Senior pictures

Ok, these are some of my many several hundred dollars worth of senior proofs.   Clearly my mother allowed me way to much latitude.  When I looked at the nearly 50 proofs in my book I just had to crack up.  My mother believed in independence.  I picked my own outfits, my own picture package and went to take my pictures ALONE.  So I even have one with my boyfriend.... the same guy in the prom pics.  The jean picture is sporting the famous airbrush of the 90's lol.  Said boyfriend was the artist and on the butt section was both of his hands and it said "hands off".  Right.......  Thank goodness I don't have that in my senior pics.  

TTYL

Robbin

Age 17 Pics!

   Of course this is taken at the beginning of my senior year hence 17! 

 My date

Pics Coming!

Because I was suppose to scan my graduation photos and I didn't I have to just type something!!! Cause remember I'm taking the blog challenge.   So here it is.  Today was beautiful in Michigan.  About 70 degrees!  My super sweet mom put even more lights outside for me so that I can have a well lit yard... like my neighbors.   So maybe I can capture a picture of that..... 

Hmm.  I'm bored too!

TTYL Robbin

Well Tupac.....Now we are!

NAS:

What's the black pres thinking on election night,
Is it how can i protect my life? Protect my wife? Protect my rights?
Every other president was nothing less than white,
Except Thomas Jefferson a mixed Indian blood and Calvin Coolidge,
Kkk is like what the fu*k, loading they guns up, loading up mines to,
Ready to ride coz I'm riding with my crew, he dies we die too,
Yea but on a positive side, i think Obama provides hope,
And challenges minds or all races and colours,
To erase hate, and try to love one another, so many political snakes,
We in need of a break, I'm thinking I can trust this brother,
But will he keep it way real, every innocent nigga in jail get shot up in the field?
When he wins will he really care still? I feel

YES WE CAN!!!!!

TTYL   Robbin

Red or Blue?

Tonight's the night!

TTYL Robbin

Age 17

  I think I have quite a few pictures from this age, so I will do them a little at a time to cover my post from "yesterday!".   

This is my PROM picture.   My lovely dress was $50.00 from Alvyn's Bridal shop and my shoes were $100.00 from Ganto's  (remember them!)   I still have my dress and when I can fit a size 4 again, I will wear it again!  I WILL wear it AGAIN!!!!

TTYL   Robbin

National Blog Posting Month

Okay, here is my post for the day.  I don't know about being able to do this every day.  At least I can back date and therefore cheat my way thru the already voluntary exercise :(  

TTYL   ROBBIN

Oops Week 16 pictures

In the midst of my major breakdown, I forgot to put this out there!

week 17

  this picture reflects how I feel as the time passes.   Almost like a robot.  No emotions.  Just passing thru the motions.  Just waiting.

TTYL Robbin

Revelation 3:8

I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  (NIV)

My friends, you may have noticed that my post have been limited to the count down and my pictures.  One of my friends in Texas is a reader of my blog and she asked me to PLEASE write a decent post.  I realized that I am just waiting... waiting .... waiting.....   And I have been quiet.  Very quiet.   I have been struggling with some very scary life events.  Situations that good or bad can be hurtful, disappointing, and embarrassing.  I have been quiet for the fear that if I open my mouth I will be unable to find my voice.  To explain. To ask for forgiveness. To ask for help.

2008 has been a doozy!   Anyone close to me knows that I have hidden my head in the sand refusing to deal with some very hurtful acts of betrayal.  But, with the prayers of some very close friends and some very wise strangers, I moved into a different phase of my life.  I moved forward in my dreams to become a mommy.  I know many people were shocked when I made this decision, but I thank God that EVERYONE close to me has accepted and are excited about where I am.

Unfortunately, although God holds our future, and knows what will become, we are given freewill and are actions, inactions and reactions will have consequences.   Despite God's greatest hopes for us to seek his face and follow him and allow him to direct our paths, often we take our own route.  And for that we will have consequences.   If only we could say "Lord, I'm sorry, my bad...." and all of the repercussions would be erased, wouldn't that be magnificent?  What I do know is that no matter what... it will all turn out for good, according to God's purpose and plan.

In the coming days, I am faced with the repercussions of my own actions, inactions, and reactions.  There was a point where I had given up and things were left uncared for and unresolved.  It has put in jeopardy somethings that I worked hard to achieve.  

