I think the sickness has hit!

Last night Emma had her music program at school (a post about this later!) As soon as we got her off the stage, we could tell she didn't feel well. She was complaining of her stomach hurting. We stopped by Harps to get some Sprite then headed home. I really thought part of it may have been that she got too hot up on the stage, but when we took her temp, she had a very low-grade fever. She finally went to sleep, but when she got up at 12:15, her temperature had gone up to 101. She hasn't actually been sick, but she's staying home with mommy today. Hopefully we can miss the stomach bug that apparently has hit the kindergarten classes at school!!

Dear God

Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:


God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they're so close to me.


And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.


Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.


You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.


I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.


By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.


Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.


Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail in box
And each person who hits 'send'.


When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to GOD.Com

Trip to Magness Lake

Yesterday we made a trip to Magness Lake (between Wilburn and Heber Springs) to see the very elegant Trumpeter Swans. If you've never heard about these exquisite birds, check it out here. My parents took Emma for the very first time right after Mac was born, and this year, Randall and I took both kids. We first made a stop by Wilson's Feed Store in town to pick up some cracked corn to feed the swans. We then headed out for Magness Lake. We had a great time. The weather was beautiful. The sanctuary was pretty busy when we got there, but the people slowly left until there was only a handful left. Emma and Mac both really enjoyed feeding and watching the swans. It was a very relaxing afternoon. When we left Magness Lake, we headed on into Heber Springs to get a snack and something to drink for the ride home. Once at home, Randall and I teamed up on cooking dinner...he grilled top sirloin (bacon wrapped) and turkey breasts (for lunch today) while I steamed shrimp and corn on the cob. We topped it off with a salad. All in all, we had a great day. I think the kids and I can get used to Daddy's new job that allows him to be home every night and every weekend!!

One morning lifesaver

Ok, so I admit I have a few OCD tendancies (for those of you who know me...I said a few!!)! I like everything to be so-so, in its place (the place where I want it!), and I don't like to stray from my normal day-to-day routine. If something comes out of the blue, I become very anxious! This picture shows one thing that if it isn't done every night, I struggle to feel together for the entire next day.



I always lay Emma and Mac's clothes out (and mine, too, I just don't have them out for tomorrow yet) every evening before bed. I usually try to have everything they will need to get dressed ready to go. This is a major morning lifesaver for me!

Small Update on 30 Meals

Ok, so I've started working on my 30 meals...I don't have 30 yet, but I'm working on it. These are the recipes I have so far!
1. Portabello Sub Sandwiches (yum-o!! Got this recipe from Rachael Ray!)
2. BBQ chicken pizza
3. Slow cooker lasagna
4. Weeknight Cheese quiche
5. Garlic Chicken
6. Tuna cakes
7. Smothered Chicken and Green bean skillet
8. BBQ chicken packet
9. Brat wraps
10. Mini meatloafs
11. Foil-pack chicken fajita dinner

I will try to post some of these recipes later...many of them came from Kraft!!

30 Meals

One reason I love blog-hopping is because you can get so many great ideas!! I think this 30 Meals idea is great, and I plan on trying it. As I said in my previous post, I only do one major grocery shopping trip a month, but I do have to go back to get essentials such as bread, milk, and eggs. 30 Meals is a great way to simplify your meals and your grocery shopping. Check out Nannygoat to read all about this. It seems very easy to follow, and it is broken down into steps. It may take a little while to get this together, but I'll try to keep you updated on how I am doing!

Breakfast for Dinner

At the Martin household, the last week before payday is called "Clean out everything that's in the house" week. I try to fix meals with ingredients we already have before I make my big monthly trip to the grocery store. Last night we had breakfast for dinner (with a dessert since Randall was at work!) This is a great way to use what you already have! We had egg muffins and turkey bacon with fried bananas for dessert!!

This is the turkey bacon. I didn't think I would like this when Randall started buying it, but I really do! It fries up a lot flatter than regular bacon, and it's not half bad for you!!


Egg Muffins
Ok, it sounds a little weird, but it wasn't bad.

Ingredients: 1 muffin tin, 6 eggs, salt and pepper to taste, pinch of garlic powder, shredded cheese of choice

Directions: Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray. Crack open one egg per cup. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Top with cheese and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.



Fried Bananas

Ingredients: 2 bananas (quartered), 2 cups bisquick, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, cinnamon/sugar to sprinkle, oil for frying (I used EVOO)

Directions: Combine bisquick, eggs and milk. Dip each piece of banana into mix and place in oil until golden brown. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mix.

Izzy and Mekhi

Aren't these babies precious? They belong to my cousin, Kristie, and her husband, David. Look here to see a picture after they were first born.

Cardboard Testimonies

This video is long, but it's well worth watching. Kelly over at Kelly's Korner posted this earlier in the week, and I loved watching it. We have done cardboard testimonies at Valley Baptist Church twice, and Mac and I (Randall was working) had the opportunity to participate...God truly does work miracles. On the front side of our cardboard was written, "Born 12 weeks premature, weighing 2 pounds, 8 ounces." On the back was written, "Happy, Healthy 18 month old!"
You can look here to read my first post about Mac's birth.

Had Randall been at church that night, I probably would've done a cardboard testimony for myself as well. It might've said, "Almost lost my life trying to carry my son to 32 weeks." On the back, "By God's grace, I am here to raise him!"

Do you have a cardboard testimony? I'd love to hear about it!!

