Martin Mania

January 2011

2011-02-09T20:26:00.002-07:00

January always brings introspection and reevaluation. It seems like some of my goals just keep getting repeated and others change. I am so grateful that I have made progress over the years and that I can recognize that progress. I have lots of hope to make great progress on my repetitive goals and try some new things too this year. Most of all I want to enjoy the journey of this year....I love my life and am so blessed.....so the biggest goal (again) is to allow myself to feel the joy of it and not let stress take it away.

Some additional goals:
Be more in tune
Be healthier
Get the house organized
Spend more quality time with my family

No small tasks but very worthwhile even if only small steps of progress are made.

Happy New Year!

October

2010-11-14T15:50:00.031-07:00

Amber and I taught a cupcake decorating class for Super Saturday. We baked about 200 cupcakes and decorated about 100 over 2 days. It was definately a crazy project but so fun to do it together! Here are some of the results:

June

2010-11-14T15:50:00.029-07:00

On my birthday, I scheduled Family Pictures.........so I didn't get as many complaints as usual because everyone was trying to be nice for my birthday. It turned out to be a good plan! Steve Watson took them and did a fabulous job!

Denim Quilts

2010-03-23T17:48:00.008-07:00

For Christmas I made each of my 4 sons a King Size Denim Quilt! Crazy I know but they all loved our family one so with money tight and a stack of jeans almost my height it sounded good at the time. I got the quilt tops done for Christmas morning (not bad since I started this project Dec 3rd). Then in January I finished them up! It has been a lot of work, and more time consuming than I thought it would be, but so rewarding as I see them used often!

They were sewn on my Grandma Deaun Shelley's Necchi ( a heavy duty sewing machine that she used often). As I sewed I could see her in my mind working on lots of projects for her family. The quilts were also made out of many memorable jeans......some when the kids were little.......twin boys jeans with tiny pockets on them..........and some from family..........the most noticeable are my Dad's jean pockets because he carried a comb in one pocket and a wallet in the other. Each of the boys have at least one comb pocket and one wallet pocket from their Grandfather! All in all I am so glad I made them and hope they will be enjoyed for years to come!

Now I need to make the girls each one.....

Andrew's Quilt

Ben's Quilt

Matt's Quilt

Joshua's Quilt

Blogging Revisited

2010-03-23T17:43:00.003-07:00

I enjoy reading so many blogs and then I think of how long it has been since I posted anything on my blog........ but I have decided.......no guilt, just going to try this again!

1st Day in my New Calling - Nusery Leader

2009-08-23T14:46:00.002-07:00

I was a little worried just because it has been a while since my children were in Nursery... and I have never worked in nursery before, but I didn't need to worry at all! I have wonderful help and the kids are precious! It is so fun to see them react to the stories and especially the songs ....... this is going to be fun!

Andrew's Eagle Court of Honor

2009-08-20T10:57:00.006-07:00

Yay! I am so proud of Andrew!
As for me 1 down 3 to go...............

