She's Country

I love country music.

I mean, REALLY love it.

Much to my husband's dismay, I might add.

And I really, really want Claire to love it too.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time in my car, by myself, going to random meetings. It was such a beautiful day. Perfect for having your car windows down and the radio up a bit. The kind of weather that makes me miss being a YL leader and how fun contact work is this time of year with Spring sports and playing outside. And the kind of weather that actually makes me miss horrible, jacked up trucks that make up every 3rd or 4th car in Georgia.

Current favorites (it changes often):
Lady Antebellum
Jason Aldean
Keith Urban
the Zac Brown Band


Side note: I STILL haven't gotten new batteries for either of my cameras so I apologize (AGAIN) for the lack of very cute Claire pictures.

Two under two

If you haven't heard our great news, here goes:

Claire will be a big sister around December 10th!

I apologize if you're finding out on here. I haven't gotten to actually tell many people in person because it's still early on, I'm only 8 weeks, but it's already been an adventure. I've been to the ER once, had two ultrasounds, and have developed migraines that make me want to hide in my bed. Everything seems to be okay, and the doctor is optimistic. If you think of me and this kiddo, please pray for us. I'm feeling a lot worse this time around.

I decided to just post it on here because, chances are with the way that I'm feeling, you may not see me for a while!! And I've been asked if the news is "public" yet; so yes, now it is.

And she's off...

Claire took 8 steps on her own tonight! She stood up on one side of the room and just started walking towards us. I could not be happier. She LOVES to be outside and I'm so ready for her to not be crawling all over the concrete. I'd like the option to be there to walk.

I'm still here

I haven't abandoned my blog. Not that I'm sure that many more than my sister check it, but I'm not jumping ship.

I'm beyond tired, can barely think straight, and cannot think of a creative thing to blog about. And I would just continue to post pictures of Claire but my camera batteries are dead.

So fear not. I'll think of something soon....

Until then I'll leave you with what Claire's been doing these days:

*She insists on playing outside ALL THE TIME. She will continuously take you to the back door to take her outside.
*She pushed a giant broom around the driveway with Jeremy today for a good while. She screamed when I took her to the backyard. Claire was quickly distracted by her toys back there though.
*She digs in a pot of dirt with the Elmo gardening tools from my Mom.
*She is whining like it's nobody's business. And it's really getting old.
*She likes to hold onto your fingers and walk around the house.
*She puts various things in her play stroller and pushes them around the house.
*She uses a baby bottle to feed her baby doll.
*I'm trying desperately to teach her to give kisses. Yesterday she actually gave me a few!
*She can high five like a champ.
*In the morning she and I have a new little routine: I change her diaper, grab her nighttime binkie and skunk, and then we cuddle up on the couch for 20-30 minutes. It's great.

After bath hair do

I love this picture.

Claire at 1 year and a few weeks

Claire has quite the personality.

Things that she did today that made me crack up:

1. She wants me or Jeremy to help her walk. She carefully chooses a finger from each hand to hold and then guides you where she wants to go. So cute.

2. I gave her pasta for dinner. I took her shirt off but didn't think through the clean up and giant mess that would happen. She rubbed pasta and sauce all over her tummy for the second half of her meal. Amazing.

3. Claire gives you her cheesy smile when she puts on the sunglasses she got over the weekend. (thanks, Winnie!)

4. My mom gave her a little gardening kit. (Thanks, Mom!!) Claire pulled the little shovels out while Diane jumped into the box it came in. Claire then proceeded to "dig" Diane out of the box.

5. Apparently, she has a bit of a hollow leg. She cuddled up with me on the couch and we shared some cheerios before she went to bed. (She's becoming a bit more of a cuddler!)

Both of my cameras died tonight so sorry that there are no pictures!! Going to get new batteries now...

The Martin Kitchen, part 2

Okay, so here is what I've decided.

1. We're not buying anymore Tyson chicken. (we have always been huge fans of the chicken nuggets, in particular)

2. I'm going to look for grass-fed beef when I can, and I will be more particular about meat.

3. I'm going to start shopping for locally grown fruits and veggies.

4. When shopping at the grocery store, I'm going to focus on buying fruits and veggies that are in season.

5. I'm going to continue baking our bread and other things from scratch. Something I already do and love.

Basically, the way I'm shopping will change, and nothing too drastic. Although, I think these changes are good and a big deal in the long run.

It was a very interesting documentary, in that, it really made me think.

If you watch it, let me know. I'd love to talk about it.

The Martin Kitchen, part 1

So my friend Liza told me about this documentary, Food Inc. I figured out that I could stream it over NetFlix so Jeremy, Ally (our sometimes roommate), and I watched it last night.

I can't stop thinking about it.

And I knew this would probably happen.

Now I'm not going to go crazy or anything (no offense, really) but I have been looking at every food label in my house. I've been a little concerned about additives and preservatives for a while now, and have recently started cooking and buying a little differently for our family.

I want to make a few more changes.

Please note that I think that however you feed yourself and your family is fine because it's how you care for your family. We all have our beliefs, convictions, whatever. And I firmly believe that you know what's best for YOUR family.

I'm just thinking that for ME, our kitchen might be doing a little bit of an overhaul.

And I'm pretty excited about it. I'll blog the details later.

What I'm particularly thankful for today

1. My family's health
2. That Claire is happy
3. Sunshine
4. Beautiful weather
5. To be off of work
6. That God is my constant (even when I forget)
7. To have a job I love
8. My sunroom
9. To have fun plans with friends over the weekend
10. The possibility of sleeping in tomorrow
11. That I will complete my licensure hours for becoming an LPC in June

Playing Outside

The new evening ritual. Jack and Claire get so excited.

FRIENDS

I love Friends. I watch the DVDs all the time. And I laugh at all the same parts and can quote quite a bit of it. Maybe it's one of those "constants" in my life: it's predictable, it's always funny, Jeremy even likes it, and it makes me happy.

Here are some of my favorite scenes/episodes:
1. Bracelet buddies "That's what they'll call us!!"
2. the perfect nap
3. the wedding dress episode (when Phoebe is pregnant and is also wearing a wedding dress)
4. the jam episode. "Remember when your mom would drop you off at the movies with a jar of jam and a spoon?" (Joey) "You're so pretty." (Rachel) (my favorite lines in the whole series)
5. the Brad Pitt Thanksgiving episode (the whole thing cracks me up)
6. Julia Roberts' character (Susie underpants) leaving Chandler in the bathroom
7. the episode when Phoebe and Rachel go running together

Okay, I could go on and on and on and on. And I'm sure I forgot some of my absolute favorites.

What are your favorite episodes or scenes?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

I really enjoyed our church service this morning,
and what made it even better was ending it with this song.
I love it. Enjoy.

In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my Light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love!
What depths of peace.
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My comforter, my all is all, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness
scourned by the ones He came to save.
'Til on that cross as Jesus died.
The wrath of God was satisfied.
For ever sin on Him was laid.
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay.
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
sin's curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His, and He is mine,
bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death;
this is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand.
'Til He returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Things I'd like to do this weekend....

... with my weekend technically starting tomorrow (yay!).....

1. Put our leather couches on Craig's List
2. Make more blueberry scones (yum)
3. Put together Claire's Easter basket
4. Take a nap or sleep in
5. Try a new recipe (I have a few I want to try)
6. Return stuff to the mall
7. Hang out with Ally
8. Take Claire to the park tomorrow
9. File/throw out the last of the papers and mail I've been collecting