Last day of school fun!

First thing yesterday morning I had to be at the school and make sure everything was ready for Payce's party. I love being the room mom when you have such awesome mom's and teacher's. They make life so easy! Everyone brought what they said and more. Had to run to the store and pick up things for Landon's party. Then off to work I went only to be back at the school at 10:15am for the program.The program was great! Landon was to cool he thought to sing, but he was so handsome. The 4th grade teachers ask to borrow Payce's dress to pull off Elsa and Anna. When the girls sang "Let it go" I had a tear in my eye. Payce's class did the reindeer rap and she got the part of the Elf then they changed it to Mrs. Claus.  She did a good job!! After the program the Christmas parties started Landon was wild and Payce's party was easy and great. Then at noon I headed back to work. The kids got a Rubik's Cube the other day. Thomas picked it up at 1pm today and didn't put it down till 4:30 and solved it. He is so smart! I really wish he believe in his self and didn't think it was cool to be the class clown. I love that boy so much.
Payce and Landon's Santa letter made the newspaper. Landon wants a iPad charger and she wanted 3 things 1) IPad charger 2) IPod and writing bold (I have no idea what that is ).

We finally made our way home and all took naps. The school was hosting a play called a "Christmas wizard of Oz" and I really wanted to go but the kids didn't. Matt wasn't going to be able to go and the cash he gave me I left at work. So I was like forget it we won't go. I thought about it for awhile and thought it is not the Trans Siberian Orchestra we are use to going to, but we are going to a play this year. So I made everyone get up and get dressed and we drove back to town to get money and we headed to the play. I have to admit this was fabulous we had a marvelous time. It has been the best thing we have done this Christmas season. My kids laughed, sang and danced. Landon looked at me one time and said "mom this is so much fun". Thomas said "mom we have to come back next year" and of course Payce said "I'm trying out for the play next year." To bad tonight was the last night because we would be going back to watch it again. So proud of all the students, teacher's and parents that helped with the play it was perfect.
I had $15 that I put it in my empty bag of snow at the play and then forgot and through it away. When we left I was like crap and had to dig through 100 Brown bags to find it. So we did. $15.00 is a lot to my family!
The best part of the night was driving home and saw my neighbors lights on and I knew they were not home and someone was parked in their driveway. I called and ask was anyone supposed to be there and she said no. I dropped the kids off at the house and headed to her house to see who was parked in the driveway it was a married couple making out with each other. YES YOU TWO KNOW YOU WERE. The good news is they were married to each other. It was a good laugh and I'm sure now the couple thinks I'm a nosy neighbor and don't know how Shawn and Julie do it. I chalk it up to country living, I'm doing my neighborly duty you two.
I also took a Facebook quiz called What is your Christmas IQ? I got 46% and was labeled a Scrooge really!! Ok if you say so Facebook.
Grace and Red had sad news to report today. Red didn't come back from the North Pole. Santa sent a note and said they had been so bad and disrespectful that he giving up this year he brought coal and the note personally and took one present that was under the tree. Of course the kids were crying. Grace was here because God is always with you.

All aboard the crazy train

I would like to take tonight and thank my husband for being amazing. Our life isn't easy and more times then not it is very stressful, but he always makes it work. He is a wonderful father and provider and this year he has been a wonderful husband and I don't make it easy(he doesn't either). I do believe he loves me and with love you can conquer anything. I had a sign made that said " We may not have it all together but together we have it all". I truly believe that sums up the way I feel about him and our family.
To prove my love I downloaded candy crush today so I could send him life's. He is on level 215!! Late bloomer to the game but he is a little addicted. When he passes a level he has been stuck on he gets so excited. Like a kid at Christmas.
So now on to the Polar Express Train ride. I LOVED IT!! I would definitely go again next year. Landon however didn't love it, but he is the one always talking about wanting a train. Payce was at the perfect age and loved every minute of it. Thomas didn't say or do much other then get in trouble the first 5 min we were on the train. It was the perfect experience for Matt and I. The instructions said be an hour early. Of course we roll in there at 4:46 train leaves at 5:00 and I was panicking but it worked out great. No lines, cart wasn't full. They did a great job pulling off the theme. So glad we added it to our Christmas calendar this year.
After we left the Polar Express we went to eat at a restaurant called Little Mexico it was the best quesadillas I have ever had. We were very blessed because a family paid for our meal. Yelp wouldn't let us pay. I think about all this couple has been through this week and they still had a smile on their face. Matt and I have been so blessed this year to surround ourselves with power couples.  What I mean by that is they are strong in their faith and love their spouses. Such inspiration to any family especially mine.
Grace and Red were riding the train and bought the kids new Pajamas. I forgot to get a picture. I have really been slacking on the Angel and Elf but we have been really learning a lot about the Bible and the true meaning of Christmas. The kids haven't been great this season. I really wish they could get coal and nothing else, but I just can't do it. I guess Christmas is for me just as much as it is for them.
P.S. I can't wait for next year to help host a event I read on the bulletin board in Palestine. New ideas for Christmas is my favorite and to bring it to our town makes me  super excited.

