A Martin Minute

From our family to yours we wish you the Merriest of Christmases! I am taking a Christmas card off my to-do list this year, I LOVE a Christmas card, but this momma needed more time to focus on other things this year. We had a hard time in October & November with the hospitalization & then loss of my grandfather.  Great-Granddaddy Bill was a special man who my kids miss every day.  We talk about his funny statements & how we were so glad he moved closer to be with us in his last years.  We learned stories about when he was a little boy & we learned about how he gave back to others & his church.  We learned how he loved his family.  We learned these important things & how family ALWAYS comes first! We learned A LOT of things this year . . . We learned the value of hard work & how everything in life is not always easy-peesy. We learned that we are all different & how that is special & the way God made us. We learned to pray for our country &

My #4 is turning 4 today! What do we say about Lee-Lee?  Well . . . he is a "little bit country & a little bit rock 'n roll."  He could "end up in the White House or in the local jail."  When asked in church for his favorite song to sing his hand shoots up & he says, "Uptown Funk!"  When asked any question in the family Advent time his hand shoots up & he says "God is SO powerful!" He is who he is . . . . Lee-Lee, You are one of life's greatest surprises. You have kept this momma on her toes, even after you have run over them with your tricycle. . . .while chasing imaginary bears. You love LIFE!  You go after what you want & you don't let anyone stop you.  You have dreams - BIG ones & a huge imagination to fuel them. Have fun little man! Let the games begin. . . Love, Mommy

Here is the other group . . . Well, a few weeks/months ago we sent the first wave off to the halls of learning & then today we sent the littlest off to pre-school. I worry about these days every year . . .  Will they have friends in their classes?  Will they like their teachers?  Will they be shown kindness?  Will they be shy? They will do great! They will learn & love & laugh & make me proud! Love you to pieces ~ Mommy

I did send the kiddos back to school in August - I just forget to document it here. Well kiddos, you have started another year in your EDUCATION!  That's right - the formative years of 7th, 5th, 3rd & 3 Year Pre-school have begun & we are trying to form you into SUPER SMART adults.  Actually, truth be told, we just want you to have some sense so you make "wise choices." (My favorite mommy saying) And at school they teach you reading & math so that one day you can follow directions on travels & back home to Mommy & you can balance YOUR bank account (aka- NOT ours). The school year has started a little crazy & that is just going to be the norm around here for the next 16 years (that is when Lee goes to college). I am thinking now that I may send Lee to college with Baylor & let me help the 2 middle boys get through high school & then I can get Lee through middle school & high school  . . . .Anyway, I digress, we are having to work a li