families are forever.

Today is my 27th birthday. 

I have to be a little honest. 

I wasn't that excited about it. 

I feel like I should have a baby or something at this age. 

But last night, as I was contemplating life on my birthday eve, I thought less about myself and more about my family. 

27 years ago I was born into the Robins family. 

{Dad, do you still have that shirt?}

And when I think about the concept of families it sometimes boggles my mind. 

A lot of time in life we are constantly looking for friends. 

I know I have been with my move and it happens in lots of different stages of life. 

The sometimes struggling ability to find people that you like, and they like you, that you can talk to them and I think the most important--be yourself around them. 

A lot of the time that is very hard to find and the search for friends is constantly happening. 

Yet, in life we have been blessed with instant friends in a family. 

You are given a family that has to like you! 

They have to accept you and love and they become your longest lasting friendship that you have ever had which makes you so comfortable around them. 

Perhaps I am rambling now but when you really think about, its amazing! 

I am so grateful for two incredible sisters that I LOVE hanging out with. 

I love being their little sister.

I couldn't be proud to call them my sisters and friends. 

I just love the concept of a family. 

An instant group of friends that love you and care for you. 

And if that isn't enough, you've been given two parents that have so much love for you that you can't even comprehend everything they have done for you!

 How awesome is it to have that many people in your life with so much love!

But wait, it gets even better! You get these people, that love you and are your best friends…really forever! I get to spend eternity with my family.

So that is what I have to be most grateful for on my own birthday. 

My family members who I have been given that I love so much. 

Thank you for loving me for 27 years. 

{and I may not have a kid at 27 but I have 7 of the best nieces and nephews around that I love almost as much}

Winter Perks

There are some perks to living in Utah and having the greatest snow on Earth. 

Lately there have been a lot of really cool things to see and do that are snow and winter related. 

A couple of weeks ago I had been seeing all over instagram the Ice Castles. 

Rudy and I looked into it and headed up to Midway to check it out. 

From the outside it looked kinda tiny. But once you go inside it was really impressive. 

We walked around inside finding all of the intricacies of the Ice Castle. 

It was really cool and a fun outing. However, after about 30 minutes and taking a lot of photos I got really cold and couldn't feel my fingers. I didn't think about it until while we were there but standing in a place surrounded completely by ice can become quite cold. 

Last week was another fun snow outing and perk. 

We went to Park City to watch the World Cup of Freestyle Skiing. 

This was an Olympic qualifying event. Those that won would earn a spot on their respective country's team. 

It was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen. It was unreal to see flips and jumps for skiing! 

I learned my mistakes from the Ice Castles and dressed really warm so it was more bearable. 

The night included hiking up the ski slope mountain. Crowding our way up to the front to get the best view. Aubry and I kept saying we were going to go after every single jump--but it was so cool I didn't want to leave. 

Then we found out there were fireworks at the end. I felt like I was on a group date for The Bachelor. 

On a mountain top in Park City and my own fireworks. 

{The night would have been perfect if I had not completely slipped and fell right as I got off the mountain--It happened so fast the next thing I knew I was straight back on the concrete. I am still feeling the pain from that one.}

It was really cool. And I am really glad I get to do fun things like this that are really close and easy to attend. 

Year in Review & Preview.

And just like that 2013 is over.

It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating my birthday, and yet it is, again, just a week away (hint, hint).

And yet, alas, time always goes by so fast. I found yet with each year it goes by faster and faster. 

As I reflect on the past year I have to say overall it was a pretty good year. 

Of course it is sprinkled with ups and downs. 

Challenges and good times. 

Faith growing experiences. 

Tears. Laughs. 

Reunions and friendships. 

Fights and fall-outs. 

Lets review the year. Because the more I think about it the more I realize a lot of big things happened this year. 

September was most definitely my biggest month yet. I decided to do something that I had been wanting for such a long time. I went with my whole family to the Manti Temple to receive my own endowment. This has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made. I am so happy it was something special and something just for me. Moments I will always remember and cherish. 

The very next day I completed a marathon. I loved this not only for my medal {which I do LOVE} but because it was a goal I had set, worked hard for and achieved. I was so so scared. But I overcame that fear and did it. And I couldn't not have been more happy. 

In August, I moved to a new house in Sugarhouse. I packed up all of my belongs and moved in about 4 hours. I have new roommates which I adore. 

I hit my one year mark at my job in October. Which means one year of the Utah life. I have taken on more responsibility and love the feeling of confidence I have at my job. 

I travled a bit. I went home about 4 times. Went on a great vacation to Disneyland. Off to STG for Spring Break. San Francisco in January with the Lanai crew for Amy's wedding. Left the country and traveled Mexico during Fall Break. And went to Ogden a lot :)

I lounged 7 Peaks. Found a great quesadilla truck. Gone to the Temple almost every week and have visited lots of temples since my endowment. 

Rudy moved to Utah in February, after a couple of rocky months, I couldn't be happier he is here.
I went to a Muse concert in September. Celebrated the Robins Rendezvous in July. Ran two other half marathons and a 10k Mud Run.
 I definitely had my low moments and I am ever grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that pulled me through them.
All in all, it was a really great year. I don't think I could have asked for anything more.

Now it is time to look forward to 2014. 

At church a few weeks ago, we discussed New Year's Resolutions, shocking. Afterwards, a girl bore her testimony and referenced a talk given by Elder Holland on Lot's Wife. Which of course we know she turned to salt after looking back at Sodom and Gomorrah.
Which definitely put my future into perspective for me, especially after my last post.
Elder Holland said, "Apparently what was wrong with Lot's wife was that she wasn't just looking back, in her heart she wanted to go back."
This is such an important reminder, especially as a new year and a new start is upon us.
I loved this. Especially as I sometimes longingly and emotional look back on the past.
On how things use to be, my group of friends, my lifestyle, the beach, the dodgers, my ward, my weekend activities.
Instead I need to look forward. I need to cherish and appreciate the blessings that have been given me and that life that I have now.

 "And when we have learned what need to have learned and brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead, we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." 

So this year I will have the faith that is needed. I will try to cherish the beautiful snow and appreciate a new experience and a new lifestyle. I will love my new friends even more and become a really big Salt Lake Bees fan.
This year I just hope to be a little kinder, strengthen my relationship with my family, read my scriptures more and do a lot of really fun things.