THANKFUL - DAY 2

Today I'm thankful for our extended family. Jack and I were both blessed with big families. We have so many brother and sisters and nieces and nephews that it gets crazy sometimes. We are very blessed by all of them. I'm so excited that Maggie has so many cousins to grow up with. She is one lucky girl. We are also blessed with our South Carolina family. What a great group of cousins that we have grown to just love even more over the years. Wow, what great things and memories we are creating!

THANKFUL -DAY 1

I'm going to try and blog why I'm so thankful each day this month.

Day 1- My family. God gave me someone in my life who has made me so happy the last 14 years. This past month he has been the best husband and father a girl could ask for. I know I made the best decision in 1996 when I would give up on him!

My daughter- words can't express how lucky I am to be her mom. I love her more and more each day!

My growing daughter to be- I am very blessed for her right now. Although she is demanding my attention, I can't wait for her to be here and hold her in my arms.

God has truly given me so many things! I'm an very thankful.

FOUR … WHAT A NUMBER

For me just recently this number has had some significant meaning. Not only does it mean my little girl is turning 4, but it is also the last 4 months left in this pregnancy that got me put on bed rest. Maggie turning 4 – It is hard to believe that 4 years ago today my world changed forever. Margaret Elaine Martin was brought into this world. You get so excited the day you get married, and think nothing better can happen to put you on cloud 9. Well, having your first child makes your world just one thing better. Maggie has been a fun 3 year old. We have had our moments when she test us, but overall I wouldn’t change anything about my sweet little girl. Some things about Maggie – *Everything is a big deal (can we say drama!) *She weighs 36 pounds *She carries around a sea horse that she calls “baby.” Now, she has a blanket that she loves and a frog that are part of our world as well, however baby is our new trend. *She has her best bud, Will! Will and Maggie do almost everything together and it’s really fun to watch. Michael and Jonathan are part of our lives as well. The 4 kids have grown up to be wonderful friends. *She is into Disney, Barbie, and playing nymnastics! Yes, that is gymnastics, but we have our own special name for it. *Maggie will come home most days and put on a leotard. It is her outfit of choice. Most days she begs to wear it under her dress. *Most importantly Maggie’s favorite thing is cheese. No, she is not my kid, but she is for sure her dad’s kid. Cheese runs in their blood stream!

The last four years have been absolutely amazing. We can’t wait to see what the rest of it brings. Four months left and you’re doing what to me?... I have now started week 5 of bed rest. It was not what we had planned, but it is what is needed to keep baking this baby! Overall, it has been a trying time, but we are learning to manage. Maggie and Jack have been true troopers. Our friends and family have been a great support as well. Again, I can’t say enough words about my husband who has taken charge and has been the best dad and husband a girl can count on. I am really testing out our wedding vows! FOUR…What a number. Can’t wait to see what else we have in store.

TIRED...

I don't think I have enough words in my vocabulary to describe how tired I am. I need a shot of motivation. Hopefully my week off next week will get me that. Until then, here is a cute pic of my little girl. She makes me so happy!!

TEST

Thanks to a friend I now can blog from my phone. Thanks Whitney for filling me in on this lucky find. Maybe I can stay up on my blog like promised. We will see!

Here is a pic of my mini me at school last might. She came to my Veterans day program, and we hung out with her birthday twin Kinsley before hand. We had so much fun. Happy weekend and Veteran's day.

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY MAGGIE

We celebrated Maggie's 3rd birthday this weekend. It was so much fun! I can't believe she is so grown up. Here are just a few pictures to show off what we did!

The table decorations:

 

Cousin time:

 

The cake that never got eaten:

 

Sliding down the slide:

 

Jumping on the trampoline:

 

Riding the zip line:

 

Opening all our wonderful gifts:

 

Blowing out the candles for the 2nd time:

 

Cousin picture in the mask:

 

We have had such a fun and busy weekend. Thanks for all that came to share in our fun and excitement! Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl. Your daddy and I love you so much! We can't wait to watch you continue to grow into a beautiful little girl.

I TRULY STINK AT THIS....JOB

Well, it has been several months now and I am way behind on this. My excuse is not very good for the summer. That was when I had the most time and I didn't use it wisely. I should have blogged everyday. Now, I am back at work, and all I do is that. My day starts at 6:00 and I don't stop until I go to bed at 11:00 or later. I am really going crazy. I keep thinking it will slow down, but it hasn't. I love my job, but this year is really kicking me. I have taught for 12 years and this has to be the hardest year of my life.

I am going to make it a goal to blog once a week. I feel I need an outlet to let my frustrations out, and I guess this can be it. I need to get back on track, and have a life outside of my job again. I guess this will be it, for now!

We went to dinner with a friend tonight, and he was asking us what we did this past summer. We honestly didn't do much. Maggie and I stayed really busy and had lots of fun, but we didn't travel or go anywhere. We don't have any big plans to finish out the year, but it is not over yet.

Sorry for my ramblings. I promise to keep up a little bit better. For now I leave you with a picture of my sweet baby. She will be 3 at the end of the month. I can't believe it.