I can't believe I'm 30!!

Since I'd just given birth to Rome and am still recovering from hernia surgery, I'd almost forgotten about my birthday.   And I definitely wasn't planning on celebrating much.  But leave it to Enoch and my amazing friends to make sure I get to celebrate the big 3-0.  At midnight, Enoch took me outside to show me that our house had been attacked with signs and hearts and birthday wishes.  (Thanks Melissa, Lindsay, Jenny, Brandy, and Deanna!)  Then the kids brought me breakfast in bed early the next morning.  My mom and sisters and all the kids - nieces and nephews too - came to have a huge brunch with Swedish pancakes and bacon.  Yummy!  Then Enoch took me for "ice cream" but then decided he was really hungry, so we went to PF Chang's -my favorite - and of course several of my friends were there to surprise me.  I received more birthday wishes and phone calls then I could count -gotta love facebook for that :)  But I can honestly say I felt really loved.  I even got another cake and ice cream party at Enoch's mom's house on Sunday.  I'm extremely grateful to have so many people in my life who love me, and this was a reminder that I really needed.  Thanks everyone!  

Rome Douglas Robey

He's here!  Our beautiful, healthy baby boy.  It took 4 trips to the hospital with pre-term labor, but the Dr. finally let him come 3 weeks early on June 15, at 11:09pm.  Rome weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz, 18 1/4" long.  He's been our sweet miracle.  He tried coming on April 21st, with contractions 2 min apart, and I was dialating rapidly.  I was rushed by ambulance to another hospital with a better NICU, and we were told to prepare to have him in the hospital for at least 8 weeks.  We were shown pictures of how tiny he would be, and had an ultrasound that estimated his weight at just over 2 lbs.  I was put on immediate meds to slow contractions down, but nothing seemed to be working.  Needless to say, we were scared to death.  When my father arrived at the hospital, he and Enoch gave me a priesthood blessing, and almost immediately the contractions slowed down, and then miraculously stopped altogether.  The nurses and Dr.'s couldn't believe I didn't give birth that day.  I spent four days in the hospital, and several weeks on bedrest.  I had to go in to the hospital two other times, and fortunately contractions were slowed again.  By June 15th I was already dialated to a 6, and having contractions 2-3 min apart.  So they let the little anxious one come :)  

We are so grateful he's here and we know it's only through God's miraculous hand.  Rome is such an angel, and we already can't imagine life without him!  

Our June Stay-cation

We couldn't go far from the hospital since I'd had pre-term labor, so we decided to stay in my parent's camper trailer right on the Provo River.  It was simple and cheap, but a lot of fun.  We played games, fished, went into Park City, went to the Olympic Park, kids and E rode the Alpine slide, and then we went to Heber City for milkshakes.  We only had a couple of days, but I'm so glad we did it!  Rome was born just a few days later.

Perspective changes everything

* I was feeling really sorry for myself and the stress in our lives yesterday morning.   But then I attended the funeral of my 83 year-old next door neighbor.   I am so fortunate that I didn't have to bury my husband today.  Ok, I'll admit, sometimes I . . . just kidding babe.

* When I woke up early (reluctantly) to help clean the church to prepare for the funeral, I started off with a terrible attitude.  But as I was cleaning the beautiful building and had the chance to think to myself about all of the blessings that come from attending church there with my family, I realized how selfish I was being.  And I was so grateful that Enoch was there fulfilling his Priesthood duties.

*  I've had a cold and it's hard to breathe.  My head was pounding, and then I think, OK - I'm grateful that I didn't spend the last year with an oxygen tank as my source of air supply like my neighbor did until he passed away.

*  I have an ingrunal hernia that hurts like crazy, and I can't do anything about it until after the baby is born.   But then I am so fortunate that we are able to have children bless our lives.   Plus, I don't get nauseous or sick when I'm pregnant (just tired), so I really can't complain.

*  Last night, one of the kids projectile vomited ALL over the other kids, and the seats, and the floor, and carpet of our car while we were driving on the freeway.  The blessings I realized then are . . . okay I'm not perfect.   I wasn't grateful for anything at that moment. :)

Headshots of Kiddos

Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law Katie, we were able to get some last minute headshots for the kids when my agent called to see if they could come to an audition with me the next day!  Katie you rock!  Thanks for the awesome pics :)

Draper Temple!

When the LDS church opens a new temple, they allow for public tours before it's dedicated.  Enoch, my mother, and I took the kids to the Draper temple yesterday so they could experience it, and see why we love to go there so much.  They loved it!  There have been so many times that I have sat in the temple and felt so close to my Heavenly Father.  Enoch and I have sat together in the temple often to seek answers and guidance in our lives.  Having the opportunity to feel Heavenly Father's love, comfort, and reassurance at difficult times in that sacred place has brought us together as a couple more than anything else.  I'm so grateful for temples and can only hope and pray that our children take the opportunity to experience for themselves the spirit that dwells there.  I'm so grateful to my mother, who has been the most amazing example to me of finding joy in going to the temple.  Love you mom!

Weekend Getaway!

Enoch and I took a short trip to Southern Utah this past weekend.  We had so much fun!   We relaxed, and drove through Zion's which is so beautiful this time of year, and found all sorts of wildlife.  Of course a Robey trip wouldn't be complete without some kind of incident.  We thought it would be really fun to check out this beautiful cabin development that claimed to have paved roads throughout.  We were having so much fun admiring the beautiful cabins, and following the wild turkeys when all of a sudden the asphalt stopped, and we were stuck in the worst mud with nowhere to turn around!  After at least 45 minutes of Enoch's superb driving skills - going back and forth splattering mud everywhere, and a ton of prayers we were finally able to eek our way out!  Thank goodness, because it would have been a long walk in the snow!  It took an hour and twenty dollars in quarters just to get the freezing mud off the car so we could drive safely.  I reassured Enoch we would laugh about it one day (I was laughing already, but knew it wouldn't be a good idea to show it yet)!  He actually laughed about it much sooner than I expected.  All it took was a stop at our favorite Mexican restaurant ever - KanKun - in Beaver, Utah.  The owners, who have become very good friends since we go there so often, hooked us up with a lifetime supply (okay maybe a week) of chips and salsa!  Enoch was smiling in no time.