Alive and well to board the train of life.

Today has been a day of healing. I woke up feeling like I had been in a boxing match my sides and back seemed sore to the touch. Only feeling 50% my normal self this morning I was worried if I could pull this evening off. Then about noon I had a pain I have never felt before. Rushed to the bathroom thinking I was delivering a elephant and thinking I was done for and life was going to be over in the bathroom. The pain was gone after a few minutes. It was the weirdest thing ever. Googled it and seems like I had a kidney stone. Still just a little sore. 

 Our after school event was to tell the kids we are going to the Polar Express because my family has decided not to go to Santa Wonderland this year. I have very mixed feeling about it, but it is what it is. 

The Noey family came over because they are going with us tomorrow. We told the kids tonight at the same time. To say they were excited was a understatement. We ate tortilla rolls, fruit, ham &cheese,  cookies and cupcakes and the kids loved the decorations. I used thing that I had around the house like the table cloth was just a pink sleeping bag. Carley read the Polar Express and I hid silver Bells all over the house. When the book was over the kids ran all over the house looking for the bells. It was fun to watch the kids find them and shack them to hear them ring.  Grace and Red bought a Gingerbread train kit. This was more for the big kids, but the little ones had a fun time as well. This idea however was a huge epic fail. It was very hard and would not stay together.

The entertainment for the night was the kids practicing their school program. Payce wanted to do hers alone, Landon wouldn't do his and Halle wanted everyone to dance. Matt stole the show.  Then we looked up our Elf names. Uh My name is, uh My name is "Happy Peppermint".

Then we moved on to the movie "The Polar Express". Hot chocolate and popcorn were on the menu for this and the kids got comfy and we settled in for a long winters nap.

The kids were so thankful and had the best time. Can't wait to ride The Polar Express tomorrow.

Painful Start to the week!

This has been very painful week for me. The last time I felt this bad I ended up in the emergency room. I was only one more "Do you want to go to emergency room?" from saying yes. The pain seems better. I'm sure it is just stress and how my body deals with it, but it I'm sure I'm pretty close to death. I know you are saying what in the world does she have. Self diagnosing I have a urinary tract infection and maybe I let that go to long and moved into my kidneys. My back is killing me! I'm drinking water, cranberry juice and taking AZO.
Today I got inspiration from a dear friend. Saying Jana is having a horrible day would be a understament. She is sick, has sick kids and someone stole her identity and took her for way over $700 right here at Christmas. With the kids party to plan, Christmas to buy and sick kids needing to go to the doctor. She showed up at school with very little tears in her eyes,dressed perfect, jewelry and make up on. I would be curled up in a ball. I think it was amazing to see her today facing the day and weeks to come with a smile. So blessed to know such powerful lady.
Today we were invited to a Ugly Sweater Christmas Party to say I was excited was a understatement. I took off work today so I could lay around and not move thinking that would make me feel better. At 3:00 when I went to get the kids I barely made it out of the jeep into the house after picking them up. I had to text and say I couldn't make it. I immediately start thinking why is this happening to me. I have a big week and I really wanted our whole family to go to the party tonight. The answer came very quick and a lady showed up at the house looking for a dog and Matt and the kids helped her look for it. Then we got a call from a neighbor that needed Matt's help. So I feel God didn't need me but our community needed my family. The party was to start at 6:00 our first neighbor arrived at 6:00 if we would have been in Buffalo my family wouldn't have been able to help her or the other neighbor.
Let me add this about our town yesterday I was out and about on pain meds I had left over from my wisdom tooth and went to different places and saw one business had adopted a family. One Grade level had adopted another family. One business was doing a can food drive and the school was full of gifts they were giving to needy family. Things like this make me proud. We are a very small town strapped financially and it seems everyone still donated to something.
Payce sung at the nursing home today. She said she wasn't scared of the people just made her miss her old Nan.
Grace and Red haven't done much this week. I will post pictures tomorrow of their activities.

Merry and Moonshine.

