Arachnophobia

2nd Annual Martens Girls Only Day 2013 Extravaganza

Last October, while living in our duplex condo, I decided to start a tradition of Girls Day--we sleep in, wear our pajamas all day, eat whatever/whenever we want, watch movies and do crafts--We do not interact with the outside world, unless they happen to also be wearing pajamas. Here are the pics from this year..out of order...but anyway, enjoy! 

 

Eyeball brownies

construction paper pumpkin

 

 Goblins and Mummies

 



Movie break(we did this 4 times!)

 Coolest house in the 'hood!

 

 Sign outside the front door

 

Craft time (we did this 6 times!)



Glamour Girls 2013

Turns out you don't have to be good looking to have beautiful babies. Just look at these lovelies...not a hair out of place, not one wonky smile.....just beauty. I know I recently built a house, but you guys, I already need more wall space! 

 Kindergarten picture. So precious. She got so blonde this summer! It seriously looks like heaven is just shining down on my angel baby, don't you think?

 Second Grade. Look. At. Those. Dimples. If I did the whole hashtag thing I would totally do #futureheartbreaker AND
#somoneyandshedoesn'tevenknowit

Umm, hello? Where is the awkward middle school goober look? So far she hasn't inherited that gene from her father and I. Bless her.



Since You've (I've) Been Gone......

Lawdy, where do I start. Since my last blog post a few things have happened in Crazytown. I will spare you the time reading individual posts, mostly because this stuff is old news now anyway.

You're welcome.

 

 These are all five of my beautiful girls. Together. Under my roof. The tall beautiful one in the middle is getting married in January! (Do.Not.Panic.) Her bridal shower was hosted by the beautiful girl to her right, our Bailey. Not only is she the maid of honor, but she totally nailed the bridal shower planning TO THE WALL. What a great day. The other three lovelies are my girls looking all grown up. Be still my heart.

 

 Jane started Kindergarten this fall not reading. At first I did a gut check and thought my parenting skills were failing not as successful with the third child.Then I reminded myself that Jane just turned 5 in July and is not lagging behind the other two sisters academically, she is just younger than they were when they started school. (Do I need a reality check? Don't answer that.) Anyway. This kid goes to school every day and learns something. SHE CAN READ now and loves to write the alphabet over and over and over and over on any piece of paper she can find. Listening to Jane as she is learning to sound out words is so cute. Be still my heart.

 Labor Day weekend was a game changer for my family. My dad woke up on Sunday morning and couldn't walk. He had back pain the week prior, but it progressed so quickly that we ended up in the ER that day and he was hospitalized that afternoon. Seeing my dad have to use a walker to get around was heart breaking. Little did I know then that in the next few days I would see my dad unable to use his legs at all. Be Still My Heart! So thankful to the neurologist that came in on a Sunday night, ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND, to do more testing on dad. He was diagnosed with Guillian-Barre(Gee-on Bar-ay) syndrome, a virus that attacks the nerves. It is a progressive syndrome and can rise up the body eventually paralyzing the muscles helping a person breathe. The good Lord found my dad and just showered him with grace and mercy for 21 days. 21 looooong days my dad was in the hospital. My dad is a man who avoids hospitals like they were a nasty virus that attacks the nervous system and paralyzes people! This was a big deal for our family and I am so crazy proud of how we came through. I think we passed this test for God fearing, and God LOVING faith. We asked for prayers. We prayed prayers. We received prayers, and love and support from so many people. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. IT WORKED! Today my dad is using a cane and goes to physical therapy. Next week he finds out if he can start driving again. So thankful to have my dad back home. We don't know how this story ends, whether he will ever have full use of his legs back or not, but either way, God is so good.

 You guys, look at my house. Don't hate me because I'm my house is beautiful....but for reals, inside and out, there is not a thing I would change. Just look at that yard! You can be jealous, but just know that it costs a crap ton of money in water to keep it looking that nice. Just sayin'. You too could have a lawn like this for the $$$.

Just wanted to show off the crafting skills of my three JOYs. We bedazzled pumpkins one rainy Saturday and they turned out adorable. Nothing says Happy Fall like some ribbon, glitter, glue, more glitter, some jewels and a couple feathers.

Thank you Aunt Tricia!

The first day of school ended with a cookie bouquet from Aunt Tricia! Tricia is my bff and the adopted aunt of my girls. Can't believe I have know her for 16 years. We go for days without talking to each other, and then a quick text/email/call and it's like we didn't miss a thing. I hate that we both have such busy-ness going on that we don't make more time for each other. I am still looking at her birthday present sitting on my dresser. Her birthday was in May. Pathetic.

Don't know what we'd do without the surprise gifts in the mail from her. The girls all recognize her handwriting and get excited knowing something special has arrived for them from someone special.

Thank you Tricia! 

Kate and Jane first day 2013

Meanwhile, back at Hawthorne Elementary, big things are happening for my second and third blessings. Kate started second grade, which that in itself wasn't a big deal. It was the part about HER TEACHER IS A BOY that was making her worry. My mom had asked Kate before school started if there was anything she still needed before school started. Thinking she would list of some school supply or clothing item, she was surprised when she said "grandma, I still don't have confidence yet."

ahhhhhh.

She was so worried about a male teacher. Such unchartered territory. Not to mention that she had the greatest 1st grade teacher of all time with Mrs Chichester. We went to open house to meet Mr Herman and all fears were put aside. Not only did he have KU stuff up all over his room, but he is a HUGE animal enthusiast. He has a stuffed bobcat on display, a stuffed bird soaring across his ceiling, a deer head with antlers over his chalkboard, as well as skulls/bones of animals, birds nests, and a fossil! It doesn't hurt that he is young and cute. Kate is smitten. She is thrilled with her boy teacher Mr Hermann.  



 

Our baby blessing isn't a baby anymore. She is a kindergartener! We are so thankful we were able to stay in Hawthorne school boundries so she could experience this great school like her sisters did. Although, at open house, Jane was a little intimidated by how many people, kids and adults, already knew her! Knowing my Jane, she will make her own impressions on everyone. We've had a couple of mornings where she has asked to stay home, but so far so good. She is excited that she is learning to read already and we've noticed her writing and reading(guessing what words are) are improving. She got to be the "helper" on the first day(!) and has told us that she is Ms Ballew's choice to escort people to the nurses office "because I know where I'm going, mom".

I am not old enough to have a child in MIDDLE SCHOOL

This gorgeous child of mine is in middle school. The 6th grade! So far, so good. We are slowly getting adjusted to getting up at the crack of dawn, 6:15! and getting her on the bus by 7:10. I have no idea what the winter months are going to be like..oh, wait. Yes, I do. They are going to be hell. It is way too dark at that time of morning!

School is going great. The first day she and the neighbor girls could not stop talking at a loud, high decibel, for a good hour. All of them thought reading the handbook the first day was boring, gross, and embarrassing. "They kept saying the word sexual! and there were boys sitting in the room!"

Exactly. Sexual is gross and embarrassing. Keep that in mind until you are 30.

Tess has only went to the wrong class once, and that was on the second day of school. She forgot if it was an A or B day. When I said that the teachers should have made that announcement first hour, she said "oh they did mom, I just totally screwed that one up on my own."

Praying for a successful school year, both academically and socially. Middle school is such a melting pot. Makes for a diverse set of friend possibilities. While I love this, I also worry about friend choices. I don't want her to have to exclude, but I also want her to be somewhat choosy about who she spends her time with. It really does matter at this age. "You become like the five people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely."