Miranda's Dailies: family

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Christmastime

Christmas has been so much fun this year! From having Keith and Sarah with us for a little more than a week, to Eli's first Christmas, we have been enjoying the holiday! Because Keith and Sarah had to leave this morning for Chicago, we had Christmas morning yesterday. After eating a yummy breakfast, we opened presents, and opened more presents. We even managed to convince mom to let us open our stockings the night before. Santa was really good to all of us this year, especially Eli! Uncle Keith and Daddy (Russell) helped him open presents. Eli got fussed over all week from Honey (mom), Uncle Keith and Aunt Sarah. I even got a few kisses in :) I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas!

Grumps and Eli

Playing with the tissue paper

opening gifts

I got a new Division Champs shirt

Uncle Keith got Eli a new onesie

My favorite picture

New cast iron skillets for the boys

Eli was helping Uncle Keith open gifts

Cute Couple

GrumpsHoney

Meagan's co-worker got Eli a big present!!

Having some Aunt Sarah time. Aunt Sarah taught him how to flap his arm in rhythm. It was entertaining!

2010 has been a year.....

2:35 PM | 0 Comments

2010 has been a crazy year. Between falling in what I thought was love, having my heart broken, thinking school was going to do me in to being in my final semester of class I have had some crazy times, broken down a few times and am actually glad that the year is coming to a close.

For 3 years now, I have done a blog post of "What I have learned". I thought that since I have determined I am not getting off this couch until 7:00pm, I would go ahead and let all of you out in blog world read what exactly I have learned.

So here goes:
1. No matter what I may think, I am stronger than I ever imagined and God is there for me. I have been through a lot this year. Many of the things you can read in my past posts. I have had love and lost love. I thought my world was ending, the dramatic side taking hold of my for a little bit... and then week by week and day by day, I realized that he was not the guy I wanted to be with forever. He wasn't even the guy that I wanted to be with for a little while. He actually did me a favor, and saved me from being the jerk in the situation.

2. More people have my back than I thought. As I went through all my trials, I was continuously amazed by the encouragement and prayers on my behalf. I know that my life isn't hard compared to a million others out there, but I am glad to have people in my life that support me.

3. There is nothing more important than family. I have known this for a while but it was repeatedly shown as a truth to me over and over again. Whether it was a kind word from a cousin or prayers sent up for a very sick little girl, family is what keeps me going. Their encouragement never fails me and I love them for it.

4. Sometimes, you just need to have fun. Life is really too short to not have a little fun without thinking sometimes. Be safe and don't compromise your morals or values but have fun!! After a weekend of fun, I have learned that lesson. ( Can I use "fun" enough?)

I am sure that there are other lessons that I have learned, but these are the big ones.

Now, for some New Years Resolutions
1. Get down to a size 10 jeans
2. Graduate!!!
3. Get a job teaching resource or in a regular classroom
4. Participate in Siesta's Scripture Memory event in December 2011
5. HAVE FUN this year!!

As this year comes to an end, I know that I will have trials in the 2011, I will laugh, cry, hate, love, and not think I can make it at all. But I know that the Lord, my family, and my friends have my back! And for that, I could not be more thankful.

Photo shoot

1:07 AM | 0 Comments

This weekend I went up to my Granny's house for the annual Christmas Party. I got to see family that I usually only see once or twice a year, went to visit my grandfather's grave and ate A LOT of food! It was a great time for me to be able to spend some time away from the books and relieve some stress. I also was able to walk around and take some fun shots of the scenery at my granny's house. I was also able to persuade my mom to brave the cold and take a few pics of me for future use.

This place means so much to me and holds so many dear memories of my grandfather, family and peace. It is my heaven on earth. Enjoy the photos. I am not the best at editing, but I think they turned out well!

This is my Bappaw's barn. Many times I would come into town and find him down here working on something. It smelled of feed and grease.

Walking through the back pasture.

God is everywhere

Looking at a little bridge that goes over the dried up creek. I didn't realize this was here until today. I always used the bigger bridge that was down a little bit.

