Cant' sleep...

I went to bed last night about 11 p.m. At 12 a.m., I was still wide awake. So, I came downstairs and worked on an idea I had for a Christmas card. Then, I went back to bed. At 2 a.m., I was still awake, so I cam downstairs and journaled a bit. This is what you get at 2 a.m., after spending a night traveling down memory lane :)

The kids and I went to my Mom and Dad’s last night for dinner because Matt was working late. While there, my Dad started talking about some things he’d found in the attic that were my Grandma Hughes’s. He brought a few things down, but I wasn’t convinced that an old floor lamp and breakfast table were the only treasures to be found up there. Curious, I went on a treasure hunt! I only spent a short time up there and found things such as some old pictures, an old waterbed (at one time, my entire family had water beds), some camping gear (probably from the 70’s), A TON of Christmas decorations and wrapping paper, and a few totes FILLED to the brim with history! Included was a radio that my Dad remembered getting when he was about 14. I also found a rocking chair that I used when I played with my babies (I brought that home to Adrianna). These are just a few of the things that I discovered on my treasure hunt, but I literally stopped in my tracks when I found the tote that was filled with things that belong to my Great Grandma (Gram), who died in March of 2001.

I was about to graduate from college when she died, and with the exception of the two years I spent at IU, I don’t think more than 2 or 3 days at a time, went by without me seeing her, so I have a lot of memories of her and feel like I knew her quite well.

I opened up the tote, not knowing what was inside, and when I got a glimpse of her purse and the smell of green Wrigley’s gum escaped from the box, I couldn’t help but smile. I had every intention of taking everything in that box out and hoarding it at my house, but I couldn’t get past the purse. I opened it and quickly found her pick (remember those?), a few sticks of gum, her Nifty Lift card, some pictures, her coupon book (including the little folding scissors that she used to cut coupons), and a newspaper clipping. The article explained that the poem was found in the pocket of a civil war soldier after he was killed. The poem had been passed down to each of his family members. This is what the poem said…

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do great things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praises of men;

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;

I received nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.

Despite myself, my prayers were answered;

I am among all men, richly blessed.

Sweet Grammie…still teaching, and she’s been gone over 10 years.

As I rummaged through her purse, what was underneath it in the box popped out at me…her aprons! Now, there are very few times that I remember seeing her without an apron because she was usually baking something. When I picked one up, it felt heavy. I reached into the pocket and found a letter from my Uncle Trent to her and my Great Grandpa (didn’t have a date, but probably written in the late 70’s), a wadded up tissue, and a whistle! The tissue makes sense, but what was so special about the letter? Of course, I kept it, because my Uncle Trent mentioned in the letter that he had just visited me (I was probably still a toddler), and that I made him laugh. Strangely, now, he’s always the one making me laugh! And why did she have a whistle in her apron pocket? I guess those are two questions that I’ll never have the answer to.

I went to bed last night (the 2^nd time), thinking about that sweet (and a little ornery) old lady. I wish that my kids would have been able to meet her. I can imagine that she would have tormented my boys a bit, insisting that they sing ‘take me out to the ballgame’ and eat cracker jacks with her every time a baseball game was on and I’m sure she would have spent every minute of her time with Adri, teaching her to measure ingredients for whatever dish she was preparing or how to crack an egg without leaving any ‘goody’ in the shell.

I was just telling Gabe a little about her and this morning when he asked about the aprons (which I brought home) and he said, “You had a Grammie just like we have a Mammaw?” Then I realized, they’re making their own memories with their grandparents…and they’ve got some pretty good ones!

Gabe is 5!

I can’t stop looking at my ‘new’ ring. While I was making candlelit pancakes for breakfast, in celebration of a certain 5-year-old boy’s birthday, he came in and sat down at the bar. Gabe was obviously hiding something behind his back. He handed it to me, very sweetly, and said, “It’s my birthday present to you.” I wore it all day!

Suddenly, I had flashes of the past several years. I went back as far as 2 years before he was born and couldn’t help but remember how thankful I am to the people in our lives at that time, our family, and our amazing friends, who prayed this little guy into our lives. We weren’t supposed to have any more kids (we all know how that turned out). I began thinking about his humor and sweet heart. He’s so giving and isn’t afraid to ask questions (gets that from Daddy) and always tells people just how it is. He's so gentle and loving with animals and really enjoys being in his underwear! He doesn’t take the little things for granted and knows without a doubt that Jesus loves him.

