A Martin Minute

My children are officially SPOILED! Thank you to each & every one of you who have contributed to their extra fun & sugary Christmas celebration - I am starting thank you notes tonight. We have had an abundance of family time & are loving having SuperDaddy home a little extra these days. We took a QUICK trip to TN to see my extended family & loved us some chocolate syrup on our biscuits & tackling Uncle Bill on an air mattress. We came home in time to clean the house & prep for Christmas Eve. No worries - we got a trampoline! AND of course LEgos & ANOTHER American Girl doll b/c 1 was never enough. We got games! We are obsessed with playing games & if you ever want to blackmail me you can find Poppy's picture of me playing TWISTER - hey, I lasted about 30 minutes. We got real aluminum bats - can you believe my boys are old enough to get bats? We got pj's & once more Cousin Lisa wins for the toys with the most pieces. P.S. Cousin Lisa also broug...

Merry Christmas from the Martins! Dear Friends, I started a letter about how smart & cute & fabulous my children are . . .I started a letter about the sports we like & how fabulous we are at those sports. (I mean seriously I already have my Christmas card plan for the year of our Heisman win) But then I realized y'all probably all knew how fabulous my kiddos & hubby are. So my letter is short & sweet to say "Thank you." Thank you for how each of you have contributed to our family. We are blessed by who you are & what you have taught us. Thank you for watching us grow & enjoying the moments along with me. (Thank you for reading this blog.) Thank you, thank you, thank you! May you be blessed this Christmas & New Year by His grace & His love - for that is the true meaning of the season. Love, Jocelyn

Okay, so a little of October is in here & December 1st. The bottom pic is Whitty at his pumpkin party. He is wearing his "W" cape made by Moppy. Next pic up is Bay in our over-packed car on Dec 1st delivering 155 bags that her school put together for children in the hospital. I headed up the December service project for her elementary school & had a FABULOUS time spending the WHOLE day at her school. The next pic up is the boys with cousin T getting ready for their fall program at school. They did PERFECT! They remembered the words & motions. WFM5 had some lines to deliver & did so award worthy. The top pic is SuperDaddy & I at the IRON BOWL. If you saw us on ESPN College GAmeDay 1 or more of the 5 times we were on then you can get our autographs later. We had so much fun (until the 2nd half) & did some Christmas shopping on the PLains. I had not been to an Iron Bowl since before we had kiddos & it was fun just to be there! Thanks to Mimi & Pop...

Starting from the bottom picture (b/c I cannot remember how to get them in the right order.): In the bottom pic you can catch a glimpse of my 2 SpiderMen & our Spanish dancer. The kids had a fun & busy Halloween. Well, that is until Baby W decided it was scary & SuperDaddy walked him home to me & Moppy to share his candy. The other 2 hit every house in the neighborhood - thankfully we live in a small neighborhood. Let me clarify that this is my least favorite holiday b/c WHY do we spend a lot of money to celebrate a holiday that started out to be something bad????? Then in the middle picture you can see our Soccer SuperStar - he made a goal or more in most games & every game he had a great save! He may go pro next year he said except he has not found a kids pro team yet. I am excited to start baseball in the Spring & then he wants to play football in the Fall. Why do I think that the ballfields & the Volvo will become best buds? =) The top pic is of our new ...

Well, I am a day late, but only because I was throwing a really cool party. (pics later) My Baby turned 4 yesterday. Impossible -afraid not. He is all about SuperHeros & HotWheels. He loves to talk, but not always in public - a little shy. He is "wonderfully made . . .in God's image." He loves his role as the Baby of the family & looks forward to Mommy time - all the time. When he grows up to be an AU football player you can all say "I knew him when." Thankfully he has a few years to decide between quarterback & running back. Whitty, We love you & who you are in, & to, our family. You are our baby blessing. Love, Mommy

Okay so what color do you think a pumpkin is? If you guessed white or orange then you are right. Saturday SuperDaddy turned down multiple AU vs FL tickets to stay home & spend some time with the family. He has been working 24/7 for 3 weeks now & since he finished a bid he took the day to devote to spending time with the kiddos. We headed off to "The Great Pumpkin Patch" about 30 miles N of our suburbia & took a wagon ride, picked out pumpkins, rode horses & went to the petting zoo & country store. We had a blast! Bay picked out a white pumpkin while the W's got traditional orange. They loved the petting zoo & all rode the ponies, but I am sure their favorite part was the hay pyramid that turned out to be a great spot to play "tackle daddy!" Maybe we were meant to be country folks??? Carnivals, Fall Festivals & birthdays coming up SOON! Happy Fall Y'all!

