No. 12 is good and done! (27 before 28 list)

Well, we traveled to another island.

My mom and dad came to town and just when we thought it couldn't get any more fun they took us to Kaua'i!

I had never been before and Thomas hadn't been since he was like 14. WE LOVED IT! That probably goes without saying.




It felt nice to get away from it all for four days and three nights of lush green countryside goodness.

Thomas turned 32 on Kaua'i and we stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club resort

and swam, saw Waimea Canyon

, and my mom paid for everyone to go on a booze cruise!






She is probably shaking her head at that last part. She didn't know it would be all about booze, and it really wasn't for us anyway, it was all about whales and more whales and fulfilling my life-long dream of sailing out in the deep blue sea.




Now I just miss my parents. A lot. They are fun, and good, and wonderful. Thanks so much for coming and spoiling us like you do and just doing my heart good. We love you!

Did you watch that video I just posted?

It explains a little about what Daughters in My Kingdom is all about.

You can click on the title of the book in this post for more info. If you haven't already received a copy in your ward you can go to that link to buy or read a copy and most smart phone owners can even read it on their phone!

I just finished reading it and I cannot recommend it enough. Chapters 4,5,7,9, and 10 in particular if you don't want to read the whole thing, but really the whole thing filled me with such a sense of purpose, light, happiness, and optimism for the future that I suggest you read it all if you haven't already!

Some favorite passages:

"Hold your head high, you wives, you mothers, homemakers. You engender life and enrich it. Don't trade that pervasive force for fleeting, surface trinkets. Cherish it, enlarge it, magnify it. You hold a mighty office" (159).

"Whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family - now and in the future" (159).

And so many others like it and the history of the women in the church and the countless stories of people who gave so much of their time, talents, and all that they had to help and serve others. Smart women, good women, imperfect but willing women.

I think women are pulled in so many directions today- which can be wonderful sometimes and completely defeating at other times. It is so refreshing to feel a part of something so large and noble that is a part of everyone's heritage. It is empowering to know that not only is this our legacy, but we can also feel the same pure joy by doing all we can to bless the lives of our families and those who need our help- and the amazing thing- in turn we will be blessed too!

Who else has read it? What was your favorite part?

Goal #20 progress: Make fun home videos of the kids!

I have this tutorial, my new iPhone video camera, two enthusiastic little boys, and Sufjan Stevens to thank for this video. I am so excited that I sort of know how to do this stuff now. Enjoy this super-short clip and Merry December at last! (tip: click the little butterfly looking button next to "vimeo" to make it big... it's easier to see that way and turn up that volume!)

Untitled from Stephanie Robertson on Vimeo.

Goal #2 progress: Open Across the Sea Shop

7 bags designed, materials collected, cut, sewn, and happily waiting to be sold.

Here's a preview. It just so happened I was dressed like a sailor today (most days if I'm being honest here...)

Inside you'll find an iPhone sized pocket with the lining color of your choice:

sea kelp


or sea foam


Ambrose saw them and got all excited, "What are those for!?"

"Mermaids," I said.

Alright, this is getting exciting. Shop opening soon!

27 before 28

Inspired by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess, here is my 27 before 28 list... and I turn 28 in 6.5 months so I better get with it!

1. Create my dream ENG201 course for Winter
2. Open Across the Sea Shop!
3. Be completely comfortable in a swim suit
4. Establish a bedtime for myself and keep it
5. Add to our family or be on that path before my birthday... I've been practicing my baby tending skills with my friend's babies a lot lately and I'm fairly confident that I could do this again, well at least before I turn 30. Yep, we'll shoot for that.

6. New family photos
7. Learn to play the banjo
8. Date night twice a month with my Thomas
9. Temple twice a month
10. Print a year from my blog to keep as our family history
11. Finish the Book of Mormon
12. Visit another island
13. Bare my testimony in Sacrament Meeting
14. Mail a letter every week to a loved one
15. Go to dinner with my in-laws
16. Organize an inspiring creative space
17. Sew 10 things for my home/family
18. Create a piece of art for my home
19. Sew 5 things for my wardrobe
20. Make fun home videos of the kids
21. Write something to submit for publication
22. Collaborate with K on a kids book
23. Eat things that make me feel good
24. Read Daughters in My Kingdom
25. Collaborate with S on our Etsy shops
26. Continue to help my family stay out of debt
27. Read to, play with, and love my kids more and more everyday!

I'll report here when I make progress. Will I get it all done? No. But it will be an amazing half a year working on living all these dreams!