Robb and Tina

Busy Month of May

2009-05-26T08:46:00.008-04:00

Graduation! Yep, I finally got the associates degree....not done yet!

Tina and her grandbabies!

I am so old I needed 2 birthday cakes to hold the candles! (50)

Me, dad, Robbie and Randy at church! Yes, we got him to go!!!

Robbie, Cindy Shrack and Tina - old friends at TOFW Cincinnatti

Shannon graduated from Purdue (IPFW) and will soon be an RN!

Boston mini vacation

2009-04-17T08:39:00.007-04:00

Me and Marc Toney - Boston Temple

Robb and Marc Toney at Boston Temple

Marc came to visit us in New Jersey and we decided to take a little trip to Boston for a couple of days. Our first stop was the Boston Temple; a magnificent, beautiful ediface we thoroughly enjoyed! Next, we took a duck tour. This bus travels on the road and right into the water! It was a beautiful couple of days and we enjoyed our good friend's company. We hope he did too!

Boston Duck Tour

Oregon Phillips Family visit NYC! :-)

2009-04-04T15:30:00.004-04:00

Justin, Susie, Rus, Anna and Zhao Wei

Lena....the entertainer

2009-03-22T20:56:00.005-04:00

Lena and Simon

2009-03-22T20:43:00.007-04:00

Robb and I got to watch Lena and Simon for a couple of days while Jeff and Kelly spent a couple of days in NYC for a little getaway. I'm not sure who had more fun, us or them! :-)

GrammaTina and Simon...he loves me

Lena, the concert master

This smile just gets me

and this one does too....

My dear Linda

2009-02-03T21:15:00.002-05:00

Our trip to Florida was immediately cancelled when we heard that my dearest friend in the world, Linda Suzzane Toney passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009. This is a picture of Marc and Linda when they came to see us in New Jersey in Sept of 07. We went to the city and had a blast. They saw the Statue of Liberty, took a walk in Central Park and even had a dirty water dog. My memories will live on in my mind and heart of my sweet, precious friend. Marc, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers and we love you so much. Many people attended her funeral. She was loved by all. I miss you.....

Another new "do" for Tina

2009-01-26T15:35:00.003-05:00

This is me and Simon (Kelly in the background) at Jeff and Kelly's house last weekend.

Florida....Here we come!

2009-01-26T15:33:00.002-05:00

Oh I wish we were MOVING there, but it's ok...we are going to spend 4 glorious days in Orlando and Tampa for the Eagles concert this weekend. It's a short trip, but it will be nice and warm! I'm so excited! Had to go get a new "concert" outfit...:-) I got Robb one too!
Are we a little bit excited......oh yeah....

Family time with Grandpa and the Hoeslis'

2009-01-20T12:43:00.009-05:00

Look at this sweet precious baby!

Max and me

GrammaTina loves her boys

Ryan and his shower curtain......(joke between his mom and him)

Shannon and sweet baby Owen

Shannon and family and Grandpa. We had a great time visiting with my dad at his house with Shannon and Shane and the boys.

2009-01-20T09:36:00.003-05:00

Wanna bite of my birthday cake?

Oh what fun it was to watch this beautiful baby boy enjoy his first birthday! We got there on Friday and the party was on! I do believe he liked the walk-behind toy we got him! He is now walking all over the place! Kelly, the homemade touches were really wonderful...homemade birthday hat, homemade banner, homemade delicious chocolate cake....it was a perfect day!

A Poem for my Children

2009-01-05T14:51:00.003-05:00

Me and my kids

I don't know what comes over me sometimes.....

Driving home from Church I got the strongest impression to write this poem about my kids. I think of them often and love them so much. They will never know just how much. Here it is:

My Children’s Hands

I had 3 children born to me who were perfect in my eyes
Each one had a pair of glorious hands and within them much beauty lies
For each child is so different and unique as they can be
These tiny hands that now are grown; here’s what their mother’s eyes see:

Shannon’s hands once left tiny fingerprints on the walls and so delicate were they
I loved each tiny hand when they wrapped around my neck as she’d say:
I love you mommy or good night or read me a story for bed
And after the story and being tucked in, she would lie down her sweet head.

As the years grew on, those hands did grow and many things did they do
Like swimming and diving and playing the flute, just to name a few
Her hands are now helping hands as she studies as a nurse to be
And wipes away the tears of her own children as they climb upon her knee

She lovingly labors and cleans her house with those hands that once were so small
She softly touches the face of her husband and catches the baby before he falls
These wonderful hands serve many purposes but the most important of these
Is that her hands show love to her family and friends; that’s what her mother sees.

Kelly’s hands look much like her mom’s; a little short and stubby
When she was small those little hands were actually quite chubby

One of her hands withholds a scar when she was warned not to touch
The heat of the curling iron burned that little hand and oh it hurt her so much
It hurt her mom more and both did cry; a lesson they both did learn
Oh if I could be always near to touch those hands her mother’s heart does yearn

These hands also are very talented and quite the flute player was she
Playing alongside her older sister entertaining us as much as can be
Her hands had a knack for doing hair or putting on a fashion show
These talents increased year by year as this daughter did grow

These hands work hard as she labors to make baby food and cloth diapers she uses
Of shirking her work or being lazy none dare accuses!
Her hands serve her own family who she loves with all her heart
Raising her children in the gospel; they have a very good start

Ryan’s small hands loved legos, cars and balls
They reached for his mom whenever he was hurt or would fall
These curious hands loved pictures and drawing
Upon walls and furniture he would write
His mom was not happy with the artwork he made; oh what a sight!

