Still Celebrating!!!

Part of my anniversary present was a few days at Sanibel Harbour Resort for a marriage conference. We left home on Thursday and got back today. I worked hard to finish Cary's anniversary present that I didn't get done for the REAL anniversary! I gave him a scrap book of the first 25 years. We had a great time and saw MORE dolphins and sunsets! We have stayed there several times in the past, and I know RIGHT where the resident dolphin lives. Been there forever. Same place, same time of day, always there. I was very sad because I never saw him/her. But, I did see three of them, always traveling together, so I have pretty much decided that the resident one has made some new friends. That makes me feel better. We spent a lot of time at the pool and read a lot! We are always happy when we accomplish that! We enjoyed the conference too...but all the people made it very difficult for us getting to our beautiful room on the top floor! Lots of people on the same schedule overworked those poor elevators! Cary left this afternoon on a staff development trip, he'll be back Wednesday. Till then, it's just the girls! Well, and Tucker!

Walking Again!

We wrapped up Kaylee's week of celebrating yesterday. We went to Olive Garden for lunch (Joshua and Jen weren't able to make it) and Kaylee decided we really didn't need a DQ cake since we had several sitting around already! I think she quite enjoyed her freedom over the weekend, and she was very good to check in with us and keep us very aware of where she was AND that she was all in one piece! This morning she drove herself to school for the first time! So far, so good! I started back walking this morning. Have not walked since early June because of an ongoing cough and medicines, and Dr visits. I was finally feeling like I could do it, and I was thrilled to be able to start back! I have missed it SO much. I was also able to go a whole hour earlier, since Kaylee drove herself to school, and that meant it was cooler too! So, at this point, all is well at the Robinson's!

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, Kaylee!!

Yep, she is 16! We've had a day! We all got up early (you can tell by the goofs in the early morning picture) and went to Perkins for breakfast before school. This was our only time as a family that was in the plan, so she opened presents at breakfast! Cindy waited on us and got to pose for yet another Robinson birthday picture! Now, let me tell you about our ride from Perkins to school. This is to document Kaylee's last practice run before going for her license. Seemed like we were going 60 through the school zones, but all of us were able to remain calm and quiet, biting our tongues, holding on for dear life. Then, out of no where, a man on a bike coming right at us, weaving between cars...Cary yelped, we all thought we were done for. Notice I DID NOT say that was a WISE man on a bike coming right at us! Then, a right hand turn over the curb, pretty sure we lost a hubcap. At this point, we are laughing like crazy, tears and all, and Cary says "THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Please understand, that was not anything to do with any of us nearly being killed, simply he was not sure if we had lost a hubcap or not. Somehow, things got even funnier then...OK, so we made it to school, signed her in late, did a hubcap check, and when it was just us in the car, I said "If she doesn't get her license, she's driving alone anyway, because I'm NOT riding with her ANYMORE!" Carissa and Megan made her a cake and took her lunch and roses, then we took her for her test. She passed! So, we left her there, with her car and a bunch of plans for the evening and a FEW instructions. Then, Cary and I drove off and hid, and then met up with her at the first stop light. Cary had a FEW more instructions there! And, since then, she has checked in several times, as she was instructed to! So far, so good! She had to go visit her little boys she babysits, a friend, have dinner with friends, then a ball game and ice cream after. So, we will wrap up all the birthday celebrating on Sunday with a family dinner! I think we just might survive it all!

Events of the Last Week

I have some catching up to do! Last week I was consumed with helping to plan a funeral. It was on Saturday, and long before it was planned, Claire's 5th birthday party was. I knew I was going to be running full speed all day, from one thing to the next and hopefully not too late for anything! The funeral went well and I actually got done a little earlier than I thought I would. That just meant that I had time to grab something to eat on the way to the party. I pulled in at McD's, thinking it was just convenient, but soon realized that God had snuck in a little blessing for me among the hectic schedule of the day. You know how it is when you are just running full speed, no time to catch your breath. I was quickly trying to organize my food and start back on the road when I looked up and had an unexpected surprise. A field of goats. Yep. And I was forced to take a deep breath and regroup for a minute. We have been in Ft. Myers for almost 24 years, seen a lot of changes, but the goats, well, that was something WAY too familiar. I was looking at a little "farm store", that's what the kids always called it. It is a shack, at best. Family owned, then and now, selling food from the family farm, and they also have goats. Each one of my kids stood many times at the fence and watched the goats. And, each family member stood and watched my kids grow up watching the goats! It was cheap entertainment, and a regular part of their lives. It is simply a part of who they are! So, there I was, rushed at best and yet taken back to many years of taking time to stand and watch the goats play. And, I looked over and there in the seat of the car was my camera, I thought because I was headed to a party, but I also think it was an divine appointment, to record part of history for my kids! So, I got out of the car, zoomed in as close as I could, and captured the moment of memories that came flooding in. Life is busy, and complicated, and for just a minute, God gave me permission to take a deep breath and remember times of simplicity. It was a gift, and I knew it right then and there! Well, then on to Claire's party! They had hair done, nails done, and dressed up for a walk down the run way! Yesterday was the official day, she is now 5! I think the girls started babysitting her when she was just a few months old and she has provided much entertainment and joy for all of us! And, on Sunday, we started celebrating Kaylee's 16th! We gave her a card with tickets to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater to see High School Musical II. So, off she and Hilary went to celebrate! Oh, the celebration isn't over...stay tuned, Friday is coming!

Carissa Celebrates

We have officially celebrated Carissa's 21st birthday, with Ike and a few others! We've had some wind and rain, but nothing too exciting! Last night we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had a few people over. Of course, the cake was from DQ, holding fast to tradition! Carissa got a Wii for her birthday, so most of the night was spent playing that. The kids wanted to take our picture and I told them they could only if we didn't look like parents of a 21 year old! Now, we look ahead to Kaylee's birthday!

Happy 21st, Carissa

Carissa turned 21 today! She started her day by opening packages that had arrived and were waiting for her. Some had really gone the extra mile to be sure this day was special for her. She opened presents with help from "Little Help" of course! After she opened presents, Cary and I took her to breakfast at Perkins, her favorite. Perkins has been THE breakfast place for all her life, I think. They gathered up the troops and brought her a muffin with a candle in it and sang to her. I thought we were going to have tears as one of the waitresses, Cindy, recalled all the years she has waited on her and watched her grow. I think she felt honored to be a part of the party! Carissa and I hung out at home a lot of the day while Cary went to Orlando for Nite of Joy, and Kaylee also was in Orlando for a leadership conference. Tonight was her first night of waitressing at Johnny Rockets. Alison, Luke, and I went down and surprised her. She did a great job and seemed to stay pretty busy. It wasn't a traditional birthday, but we did the best we could! We are planning a party for Tuesday...not sure what Hurricane Ike is planning tho! Carissa has had more than her share of "problem" birthdays! We hope this one will not fall into that category!

Laughter

Can I just say how thankful I am for laughter? I have laughed out loud more times than I can count today! Daniel called tonight, we heard from Cary's old roommate on Facebook, I got some funny emails today-not intended to be, and Nicole started it all at Bible Study this morning! I've just had a really good dose today!