I am a very talkative person, and I have rarely met a stranger.  I had the opportunity to have two completely different conversations recently that made an impact on my outlook.   The first conversation happened when I changed my insurance policy.  The agent that helped me was as chatty as me and very witty.  He kept me on the phone for 2 HOURS!   And somewhere in there I decided to share with him a secret that I have not shared with many people.  I don't have any ideal why.  I also shared with him that I was adopting a child.  Well later on in another conversation, the same guy was teasing me about my secret and I was pretty down about it and he told me that my future was already set and that I had to have endurance because "endurance is when the competition gives up and you are competing against yourself."   It was just what I needed to hear.  It just amazes me that God brings ppl in your life to be ready and in place to give you the motivation to keep moving forward.

The second conversation was with a girl that called about renting a property that I own.   Now the Michigan market is horrible and some landlords will rent to anybody.   I am blessed with a family that is very supportive of my ventures and I have been able to be more picky.  It hasn't been the most financially satisfying decision but it has been a well thought out one.  Anyway, so this girl starts telling me her story and I know almost immediately that I would not be able to rent to her.  But her name sounded familiar and I asked her if she knew me and although she didn't recognize my name, I knew who she was and she was actually a friend of mine in elementary.  I remember as a little girl that she had a really hard life so when she told me her story sadly it wasn't much different from what I expected.  She started to tell me why she was moving and how her landlord was going into foreclosure and yet still collecting rent and had filed for a money judgment against her in court.  I work as an extern in the court and I gave her detailed instructions on how to get back in front of the judge to resolve her situation.  She seemed grateful and shared with me that she was a single mom to 3 children but fighting to take custody of her 20 year old sister's infant twin sons.   Her sister had 6 children, the first died of SIDs and the others are 5, 3, 1 and the twin 2 month old boys.  They are now in foster care because of some injuries to the 5 year old.  The young lady works as a manager at KFC and had a very tight budget but yet she wanted desperately to try to get her nephews out of the system.  I was amazed by her tenacity.  I ended the conversation with the resolve that I will use my gifts to help others.  I will remember to speak for those that are ignored not because of what they say but how they say it.   I was challenged by her.  And I was reminded of my own struggle, to find my own tenacity.

In the coming days I am struggling with remembering that God holds my fate.  That God determines my path.  I must remind myself that he is the ultimate decision maker and what others may perceive as an opportunity to shut a door is NOTHING because God opened the door.   I must remind myself that my gifts are to be used to help others.  And that they will not be taken from me because they were given to me by God.

When I wake up in the middle of the night, afraid of what awaits me, I must remind myself that God has told me to fear not.  For each and every day, he has told me to FEAR NOT.  And it appears 365 times in the Bible.   Once for each day.  How magnificent is that?

 Its been a long time since I reached out  and I apologize if this post seem coded.   I ask all of my friends that read this to please pray with me and for me, that my situation will be settled in the coming days.  And that I remember to FEAR NOT.  

TTYL 

Robbin

Week 16

MONTH 4!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough said!

TTYL  Robbin

Age 15

 

Okay, I got very few comments on the last year maybe because the pics were so hard to see or maybe cause I'm getting cuter (yes that's a word) and ya'll stopped laughing lol!

The top picture was my first date with my first boyfriend... yes I was fast.  I went to church with his family.  And the second pic was a typical Robbin glamour shot!  

Maybe if my referral comes soon then I can start a new parade of something else!

TTYL

Robbin

Week 15

WOW!

Age 14

 Graduation from 8th grade
Me and my cousin Cheryl.  Sorry.... that's me in the pants!!!!

These aren't the best photos but I have to locate my class pic!

TTYL Robbin

Virtual Baby

Apparently there is some discussion going on on the list about VW and Brooke Shields making an "offensive" ad.  I guess I just didn't get as offended as many.  In the really (extremely) long ad spot on the VW website which is obviously intended as a spoof similar to SNL skit, Brooke says something about ppl "cyber adopting" for the purpose of being able to drive this minivan.  And what appears to be two white women remove what appears to be an asian baby from the minivan.  Some on the list have said that it was "hurtful".  I thought it was kind of stupid, but I wasn't offended.

You watch it and decide.

But what I did love is that I was able to have me a virtual-baby, with anyone that I want.  So I called my Baby daddy... Hill 

    

And he agreed!!!   So here is our little one!!!    Isn't he cute?  (Kind of weird huh?)

And if you want to have your own little one, check it out here!  And please, let shoot me a picture.  

TTYL  Robbin

Week 14

Time keeps on ticking ticking ticking.... into the future!

