It's all in your mind

So in the past few months Maliah's imagination has become out of this world. I am not sure I have ever seen a child with such a gift for creativity. I was told recently by a friend that a child with "imaginary friends" are proven to be bright ... I must have the next Einstein because because we don't just have "friends" .. we have a brood.
In months past, our family has grown. We have two imaginary friends (Libby and Gracie) who has an imaginary Dad, Mr. Brown. She also has two imaginary Dogs ... Cinderella and Black Beauty. One day at Office Max the dogs got loose and we almost forget them. Thankfully, we found them when we returned (yes .. returned) to the store to look. We couldn't let our dogs get loose or lost .. that would be awful!
As we were taking the kids into TbarM camp Maliah looked up at me and said that one of her dogs had just died. Rest in Peace Cinderella.
Thankfully, we now have two new puppies and Cinderella has a namesake because well .. they are still black beauty and Cinderella.
Last night at dinner we prayed .. as a family. But to my surprise, Maliah now has kids and holding their hands she led them in prayer too. As she ate dinner she catted with "Billy" .. who is .. her "husband". Wow .. I missed the wedding .. and no one told me I was a GRANDMA!

My girl is a hoot! She can totally and completely entertain anyone in a nears sight. Can you imagine the conversations I overhear. She must really love my sweet friends the Foote's (and her bestest friend, Libby) because well, when they aren't here .. she just imagines they are. Most of the names she chooses, including her "Husband" are their names. Foote family, you must be adored.

First day of school

Yesterday was the first day of school for Canyon and Dakota. This year Dakota has Mrs. McCracken .. Canyon's teacher from last year. It was a true answer to prayers that she was put in her class. Canyon has two teachers. Mrs. Olson is his main teacher - homeroom and language arts etc. He has another teacher for Math and Science but I won't even pretend I can spell or say it and I haven't met her yet.

The day started off great but pick up was another story. Dakota came out of school in tears. She was overwhelmed and said "second grade is a little bit scary". She loves her teacher and has a special friend from last year in her class so that sets my mind at ease greatly. I think it was just all the newness and well, second grade is much more business! They are in a new school this year ... a new built and districted school for our area. It is beautiful .. but new always brings change. By nights end, there was another mystery to our sadness .... a 102 fever. REALLY, we're sick the FIRST DAY. We went the entire summer with not so much as a sniffle. She awoke today feeling fine. No fever and her eyes seem to have their sparkle back. I'm actually starting to wonder in my spirit if anxiety, fear, and the feelings of completely overwhelmingness could make your body raise it's temperature. HMMMM ... any doctors out there want to chime in (or the Mommy's who are just as qualified often times).

I can't believe I have a third and second grader. Could they really be growing so fast? I had to be sure to take a moment and document it.

Frio River Fun

At the beginning of August, we embarked on yet another, family adventure. We woke up early on a Saturday morning and drove down to Leaky, Texas to spend the day on the Frio River. The ENTIRE family on Doug's side .. long time friends and all, were staying the weekend for a "Family Reunion". While we would have loved to stay in the cute little cabins for two nights, our summer of 9 camps have told our bank account "Yeah right". SO . .with that, we decided to make it a day trip. Heading off we wondered if all the work was worth it. As we returned at 12:30 that night ... we all decided it was worth all of it and more!

Doug grew up going to the river in ConCan year after year with all of his "crazy cousins". We call them crazy because they are full of energy, the nearest beer and lots of hilarious antics. The night I met Doug .. every single one of them were present. Saying that, I must have not been too scared of them because I decided to stick around and make them my family. Over the years, some of them have taken the wedding plunge and some of them have even added a child or two to the mix. Travis (one of Doug's twin cousins) may be the last of the family herd to not say his "I do's" but Robin, his amazing girlfriend, of 8 years is working hard to convince him otherwise - as are the rest of us who think Robin is amazing!
With all of that to say, they haven't changed one bit since our rowdy days of College and you are always in for a good laugh and a good time whenever they are around.

I took lots of pictures and tried to capture a little of the day. Basically, in a nutshell, we sat in a river, listened to a little country music, some drank beer ... others lots of water, swung from rope swings, jumped off cliffs, rode of the river barge and did a lot of catching up with some extraordinarily special people.

Later that night, we were treated to a feast of grilled fajitas .. YUM .. thanks Danny and Nicole! We then headed over to Chris's "house" to roast some smores and take in a little more fellowship before heading out after 10:00 for the 2 hour trip home.

