Love this quote!!

This quote was pasted on Facebook by a friend of mine. This is painted in the hallway of one of our local elementary schools, and how true it is.

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."
Dr. Haim Ginott

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents

I acutally got this from a friend's blog, Crazy Working Mom. Head on over and check out her posts if you haven't before. I loved this, and I always have to remind myself of several of these, so I thought I would post them for you to read.

1. My hands are small; please don't expect perfection when I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely; don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little such a little time--please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. DOn't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from god; please treasure me as God intended you to, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement and your praise, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism. Remember you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me. (I changed this one a little!)

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't measure up. I know it's hard, but please don't compare me to my brother or my sister.

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to Sunday School and church reguarly, setting a good example for me to follow.

~ Dr. Kevin Leman

Going to try to become regular blogger again!

Yes, I have been a very bad blogger! I think I am going to try to start back again. Many things led to the decline in my blogging, but I don't want to go into too much. The good news is that while I am down for the next 2 weeks, I am going to try to backtrack to Christmas 2011 to catch up, mainly because of our new family member we gained at Christmas.

First off, let me tell you why I am down for the next 2 weeks. On Friday, January 13, I was working in my classroom after school. While walking across the back of my classroom, my right ankle gave out and I fell to the ground. Long story short, I broke the bottom of my fibula. I had surgery on Wednesday, January 18. Now I am doing lots of sitting.

Now just a tad bit on our new family member. Emma and Mac got a chi weenie for Christmas. Her daddy is a chihuahua and her mom is a daschund. Her name is Bella. I will add more information and pictures of her later.

Jason Aldean Concert

For Christmas, Randall got me tickets to see Jason Aldean in concert in Little Rock. He also got a room for us to stay in Little Rock. We went to the Flying Fish to eat before the concert, and we had a great time! Thanks, Randall!!

All About Me: From A to Z

A. Age: 32


B. Bed size: King...it's a great size since at least one kid usually ends up in our bed every night!!

C. Chore you dislike: Cleaning toliets...yuck!


D. Dogs: I have 2: Duke and Zowie. I got Zowie from Gramps and Grammy right before Randall and I got married. That was back when Gramps was breeding German Shepherds. She was the runt of the litter, and now she weighs 85 pounds. We got Duke not long after Emma was born. He is a mutt (he looks a lot like a blue heeler, but he's bigger in size). He was born at Gramps's work.

E. Essential start to your day: Brush my teeth...it's always the first thing I do when I get up!!

F. Favorite color: Purple

G. Gold or silver: If you had asked this about 2 year ago, I would've said gold, but now I wear lots of silver!! I like both!

H. Height: 5′ 4"

I. Instruments you play(ed): piano, but not by choice (thanks, Mom!! LOL). I'm glad I have some of the skills now (I can play enough to pick out notes for children's choir, and I can still play a few songs). I never wanted to practice, though!! I played the flute for 2 years in school (but I really wanted to play the tuba!!).

J. Job title: Teacher (although I could add a lot more that go along with this job!)

K. Kids: Emma, 6 & Mac,4.


L. Live for ______: God, time with my family, and quiet reading time. All of these things lift my spirit and bring me joy.


M. Most embarrassing moment: While trying to foul a girl in basketball practice practice in 7th grade, I was running so fast that when I stuck my arms out to keep me from running into the wall, I didn't stop at all...I ran into the wall and broke my front tooth...I work at that same school now, and they have since put padding behind the basketball goals...on a good note, the girl didn't make her shot!!

N. Nicknames: Killer, Kel, Sugar Booger

O. Overnight hospital stays: When Emma was born, then in and out the week before Mac was born.

P. Pet peeves: incorrect grammar when speaking, people driving slower than the speed limit, having to repeat the SAME directions for the 5th time, people who don't listen.

Q. Quote from a movie: "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb..." Edward Cullen, Twilight

S. Siblings: Brother, Randy

T. Time you wake up: During the week I wake up at 6:00, on Saturday I get up 7:55 (for my prayer hour), and 6:30 on Sundays for early service at church.

