From Julie

Note from Rachael: Julie emailed this directly to me, which totally works. To email directly to the blog, you really do just exactly the same as for an email. Just email your post to rareeallred1.robinsonshavingfun@blogger.com. And having just had a baby at the end of March, I'd say Julie had a very valid excuse for not getting this to me until now, don'tcha think? :)

Please forgive my silence on this in April; it's been a busy month here.  And thanks for the reminder, Andrew.  I didn't want to miss my chance to share some things about some of my favorite people....

My first memory of April was when Ray and I were dating.  The details are a little sketchy, but I think he brought April, Rachael, and Sarah with him on a Sunday and we all went to church together with my family (?).  The thing I remember is that they were every bit as pretty as Ray had described them, plus soft and kind and witty.  My mom used them as a confirming witness that this match was meant to be--I can still remember the intensity of her expression when telling me what nice girls she thought they were.  Surely a family with girls of this caliber must be worth marrying into, maybe some of their greatness would one day be manifest in Raymond! :)  April has been a loyal sister/friend from the start... Living next door to her and Mike was a true tender mercy of the Lord.  She has taken care of me from day one and there are too many kind deeds to list, but a sampling could include helping me pull off Susan's green egg and ham birthday party, babysitting while Ray and I went on dates (now she knows what a gift that was!), driving me to the hospital when I was in labor and couldn't reach Raymond, a four-tiered, four-colored sherbet birthday cake, enlightening conversations, a sympathetic hug as I bemoan my lack of homemaking/mothering skill, Princess Academy cross-stitching instruction... Like I said, too many to list.  But I will love her forever!  And will aspire to be more like her in service, learning, boldness, loyalty, and care.

My first memory of Amy is seeing her perform with incredible expressivity and depth.  I then got to have her in my technique class and daily witness her connectivity, artistry, openness, and core strength.  Of course, to know her is to fall in love with her.  But my greatest memory of that class was watching her and Nathan glide across the floor side by side doing Graham triplets--their synergy was astonishing!  They were just meant to dance through life together!  Their courtship and wedding was a delightful ride for everyone in the family.  And now what a gift to see how Amy uses her artistry in creating her home and family.  With her talents, she could have excelled in whatever arena she chose--art, dance, fashion, calligraphy, history, comedy, music, design, photography, teaching, social work--but she is deeply devoted to the Lord and has consecrated her talents to blessing the lives of her husband and children.  She creates magic for them daily.  And that magic extends to all of us.  She is full of love and understanding--never failing in expressions of love and testimony that touch and sustain me.  She is truly a kindred spirit.

And Rachael, your prompt for May is great, but with Angela's birthday this week, I must instead include some thoughts of her.... My first memories of Angela come from the summer we both fell in love and got married, even within days of each other!  It was so fun to share that special summer with her, even dressing together in our wedding dresses for our joint open houses in Jerome and Boise.  Angela is a special person, pure of heart, without guile.  She has always loved and accepted me as a sister, and I have never felt a hint of judgement or ill will.  She seems incapable of it.  She loves as the Savior loves, and I feel rather in awe of her.

April, Amy, and Angela have each deeply blessed my life through their sisterhood and friendship.  Rachael, thanks for the chance to reflect on them and their gifts to me.
--Julie

From Andrew - it's a gem :)

Note from Rachael: I didn't even think to check for drafts. Guess I will this month to make sure I don't miss anything. Later I'll change the post date to April, but for now I just want to make sure no one misses this one!

