Tribute to Maria

Well, it's been about 10 days since the passing of beautiful Maria. Though most of us never knew her in person, we truly feel like we did. In 2002, Doug and I attended a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. It was there that the Lord placed the seed in our hearts and sent us on a journey to find our own China Princess. I am forever grateful that this amazing family is and was so willing to share their testimonies and their journey! Today, I am reminded to pray for them. As I was driving down the road, his newest Cinderella song came on the radio. This past February, Doug and I had the most amazing and awesome privelege of being the "team captains" for the Shoahannah's Hope table at his Austin Concert. His ministry that night collected over 4,000 dollars in change and I was the honored team member to bring that money to the bank and deposit it for his ministry. At the concert that night I sobbed when he sang Cinderella. The realization the my girls will grow up and be gone before I know it. Today, as I listened, I was so distraught at the thought that his Maria and his Cinderella has already gone to be with the Lord. It is a reminder that the Lord has all of our days numbered and we aren't guaranteed that we'll see the wedding day of any of our children. It's a reminder that today and every day should be as special and as savored as the next!
There is a tribute I thought I'd share. I love this song and the images of Maria are precious. May it be a reminder to us all to continue to lift up this family. The months and years to come will be a hard road ahead!



I love that with Cinderella playing!



This is beautifully put to a song that couldn't say it better! May we all take something from the Chapman family and their loss. May we all learn to love more, laugh more, photograph more, enjoy every moment more. It seems this family does that so well! Thank you for sharing with us your legacy!

Authentic Friends

So, I thought I'd blog a little bit about my feelings this week. It's something I did on a regular basis when I was journaling on Maliah's site and well, frankly, it felt good to get those things that sit on your chest off it and on to "paper". While it is a risk to expose your truest of feelings and show a little vulnerability, it's only through those means can we share our hearts and become REAL! My quest in this life!

Lately, the Lord has been really showing me my hearts desire to have authentic friends. Now, if your a reader and your wondering "hmmmm is she talking about me, am I authentic"? Just know that I don't have a picture of certain friends in my head, only that I know the Lord has set me apart in this life to find authentic people who together we can build each other up, edify one another and know the heart of the person we are doing this with. It's up to you, to answer that question.
I suppose that it all begins years ago as a young girl. I was one of those gals who wasn't a part of the "in crowd" so to speak but just had friends in all circles - the ins, the outs and the roundabouts. To be honest, girls in that "in" crowd always appeared as though they had it all together and were so confident but something in my spirit shouted the opposite and they usually drove me crazy on their quest to appear as though they were something "different" and all the while ... they were all like each other. Those girls put on a impression that they were full of self confidence but in all honesty, they reeked of insecurities! I actually usually migrated towards boys in my high school and specifically college years. Not as a sexual fulfillment of something but rather it was always easiest to hang out with boys. WHY? Well, stop and think about it, men (and boys) just say it how it is. If they have a beef with someone they just fight it out and get it over with. They aren't usually so catty about things in life and don't try to read into everything you do with a side motivation. They usually are lovers of life and easy to be around. Qualities I love!
As I have grown older I have become that person that always gets defined as being "black and white". I can't tell you how many times I am told that and to be honest, I'm not sure how I am supposed to receive that other than to say that I am who I am and really ... I'm not trying to impress anyone. Life for me has always been pretty black and white. Really ... life doesn't have shades of grey. If you think about it, the bible doesn't really either. Their is one way to heaven ... through the son, Jesus. The Lord didn't say "but, hey, in order to not offend, we'll throw in a few other ways to appease the masses". Nope ... salvation is black and white.
My black and white side also hasn't always been something that has appeased the masses and I suppose if you can make a clear definition of things ... not be a shade of grey, you have to have some sort of self confidence. Black and White doesn't lend itself to waffling with the crowd and usually ... goes against the crowd. Yep, that's me, my life!

That place also doesn't lend itself to being always a part of the group and that has been o.k. with me. I've always loved the companionship of a few close friends rather than feeding the frenzy of the masses. Recently, however, I have realized that to be even more true. Now, don't get me wrong, I love to meet new friends and there is always room in my heart for new ... authentic friends. What I have realized however, is that those friends are few and far between.