Captain "Cappi" Martin July 15, 2000 - October 3, 2011 Our first puppy has been sick for a few months & today she went to Heaven. We will miss you Cappi-girl. You were so protective of the kiddos. The baby says she is not dead - just with Jesus in Heaven which he went into great detail to explain where Heaven is - it is in the ground . . .under the house . . . under the grass . . . under the trees . . .etc. Big sis said, "Mom, just let him go with it."

What does it mean when you are walking through the "loveliest little village on the plains" & other people look at you (strangers) & say "She must be crazy?" What does it mean when you run into someone you know & they run up to you & get you to sit down & drink water & eat food? What does it (really) mean when someone asks you "Are these all yours? It means you are SuperMommy that took her 3 blessings to AU by herself. (Honest moment: we sat at the game with in-laws) BUT most of the day was a 1:3 adult to child ratio. Rumor has it I was looking "rough" about 430 yesterday afternoon. We had a BLAST! The team is probably still talking about us - they loved meeting the Martin Mayhem. Aubie thought we were too cute, as did the ladies at the AU team store. We hiked the entire campus & ran into some people we knew - you always do in AU. I spent the whole day not worried about the house or email or whatever, JUST focused on my kid...

Soccer season has started. Tuesday nights will be spent on the sidelines as we watch in awe the greatness of WFM5 running down the field. He thinks he is all that & then some. He also thinks that his friends are all that & then some. He knows they are not going to win every game, but he is okay with that. He knows they will have fun & knows we will cheer him on & tell him his awesomeness win or lose. They lost the first game on Tuesday night, but as he took it in stride. I praised him for his attitude & kept talking about the run down the field with the ball that he had almost right off the bat. The GREEN FIRE DRAGONS are great!

Well, I have another child that has gone off to Kindergarten. The boys started Kindergarten & 3 year old pre-school this past week. It has hit me hard how fast they grow-up. I do not know why this particular year, but when they have been home I have been soaking up those moments - it is definetely more on the forefront of my mind. The W's love their classes! Baby W says he does not go to school he goes to "cowboy class." (his room is decorated in a western theme) Baby goes 3 mornings a week & WFM5 now goes everyday - CRAZY! WFM5 & I had a talk the other day about how he needs to stay on green at school (meaning you do not get in trouble) & if other boys are wrestling during circl time that he needs to be the role model. Well, for 3 days he has come home & told me that he got on yellow or got a frowny face & right as I was about to have my heart attack & get quite stern he would start laughing & tell me he was just kidding. He loves to play ...

SuperDaddy is the big 3 -7 today! (According to Bay you are offically old at 33) We are so excited to have celebrated him over the weekend & today he is hard at work. He is pictured above with some of his best friends & brothers & this weekend he is excited to start another football season with his boys! SuperDaddy we wish you the best year of love & laughter. We pray you know how much we love you & appreciate all you do for our family. Love, Me

Dearest Daughter, This momma cried secret tears as I picked you up from school today. With my sunglasses on & sitting in the front seat you could not see them when you told me you came in 2nd in the classroom mayoral election. You stayed positive, you did not get upset. You are excited to have been given the job of "Book Nook Coordinator." I love that you just smiled as we listened to our new favorite song, "The Best Day," by Taylor Swift. I found out you did not get upset at school in fact you were sweet to the friend that became mayor. I am proud of who you are as a little lady. I am more proud of who you are in Christ. God is smiling down on you. You are "pretty-ful" (per Whitty) on the inside & out. Today was like getting an early birthday present. "I had the best day with you today." Love, Mommy P.S. She lost by one point

