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Samuel naps every day (and now that we've moved his crib to the middle of the room where he can't climb on things to get out, he is back to napping regularly…hallelujah!).  School lets out at 3:00 and our big boys ride their bikes home with a sea of people who are all headed home in the neighborhood (I love living in the same neighborhood as the school).  On much of the days, Samuel is still napping (but not for long once J & C make their presence known).  But some days, he's awake and his first question is always the same, "Kakob and Cabub here?"

And when they're not, he likes to wait for them by the door.  Yesterday's weather allowed us to open the door wide and capture "the wait".

He doesn't yet see them, but he's yelling "Kakob!!  Cabub!!  Come home!!"  Some neighbor kids hear him and yell "Hi Samuel!". 

Here he is giving some neighbors a wave.

He spots his brothers and points them out.

Here comes "Kakob!"

Here comes "Cabub"!

He's greeted with "Hi, buddy!" (Caleb) and "What's up, Sam?" (Jacob)

I love that they have each other. 

This post was supposed to be published yesterday, which would make "yesterday" mean Wednesday.  It's lost some of its "umph" now that it's a day old, but oh well!

I can feel when seasons shift.  Especially winter into spring.  Most people think it's gradual…not me.  I sense that it's a shift that happens over night.  And it happened yesterday.

The morning light is brighter.

The birds are singing with greater intensity…not just one lone bird but a cackle of them.

The ground warmed up under the bright sun.  And even though it dropped back down to cold last night it will do it again today…make a greater effort at warming, that is.

Little peeks of green bermuda grass started showing up under all of the dead.

Blossoms are poking out of the peach tree and 3 bees came to taste their first drinks of spring.

It happened…yesterday.

Spring in Texas has arrived.  And even though it may not be a permanent fixture yet, it is pushing its way through the heavy cold and will soon be here to stay.

This winter has been especially cold, dreary and wet.  More snow than I've ever seen!  More jacket-wearing days than I've ever experienced.  And I've lived here my whole life, so I should know.

Usually when spring comes I am excited but intrepid…knowing that the long, brutality of summer is just around the corner.  We usually have some "spring" days during winter which makes that season seem less than itself.

But not this year.  This year winter made her mark. 

This year…spring is a welcome sight.

When Derek and I were asked to coordinate trek, we never would have guessed the amount of time that would be spent discussing and worrying about potties! It's one of the biggest questions I get asked about…"will we have to potty in the trees?". "How many potties are there?"

The bottom line is – we're camping, not staying at the Ritz. But I also want the 200 girls and women to have a decent place to potty. So – here they are girls! Your potties. Not sure why they're labeled fragile, but ok!!??!! Flushable camping potties. Who would have thunk it!

 

p.s. How's that for higher quality blogging?!  Ha!

Boy – I've been a quantity blogger!  A post everyday (almost) in February.  And it's been fun.  And it's been easy!  Easy is good for me these days. 

But I was looking up some quotes on journaling on Sunday (for trek) and found some great words from Spencer W Kimball, former president of our Church (1973-1985), who felt strongly about journal and record-keeping.

"The good biographer will…weed out the irrelevant and seek the strong, novel and interesting."

"What could you do better for your children and your children's children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?

Some of what you may write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity."

I have never pretended that this was my "journal".  There are many things that I hold tight and do not reveal in such a public place.  Many of my spiritual thoughts and experiences, I keep to myself, and will continue to do so. 

But technically, this is currently the only record I keep…for myself, for my children, for their children.  So I'd like to be better at producing better quality – really sharing some of the things that make me, me.  Exploring and recording more of my experiences.

Believe me – the quantity posts will remain – posting some of the humdrum daily stuff is fun and important in it's own way.  I love looking at a mercantile list that is recorded in own of the "Robinson" books of history.  Seeing what they bought and how much they paid is so fun!  There is beauty in recording the daily.

But I hope to deliver a little more quality too.  If not for me…for them.

Getting an oil change in the ‘burban. I love this place because we get to sit in the car, they turn our own personal tv to a channel of our choice, then we turn our radio to that channel and have a party! They also provide water or soda beverages! Never has an oil change been this enjoyable!

Trek, trek and more trek – it’s fun though – I sure am blessed being able to be involved in something as special as this. Yesterday we solved a big logistical problem – feeling good to have that solved. Washed all the “babies” (I can explain) and cut up a bunch of burlap.

 

This handsome guy accomplished a big goal and milestone today and we are SO PROUD!  Derek ran a half-marathon this morning…the Cowtown in Forth Worth.  13.1 miles!  In 2:05!! 

Even with breaking the treadmill and some minor injuries this last month, he made it!  Way to go, D!

 

Caleb got his numbers a little mixed up and put 31.1 miles – Derek is counting his blessings that it was only 13 and not 31 miles – he says he wouldn't have made it. :) 
 

These boots are made for walking.

Or at least they will be when I get done with them!

Bought these at Walmart for trek. I’m going to do my best to break them in as much as possible in the next three weeks.

This morning I’m at the park in my boots…and at the creek in my boots…and at the grocery store in my boots….

You get the idea.

Our Maggie girl had her spay surgery today. Poor thing is pretty pathetic right now. I almost cried with how sweet the boys were when we picked her up – they spotted her through the window before she came out. Now they're keeping vigil at her side (I'm sure she's thrilled. :). I've heard cute voices saying… "aaahhh, ma-ag-ie gur-l". Samuel "i'm so sorry Maggie – we just couldn't let you have puppies.". Caleb "it's ok sweet girl" and "mom, I don't like this!". Jacob Caleb has also told me that he doesn't think he could ever be a vet because 1. His allergies and 2. He doesn't think he could cut a dog open. Boys and their dog – it's a pretty special thing!

ETA: A few cute pictures from my real camera…

 

 

Lovin’ me the California rolls on Friday for lunch!

Look at that awesome turtle! I predict that this is the first of many art shows for Caleb.