I know, I know, I know

I have been terrible with my posts this week and I know how disappointed I am when my sisters blog goes without a post for a few days, so I decided something is better than nothing for ours. It has been a long week, full of meetings and catching up on work for Jon and I, as an overflowing inbox is the price we both paid for taking time off.

Needless to say, we are definitely ready for the long weekend!!

We plan to make the last weekend of summer vacation eventful, so I would expect that we will have something post worthy soon, but for now I am afraid I am just super tired, and my husband is already half asleep, so I am going to get to bed early for a change...hopefully alert and refreshed enough to actually write something interesting tomorrow night.

Love to you all! ;)

Everybody's Day!

I don't remember when it started, but sometimes on days when we aren't sure of what the plan is and we are discussing the possibilities, Jon will say "It's your day Mom, you decide". This really means he is leaving it up to me. We all get to have "our day" once in a while though.

We all had ideas, so Jon said that it would be everybody's day today...each of us would get to have time where what we all did was up to the person of that hour..

Jon wanted to go to open houses near the place where the girls had their "Kid's Club" program in July, so we drove around looking at all the houses for sale in the area and stopped for the open house at one of them. It was very pretty...hardwood floors throughout, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, and more money than we cared to spend. It did give us some ideas for landscaping, paint...just fun ideas to consider for our house. We have no plans to move or anything, Jon just likes to "kick some tires" once in a while...it was fun. His part of the day ended with Jamba Juice, and my part was to pick up an office chair for the "office space" I have in our bedroom, which is really a folding banquet table, a stapler, pen cup, and a rolling chair...but it works!

We made a couple of stops here an there, and came home for "make your own" pizza night and some computer time, which Emmy was very excited for because it was a privilege she lost two days ago.

It was a relaxing day and a great way to end a long weekend!

Pictures from AK

We had originally planned on visiting Arkansas together as a family, but a large account and lots of meetings about it's transition left me unable to go. I was very disappointed of course, but staying back made it possible to get the work done so that I could take two days off with the gang when they got back, and they got to have a great time with Grandpa and Grandma "Daisy". Here are some pictures from their visit.

Pretty sure Madison looks just like her Dad!







Mining for gems.

Awww...look at my cute family!

Visiting a local resort.

River Rats!

Wading in the river...I am told it was very clean and clear, as well as very cold!

Lunch time in the Evans back yard.

36 Years Old Today!

It doesn't get much better than this...

Jon and the girls came home from their visit to Arkansas yesterday, it's my birthday, I had the day off from work, and we were there for the opening day at the State Fair.

It was raining pretty hard, but we decided to be adventurous and go anyway.

We brought our umbrellas, but soon realized that ponchos were where it's at!

Jon and Emmy opted for these, Madison and I didn't want to wreck our outfits. Kidding.

We just decided to hunt for the free ones instead of buying two more.

Success! Madison and I got our free ponchos at the Red Cross booth.

On the way in we passed a booth where a local hospital was fitting kids for free bike helmets. The sign said they were out of them for the day, but I told Emmy she should check to see if "you might just have one more back there for me?"

Looks like those blue eyes and great smile were too hard to resist!

Especially with a double dose of beauty like this!

Then we headed to the Home Depot booth for free orange aprons and crafts...here is Madison making a boat and hoping that no one she knows will see her.

Emmy and the ring toss game she made.

The rain stopped late afternoon, so we headed for the Midway!
On Jon's back is a backpack with three small umbrellas, one big huge golf umbrella, posters, two bags filled with free stuff, several pounds of beef jerky, a basketball, and the bags and stuffed animals you see in front.
He carried most of the load, as usual, with a smile on his face the whole time, as usual, and looking as handsome as ever!

Madison, Brad Paisley, and Emerson.

My photo op with Brad Paisley.


Mr. and Mrs. Turkey

It's almost my birthday....

