Give Us HAM!

This has been quite the last several days. Without going into all the details let's just say that my two snapped in half teeth, may one rest in peace, have been causing trouble (and by trouble, I mean I was ready to chop my head off for surely that could only feel better!) After more dental specialists, an attempted root canal with complications, a newly scheduled one, and the death of the nerve causing the majority of the issues... I am finally getting some relief.

With that said, I could really use some more relief- this time of the comic variety. So, let me show you what has kept me insanely sane. You might know her already, that toddler of ours, Hope Yell-ye-on-a Martins. She's at it again.

Monday and just in time for Daddy's birthday surprise she decorated, not only his banner, but herself. I am still scratching my head as to how the rogue, permanent Sharpie made its way into her pencil box among all the Colorsafe markers and washable crayons. But I knew when I heard the words, "Show Mommy!" it was either time to applaud or take a deep breath. I didn't know it would mean a bath, a real scrub dinger of a one, in the middle of the day:
Or today, while on the phone with a sweet neighbor offering to bring us dinner, that she would suddenly decide she has a potential career in fashion. Come on. Didn't you do the off the shoulder thing back in the 80's yourself? Here's Hope helping the trend make a comeback:

Throughout the year Joe and I try to collect little funny sayings or things she does. Last year we compiled a list of these which we called "Hopeisms" to share just before her first birthday. We've tried to do the same thing this year, but because there have been so many lately we thought we'd give you a sneak peek by giving away some now.

Just the other day Hope and one of her babies were trying to "jump with the boys and girls at church" (A song we sing throughout the week, composed by Joe himself, to get her excited about staying the whole time in the church nursery without Mommy or Daddy. Hope also spins, eats cookies, colors, laughs, plays, prays, etc.-- all with the boys and girls at church. Too bad it's more fun to sing about that at home than to actually do it there. But we'll sing on.) Anyway, she jumped one time too hard and Baby came crashing down on her toe. Dramatically she came running over to me holding up Baby and her foot and shouting, "Call Dr. Chambers! Oh, call Dr. Chambers!" This would be our pediatrician. And our budding actress.

While playing around the family room one morning Hope decided she wanted to come cuddle up with Maddie and I on the couch to read a book. There wasn't much room so she started to fling things in the floor. Without me reminding her not to throw and especially not to throw her books, she suddenly came to the Toddler Bible she adores. Very gingerly she picked it up and said, "Uh-scuse (Excuse) me Jesus" and put it on the table.

How about one more for good measure? Hmm, let's see... oh yes, when Joe got home on his birthday night Hope was in her chair "helping" me make dinner. She responded with her typical excited shout of "Daddy's home! I told you!" (Don't ask me why she says, "I told you" as if I don't believe her, but it really cracks me up). Then Joe asked her what she had done that day. She took a moment to think about it and then replied, "Went to pumpkin patch. Mmmhmm." (Again, don't ask me why she has started saying "Mmmhmm" after telling us things. I'm beginning to wonder if I unknowingly do these things myself?) Surprised, especially since my mouth had been in so much pain, Joe looked at me questionably as I shook my head no. But he carried on. "Well, Hopey, what did you do at the pumpkin patch?" "Picked Maddie pumpkin. Mmmhmm." "So, you went to the pumpkin patch AND got Maddie a pumpkin." "Yeah!" (Big grin). So either we have a child with some real creative play or a story telling fibber. I choose to believe she's creative. Don't you?

Crazy thing is that in days, quickly approaching days, to come we'll not just have "Hopeisms." We'll be throwing some "HAMisms" in there too. Oh you know, Hope AND Maddie times.
Mmmhmm. I told you.

The Stuff Dreams are Made Of

A year ago yesterday I awoke from the most delicious dream. French bread dressed in garlic butter and gooey Parmesan cheese. I distinctly recall even now opening my eyes to the pretend smell of sausage from a happy little frying pan making its way into our bedroom.

After that the two pink lines were certainly no great surprise, and now we can fondly call that experience, "Dreaming of Maddie." The day we started dreaming about what our second miracle would be like.

Joe was immediately thrilled, but for me it took my breath away. I was mostly thrilled of course, but also a little nervous. Our kids would only be 18 months apart? Had my scar had time to heal? Would I have as difficult a pregnancy as before? Would everything be okay in this brand new town where we hardly knew a soul? As we sat on the bed looking at each other, giggling nervously, and praying I began to feel more at ease. Then we called our former, trusty OB who confirmed that we shouldn't be worried. And with that we headed off to the beautiful mountains of Blowing Rock, NC for a reunion with some of our dearly missed friends from Va. Beach.

Near the end of our weekend retreat we spent hours sharing and praying for each couple. Joe and I went last, and we were practically bursting at the seams to tell them the big news since we had waited to first enjoy them in all their new baby glory. After having been sick that morning and unable to eat, I was also bursting at the seams for some food. :) Such great fun to revel in little Levi and Cadan growing inside of our two friends, knowing all the while I had a new life being formed right inside of me. Not to mention, the 10 month old little life crawling all around the cabin!
You might also have noticed that while there we celebrated another miracle... my husband who came into this world TODAY! Well today, plus thirty-ish years, plus one that's already grown on him which we forgot (We had quite the laugh when it took more than a few minutes for us both to remember the actual correct number for his big day! Where in the world is the time going?) For many years prior to meeting him, I had another dream. This time it was of the kind of man I would marry, and if God granted it, the kind of man who would be a father to our children. Let's just say there may have been no bread and sausage on Nov. 9th of last year, but I wake up each morning so grateful for the gift of Joe that is really my answered prayer.