Have you ever noticed "the game". You know what I'm talking about don't you? The game ... the unwritten, unpublished game that can't be found on the shelves of Target and Wal Mart. It can be found, however, sitting in the pews of your church. I can't give you the rules of the game but I do know that the intent is that the winner will always one up you. The Alpha female will always be sure that she dominates and sends the other away feeling worthless and therefore, making her feel good ...the winner. I have actually become a observer of the game and have noticed that their are several who try to play it with me. Recently, I was in a conversation with someone. This gal, to be left unnamed looked at my precious Chinese daughter as she ran by and made this comment "Maliah, it's too bad that your not the cutest baby anymore and have been replaced by ______". ???? Hummm? Can you tell me what the purpose of that comment was? Was it to boast that you had seen this newest addition and I hadn't (winning the game and one upping me there) or to purposely say something to make me feel bad. Actually, just a part of the game ... name throwing ... my favorite past time. I love it when someone will be sure to tell you who they just went to dinner or hung out with. It's all part of the game to show you that they have friends, maybe even better friends than you have. Hey, this is just one example of the MANY that I could give from comments received from those "participating" in "the game". Hilarious ... are we 16 or what?

Needless to say, the comment made by this gal didn't much phase me other than to give me a great laugh later and you, an example of little pokes and proddings included in "the game".
So, here's the deal folks. I have conceded and thrown in the towel. While I have never CHOSEN to play the game, I have always been on the receiving end of it's antics. I'm done - FINISHED! You can keep playing, I've decided to spend my energies and look for authentic friends ... those who too have thrown in the towel!
This time, I'm looking for REAL woman. I'm looking for REAL friends who will admit their insecurities, rise above their inferiorities and become the woman Christ wants them to be!
Are you in?

Birthday girl fun

Well, Friday was Dakota's first ever sleep over with a friend. We went and picked up her special buddy, Kennedy at about 5:00 - dropping off big brother and leaving him there with Kennedy's big brother so the boys were out of the way - and headed home for a night of girl fun! We first ate Pizza and then got ready and went for an evening swim. They swam for about an hour before we returned home for the long awaited "Barbie Cake" that Dakota had asked for. Mommy conceded in buying the cake, however, upon my arrival to pick it up it seems that the cake doubled in size from the model in the store. Yes, we had enough of Barbie to feed an entire palace of princess's. Oh well ... a girl only turns 6 once!
The girls then dove into some arts and crafts time. Mommy bought both of the girls a big box to decorate that I'd later fill with all sorts of special little jewels and goodies to remember their night. They worked hard on their boxes and maybe even harder on the mess. It was great fun!
By the time we ended those festivities, it was about 9:45. This is obviously well past both of the girls bedtimes but hey .... it's a sleep over. So up we went to set up sleeping bags, pillows and movie fun. We put on a movie thinking they'd just fall to sleep. NOPE ... not a chance. By 10:45 I was turning off the movie and tucking in the two precious angels that lay staring back at me.
The next morning, I awoke at about 7:30. I could hear from my room that the girls were already up and busy in the game room. Sure enough, Doug said when he awoke at about 6:30, they had already been up. You'd think they'd sleep in a little ... NOPE ... not a chance. After some play time and dress up time we whipped up some yummy chocolate chip pancakes, threw on our swim suits and headed out for a morning swim. Wow, I had accomplished a lot and it wasn't even 10:00 am. hehehe
All in all, the night was a huge success. Dakota had such a great time with her special friend and the girls played beautifully together. I never once had to discipline or get involved to solve any troubles between them. Impressive!
Canyon had just as much fun on the other end! When we left to come home after picking him up and spending a few hours visiting in the process, he had huge tears welling up in his eyes. When I finally was able to get out of him what was making him so sad, he said .... "I am scared I won't see Caden for a while and he's my really good friend". It's a wake up call that sometimes we get so busy in life that we don't take the time out to spend good quality time with good quality friends. These friends were some of the first we made when we moved to San Antonio. Caden and Canyon were barely two and since, I have watched them add precious Kennedy to the family and we have added Dakota and Maliah. Thanks Canyon for reminding me too how special they are to us!
SO ... enjoy the photos of the girl fun. This one definitely is going down in the books as another "First"

Maria Sue

I went to the Maria's Miracle Fun to see what the Chapman family has done to leave the legacy for their beautiful little girl. They have asked that in lieu of flowers or anything, that families would give to "Shoahannah's Hope" in Maria's new fund miracle fund. I hope you'll take the time to go check it out! My heart is heavy in burden for their loss, however, the testimony of the Chapman family to continue serving the Lord and helping families bring home their children awe's me! Even in this tragedy, they will turn it into a blessing for others! A true modern day Job!