Na-na-na-na-na-na na-nah!
I have no shame and I totally don't care, I love my birthday and I am not afraid to admit it.
Yahoo, just one more day! :)

I am thankful...

For another day of life and good health
That I am married to the person who most understands me in the whole world and loves me anyway.
For the amazing creatures I get to call my children and the joy they bring everyday.
For all of the family and friends I am blessed to have and for the contributions each one has made to the person that I am.
For a roof over my head, food in my tummy, a good job, and a cozy bed.
That we are raising two children that look forward to "Jesus time".
For more things than I can count or could have ever imagined...but most of all, that I am forgiven even though I am totally unworthy of it.

Trip to the Cabin

Last week Jon and I got to have two date nights, and Madison and Emerson got to go to the cabin with their cousins, Kylie and Kasey, and their Grandma Betsy.

Fortunately for us, Grandma was great with taking pictures so we could share the fun on our blog. Enjoy!

Madison, Kylie, Emerson and Kasey at a road side stop.

Complete with pirate ships...

and over sized Adirondack chairs!

Emerson and Kasey busting a move at the "Talent Show"

Madison wowing the crowd with her tumbling...check out that form and those pointed toes!

Madison shaking a tail feather with Kylie.

Emerson and Kasey, joined at the hip as usual!

Time for a break and a sip of water to cool down..

Chilling out on the swing overlooking the lake.

Water fight at the beach.

Turtle Race's and fun in town.

On your mark, get set, GO!

Grandma Betsy and the girls after a fun day with the turtles!

They're Baaack!!!

And we had a bigger dinner bill last night to prove it, as well the "World Premier" of Disney's High School Musical 2 tonight...order has been restored to the Martin house!

Date Night

We went out for dinner tonight and there wasn't a kid's menu in sight!

We went and got our coffee and walked through the mall and there was no groaning or complaining about it.

We walked past a toy store and there was no begging to go in.

We went into the jewelry store and didn't have to worry about finger prints on the glass or fancy crystal crashing down off the shelf.

We went to Target and didn't have to visit the toy section.

We drove home and had uninterrupted conversation all the way.

We turned on the TV and didn't have to watch Disney Channel.

We put our pajamas on, sat on the couch, looked at each other, and wondered what the girls were doing and if they miss us yet.

Have fun at the lake girls, we love you lots!

Back from Camp!

"Kat", Madison, and Ellen...Best Friends from Camp!

The start of what would be ten minutes of good bye hugs...no joke!

Madison had a great time at camp, as we knew she would. She and a classmate from school went to the same camp session and planned on hanging out for the week...turns out they both split off and made new friends, which we are very glad for because she stepped out of what was familiar and met new people! The three of them starting emailing each other almost as soon as they walked in the door and already have the wheels in motion for TWO weeks at camp next summer! I headed straight for the laundry room with all her gear from the week...Heavy Soil setting, LOTS of soap...ick!! Madison was of course filthy too and took a 25 minute shower, then crashed on the couch. I nudged her and walked her to her room...she didn't remember that OR the huge thunder and lightening storm that took down half of the next door neighbors tree...she was out like a light!


Emmy had a rough day and was unusually emotional, which is how the girls tend get when they are coming down with something, which was the case this time as well...she is running a fever and we will be making a trip to the Doctor tomorrow to see what's up.
Emmy was feeling a little better this afternoon and proceeded to check her own temperature every 15 minutes because she wanted to be able to go the Science Museum and knew that we weren't going anywhere as long as she had a fever, no go...it ended up coming back around 9 pm, so she is still fighting something.
Thank goodness for Urgent Care and good health insurance...we will be taking advantage of both tomorrow.

It's my 2 year anniversary today!

