From the mouth of babes...

Jeremy and I have been keeping a secret for quit awhile, one that we only shared with family and just recently shared with our kids. We knew as soon as we told the kids that the secret wouldn't last for long, but decided to ride it out as long as we could, well it all came out this Sunday right in the middle of sharing time in primary when Ethan decided that he would announce to the world that we were going to have a baby at Christmas. I have never turned so red in all of my life, and I was thankful that Jeremy just happened to be in primary this Sunday too so he got to share in the embarrassment with me. We are very excited about the new addition that will join our family this holiday season, it took us by surprise, but we couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift! So I can now vouch for the phrase that truth flows from the mouth of babes and can give the advice to anyone that if you don't want the world to know, don't tell your kids.

Let Freedom Ring

We had a great time this 4th of July. Jodi and her family came up for the weekend to get some furniture, so they stayed through the 4th. Every year our church throws a big bbq with activities for the kids and adults, tons of food, and they finish it off with a really good show of fireworks. We all had fun. The kids loved the water games and fireworks, the only one who wasn't too sure of the show was Brice, so Jeremy covered his ears with his hands and the poor little guy eventually fell asleep that way. He was so cute, all of the kids were. The fun of fireworks now for me is watching all of their little faces light up with each new bang.

Great Men!

I have been very blessed in my life to be surrounded by great men! I never had to wonder growing up or even now if my dad loved me. He was always quick to say it to each of us kids, and the words that always followed were how much he loved my mom. The influence this made on me was one to my very core, it let me know how important family is, but at the very heart of the family is the marriage of the mother and father, and that we should always put that love first. My dad is the best I feel I had an advantage of being the youngest to get a bunch of one on one time with my parents. I love just being with them and joking with them. My dad is quick on his toes with advice and words that make it seem better, always bringing things into an eternal perspective and helping me realize what really matters. I feel eternally blessed to call myself his daughter! It is his example that led me to the man that I now share my life with.

There are no words for how much I love Jeremy, but more than that there are no words to describe how happy it makes my heart to have him be the father of our beautiful babies. He is absolutely an incredible father. I love watching him with each of them. Their little eyes light up when he is around. He makes each of their days better just by being their dad. He is a wonderful example for them and always puts us first in his life. Even when he is pulled in a million different directions we know that we come first. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for having him in my life. I know Jeremy is the man he is because of the example of his father who is also a great man!

My father-in-law is one of the most loving men that you will ever come in contact with. He shows so much love to all those around him.He has such a great sense of humor and it makes you happy just to be around him. I know that all the things I love about Jeremy as a father he learned from watching his dad, and by taking his advice and council.

I know it may be a little late, but I want to wish all 3 of these great men a Happy Father's Day!!!!

Mother of 6

My sister Jodi spent most of the month of May moving, so I decided that I would help her out by watching her two girls for a week, knowing that my kids would love it and that it would give her one less thing to worry about as she finished her move. We had a great time for the week and I must say that we handled all six fairly well. Even the 6 hour car drive to take them home was pretty good. We had a fun filled week and would love to have them back anytime!


Our trip to Plaza Fiesta, a huge indoor playground, that my sister Jodi absolutely hates, so I decided I would spoil her girls with an outing to play there.
























































Dinner out at Arby's! We handled it well and only got a few odd looks from the other people having dinner, and all the kids were on their best behavior. Everyone loved it except for poor Kaitlyn who looked like I had just placed raw meat in front of her, but she did good and ate enough to get a chocolate shake for desert.














Another fun day at Monkey Joes an indoor inflatable play ground. We had to keep them all busy so that they would sleep good at night!






































































My friend Natalie went to lunch with her husband for her birthday, so at one point I had a total of 11 kids. They were all great and we even conquered lunch together! All are in the picture, but one who was sleeping.














What a fun week for the kids!!

Always an Adventure!!

We decided to surprise the kids with a last minute camping trip to celebrate the beginning of summer. Jeremy was very excited and as a good wife I decided that it would be fun too. As we began to drive the 2 hrs towards the camp ground this is what the view out of the car window looked like.














Jeremy called ahead and they said that the rain had passed the camp site and that the skies were now clear. As we pulled into the camp ground the sprinkles were still falling, but we decided to stay, the rain now not our biggest challenge. The camp sites were right on top of a small river, I didn't get pictures, but it made this mama of two who can't swim very nervous. I had Hayden and Brice both in life Jackets and Brice tethered to a pole away from the water while we set up. The rain and camp sites were just the beginning of our camping adventure. Later that night After we were all settled in and Jeremy was putting out the fire, I was laying on the air mattress and Brice was jumping besides me, well he decided it would be fun to jump right on mommy's face. I cried for Jeremy because I thought he had broken my nose as the blood gushed into my hands. Luckily it wasn't broken, but there is now a nice small little knot on the side.