This video is also on the Chapman blog as a memory of Maria. I love seeing a Daddy having fun with his girls and Maria was an absolute cutie!

Tragic Loss and a call for prayer!

I am so devastated for this precious family in the light of this horrible accident. The Chapman's have been an incredible vessel for the Lord as they have impacted thousands of lives in their willingness to spread the spirit of adoption. For me, this hits close to home. It was because of his testimony of his first precious little girl Shoahannah and seeing her beautiful almond eyes that the Lord showed me and Doug that international adoption was possible.
Please pray for this family and especially for their son who will be told so many lies from the enemy. May he know how loved he is and may this tragedy not be used for the darkness but instead, in some way, the Lord would use this amazing family for the Kingdom of God!



Chapman daughter struck, killed by car in driveway

By KATE HOWARD and LINDA ZETTLER • Staff Writers • May 21, 2008

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Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.

No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”

The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.

And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.

Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.

“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.

Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

Sassy and Six!

Today was Dakota's 6th birthday! It started off a little rough as I was called by the school at 9:15 this morning to tell me that Dakota was in the nurses office complaining of a tummy ache. I was devastated for her as she had looked forward to this day with great anticipation. You only turn 6 once and for her, she was going to get to have Mommy eat lunch with her, bring cupcakes to her class, have her name on the loud announcements and even go to the office to get her birthday pencil. All those are big things for a 6 year old princess. Once home, however, Dakota seemed to bounce right back and after a little watching of Barbie Mariposa cartoon, she was fluttering around the house. So birthday plans continued as planned and we took Dakota to her requested "Zio's" for her birthday dinner. Joining in on the fun was of course, Granny and PiPa and also Nana and Papa. Dakota's highlight was the "big chocolate cake" that she discovered last year after her ballet recital. Since then, Zio's has always made the favorites list! I'd have to say ... it is some great chocolate cake!
The highlight for me of the night was hearing how today, Canyon told PiPa after school that he was so sad Dakota had to go home on her birthday and that he wanted to go buy her a present. Apparently he was disappointed that I hadn't brought him along to choose something from him so PiPa willingly obliged and took him for the shopping adventure. PiPa went on to say later that Canyon put much thought into his gift, spending a great deal of time searching through every toy for the perfect one. He also chose the birthday card .. no help from PiPa and best of all ... wrote the cutest birthday message to his little sister inside. UGH ... can you see my tears of our pride welling up in me?
So, the birthday was a huge hit tonight. Friday Dakota will have her first ever sleep over. Her best buddy Kennedy is coming for the night and we have big plans for the two princess's that night. I'll be sure to post pictures of the big girl fun once it's commenced.
Enjoy the photos of my big blue eyed girl! Wow ... time is truly going by WAY TOO FAST!

P.S. The photo of Canyon and Dakota reading (from the back) is Canyon reading to Dakota the birthday card he bought and wrote to her. Way too cute for words!

Beach to Bay and Beach to Pool fun

We are home from another great year at the Island House in North Padre! This is our second year going to the Island House on the weekend of "Armed Forces" day to run the annual Beach to Bay 6 man marathon. Can I say FUN!! My parents, my brother who flew in from Oklahoma, our entire family, Doug's parents and sister and her family and this year we added the Foote family for a weekend of pure fun! This year, Cindy joined the "family ties" team and boy did she ever ... she rocked the house on her first ever marathon relay run! I picked up the baton from her so as she ran across the finish line at the Naval Base, I was awaiting in the street jumping up and down. I was SO proud of her ... her first 4.7 miles on the pavement and heat! I think we've just birthed a runner, folks!
This year I could tell I had been training more than last and so my run was really enjoyable. I ran my leg in about 33 or so minutes. All I know is I handed Cindy her phone and it read 10:25 (when I picked up the baton) the last I looked and when my brother handed me my phone as I handed the baton to him for his leg it read 10:57 - whew ... I think I was running 8 plus minute miles... something this girl does not do! I am always reminded of my glory days of my White Rock 1/2 marathon and the days when I'd hit the pavement for a long one hour run DAILY at 5:00 am. Can you say discipline? Things have changed a bit since three kids but I was proud that this 34 year old Mama could still bring in that baton with a smile on my face!
Along with all the running fun we spent our days either playing in the sand or swimming in the pool. Their is truly nothing better for the kids than the ability to go back and forth and just play their days away in the sun. We've already booked the rooms for next year and already making strategies to beat the Kenyan's who came in at oh ... 2 hours or so. CRAZY! We have big dreams! HAHA
So enjoy some pictures of the fun in the sand! I loved watching Miss Maliah and LIbby giggle and run from the waves together. Canyon had a blast digging in the sand, playing football with Daddy and Mr. Billy and Dakota was just at home with her cousin and best friend, Andi! Life is good at Island House North Padre!