Remember yesterday when I said I was so excited about things that happen or have happened in August?
Well, this is just another August blessing I have to list.
Two years ago today, in the car on the way to work, I was overcome by the idea that this was the day I needed to quit smoking, once and for all!
I had about 10 cigarettes left in my pack, but for some reason I truly looked at them as though they were most definitely my last. Nothing in particular happened to make me want to quit, at least not that I could pin point anyway...it just came to me. Yeah right.
Turns out I am terribly stubborn and sometimes even defiant, and this was true with my smoking...I really didn't want to give it up and many would say that I was a "lifer"...how ironic it is to use that term in relation to smoking!
On the way home from work that day I tuned into my usual Christian talk radio show, where they happened to be talking about the power of prayer and sharing brief testimonials. Lots of people shared their stories and it was very inspiring, so much so that I called in.
(Jon would frequently tease me because I had the radio station in my speed dial, as I was a fairly regular caller who liked to offer opinions that just happen to be "on air"...imagine that.)
Anyway, I called in and basically said what I told you...I was certain that THIS was the day that I was supposed to quit smoking and I asked for any prayers that people may be willing to give so that I could make this my final effort to quit. Some would think it "weird", but alone in my car, I literally felt waves of those prayers wash over me almost as soon as the request had come out of my mouth. How cool is that!!
Who knows how many strangers prayed for ME...unbelievable!
I know that many of you prayed this for me as well, but I think that God's plan was set in motion on this day...I finished that pack and that was it. I used the nicotine patch for the first month which helped, but the biggest help during this time were two scripture verses in particular.

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Phil 4:13.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is make perfect in weakness". 2 Corinthians 12:9

I am very certain that I was being told that if I would just admit how weak I was and how big of a stronghold smoking was for me, then God would step in and show his true strength, and He did...I have been smoke free ever since.

Here are some cool facts I found, courtesy of the American Lung Association.
Benefits
When smokers quit, within twenty minutes of smoking that last cigarette the body begins a series of changes.
At 20 minutes after quitting:
blood pressure decreases
pulse rate drops
body temperature of hands and feet increases
At 8 hours:
carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
oxygen level in blood increases to normal
At 24 hours:
chance of a heart attack decreases
At 48 hours:
nerve endings start regrowing
ability to smell and taste is enhanced
At 2 weeks to 3 months:
circulation improves
walking becomes easier
lung function increases
1 to 9 months:
coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases
1 year:
excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker
At 5 years: (which Jon has surpassed...yeah Jon!)
from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Haaaaapy Anniversary! :)

This is my favorite time of year!

We are 1/3 of the way through August and I find that I have that sense of anticipation that we all get from time to time when we are really looking forward to something, so sorry, but I have to write about it and you all have to read it!

First and foremost, I am really excited that Madison is coming home tomorrow, as it definitely feels like something is missing around here and we will be glad when we have her smiling face back. We look forward to what we hope will be stories of fun and adventure and that all went well.

I was thinking about the other things that were making me look so forward to being 1/3 of the way through August and this is what I came up with.
We got the annual enrollment packet from the girls' school in the mail today, which is exciting because it means that back to school time is near. Yahoo! Jon and I really prefer a regular routine and summer really had a "by the seat of our pants" vibe, especially this year with the blessing of Jon's schedule change. Don't get me wrong, we have had a nice summer and I think the kids would agree that it has been fun, but we are looking forward to things returning to "normal"...ha ha ha.

The kids are going to have a week at the cabin with Grandma Betsy and their cousins, which will include turtle races and plenty of silliness I am sure, and Jon and I may even get a couple of date nights out of the deal. Yahoo!

We are also planning a trip to see Jon's mom and her husband which we are all really looking forward to, as you really get to slow down, relax, and enjoy each others company. They live near a city called Flippin, so this is the only time that the girls have permission to use the word, and they definitely live it up when we are there. We usually come home with plenty of Flippin t-shirts, Flippin stickers, and Flippin pictures. :)

Then there is the State Fair, which is a big event in our house, imagine that. Jon and I usually take a day off work and go once together, and then we go a second time with the kids...we have already had all of our tickets now for about two weeks. State Fair time also signals the approach of my birthday, which of course everyone knows I really enjoy! I am not sure why, but most people I know dread their birthday and would rather it pass silently, but I really look forward to it and start counting it down when August 1st (Keller's Birthday!) rolls around. Jon and the girls always do such a nice job making me feel like Queen for the day, so it is a really special time for me!