TTYL 

Robbin

What can I say.... 8th grade and I can't even blame my mom for this!

  Words can't really express this travesty.  LOL, I picked my own outfits and backdrops.   I take no responsibility for the hair.  I should not have been allowed to admire Grace Jones  lol...

TTYL  Robbin

Week 13

I was wondering if I could just skip week 13 the same way that elevators skip floor 13 and then I could just skip to week 14?  Whaddaya think?

TTYL  Robbin

TAGGED

Yay I've been tagged!  Unlike most sane folks, I actually WANTED to get tagged and I've been secretly coveting an invitation!

Thanks to Amy   I am now officially a blogger!  So here goes

6 Random Things About ME

1.    I eat hummus just about EVERY day!

2.    I love to read --  anything and everything.

3.   I enjoy cooking and I bake cakes from scratch 

4.   Both my mother and my father have 11 brothers and sisters EACH

5.   I CANNOT wash dishes.  I mean really!  Its just bad (especially considering # 3)

6.   I have to have a different glass EVERYTIME I get something to drink -- Thank goodness I have a dishwasher.

Okay so of course I get to "pay it forward" and tag me some other folks, here are the rules

1.  Link to the person that tagged you.

2.  Post the rules on the blog.

3.  Write six random facts about yourself.

4.  Tag six people at the end of your post

5.  Let each person know they have been tagged.

6.  Let the taggers know when your entry is up.

So I tag the following people

1.)  Celeste -- Fellow PAP and great new friend.  

2.)  Tami -- Because her blog is hilarious and she inspired me to blog

3.)  Laura -- Because her life is so darn interesting

4.)  Julie -- Because I love her wit and humor (is that the same thing?)

5.)  Valerie -- Because I'm interested to see what she will share.

6.)  Trice -- Because she is a new blogger and I want to break her in early.

One more rule for my fellow Taggers.  You have to post a baby picture of yourself at the top of your post, because I shouldn't be humiliated by myself!!!

Age 12 - Glamour shot!

Come on, I had to put this glamour shot of me with my flute!

TTYL Robbin

SORRY!!!!! Age 12

Not that much sleep is loss of these pics, but they just don't seem to get any better so I will continue my self-inflicted abuse!

I bought a stroller!

Thanks to Tami for sending me to mamabargaincom.   I am sure I didn't need to buy anything, I've spent so much on Ebay that I can no longer account for the packages arriving at the door.  I have purchased all of my big ticket item, except my biggest ticket item -- Nursery furniture!   I am hoping Grandma will want to buy that.   

Anyway, I digress.   I haven't done as much research on strollers as I did on the high chair, but I did know that this time, I wasn't asking any of my friends for their opinions!   I knew that I wanted it to be able to move easily over smooth surfaces and rough surfaces.  I doubt that I needed off roading or all-terrain because clearly, I will not be doing much of that :).  I also wanted something that wasn't too bulky, lightweight and easy to maneuver with ONE hand and thanks to the advice of Christina, it needs to fold UP to me.  I guess it is stupid that most strollers you collapse and it falls to the ground.  So now you have baby in hand and you are trying to bend over and balance the baby while lifting it up.  Of course I wasn't looking for the most expensive but not the cheapest either.  I wanted something durable that would work for more than one year.  I had really been eyeing the Maclaren strollers.  They seem to be the most popular, lightweight, umbrella step-up.    And it really is a NAME BRAND umbrella stroller.  For $100.00 plus.  I knew I didn't want the old school style all in one with ducks and stuff.  I really wanted cup holders Somewhere!  And lets face it.  Ya'll know by now, I want it to not look "baby".  So there were a lot of choices with fabulous colors, features, material and of course nice hefty price tags.  

So back to mamabargains.com, this place is great, one item a couple times a day for at least half off and these are things you didn't even KNOW you needed  LOL.   So that's where I found it.

The Micralite Fast Fold. Yes I got the red.   It has many of the features I needed and many that I wanted that I didn't get, but this was really a souped up umbrella stroller on steroids.  Its not bulky at all.  Mine came with the bassinet that you see but I don't expect to get much use out of it.  However its a good alternative to a cradle for the little one.   It retails at $529.  And I got it for $238!   Yep I'm crazy.  I like it and now that's on e more thing off of my list.

Tell me what you think?