Saturday morning alarm clock was Payce screaming from the living room. I have a fever, I'm dying with a fever of 97.9. Landon had an archery tournament and only had one arrow. Matt rushed to Madisonville to buy arrows and realized when he got there the archery shop wasn't opened for business yet . Thank goodness the club he shoots with had arrows. My mom came up to watch Landon shoot in his tournament. I was so proud of Landon, he shot with no sights or release and scored an 87 and got second place. That makes two second places and one third for the year.
After the tournament Mom and I went shopping at the Last Stop Holiday Shop In Jewett, headed to the Flea Market and had lunch with Kristy.
To end the night we had a few people over that helped us move in the house. Matt and I are so blessed for these guys. They believe in Matt and our family and Matt has the honor of calling them co workers. I call them the "twins".  They always have a smile on their faces and are willing to work. We have been so blessed to have people believe is us and so glad to call them friends. In 14 years my kids never shock me and last night they did. They started calling a lady at the party new mom. Even this morning when I told Payce to brush her hair she said"New mom wouldn't make me brush my hair"
Red got in a wrestling match. We told the kids sometimes you fight and have misunderstanding but if you truly love each other nothing will ever tear you apart. Grace was in Red's corner for support just like we try to teach our kids always back your siblings no matter what.

Today is Sunday! We missed church and headed out to Payce's dance recital. Dad and Mom came. When we got to the dance recital we realized we needed a toy for "Toys for Tots". So Matt went to the dollar store and picked up a toy and while we were backstage getting ready he also surprised her with flowers. He is such an amazing father. Payce did such a great job during her parts of the recital. We have been taking ballet and tumbling at Flip and Twist in Centerville. I wanted her to take ballet to be more graceful and elegant. We may need a few more years. Her tumbling was awesome. Her cartwheels are perfect. So proud of her today.
I keep thinking God doesn't give us more then we can handle but days like today I really pray he has a plan for my family.
Red and Grace went to a Christmas Spa. Christmas Barbie massage Red and Grace was getting a chocolate bath. I was so jealous of her I really want and need a day in a chocolate spa. We talked about how God rested on the 7th day and it was ok to do nothing ever now and then.

Walk like a chicken and talk like a lady.

Yesterday was just like any normal American families day. Went to the school and volunteered and delivered fundraiser packages to all the classes. Lets just say the UPS drivers don't get paid enough. Packages were everywhere and some even fell off the cart as I lost control going down the slop. I was so stressed I called Payce's teacher the wrong name and I was leaving the school I realized I walked around the school and talked to all the teachers with my pants unzipped.
Got home and texted all the moms that wanted to help with the kids Christmas party at school. I love being the room mom when you have so many moms wanting to help makes life so easy. Matt called about 10am and was like babe where are you? I forgot it was parents eat lunch with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Christmas dinner. To surprise us Matt brought subway, but couldn't stay because work obligations. So of course I jumped up ran out of the house like a crazy woman to make it on time then my phone is started ringing it was Erica on the other end saying Payce forgot her lunch. Thank God Matt bought me lunch so she ate mine. Made it to the school just in time. I love hearing about all boyfriend, girlfriend drama at 10 makes me laugh. One girl actually said that Landon told her he was to pretty to go out with her.
Thomas stayed after school Thursday for tutoring and when Payce got in the car she looked very sickly. We got home and I unloaded some bags from the car and she was asleep by the time I made it inside. So we skipped dress rehearsal for dance.
Yesterday was also our turn for the Pay it Forward. If you don't know what it is, It is a group of people called the Supremes that organize and adopted a family in a December project. Everyday they assign one person to go shopping and ship the item the next day. The idea is for the family to receive a box everyday. It is a prestige thing I think to be signed a day, if you don't get a day you donate money and on the 20th they send the money to the family. Really it is just an amazing honor to be involved. They truly capture the true meaning of Christmas and is filled through out the group everyday.
Grace and Red gave the kids Christmas Cards to send to to the 6 year old little girl in Utah collecting cards.
Today could have went down hill and it wasn't even 8am, but I decided to not let what happen control my day and get the best of me. This year I have grown so much mentally and quickly turned what could have been a day full of drama in to a day marking something off my bucket list. Ever since we moved to this area chickens are EVERYWHERE houses that is. I have never seen so many chicken trucks. At school I would always hear people say. He works at the chicken houses, I have to walk chickens today, etc. So of course I had to add walking chicken houses to my bucket list. Yep That is what I did today. The chickens were 18 days old. I can't cross it off my bucket list just yet because I want to go back when the are about 55 days old. I can't explain the smell other then overpowering at times. I only gagged once at the incinerator. It was a eye opening experience. This Chicken farm was called a Wing & Prayer I had to laugh because that is what I was thinking when I walked in my first chicken house. My experience was great and I can't wait to go back. The birds were well taken care of. It was great to see the ends and out of the business. I had to take a bath and a shower to get that smell off me. It did stink but as of now I'm still eating chicken.

