All about Robyn

The Early Years
     I was born on Dec. 3 in Fresno, California.

Oh boy, do I look squishy!

I was raised in the nearby town of Clovis (much nicer then Fresno) and lived in the same house for 23 years.  I was the 4th child out of 5, with 2 sisters and 2 brothers to get me into all sorts of trouble.

Me and my siblings (I'm the one in the blue shorts)

We spent our summers in the Sierra Nevada mountains and loved hiking, fishing and swimming in the lake.  Jeff and I still love to make time to spend in the mountains.  My Family was also involved with a lot of performing arts.

Fishing with my Dad!

I have always loved to garden!

First day of Kindergarten

We all sing, dance, act and play a musical instrument (I play the piano).  Some of us excel in different areas, but we all can do each activity.  I was involved with the high school and community theater programs for most of my life.  My mom was the president of the community theater for at least half of my childhood.  I spent many summers folding fliers and licking stamps for the program.  If I had to pick one thing that I am better at I would have to say that I am better at singing then any of the other talents.  I love to sing.  I would do
it all day if I could.

Me and my sister after a show where I played Tzeitel in "Fiddler on the Roof"

After High School

     Theater and singing is what made me move to Utah.  I had promised myself I would NEVER move to Utah.  Well, so much for that plan. Though, before I get ahead of myself I should mention that after high school I attended Fresno City Collage and then transferred to California State University, Fresno where I received my bachelors in Liberal Arts and a teaching credential to teach K-8.

     Now the story about moving to Utah can happen.  I had just graduated and the new school year had started.  I was just substitute teaching since my job hunt did not turn out as I had hoped.  I had just gotten home from my first sub job in a kindergarten class when my Sister-in-Law called.  She said that she and my brother felt like they should audition for a play called "Savior of the World".  It is a production put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my sister-in-law had, in the past, been a major role for years.  She had just had her second child so it had been a while, but she felt strongly that she and my brother should audition and that she should invited me to audition with them.  I asked when the audition was and she said, "Tomorrow."  I had never been one to just jump on a plane and be spontaneous (I still don't think I am), but I thought that I didn't have anything to lose.  I flew out the next day, auditioned and was cast in the show.  My sister-in-law and brother were both cast as well but they didn't feel it was right to be part of the show anymore.  I know now that she had those feelings to get me to move out to Utah.
     Once I moved (within two weeks, Crazy) I applied for a teaching position that had not been filled yet and I started teaching 2nd grade in the middle of October.  I am still teaching second grade at that same school in Sandy.  Not only did I find my dream job but I found great roommates to live with right across the street from my brother and just two years later I was married to the man of my dreams.

How Jeff and I Met and Dated

My mom wanted to know what this guy I was dating looked like.  This is one of the first pictures we took together.  I know it looks like I don't like him but I really do.

     Jeff bought a house in the same area where I lived and we went to the same singles ward (a church congregation).  The night I started to fall in love with Jeff is one of my favorite memories.  I was pretty nervous about dating Jeff.  I even told him that and had a long talk with a good friend who helped me take the leap of faith I needed to start the relationship.  I wasn't particularly attracted to Jeff, but he was a good friend and I hated to mess that up.  Well, Jeff knew I was not sold on dating him just yet, so he plotted to make me feel more special then I had ever felt before (and it worked).  He started by telling me to get dressed up.  Now this was a big deal because Jeff is not really a "dressed up" kind of guy.  He drove me up to Salt Lake City and took me to Ruth's Chris Steak House.  This is a VERY fancy smancy restaurant with AMAZING food.  He told me to not look at the right side of the page and to just focus on the left side of the menu so I should get whatever I wanted.  He made sure I knew that he had budgeted for the meal.  The food was fabulous and wonderful and we had so much fun just relaxing and talking.  After the meal was done we went back to change into more comfortable clothes.  We then drove up into the mountains to go star gazing.  How romantic!  Not only were we under the beautiful stars but he remembered to get me a blanket (because I am always cold).  He said that he bought me a new soft blanket just for the occasion.  I went to open the blanket and inside was a box of nuts and chews chocolates from See's Candy, my FAVORITE.  We don't even stop there!  On the box was a letter.  In the letter he had written all the things he loved about me.  Why he thought I was special and all the cute mushy stuff that makes a girls heart melt.  Well, it worked.  I felt in that moment that Jeff was a man who could be thoughtful, kind and take care of me.  That is the day I started to be in love with Jeff and that love has grown more then I could have ever known.

Some Last Thoughts
Wow!  I sure wrote a lot.  I hope it wasn't a word or visual overload.  I just want you to know that if you are reading this I am so grateful that you would take the time to find out if we are a match for you and your child.  I will never fully understand what you have to go through.  I pray for the safety, health, peace and support for the birthmother(s) of the children that will come into our lives everyday.  I hope that if you feel that this is you then I hope you will know how much we love you and think of you often, even though we haven't meet you yet.  Good luck in your journey.