Tess sang at church on Christmas Eve.
Holy crap, my kid is talented
People tell me she is talented and I smile and humbly say "thank you" when the whole time I want to shout.........
"I KNOW! She just makes me want to jump and scream with pride! Doesn't she have such stage presence and charisma and confidence?! And she is only 10!! Did you see her smile! Oh my goodness.... Isn't she beautiful? Would you believe I have to remind her to practice? Can you even believe that? I mean, she practices, but not as much as you would think.....Did you hear her? She sounds like she must practice hours a day, but nnooooooo, I assure you she does not...... I wish!(not really) What? yes, those are tears. I can't help it. She brings me such JOY when I see her in front of a crowd, performing, something she does with such ease. I am so proud of her. WE are so proud of her."
So yeah, Tess performed on Christmas Eve and was awesome.
At least that is what everybody told me........I was too busy holding my breath and praying and crying and smiling and running the camera.........I am nervous enough for the both of us.
So thankful she got the performance genes from Andy's side of the family and the beautiful smile from mine.
THIS IS MY BLOG AND I CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT! (no matter how gratuitous it may seem) MY KID IS FREAKING AMAZING AND THE WHOLE WORLD(at least the whole 6 of you that read this blog) NEEDS TO KNOW....even though all 6 of you have met Tess and already know she is such a cool kid.
The End.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Martens Christmas Vacation
This has been the fastest vacation ever. Andy and I had 6 days off together and I only have 3 more to go......I swear if this had been a regular work week it would only be Tuesday. Just want to recap our time off for the record books.
After tomorrow, we will have attended SIX Christmas celebrations, the first one on Friday the 23rd and the last one being tomorrow. I always have to remind people that we aren't even products of divorce! Andy and I are blessed to have our grandparents still alive and able to attend Christmas celebrations, not to mention our own parents each hosting day long events. On Christmas day we traveled to Oregon to spend time with my grandmothers and extended family. We are also lucky to have all of Andy's dad's side of the family close by and enjoy getting together around the holidays. The other night I tallied it up and we had purchased 182 gifts.....for family, friends, and people we don't know........no wonder this year I felt a some relief when there was nothing left to buy or wrap. It is also a good thing that all these Christmas celebrations were spread out over several days....easier to organize and take inventory of what needs to be done and what just is not going to get done.
After Christmas weekend, we had to switch gears to plan a birthday party for a very important six year old. Kate decided to give the new water park at the Sleep Inn in Liberty a try for her party venue. Having a party that close to Christmas is always "iffy" when it comes to inviting friends....people are either out of town or thrilled to have something to do. Luckily, Kate chose three of her closest friends and they were all available to par-tay! We are so thankful that our family is willing to help Kate celebrate a holiday-time birthday by making her feel very loved and special. I hope we can continue that magic even when she gets older......
Wednesday of this week was my parents 45th wedding anniversary. I probably should have planned some big swarray, but instead chose to give them a gift they can enjoy for years. I gave them "free labor" from my husband as he tiled a beautiful back splash in their kitchen. He worked for two LONG days making a bagillion detailed cuts around outlets, under cabinet lights, and randomly placed decorative tile.....all without grumbling. I am so thankful he has that skill and was willing to use two of his vacation days to make my parents kitchen b-e-a-utiful. Thank you Andy! Technically, I gave up two vacation days too, as the girls and I hung out at my parents house "supervising" and acting as his gophers for anything he needed.
Today was "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" day.
Happy to report the laundry is done and put away, the dish washer is empty, the house is picked up, and all three girls have put away their Christmas loot and "organized" their rooms.
Did I mention that we STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!?
I think Monday is going to be another "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" kind of day.
After tomorrow, we will have attended SIX Christmas celebrations, the first one on Friday the 23rd and the last one being tomorrow. I always have to remind people that we aren't even products of divorce! Andy and I are blessed to have our grandparents still alive and able to attend Christmas celebrations, not to mention our own parents each hosting day long events. On Christmas day we traveled to Oregon to spend time with my grandmothers and extended family. We are also lucky to have all of Andy's dad's side of the family close by and enjoy getting together around the holidays. The other night I tallied it up and we had purchased 182 gifts.....for family, friends, and people we don't know........no wonder this year I felt a some relief when there was nothing left to buy or wrap. It is also a good thing that all these Christmas celebrations were spread out over several days....easier to organize and take inventory of what needs to be done and what just is not going to get done.