Graduation Mishaps

2009-05-20T22:37:00.010-07:00

I have to take a moment to reflect on the mishaps of Stephanie's graduation day. I can now laugh a little more since it is now a memory and we made it through just fine. Graduation was at 7:00 in the Cardinals Stadium. About 3:30 I decided to get myself ready so I could help Stephanie with any last minute preparations. (this is unusual for me and looking back at it I am so grateful I listened to this prompting). Stephanie thought she had to be there at 6:30, but at 5:00 as we finalized plans we read the instructions and realized she was supposed to be there at 6:00. Since it took twenty minutes to get there our time was already shortened, but we thought we would be OK. I convinced the boys they had to wear collared shirts and pants, rather than t-shirts and gym shorts. (that was a job) Then I asked Stephanie if she had pressed her gown yet. She said "Do we have to press it?" and I said not if you want to look like you just walked out of a box.........sure enough it was still in the shrink wraped package it came in. She then remembered that she also needed to press her white blouse (with all the tucks and gathers) that she was planning on wearing. So I tackled both of those while throwing dinner (Chicken, cheese casserole with stove top on top) together. The boys got dressed and began eating while I went to check on Stephanie......her hair was almost done and she was starting her makeup.....we had 10 minutes. We gathered up the cameras and tickets and were rushing out the door at 5:40. I figured we would probably make it OK as long as the traffic was good. We took two cars because our family doesn't fit into just one and headed to the graduation. Stephanie, Matt, Ben, Josh and I in the van and Greg, Amber and Andrew in the car. About 5 minutes from home, Stephanie realized she didn't have her phone (death to a teenager). I said you can have mine.......not understanding the gravity of the situation. She explains that she won't get any of the important text messages "meet me here" or "we are going there" if she doesn't have her phone. I make a rash decision and call Amber and tell her we are going back for the phone and to save us seats. (luckily we had split the tickets already or that would have been another disaster). We turn back and by the time we are leaving again it is 5:55. I am hoping all the way there that the 6:00 time was just to get the kids there early and she won't have any trouble getting in.

We arrive at the stadium at 6:30 and we have to park and enter at gate 3 and she has to enter at gate 2. They are not as close as they sound! about 1/4 of the distance around the stadium apart. She takes off in her high heels to get to her gate. As the boys and I enter the stadium we realize the seats are also at gate 2 so we start the long walk. Greg calls my cell and tells me where they are; we meet another friend Sam who is going to try to save nine seats by herself so I offer to help since we have extra bodies. We are almost to the seats when my phone rings.......it is Stephanie........she has forgotten the little pink card with her name and ID on it, which the councilors have stressed to the kids that they have to have in order to be let in to the graduation. It is in the van (at least it wasn't at home). She is panicked, me too!! I say I'll meet you at the van. We both head back to gate three as fast as we can possibly go and all the while I'm thinking they are never going to let me back in........ I talk to a security guard and explain the situation. She says the policy is no reentry...I'll have to get it cleared with my supervisor. She goes to talk to him, I follow, He looks at me like I am a crazy person (I am sure I look absolutely frazzled). He asks in this incredulous voice "what did you forget"...I am sure he is thinking.......graduation starts in 20min......what are you thinking? I explain he nods and says go out those doors and we will let you in through the same doors. Stephanie calls and is still panicking and asking "what is taking you so long"........It's not like I was on a leisurely stroll through the stadium........but I keep my cool and explain the situation and I am almost to the 66east sign in the parking lot. I catch a glimpse of her as the wind is blowing both of us and our hair all over the place. I unlock the car(thank goodness for the long distance beepers that allow cars to be unlocked and locked from a distance. she says "sorry mom" I say "it's okay.....should I drive you to your gate" she agrees and we get in the van not realizing that the way is blocked and I can only drive 1/2 way. I get her as close as I can and then as she jumps out I have to turn around in a blocked off row with no parking spots available. It takes 3 or 4 seesaws and I am turned around, but being stared at by many people waking down the row. I can read their thoughts "crazy woman what do you think you are doing?" If they only knew...........

So I make it back to gate 3. My parents are just inside the doors so they are waiting for me. I stand at the specific door and hope the secuity guard looks my way soon. She finally sees me. I meet my parents and walk fast back to the seating area. Whew! I find Greg and my children, Greg's Parents and Sam......yea! I made it.... Then my phone buzzes and my heart sinks...and then begins to race. I don't know what else we can handle in 5 minutes. It is a text from Stephanie.......It says "I made it. lol". I sigh and my heart begins to slow down. The ceremony was a good one. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Stephanie graduate into adulthood. But I was thinking......."It is a good thing she had her mother to help take care of her tonight!"