This is the bridge that we used to throw sticks off of and watch them race down the small creek. I loved sitting on the bridge with my cousins talking and trying to figure out life at 12.

Taking some much updated pictures of me.

I had such a good time this weekend!

Good Peeps!

12:39 AM | 0 Comments

I had dinner with the parental unit tonight. They brought over chicken and sides, which I knew about. What I didn't know about was the lovely bag of groceries that they had with them! There was bread, apples, oranges, yogurt, and deli meat. I was so grateful since I have been really been just scraping by the last few months. With 2 practicums this semester, I was using a tank of gas a week. I thought I should just give my checks straight to Shell and Exxon.

All this to say... I am so blessed to have two parents that will do just about anything to see their kids succeed. I have been loved and encouraged my whole life by a God-fearing couple. I have learned what means to stick it through the hard times and to relish in the good times by watching them. I have seen examples of hard work and know that you don't take the things you have for granted because one day, that could be all gone. I have learned that you pick up and start over when life knocks you down. Most importantly, I have learned that when you think you have nothing else, you always have God and your family.

There are not any words or actions that could ever describe the love and respect I have for my mom and dad. I can't wait for them to show my brother's and my kids the same love and devotion that they gave to us while we were growing up.

Love you, Mom and Dad!!

Dear Baby

12:37 AM | 0 Comments

For those of you who don't know, my brother and sister in law are trying to adopt. They have written "dear baby" letters and I thought that I would too!

Dear Baby-

I don’t know your name, or what you look like, but you have captured my heart. There are hundreds of people in the world praying for you and helping your mommy and daddy to get everything they need in order for you to come into their home, and our lives.

I wanted to tell you a little bit about your mommy and daddy, Uncle Keith and Aunt Sarah and Grumps and ….. Well, we will let you figure out a name for your grandma! (Uncle Keith and I are rooting for “Mumps”!) I am your Aunt Manda, daddy’s little sister.

First, your mommy and daddy are two of the most loving people that I know! Your daddy can make the most beautiful music on the piano and guitar. He even made a CD to help make sure that they have everything you need when you come to live with them. Your mommy is one of the smartest and most caring people. She helps “big kids” learn all different things in a big school. They both love GOD so much and show it through the way they love their friends and family.

Now, Uncle Keith…..well, he is the craziest, funniest guy you will meet. You two will instantly be buddies. He will teach all kinds of fun things and will teach you how to cook! Uncle Keith is daddy’s younger brother, my older brother. When we were little, they used to tease me, but I always knew that they would be there for me, no matter what ever happened. It will be the same way for you! Aunt Sarah is Uncle Keith’s wife. She just joined our family, but she is a Martin. Smart and witty, she will be the one to go to for questions about writing and English!

Oh yeah-- when you get up in school to Algebra, go ask Uncle Keith, mommy or grandma... you will not want Grumps, daddy or I to help you!

Now, for Grumps and Grandma… these two will be your biggest fans! They are so excited to meet you! Grumps works a lot but has always made sure that your daddy, Uncle Keith and I have always had what we needed and as for grandma? I am afraid you may not learn to walk early because she will want to hold you…all the time! She loves and will give you as many cuddles and kisses as you ever want or need. You know the best thing about grandma? She makes Christmas the best! It is the time of the year when Grumps and grandma make everything as special as they can for us. When we were little, no matter what else we had to do or how little money we had, Grandma made sure we had presents and a tree. She makes the holidays so special and memorable. She always made sure we had stockings and that we got some of the things we wanted. The most important thing we do at Christmas is make sure we spend it as a family. I cannot wait to see you open up Christmas presents on Christmas morning!! Oh, and Grumps makes the BEST chocolate chip cookies! Just make sure mommy doesn’t see how many you have J

And last, me, your Aunt Manda. I am going to be a teacher, a special education teacher. Kinda like your mommy, only I am going to help those kids that need just a little extra help to learn.