After Christmas weekend, we had to switch gears to plan a birthday party for a very important six year old. Kate decided to give the new water park at the Sleep Inn in Liberty a try for her party venue. Having a party that close to Christmas is always "iffy" when it comes to inviting friends....people are either out of town or thrilled to have something to do. Luckily, Kate chose three of her closest friends and they were all available to par-tay! We are so thankful that our family is willing to help Kate celebrate a holiday-time birthday by making her feel very loved and special. I hope we can continue that magic even when she gets older......
Wednesday of this week was my parents 45th wedding anniversary. I probably should have planned some big swarray, but instead chose to give them a gift they can enjoy for years. I gave them "free labor" from my husband as he tiled a beautiful back splash in their kitchen. He worked for two LONG days making a bagillion detailed cuts around outlets, under cabinet lights, and randomly placed decorative tile.....all without grumbling. I am so thankful he has that skill and was willing to use two of his vacation days to make my parents kitchen b-e-a-utiful. Thank you Andy! Technically, I gave up two vacation days too, as the girls and I hung out at my parents house "supervising" and acting as his gophers for anything he needed.
Today was "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" day.
Happy to report the laundry is done and put away, the dish washer is empty, the house is picked up, and all three girls have put away their Christmas loot and "organized" their rooms.
Did I mention that we STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!?
I think Monday is going to be another "get this house picked up or I will lose my mind" kind of day.
This story needs to be told
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2011
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 5 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in our Christmas morning finest and all three girls have brought a new Christmas toy with them to play with/read at church.
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2005
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 3 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in Sunday finest as I am big as a whale and most clothes do not fit, and Tess is no doubt carrying a new toy in each hand from her Christmas morning haul. The three of us walk up to the front of the church and get ready to light the candle. Pastor Fred is saying something Christmasy and Christ-like when he looks down at Tess and asks "Tess, did you have something you wanted to say?" (Because if you know Tess, you know she has something to say.) Andy and I look at each other with panic as we realize she is about to annouce her list of Christmas gifts to the entire congregation when instead she loudly says:
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to all men" which was her angel line from the church Christmas program a week earlier. There were a bazillion loud gasps, some cheers, and two parents that audibly sighed with relief( and pride).
It felt so surreal to be up there lighting the Christ candle six years later with two more family members joining us. We let Jane carrying the candle lighter up to the front and then Kate got the honor of actually lighting the special candle. It was fun to remember that special morning(Fred remembered that morning too!) six years ago, just two days before we got our beautiful Kate Sinclaire and when we got a preview as to how talented our Brogan Tess was going to become.
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 5 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in our Christmas morning finest and all three girls have brought a new Christmas toy with them to play with/read at church.
Scene: Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th 2005
Pastor Fred Leist randomly asks the Martens 3 to light the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath. We are not dressed in Sunday finest as I am big as a whale and most clothes do not fit, and Tess is no doubt carrying a new toy in each hand from her Christmas morning haul. The three of us walk up to the front of the church and get ready to light the candle. Pastor Fred is saying something Christmasy and Christ-like when he looks down at Tess and asks "Tess, did you have something you wanted to say?" (Because if you know Tess, you know she has something to say.) Andy and I look at each other with panic as we realize she is about to annouce her list of Christmas gifts to the entire congregation when instead she loudly says:
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to all men" which was her angel line from the church Christmas program a week earlier. There were a bazillion loud gasps, some cheers, and two parents that audibly sighed with relief( and pride).
It felt so surreal to be up there lighting the Christ candle six years later with two more family members joining us. We let Jane carrying the candle lighter up to the front and then Kate got the honor of actually lighting the special candle. It was fun to remember that special morning(Fred remembered that morning too!) six years ago, just two days before we got our beautiful Kate Sinclaire and when we got a preview as to how talented our Brogan Tess was going to become.
Kate is FINALLY SIX!
All year long Kate asks us....how many more days until my birthday? She truly believes that because her birthday is the last week of the year, she has to wait longer than anyone else in our family to have a birthday. "I have to wait until December 27th! That is so unfair!"
