Turks & Caicos

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary back in June.  Ed and I decided a long time ago that we wanted to take a big trip for our 10 year.  We began saving and saving, and finally saved up enough to go on our trip this summer.  We decided on the islands of Turks & Caicos.  We went to the island of Providenciales because of its white sand beaches and the clear blue carribbean water.  And it did not disappoint!

We stayed at Seven Stars Resort in Grace Bay.  Although it looks like a huge crowded resort, it was only at 30% capacity.  We had our own space which was nice and we never had to fight over chairs or anything like that.  It was absolutely perfect for us!  It was everything we wanted!

our building was the one on right

one of my favorite things to do was float on a raft in the pool

our favorite cabana

the view from our balcony

Ed and I really enjoyed our uninterrupted time together.  We had the best mornings on our balcony reading and drinking coffee.  Long days at the beach and pool talking and reading and swimming.  Late dinners with no need to hurry and interruption-free conversations.  I really was reminded how much I love my husband.  He is absolutely my best friend and I would not rather spend my time with anyone else.  

So although we are back physically, we often want to be back on the beach.  We are glad to have our little family back together though.  The kids were so happy for us and loved seeing all the pictures.  They think it is so weird that we do our own things without them.  Like they can't imagine it!  I guess they think the world revolves around them!  

More pictures to come soon!

Some New Friends

A few weeks ago I mentioned we went to the beach with our friends the Kohouts.  We have continued to meet with them and pray with them.  It looks as if the Lord is leading us to plant a church together.  We have prayed and prayed throughout this whole journey and God has answered so many prayers.

Martins and the Kohouts - minus sweet baby girl they are adopting from Ethiopia!

Its frightening to me at times to link arms with a family we have known 6 months.  But the Lord has met every fear with truth.  He always seems to come back with something to walk me through the moment of fear.  And we so love them.  That have become some of our best friends in this short amount of time.  And our kids adore each other!

We have said over and over that we are walking in as much light as God is choosing to give us.  And we will continue to walk in the way we think He is leading until He tells us otherwise.  This is the Lord's doing, it's His Church.  So we have to remain in him.  Let him lead and build his church in the way He's going to do it.  We are called to trust and be obedient.

This journey has been exciting, stressful, frightening, encouraging, hard, and strengthening.  It's been so worth it!  Pray with us as we seek to follow the Lord's desire for a new church in the area.  We have no idea what its going to look like, but we know its gonna be awesome!

Mr. Baseball

Backtrack #2...

Those of you who know him, know my Micah is quite the athlete.  He is definitely gifted at anything with a ball and running and jumping.  He played baseball this year and did really well.  It was t-ball but what we loved about this league is that they get the option of the coach pitching it to them first.  And if they couldn't hit the ball after about 7 pitches, then they could hit it off the tee.  Micah never needed the tee.

He had such a good season.  He absolutely LOVED wearing his uniform and playing in the game.  He felt like the guys on tv.  He is so serious when its game time.  No time for playing in the dugout.  He always was watching the game.  Its all business out there.

He had a great coach.  He played mostly first, shortstop, and second.  He did a great job at all three.  He had a great diving play while at second stopping the ball and tagging the base getting the runner out.  He also had a great play at first catching the ball and running it to the base.  We were so proud of him on the field.

However, hitting was another story.  He was known as the big hitter.  The coaches always pitched it faster to him knowing he could make contact and hit it further.  He had several hits out to the outfield passing all the players.  He had a triple - that really was a home run but they stopped him at third.  He had some doubles and singles as well.

I am so proud of him because he works so hard and does it all with excellence.  He purely loves the game and it is a joy to watch him out there loving what he is doing.  He is absolutely in his element!

You Make My Heart Melt

I need to backtrack a little because I have too many good pictures that grandparents need to see.  I apologize for being so bad this year updating the blog, especially now that we are far away.

So here's backtrack #1...