TTYL  Robbin

WEEK 12

Okay well this is it!  I have entered the!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My agency is quoting 3-5 months as a wait time for a referral.  I am making great strides on the unofficial list.  I have made some big decisions regarding my future career and my education.  Some by choice, some not.  But none the less I believe that everything happens the way it is supposed to.  I believe we all have free will and that although our choices may chose the path, what awaits us at the end is not decided by us.   I am okay with the "postponement" of things and I am ready to get my little girl home!

TTYL Robbin

11 years old

   Off to junior high!  I think that I was able to actually pick my own clothes and hair.  But I don't think it got much better.  I have to find some middle school class pictures to excite everyone! 

TTYL  Robbin

Week 11

Wow..... its all I can say.  Time moves forward.  Its what happens.... We have no control of it.  If I continue to do the things I'm scheduled to do... time will just pass.   

TTYL

Robbin

Age 10 -- I don't know what to say!

 

Home from Atlanta and miscellaneous happenings

This weekend I went to the wedding of my good friend Kellae to her extra wonderful new husband Kakra G.  So I wanted to post a picture of the event.  It was at the beautiful Rhodes Hall on Peachtree, and it was a sunset wedding so please forgive the dark pic!

Also I came home to lots of packages!  I've been ebaying (yes its a verb), and I got some good deals.  I got about 10 Dr. Brown glass bottles, about 5 BPA free bottles, and about 10 Playtex drop in bottles.  I plan on using the playtex while in ET and transitioning over to the Dr. Brown's after I get home.  I also bought a cute diaper bag from Pottery Barn and a little tennis dress.   here is a picture of the bag mine is mint green.

And most importantly I got the SVAN baby bouncer in watermelon and khaki.  It retails for 129.00 and I got it NIB (that's Ebay lingo -- New In the Box :), for $56.00 plus shipping.  The model pictured is my "son" Junior.  He loves it!

TTYL   Robbin

Week 10

Wow, time is passing quickly and now I am getting nervous!   I will enter the window in just 2 weeks!!!!!!!   I am prepared for referral times to increase.   My agency is quoting 3-5 months, and just 3 months ago referrals were coming closer to the earlier part of the timeframe.  Now referrals are easily exceeding that timeframe.  So I am predicting within one month, the agency will change the referral time to at the very least 4-6 months but more than like 5-7 months.  I am not at all stressed by that.  I believe my child will be referred to me, despite timeframes and case coordinators, and law changes and regulations, she will be my daughter and I will be her mom.

Not to mention, I take the Bar Exam in February and I don't know why I thought traveling BEFORE that would make ANY SENSE AT ALL!

So my new referral guess:  12/05 (No scientific calculations, its my brother's birthday lol) up from 10/16 (Michigan Sweetest Day lol).  With travel week 1 of March!   

To all my PAP's (adoption speak: Prospective Adoptive Parent) hang in there, our time is not always the right time.  There are greater forces in the universe that contribute (I know weird huh).   

TTYL Robbin

more 9

ok, so the last picture my hair was so long because of extensions!  you all realized that right ...(Sorry Julie)!  Nope still looking crazy but now I enter the JERRI CURL phase!!!   

Robbin

Beautiful Land of Ethiopia

This is a link for a photographer they was recently visiting Ethiopia in his wife's home town.  Please enjoy!

http://www.jongoering.com

TTYL

Robbin

And a close up!

And a sweater of course 

Age 9

Ok look, these pictures get really really BAD!  I mean really bad, So I am going to do them one by one to soften the blow.   If you have a weak stomach turn your head now LOL!   The first picture is the CLASS PHOTO.  So embarrassing myself is not enough, misery LOOOOOOOOOVES company!

I can name just about everyone in this picture.  What's really funny is the guys you thought were the studs!

From Left to right

Row 1

Chris Keys

Principal Mattie Mckinney Hatchett

Teacher Jo Davidson

Kareem Boyles

Row 2

???

Detonya Peeples

Bobby Calhoun

Stephen Kennedy (my K boyfriend)

Valencia Cobb

?????

Row 3

????

Kyle Hughes (Stud lol)

Susan Bissett

Alan Rainge

Jesse Lucio

Janet Howe

Ronald Weaver

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Row 4

Martin Chavez

Angela Williams

Tu Le

Shamekia Hunt

Tuan Le

Amina Norris

???

Dena Covert

John Collins

Row 5

Jeff Wiscombe  (stud)

????

????

Angela Rodriguez (my best friend)

????

Marlene 

Robert Bailey III

Yep, I know just what you wanted to sit thru is a roll call of my 4th grade class mates.   But guess what, Its not enough for me to post their pics, I want their NAMES out there too!