Prayers for the lost

Lord, it is unimaginable the number of lives that have been lost by the recent China earthquake. As I read daily that the number keeps increasing, I pray that I would be reminded that each of those lives are more than just a number.... they were a friend, a sister, a brother, a daughter, a son, a Mom or a Dad! They were someone's everything!
The most recent news is reporting that the toll could be as high as 50,000 and that an entire county no longer exists ... wiped off the map. As a country who is so prideful and working so hard to show the world what they are made of, please allow them to be humbled and brought to their knees for you through these events! We know that Christianity is on a rapid rise in China with house churches appearing and popping up all over the country. Lord, right now, may you be opening the eyes and hearts to those beautiful people and may you use this enormous tragedy to set a fire in that country for you! Lord, I pray that your hand would rebuild and remold that nation one piece, one person at a time!

Sizzling Hot!

O.K. so, I am a huge fan of American Idol. It is so fun to see these regular folks become ... well ... famous in their own little way.
Not that fame is something to work towards and a goal that I think holds any value.
BUT, I put myself in one of those contestants shoes and think, if I had been dreaming all my life to be a singer or songwriter then truly, that show is what dreams are made of for each of them. They get their time to live a dream and that is fun to watch for me.
In any event, I have my favorites and well, Michael John's was one of them (Boo Hoo that he went home). HOWEVER, I have said from the beginning that David Cook rocks! For someone to take "Billy Jean" or "Hello" and make them sound worth listening to then you have to have talent. So since you were wondering .... David Cook gets my vote (not that I literally call in and vote)!

Celebrations to Destructions

This weekend was a celebration weekend for our home! Read my posts below ... so much to journal as we had so much to be thankful for!
HOWEVER ... I'm reminded this morning that while we were busy celebrating for others, chaos was taking place. China is a place that has a little piece of our hearts! Dear to us for an obvious reason, the people there have been devastated and thousands of lives lost and misplaced!
I received an e-mail from a lady name "Jane" who lives in China. I'm in a yahoo group that she corresponds through as she helps families make "homeland tours". Please read below and PLEASE be lifting up the families and the beautiful people that make China home - specifically in the Sichuan province! Pray today, the Lord will use this devastation to open the hearts of his people to HIM and that all the Glory of all things Good that transpire be given to HIM!

CHONGQING, China - Chinese state media say 3,000 to 5,000 people have died in one county in Sichuan province alone from a massive earthquake.

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The official Xinhua News Agency said Monday that another 10,000 people were believed hurt in Beichuan county after the 7.8-magnitude quake.

Nearly 900 students were trapped after their school collapsed about 60 miles from the epicenter. Photos showed heavy cranes trying to remove rubble from the ruined school.

The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon when classes and office towers were full.

The temblor was felt as far away as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that four of the dead were ninth-grade students killed when their high school collapsed. Photos showed heavy cranes trying to remove rubble from the ruined school. Xinhua did not say how many of the students were feared dead.

It said its reporters in Juyuan township, about 60 miles from the epicenter, saw buried teenagers struggling to break loose from underneath the rubble of the three-story building "while others were crying out for help."

Two girls were quoted by Xinhua as saying they escaped because they had "run faster than others."

The earthquake comes less than three months before the start of the Beijing Summer Olympics, when China hopes to use to showcase its rise in the world.

The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon when classes and office towers were full, about 60 miles northwest of Chengdu. There were several smaller aftershocks, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site.

Calls into the city did not go through as panicked residents quickly overloaded the telephone system. The quake affected telephone and power networks, and even state media appeared to have few details of the disaster.

"In Chengdu, mobile telecommunication convertors have experienced jams and thousands of servers were out of service," said Sha Yuejia, deputy chief executive officer of China Mobile.

Although it was difficult to telephone Chengdu, an Israeli student, Ronen Medzini, sent a text message to The Associated Press saying there were power and water outages there.

"Traffic jams, no running water, power outs, everyone sitting in the streets, patients evacuated from hospitals sitting outside and waiting," he said.

