Ready to run through the sands of time

One must always have one's boots on and be ready to go. ~Michel de Montaigne

Finn loves boots. Big or small, that is his preference of footwear. He puts them on by himself and says, "Outside!!" (please note, this is a exclamation, NOT a question!!) He has just about grown out of these wonderful and oh so cool boots (thanks to our sweet friend Natalie H. for this nice and very useful gift!!) so I am on the look out for more. If you see any with flames on the back, give me a call as we are definitely in the market!!

If you want to leave your footprints in the sands of time, make sure you are wearing boots. ~ William James


I think the Martinis family will have little problems with the "sands of time"!! (O:

Spring break day two

Windy and chilly.

California Pizza Kitchen.

Pottery painting studio.

Fused glass too.

Fun day!!

Spring break day one

Rain.

Alice in Wonderland with a friend.

LOVED it!!

dark picture = cute noses

Rainy fun day

Thanks Julie for taking such great pics. We love them!!

Happy spring!!!

Whistle while you work

The decision was made and the delivery came. We are going to venture into the chicken world. Our female guineas have also been laying one egg a day in the wheelbarrow, so it was time to rethink our chicken coop situation. The heavy snow and winds took down a big branch by the coop and collapsed the outer yard. Aunt Liz and Eric worked tirelessly to build it and it was a sad moment when we saw that it was now ruined.

Last Saturday Eric and Coleman went out and dismantled the remaining yard. It was no easy task, but many hands make light work and they were done in no time. Right now it looks great and it even has a new AUTOMATIC coop door that the guineas love. See for yourself!! We have some happy guineas. We will see about the chickens.

Working on our family goals

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in service of your fellow beings, ye are only in service of your God. ~Mosiah 2:17

We have been steadily working on our 5 family goals. A quick recap, our third goal is to find ways to serve each other. The fourth is to have regular family home evening and the fifth is to do a family activity/outing at least 3 times a month.

Two weeks ago we started a family service project at FAMILY HOME EVENING that is proving to be very successful. In short, each person draws a name at FHE and for the entire week they secretly serve that person. The tangible reward is for every service rendered, a penny goes in the "service jar". At half full we will go to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg (a place the kids have been asking to go for some time). When it is completely full, we will go to Atlantis in the Bahamas (another place the kids have been asking to go for FOREVER!!) It won't always be this "elaborate", but I am ready to get out and do some really fun, memorable trips with my family. They have been so helpful and patient with my recovery. We want to reward them.

Last week "someone" made my bed almost every day. That is not as easy task. I could hear Gabe struggling to make Tate's bed and I swear I could find no laundry on any floor of the house. Somone picked it all up day after day. The mudroom was cleaner than usual and Eric's lost shoes found their way to his closet on more than one occasion. Needless to say, I am impressed and touched. I don't think a single penny has been put in without a tender service attached to it. My boys are being honest and sweet. I read about this activity in The Friend and am so glad that we are trying it out. I think the only way my boys can learn to serve others is first by serving their family. I will keep you posted, but so far, so good!! We really are so proud of our boys and love them so much!!

St. Patrick's Day continued...

In celebration of St. Patrick's day (or month), here is a funny Irish blessing and a house leprechaun I found.

May you be in heaven a full half hour before the Devil knows you are dead.
- Irish Blessing

Snicker snicker!!

Time flies when you are having fun.

I started to make dinner tonight and turned around to find Finn eating a snack with all the boys at the table. My first thought was.... how did this happen? My baby is growing up and I can't do anything to stop it or even slow it down a bit. It really seems like yesterday that I brought him home to join the Martinis fam. Time definitely flies when you are having fun. (O:

He was so proud of himself. He had even gotten a juice box all by himself (yes, he can open up regular door knobs as well as any knob that goes outside.... Good and not so good!!) He more than cooperated with the camera. He loves to be called "cute" and might be my first child to have good pictures as a toddler. I think he is darling. We all adore him so!!

What a big boy!!

He clicks his tongue as well as a whole assortment of other cute tongue tricks. Look! I caught one on camera!!

What a darling!! Love that chocolate smile!!

I really love...

Tate's long hair

and

the Martinis hula hooping talent.
(So far we all all got it!!)

Stay tuned.

My favorite Cupcake

Today Eric Steven is 42 years young. I love him more than words... or maybe just MY words. We are both Moulin Rouge fans and I don't think I could say it any better than this.


Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing?
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time

Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather,
And stars may collide
But I love you (I love you)
Until the end of time(until the end of time)

Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day

Oh, come what may, come what may
I will love you, Oh I will love you
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place

Come what may
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day.

Happy birthday my darling. You are the best husband, the best father and my best friend. I love you until my dying day and long after!!! XOXO

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!!

and

I love love love you!!!

P.S. Why are boxes so much dang fun?

green lunch = happy child

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Dear Daddy,

I want a real tree house.

Love, Tate

Wii Saturdays

Our once productive Saturdays are now family fun Saturdays and will be until I am fully recovered. I am perfectly okay with this and the boys are enjoying the opportunity to play the Wii with Eric and together. For as long as we have had our Wii, Gabe has sat in the big chair and watched people play...sometimes for hours. A few weeks ago the boys were playing Wii fit and I asked them to show him what to do. Well, watch out!! He is one player who can hold his own.

This rainy morning the boys did do their chores (yea!) and headed downstairs for a Wii tournament. Eric works out, Finn plays around and eventually eats a bag full of popcorn and the boys build their skills and relationships with one another by playing one competitive game after another. If you don't have one, you should get one (and have rules...). It really is a fun family activity.

Gabe has turned into a tongue wagging, serious to be reckoned with player.. Watch out boys!!

What is Tate wearing?

Silly boy!! Hamming it up for the camera!! I like that.

Handsome Tate!

Waiting for the popcorn.

Who knew watching popcorn pop was so interesting.

A very happy, popcorn loving boy. He has been sitting nicely and eating popcorn while Eric works out for months. I had no idea and think it is soooo cute!!

Hanging out with Gabe.

We will have our 4th Wii player before we know it. Look at Finny concentrate. He wants to learn. He is such a smart cookie. Really.

Coleman was mad and chose not to play. He decided to catch up on his reading and get ready for karate. He has his black belt test in April and we are really looking forward to it!! Go Coleman!!

Just wait until May. I am going to kick all their bums!! I will be the Wii mama winner winner chicken dinner!!!