Sad Day...

I know that Pres. Hinckley's death is something that is on many of our minds today and I want to add my two cents. What an incredible man! Jonathan and I were discussing this last night after we heard the news and while thinking of him, it was hard not to reflect a little bit on ourselves. They went through his list of accomplishments on the news and there were so many! Always with a smile on his face and we thought about what we had accomplished in our lives so far (and how much complaining went along with working towards those accomplishments). I feel that I have a fair amount of things I've acheived for being 30-something but they are mostly selfish- financial/educational goals, childhood dreams (owning a salon!), weight-loss goals (although it's been a while) things of a more of a self-serving nature. Not that these are bad things, but there should be at least an equal amount of accomplishments that better those around me- like service. I think about this a lot lately, as we have been the recipients of so much service this past year. We have been in constant need of babysitters, meals, prayers, moral support, and people who understand and just want to be there during our struggles. I don't know what we would've done without my family here to take care of things. I tell them that's what the Robertson't are here for- to provide opportunities for them to serve!Now it's time for us to be there for others in need and follow the example Pres. Hinckley set for us. He stood for everything that is good! He spent most of his life in the service of others, he was such an example of being tolerant and obedient, and he was so driven! I'm sure he never once felt sorry for himself , even though I'll bet his life wasn't without it's share of struggles. How more effective we would be if we could implement his positive attitude into our own lives and teach our children the same! He will be so greatly missed and we are all incredibly sad, however he isn't and that's what matters most.

On a lighter note, my little (or BIG) Jace asked why I was crying and I told him Pres. Hinckley died. He asked why and how, so I did the best I could explaining and told him he was very old and his body was tired. He's been worrying all day about getting old because he doesn't want to die. I finally told him that if he doesn't get old, he can never have his own house, his own kids, and he won't get to be the boss! Well, he said that's ok because if he has his own house, he won't live with me and that would be sad because he would miss me! He then went on to say that he will still grow up, have kids, they will all live with me, and HE will be the boss of everyone! Oh, the mind of a child! We then discussed how he will build a house next to me and Brylee so we can see eachother every day. How cute is that?!

My kids!

See! I told you I have other kids! They definitely keep us on our toes, but we love them to death. It was quite a struggle for us to get them all together and somewhat looking at the camera. Brylee wanted nothing to do with it and kept trying to get away. Anyway, our 2 oldest had the opportunity of attending Pres. Hinckley's viewing. They both said they felt the spirit and it was worth every minute of the 3 hour wait. I would've loved to have been there! His funeral was so perfect! I cried the entire time, not for him, but for our loss. It was sad for me to see the 12 apostles and First Presidency without him. I found myself waiting for him to arrive, everyone standing, and the immediate reverence that always seemed to accompany him when he walked into a room. As the funeral progressed and it was repeated how hard his sweet wifes death was on him, I could only imagine their reunion! As they showed the slide show while the closing hymn was sung, I was reminded once again how he always had a smile on his face. In all of those pictures, he never looked tired or in anyway uninterested in where he was and what he was doing. It was said how he was the only prophet of the church that our youth and young adults have known, but I consider him my prophet, too. He took major steps in changing the way the world views us "peculiar people" and he will be missed by everyone who knew him- LDS or not. What a great man! I am so thankful that I could be here to witness all he accomplished and to hear him speak on many occassions about our Savior's Gospel.

She's home!

We made it through another hospital stay- hopefully the last for a long time. Poor Brylee- how she manages to stay so good natured is beyond me! I find myself feeling bitter, at times, because of all she and our family (mostly her, though) have been through and I wonder if there's an end to this! We have a wonderful pediatrician, who is so concerned about her and takes special precautions where she is concerned. Example- he had the hallways cleared before he let us leave the hospital so she couldn't contract any other sick childs germs; That same day he called his office and had a nurse meet us in his other office that was closed so she could get her RSV immunizations and not have to be in the wating room with sick kids (there are 5 of these shots total, they are EXTREMELY expensive and must be approved my your insurance, and it's not a vaccination that the hospital has); he had a member of his staff take her RSV vaccination to another Drs. office on Xmas eve (he wasn't in that day) so she could receive her shot before we went out of town for Xmas; he calls my home just to check on her- the list goes on and on. His name is Dr. Richard Later, by the way, and we feel like we are in the best of hands so if any of you are looking for a new doctor...

