M-I-A in MAY

Can you believe it’s already May? I can’t believe how fast spring is going by, before you know it, it’s going to be summer. Here in the city it already feels like summer with temperatures in the 80s. It has been gorgeous out, which like I’ve mentioned before, puts me in a good mood. I love nice weather, especially when it means backyard barbecues. The sad thing is it’s really making me miss home. Being a true Midwesterner, I absolutely love BBQs and picnics and the thought of not being home for these events makes me sad. I want to be in KS sitting on the porch while my dad is grilling, my mom is making some margaritas, and my sisters and brother-in-laws are socializing and playing with my niece and nephew. The good news is I am heading home in 1 week for my college graduation. I technically graduated in December 09, but because it was a semester early, I never had a graduation celebration. This Friday, May 14 after work I am heading to the airport for a flight to Kansas City! I can’t wait to spend the weekend with my family and friends. Saturday is my cousin’s college grad from Rockhurst College, Saturday night is my Multicultural Scholarship Graduation Banquet, then my best friend Val’s graduation party. Sunday is KU’s Commencement Ceremony, then my Grad Party at my parents’ house in Bonner. Sunday night my nephew Jaxson is having a sleepover downstairs in my room. (Side Note: Jaxson loves having sleepovers and last time I was in KC I had a sleepover at his house and I have been promising him that the next time I’m home, he can have a sleepover at my house.) Monday I will spend the day with my mom, my niece and nephew, and then head back to NYC Monday night. It is going to be a jam packed weekend and I am really looking forward to it!

One of the reasons I have really been missing home lately is because I am missing some important occasions going on in KC. For instance, Saturday, May 1 was my oldest sister Kim’s baby shower and I wasn’t there. Having to miss such a joyous occasion broke (still breaks) my heart. My sisters and I are REALLY close and not being there for Kim on such an important day makes me feel so guilty, like I really let her down. I guess it’s just one of the consequences of moving thousands of miles away from your family. I would love to attend every family function, but with such a big and growing family, it’s impossible. For one thing, it’s not economical for me to fly home all the time, and secondly, it’s just part of moving away. Living in NYC has its pros and cons and although I love the city life, I have to admit, it’s hard to experience the cons like missing important events. I am thankful that my family took lots of pictures of the shower and posted them on Facebook because at least I got to feel like I was there while looking at them, which I definitely was in spirit. I am so happy for my sister and her husband as this is such an amazing time in their lives, I’m just sad that I am not there to experience every minute of it with them. I will most definitely be on the first plane home when I get the call that Kim is in labor, you can count on that sister! ;) I love you and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your shower, but I’ll be home soon enough to see the hundreds of things Baby Robbins received. I can’t wait to see how the nursery looks with everything in it!!

Kim and Michael before her baby shower

Another important event I am missing is TODAY, Mother’s Day. This is the first Mother’s Day ever that I haven’t spent with my mom. Again, I feel guilty that I am not there for the people I love the most, it breaks my heart. Mom, I’m sorry I’m not there to celebrate Mother’s Day with you, but please know that every time I am with you is Mother’s Day to me. You are an amazing woman and mother and I love you for helping me and my sisters become the women that we are today. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day as you deserve that and more. I can’t wait to see you next week, love you and miss you!

My beautiful mother

And yet another important day I am missing is tomorrow, May 10, my sister Andrea’s 24th Birthday! Again, this is the first of Drea’s Bdays that I have ever missed so it’s hard not being there to help her celebrate. Dre, Happy Birthday, I hope you have a fabulous day, you deserve it! I’m sorry I’m not there, but I’ll be home next week to give you a belated birthday hug! Love you!

The birthday girl

Well, now that I have paid tribute to the most important women in my life, I think I’ll wrap up. Stay tuned for next week’s Kansas City post, it should be a good one! :)

P.S. Val, you didn’t think I forgot you, did you? I’m sorry I missed your Campaigns presentation; I would have loved to be there for you just as you were for me! I’m sure you did fantastic. I can’t wait to watch the video Basow will give you soon! ;) Congrats on graduating, we’ll have celebratory drinks soon enough!

KU's most recent Graduate