TTYL Robbin

Week 9!!!!!!!

High Chair

I made my first big purchase today.  I bought this very trendy, very functional and very "un-baby" high chair. You see, I really loathe baby looking baby stuff.  I don't think it requires all that fluff fluff frill.  My style is sort of not quite modern, not quite contemporary -- more "transitional".  I really think that my baby stuff should fit within my decor.  Of course this has clearly driven my friends MAD!  

I have been accused of lots of things during this adoption journey, but none more often than the accusation that:  I don't have a clue what I am signing up for.  But I think that I have about as much of an understanding as any first time mom.  Perhaps more.  In searching for every major item -- stroller, crib, highchair, carseat, bottles --- I have reviewed hundreds of reviews, reports and comments.  I just wanted to be certain that my Type- A -personality-mind was satisfied with each and every decision.

So the high chair.   Like I said, I had a few criteria to fill, I wanted something that wasn't frilly, not plastic, not obtrusive, multi-functional, works well with the table and not a lot of crevices to hold little crumbs and stickies.  Needless to say, my list was whittled down quickly.  I settled on two: Stokke or Svan.   I chose the Svan.

Of course price was a consideration, but not a deciding factor.  After seeing that the mid price highchair runs between 100-175.00, I realized that my choices weren't SOOO out of reach.  My Svan included the easily removable tray, a dishwasher safe tray cover, and a cushion for $250.00 delivered to my door.  It has a very clean look and it doesn't look like a highchair.   It fits right at my table and even changes to a toddler chair and can seat an adult.  

I'm surprised how few ppl say they used their high chair.   When I eat, I eat at the table.  I don't agree with eating all over the house.  I was not allowed to as a child and it seems that our norms are what we were raised to believe.  I've heard a bunch of different places that children are fed at -- carriers, bouncers, carseats, laps, floors --  just seems like a highchair would be a good place to start.   But then I am always accused of going against the norms.  Just like with this adoption.   I am single, not infertile, and parenting by choice.

So yes, I bought an expensive highchair, that doesn't look like a high chair.  

And its fabulous.   

Here's a picture and no this is not my family lol, but I do love their kitchen.   

TTYL Robbin

For your laughing pleasures....

I'm starting to feel like these are the same pictures.  The tweety bird look is the WORSE!!!!!!   And of course RED must be my color!

TTYL

Robbin

Wait:  That might be the same sweater as a year ago!!!!!   Must've been dippin in my brothers closet again!

WEEK 8!!!!!!!!!

Yep, Its going into month two!  I am very excited but still a little reserved because it doesn't seem real with me not having anything to do right now.  Perhaps when the courts reopen and the boards start jumping again then I will start to feel that it is going to happen, but right now, I think this "trimester" is trying my patience!

The picture that I included today requires you to count.  But there are 8 symbols there.  And the middle symbol, the yin/yang is the tattoo that I have on my lower back.  I think they call that a "tramp stamp" lol.

TTYL  Robbin

Age 7

What can I say?  The lopsided plaid collar and of course the HAIR.   Yes that little pigtail says:

I'M NUMBER 1!!!!

This is really really bad.   Nothing more to say.

TTYL Robbin

week 7

 Slow and steady wins the race

Nursery Thoughts

Although I am extremely excited about becoming a Mom, and I have fully educated my sphere-of- influence on all things adoption, I have been reluctant to make any significant purchases for the nursery.  I mean, I have a vision and all but that's the extent of it!  Until NOW!

I wanted something calm and relaxing.  A place where both the baby and I could feel peaceful.  I have spent hours online searching 

for the highest quality products, the safest options and the most eco-friendly while still being economically friendly.

I chose bamboo and it is just beautiful.  I had anticipated hiring someone to lay it but my fabulous MOM installed it herself.

So step one has been completed.  Here's a picture of the finished project, and of my mom installing them.  She will probably not be happy of the butt shot!  LOL.  Sorry MOM.

I am gonna try for a better shot once I start putting some stuff in it.

TTyl  Robbin

6 years old and off to school.

Only a very confident woman can post these very scary pics for all the world to see.  In the words of my grandmother:  "What don't kill you, will only make you fat!"

My Grandma will be happy to know I survived the first grade fairly unscathed. Yep, wearing this lovely plaid button up, blue v-neck sweater and combination afro, twist, with a matching barrette.

The photographer was laughing so hard I thought he was trying to encourage me to smile.  And I did.

Poor me.  Living Phat, to tell the story!

TTYL Robbin