Xinhua said an underground water pipe ruptured near the city's southern railway station, flooding a main thoroughfare. Reporters saw buildings with cracks in their walls but no collapses, Xinhua said.

The earthquake also rattled buildings in Beijing, some 930 miles to the north, less than three months before the Chinese capital was expected to be full of hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors for the Summer Olympics.

Many Beijing office towers were evacuated, including the building housing the media offices for the organizers of the Olympics, which start in August.

"I've lived in Taipei and California and I've been through quakes before. This is the most I've ever felt," said James McGregor, a business consultant who was inside the LG Towers in Beijing's business district. "The floor was moving underneath me."

In Fuyang, 660 miles to the east, chandeliers in the lobby of the Buckingham Palace Hotel swayed. "We've never felt anything like this our whole lives," said a hotel employee surnamed Zhu.

Patients at the Fuyang People's No. 1 Hospital were evacuated. An hour after the quake, a half-dozen patients in blue-striped pajamas stood outside the hospital. One was laying on a hospital bed in the parking lot.

Skyscrapers in Shanghai swayed and most office occupants went rushing into the streets.

In the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, 100 miles off the southeastern Chinese coast, buildings swayed when the quake hit. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake was felt as far away as the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, where some people hurried out of swaying office buildings and into the streets downtown. A building in the Thai capital of Bangkok also was evacuated after the quake was felt there.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake is considered a major event, capable of causing widespread damage and injuries in populated areas.

The last serious earthquake in China was in 2003, when a 6.8-magnitude quake killed 268 people in Bachu county in the west of Xinjiang.

China's deadliest earthquake in modern history struck the northeastern city of Tangshan on July 28, 1976, killing 240,000 people.

Dr. Jane Liedtke, CEO (Chief Energy Officer) Jane@ocdf.org
Our Chinese Daughters Foundation
www.ocdf.org (link from banner below)
In USA: 309-829-8202 Toll Free: 1-866-460-OCDF Fax: 309-829-6141
In China: 011-8610-8403-4979 Fax: 011-8610-8403-4931

Somethings a bloom!

Well, yesterday was mother's day! What a special day! My oldest two little darlings awoke and made a treasure trail for Mommy to follow. As I walked out of my room, I discovered a path of large marshmallows and lifesavers all the way down the hall, down the stairs and into the dining room where hidden behind the piano was my mother's day gifts. My Canyon made me a precious framed hand print with a poem on it at school. Dakota made me a ceramic tile with her hand print on it and together the three of them gave me a book I'd been wanting. It was a great start to a beautiful morning!
As we were about to depart for church I asked Doug to take a picture of me with my three kiddos. We went on the front porch where I was met by my Gardenia that had bloomed in several places with the most beautiful blooms! I have been waiting WEEKS for them to blossom. I have HUGE litttle closed buds all over but today ... on mother's day ... they awaited me in full splendor! Oh the smell ... I LOVE GARDENIA'S!
Today was also a monumental day in our home for Miss Maliah. Tonight, Daddy and I took apart Maliah's crib and put together our girls "big girl" room and bed. She was so excited to have a bed "like kota"! We decided to take the bunks apart and set the beds side by side as two twin beds. Can I tell you how cute and fun it was to tuck in my two beautiful girls and be able to sit on the sides of their beds and tickle their backs? At 10:15 last night, however, Maliah was still wide awake. She wasn't making chaos ... to our surprise, however, when I went in to check on her she was sitting up in the middle of her bed as if lost. I think she was mourning the loss of her crib a little. This morning, when I went in to get Dakota for school I couldn't find our little one. I looked all over the bed to find her tucked in the corner, wound up in a little ball, sound asleep. I think this big bed might take some getting used to!
So much as a bloom in the Martine home. As I broke down the crib last night there was a little part of me that was so sad. For the first time in 8 years, I have no need for a baby bed. The past two times that I took it apart, we knew that very shortly, another bundle of joy would be using it next. Not this time .... we're officially on to bigger things! WOW!

P.S. The pictures of the beautiful flowers are my birthday flowers from the kids! Didn't they do a great job?

Princess for a day!

O.K. so TODAY is MY birthday! Yes, Doug's was yesterday .. he robbed the cradle by one day. It's always so fun to ask him one day in advance .. how does it feel to be ___ year old? I'm sure 40 will be fun ... a whole 24 hours of pestering before I get the payback time. Unfortunately for me ... he's SOOOO much better at that sort of thing.

