THE Assembly.

Ok, here we go. The story! 

A few weeks ago we had our Staff Appreciation Week at work. Which ever since last year, I have been dying for this week! We get treated so well at work and it includes the best and biggest assembly of the year. The Builder of the Year Assembly. Which I love!

Our school's theme is "being a builder" by being kind, gracious, helpful, and serving others. We have an assembly where the school awards a student from each grade, as well as, an elementary teacher, aide, jr. high teacher and support staff {I like to compare it to the Student/Teacher of the Year award, but builder is just APA lingo.} The awards for the students are voted on by the staff and the staff awards are awarded by the other staff members. The best part of the awards is that it is kept a complete secret from the recipient students and staff members. It makes the assembly so thrilling to see the expressions and excitement of the students and staff members. 

Now, the morning of the Assembly.
 I was so excited because its such a great assembly. My role at the assembly was to meet and greet the winners afterwards to congratulate them. That being said, I wanted to look nice! My plan was to get there early but I had MAJOR outfit problems which made me super late for work and in a real bad mood about it. 

I got to work and immediately was given orders by Brad {the Principal}. I was given strict instructions to not let anyone in the gym until the students were. To make sure all the students are in before I go in. To sit in the back corner section of the gym to chaperone those students, even though there were already like four teachers sitting there. All things I wasn't worried about leading up the assembly--I mean, its the biggest assembly of the year! So stress is high and listening to directions was ok. 

We start the assembly with student awards and making the way up to staff awards. 

We got to the Support Staff category {which I am under} and just got a bit nervous. I saw Brad make eye contact with me but really figured it was going to be our secretary. I spotted her in the audience to watch her reaction and low and behold...they announce my name.
I was the Builder of the Year.

I was in shock. 

I made my way to the front of the gym and felt nervous with the whole school, parents and the administration in the room. I also felt a like anxious as I knew none of my family was in attendance. 

They always have spouses, family or even roommates there to congratulate the winner. 

I never spotted my sister and it never even dawned on me that Rudy would be there, so I figured I would stand at the front with no one there to hug me. 

As soon as I get to the podium, I turn and I see Rudy walking towards me. 

And I was floored. 

I was so happy that he was there. That he could enjoy that moment with me and be by my side.

Brad presents me with my award and then continues to read it to me. 

Again, I was so surprised. It contained the nicest and sweetest comments, something I never would have imagined. I feel so humbled by receiving this award and appreciate it so much that my co-workers think so well of me. If the day had ended on that note, I would have still been so happy, but I had no idea it was about to get any better or exciting! 

Brad finished my award by saying "Leigh, you really are amazing, but I am not the only one who thinks that. Rudy, I will let you take it from here."

WHAT!?

It was that moment.
Finally that moment you have though about, wished for and waited for.
 And it was finally happening.
In front of 600 people at school. 

I was in such shock. 

And if that wasn't enough, Rudy took the mic and said, "I know how much Ms. Robins loves this school and loves the students and so I've asked the students to help me with something"

He points...

and four students stand with signs…

It was shock, after shock, after shock. 

And so incredibly exciting!

He got down on one knee, I didn't really say anything until Brad forced the mic in my face to answer. 

He put the ring on and I felt like the crowd went crazy.

After the assembly, I had so many parents tell me they were crying and how excited they were!

The students made me feel like a celebrity! They rushed me afterwards and I am pretty sure every girl told they cried. 

I had elementary students all day gawk at me and tell me "You are the one that got married!" 

haha. not exactly kiddo. 

That night I even had two 5th grader girls email me a slide show with congratulations on it and slides telling me I was going to be a princess. 

It was the sweetest and so kind and just made me feel even more happy.
The next day, the congratulations continued and it was all the talk. The Drama students even recreated the whole thing for me and acted it out. Signs and all! I was almost more happy in that moment, then the real thing!
We are really happy and really excited.
Mark your calendar…June 14th!!

the Greats of SLC

A really great thing I love about SLC life is that there are always great things to see and do here.
So when Shylettera came into town two weeks ago there were a couple of sights I wanted to show her!
Our first stop was the Great Salt Lake. 
Ive always wanted to head out there and see how Great our city's name sake is.