U. University attended: Arkansas State University, Harding University

V. Vegetables: grilled are my favorite

W. What makes you run late: Emma forgetting to gather what she wants before we leave!!

X. X-rays you’ve had: Dental, plenty from basketball injuries

Y. Yummy food you make: ...am I supposed to make any?

Z. Zoo animal favorites: monkeys

Belly Pic

Ok, since Mac was born 12 weeks early, I am always feeling like I didn't get any "belly shots" with him. This is the best one I have...it was taken on Twin Day for Red Ribbon Week in 2006. This is one of the teachers down the hall, Beth Maurer (she was my 6th grade math teacher!!)

Playing catch-up

Emma finally lost her first tooth (back in October!!)

St. Jude's Trike-a-thon

Mac will be participating in the St. Jude's Trike-a-thon at Miss Renee's on April 22. Please consider sponsoring him!

Mac Martin's Page

On a side note...I will be doing lots of catch up in the next week or so!! I know...it's been since October!

Surgery Update

Ok, I know this is a week late...Aunt Debbie, this is for you!! LOL!! Last Friday morning, Randall and I arrived at Baptist Outpatient Center a little after 8:00. Surgery was scheduled for 10:00. I was called to the back and prepped, then they called Randall back. Brother James got there right before they gave me the "goofy juice." Once they gave it to me, I remember it kicking in, me saying, "Whoa!!!" and that's it. I now have 4 small holes in my belly, and my gallbladder is gone!! They did find some fatty tissue on my liver that they removed for a biopsy, and I should get results on Wednesday when I go back to the dr. for my follow-up appointment. Momma googled it and found out that complications from a high-risk pregnancy, obesity, or diabetes could cause it...well, we all know for sure that I've had #1!! I am doing well (still not eating a whole lote) and still CRAVING MEXICAN!!

Surgery Date is Scheduled

Next Friday, October 8, I have to report to admissions at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock at 5:30 for my gallbladder surgery. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30. The plan is to have outpatient surgery to remove it and come home later that day. The kids are going to spend the night with Gramps and Grammy so Grammy can take them to school/babysitter's on Friday. I'm not nervous (yet), but I am praying for God to guide the surgeon's hands to take care of my problem. I am hoping to only miss Friday at work and be back to teaching my 6th graders on Monday!

Get Down Downtown

Last weekend, Searcy had their Get Down Downtown Festival. Randall and Gramps took Mac to deer camp, so Emma and I headed downtown for some Momma/Emma time. We wandered around, got Emma's face painted, made a sand peace sign, and watched the SHS cheerleaders. Emma was thrilled because she absolutely loves Jessica (the cheerleader in the pic with her). On Saturday night, Randall and I headed back downtown for the FREE (yes, I said FREE) Mark Wills concert. All in all, it was a wonderful day (except the fact that Bama beat our Razorbacks!!)

Awana

White Co. Fair, 2010

Ok, I know I'm a little behind on blogging, and since it's 9:00 on Sunday night, I am not going to get caught up tonight. However, I thought I would get in a couple of posts. Two weeks ago was the White County Fair. It kicked off Monday afternoon with the fair parade. Grammy picked up Mac from Miss Renee's for me, and Emma and I met them at our spot to watch the parade. I think we've watched it from the exact same spot the last 3 years. The kids loved it! Randall and I worked our church booth at the fair Monday night, then we took Grandma, Emma, Mac, and Haley Wood to the fair Tuesday night. Tuesday night is free admission night AND armband night, so it was pretty crowded. The kids knew before-hand that we were going to see the animals and eat, not ride rides. I think they had a great time. Here are a few pics from that week!

And the outcome is...

Gallstones! A whole gallbladder full of them. I had an ultrasound on Tuesday, and I went to the dr. today to get the full results. The first thing he said to me when he walked in the exam room was, "Well, you win the award for the most gallstones EVER!!" I asked him how many there were, and all he could tell me what that it was full!! Great! Now I will be heading to see a surgeon in Little Rock (the date is yet to be determined) to see about getting it out! Praying that they don't have to cut me open!!

Sticky Notes

One of the programs we have on our computer with Windows 7 is Sticky Notes. Both of the kids love to type on it (they can change the background colors). I walked in the other day, and this was on Emma's screen.



"I love you Mrs. Amy Emma Grace Martin. I see a cat. I love you Dad. I love you Mom. I love you Mac. I love you me sef (myself). We wit (went) to a restwest (restaurant) to eat to get fthr (together). I like me sef (myself) because."

I thought it was the cutest thing. I love Amy (Emma's kindergarten teacher from last year) see it. I can see how much she learned last year through this simple "sticky note."