I cannot wait to see your smile and to get sweet kisses and hugs. I can’t wait to sing you to sleep and rock you in my arms. I can’t wait to be there, when mom and dad just don’t seem to understand (and it will happen) I can’t wait to tell you all about your daddy and the funny things he did when he was little. I can’t wait to take you fishing, and tell you about your great-grandfather. I can’t wait to have you here, see your sparkling eyes and hear your little cries.

You are special, little one

Sent from the heavens above.

Chosen for one family,

To cherish and to love.

~Aunt Manda

Aunt Manda

if you would like to know more about Russell and Meagan's adoption journey please click here.

My Family

9:40 AM | 0 Comments

As I was eating with my grandparents and parents yesterday, I got a little choked up. I was sitting by my grandma and had to help her cut her meat. It reminded me of all the times that she had cut up my meals, or made my brother race car peanut butter sandwiches. I was awestruck by the realization of how much I take my family for granted. They are amazing, God loving people that would do anything for anyone.

My brothers are possibly the coolest and best brothers that anyone can have. Russell, and his beautiful wife Meagan, have been married for 6 years. They have just started on a new journey in their life and are going to adopt a child. You can read more about this at their blog. Russell has always been there for me, from the time that I had chicken pox and gave them to him to when my best friends fiance passed away and he drove down to Pearland to be here. Meagan has been the sister I never had from the moment that I met her. She has embraced our crazy family with both arms and fits perfectly into the family. I had a love/hate relationship with Keith, the middle child, when I was little. As soon as Keith realized that I was as cool as I always said I was, our relationship changed. His friends were my friends and my friends were his little sisters. Sarah brings adventure and compliments my brother like noone else could. My brothers taught me how to fish, to love Brittish comedy, to appreciate differences in people, and how to love God. Their actions were always louder than words. We love to embarrass our parents and have big plans for Chicago this summer. I would not be the person I am today, if Keith hadnt had spent the quarter, and prayed for a little sister. I am so proud of my brothers and all of their accomplishments.

My parents- what can I say? My mom and dad have been there for the three of us (now 6 of us) for all of our lives. They showed us how to love each other and that no matter how little we had, we could still give back to those who had less. My mom and dad took their summers to go on our youth missions and choir tours. They made time to know our friends, no matter how much we protested. They made us spend our Sundays at the church all day long. Which I never minded because that is where I made many of my lifelong friends. My mom made Christmas special. From the stockings to the presents, Christmas Eve service and having to go to church before opening presents, some of my favorite memories are at Christmas. My mom shows the same love and patience for her 2 year olds that she did for us and shows that same love to my elderly grandparents. She took care of my Bappaw, along with my Granny and aunts and uncle, while he was sick. She still takes my granny to appointments and takes my dad's parents to doctors appointments or whatever else they might need. My dad has showed me that no matter what, laughing is a must, and that sometimes, you just need a cookie. He has given up so much to make sure that his family, his kids are taken care of. He takes off work to help his parents, even when it is inconvenient to him. He let my mom go be with her dad for over 3 months and was there, by her side, when she needed him. They have shown me that just because you have a fight, doesnt mean you give up on love. There have been hard times in our family, but they never stopped loving each other, or us.

My grandparents have shown me what unconditional love is and how to have a long, happy marriage. Both sets of my grandparents were married for over 50 years, helping their children in anyway they could. I have been incredibly blessed to have known all of my grandparents for 25 years. Both sides of my family have engrained the importance of family in all of the grandchildren's brains. Although the Martins are spread all over the country now, we still get together at least once a year, and I have sweet memories of trips to NASA, family reunions, hoildays, Labor Day weekends, fishing, the river house, and many other times that my family has been together. My moms family still has Christmas together and is very involved in each others lives.

I am incredibly blessed by a huge family! What is your family like?

See the full gallery on posterous

Christmas 2007

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Gingerbread men

5:06 PM | 0 Comments

Last night, for some holiday fun, Russell, Meagan, and I made gingerbread cookies! It was so much fun! I made the cookies and then we all decorated them. I chose a few of the good ones and you can view the rest of them by clicking here