to believe?! I'm like a broken record, but how can they seem to change just so quickly? I'm very proud of all of them and look forward to a great year. My little Anne was a champ today following everyone around and tagging along with the drop offs & pickups. What a great little gal. Good thing I have more time at home with her! My oh my...