Ed and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary a couple of weeks ago, which I actually did blog about.  But we had a friend come into town that weekend and we conned her into watching the kids one night so we could go out.  We decided to go to an oldie but goodie - The Melting Pot.  Hence the cheesy title.   We love that place not only for their fiesta cheese, but also for the chocolate.  We love that it is a really long meal, so you don't feel rushed.  You can just sit and talk and eat.  Three things I love to do!! So thank you so much Rachel!  We had a great night.  I'd say we look pretty good after 10 years!

And just for fun!  Because they are boys and they love to show their muscles...

Happy 4th!

Well here I sit on the night of the 4th.  It feels weird to not be doing anything special on the 4th, but we celebrated yesterday.  Our town had fireworks last night.  So we did the whole firework thing last night.

We met up with a bunch of people from our church and had a primo spot with a big field and no crowds!  The kids ran free with all their friends, and the adults talked.  Ok, the women talked, the guys played football, basketball, and frisbee.

 It was all fun until the fireworks started.  Caleb and Haleigh turned and ran for us as fast as they could. I think they enjoyed them once they were in our laps ears covered.  This was the first year Micah didn't have to be near us to watch them.  They were pretty good fireworks for the little town of Wake Forest!

the only pic I got of my kids dressed up...yes they are watching tv.  Hey they were sitting still!

some of the kids eating their popsicles - Micah is hiding in the back and C and H are MIA.  Can I just get a pic of my kids!!

Attempt at family pic #1

Attempt #2...at least Ed and I look good!

Today we made sure we cooked out, swam in the pool, and wore our red, white, and blue.  So we are still patriotic.  In fact, Ed is currently being very patriotic wearing his "Proud to be an American" tee and watching The Patriot.  He's so American.

10 years ago

I've had so much fun sorting through our old pictures today.  I realized however my wedding album and all the proofs are at Ed's parents house.  Sad.  But I had my scrapbook and some random pics laying around so this will have to do!  

Note...this is pre-digital era.  Am I really that old?  Sometimes I just want to squeeze my butt back in my dress, rent a tux for Ed, and go get a whole new batch of pictures.  To be honest, we don't like our pictures very much and its kind of a touchy subject.  But in the spirit of celebration, I will push those thoughts out of my mind and cherish the fact that at least I have these!

Martin Day 3,650

(and yes I used the calculator for that one!)

3,650 days ago I became a Martin.  I married the man I never thought I would find.

Our wedding day couldn't have gone more perfect in our eyes.  It was a beautiful day, all my favorite people were there, we ate, we danced, we ate more, and danced more.  Then we finished it off with a trip to Maui.  I often think back to that week, and it really was one of the happiest times in my life.

Truthfully though, its the time in between then and now that just messes me up to even think about it.  How could I be so blessed?  It's almost painful to think of how sweetly the Lord has showered us with His grace and mercy.  I do not deserve this.  But in celebrating our 10 years together, its only appropriate to give thanks for that which I had absolute no control over.  In no particular order...

- three beautiful healthy children

- a strong healthy marriage

- a husband I still find attractive

- godly grandparents for my children

- sweet ministry friendships from our seminary days

- many many students that still have my heart after 6 years of ministry

- the chance to go on many mission trips

- a front row seat in watching my husband do what God has gifted and called him to do

- three children who love each other

- the joy that fills our house

- a great teaching job for 3 years

- an incredible church in Wake Forest

- a chance to experience true community at our church in Richmond

- many sweet friendships that we developed in Richmond

- the fact that the Lord loves me enough not to leave me the way that I am

- adult friendships with my siblings

- incredible "in-laws"

-smooth and "easy" pregnancies

- laughter

- memorable getaways

- family vacations

- the Lord's provision

I probably forgot a ton of things.  But I am just so amazed at all that has happen in the last ten years.

I love my husband more than the day I married him.  I am so excited I get to spend the next ten with him...and the next ten...and the next ten!

Here's to ten more Edward!  I love you!