The big news out of school today is Thomas straightened his hair. He even made snap chat and Instagram. Now that is big news in our small town. He looked like Bo Duke. When I picked him up I had to put my hand over my mouth. I guess he needs a hair cut

. Landon's teacher sent me this message today. Landon just came in here and sat on my couch and said hi....Im your "thermalist" may i help you....sooooo i said huh....my what???? my thermostat????  he says nooooo your thermalist...you know someone who listens when you have problems. I said....honey.....thats a therapist!!!!!!!!!!! I laugh at my kids everyday and it is great to see so many other people get to know their personalities and love and laugh at them too.
Grace and Red Were climbing the tree together. We were showing the kids that it takes team work to get to the top. You need each other and how it is important it is to relay on each other from time to time.

Our Soldier's Christmas Greeting's Event

Today has been a very emotional day in the Martin house hold. We were so blessed by the out pouring of support shown for our Soldier's Christmas Greeting's event. Because of my loyal blog readers and friends we were able to collect, fill out and mail 280 Christmas cards. I would like to thank y'all from the bottom of my heart.
So Here are the facts about sending Christmas cards to Walter Reed Army Medical Center! PLEASE DON'T send Christmas cards to Walter Reed made out to A recovering America Solider. They will throw them away in the trash!!!! Here are the reasons why! The U.S. Postal Service will not accept mail addressed to "Any Soldier," "Any Wounded Soldier," or the like because if it did, it could be providing a conduit for those who might do harm to armed services members. Such offerings are either returned to sender (if a return address has been provided or if one is found within the package) or donated to charities (if no address for the sender is found). Similarly, military hospitals will not accept letters, cards, or packages addressed in such manner for the same reason. Such beneficences, no matter how kindly meant, are not permitted to reach the soldiers they were intended for.

 It was very hard to find a organization that we could send Christmas cards to. So after doing hours of research on all the different organizations and what was true and false about sending Christmas cards to warriors. The Valiant Veterans was the group we went with their campaign was called Operation Christmas card. They were easy to work with the only thing is they had strict requirements.-minimum of 5 heartfelt, appreciative or supportive sentences (remember for some this is the only mail they will get) This was very hard since we were sending out 280 in one night.
-please do NOT seal the envelope
-cards can be hand made or store bought
-envelopes can decorated
-children may draw photos and color pictures as well, these are loved by all as many have children
-please do NOT put stamps on each envelope. We mail in bulk as it is cheaper and easier
-you may include your email or return address to be contacted back (please remember, not all will right back as they may not have the ability to send return mail, or the time as many are in combat zones)
-you may include photos, however, these need to be family friendly and appropriate. Please respect our service members and remember that this is not a dating service.
-DEADLINE December 12, 2014
To say are fingers and hands hurt is a understatement but we laughed till we cried and even made up a new language. We were so blessed to have the McCoslin family over to share this experience with us. We went for a all American Theme Dinner hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and dip, smores mix, fruit and apple pie. It was great to hear stories about their dad when he was serving in the military. We can't tell you how Thankful we were to have the community behind us this night. We stand tall, proud and managed to write out enough Christmas Cards to represent the entire city of Marquez. Does my heart good to know we made a difference in so many people's life. I'm just so proud of our town to be apart of this great event. I feel so humbled by this experience.
Today Red and Grace wrapped the house and got toilet paper everywhere. See I was up at 3:30am why I don't know and was sleepy at 6am so I ask Matt to move the Elf well that is what he came up with. He said it was a funny on me, because everyone know you don't mess with mommies trees. The kids loved it!!
 I just want to say My dashing through the dough contest is going terrible!! I ate the best McRib and fries today and two sodas. Fat girl for life. Word! I will do better tomorrow.
Today was our day for the Pay it forward in the Supreme Group. Can't wait to tell you all about it tomorrow.
So proud of Payce she placed 5th overall in UIL today. It was four schools participating.
The kids are on the up hill swing of their sickness. Tomorrow is my volunteer day at the school. Fundraiser stuff is In!! Payce got her Limo ride and Landon will be so happy to get his race track.
In closing I want to say from the bottom of my heart Thank you for making tonight possible and having faith that our families could represent Marquez and getting these cards to the RIGHT organization for our military to enjoy a card this Christmas season. Truly blessed to call y'all my friends and this our town.