A Martin Minute

Merry Christmas from the Martins! We are a little older & hopefully a little wiser.  (At least that is our story & I am stickin’ to it!)  We have 4 kiddos, the same as last year, meaning I haven’t lost one  - YET.  And you know we could not put an imposter in the picture since they all 4 look exactly alike.  My grandmother use to say, maybe one day I will get one that looks like me, but I am done trying.  (Actually, I think I have said those words before.) Anyway, what you really want to know is what we are up to . . . Let’s begin at the beginning . . . Marty is growing his career & I was stopped, by multiple people at the company Christmas party, to say how proud they are of the work he is doing.  I love that for him!  He had a MUCH easier AU football season than last & got to go to most of the games.  We are headed to the big game in CALIFORNIA & we are so excited!  He is still & always will be Supe...

Sweet Littlest Baby! I cried when I saw these sweet pics & realized that they were not just yesterday, but a year ago.  Time flies when you are having fun & we definitely are!  You are sweet & smiley. You LOVE your siblings & cannot get enough of them.  You give kisses & hugs.  You can do "TOUCHDOWN!" You say Mama & Dada & Bubba - too cute! You are such a special blessing & everyday I look at you & thank God he put you in our family.  You fit in perfectly & are such a joy to all of us.  We all love watching your milestones & Mommy is glad you are not walking yet - you are too fast on all 4s.   We love you Baby & cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. Love, Mommy

 Whitty is a true blessing.  He is coming into his own & realizing he does not have to be shy.  He is funny & imaginative.  He surprises me daily. Whitty, Happy Birthday!  (a little late) You are a joy to parent & fun to watch everyday.  You are keeping me on my toes with your cute dance moves & little remarks.  Thank you for being my sweet friend. I love you ~ Mommy

There are a few things I want for you 4 goobers. I want the 4 of you to grow up knowing how loved you are.  More importantly I want you to know God is sovereign ALL THE TIME!  He is TRUE & real & everything you need. Micah 6:8 And what does the  Lord  require of you? To act justly  and to love mercy      and to walk humbly [ a ]  with your God. Live these words! I want you to have a full childhood - chase bugs & climb in creeks, get dirty & dance often. I want you to have dreams & follow them. I want you to love each other always.  I know you may not like each other everyday, but I always tell you to "protect & encourage."  I mean those words =) I want you to all find love. Princess, you are a girlie-girl who can stick it to 'em on the soccer field - AWESOME!  DO not be afraid to show the boys up.  But, I also want you to love Chanel & Vera & appreciate pretty thing...

This could be my mantra - if I were together enough to have a mantra.  I want my kids & house & hubby to be perfect.  I really do want to vacuum my car & my stairs & I would love it if I came home one day & didn't stop working until the basement was clean.  BUT . . . I pick my battles. Sometimes (as in most days) Whitty wears cowboy boots to school.  I saw a blog where a little girl was so excited that it was cowboy day & she was allowed to wear her cowboy boots to school.  If the cowboy boots make Kindergarten more fun - then let's go with it.  He is so stinkin' cute in those boots. The princess picks her own clothes & does her own hair & thinks she is beautiful. She is always beautiful, but has a unique sense of style, but her confidence is sky-rocketing.  WFM5 well he does beat all with tucking in his t-shirts to his athletic shorts. They each walk out the door happy & with an "I love you." So I pick my battles...

I had a chuckle this evening when Littlest Baby almost pitched a little fit (ALMOST) . . . He thought about getting mad at Mommy because he wanted to eat a game piece & I wouldn't let him.  BUT - then he remembered that he does not pitch fits - sweetness!  Although I think it may be coming soon.  I know that no one is perfect, but maybe he could be a little longer =) Baby Whitty started 5K a few weeks ago & I will get pics uploaded as soon as I get them Bay & Whitty started soccer & they both love it & I am excited they are getting energy out on the field/ More later ~ Tired Mommy

This was Aug 19 the first day for Bay & WFM5. 4th & 2nd Grade! They were perfect & brave & had a great first day. I only cried a little. Okay maybe 10 minutes. WFM5 one day will laugh at insisting he button his top button- I think I may have convinced him to fix it before school. Whitty just had to get in a picture. Bay walked in to school all by herself.  WE still walked WFM5 in & will for another year. I will eventually figure out carpool & by the time Littlest Baby graduates in 19 years, I may write a book on the secrets of an efficient carpool for other new mommas.  We are at 2 school for these 2 this year & that has thrown me for a loop. Someone asked me what I do while I wait in carpool???  1. I talk to Whitty & he has an active imagination. 2. I keep a mommy devotional book in the car & it walks you through different verses to pray over your children. 3. I call my momma & ask how she did this...