But as Ryan’s hands grew bigger with each passing year
He’s going to grow up and move out was his mother’s biggest fear
Hands with musical talent as he strummed the guitar with his fingers
Made his mother always proud and his family wanting to linger

These hands were also athletic and strong and many interests had he
From throwing a football and basketball to skateboarding endlessly
The hands once so small are now a man’s hands
And humble work do they do
Earning a living but still having fun that’s what his hands do

Today these hands do electrical work
Again he makes his mom proud
My son I am so happy with you I want to shout it out loud

My three children, I love you and know that I always will
Your hands have been blessings to me
Back then, now and forever….still.

Christmas with FAMILY

2009-01-02T16:58:00.004-05:00

Melina opening her gift. We love you Melina!

Amy
We had a short, but wonderful dinner with Amy at Izzy's in Portland. We love you Amy!

Susie and Tina
We had Christmas dinner at Rus and Susies..it was so delicious! Thanks guys! We love you!

Robb and grandkids, Jo and Adryan

Robb, kids and grandkids

Terra, Robb, Josh and Jake

Rus, Mom and Robb

Robb and Mom

Tina and Mom

Mom opening her present

We went to see my mom a few days before Christmas to share her birthday and give her a Christmas present. We had a great time with her and Phyllis and Bob and Judy! We played games every night and had lots of laughs and good food! Thanks for having us!

We spent Christmas with Robb's family in Oregon. The grandkids are so wonderful! We saw each and every one of them! Time spent with grandbabies is so precious! Our time with them is far too little. We spent some time with Rus and Susie too! They are always fun! We love you all!

Kelly and kids come to town!

2009-01-02T15:49:00.000-05:00

Kelly decided to come visit with the kids. Jeff had to work. We sure enjoyed their visit! We went to Ikea one day and also celebrated Christmas a little early. Thanks Kelly for braving the drive by yourself. Please come back soon! I love you!

Mushka and Dot

Robb and Lena

Lena and Simon in matching jammies

Lena and the snowman

Lena, eating the fruits of our labors on the gingerbread house

GrammaTina and Simon

It's always good when the grandbabies come!

Visit from Jenny

2009-01-02T14:53:00.001-05:00

Jenny came to visit from England where she is currently stationed in the Air Force. We had so much fun with her! We celebrated Christmas early with her and went to the Metropolitian Museum of Art via train and subway! Here are some highlights of her visit...

We love you Jenny. Come back soon.

Life is precious

2008-12-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday our Gospel Doctrine instructor asked us what we would say to our loved ones if we knew we only had a short time on this earth left. I thought about it on my drive home...I have thought about it every day since then. I thought of what I would tell my husband, what I would tell my children and what I would tell my sisters, my dad and mom and my friends. In my heart I have a message for all of them personally. Life on earth is short. We never know when we will lose someone or be the one who goes.

I told Robb I needed to go home and record in my journal my thoughts on this and on how I feel about my life and the impact each person in my life has made. I used to be really good at writing in my journal when I was at Rick's College and BYU. I love reading what I did back then. Many things have happened in my life since then, both good and bad that I have not recorded. I think I will sit and write a bit tonight in my journal. I have so much to be thankful for.

Life is too short to be mean and selfish. Before you speak, think. Don't ever say things you will regret...to a child, to a spouse, or to a friend. Show a little love; A little love can go a long way. (recognize that Brite Music tune?)

Well, that's all for now. I feel better now. :-)

The Sisters' Thanksgiving!

2008-12-02T15:28:00.002-05:00

These are the feet of sisters! Robbie, Tina and Judy...we spent Thanksgiving together and a good time was had by all....right down to our jingle socks!

For the first time as adults, Judy, Robbie and Tina were together for Thanksgiving! We were there with our spouses and even had the opportunity to attend the Columbus Ohio Temple together....another first!!!

We have much to be thankful for...

We love our parents

2008-11-22T10:56:00.001-05:00

Robb, Tina, Dad, Randy and Robbie

Mom and Robb

Mom Jinx

2008-11-22T10:40:00.000-05:00

We had her here for a few days but she had to go back home unexpectedly. Hopefully we will see her again soon.

While this wonderful mom was here we managed to go shopping, go to a show at the local college Tina goes to, eat lots of good food and even start a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

Thank you mom for taking your time and money to come and visit us even if it was too short. We love you and appreciate everything you do. You are a treasure to us.

Mom Phillips is coming to town! :-)

2008-11-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

Robb and I are so excited! His mom is coming to visit us for three weeks! I don't know how I got so lucky to have such a wonderful mother-in-law. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! I'm going to take her to a show on campus and maybe we'll go to the mall and the movies and have popcorn! :-) She is on vacation, so we don't want to wear her out! I got her bedroom all ready today. She will be here Saturday! Look for pictures of her on here later!

Grandbabies!

2008-11-08T08:40:00.000-05:00

My beautiful grandchildren...how I love them!

The new Tina

2008-11-08T08:19:00.002-05:00

When you grunt to tie your shoes or when your doctor tells you to lose 10 lbs because of high blood pressure and high cholesterol or you will be taking medication, then it is time to do something about it!

I decided to not just lose 10 lbs but to lose 30. I DID IT!

I hate to admit to the world that I was in a size 12, but I was...and they were getting tight. I am happy to say I own a pair of size 4 jeans and they fit perfectly!

I feel better, have more energy and shopping is fun again! I have changed my eating habits and exercise is becoming a part of my daily routine. It's nice to be back in the single digit clothes! Yay me!

Welcome to our new Blog

2008-11-06T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hi! Welcome to our new blog! We have been inspired by all of you bloggers out there and have decided to join you. We have a busy, full life and think this will be a good way to keep track of everything. Please give your comments (good or bad) as you read. We're new at this so be kind.