Stephanie's Graduation

2009-05-19T11:15:00.013-07:00

Yesterday was Stephanies' Graduation from Deer Valley High School. She has many friends and has had great experiences throughout high school. The opening ceremony was short, the talks were well written and delivered well with plenty of inside jokes to keep the graduates interested. And they did a good job getting 500+ graduates across the stage in a timely manner. It was a great evening!
Stephanie's Graduation day, May 18, 2009, was a day to reflect for me. How can it be that my Stephanie has actually grown up and graduated from High School? She is a beautiful, talented, loving young woman and I am so proud of who she has become. I love remembering the expressive face of her childhood and the determined face of her teenage years.......I am looking forward to find out what college will bring and how she will shape her future. We love you Steph! Congratulations!

Can you find her......look for her beautiful hair!

Andrew's Driving?!?

2009-05-16T00:20:00.001-07:00

Andrew has his learning permit............lookout world!

Matt riding Unicycle

2009-05-15T23:59:00.005-07:00

Matt loves riding his unicycle! It is fun to watch him, especially in parades. I am surprised no one runs into each other as they ride in circles in their section. The probably ride 5 miles for every mile of parade distance. He can do hops and spins and he really enjoys riding the "giraffe" or the tall unicycle. I am simply amazed at his coordination!

Ben Wrestling

2009-05-15T23:55:00.003-07:00

Ben wrestled at Desert Sky Middle School this year even though he is only in 6th grade. Because of his height, he wrestled mostly eighth graders.....he did a great job and got 2nd in his weight class overall. He loved it but I still don't understand how it could possible be fun! Too much personal space invasion for me.

Ben Wrestling

Stephanie's Art

2009-05-15T23:37:00.004-07:00

Stephanie took her first art class this year and she has discovered another talent. I think it is amazing!
The picture is of Joshua at Andrew's Eagle project.

Stephanie's drawing

original photo

Matt's Art

2009-05-15T22:59:00.012-07:00

Stephanie inspired Matt to try his hand at drawing also.

New Years Eve 2008

2009-05-15T22:18:00.008-07:00

For New Years Eve the boys and I went to a cabin in Payson with 5 other families. Greg was home with a nasty cold and the girls had other plans in Phoenix. The first day we played in the snow and had a few mishaps...Ben and Drew were sledding full throttle down the mountain and crashed backward and at full speed into a huge snow packed snowman. It took Ben a while to get up and even more time to catch his breath. His back took the brunt of the crash (it took a month and 4 chiropractor appointments for him to be able to move normally again. Now he has fully recovered) Matt and Josh also crashed and Joshua lost his boots along the way. He recovered them by walking in his socks up the mountain........his feet were so cold by the time the day was done. Matt split open his chin in a high flying crash after he hit a large bump. I was beginning to wonder if sledding was worth the pain.

That night was New Years Eve; so we played lots of games, ate lots of food, and learned lots of goofy things about each other as we waited for the magic moment. When the time came and Joshua got to be in charge of dropping the ball. He loved it! It was fun to be in the mountains and with friends, however I sure missed the rest of my family. New Years Day we hiked and enjoyed the outdoors.......it was a great time!

We thoroughly enjoyed Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T22:28:00.012-07:00

December is always so busy and a little crazy that it is sometimes hard to enjoy the season. This year I made a commitment early on that the highest priority would be to enjoy our traditions, our time with family especially with the kids, and the spirit of Christmas instead of just getting through the month. It was still busy and still a little crazy but somehow I enjoyed it more (probably because of my perspective). We made caramels, gingerbread houses, gingersnaps, and sugar cookies. We had our Christmas Story family home evening and the kids played their Christmas recital songs. We hung the Christmas balls from the ceiling, decorated the tree and put up the outside lights. Greg made DVDs for each of the kids with their Birthday celebrations so far... so Amber had 21, Stephanie 18, Andrew 15, Ben 11, Matt 11, and Joshua 6 (it was a very time consuming process but I am so glad he did it). I made aprons, pin cushions, and more caramels as gifts. We finished up the shopping, and wrapping and enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Martin's, Christmas morning at home and Christmas afternoon/evening at the Davis'.

The Begining

2008-12-26T18:44:00.003-07:00

Well I finally joined the blogging world after enjoying so many of your blogs for months now. Amber is home for Christmas and getting me started on my blogging journey.