I will praise you in this storm

This song has a great message, and I love the fact that the story behind it is told at the beginning of the video. God is in control...I remember the day that I realized that I wasn't going to be able to carry Mac to full term. It probably really hit me 3 days after my blood pressure was high. I had already been to the hospital twice due to the severity of the blood pressure (I was 27 weeks pregnant) and had been administered 2 steroid shots to help mature Mac's lungs. I prayed for God to give me the strength to do what needed to be done. I knew from Dr. Burns that he would be sending Mac to Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, so I started doing research on the NICU there. I remember telling my mom that I had a feeling that I wouldn't be able to carry Mac to 32 weeks like Dr. Burns wanted me to, but I knew that Mac would be ok. God had given me peace with what was about to happen to me. I knew he wouldn't let me down...I also had the feeling that whenever Mac was born, he would have 2 guardian angels there in the operating room, two extraordinary men that Randall and I had loved very much while they were still walking on earth...my Pepaw Sidney and Randall's Grandpa Mack. Although I struggled with leaving Mac in Little Rock when I was released from the hospital, I knew God had placed him in very capable hands. I love this song, and if you ever find yourself out of hope, listen to this and know that God is there...

Just another day...

This is STILL the view outside my house. No, my street doesn't look too bad, and the main roads aren't too bad, but apparently the country roads are still pretty bad.

This is the forecast for the rest of the week. It says it is supposed to reach 38 for the high today, but I can't see the sun for the clouds...I'm just wondering how much will really melt with no sun. We are REALLY needing to go back to school, if for no other reason than for my sanity!! Emma and Mac are fussing with each other every few minutes, and I know it's from being cooped up in the house with each other for 3 days in a row. I won't let them go outside and play because Mac has a cough and a runny nose. I can't stand to sit still...I need something to keep me busy. As I type this entry, I am working on my to-do list. So far, it consists of the following things:
1. Put all Rhea Lana items in the computer. If you don't know what Rhea Lana is, check it out here!!

2. Finish all laundry...including folding and putting up whites!!
3. Straighten living room and kitchen.

I'm sure I'll add more to this list as the day goes on. I am enjoying catching up on my blogging, too! Maybe I should add that to my list!!

Emma Morgan's 6th Birthday Party

On Sunday, Emma attended a skating birthday party for her friend Emma Morgan. Both Emmas went to preschool together at Mrs. Curtis's Preschool and Kindergarten, but now they go to different schools. Emma Morgan has gymnastics on the same day we do, so we see each other once a week. Emma was so excited when she received a birthday party invitation in the mail, and she was twice as excited when she found out it would be a skating party. Emma had never been skating, so I told her I would stay with her and help her. I haven't been on skates in FOREVER, but I got a pair and went around the floor with her...30 minutes to go around 3 times. It was long, but Emma had fun!! Here are a few pictures from that day!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya Tomorrow!!

Yes, tomorrow will be yet another snow day for me and the kiddos. Daddy is going to venture down to Little Rock for work, but we will be on Day #3 (in a row) of being out of school due to snow. The main streets in town are clear, but the country roads, from what I understand, are still pretty bad.

This is a picture of the annex gymnasium at the high school. They hold p.e. classes in this building and a few of the sports teams practice here. From what I understand, most of the soccer equipment (new uniforms, etc.) and the wrestling mats are in this building. It collapsed today from the heavy snowfall on the roof!!

Princess Birthday Party

I know this post is late, but better late than never!! In December, our princess got to attend a Princess Birthday Party for her friend, McKenzie. The party was definitely fit for a princess!! All the girls came to the party attired in their best princess get-up. When they were dropped off at the front door of McKenzie's house, they had a red carpet to walk up. The kitchen/dining room was adorned with pink princess stuff everywhere. The girls were whisked away in a black Excursion limo and taken to Fuji's Japanese Steakhouse to eat. Emma said she ate hibachi shrimp...she loves Fuji's. After dinner, the limo brought the girls back to McKenzie's house for cake and ice cream. McKenzie also got to open her presents. All in all, I think the girls had a wonderful time!!

Snow Day- February 8, 2010

Well, we have officially missed 4 days of school since Christmas vacation was over due to weather...we are supposed to make up one day on Monday, and the other 3 days will be added on to the end of the year. As much as I won't like that in May, I am enjoying looking outside and seeing all the beautiful snow. I haven't officially measured, but I think we got about 8 inches of snow...no ice, just snow! That very rarely ever happens in Arkansas. I woke up yesterday to the surprise of everything covered in white. We were out of school yesterday, and by 3:00 yesterday, they had already cancelled school for today. It snowed pretty much all day yesterday. I'm not talking just little flurries...these were HUGE flakes! The high today is only about 28, so most of this will not be melting. I wouldn't be surprised if we were out again tomorrow! I am sure my students are loving this!! The sun is shining today, and it looks beautiful bouncing off the winter wonderland in my front yard! Although I haven't been out with my kids today(Mac has a pretty nasty cough), many of the neighborhood kids have been out.

Here are a few of our pictures from yesterday.

Randall making snow angels

Mac making snow angels

Emma making snow angels

Our tree in the backyard touching the ground due to the weight of the snow

Randall and Mac blowing bubbles in the house

Mac's Birthday

Ok, this is hard to read (the picture on my camera looks much better!!). This is the sign at Sonic wishing Mac a happy birhtday!!



This is the cookie cake we bought from Harp's for Mac to take to Miss Renee's for his birthday snack!

Mac's Birthday Flowers

Last year, Randall and I started a tradition of providing flowers for our church in honor of Emma and Mac's birthdays. This year, we provided flowers on January 31 in honor of Mac's birthday. When I ordered the flowers, all I asked for was something outdoorsy with orange in it. I thought Artistic Florist did a great job!! These are the flowers they arranged for us.