Anyway, our Brylee is a special child meant to do great things, or we would have lost her many times. I'm feeling a little guilty that she's all I talk about when I have 3 other kids, but their lives are quite simple compared to hers! Believe it or not, we love and adore them all equally and they are all super special in their own, unique ways. They are so good! They've been shuffled around between family members, never knowing if mom is going to be home after school, wondering if their sister will be ok and if their lives will ever be normal- the list goes on and on and they have been such good sports. With that being said there's a special bond beyond the bond of just being a parent that comes from watching a child fight for her life and never leaving her side. You think of nothing else besides what she's going through, will she make it, and how will you go on if she doesn't. It's one of those things you deal with- not because you are strong, but because you have no choice. Life is so fragile- it's such a blessing and a gift- I don't think I'll ever look at it the same or take it for granted again. I hope because of this experience that I will always love and appreciate my children and the opportunity I have to be their mother. I would hate for something to happen to any one of them and wish I would've done things differently, paid more attention, gave them more hugs, had more patience, etc. etc. etc. I'm SO not perfect as a mother, or wife or anything else, but I'm trying and that's all I can do.

When did this get so emotional? That's Stephanie's job to be so deep thinking and phylisophical! I don't even remember at what point I started crying- I guess because I'm just used to it. Anyway, this is a good day for us and we look forward to many more!

GOOD NEWS!

There I was, sitting in a drab, lonely and depressing hospital room when I had the brilliant idea to ask if there was internet! THERE IS! I figured blogging would be a good distraction, plus I could update you all on sweet Brylee. She's actually doing quite a bit better and we hope to be home within a couple of days. It was scary for a while- as I said before nothing is ever simple with a Brylee. She has developed what we think is a staph infection where they pricked her to draw blood- see what I mean! Only Brylee would have complications with something so routine! Anyway, she's on antibiotics so I think we're good. She's learned a new trick- she pulls herself up on the sides of her crib, lets go, falls back on her behind and bounces! She loves this and has a huge, cheesy grin on her face the entire time. Another little Brylee story had me laughing super hard! She is constantly pulling off her monitors, oxygen tubes, etc. Well, she did this yesterday and when I took her monitor sensor out of her mouth, she scrunched up her face, started yelling (not crying- YELLING!), hit herself on the head several times with both hands, then threw herself down and hit her head several times on her matress, grouling and screaming the whole time! I don't know how good you all are at picturing this, but it was hilarious! I think she's going to be trouble in more ways than just her health, but at the moment it was funny!
Well, she's getting bored now so I must go entertain. I'll keep you posted and thanks for your prayers!

Brylee (again)

Well, here we go again- she's in the hospital. This is her 3rd time since November (the previous 2 visits were just Brylee's version of a cold!) but this time we're not sure. They took a whole bunch of blood this morning and some mucus (snot!) to test for various things, so I'm petitioning for prayers. I do this every time she's in the hospital because you never know with her- something that should be simple never is. Anyway, in a nutshell, she's having some serious respiratory problems and is requiring a lot of oxygen support. She's a tough little thing and has been through SO much, we just hate to see her suffer like this. She is super happy, even in the midst of all these problems. Unfortunately (in this instance) she's very smart because everytime she see's a nurse (or anyone in scrubs) she just screams! She knows they are either going to suction her or poke her. Anyway, just try and remember Brylee in your prayers- we'd greatly appreciate it!

Jonathan

2 posts 2 days in a row- I think I'm addicted! Here's my "tag" for Jonathan...