The night before her birthday we told her she only had a few hours until it was her birthday and she started smiling so hard I thought her face would crack. Jesus's birthday is a big deal in this house, but Kate's birthday is a close second.
The tradition in this house is to have a pile of gifts in the middle of the room when you wake up
Birthday party at the local water park. Three of her bestest friends.
The night before her birthday we told her she only had a few hours until it was her birthday and she started smiling so hard I thought her face would crack. Jesus's birthday is a big deal in this house, but Kate's birthday is a close second.
The tradition in this house is to have a pile of gifts in the middle of the room when you wake up
Birthday party at the local water park. Three of her bestest friends.(from left: Kate, Alexis, Kendra, Grace)
Big birthday smile from our new 6 year old.
Big birthday smile from our new 6 year old.
Christmas Eve at the Parents house
Dad and Andy
The girls with their new stufffed animals
Me and My Momma
Unkie John and his shadowChristmas Eve day was spent at my parents house. We watched the Chiefs lose, then opened presents, played with the new loot, ate supper, went to Christmas Eve service at church (Tess and Andy each sang) then came home and played a new Wii game until the Wee hours(tee hee)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Apologies
My husband informed me that it has been since November 30th that I last blogged. I called him a damn liar......
so I owe him an apology.
It's a good thing I don't blog for a living, or I would be one broke blogger.
I owe you readers an apology.
I have "week before Christmas vacation" syndrome and my motivation to work is nill. I owe my clients an apology for my slightly slow response time to their perceived emergencies.
I have spent more money than planned this Christmas on some really lovely gifts, but now I owe my --saving for a new house--bank account an apology.
I swear a few times every night when I drive through the insane Liberty shopping traffic so I owe the other commuters an apology..they are just working schmucks like me trying to get their shopping done on their way home.
The Christmas program at church was not the tragedy I had worried it would be. I totally owe the kids of Kearney First United Methodist Church an apology for pulling off a Christmas miracle. The program was, as usual, wonderful.
Christmas cards are still not mailed.
Again, my apology
So what have I been doing for the last 20 days?
Christmas shopping
working
taking kids to Christmas program practice
taking Tess to baskteball practice
getting my hair cut
Youth group
Church Christmas Cantata practice and program
wrapping gifts
Insanity work out videos....again
addressing, sealing, and stamping 60+ Christmas cards
taking Kate to THREE birthday parties for her classmates
did I mention Christmas shopping
and Kate's 6th birthday shopping
and working every day
celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary
buying a new awesome couch which made new curtains, throw pillows and a rug necessary.... and getting the carpet cleaned.
shopping for Dr Mahmood's wife's Christmas present...she is going to LOVE it.
Now I feel like I need to apologize for that long boring list.
so I owe him an apology.
It's a good thing I don't blog for a living, or I would be one broke blogger.
I owe you readers an apology.
I have "week before Christmas vacation" syndrome and my motivation to work is nill. I owe my clients an apology for my slightly slow response time to their perceived emergencies.
I have spent more money than planned this Christmas on some really lovely gifts, but now I owe my --saving for a new house--bank account an apology.
I swear a few times every night when I drive through the insane Liberty shopping traffic so I owe the other commuters an apology..they are just working schmucks like me trying to get their shopping done on their way home.
The Christmas program at church was not the tragedy I had worried it would be. I totally owe the kids of Kearney First United Methodist Church an apology for pulling off a Christmas miracle. The program was, as usual, wonderful.
Christmas cards are still not mailed.
Again, my apology
So what have I been doing for the last 20 days?
Christmas shopping
working
taking kids to Christmas program practice
taking Tess to baskteball practice
getting my hair cut
Youth group
Church Christmas Cantata practice and program
wrapping gifts
Insanity work out videos....again
addressing, sealing, and stamping 60+ Christmas cards
taking Kate to THREE birthday parties for her classmates
did I mention Christmas shopping
and Kate's 6th birthday shopping
and working every day
celebrating my 13th wedding anniversary
buying a new awesome couch which made new curtains, throw pillows and a rug necessary.... and getting the carpet cleaned.
shopping for Dr Mahmood's wife's Christmas present...she is going to LOVE it.
Now I feel like I need to apologize for that long boring list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
