flowers

The other day, I kept my friends 3 children while she went to lunch. As payment, she brought flowers and some cookies.  Yes, I will work for food and flowers.  Blessings.

copycat

These days it seems as if Betsy is doing everything that Mollie does. It is an interesting thing to watch - their relationship has definitely progressed from Mollie ignoring her or poking Betsy in the eyes to occasionally playing together and now Betsy copying her big sister.  I know there will be lots more twists and turns between them, it is fun to contemplate their friendship while in the midst of training them to care for one another.  God is good in all things.  Blessings.

the dinner train

Andy and I went with his parents to Bardstown, Ky on Saturday to ride "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train."  It was so much fun.  Such an interesting way to travel for sure.  The food was delicious, the weather fantastic and the company terrific.  What good memories. Blessings.

early present

My birthday is a month from today, and Andy gave me a present this morning.  A little point and shoot camera for my pocket or purse. I love it. I LOVE HIM. We are going out of town with his folks today, I think he wanted me to be able to document our adventure.  Hope you have a blessed day and a fantastic weekend.

Plateau

Well because I haven't been as careful with my eating as I was at the beginning of the summer, I've not lost the weight that I could have.  Walking has been good. My friend and I have been faithful to walk at the park all summer.  Now, because she is at a plateau as well, we are going to do intervals of fast paced walking. Hopefully, this will give us the boost we need to get the scales moving again.  Blessings.

story hour

If you go to the story time at Joseph Beth on Thursday you get 2 stamps on your reading time card and once you get 5 stamps you get $5 off of a $10 purchase.  I love discounts.  I love story time. I love shopping. Win win win. Blessings.

pegs

I ordered some stacking pegs to use in "school." The girls are already having a good time playing with them.  I love it that they are sharing and working together at times to build towers and even cleaning them up.  Score 1 for mama. Blessings.

Mother Teresa quote

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." - Mother Teresa

So so true. Peace and blessings to you today. 

off to college

A friend of mine sent her oldest off to college this weekend.  Such a concept has hardly entered my mind, a child leaving home.  I am sure it is a bittersweet moment.  You raise your kids to be independent and a healthy functioning member of society, but when the time comes to release them into the world, I'm sure the desire is to clutch them tighter.  I'm praying for my friend today and for her son: that they both would know the Lord's peace in this time.  Blessings.

blister

We went on a hike today at a park in town.  It was beautiful, though a little hot.  Sorry we didn't take the camera.  After lunch, Mollie asked to take off her sandals.  She started crying and saying "my toe" - the poor girl had a blister that had peeled back and I guess the air hitting it was making it sting.  Once we got home, Andy washed her feet and I got the princess band-aids. Things are all all better now. Blessings.

parent-teacher

Well, I must say that I am a little overwhelmed after looking at some other blogs and seeing what folks are doing with their two year olds. Amazed really.  I think I'm going to stick to my plan though and not have too much emphasis on "school" and keep things fun.  It would be easy to get sucked in to doing too much and that is not my goal (for the girls or myself).  In fact, I went to the parent teacher store yesterday with the girls and Mollie said, "I am so impressed."  Me too-it's a great store, lots of activities and games, posters and charts etc. I was overwhelmed just looking at the calendar area.  Trying to keep things real at the Martin house, real fun.  Blessings.

preschool

I am thinking about doing some preschool activities with Mollie on a daily basis starting in Sept.  She is only 2.5 but she already knows the alphabet, names colors, counts, knows a handful of Bible verses and loves to do "projects."  I'm thinking of adding in calendar time, Bible study (her grandma has given us a supply from her Sunday school) and phonics.  In one way it seems a little early, but I think we can keep it short and sweet.  I do know that she is learning new things all of the time and I don't see the harm with some structure by doing "school."  Betsy on the other hand  ... well we'll just keep reading books and playing with toys. :) Blessings.

pickle jar

What a day, so far this morning, I have dropped the pickle jar, Mollie spilled her oj and Andy discovered where she drew on the bathroom wall while we were on a date last night.  Thank goodness that he was still home and had some time to help me clean up the sticky messes and the glass before work. (I will get to the pencil later.)   Praying that the day is only going to get better.  Right now the girls are watching Maisy, a reprieve for me. I guess I'll go find the magic eraser and get to the pencil marks.  Hope you have a great day. Blessings.

18 mos. check-up

Betsy had her 18 month check up yesterday.  She is in the 15th %ile for her weight which is up from the 8th at 15 months.  She is a little thing though.  Overall, she is doing great.  This time she did not have to have shots - so that made for a nicer visit all around.  She is still battling eczema and the doctor said that will probably worsen in the winter.  Poor thing, at least it is not a bother to her just unsightly.  Hopefully I can figure out something to help her out.  I'm trying Aveeno currently and that is seeming to help.  Any tips would be appreciated, especially since I'll probably need them more in the next few months.  Blessings.

pool and pizza

Last night, we met some friends at the pool and had pizza delivered. It was so much fun-I wish we'd done more of that this summer.  It was good for Andy and I to discuss child training with our friends-getting feedback and tips to boot.  Our girls had a good time playing with their kids. A win-win all around. It was so helpful that maybe I will see if we can have a weekly pool meeting until Labor Day. Blessings.

Psalm 23

One of the first passages I've memorized. Such a reassurance to know the word by heart and call on it during times of stress. Blessings.  

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. 

NO naps

Yesterday, for the first time ever, the girls did not take their nap.  After "fighting" them for 2 hours, I finally relented and allowed them to get up. Boy oh boy, they were cranky in the evening!  Andy put Betsy to bed right after dinner and Mollie soon afterwards.  I'm praying today goes much better.  We are going to the pool today, so there should be no issue with nap time today.  At least, I hope not. 
Happy Friday and hope you have a blessed weekend with friends and family. 