Okay, so I was a Political Science major at AU & I used to follow politics better than I do now. (Because at night when I can watch the news sometimes I need something I do not have to think about.) Anyway I wanted everyone to know that I am raising the possible future mayor of Mrs. VonE's 2nd grade class at VHEE (her school). Yes, our Princess Bay is running for class mayor. We started working on her application & speeches today & tomorrow she will be collecting references. We talked politics over dinner. However, when I asked her if there were any of the other class jobs she wanted I suggested maybe "Teacher's Assistant." Her reply was, "Mom, I do not want to be anybody's ASSISTANT." (said with definite confidence in her voice) So since they have to look into 2 class positions we are also applying for class news reporter. Politics . . . media - What's the difference?? Anyway I am so proud of her wanting to run for mayor & she is ge...

Our newest cousin is very "pretty-ful" in the words of baby Whitty. (I believe this is a mix of beautiful & pretty) She is healthy & "wonderfully made." Keep them cousins comin' - we are having fun! Dear Baby E, Welcome to our family! It is way too much fun around here. Love, Ja-Ja

I let her go to school again this year. I know I will miss her like crazy, BUT I gotta let her learn. She is already A LOT smarter than her momma. She has a sweet teacher & some sweet friends in her class. She did great yesterday on the first day & I only cried for a little bit. I am looking forward to a fun year. Bay you will do fabulous! Have a super fun year. Love, Mommy P.S. she missed part of day 2 because of her new cousin - more later

Sorry these pics are later than promised - SuperDaddy would not share the memory card. July was FUN! We took a quck trip to GiGi's house, Bay had her first slumber party & we had a pool party at Moppy's. Tomorrow is "Meet the Teacher" for Bay & then she starts school on Thursday so I will post pics. More later, Jocelyn

I am so excited! We are getting 2 new baby girls in our family within the next 2 weeks! My sister - the famous Aunt B - is having a little girl next Friday (unless she decides to come earlier) AND my cousin is having a little girly-girl on MY bday. Bay & I are beside ourselves with giddy excitement. She has been praying for a baby sister for awhile so maybe 2 new little ones will help direct her focus.

I promise to update with July pics tonight - or maybe tomorrow.ping BUT . . . in the meantime here is what has already been said by Baby W this morning. (It is only 10:16 as I am typing) Baby W: OOOOhhh MOooommy come help me! (from upstairs) Me: I am coming my littlest bundle of joy. Baby W: Myyy name is still Whitty boy. Baby W & WFM5 are playing in the LARGE laundry pile. Baby W: OOOHHH Bubby I can see your tooter. WFM5: I do not want to wear underwear today. Baby W: Well, know we can see it. *the 4 of us LOVE playing cards Baby W wins a round of "WAR" Me: you should tell "Boo-YA!" to your brother Baby W (next time he wins): "Boo-Hoo! Bubby" Me: Who is your best superhero best friend? (trying to get him to say WFM5) Baby W: T (our cousin)! oh yeah Bubby! Me: I know T is your best cousin friend & WFM5 is your best brother friend. Baby W: thanks Mommy Well, it is sure a lot of cuteness in our house today. We have put our super cool station wagon in...

Tomorrow she will be 8! I was looking up a beautiful quote about having a daughter to start off this post & came across one of my new favorites: "People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." (Leo J. Burke) This was how her life started - SCREAMING for 3 months straight. But all that "enthusiasm" has turned into one excited little girl who is usually screaming for joy. She is one excited little girl. Right now she is excited about her first slumber party - they are upstairs & she is talking a mile a minute - that is how we roll around here. She LOVES her daddy & brothers. It will take one special man (in about 20 years) to measure up to 3 cool dudes. She has FUN with her cute friends, has perfect grades in school & is a role model to others. We were so blessed 8 years ago when this baby came into our family. She brought joy, noise, but most of all love. I admit that having a daughter to raise seems a little scarier to me than my ...

