Ups & Downs

February has been a month full of it’s up and down.

I always know that life has been busy when I don’t have single picture taken with my Nikon during the month.

My camera is my passion.  Thank heavens for iPhones and the ability to take pictures with ease and convenience.

What have we been up to?

We started the month making a 100th day project.  Money does grow on trees.

$100 dollars for 100 days of school.

We had a few sick days around here.

At the end of the first week of February, we received shocking news that our dear friends lost a daughter and a sister. 

Alesa was serving a mission for our church; and was killed in an accident.

The Smith family(including Alesa) was like our second family while living in Arkansas.

I was lucky enough to travel to Arkansas to attend the funeral. It was a beautiful service that touched me and taught me.

I felt blessed to give the opening prayer.

I was touched to read these words in her program:

Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for a short time so others can be with their family for eternity.

We love you Smith Family.  We miss you Alesa.

Before I left for Arkansas, I worked quickly to get my kids Valentines done, and pack for Utah.

I sent their Valentines to school early because we were in UT on the actual day.  I will share more about those little love notes later this week.

I came home from Arkansas late on Thursday night and we left for Utah early Friday morning.

We were happy to arrive in Utah.

It was nice to see “the greatest snow on Earth.”

Jonathan and I had the opportunity to visit with several medical practices in UT; to decide if “This is the place.”

If you are from Utah you will understand my pun.(wink wink)

Along the way we also enjoyed:

being in Park City for a couple of days.  Jonathan did some skiing at the Canyons, and did a lot of convincing that this should become a new hobby for me. However, I really enjoyed hanging out in my nice warm hotel room in the Canyons.

enjoying the little treasures in Logan; Herm’s Inn for lunch and Bluebird Chocolates(for Valentines of course); listening to our Nephew’s mission talk and saying goodbye as he leaves to Eugene, Oregon to serve our church for 2 years; he is also holding our new nephew that Jonathan and I got to meet for the first time; meet Joseph; and bowling with my family(six little people bowling, and seven adults; Tess was the winner.)

We are still in the process of figuring out where we will be in the next four months.  It is scary to finally be making the decision about where to settle down and plant some roots.  It is also exciting to decide where to settle down and plant some roots.

We are using a lot of faith on this decision.  Pray for us.

We are back in PA now.  Trying to settle in.

I threw a baby shower the day after we got back.  It was really fun. I love friends.  What a great gift from God.

Speaking of baby; my sister decided to have this little cutie just two days after I left Utah.  Meet: Liam Mark Robbins.

Liam you were two days late!  I guess you will have to wait a few more months to meet your Awesome Auntie Andrea.

I have also been trying to catch up on housework, laundry, 1/2 birthday treats for all 3 August birthdays, visits to the dentist, helping out some friends; and fighting a nasty cold.

Not to mention Stella is home sick today with the stomach flu.  YEAH!!

It’s good to be home.

I swear it is so much colder here in the East then it is in UT.  This wet, windy, chill you to the bone cold is extreme.  I think I like the dry sunny cold better. 

Maybe Utah really is the place.