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."

 

 

Ballerina Princess Camp

This is my beautiful ballerina princess during their final performance. Her daddy and I were in Branson so got to watch the video and see pictures. Evidently all the other girls came dressed in some sort of dancewear and my Jane came in shorts and a tshirt. When I first heard this I worried and thought it was because her mommy wasn't there that she didn't get the memo....nope. She wanted to wear this outfit and didn't care. Her first official camp without a sister present. She did great and is ready to try the "Diva" camp next year. Pretty sure they will promote her to staff of that camp.

Branson

At the end of July, Andy and I went to Branson for four glorious days, thanks to the generosity of the Kearney Fire Department. While Andy attended emergency medicine classes, I slept, shopped, read, shopped, read.....

Don't feel too sorry for Andy. He got to golf twice!

You guys, we really needed this little vacay. Our complete and total gratitude to my parents, Andy's parents, and the SIL/BIL for watching our girls. The joy of being at the pool and not having to look up every few seconds to see if my children are safe was priceless. I actually read pages of the book at a time, and then even had the nerve to CLOSE MY EYES and just listen to music....all while lounging by a pool.

I heart shopping and for the last several months haven't had the time or the money to do it. It isn't so much about the purchase, but just the looking to see what is out there. Loved my shopping time, although I actually overslept one morning and didn't get started as early as I wanted to. Totally not my style. Must have been the down comforter and the way dark room. What a great week! and we are so not the Branson type. 

 

 Golf Course

Branson Landing

My Guys

Me, Ben, and Martin

It seems like yesterday that we were cruising down Main Street in Rock Port, drinking our pop and eating beer nuts....watching the clock for 10:30 so we could head to someone's house and watch Saturday Night Live.
WAIT.
It has been 20 years since we did that. Probably longer. These two boys men were my best friends in high school. Then a stupid boy (if you know me you know who this was) got in the way and we kind of drifted after high school. These guys were right.....I should have avoided the boy and stuck with hanging out with them.
Anyway.
Last fall I got sentimental and realized how much I missed them. I mean, they are MY PEOPLE. We laugh at the same things, we roll our eyes at the same things, we get-each-other.
They are my guys.
I contacted them each on Facebook and we finally made plans to hang out.
BEST NIGHT in a loooooong time. Haven't laughed that hard in ages. Felt so natural and like we hadn't been apart a day. It is great to be able to still be sarcastic and insulting to each other as adults.We all look and feel older(although Ben is waaaay skinnier)...but still had the same vibe we had in our teens.
It felt awesome. The next day it was like I had been hit by a truck. I had a  laughter hangover.
Shut up. I know I am old.

Gator Boat

My brother and his friends on the Missouri River.

Yes, they did capsize. I told him they were lucky a Missouri River monster did not find his boat attractive and decide to get friendly. For some reason my brother has an intense fascination with this river. He has also canoed down it. Thankful for those Red Cross swimming lessons in the Rock Port pool years ago. I am also thankful that he knows to wear a life jacket.

Grand Camp 2013

Kate took my mom to Grand Camp this year. This is church camp for 1st&2nd graders at Camp Wilderness in Lawson. Such a wonderful experience for this age. They get to spend the night away from home, do the whole camp experience thing, have God moments, and still have the comfort of a grandparent with them. Turns out the grandparents have a pretty great time as well. My mom is already excited to go back with Jane. This years theme was Christmas in July. They did Christmas themed activities, acted out The Nativity and learned about the birth of the best Christmas gift ever, sweet baby Jesus. Kate came home with some of the cutest crafts and lots of God moments. She was so tired and was a little sad that she was missing her "friends", aka, girls she had known for 2 days. She did however, find out she has a 5th(!?) cousin named Hadley that also attended. Talk about random God moments. My mom recognized the last name of this little girl as being one she recognized from her childhood. With some questions to the little girl and her grandmother, it was determined that she and Kate were related! Newly found cousins! God is so good!

Camp Stage Struck--2013

This year all three of my little thespians got to participate in Camp Stage Struck at NKCHS. Tess, Kate and Jane participated in 101 Dalmations and then Tess was in the older kids production of Cinderella. Jane was the nanny and did awesome. She had the first line(!) of the play and did an Oscar worthy job of dusting the entire cast throughout Act 1. Kate was by far the cutest little dalmation named Lucky. Tess was Anita, the wife in the couple that owns the dogs. For Cinderella Tess played the evil stepmother and NAILED it. So proud of my girls. So thankful to Grandma Linda for helping get these girls to camp--both financially and transportation. Really, really thankful my girls enjoy this camp. They LOVE it and work so so very hard at memorizing their lines and learning the songs. Even Jane was the bomb.com at choreography. What a blessing this camp is for us.