So, I have decided it is time to eat better & maybe lose a little of the baby weight. Shhh . . . no one can mention that the baby is 3.5 years old. A few months ago I started watching what I ate a little better - I just need to eat healthier. Iwas doing good at inly 1 coke a day, etc. BUT, June was a little crazy & I did not even think about what I was eating - I just LOVE to snack & so I did. However, tonight a dress was WAY TOO TIGHT! So I went & got me 1 last "splurge meal" (i.e. too many calories) & tomorrow it is back to being better. Weather permitting I will also start walking tomorrow morning. I would love to drop about 15 - 20 lbs. We will see what happens - I guess I put this out there as to make myself more aware. ~Jocelyn

Monday = Bay had a check-up = 3 kids with a Mommy in a small dr waiting room + trips to the bathroom = turns out she didn't have anything Tuesday = well you can read the earlier post + add to that swimming lessons + parking downtown + eating dinner in the car Wednesday = WFM5 goes to orthopedic dr. (turns out hand not broken but hurt) = get bandaged (once again 3 kids + Mommy in smaller dr room) + cousin spend the night Thursday = Bay is now sick with fever Friday = Bay worse fever = spending day LAZY watching TV Okay so we have had a fun, but interesting week in between my above story I am helping with a wedding this weekend & then we will see about next week with CAMP!

No we did not have 3 tables at lunch today because there were so many people with us. NOPE - we had 3 tables because we had to move tables 3 times today while eating lunch & we had food with us at those times. Yep, you do the math: 3 kids + 1 mommy + food + mall + 2 potty stops + drinks (easily spillable) = INSANITY! Each time we had to go potty (the boys) we had to come back & someone took our table. I sat there thinking that one day they will all be in college (yes, possibly at the same time) & I will miss these moments. Well, I think the dog just peed on my floor so I better go clean. ~Jocelyn

8 years ago today I married my best friend. We have a blast with every situation & he has stuck by me at my craziest times. Literally some days I feel a little crazy =) We have had good & bad times, but always together. Thank you for 3 beautiful kiddos & the oppportunity to be with them all day, every day. You work hard & give to so many people. I love you! ~Me

There is a verse that I keep running in to . . . this is what I call a "God-thing" Proverbs 24:12 "Once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act." Take it & let God do a God-thing in your life - be ready for a REALLY cool ride. ~Jocelyn

Let the games begin . . . . We have about 432 birthdays in the month of July! Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but not much. Mamaw & Super T & Miss Shelby & Miss Katie are on the 1st Cousin Ann is on the 2nd Poppy & MiMi are tomorrow the 3rd Sweet Aunt Patsy is the 8th GiGi is on the 18th JoJo is on the 23rd & Aunti Kim get the 27th AND our Princess is on the 28th Also, we will throw in our anniversary Who knows if I have forgotten someone??? - probably We stay busy because we love each of these people to pieces. We have to make all the birthday cards & make sure everyone feels loved. We have already started by celebrating Mamaw & Super T. I am not sure if the restaurant we had Mamaw's & MiMi's birthday dinner at will let us back, but we will try. Super T is one fun cousin & we had a fun time at his party & then took him balloons yesterday & played with his new toys. We need to give Cousin Ann one of our famous birthday calls ...

3 WFMs at DollyWood. I know this is a little late, but I really was truly BUSY! Although I apologize because that is not an excuse. We have some great dads & granddads to look up to you. Our Poppy & Poppa are role models not only for our SuperDaddy but for my little boys at well. SuperDaddy is a dad who gives of his time & energy to my 3 little rugrats. He works hard all day so I can stay home & then when he gets home he plays monster & tag & then prays with each one. No mother could ask for a better half. Thank you for who you are in our family & what you are to me & each child. Thank you for giving 210%. You are super amazing ~Jocelyn

Cousins - best pic of week Baby taking a rest - we were on our way down Climbing a rock! We had a blast in the mountains with SuperDaddy's family. I have always loved the Smokies. I wish I could have taken a pic of us going tubing in a river. That was hilarious! Quick shout out to my Uncle Bill. I am so sorry we were on vacation on your birthday & I completely forgot to call. I will make it up to you - promise. ~Jocelyn

Please Mom - can I hike this?? VBS Family Before her first performance . . . 3 boys + wedding = Climbing the pews! Well, we had a blast at Uncle John's wedding. OUTBACK gets to watch Bay sing every Sunday morning this Summer - lucky kids! We had a fabulous time at VBS, because of course we always do & then ventured to the Smoky Mountains & they are still standing tall despite us climbing on EVERY rock we passed. Whitty asked to hike the Appalachian Trail, but mommy said he had to wait until he was a little older & had Poppy with him. WFM5 is fearless & Bay had a blast hiking during the day & played Barbies in the cabin at night.

