Just Smile!

Look at my happy, happy niece, Ainsley. Isn't she just the cutest? Daniel, Colby and Ainsley are our new neighbors so Ann Elise is really looking forward to lots of playdates with Ainsley.

Merrily we go round...

I took the boys and Josh out for some fun at the park in between activities last week and as you can see they had a great time on the merry-go-round.

Two-Month Checkup / Chuck-E-Cheese

Ann Elise had her two-month check up last week. She weighed 10 lbs. 12 oz. and was 22 in. long. Dr. G said she looked great! WOW!!!! What a blessing!

I'm all good as long as I don't get any shots this time.

She also got to take her first trip to Chuck-E-Cheese afterwards as a reward for being so good. Oh, and the boys got to tag along. HA!

Wow! Chuck-E-Cheese is soooo much fun.

Finally! We have caged the animals. :)

Oh how sweet....

Look how much I've grown...

Better late than never I guess. Here are photos of Ann Elise at one month and two months old. She has already changed so much.

Look at how pretty I am.


Girl Power!

Lifehouse Everything Video

Have you ever logged on to www.Godtube.com?
It is an awesome site to see. :)

I was fortunate enough to have someone email me a link to the Lifehouse "Everything" video and I am so happy they did. I am a "music" person anyway, but this video brought tears to my eyes. (Scroll down to the bottom of our blog to check it out.)

I am a true believer that sometimes we might find ourselves at rock bottom as a reminder that we need to look up, look up to our beautiful savior, Jesus Christ.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity."-- Jeremiah 29:11-14

Funny Faces

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting.


Decisions. Decisions.
What's a girl to do?


Ann Elise or Zoolander?

Birthday Celebrations

We have been celebrating birthdays galore lately. Corbin celebrated his 7th birthday with his buddy Hunter at the local skate center. They had such a great time.
My nephew Eli just turned 4 years old. He is such a little character.
Ann Elise turned one month old. One month already? Wow!

My mom (aka Nana) just turned...yeah like I am really going to tell you.
I can't believe how quickly time passes now. When we were kids it seemed like we would never grow up. Now that we are grown up we wonder where our childhood went.

Corbin & Hunter

They're thinking...hurry up we want to open our presents. Ann Elise

Her bear is as big as she is.

Eli

How cute is he? Nana admiring the view.

Introducing Ann Elise Martin

Finally Updates!
Well, as most everyone knows by now, little Miss Ann Elise Martin has made her debut. She was born March 26, 2008, at 9:31 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 17 3/4 inches long.
Both mom and baby came through the surgery well. I was kind of worried about Matt for a minute. Dr. Slocum made him stand up to watch as he pulled Ann Elise from my stomach and Matt didn't say a word as I asked him if it was in fact a girl and who she looked like. After what seemed like forever he finally was able to muster out that it was a girl and that she was slimy. HA! Once he sat back down he was fine.

If ever I saw your face....

Matthew admiring his new little sister.
Corbin is head over heels for her.
Ann Elise all snuggled up to daddy.

These are a few of my THANKFUL things....

Can't you just hear the title of this entry to the tune of The Sound of Music's These are a Few of my Favorite Things? The news reported this morning that Spring is only weeks away yet we are expected to get snow this evening. I told my boys that this morning and Corbin told me I was wrong because we don't get snow around here. I sure wish it would snow just so they could see it. They would be so amazed.
Anyway, back to my THANKFUL things....
1) Matt - We have been married for ten wonderful years TODAY and I am so grateful for having such a loving, caring, compassionate man to call my husband. Thank you God for such a gift.
2) Matthew - My hyperactive, over achieving, reach for the stars son with a heart for God that is truly amazing. Thank you God for such a gift.
3) Corbin - My stubborn, rebellious son with the biggest brown eyes that when used just right can get him out of any trouble. Thank you God for such a gift.
4) Ann Elise - My unborn daughter that has touched my life in ways I never felt possible and I have not even laid eyes on yet. Thank you God for such a gift.
5) Our Parents - They are loving, compassionate, strong willed, protective and helped shape who we are today. Thank you God for such a gift.
6) Provisions - We have a house to call home, food to nourish our bodies, water to quench our thirst, clothes to keep us warm. Thank you God for such a gift.
7) Extended Family & Friends - They give me strength, love and encouragement. Thank you God for such a gift.
8) Career - My job provides me with coworkers I call friends, an outlet to the community and means to help support my family. Thank you God for such a gift.
9) Church Family - I have been blessed to find a Church Family that my family and I feel comfort, love and support from. Thank you God for such a gift.
10) Health - My family and I have been blessed with overall good health. Thank you God for such a gift.
My list of THANKFUL things could go on and on because there are just so many things in my life to be thankful for. I have been through a lot of things over the past year that I never would have thought I could survive, but God has pulled me through each and every one and has shown me that blessings sometimes come in ways we never would have expected.
We do need to remember that no matter how big the problems of this world seem that God has a plan for us and His will is going to shine through in the end.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-- Romans 12:2