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 pra...

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...

My boy is quiet & real.  My boy is true & smart.  My boy loves his momma! My Whitty is turning 9 today & this birthday is a little extra special.  My boy is having to work a little harder in school this year & it hurts your heart sometimes, but he is working hard.  As a momma you want to watch your children succeed in everything, but this is  going to be a growing year for my boy.  He is an introvert learning to navigate in an extrovert world. Whitty, We are learning together how you learn.  We are learning together how you tick & what you really like.  You like quiet & calm, but don't always get it. Whitt, you are smart.  You are smarter than anyone knows. Yes, 3rd grade is hard, but if anyone can conquer these learning struggles - you can. Whitty, one day we are going to look back at this 9th year & it will be one that defines you - of that I am sure.  Wherever your adventures take us I will be ...

This girl is turning 13 tomorrow! This girl is growing up SUPER fast & turning out to be SUPER pretty! She has her act together & works at keeping the rest of us together - it truly is an impossible job. She is smart & funny & organized & responsible. She is pretty close to darn near perfect. What will happen over the next 13 years for this girl of mine?  HUGE life-changing things will happen - big, fun, exciting, world view defining things will happen to her.  I pray I get to be a part of these things, these adventures.  The good and the bad will shape her & the rest of her life.  She will be more independent, more grown-up, BUT she will always be mine. My first baby, my one that didn't sleep.  My one that taught me so much about me.  I was scared to death to have a girl, but the adventure is one that cannot be matched.  Yes, there is a lot of responsibility in raising a girl (I feel more pressure for some reaso...

I am writing to remember on this blog . . .I am writing so that one day they can understand better (me & them) , so that we can remember & so we can cherish. All of these moments happen fast & sometimes all at once, but they are precious & life-changing & life-giving. My struggle now is to raise 4 VERY different people in the same house at the same time, while appreciating their differences & strengths & weaknesses & quirks. An example is talking to a pre-teen girl about friends while sitting next to the potty training a 3 year old boy how to use it - CRAZY times. They will all 4 study & learn differently.  We discipline differently & talk to them differently. We cheer differently at their games & react differently to wins/losses. To me: Remember this as they grow (really fast) These days are quick & precious & real & true. These days are gifts, not to be taken for granted.

2016 is going to be great! A lot is going to happen this year for our little family. A lot we do not even know about. In a few days our 2nd kiddo will hit DOUBLE DIGITS, in a  few months we will have a teenager, we will potty train one last time, we will play harder, we will have a wedding, we will travel, we will spend more time with family & love more. What a blessing to journey together into a new year. May God bless you & yours. Love, the Martins