Gatlinburg in pictures

 

We saw a momma bear and her twin cubs on our drive along the Roaring Creek Motor Trail. 

AMAZING

 

We hiked to the Grotto Falls after dinner 

 

It is a cool place to be - behind a waterfall.

 

Star gazing at Newfound Gap - you can see so many more shooting stars, constellations, planets, and satellites when you are in the country

 

Near the trail head for the Baskins Creek waterfall trail also off of the Roaring Creek Motor Trail

 

It was great hiking, but it was HOT! 

It was a little cooler by the waterfalls-thankfully!

 

We took a similar picture at this spot on our honeymoon 5 yrs ago

Thanks for bearing with me as I remember our trip for another day.

Hope you have a great one. 

Blessings!

Gatlinburg

Andy and I had such a busy but fun trip.  I am so thankful for my parents keeping the girls so we could get away for the weekend. It was nice to sleep in a little and not to have so much stuff in the room and truck.  I am mainly writing our itinerary so I don't forget all of the fun things that we crammed into our trip.
Thurs. lunch at Apple Barn, putt-putt golf (Andy wins 1 game/we tie the other), dinner at Trout House, hike to Grotto Falls, watching stars at Newfound Gap
Fri. Wyndam presentation, lunch at Fuddruckers, shopping,  Starbucks, swirl cones,  pizza in hotel room
Sat. shopping, brunch at Log Cabin Pancakes, walk through Sugarland Visitor Center, watch film, hike to Baskin Creek Falls, dinner at the Peddler, swirl cones and playing games at Three Bears General Store
Sun. lunch at Salsaritas in Knoxville on way back to pick up girls, back to Lex.
What fun memories.
Blessings

Wyndam

I am thankful that the Wyndam corporation paid for most of our stay in Gatlinburg.  Of course, we had to sit through the sales presentation for a time share, which we did not buy. I am not opposed to the time share theory, but we will buy from the secondary market if/when we choose to purchase.  It was hard to say no, they make it very inviting, but Andy and I stuck to our guns.  Andy, after being burned a couple of times on other "deals" has a rule: never make big purchase on the spur of the moment, give it at least overnight to consider your options and talk to some trusted friends. In this as well as other situations it is good to know your "rules" before going in, it saves your sanity.  Blessings!

no air

Well when we got home from our anniversary trip, the ac upstairs was not working.  It was 95 degrees hot. The downstairs ac is working fine and a repairman is coming out this evening to assess the situation.  I'm praying it is not too hard to fix and that it won't take much time. I am thankful for more family time in the basement, even if it meant sleeping on the pull out couch.  The girls did a great job on their pallets in the office-probably slept better than Andy and I.  Hope you have a blessed day. 

the bears

Andy and I were driving around a loop in the Smoky Mountains and saw a bear.  A van full of folks stop in the middle of the road and approach the bear. They cut the engine, but the doors are left open-kids and adults pour out and take off after the bear.  Of course, it runs off in the woods, and they give chase.  We are still shaking our heads over the whole incident-craziest thing I have ever seen.
blessings

5 happy years

Andy and I are celebrating 5 yrs of marriage this weekend with a trip to Gatlinburg, TN and surrounding areas.  We are having a great time.  My folks are keeping the girls, so it is just the two of us, which is very very nice.  It is good to reconnect, to have time to rest and talk and BE together.  In some ways, I look forward to our anniversary trip more than our family trips.  Selfish? Maybe.  But, I know that our marriage is the foundation of our family, and the effort to maintain it is well worth the energy, time and money.  Blessings.

the little things

I sometimes think that it is the little things in the day that can make it a fantastic day: the coffee being ready, the sun shining, the friendly driver, the hugs from the girls, Andy's loving text/call, supper being yummy and on time, a good amount of the housework done, long naps for the girls and me, as well as the countless other things that may happen in a day.  Then I was thinking that sometimes it is just my attitude about the things that don't go quite right, coffee spilled, a baby crying, no calls/texts/e-mails, road rage ... Lord, I need help today to be more thankful in all situations and learn how to not take things so personally.  I also want to see how it is in my power to demonstrate love and kindness to those around me in the little things each day, smiles, loving touches, offering a cold drink, keeping up with the house work, letting someone in the lane, waving, speaking hello to a neighbor.  Little things add up - Blessings

Copied from a friend's facebook post, but too good not to share with you:  Blessings.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~
A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend....
Green stop lights on your way to work....
The fastest line at the grocery store....
A good sing-a long song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.

 

 

join in

Yesterday, as the girls were playing with Andy after supper, Mollie came up to me and said, "Come on, join in the fun."  Well, I finished sweeping and went to play!  I do want to be available to them as much as I can, I had to tell her no several times as I was cooking dinner and clearing the table. I remember my mom playing with us and dad too.  It's good to have a clean house but it's even better to build good memories. Hope you have a blessed day.

candle

Well, we ended up at Bella Note for the birthday dinner.  Andy got a free sundae which he shared with the girls.  Mollie's advice to him, "don't eat the candle."  It was a fun dinner and yummy too. I didn't have to cook or clean up and the leftovers are ready to go for lunch tomorrow  .... it was a good day for me as well as Andy.  Blessings.

Happy Birthday

Today is Andy's birthday.  We are going to celebrate with his family tonight at Joe Bologna's and it is going to be fun. Last year, I had a big shindig for him, but I think I almost like these family events better.  I think he does as well. Now, I've got to get the girls to decorate some cards and wrap a few gifts for daddy.  Hope you have a blessed day.