August also means that fall is just around the corner, which is my absolute favorite time of year. No heat or humidity, crisp, cool air that is perfect for cuddling, colorful leaves, pumpkins, warm apple crisp, sweaters, a chilly bedroom that makes you want to stay under the covers all day, soup and french bread after church on Sunday, a blanket on your lap...so many things.

The best part about August, and every other day for that matter, is that God gives me a wonderful husband, awesome kids, good health, and great family and friends...no wonder I am so darn excited!!

Dapper Dan! (Yikes, remember Dapper Dan and Dressy Bessy?)

This weekend we went to Target to pick up some last minute items for Madison's week at camp. On the way to Target we got side tracked and stopped at Von Maur, one of our all time favorite stores...thanks to Carrie for getting us hooked!

We usually split at the entrance...Mom and Madison to left to hit the clearance room in the women's shoe department, Jon and Emmy to the right to look at the sale racks in Men's clothing. MOST of the time, Jon and Emmy are done first and end up coming to find Madison and I. This weekend we were done first, so we went over to find Jon and Emmy.

We found Emmy sitting in the high back chairs with her feet up like she owned the place, and Jon looking at pants. Emmy made room for Madison on the chair and I took the other and we hung out while Jon checked out some Khaki pants.

***Disclaimer: In no way am I implying that my husband looks anything but absolutely wonderful each day when he goes to work, in fact he is, as always, one of the better dressed employees there, so this is not at all a critcism***

Back to the khaki pants...now these khaki pants were very nice looking and a great price, but they were thick...like army style canvas tent thick. Anyway, he asked if I like them and I am said "they aren't my favorite, they seem a little, well...stiff". He knew by the two second delay before I even spoke that I didn't really like them. I suggested he try the "shooshier" pants near the chairs we were resting in. Normally this gets shot down right away, but today he gave in and gave it a try. Let's just say we opened quite a can of worms!

Turns out that we found THE perfect style "flowy" dress pants and Jon's previous aversion to this style was lifted and we ended up buying two pair, one black, and one Khaki.

The problem with the Khaki was that he didn't have shoes to match them, so we headed over to the Men's shoe department and started looking. Jon also has a thing about needing dress shoes that "tie", so any of my previous attempts to get him to consider a loafer were completely fruitless, except this time. I convinced him, and he bought a really nice pair of burgundy loafers, and a belt to match. The best part was that he had an open mind about trying new styles and taking advice, mostly from the sales associate who was helping us, but from us girls too...we actually had great fun and Jon got some much deserved "fancy" clothes.

Anyway, we went home and he modeled them for us....H-E-L-L-O!!

He looked awesome in them, and he said the pants were really comfortable which isn't normally the case, and that he really liked them a lot. Yesssss!!

Since then, we have been back several times to try to find the perfect complementing dress shirts, have been to several other stores, and have been on the hunt to find a pair of black loafers to match his black pants too.

Now the reason that this is so significant, and I feel, worthy of being a blog topic, is that for the first time I "get" why Jon has teased me about this for all these years. What I mean by that is that a lot of times, I start with one element of an outfit, maybe new shoes, or a cute necklace or scarf, and then it turns into a quest for a full ensemble and Jon is usually ready to jump out the window by the end of it all.

He is very patient with me and my whims and inserts just the right amount of sensibility during it all, which sometimes even brings me to my senses as well, so it is a great balance of "want vs. need", which is good for us all.

Anyway, this was fun for me too in that Jon was FINALLY treating himself to some "good stuff" for a change, and that he got to fully appreciate the value of feeling like a million bucks once in a while!