Vacation Bible School = great, but tiring. I am directing this year & so I have been busy for the past 3 weeks & will come up for air soon. THEN . . . we head to the mountains with SuperHubs family. The kiddos are still cute, however they seem to think that getting up at 630AM is fun. More soon . . . I promise ~Jocelyn

Our sweet computer has been sick for a few days. We had a nice weekend & then I have had the shakes for a few days without our computer. I will update with pics soon - really I promise =) ~Jocelyn

We were asked to be in another wedding & we had a BLAST! We are pros at this point & should start chargin' Our Mommy will post pics of Uncle John's wedding when she gets some from someone who had it more together & took more pics. She did take 1 or 2 pics, but they were of us climbing in the pews at the rehearsal. Isn't that what pews are for? 3 boys + 100 pews = FUN! Seriously lovin some weddings. More when Mommy has more time. Congrats to Uncle John & Aunt Liz!! ~The Princess & the Lil' Bros

Well, you guessed it . . . Someone who is 5 years old & starts with a W put a popcorn kernel in his ear yesterday while we were in the car. Now, the story we were telling the pediatrician is that is just hopped in there. (She gave me a wink b/c her boy was once 5) We were about 1mm away from having ear surgery. So in other exciting news: Pre-School is over for this year! We will start again in the Fall. BUT I will only have 1 in pre-school & 1 in Kindergarten & 1 in 2nd grade (but she still has another week). I cannot believe that the kid who had a kernel in his ear for about 1 hour yesterday is going to be in 5K next year. My nephew informed me that he will just go to 5K early with WFM5. AND the boys also informed me that NO I could not put bricks on their heads to make them quit growing. We are having us a wedding this weekend so I will post next week & use pictures. ~jocelyn

To my Mom: I have thought long & hard about what to write for a Mother's Day post. Why is it so hard to write about my mom? My mom & I are so close it is hard to put it on paper. She is such a role model for all of us girls (daughters & granddaughters). II Timothy 1:13 "Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned - a pattern shaped by faith & love that you have in Christ Jesus." I love you Mom ~Jocelyn To my kiddos: I LOVE being your mom! I would not change it for anything in the world. I pray everyday that I am laying a foundation of faithfulness in your lives. I am tryiing to protect you from things of the world while at the same time teaching you to live responsibly, respectively & righteous. Forgive me when I fail. All my love, Mommy

They are amazing! (ok - i am slightly biased) My kids are lovin' soccer & as tired as I am - LOVE being a soccermommy. Bay had her last game tonight & scored a GOAL! She also had an assist, but she may claim 2 goals & I am letting her. Way to go Eagles! WFM5 last game is Tuesday & then I can post final stats. Thank you to my family who all came tonight - I love it when my kids have the biggest cheering section. Someone told me a few weeks ago that there were a lot of us & I laughed & said that it was only 1/4 of us here Lovin' a big fam! ~Jocelyn P.S. took a special trip with Baby, but will write more later

All these cute kiddos & grandparents are safe. Moppy & Poppy are missing a living room thanks to a tree that in Whitty's words, "cannot show kindness," but everyone is fine. Thank you for your prayers. We may be without power for a few days, but thankfully SuperDaddy found a generator so we saved our fridge. Please pray for Moppy & Poppy as now they are 1 house amongst thousands that will start the fun insurance process.