1) What's your husbands name? Jonathan Richard Robertson
2) How long have you been married? 6 LONG years this month!
3) How old is he? 32 (don't do the math- I'm a bit older)
4) Who eats more? That depends on which diet I'm on at the time! Usually him, but I'm a "picker" all day long.
5) Who said "I love you" first? Funny question, long story, but I actually told him he loved me. He'd said everything but that and implied it many times, he just needed some help!
6) Who's taller? Jonathan by about 6 inches
7) Who sings better? Hmmmm...we got a karaoke machine and Jonathan and I use it as much as the kids- ask them! We both must think we're pretty good, though, because we really belt it out!
8) Who's smarter? Book smart- me, common sense- Jonathan, business sense- me, worldly sense- Jonathan...we're equally yoked, I guess.
9) Who has the worst temper? Jonathan for sure
10) Who does the laundry? It depende on if what he wants to wear is clean- usually me
11) Who does the dishes? Usually the kids, sometimes me, rarely Jonathan
12) Who pays the bills? Always me
13) Who mows the lawn? Logan
14) Who cooks dinner? It depends on if he's in the mood for frozen and microwavable- we probably cook about the same
15) Who drives when we're together? Depends on who is injured at the time (BROKEN NECK!) and whose car we're in. If I had to say, it would be Jonathan.
16) Whose family/parents do you see more? Mine, as most of his are across the country
17) Who has more friends? That would be me, but not a lot more
18) Who has more siblings? We both have 2 sisters and 1 brother (and we're the oldest!)
19) Who wears the pants in the family? I know what the correct answer probably is (if there is one), but I'd have to say we both do. When one of us is singleminded or emotional about something, the other steps in, puts their foot down, and is the voice of reason. It works for us!

I'm not sure how many I'm supposed to tag, so lets just say Charlyn Roberts, April Bills, and Susan Lockhart. Have fun!

Tagged???

Apparently I was tagged at some point in the past couple of months- once for myself and once for Jonathan (bare with me- I'm new at this). Well, I haven't answered because some of us O'Brien gals are known for our brains, but Abbie isn't one of them! She created my blog (because as some of you know she's obsessed!) but spelled my name wrong. We've been trying to figure out how she spelled it and now (4 months later) she got it! Anyway, I guess I have to (or GET to) tell you all some stuff about Jonathan and myself. We'll leave the best for last and talk about Jonathan first (just kiddin, honey!).
ME...
1: I am restless! I love my life and have so much to be thankful for, but I can't seem to relax and enjoy it! I always have a new business idea, project, or interest that seems to consume me for months at a time. Every time I tell Jonathan I have an idea, he just rolls his eyes and tells me that as soon as I see some success, I'll be bored and on to something else. He may be right about that- I have no comment. He's actually been quite supportive and has humored me many times. We haven't lost the farm yet!
2: I'm a cry baby! I don't know when exactly this began, but I felt tears coming on when they said Taylor Swift has her first number one song because I was so happy for her! Pathetic! I used to be heartless...those were the days! No one cries alone when I'm around!
3: I'm very opinionated. I'm getting less vocal about it, though, so hopefully that means I've offended fewer people! My husband has helped me see that I'm not always right and sometimes there IS no "right", just different opinions. I still think that in these instances if there was such thing as a "right", I'd come the closest!
4: I love to travel! I think I'm the only person in my family that doesn't mind the long and boring drive to Boise because if I'm driving, that means I'm going somewhere! Some may consider "travel" to mean visit exotic locations, experience different cultures, etc. For me it means leave Utah County!
5: I LOVE to decorate! I do this in my head, as my current home is already decorated, but boy do I have plans for my new house! We're about 5 months away from being finished, so I'm sure those plans will change many times (which means lots more sleepless nights for me!).
6: I adore my kids! We all say this, but I wonder if I'm normal. (NO COMMENT, Abbie!) I've become one of those cheesy moms that laughs at absolutely everything her children do, no matter how small or insignificant- example: I've been trying to teach Brylee eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Now every time we tell her "no" (which happens a lot lately) she goes for her "nose". She sticks her finger in there and laughs when we take it out, then puts it right back in. I've told EVERYONE that little story and I'll continue to until she does something else I think is funnier (more funny?).

That's me in a small nutshell! Oh, my husband also calls me a nerd because I love to read. I do this every spare moment I can find and I am truly obsessed (as Lyric is) with the Twilight series. Unlike her, I must be a hopeless romantic because once again I find myself crying for the characters and feel like they are my friends!

I'll get to Jonathan and maybe some pics later.