Well... I was a little young to remember very first memories of all three. No wait... It's coming back... Julie is in her wedding dress looking down on me and I said something like goo goo gah gah. Yes yes that's right. Haha. Just kidding. My first prevalent memory of Julie is actually of her skiing. :) not many details but I think I remember that she was trying out single skiing for the first time or at least she was new at it. I don't  remember how successful she was, but I'm sure I remember her being determined and very... Brave about it. :)

One early memory of Amy was at her... I don't know whether it was a reception or wedding breakfast something. But I was watching a slide show of her and Nathan with some of her nieces. And they were

talking about "Amy and Nathan" and it struck me as odd because whenever I said their names I said them Nathan and Amy, I probably still do, and then Amy walked in and I asked her why her nieces always said her name first. And Amy replied with something along these lines "Well because of today the important part isn't who is first but that they're together." at the time I didn't really think much about it, but looking back I realize the significance and how true the statement was to the entire layout of Amy's character. :) 

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Robinson, in the castle of Andrew John were two beautiful princesses. The first being Princess Rachael, who had been asked upon a date, and was now preparing herself for said date. The second being, Princess April, who was preparing for the absence of her younger sister. While they were preparing, the young but daring Prince Andrew was wandering through the castle. Suddenly, who should call but the peasant boy who had asked Princess Rachael on a date. Prince Andrew answered his call and told the peasant boy that the fair Princess Rachael was bathing in the moat(shower). The Princess April was listening in and quickly interrupted the young prince and told the peasant boy to call back later. The elegant Princess April then reprimanded the young prince and told him to never ever tell the boys when his sisters were bathing. The young prince was upset at the time, but realized that the princess was right. Thus, the early memory was born. :) Now, of course, they are both brilliantly dangerous queens, forever ruling over their domain, in wisdom and... elegance. :) I love you April!

A truly incredible month to be born, it would seem, to create three wonderful sisters for the Prince Andrew,  of course. :) I love you all! Happy Birthday, and thank you for the wonderful memories!

-Andrew John Boy Tiger Joe Cool Blueberry Freckle-on-his-nose Robinson :)

From Angela

My favorite memory of April is of something that I remember April doing for me. I had asked Sarah if she could fix my hair for my wedding, but Sarah couldn’t be there the morning that we were going to be sealed in  the temple (I think Sarah was in Rexburg for school?) so April fixed it for me. It was so nice of April to step in when Sarah wasn’t available. And she did a great job.

I remember when I first met Julie, I knew that she belonged to our family. I felt like she was my sister. I felt that she belonged and knew she was supposed to be a part of our family.

I remember when I first met Amy I felt the same way with her as I had with Julie - she just belonged with us! Amy is such a sweet person. I always felt that she was so sweet. I felt like she was a sweet person all-around from the very beginning.

April girls.

Happy Birthday Julie!  It is hard to remember life without Julie.  She came into my life as a dance teacher.  I was in total awe in her class -- not only of the way she moved, but the way she made each class a journey.  It was a well crafted masterpiece. Something from the warm-up would lead to something in the technique section which would build into something bigger across the floor, and then then there it was: a beautiful pattern with all the class elements coming full circle as the pinnacle of class.  I was amazed even then.  And then later as I tried my hand at teaching, I was twice astounded.  (I found that my class more resembled a head-scratching twisted backtracking desert trail!)
 But that is Julie.  She does so many things with such grace.  I remember also having the end of the semester review with her -- to discuss grades and attendance.  She was so loving and talked to me like a sister -- even then.  I think I cried or was trying not to cry -- not because of my grade :) -- because I could just feel her love for me and her concern for me and what I was going through outside of class.
 That has not changed in all my interactions following. Her life is well crafted just like her class... We all can see the amazing things she does.  When you know Julie -- you feel like you have a cheerleaer on your side.  She always builds me up.  Which is funny -- because I always feel so far behind her!  
Energy.  Spiritual power.  Grace.  Love. 
I love you  Julie!

And Happy Birthday to April!  My first memory of April is of her smiling eyes and her sweet giggle.  I remember seeing April and Mike -- this newly wed couple as such a perfect pair.  These are still the things I think of  when I think of April.  But I am so grateful for the time that I have had to sit and talk with April, to watch her in action as a mother, to get to know her at a deeper level. 
 I admire her fortitude.  Her absolute integrity.  She stands tall in her own shoes and makes tracks!  I always learn from her wisdom and foresight.  She has so much depth and strength -- yet such a tender heart.  I can think of many times when I have seen her serving and picking up the slack for me or for others -- without saying a word.  She works hard but she is quick to smile and laugh and enjoy life. 
Strength.  Leadership.  Service.  Love. 
I love you April!