I know I owe an update, BUT all my pics are on hubby's camera. So he said I could have it tomorrow for 1. to print out the pics & 2. to show you. My sweet hubby took me on a get-away to New Orleans & that deserves a post in itself because I NEVER leave my kiddos for very long & it took A LOT of heart work. BUT I LOVED the get-away & we had a BLAST! (more with pics) WFM5 had a program - he did SUPER AWESOME GREAT! So now to Easter . . . what a day. I believe I have said this before, but sometimes the day gets too busy & you cannot truly appreciate it. Next year I WILL take more time to reflect on the meaning. HE died so that I may have life. HE sent His Son to the cross for MY sins. This should & is life-changing. I know all these thoughts should change us everyday, BUT do they? These thoughts need to change me more on a daily basis. Happy Resurrection Day ~Jocelyn

Starting at the top: WFM5 & a good little buddy who we were babysitting while his little sis was being born! WFM5 & Baby re-enacting little eaglets hatching. Cute V-Day gifts Owl pillows - some of our favorites made by a sweet friend. COUSINS! - too much fun! Big Machine Day at a local museum= BOY TIME! Thanks for loving these! ~Jocelyn

I forgot the BIG NEWS . . . WFM5 had a goal on Tuesday night. Not just any goal, but the winning goal!! He was super proud of himself & I was proud of him. I love when they make a goal! It always is a high to see your kids reach their goals. Way to go Cinco & I hope you enjoy all the goals you make! ~Mommy

"to the journey. . ." I have heard that used at a wedding & I believe my daddy said it at one of our weddings. (We have those a lot in our family) Our lives are a journey & to all those who are on this journey with me I say, "Thank you." I am having a blast with all of you. I have some friends with new parts of their journey just beginning . . . A friend with a new business - WOW! - I wish y'all could have a front row seat to see God blessing her creativity so that she may use this "business" as a ministry to bless her family. Another friend (or 2, or more) who have new babies - this is one of the most beautiful journeys of all. Motherhood is a beautiful journey. My sister is having a little girl this summer. I will enjoy watching her on the mother-daughter journey. I know this is sappy, but I am watching a sappy movie & was at a wedding today so that makes everything extra sappy. . . . on a different note . . . My sweet grandmother is sick...

Did your mom ever get you the dress of your dreams? In fact you loved it so much that you kept it. Although now it is slightly out of style. BUT in 8th grade this ivory Jessica McClintock dress was PERFECT! I was planning on being buried in this dress - okay at the time I really loved it! Well, today it is a "dress-up outfit." Baby was pretending to be a "baby bear princess." So we climbed in the cave (i.e. the top of the bunk beds) & read books & avoided the fire in the living room. (it was not really on fire, but that is what he told me when I said I needed to clean the living room, so we read more books) Thanks Mom for the dress of my dreams ~ Jocelyn

Okay so I have 2 boys. . . so there are times when we have to talk about "tooters." (that's what we call it) AND Baby has started going potty all the time & wearing BOXERS or going commando - he is his own person. ALSO my nephew is starting to wear big boy underwear & staying with us more SO . . . I have spent A LOT of time in the bathroom. So I say all this to say we have had more talk lately about our "tooters." Well, tonight's conversation took the cake . . . WFM5: Mommy my tooter is hurting. ME: Does it hurt when you tee-tee? WFM5: No, it just hurts a little. ME: Buddy maybe you should talk to Daddy about it because I do no have a tooter so I have a hard time understanding - I don't know what it feels like. WFM5: Mom, I love having a tooter. & then he turns over to go to sleep. Well, I may as well get use to this. & don't y'all love my honesty? More later, Jocelyn

We have been busy little bees. Baby had a school program this morning - in which he did NOT sing or move a muscle. In fact he looked terrified. This mommy wanted to go rescue her baby, but I know this is a growing experience. He said it was not fun - definetely no Oscar in his future. Thank you to those of you who came to see the Baby & to those who could not make it - no worries you missed absolutely NOTHIN' We had 2 friends over this afternoon & then rushed to a soccer game. Bay had a great goal & an assist & her team won! So it is 830 & I am eating a sandwich & veggin' to get ready for tomorrow. Pics from today coming soon ~ Jocelyn