ANYWAYS .... my hubby today made me "The queen" for a day ... literally! He arrived home with our precious three kiddos this morning from Nana's with nothing better than a crown for me to wear. You heard me right! My kiddos came in all carrying different flowers that they themselves had lovingly picked out. What fun to see what caught their eyes. The cutest was Maliah who didn't really pick out an entire bouquet of flowers but instead one lone flower who was wilting in her perfect little hand. As I rounded the corner to find their greetings she beamed in delight and said "Momma this for you". Canyon bought me roses. Doug said he paced up and down the isles until he found just the ones he wanted. Dakota chose carnations ... pink none the less. HEHEHE. Daddy gave Dakota a job today ... to make sure I wore my crown ALL day ... EVERY WHERE! Julie Faulstich .... are you proud?

SO ... tonight we went for a family dinner. Of course, I love Pappasito's and so we headed there at just after 5:00 to beat the mad rush. Little did we know, everyone in town was celebrating SOMETHING. 1 hour and 45 minute wait didn't sound like a whole lot of fun with three hungry kids so we went to Alamo Cafe. Not quite the same but it was still yummy. From there we went to Baskin Robins where I got to go in and choose what flavors we would bring home. We decided we would take our treats to go. Canyon bet I'd choose mint chocolate chip and Dakota bet on Chocolate. Well, lucky for them, they were running a special and so they both won! Off we went with our ice cream. Last stop, Mommy's turn to rent a movie .. any movie ... girlie movie even. I chose August Rush and so I am typing now while I wait for Doug to get settled in so we can watch our movie.... less the three sleeping babes upstairs.
Oh, well I forgot to mention that my hubby (and Canyon helped choose) bought me a beautiful James Avery bracelet. It's silver and and says "Faith Hope and Love" over and over. He also bought me a Garmin Nuvi ... whoo hooo ... no more getting lost for me! I've got my own personal co-pilot!

SO ... that all being said, it's been a fun day being the queen of the house for a day. I suppose I get to continue at least one more day since it is MOTHER'S DAY tomorrow! 48 whole hours of celebrating me. HAHAHAHAHA. I told Doug ... I'm like a kid and I"ll admit ... I LOVE being celebrated! hehehehehehehehehehehe

Happy Birthday Daddy Doug

Today we're celebrating our Daddy! Doug is the light of this home. He is 34 today and we are so blessed by him!
For me, Doug is the most amazing husband who daily puts his family FIRST! He is a true example to his children of someone who continually works to follow the Lord and align himself with friends that do the same! He is quick to say he's sorry when he's wrong which is the highest mark of a Godly man! While he's firm in his discipline when needed, he is also quick to follow up with a hug and kiss and a reminder how much he loves the one who has just been admonished (even me ... hahahaha). At 34 he is in awesome shape ... so nice for my eyes (HA). We love our Daddy and hubby so much!
Hats off to YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Our creator .. the greatest scientist of all time

BE SURE TO PAUSE THE MUSIC ON THE SIDE!

So, many of you don't know that I have a science mind. I was accepted into Texas A&M on one condition ... I would declare a science major. You see, I did horrible on the SAT's and whizzed my way through the ACT. Science reasoning was my thing. Ever since I can remember I have always loved science. As a kid, I always did best in my science classes and when I was a senior, I was determined that someday I'd be a scientist. I graduated from A&M with a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition. I loved hearing about the human body and all the processes our body takes to work. At the time, I didn't really know the Lord ... didn't really think much of what I was learning and the creator who magnificently put it all together. But today, I am reminded by this AMAZING video that the greatest scientist of all time was the Lord himself. I love how he shows himself in everything to everyone. You have got to take some time and watch this! I was blown away and you will be too!