It was a perfect day to go. It was cloudy/rainy/snowing in the city but once we drove out to the lake it was sunny and {relatively} warm.
The GSL is 75 miles long! and 35 miles wide.
It is mad up of 33% salt. Thats double what is in the ocean!
I loved seeing the photos of The Great Saltair and the resort status it was back in the day.
I learned all of this at the Visitors Center, of course.

I then had the idea to drive out to the Salt Flats. 
It turned to a crazy idea cause it was like a really long drive away.
But once we started driving there was no turning back and we really wanted to go!
Before we actually got to the Flats we got to another part of the lake. I think. I'm not really sure what it was but it was cool. It was so beautiful and had the perfect stillness. We realized afterwards that it was so still that it had a perfect reflection. If you turn this picture upside down you won't even be able to tell which way is up. I dare you. Try.

We weren't sure how much longer we had to go until we finally saw it.

We pulled straight over on the freeway and ran onto the Flats.
I think I pranced around for awhile I was so excited to be there.

It was the most amazing site I have ever seen.

And the fun didn't stop there!
We were about out of gas after such a long drive and the only place to fill up was Wendover!
Haha. So we drove the 8 miles to fill up and we reached the state line. We drove Shylettera all the way back to Nevada.
And we even got to be in two places at once, which doesn't happen every day!

The Lake and the Flats are definitely a site to see. And Wendover, will it was just an added bonus. 

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. 

I want to go back.

Don't get me wrong. 80% ok maybe...75% of the time I do love the SLC life.

Its been over a year, I should enjoy it right?

But its cold, there snow and no beach, no dodgers and so many Mormons.

That there are so many times I want to go back to my LA life.

And there are moments like this that make me miss it oh so much.

 

I have probably blogged about the NR Crew 1,000 times. But when you have found friends like this, you tend to miss them.

The boys I have grown up with and the girls that are like your other half.

I miss filling up the entire row at church.

I miss the Sunday game nights.

Friday night YSA dances.

I miss the Christmas party and gift exchange.

I miss the drama and getting annoyed with the boys.

I miss our fun outings.

I do love that when I get the chance to come back and visit that it feels like no time has passed. It seems like just yesterday we were all hanging out. I like to pretend that while I am gone, time freezes and my friends have no fun without me. But I do love coming back and the excitement that comes with getting the gang back together as much as possible.

I know that things change, people move, nothing can stay the same forever (as much as I hopelessly wish it could) and I just have to be grateful for my two short years with my crew--although it feels so much long than just that.

Today will be our 4th year celebrating New Years together and camping out at the Rose Parade.

I could not be more pumped. Some of my best memories are during those wee hours of the night. 

Home for the Holidays

There are few things in life that I really really love.

Ok, I take that back. I do love quite a lot of things.

And easily get excited over things I love.

However, towards the top of the list is California and my nieces and nephews.

Combine those things, and you've got one happy Leigh.

I also love working for a school. Giving me the opportunity to be home with my little California kiddies for a long time.

Upon arrival to Los Angeles, the first thing I ditched were my Uggs.

 No need for those when temps are in the 70s and I need to soak up as much warm weather as much as possible.

The Christmas days were spent at Laura's new home in the OC. Its a little weird that she lives there now. But since I have still seen her everyday since I've been here, it hasn't completely affected me.

 

I love spending Christmas Eve with the kids. I love that as soon as they go to bed so excited, we turn into Santa's Workshop. I really don't do much except watch the real adults put together the toys. But I do love to be Santa and eat his cookies and carrots.

 

I got the privilege of sleeping with Chase on Christmas Eve. He woke up three times in the night in excitement. After the fact, it was really cute and I loved how sweet and excited he was. During the night it wasn't so fun.

 

Christmas morning is always so exciting with the kids. I loved seeing how happy they were. And was perfectly content to hold Lyla throughout most of the morning.

I was able to spend the next few days at Laura's house enjoying time with the kids.

We stayed in our jammies till noon, watched movies and cuddled.

 

Rode bikes and scooters to the park,

swam in the pool

 and even went to the beach.

It was so perfect.

I am still trying to get in as much cuddles, short-wearing and sun soaking in as much as possible.