Well, I survived Camp Mimi - I think. My mother-in-law was great & had fun activities planned with our cousins everyday of Spring Break. I do not think we took a single picture. Our sweet JoJo came & played 1 day & 1 day while little Whitty was sick - SuperDaddy went to the McWane Center. We had a great time! We are trying to start back to our normal crazy routine, but I was sick yesterday (seriously . . .again??) So maybe tomorrow I will really return to normal. More later, this recoverin' mommy

Wow! We are ready to have a blast! Spring break in our house is tame, but FUN! Our cousins are in town & Mimi is keeping everyone busy. I will post more after the week of fun! ~Jocelyn

Here are 2 websites you have to check out: www.scottkelleyandcarter.blogspot.com = this is a family that is about to adopt their 2nd daughter from China & they are having the cutest fundraiser - you will have to order one (or more) www.winsomecreations.weebly.com = this is one of my favorite things! my sweet friend makes these to-die-for pillows Thank you for supporting these precious people, Jocelyn

www.decoudresfamily.blogspot.com The above address is a family that I do not personally know, but know of. I have been following their blog about their adoption for a few months & many adopting families have received some heartbreaking news in the last few days. Families adopting from Ethiopia have learned that the country is trying to decrease the number of children adopted each year from 4000 to only 500. Think how many babies/children will be forever in orphanages. Please pray for these children & the heart of the country's leaders. Also by going to this family's blog you may sign a petition. I signed the other day & it took MAYBE 2 minutes. Thank you for your prayers & signature. ~Jocelyn

Bay took the ball last night & took it down the field for a GOAL in the first play! Then of course she had to do it again! Then . . . of course she had an assist! Baylor = soccer superstar! . . .AND of course . . . she had great sportsmanship! Too many exclamation points I know, but she was awesome! Just a braggin' momma. Thanks for listenin' ~ Jocelyn

SOCCER SEASON! Yes Bay starts next week & WFM5 starts the week after (I think). I know y'all are too excited! Bay will play games on Friday nights at 530 or 6 & WFM5 plays on Tuesday nights @ 6. Whitty & I will have our blankets & snacks ready to go soon. ~Jocelyn

Okay so the new background is called "Southern Girl." I think it is a perfect one for me. We are enjoying this beautiful weather. We are outside ALL the time & LOVIN it! So I understand that the trees in downtown Auburn are going to "get a new look." Most of you have heard that AU's favorite Toomer's Corner had the famous trees poisoned. I actually feel sorry for this man b/c he has nothing better to do than to try to be mean to a fellow SEC family. I am glad they caught the guy so that we can show how we are not retaliating - we are handling the incident in the correct manner. SuperDaddy & I spent the big 2K New year's Eve kissin' by those trees in downtown AU with 10,000 of our closest friends - that was a FUN night. It will always be one of those AU memories that stays with me. Everyone in the AU family loves us some Toomer's! War Eagle! ~Jocelyn

. . .about my kiddos. 1. they are FUNNY! 2. they LOVE SuperDaddy 3. they LOVE God in their own special ways 4. they LOVE their big family 5. they love to play with each other 6. they remember to pray for others 7. they fight over who prays for the person in the passing ambulance 8. they LOVE me even when I mess up 9. they talk about the people we haven't seen in a while - this includdes great-grandparents, cousins & football players I love you guys & your funny sayings & your funny doings & your funny smiles. Love, Mommy

. . . about my hubby: 1. He LOVES God in a real way. 2. He LOVES me & the kiddos unconditionally. 3. He is always willing to lend a helping hand - around the house, or car, or church 4. He does not complain about my blonde moments - in fact I think he loves them 5. He is real - he does not pretend to be something he is not 6. he loves my very large family 7. His work ethic is out of this world, crazy good 8. I think truly deep down he loves my station wagon almost as much as I do I could go on all day with 148+ things to say, but 1. it would get too mushy & 2. I want to smell better when you get home. I love you SuperDaddy! Love, Me