Here's to many more years of whatever else we can dream up! Thanks to all those who join me in wishing him the happiest of days (or as Hope has recently created, "Happy Birtday... Hallelujah!")

By the Light of a Pumpkin

When us girls put together the goodie bags for our fall fun, we made a little card to include whose message dates all the way back to my college Bible study days. It's a simple, childlike even, analogy. But at its best it sure has proven itself true time and again for us. As the family carved our pumpkins this year, it came to my mind and I wanted to share it with those friends. Now, I thought it might bless your heart a little if I shared it with you:

To Our Favorite Pumpkins

When you consider it, being a Believer is a lot like being a pumpkin. . .

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff - including the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for the entire world to see.

Speaking of pumpkins, here are ours doing their carving thing as is tradition for us. Last year, at 9 months, Hope almost toppled over while she literally picked hers out at the pumpkin patch. We carved it up with two teeth just like the ones that had popped through for her at the time.



And here's an action shot of Hope's hand-off of the pumpkin she excitedly picked for Maddie this year (thus the reason Daddy had to intercept it on its path to Maddie's head). You'll notice the final products again reflect the mouthfuls of pearly whites, or pearly gums, that we're sporting around here. All the excitement quickly wore little, little girl Martins out. But as for the bigger, little girl Martins... not a chance! Hardly ever a chance, that is! :)

Milk and Crumbs

So much to ponder on this early Wednesday morning as the last several days have been challenging and wonderful all at the same time. Full of milk and crumbs, you might say? :) I'm all for the wonderful, all for counting our blessings, so with that here's just some of what we've been up to in the last week or so. I feel a crazy picture mood coming on...

First, Nana came to town! We just wish she and the girls could have a little fun.



And she came just in time for the first annual CHILI-ing fall party at our place! All the neighbors with little pumpkins came over for a bonfire while we served up chili, cider, and cooky cupcakes. We alerted the neighborhood of our traveling caravan planned for afterwards, and it was so cool to see all the welcoming houses with front porch lights blazing. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and neighbors commented that they had never seen the place so alive. We pray this is the first of many times we can use the home God gave us in such a way! The group shot really cracks us up... quite a feat to get so many six and under to sit still... first one you can't see Hope and the second you can't see Madison. Note to self: wide angle lens.
















Then we welcomed Joe's boss, Captain French, home from Iraq!! Our friends, the Hackers (pictured left), came all the way in from Cali-for-ni-a and stayed with us for the homecoming party. Somehow in all the fun Joe and I managed not to get a picture together, but here's one of me in the glorious ONE HOUR Mom made me take to get ready. Long shower. Curled hair. Dressed up fancy. THE works! What a luxury! The other one is of Joe's team.


Now we have one final day until Nana returns home. Someone said something about a picnic at the park. Tomorrow is sure to be a tear jerker, so why not enjoy every bit we can of today? Hope the same holds true for you!

Old Man Martins Had a Farm...

With a quack, quack here:

And a moo, moo there:


Eei-Eei-O!

While making our debut as "The Farming Martins" at this year's Pumpkinfest, you'll never believe it (unless, of course, you've already read their blog), but we met Todd, Sarah, and Cute Kid Palin hot off the campaign trail:
Everything else after that was pretty much small pumpkins, as you can imagine, but Hope did find some more fun for us to get into. Like heading straight for a pair of HUGE great danes, asking for the leash ("Peeeaaassseee!"), and trying to take one for a walk around the block. Seriously:


And nothing says festival like a little dancing in the streets:


Or taking goofy pictures with Mom (Excuse the runny nose, but now it's fall weather for sure!)

We'd like to thank all the little people without whom these costumes would never have been possible... to one neighbor who GAVE us the duck and cow ones (A little FYI, Hope's first word after Mama and Dada was "duck" and she used to be obsessed! This was a perfect fit!) and to our other neighbor who lent us the cowboy hats. And here's to you Goodwill 99 cent rack for my shirt, along with you Hobby Lobby 50% off ribbon for the girls' hair. Hey, with all these good deals, I had to make some part of their costumes... right? :)

Can't wait to see you or your little cutie(s) should you decide to share!

Addicted

Glad to see that we're not the only ones for whom this time of the year is addicting. It's been so fun to read or hear about all the cool fall things people are doing here and there, that day-to-dayness that makes up different people's lives. For us one of the perks about moving to this area has been all the family friendly places for making memories, especially in autumn. We try to plan one such time for most weekends so as to savor the season for as long as we can. Plus with the cold weather coming (eek, flu season!), it's necessary to get out now while we still can! You've already seen some of the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze.

Then there was the Country Ham Festival and one of our final hikes up the parkway's paths.

This weekend is one of our very favorites-- Pumpkinfest! The kids (and us adults, I won't lie) get to all try out our costumes together for the first time. Here's a shot of last fall when Joe, Hope, and I went as Linus, Sally Brown, and The Great Pumpkin from the Peanuts gang:

For another fall fix, stay tuned to find out what Goodwill and other bargain hunting craziness we've concocted for tomorrow... and have a great weekend yourselves!