I just got home from bible study.  It never fails that the moment I begin to think about skipping bible study that God puts a plan into motion to get me to the church.  Today was nothing different.  I was in the middle of grading papers, fully intending to sit and continue grading when my good friend text me and asked if I wanted to go to BJ's to get some dinner before heading to bible study.  I apparently cannot turn down food :) I quickly finished up my grading and drove quickly to meet her for a quick dinner.  After dinner, we drove to bible study and I was NOT feeling it.  I didn't want to be there.  I have this feeling generally when God is going to reveal something to me.

I am not one to say,"the devil is getting to me" or anything to that effect, but I know the feeling when I get it.   It is this feeling of nothingness.  A feeling of pure awkwardness came over me as I sunk down in my seat.  It was weird, but a feeling that I have had before.

As I worshiped through music and scripture, I felt my heart open a little bit more than when I sat down.  I started to feel better as I listened to my sweet friend, Heidi, talk about Ruth and Boaz.  Through out the whole night, all I heard was a small whisper saying, "Let HIM go"  Although I do not wish to fully disclose on a public blog what HIM is all about, it was what I needed to hear... and I finally am ready to do that...no matter how late it is.

Dear Eli,
My, what a whirlwind you have led our family on.


From coming home sooner than we thought to going to your first Astros game, you have become the center of our world!


Grumps and Honey light up when someone asks about you and all of my 4th graders know who you are! They always ask, "did you see Eli this weekend?" it is fun to show you off. Everyone thinks you are adorable at my school.

I am having so much fun watching you grow, and grow! Christmas is coming soon and I can't wait to share our family traditions with you, especially watching you open your gifts and learning about the true meaning of Christmas.

Keep growing sweet boy and remember that I love you and will always be on your side!
I am so glad that God chose you to be a Martin :)

Aunt Manda

Jeremiah 29:11

I am trying to sail...

Due to our family getting so big and being all over the place, we decided to not have a normal family reunion weekend and those that were able went to a barbecue at my Uncle Neal's house on Saturday. It was so much fun! Between the kayak racing and the turtle hunting, we found time to eat BBQ, play with the babies and play some Martin style games. We enjoyed the windy weather and all got a little sun!

Neal and I trying to sail

Russell and Derrick decided to play underwater washers while the girls just lounged in the pool. Then we decided to play boys vs girls water volleyball but had a hard time keeping the ball in the water. Luckily, the ball was possessed and would generally come back into the pool when asked. It was actually quite freaky :) In the evening, we sat around the pond and hunted turtles. I was not successful but russell and meagan caught a little one. We enjoyed the windy evening and relaxing surroundings.

It was nice to sit around and enjoy each others company.

Russell and Meagan kayaking around the pond

Russell is trying to get a picture of some fish. The light from the pond made a cool green glow around him...

One Sunday, our immediate family went to the Astro's game. Russell had been wanting to take Eli to his first game, and of course Grumps, Honey and Aunt Mir had to tag along! The 'Stros lost, but we had great seats and enjoyed being there together. Eli was most enthralled with all of the lights. He did really good and did not fuss too much. I, on the other hand, enjoyed being with my brother and sister, my parents and the little guy. Russell took this picture of me during the 7th inning stretch- my favorite part of the game :)

The Stars at Night, are big and Bright..... clap, clap, clap...

After a feast of crab at Joe's and some cake covered in smores (yum :)) The family went to say hi to Grandpa who is still in rehab. He was happy to see everyone and immediately told Russell to give him Eli. That man is so proud of his great-grandchild!

All in all, it was a great weekend and I am so sad to see it go.

I will post more about how my school is going at a later time...gotta go write lesson plans and grade some papers :)



What did you do this weekend?

I am officially finished with my first week of being a 4th grade classroom.  Although I have lesson plans to finish and papers to grade, I thought I would take a few minutes to write down some things that I did not learn in school about teaching.

1.  The paper work at the beginning of the year is insurmountable.  20 packets with 8 papers that parents have to sign and return = a huge, unorganized mess

2. You have got to be flexible.  No matter how much you prepare and get things ready, something will change.  I gained 2 kids, 2 kids never showed up and my entire schedule got flipped on Friday.

3.  You will find things annoy you that you never thought would.  I can't stand personal sharpeners and the enormous mess they make.

4.  No matter how early you go to bed, you will be utterly exhausted the first week of school.

5.  No matter how much responsibility you have thrown at you during student teaching, nothing can prepare you for your own classroom.

6.  It is hard to keep a straight face when a kid make a funny remark that you should not laugh at.

7.  Your kids will take a piece of your heart home with them the first day of school.

I absolutely love my job!  I am so blessed to be in a profession where I get to see "aha" moments everyday.  I get to see children grow and mature, learn more about themselves and the world in which they live.  I have kids who come from amazing households and some who don't.  My heart expanded at 8:05 am on Monday morning to include 20 little darlings and their families.

I can't imagine doing anything else!

I recently bought the new Mandisa cd. I LOVE IT!!! It has actually been a stress reliever for me. The sista can sing and her songs have a great and uplifting message. The lyrics below have really been speaking to me!

Truth About Me

If only I could see me as You see me
And understand the way that I am loved
Would it give a whole new meaning to my purpose?
Change the way I see the world

Would I sparkle like a star in the night sky?
Would I give a little more instead of take?
If I understood I'm precious like a diamond
Of a worth no one could estimate
I'm a worth no one could estimate

You say lovely, I say broken
I say guilty, You say forgiven
I feel lonely, You say You're with me
We both know it would change everything
If only I believed the truth about me

I wish I could hold on to the moments
When my life is spinning but I'm peaceful still
Like a wind You whisper into silence
And tell me things this world never will
You tell me things this world never will

You say lovely, I say broken
I say guilty, You say forgiven
Oh, I feel lonely, You say You're with me
We both know it would change everything
If only I believed the truth about me

I would sleep better at night
Wake up with hope for another day
I would love even if it cost me
Take a chance and know I'm gonna be okay
I would dare to give my life away

Oh, I feel lonely, You say You're with me
We both know it would change everything
If only I believed, if only I believed the truth about me