In the middle of a boring Super Bowl we put the kiddos in some pjs. So as I was getting the Baby a fresh diaper I told WFM5 to get his clothes off so we could put pjs on him. Now something you may not know about WFM5 is that some nights he sleeps with JUST pjs on. Who knows?? So anyway he took off his underwear & Marty said "Wait buddy leave on your underwear." What is a boy to say to that? "No daddy - I am going blonde tonight." WHAT? He meant "commando" TOO CUTE! ~jocelyn

Go to www.haventoday.org Then go to View Archives Then go to Most Popular Then go to "Heaven is for Real Part 2" You HAVE to listen to this story as a Christian - it inspires & make you think. Now, I know what you are thinking - "Jocelyn, you are always making us think." HA!HA! My mom kept asking me if I had listened to the podcast she suggested, well, mom, I kept forgetting about it amidst my MESSY house. So when she mentioned it tonight I thought I would give a few minutes & listen to parts. Well, I listened to the whole story I could not believe the beauty of the story. LISTEN - do as my Mommy says. Thanks Mom! I owe you one =) ~Jocelyn P.S. there is a story behind the MESSY house, but that is for another day.

I realized I do not have a pic of our Moppy, except some small family pic that you can hardly see her in - it does not do her justice. Moppy is having a birthday tomorrow - I will not hand out the age, but all birthdays are EXCITING! I am having trouble writing this post to tell you about my mom, but I cannot begin to tell you her importance in my life. I cannot put into words who she is to me & my family. Moppy, I am sorry not more is written - words are impossible to come by but "thank you," which is never enough. Love, Jocelyn

I have been in the pits of potty-training hell. Sorry if I am using profanity, but there is no other way to describe it. I realized this morning that I have a stressed out 3 year old & that I was being mommy-trained, HE was not being potty-trained. I saw his personality change when we took the diaper off & forced the potty. I need the baby back not just to be the baby because he loves being 3, but he told me himself he is not ready to go potty llike WFM5. We are going back to normal life & we will try again later. I feel like a failure, BUT this whole family needs normal - at least what is normal to us. ~Jocelyn

Seriously people - my first 2 kids potty trained themselves. Pretty much the truth. Okay in all honesty Bay took MAYBE 2 days & WFM5 just decided to wear underwear. NO accidents. The Baby is deinetely giving me a run for my money. I think the AU Tigers won last night just to give me something to think about so I can take my mind off the tee-tee on my pants. I will give more later (don't worry not too many details). Time to put someone on the potty ~Jocelyn

We have gone to the potty! We will post more later . . . stay tuned.

My sweet boy is 5! I cannot believe that 5 years ago he came in to the world so little & now he is a a fireball - although the sweetest fireball. He is the most laidback person I know & definetely in our house. I am not saying he is perfect, but he gets pretty close. He wants everyone to be happy. He wants to be friends with everyone & everyone have fun. He is not quiet, but more quiet than the other 2. He has 2 best friends at school/church, however, he LOVES his siblings. He looks up to Bay & plays for hours a day with Whitty. The boys are the best roomies. They are going to have so much fun growing up together. When people ask me if they are twins I always answer "No, they are just too close." But I wouldn't have it any other way. He cannot wait to play AU football, but until Coach calls he will play superheros here at home. We cannot wait to start soccer again in the Spring. WFM5 I am LOVING being your mom. Your have a true & beautiful heart....

2010 was great! I know 2011 will be even better - because pretty soon (at least that is the plan) we will be DONE with diapers. What will I do with the extra money? Don't worry I know I will pay for car repairs & ER co-pays. I learned A LOT about me & God during 2010 - He gave me planty of growing experiences - PLENTY as in enough to last me for a few years. We had a great Christmas break & a re getting ready for WFM5's 5th birthday on Monday. We spent 2 days in TN visiting relatives & have spent the last week with our cousins from St. Louis visiting - well, the boys spent more time with them than Bay & I did b/c my princess has been SO SICK. She has recovered & lost a tooth in the process. So we shall survive. We loved all the gifts we received at Christmas and are looking forward to figuring out where we will put them all. You all spoiled the kiddos rotten - thanks, I think. To our cousin Lisa - she is the WINNER - 1 of her gifts had 1200+ pieces ...