 

Plus one more is FOUR

This week we got to keep our favorite niece Amelia. She came home with us from church on Sunday and stayed until Tuesday morning. My girls were AMAZING with her. Playing, helping, teaching....I hope she had as much fun as they did. The only time Amelia cried was when Jane got in trouble at supper one evening. She was so kind to sympathy cry right along with her. So thankful her parents trusted us to keep her. So thankful we realized that stopping at three kids was one of the smartest decisions we've ever made. Four is just MORE....more of everything. More food, more space, more noise, more laughter, and for two days it was more fun.

Amelia covering her ears while her Uncle Andy sang the special music at church.

 After eating a birthday cupcake at Jane's party. I swear this child has the tiniest nostrils ever. And don't you know she loved having Aunt Sarah dig chocolate frosting out of her nose.

Jane is FIVE

Presents piled in the middle of her room....Martens birthday style. She also got a new bike, but we left that in the garage.

Dressed in her finest for church. This dress cost us 25cents at the church garage sale. Well worth the money. Jane said it had a great twirl factor.

We had a pool party with friends and family on the afternoon of her birthday. She had three of her bestest friends come play at the pool. This girl has gotten so good at swimming since the summer started. She swims, she jumps in, and now she wants dive sticks to practice going to the bottom of the shallow end....all without her floaty on.  WHAT?! My baby is growing up. I am so in love with this kid. She is my very funny, kind of naughty, super great baby girl...that is not a baby anymore. just ask her.

July 4th

Jane on the 4th

 

Our 4th of July was a day of fun and family. We started out the day trying to find a bicycle for our almost 5 year old. Who knew it would be so stinking hard to find a little girls bike in this town!? We came home empty handed but knew there was a bike at a Toys R Us in Overland Park with Jane's name on it. Thankfully Andy made the trip the next day and we had one happy girl.  The afternoon was spent at the pool because that is where you will find us most afternoons between 1pm and 4pm. After all of us took a quick cat nap we made it to Andy's parents house for food and fireworks. We had intially talked the girls into not buying fireworks....telling them we would just give them the cash instead. Something about setting our money on fire just feels wrong. Instead we ended up telling them we would spend a minimal amount just so they would have something to light and not use other people's stash of sparklers, fountains and smoke bombs. Good times.

Family=Love

     These are pictures of the most important people in my life. Of course they are not all pictured in these two photos, because that would take a bigger miracle than the Royals winning the World Series. This is a sampling of why I love my life. These people right here. The top picture is the entire Greiner family, minus one cousin who had to work. Below is the Martens family.(not all of us, of course, just the important ones.)

Good Things

My favorite thing in my office. Good things will happen today. I am counting on it! I am on day 2 of trying to eat healthier and exercise. Have I mentioned how much I hate to exercise? But I've decided I hate feeling sluggish waaaaay more. We are running around like crazy of an evening between swim lessons and volleyball and baseball and piano lessons and gymnastics. None of which involve time with my husband. Nope. We are flying solo, each of us taking a kid, or two, or three, along for the ride. I am so thankful for the ability to do these things for my girls. They are having fun, learning new things, keeping their muscles moving. I know that it is a blessing to have the time, and a car with gas in it, not to mention the money to pay for all this stuff. So I will not crab about the stress and strain of this on my marriage. I will not crab about the stress and strain of this on my budget. I will not crab about the stress and strain of this on my own physical and mental well being. I WILL remember that good things are happening today!



Magnetic

 

If you build it they will come.........

Turns our we have the cool yard in this neighborhood too.

How much does a swimming pool weigh?

Because this pool is worth its weight in GOLD. The neighborhood pool is up on a hill next door to our house. When we first chose our lot, we worried we would regret the location. Hells No. We don't hear a bit of pool noise, BUT we can walk out the back door and be wet in less than three minutes. Which also means you can get out of the pool, dry off and be home in less than three minutes. See how that works? Super awesome greatness all the way around. We go to the pool, for some stretch of time, almost EVERY day. The girls had a sleepover the other night--we turned on the pool lights and swam until 10pm. A request to jump in the pool "just for a minute?" are almost always given the go ahead nod. My girls are loving the time to hang out with friends and be active. We are loving this free entertainment that wears them out and lets us sit and watch. My girls are going to look liked bronzed babes in their school pictures this year.