A Martin Minute

Merry Christmas! How are we here?       How has this year gone by so fast?            How is it almost 2024? I can tell you how . . . because there are 4 kids (in 2 cities), 1 dad (sometimes traveling for work), 1 mom & her minivan, multiple teams, multiple schools & 1 cute puppy. Whew!! Baylor is 20 & LOVING her apartment life in Auburn! She is studying hard & keeps a busy schedule with tailgating, church events & general TALKING with friends. She is doing some babysitting & pre-teaching over her Christmas break & some more TALKING with friends. William will be 18 any day now! He just made the Men's Soccer Varsity squad for his Senior year & so that makes the 3rd team of this year! He will be joining big sister in Auburn come August & I am sure his dorm room will be a little less complicated. He is half-way through his Senior year & doing well in school. He studies, works, plays soccer & then a little more soccer. He & Whitt are tryi

  "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord,  & they shall be my people & I shall be their God. . ." Jeremiah 24:7 Merry Christmas 2022! Wow! What a year ~ I am exhausted & joyful & so excited all at the same time! We have a COLLEGE STUDENT! She did AMAZING! I cried like a baby & still do from time-to-time. Baylor is 19 & is loving life on the plains. She has gotten involved & made new friends. She studies & loves her classes. She loves football & basketball games & amidst all that STILL manages to squeeze in 40,000+ words a day! WFM5 - William, our Cinco is a soccer champ once again! He drives to work, school, soccer & EATS. He has made me so proud managing work, school & soccer & studying for ACT & college visits. Doing all well & having fun! He will be a Senior Fall '23 & we are looking forward to that fun year. Whitty is my runner & jumper! He is on the high school track & field team no

 So many things have happened . . . So many things good things & so many hard things. So many things that we cannot explain & things we saw coming years ago. So many people & so many places. This momma's heart has had to learn to watch them fly & soar. I keep thinking back to what my Daddy said at our wedding " . . . you give your children roots & wings." It is hard to give them roots that run deep & how you instill true values in them. It is also hard to watch them open their wings ready to soar. They are soaring! They are learning SOOO much & watching these adventures is a true gift. I know one day I will look back as this being a great joy of my life. I am experiencing hurt but it is amidst such beauty & growth. My baby girl has started to fly & she is flying strong. As soon as she started off on her journey she hit a few unexpected bumps & she took a minute, re-grouped & then just kept on going. She was strong & brave. S

  " Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, & God our Father, who loved us & gave us eternal comfort & good hope through grace, comfort your hearts & establish them in every good work & word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17 Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We keep busy around here - everyday! Bay is 18! She is an adult! She has decided to head to Auburn University next year & spread her beautiful wings. She has had jaw surgery, to correct some "issues," & enjoyed some very extended & quiet time at home.  She is a Senior in high school & loves her school! She loves all the fun Senior dress-up days & even had 3 costume changes in 1 day! She has so much stuff planned for next year - my head is spinning. WFM5 will be 16 in a few weeks! I realized that with him driving himself to soccer practice that I will have an extra 4 hours in my week. He works at a local ice cream shop, which is quite beneficial, & is growing up so

 I am so THANKFUL for all my crew! I am so GRATEFUL for what they all mean to me! I am so BLESSED to be a part of their lives! (I am obviously a little bit cheesy on the holidays) This year I am thankful for . . . My much better half ~ he takes care of us all so well. I love you! My 4 kiddos ~  even with the eye-rolling.     Baylor is beautiful!     WFM5 is funny!     Whitty is sweet!     Lee-Lee is  . . . .well, he is Lee-Lee!  My family ~ as loud as we are we are truly blessed to do life together. My favorite neighbors ~ you know who you are & thank you for always helping & being a part of our family.  I love that some came over last night to cook spicy ramen, because they knew my kitchen would be open.  I love that we can walk in without knocking & that Dr. Peppers get left on my doorstep. I am thankful for Dr. Pepper! I am thankful for Chicken-Moo! PSALM 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His steadfast love endures FOREVER."

Just a few little thoughts as you will soon turn 18 . . . *(started May 31, 2021) God is sovereign! God is good all the time - even when we do not understand. I will always love you ~ forever & ever! You are my favorite daughter! VOTE! Vote wisely! THINK! Think before you speak or post or tweet or text. Apologize & forgive - everyone makes mistakes. Give Grace ~ especially to those that make it hard. Big things are happening over the next few years , but don't forget the small things. Taylor Swift "the Best Day" Thomas Rhett!! Be a role model & make wise choices ~ how many times have I said this? Keep talking! Family is everything! "Okay Lewis & Clark. . . ." Chick-Fil-A ~ enough said "Never let anyone treat you like a yellow starburst. You are a pink starburst." Always walk in the front door like you live here. ~ Be a pineapple~ "In all things give thanks." READ your BIBLE! "The fact that our heart yearns for something E