This week we are preparing for a big week for us, all of us. Ed and I are taking our youth on a trip to Camp Barnabas. It is our first time going, and we are really excited. It is a camp for kids with special needs. Our students will pair up with a kid (ages 7-15) and basically walk through a week of camp with them. They will eat with them, sleep in a cabin with them, help them ride horses, swim in the pool, do the ropes course, go down the water slide, etc. This is a camp made just for them! So its going to be a challenging week, but a good week.
On the other hand, I'm about to pass on the kids to our parents. I am really struggling with it. I decided a while back that I just shouldn't even think about it because I would just worry. Well now I am here, and I'm not worrying, I'm just sad. I trust our parents, but 10 days is a LONG time. I'd like to think my kids will miss me. They need me...right?
So this week I'm savoring every kiss, every giggle, every hug, every "I love you", even every cute little face I'll wipe, and dirty hands I'll clean, and yes maybe even their cute little bottoms I'll wipe!
Last weekend we went to visit some friends and then traveled to old Kinston, NC to see Ed's brother and family. With the cooler temps, it turned out to be a great weekend. Both nights we just sat outside talking, and I was actually cold! (Very different from the heat we are feeling now!)
The kids enjoyed being with their only cousin, Emma Claire. She is absolutely adorable. She loves people and is pretty laid back. She is a Martin.
It makes me wish they lived closer. I grew up with a big group of extended family that did many things together. I think we had around 20 grandchildren, most being between 18-25 now. So I am on the upper end, but always really loved our get togethers. We celebrated holidays together, went on vacation together, had dinner at each other's houses, spent the night, and even were just friends.
I've always wanted that for our kids, but the reality is that just isn't really going to happen the way that I would design it. But that's ok. For whatever reason, the Lord is not designing either of our families to be in the same "phase" of life at the same time.
Emma is a year younger than Haleigh and I know they will really enjoy that as they get older. I also continue to pray that the Lord will put others in our lives that may not be family, but will fill that void in our lives.
Here's some pics we snapped of our families.
Micah decided to put a toy crab in front of his face right at the camera went off!
Have you ever had a song that you felt was written to you? Early this year when we got the new Passion album, I never thought there would be a song that would speak such truth to me over and over and over again. Months later, this song is still such a sweet thing to me as it has been a reminder of the faithfulness of God.
Just when I need it most, I feel like it shouts out the truth louder and louder, over and over, till it pierces through my mind until it reaches the heart. Here's a video with just the words.
Repeat that bridge over and over to yourself and see what that does! And I love his perfectly placed, "because sometimes we forget".
I'm finding myself without motivation these days. The whole excitement of summer is beginning to wear off a bit. Maybe it has something to do with these 100 degree temps. I think the heat is zapping my energy.
Don't get me wrong there are a ton of things I could be doing. Like cleaning off my kitchen counters. Why is that just a place where anything from a screw driver to a hair bow to any and every piece of mail find their home?! Is anybody feeling me on this? I mean, I know what the experts say, but why is it so hard!
Or I could iron the many many shirts of my husband's that gets moved from one chair to another. Or I could play with my first born that is at my side AT ALL TIMES!
Do you ever have days when you don't feel like doing much of anything?
I guess I'll be responsible and go iron my husband's clothing to only have him ask me to iron it again the day he wears it. He's particular like that.
I cannot describe to you how wonderful our anniversary weekend was! Ed took me away for one night, to my surprise, to Old Town Alexandria. He had it all planned and everything ready to go. All I had to do was pack!
We dropped the kids off at his parents' house, and drove up that morning. We grabbed some lunch and took it to a park on the Potomac River. It was one of my favorite moments of the weekend. We got the chance to talk, uninterrupted. To be able to give each other our full attention was a big deal to me. I love him so much!
I love this picture even though I look prego in it!
Then we ventured on to our hotel and checked in. I have a love affair with Embassy Suites. Well actually, the whole Hilton group. I love each of those hotels, and it is a special treat when we get to go there! So we checked in, and took a nap! Seriously, it was awesome!
That night Ed took me out to dinner to Columbia Firehouse. We both got steak and again talked and talked UNINTERRUPTED!
The next day was even more amazing. You all, I am not exaggerating when I say it was a great weekend! I am still savoring each moment we had. I feel like I just got back from a honeymoon!
We found an amazing little cafe and sat outside, read books, and drank coffee. If that was all we did I would be happy.
Then we walked over to Red Rocks for some pizza...surprise, I know. We are addicted to pizza!
I absolutely love my husband and am so grateful for the 9 years we've had together. If it keeps getting better than I don't know what I'm in for! I love doing life with him, and love our family. Every couple needs a night away! It should be required!
This year, I will admit, at first had no desire to go watch fireworks. (Am I really that lame?! Yes!) But we decided it was more for the kids, so we put on our best red, white, and blue outfits and found our patriotic spirit.
The weather looked a little if-y, but the family picnic was planned, so we went ahead. We ended up having our picnic in the mini, creating a fun family memory. I will say though everyone had a cozy seat except for mommy.
We played outside a bit once the rain stopped. Caleb slid down the slide into a HUGE puddle and finished the night in his diaper. Ed and Micah played frisbee in the parking lot. And I learned that I can no longer throw a frisbee. And I mean it. Little Miss just loved happily prancing around in her own little world in her little patriotic dress. Oh, I could just eat her!
In true Ed Martin form, Micah can catch and throw a frisbee better than many. I swear he made a catch that Chris Dowdy could make all the way at the end of the parking lot!
Summer is upon us as of 10 days ago. This year we decided to compile a list of things to do. I am a list person, and so this just seemed to fit. We have lots of fun things planned and have crossed a few things off the list already! Here's to an organized spontaneous summer!
What sort of fun things do you have planned this summer?