You would think that all of this would be enough adventure for the Martin's, but the next day turned out to be even better. We slept great through the night, got cleaned up and decided to visit Chimney Rock a local attraction. As we got to the top of the mountain we were getting out of the car to get the kids and I don't know how, but I slammed the door on my hand. Again I cried for Jeremy, with terror in his eyes he rushed around the car to help me. All I could think about in those minutes was the time my mom shut her hand in the car door and the door jammed on the hand. It took forever for them to work it open. Thank Heaven the door opened right up for Jeremy and my fingers didn't look too bad, that was until we noticed the blood dripping on Jeremy's pants and turned my hand over. Now I have never been one to get queasy or faint, but I almost lost it on my poor husband. He said that my face went completely white ad I needed him to lead me back into the car with the air blowing full force while I breathed deeply. Jer looked at the finger and decided that it was more than he should deal with. He ran inside the gift shop to ask for directions to the nearest medical facility. Lucky for us there was a doctor office right there in town that said they could see us. So down the mountain we headed to the doctor. Lets just say the ride up the mountain was much more fun than the ride down.















This is the doctors office. On the outside everything looked just fine, but walking inside was like stepping into the twilight zone. If there ever was a small town doctor this is it. The office was very old and the doctor reminded me of the old doctor off of the movie Doc. Hollywood if you have ever seen it. He had to be in his 70's with coke bottle glasses and was wearing a one piece tan jump suit with a silver belt. He and his two little old lady nurses were very nice and fixed the finger right up, using medicine and ointment right out of one of the older brown glass medical jars. But the best part is when they pulled out a type writer to give us our receipt and take our information. I wish I could have gotten a picture, but one of my fixed finger will have to do.















With my finger fixed and me feeling much better, we returned to our days activities. We had a great day everything considered. The kids loved the top of the mountain, well everyone but Hayden. His little face shows exactly how I feel about heights too. He wouldn't climb the stairs to the very top of chimney rock, but I am very proud to say that I forced myself to the top. I hated every minute, but I did it.















































Hayden waiting while the others climbed to top.






































































After we saw the Chimney we decided to hike a couple of miles to see some waterfalls. The hike was good and the kids loved it, but I think Brice had the best deal of all getting to ride the whole way.

































Jeremy took Ashley and Ethan to play in the waterfall. They loved it and ended up getting soaked, they stuck their heads under the falls. It made the mommy very nervous, but their daddy was right there with them. It is things like this that make him way more fun. Hayden didn't think it was a good idea either, he stayed with his mama.










































We had a great trip, one that will never be forgotten!! Lets just say that when the Martin's do something it is always an ADVENTURE!!!!!

Schools End

As school comes to an end we get to see all that the kids accomplished through the year. We started the activities with a breakfast and awards ceremony for Ashley. Ashley was so excited to have us there, and loved showing off Brice to all of her friends. I felt bad for the little guy as she toted him around as if he were her doll., but he loved it and she loved being the big sister. As her teacher handed out the awards Ashley's was almost the last one and it fit her perfectly, she got the Leadership award. Her teacher later said that she could always count on Ashley to lead the class if she had to step out, that Ashley never had any problem telling people what to and not to do. It sounded just like Ashley at home "my little mama" as we call her, she loves telling her brothers what to and not to do. She had a great year in school this year and excelled in everything!! We are so proud of her and love watching her grow and grasp new concepts. Her mind is amazing.




























Watching my babies graduate from kindergarten is always a little emotional. Ethan was so cute and did such a great job getting his diploma. We were worried at the beginning of the year with him being the youngest in his class, but he did great throughout the year. The kids also received an award in class like Ashley and Ethan's was just perfect for him too. He got the Carefree award. We laughed so hard knowing that it was his teachers way of nicely stating Ethan's calm, collected and SLOW way of doing things, like he has nothing else to do that day and no problems or worries weighing him down, it is probably his way of dealing with his sisters leadership skills. We love him so much and are so proud to be his parents, he makes us laugh and our hearts happy.

Not quite a theme park

We recently took the kids to the zoo in Colombia. We had a good day, but were a little disappointed in the entire experience. When you are use to the Orlando theme parks like Sea World and Busch Gardens or Disney's animal kingdom, it takes a little getting used to just walking around looking at animals in their cages, with no shows or anything and most of the animals were sleeping. The kids enjoyed seeing the animals and we will be giving it another try since we now have a years pass.

9 years and counting!!

Today my heart is very full as I look back on the past 9 years of my life. Growing up and even now I wouldn't say that I believe in soul mates, but looking at the man by my side, my heart knows that he was created just for me. He makes everyday a better day just by being here with me. We have had a wonderful 9 years of marriage!!! The journey has been a fun and full one, not to say that we haven't had our tough days, but like I said before having him by my side has always made it better. We have 4 beautiful babies who are the lights in our lives, and prove to us each and everyday that our love is a real and powerful thing. I could not ask for a better father for my babies, or a better example for me. I love being Mrs. Jeremy Martin and I hope and pray that the next 60 years of our marriage is as good as the first 9.