There is so much to say about these beautiful ladies.  I could fill a book with all the ways I wish and hope to be like them.  2 amazing examples of motherhood and of sisterhood and womanhood :)

**And may I take just a moment to thank Rachael for getting this started.  Not just because some of the words have been about me -- although I truly appreciate the love I have felt from those words -- but also for the opportunity to write down some of my feelings that would not otherwise get expressed exactly.

Happy Birthday, Julie!

Memories of Julie are full of long talks! Julie and I have had long talks about things we think and feel for as long as I can remember. I watched their marriage and the way they loved their children for inspiration on how I wanted my own family to be. Julie is sweet and loving and accepting. There really is nothing like the two years we got to be neighbors for bringing you close to my heart. Tender memories of playing with Susan and being there for Tia's birth. My earliest real solid memory is of the first family reunion at Bear Lake the summer after you were married. I remember skiing so hard on the big waves that my back was sore and you and Raymond taught me how to stretch it and I stretched too long and got stuck bending over. :) I remember all of us standing around the campfire together at night. You are always willing to try everything and make sure that it's not just the boys who do the cool stuff (e.g. climbing ropes in Hawaii). I love you, Julie!

Happy Birthday, Amy!

The first time I saw Amy was at a Dancers' Company concert. She was so much fun to watch and I asked Nathan after who she was and told him he should date her. He laughed at me. Then sometime later in the semester I ran into him on campus and he gave me a big hug, picking me up and swinging me around. I went back to my apartment and called Mom to see if she knew what was going on! She said, find out who he's dating! He had been with Amy. :)
I remember Amy telling Charity that there was "magic" in love and finding who you wanted to marry. Thanks, Amy, for the magic and fun and laughter you bring to our brother and the rest of us! Happy Birthday!

Just love

Thought the title should be changed up a bit. :) This is a kind of fun prompt-- Everyone remembers different things! So here I go, in order of birthdays.

It's kind of hard for me to peg a first memory of Amy, other than that the first time she came home with Nathan I was really excited and I made a little bouquet of somewhat smelly flowers to give to her. It is equally difficult to come up with a favorite memory because there are so many! I've actually lived with Amy almost more than anyone! At least I remember living with Amy more because I was older the times she stayed here. She's been an awesome friend to me though. I believe we both learned to single ski the same summer, and we have had fun watching So You Think You Can Dance together. I also really liked the time she made up a song for me to sing to boys who couldn't take a hint, "I...do not like you...no no no no no no" haha. I think you probably had to be there. Of course we all know that Amy has an awesome sense of humor so we've definitely laughed a lot together. She's pretty fantastic!

Coming up with a first memory of Julie is even more difficult, because I was very young when she and Raymond got married. I do remember thinking she was pretty well perfect. I totally idolized her. I remember telling her (I think...maybe it was someone else) that she was FOR SURE going to the Celestial Kingdom. I also liked when I would visit them and people would ask if I was her daughter because I thought she was so pretty and liked the thought that other people might think I looked like her. Probably my favorite memory is also when they were living in Provo. Julie was making an apple pie and let me help her. I don't think I got to help cook all that much at that point and I felt important. Plus then she made a little leaf with the crust to put on top and it was pretty and fancy. I liked that a lot.

It's sort of hard to choose favorites with April too, but I remember when she and Mike were in Provo still and they would play games with Andrew and I a lot. Harry Potter Uno was a favorite. That's also where I was introduced to Pride & Prejudice. I watched it with them, and then later read the book (I know, wrong order). I also had a lot of fun with April and Mike in Hawaii, and Nauvoo. I've definitely had a lot of good conversations with April. It was also fun when we got our ears pierced together :) it made it more fun to me not to feel like a pariah. April definitely made that whole thing more fun, and has given me some fun earrings since! :)

Three very fantastic ladies born this month! Love you all!