Before we even made it off the grounds of the Pecan Farm, Maliah was sacked out and Canyon and Dakota were finding their comfy spots to settle in for a good car ride home.

It definitely was a long day ... and we had some T I R E D kids the next day but it was worth every moment and every yawn!
It's days like that you realize just how important family and lifetime friends are. SO .. all that to say, if you have some of those dear friends and family in your life .. stop and let them know .. and better yet, go spend the day at the Pecan Farm and on the Frio River. You won't regret it one minute!
Danny and Travis - Doug's cousins

Dakota spent the day playing horses in the water

Maliah "driving" the river barge

Robin takes the plunge .. cliff jumping

Beautiful Maliah playing in the river

Me and my honey!

Doug's cousin, Jason and sweet Jett, his son

Some of the gang just hanging out .. doing what you do best on the river

Maliah

Andi (my niece) and Dakota ... these girls can play for HOURS together!

Robin and Maliah having a chat!

Canyon and Doug .. cliff jumping

Canyon going off the rope swing

Dakota taking in the rope swing

And yes ... of course, Daddy took in the rope swing .. the biggest kid in our family!

River fun!

Capturing TbarM fun through the lens.

TbarM has become a special place in our home. We listen to the CD's in the car .. EVERY time we get in the car. We could sing you the theme song .. word for word .. every one of us! We have taken in their camp lingo and relived many moments of each experience ..over and over as it is retold through our campers eyes. You know your kids have had fun when there isn't a day that goes by that they don't bring up something they learned, did, experienced and saw at TbarM camp! The kids have been blessed with letters from their coaches .. which are treasured and now saved. Do you remember that commercial ... that's what it feels like!

TbarM camp cost - $795, camp T-shirt, $15, camp CD - $15, a lifetime of Memories with Jesus in Tennis Shoes - PRICELESS!

I thought I'd post a few pictures that I got during our drop off/pick up of the kids at camp.

As I said, Dakota did the "Day Camp" with two of her sweet friends, Kenned and Malea (Jones). The girls were dropped off each morning at 9:00 and spent the entire day in Christ led adventures and fun. Pick up each day ... 5:00. That's a long day and a lot of adventures!
Each year the coaches with the kids point out a quality that they see in your child. The close out session, they speak words of affirmation into each child ... giving each child a moment to shine! This year, Dakota was given the "Good-Natured" characteristic and the scripture Galations 5:22.

Canyon had a full week of fun! Boy was he missed but each day we got "updates" online of what was going on with our campers and got to scroll through many pictures of camp fun. We caught a glimpse of Canyon in many of them and could tell that he was living life largely! Thursday night, Dakota and I and our special friends Mrs. Lori and Kennedy stayed down at camp for some girl fun! We wanted to give the girls the opportunity for some special Mommy/daughter time and a chance to have their own "TbarM overnight adventure". As we were making our way into the camp store at about 9:15, the Lord gave Lori and I and the girls a sweet gift. Our boys were inside the gym that was nearby having some "mission impossible" fun. Decked out in their camo, I almost didn't pick out my Canyon, if it weren't for seeing his coach, Kyle, I may have missed him all together. Their group was the only one in the gym and it was only for a few moments but I knew it was the Lord giving me the desire of my heart .. just a moment to be that fly on the wall and see the joy my boy was experiencing. Don't you love those sweet moments and gifts that he gives! I know he loves too that I recognize his gift and am so thankful for the little ways he shows me his presence and love!

This year, Canyon was given the characteristics; Joyful and Understanding. Kyle, Canyon's "Batters Box" (bible study time) coach, said that Canyon was so full of joy and smiles in all that he did. He also went on to say that Canyon had a very deep understanding of his walk with Christ and of the word of God. Kyle .. you are so correct in both your observations!
Canyon's scriptures were Romans 12:12 and Ephesians 5:17.

O.K. so what I really wanted to do was post some pictures of their special time. We definitely don't want to forget such sweet memories. We had an incredible week at camp but also with such precious friends. Canyon and Caden have known each other since they were about 18 months old. Lori was the first person I really met and got to know when we lived here. A good indicator that I would LOVE San Antonio was her sweet smile and inviting conversation! I can remember the day Kennedy was born. The girls have been friends since! SO .. TbarM is not only full of adventures but sweet, quality time with special people!
Kennedy and Maliah

Kennedy and Dakota being silly

Dakota and Kennedy in front of the big "TbarM" sign

Canyon and Caden - This is the morning we picked them up!