I asked him what he likes about being 5 and he said, “I got crabs (he got hermit crabs as a gift).” “What else,” I asked. “That I get to spend the day with you.” If I wasn’t already feeling a little nostalgic, that got me, for sure! There is one thing I can say for certain about the little charmer...he can sure melt my heart!

I put 5 candles in his pancakes, lit them and we sang. He asked a million questions before blowing them out. How typical…always asking questions!

I love you, sweet Gaber, and I’m glad I get to be your Mommy! I hope you had a wonderful party, birthday celebration and great weekend!

Martin Family Craziness

I feel a bit silly saying this,especially to those Mom’s out there who work outside of the home…I know there are women (and men) that are A LOT busier than me. But, honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve ever been this busy in my entire life. Suddenly, going back to college and doing not much more than homework and reading, sounds like a vacation. I remember well, when I used to be able to read for pleasure :) I’ve been thinking back, as well, to the first year of Nate’s life when I was working (almost full time), which also sounds like a leisurely life. 1 kid...SO DIFFERENT THAN 3!

This somewhat recent business has been the reason that I’ve not posted much in my blog lately. I have managed to journal pretty regularly (sometimes in the middle of the night when I’m wide awake because I can’t turn off my brain, because Adrianna has to potty or because Gabe has a bad dream about lobsters in the toilet). There’s been a lot going on in our family lately, and the bottom line is that…I’M POOPED! I actually took a nap on Monday (which I haven’t done in months), and after closing my eyes for 2½ hours, I opened them, only to find that I was just as tired as before my rest. I won’t go into details about the Martin Family chaos or ramble on much more about how tired I am (what parent isn’t), but I will share with you that I wouldn’t give up or change any part of my life in exchange for rest. Someone very wise told me in high school that we make our own choices, good or bad. Whatever those choices are, lead us to the point in our life where we are now. If any of our decisions had been different, we’d be different. So, I'm writing this now, as a reminder for myself that the craziness, chaos, and disorganization in my life are only lessons that I’ll chose to learn from…not complain about or run from.

The realization is that as my kids get older, we'll just get busier...but that's okay! I'm learning to juggle a million things at once now. I should be a pro by the time their all in school!

I’m also enclosing a few conversations with my kids that I’d like to share. Enjoy!

By the way, if you’ve tried to call, text, or e-mail me, and I haven’t responded, I’m sorry. There has been a slight problem with my phone (it’s dead), which has also affected my e-mail and calendar. I ordered my new one today and will hopefully be back in the business of ‘obsessive organization’ really soon :)

Some interesting conversations...

“You’re making a huge mess, Gabe.” “That’s okay. I always do.”

Gabe said, “You know, Mom, I have magical powers.” “You do? Like what?” “I can make my body parts grow and then turn to mush again.” I kind of knew what he was talking about but was curious anyway. “What body parts, Gabe?” “Well…I’m only allowed to talk about it in the bathroom, so I’ll tellyou later.”

I heard Adrianna saying, after a very short nap, “Mommy, you see my fingers?” I went into the hallway to see what she was talking about and saw her little digits sticking out from under the door. Then she said, “Where is your pallet?” I realized she must think that I just hang out in the hallway while she’s resting and wait for her to wake up. I didn’t tell her any different.

As he’s showing me how me can pick the lock on his bedroom door, Gabe says, “See, Mom, I have special powers just like you.”

Nate said, “I really don’t like school.” “I wish you wouldn’t say that, Nate. How about you try thinking about all of the fun things you do at school and how much you like seeing all of your friends everyday instead of the things you don’t like.” “I would do that, but there’s nothing I like about school.” Gabe added,“I’m really tired of your attitude, Nate. If you say you don’t like school, then you won’t have any fun. If you wake up in the morning and tell yourself that today is gonna be a good day, then it will be. Don’t you ever listen to what Mommy says?” Nate finished, “Well…actually…no, I don’t.”

Adrianna likes nothing more than watching Yo Gabba Gabba with Daddy. While they’re watching, he rubs her feet (wish he’d rub my feet more often). She’s really becoming quite accustomed to their routine and now asks him, “Daddy, peeze pet my feet.”

We were trying to sleep in (sleeping in around here is anytime after 7), and we heard Adrianna saying,very sweetly, “Good morning, Sunshine.” After about 10 minutes, she started getting more assertive and saying, “I SAID…GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE!” After going in to get her, she said very sweetly, “Did I wake you up?”

This is the view right now, from my back porch. I love it! I try to sit on the back porch every morning before the kids wake up and drink my coffee :)

Aren't our ladies, beautiful? Oh yea...and isn't the little monster handsome?

Have a great week!