All dolled up

Well, it was another busy weekend at the Martine home. The weekend wouldn't have been complete without a little drama, a dose of chaos and some much needed princess time around the home.
To start, I'll brief you in on the drama. For about 15 months now I have had two beautiful light fixtures that have been needed to be hung in my entry way and on my stair case. Of course, to my husband, the space ship like objects that fly from my ceiling now will do and he doesn't quite understand the need to make the switch and hence the reason that I've been waiting for 15 months to get it done. In my complete frustration and lack of attention in the matter I decided to take the matter into my own hands. Needless to say, tonight I'm still getting the "I told you so's" (well not really but it feels like it EVERY time he tells the story). To make a VERY long story short, my hired "professional" electrician (to which he really is but his decision making makes me wonder) showed up on Saturday morning to install the fixtures. He had come prior to see what the work would entail and as Doug told him ... he'd need a one man lift. Well, apparently, the lift that he usually uses was not in and the rental company gave him a different one. This one was huge, had "outriggers" (do I sound like I know what I'm talking about ... I don't, I've just hear my told you so husband tell the story so many times that I can remember the appropriate lingo) and it was HEAVY! He called me on his way to say that he'd either need to hire an extra man or Doug could help. Well, of course, Doug obliged. As the two of them were working to bring this massive lift into my home, they needed to lay it down to get it through the door. When "Mr. Rogers" went to bring the lift towards him and lay it down on its belly, the weight of the massive piece of machinery and the gravity of such a motion made the thing come hurling down to a crash ... on top of his wrist and hand! You can imagine that this poor man took off yelping and fortunately for the sake of young ears managed to hold back any profane word that he wanted to let out of his mouth. Well, long story short, I had the pleasure of taking our new friend to Methodist Hospital and sitting with him while he had x-rays and waited for his family to arrive to take my place.
When I left the hospital I called Doug to tell him I was on my way back home. Now remember .... the work truck and this huge piece of equipment are still at my house. Doug said that Mr Rogers had called a buddy and they were working to get it out. Apparently it was a booger and extremely difficult to move and get loaded back to the trailer. At one point, my neighbors were also helping. Well ... you can imagine, Doug wasn't real thrilled with how the morning was going. Not only did he not feel that the space ship fixtures were as much as an eye sore as me, but now he was paying to break his back. All the while, each time he went out of the house, little Maliah would lock Daddy out and and then stare at him out the window. HAHA. Little booger.
When I arrived home, the house was a mess (I was only gone about 1 or little more) and my girls had dolled themselves up for the event that was taking place. As I drove into the drive, they bounced out of the house to show me their stuff and to ask "wut happen"?
CHAOS!
Oh, by the way ... we still have those ever so ugly space ships trying to land in our house. Mr. Rogers ... praise the Lord ... only ended up having a severe sprain and maybe some torn ligaments. He said "give me a few weeks and I'll come back WITH THE RIGHT LIFT ... and get those lights hung. That would be LOVELY!
Enjoy the girls photos. At least someone was having a good time during all the mess!

What's the difference?

If I posted every funny thing Maliah did, we'd be very busy posting and you would be very busy reading. HOWEVER ... I thought this was so cute. Today, as Maliah was playing babies, she came to me and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to look at her as she exclaimed "wook at my sungwasses". HAHAHAHAHA. I just died. Sunglasses - goggles - what's the difference?

Madness!

O.K. so this week has been completely chaotic. We have had something going on every single night from Monday to next Sunday. Several of those nights include baseball games for our athletic and ever so talented, Canyon. While sitting at a baseball park has never been the highest on my list of "to do's", it is amazing how all of a sudden something you never really enjoyed becomes so enjoyable when your child is involved. I will say, however, what is NOT enjoyable is keeping up with my precocious two year old during the game. She has discovered the bleachers and thinks it is really fun to climb on all of them. I noticed last Monday night that when we began the game the bleachers were full. By the end, however, I looked around to discover that only me, my girls and Yvette were now adorning the stands. Yvette laughed as she noticed the same thing and replied "did we run everyone off". NO .... WE didn't but I do think I know WHO did!
For those of you who jumped into the family blog world because you had been following Maliah (Courtney .. the luker hahaha), you should know that my girl is getting funnier and if possible, more stubborn by the day. Recently, I asked Maliah where her happy face was. To her reply she said "in your pocket". I began to dig around my pocket to find that precious little smile and then pretended to hand it to her. Hand stretched out, she willingly obliged and then proceeded to wipe her hand across her face revealing her beautiful smile. What a cutie! The stubborn side comes out, well, all day in all the little things she does. She is completely TWO and with that comes the infamous phrase "I do it". Yes, Maliah, you can do just about anything. So, the pictures below show the socks and shoes that she herself put on. When she was finished with the task she proudly stood and with great pride proclaimed "I do it, Mommy, I do it myself". If you look closely, our shoes are on the wrong feet. Did we change them ... NO WAY .... never to bust the proud confidence of my independent and bright toddler.
Enjoy a few shots!