MIA and OK with it.

I have been a bit out of touch in the blogosphere of late.  I made a deal with myself a while ago that I would spend less time on the computer and more time being present in my own home and with my kids.  A girl at bible study said she asked her kids if they thought mommy was on the computer a lot and their response was, "ALL of the time".  That sort of put me in check and I shudder to think what Jude would say had I asked him the same thing.  Nothing I do online is important, yet it can take up SO much of my time.  I got an android a while ago and though I initially thought it would worsen my media problems, it has actually helped.  I can quickly check my email or facebook from the pickup line in the car at Jude's school or from a chair outside as I watch the boys on the trampoline.  It has maybe worsened my responses to things (because I hate to type on it), but that's okay.  It has helped me have no excuse to turn on my computer during the day, and for that it is worth it!

So, we have had a whole-lotta-lotta going on around here, however I feel like things have definitely slowed down and have worked themselves out.  I feel much more peaceful than I did a month ago, and I certainly know that all things happen for a reason. Here's what been happening in the Martin house...

We sold our house, and then we didn't.

This thing has changed my life.

It is just a Lowes painter's bucket with a canvas bucket boss over it.  We use it to hold all of our art supplies and it has worked so well.  This stuff used to take up 2 shelves in a closet, but now it's all nice and organized and portable.  Jude can just pull it out of the closet anytime he wants to work on a project.

Jude has been tying his shoes lately.  He figured it out a while ago, but got back into it recently and can tie a perfect little bow.

Jude taught himself how to read a bit.  We pulled out some scholastic readers to give it a shot and I started sounding out words and putting them together.  He was like, "I know how to do that, I learned it Word World."  He pretty much whizzed though that sucker.  Shout out to PBS.

We chose a "child" to sponsor from the mission of Hope in Haiti.  It was really sad because all of the cute little kids have been sponsored, but many of the older High School age kids were left behind.  We all sat down at the computer one night and chose our kid.

Meet Kenso

Jude liked him because Kenso likes music, and the drums in particular.  He is in the 12th grade, and we are thrilled to be a part of his life.  My prayer is that his experience at the Mission of Hope will change his life and aid in the transformation of Haiti.  There were lots of big kids left.  If you are interested in partnering with MOH here is a link to check it all out.  It's a very affordable way to make an impact in someone's life.

Jude started baseball.  We decided to skip t-ball and go straight to coach pitch.  This kid can hit, so we didn't want to waste anyone's time.  I don't know if I ever documented my experience watching Jude hit last season. Dallas was pitching to him (4 yr old at the time) and yelled for me to come outside.  He said that Jude hit 9 pitches in a row and wanted me to video him.  Jude started over and hit 16 pitches in a row for the camera.  Then he'd miss one and hit another 9 or 10.  I was amazed!  I just got done watching him field grounders and play catch and he's got the moves.  He can throw the ball 30 feet effortlessly.  Pretty sure I can't even do that ;).  We got on a team with some college friends and found out some friends from church are on our team as well!  We are excited to spend lots of time at the ball
fields with people we know.

Rhett has had a few run-ins with poison.  I know, where are his parents, right?! I was working a wedding a few weeks ago and Dallas had the boys at his parent's house.  I came home and he said, "Oh yea, Rhett licked a cinnamon air freshener plugged into the wall at my parent's, so we called poison control." Then, yesterday (and after I had cast my judgments for the lack of supervision) I was folding clothes and Rhett came running into the front room and said, "I spilled my medicine."  I ran into the kitchen and he had pulled the cooler out of the pantry, got up to the counter and got ahold of his cough medicine.  The bottle was empty and the counter was wet, but there had been half of a bottle before he got ahold of it.  It was Hyland's natural cough, so the p.c. lady said it was diluted enough that there was nothing to worry about.  He didn't likely drink much anyway, but you just never know.  And, this brand doesn't have a child safe lid, which I find strange.

We are new members at Lifetime Fitness!  I cannot wait for this place to open.  It is like the Disney World of gyms.  I had been looking at joining the Y again for a place to swim laps with childcare, but the childcare just seemed so boring and understaffed.  The likelihood of my kids wanting to go to the gym with me was not good to start, but add in a one room play area with 20 kids, outdated toys and an understaffed old lady running to show and I don't think I would want to spend time there either.  Lifetime looks SO SO fun!  The kids area has all sorts of kids activities going on the entire time.  There are dodgeball games, freeze tag, kids zumba and three legged races to name a few.  It's not just a babysitter, it's an activity center.  Don't even get me started on the pools and water slides.  I think it will be an investment well worth the cost. An frankly, I didn't think the cost was crazy expensive or anything.  Really it's not much more than the Y. We are a not a whole lot of frills family, we don't even have cable, but I really think this is worth it and will invest positive activity into our family.  Oh, and I can't wait to get back to swimming!

For the sake of this not being the longest.post.ever, I will update more that's going on later.  I feel like there are some biggies to document, but I'll save some for another post.  Jude's wanting to go to the school and shoot some hoops now:).

*Update:  I thought this story warranted logging back on to include.  I don't know when I'll post again and I don't want to forget this...ever.  Tonight while I was putting Jude to bed he was asking me questions about Jesus.  He asks a lot of questions, and many of them about Jesus and heaven.  He asked about Jesus being in my heart and how he got there.  I told him that I asked him to come into my heart and take the bad away and forgive me of all of my sins.  As quick as could be he said, "I want to ask him to come in to my heart!"  Dallas came in the room a few minutes later and we all prayed together.  He asked a few more questions about heaven, about Cawcaw and our baby that died.  He is excited that because he asked Jesus into his heart and because he will live the way Jesus wants us to live, that he will see Cawcaw and our baby again!  Tears.

Hope you all are well!

Happy Birthday Grandma!