He did tease me though, as usual, because from time to time I say words for things that he thinks are ridiculous and that bug him because they end up sticking in his head afterwards...words like topiary, duvet, lanyard, or any "brand name" that he thinks is totally unnecessary to mention, like the David Yurman jewelry when we walk by the case, or the Cole Haan shoes I got for a super duper good price in the clearance room...things like that.

He constantly insists that no one in real life knows these names or notices details like that.

I proved him wrong again though...he showed up to work on Monday in his new outfit and the two ladies he worked with noticed ALL of the details and said that I was absolutely right about all of them, such as burgundy shoes instead of black, burgundy belt to match the shoes, not brown.

I feel so vindicated!!

The best part about the whole experience was that Jon got to treat himself, which he seldom does, and that I got to have so much fun shopping for him for a change...it seems unimportant to most I suppose, but it felt really good to remind Jon that he gets to come first too, as the rest of the time he likes to put "his girls" first. Giving really is better than receiving, I see why he likes doing it for us so much. :)

Hugs!

The best part about leaving her at camp yesterday was the 5 awesome hugs we each got from her before we left. Madison normally does the "you can hug me, but I am going to pretend like I hate it" thing when you give her a hug, especially in public.

But yesterday, I got five "all out" hugs...enough to last me until we pick her up!

Lucky me! :)

Madison is off to camp!

We dropped Madison off today at camp where she will be for the whole week, rain or shine!

Most camps have the kids in cabins, which this camp offers, but for the second year in a row Madison opted for the "Treehouses". These are four person cabins built up in the trees out in the forest with no electricity or running water, and the only "facilities" are outhouses, yuck.

All of their food is cooked over an open fire at the camp site, and their water supply requires pumping.

She really does rough it for a whole week!

This is Madison leading Emerson and Dad down the long path through the forest to the Treehouses while Mom fills out all the forms and writes the checks. Jon obviously had the camera with him, but was so excited to see the camp site and Treehouses, that he forget to take pictures for us.

Clearly not an experienced blog author!

Madison and Emerson in front of the "mess hall" where the general camp population dines all week...not Madison though!


A reminder of the true focus for the week.

Mess hall where Mom is filling out paperwork.


The gang scoping out the arriving campers...always an important activity to check out who your new best friends will be for the week!

The part of camp where Madison stays is back in the wood a ways, so they have all the kids pile their gear into a trailer and drive everyone out...it's a pretty long walk and Madison is well stocked for the week, so having a trailer bring it out is a great thing.

The campers can receive email from friends and family which is retrieved every morning around 9 am by the camp staff and gets delivered to the campers. If anyone is interested in emailing her this week, please let me know and I will provide the email address and instructions. I know that she would get a kick out of being the camper with the most mail, so if there are any takers let me know!

Please add Madison to your prayers this week if you would...we will be praying for a safe week of fun, friendship, adventure, worship, and that Madison takes away from it everything that God has planned for her to receive.

Thank you!

Just a note to say Thank You for your prayers...we were all very worried that Tobie might be too sick to recover from this given his age, but today he is up walking around, eating, drinking, and purring when you pet him.

Yesterday he hid under a table and didn't do anything, in fact he would barely lift his head, which was pretty scary.

Today he is his old self again...looks like he hasn't used all of his nine lives after all!

Madison and Tobie are best friends and she was very worried, so having such a complete turn around is huge relief and we are very grateful. :)

Say a little prayer, please.

Tobie, our 15 year old cat, it not feeling well and we are all worried about him, Madison especially.

He is resting, but obviously isn't feeling great, so if there is room on your prayer list, say a little one for Tobie.

Thanks!

We are safe and sound!

It really is a frightening thing to think that we have all been over that bridge a hundred times and that it could have happened to any of us. How fortunate we all are to have another day of good health, many blessings, and great family and friends. We love you all!

Happy 1st Birthday baby Kelly!

Big hugs to you on your 1st Birthday!

Lots of love- The Martin's