All the kiddos sporting their "TbarM" pride! O O Omega, O O Omega WHAT!

Dakota and Kennedy on the day of their closing ceremony! Sporting "Omega" pride

Dakota, Caitlin and Kimberly .. her coaches for 2009 .. both Aggies WHOOP!

Dakota's group

Caitlin affirming Dakota and telling her what characteristics she saw in her throughout the week

"Inside Out" ... the kids during worship

Canyon getting to show off his basketball "Specialty" on close out day

Maliah was so excited to see her brother .. she lept into his arms and gave him a big hug!

Coach Kyle and Canyon .. this was one of his coaches in his cabin and his "Batters Box" (bible study) coach

Kyle shares the qualities he saw in Canyon this week ... A strong spiritual Understanding and Joy!

After a long week away, there is nothing better than a Daddy's big hug!

6 down .. 2 to go!

It has been a summer of F-U-N around the Martine house. I am not sure we have ever been so busy being fun! I think 2009 will be dubbed the "Year of the Camps". Let me give you a rundown of those adventures ...

This summer Canyon has enjoyed a week of Golf Camp, A week of baseball camp and a week at TbarM sports camp. Of the three, I'd definitely say that TbarM won the award for not "wasting fun" .. one of their motto's that they definitely live up to. This year, Canyon did the full on "sports camp" which included his first overnight adventures ... 6 nights, in a cabin, with 10 other boys and 3 coaches - all enjoying Christ led adventures! WOWIE WOW WOW .. we are still on a camp high!

Dakota has also enjoyed her fair share of good times. Her summer began with a full week of Horse Camp, a week of TbarM day camp and this coming week she will enjoy a week of "art camp". She too has enjoyed each camp so far. TbarM is definitely still the favorite though Horse Camp was definitely a very special time! Dakota is so excited that she will soon begin "English Saddle" lessons out at JamesTown Morgan Farms .. the very place where camp took place!

Even Little Maliah was in for adventures. Last week she completed her first "China camp". An awesome Mommy in our area, Shawna, who also has a 3 year old from China, organized a "China Camp" in her home for the China beauties in our area who are 3 years old - plus or minus. For 3 days, Maliah enjoyed learning the culture, the geography and even a little of her own story with 6 of her sweetest almond eyed friends! Thank you, Mrs. Shawna .. you truly do ROCK!
This past week Maliah also enjoyed her first gymnastics camp. I think we have a star on our hands, folks. Call her a felon as she stole the show and the hearts of those present. Maliah definitely THRIVED in the environment of Flip City and will definitely be returning this fall for a weekly class. Mommy was proud when the coach said that Maliah "had talent like none other". As she waved from the floor during her rotations (showing us all she learned in each event) .. she waved to the crowd and even blew us kisses. I have never laughed so hard .. but I think I got a glimpse at what it will look like in the Olympics - umm would that be year 2016 or 2020???

We even enjoyed a week of VBS at our new church home, Riverside, in the middle of all those camps. It was great fun as we adventured through Rome and the Underground Church. Mommy was a "family leader" so each night we spent learning how God's love is a free gift, transforms us, never separates from us, and saves us! It was such a great time really getting to know our "family" and making Riverside our home!

Our last camp of the summer will actually be after school starts. We are anxiously looking forward to "family camp" at Laity Lodge. Labor Day weekend we will be heading out for a weekend of family fun and adventures. We'll be staying in cabins on bunk beds, giving our hand a try at the ropes courses and zip lines and I am sure making memories that can't be measured.

FOLKS .. that would be 3 kids ... and 9 camps in less than 3 months. NOW .. do you see why I am T I R E D!!!

We have been blessed and we have definitely not wasted fun this summer! I am so thankful to the Lord for giving us the provisions this year to make it an awesome summer! I am also incredibly blessed by a husband who works so hard to provide our kids such awesome experiences and me with the gift of getting to be home with them and a part of each and every one!

Less than 3 weeks and I officially have a 2cnd and 3rd grader heading off to school for yet another year! WOW how time flies!

I have a few pictures of Maliah at gymnastics camp. You will see, she enjoyed showering her crowd in kisses and waves. She also enjoyed performing her "dance" and showing us her moves on the mats and the trampoline.

I am going to do a special posting of just TbarM pictures because there are so many that I love.