Its a BOY

This week, on the day of our 8 year wedding anniversary, we went to the doctor to find out the sex of Baby Martin.  Of course, the legs were at my belly button making it hard to see...but with a little maneuvering the doctor was able to determine that we are expecting a BOY!  I am excited but Chad is over the moon!  He is already envisioning all the boy things they are going to do together.  Summer is in denial and still keeps thinking she is having a girl...I think asking her if she wanted a "Emma" or a "Reece" (cousins we just visited) made her think she actually determines the outcome...she keeps saying "no Em" everytime I say we are having a boy. She'll come around.

I am going to blame it on pregnancy brain for not remembering my camera charger on our recent Florida trip but I hope to get some pics from family soon so I can post.

Next challenge - agreeing with Chad on a name.  I had my heart set on 1 or 2 and of course he doesn't like them. 

Summer update
Currently she is being treated for yet another double ear infection (9th I believe).  She has also been diagnosed with asthma and we are doing daily breathing treatments throughout the winter season to prevent a major breathing issue.  She has adjusted well to wearing the mask and watching cartoons before bedtime.
She has learned how to climb out of her crib and I have setup a big girl twin mattress on the floor in her room.  I was all prepared to go Super Nanny on her and make sure she stayed in her room however when it was time to sleep she said she wanted to be in her crib.  Oh well, whatever works is fine for me.  I then found out, at a later nap, that she is climbing out of her crib and sleeping in her big girl bed...once again, I don't care as long as she stays in her room.

Visit with Gigi

Chad's Grandmother, Gigi, came to visit last week and Summer loved spending time with her.  Gigi was a great sport and agreed to play "spa" with Summer. 
Sidenote: I LOVE that Summer enjoys playing "spa" and I reap the benefits everytime I get out of the shower and she massages lotion on my back and legs...and occasionally my hair which defeats the purpose of the shower. 

Step one: Get your client comfortable and gather your supplies

Step two (of a pedicure): get in-between their toes:)

Step three: massage thoroughly with lotion (Gigi hadn't intended on this being a full leg rub down but Summer insisted)

Step four: paint with an attractive color...in this case, blue!

Step five: thank your client for playing with you

It was a blessing to get to spend some time with Gigi here in North Carolina. 

Whisper in the Darkness

I am involved in a women's Bible study on Wednesday evenings at my church and we are studying 1 Kings.  Last week it was on 1 Kings 19 and how that relates to discouragement and depression.  I feel so strongly about this that I wanted to share it with you. 

Key Point: No believer is immune to discouragement.  We must listen to the voice of God to know the truth and feel His love in our darkest hours.  We must look to the people of God to surround us with purpose, hope and joy.

1. We can't walk in faith when we are running in fear (of loss, pain). vs 2
2. When we are discouraged we tend to isolate ourselves from our support (run from the reality that we don't like). vs 3
3. Our focus can be on ourselves and not on our mission when we feel down (must shift our focus from looking at pain to looking at God's grace). vs 4
4. Exhaustion and poor self-care can magnify the crisis (skipping meals, not enough sleep). vs 6
5. Our bodies and minds can affect our spiritual health (making that little thing the straw that broke the camel's back). vs 7
6. We must be certain we are putting our energies into the right tasks. vs 8
7. We must evaluate what choices led to our low point (don't try to run someone else's race). vs 9
8. When we are empty, our view of reality is skewed (pain is like blinders). vs 10
9. We must filter out the chaos to hear the voice of God (God will get our attention with a BIG thing then gently tell us). vs 12
10. God will tend your soul through relationships centered on truth (God has people in place to support you and me). vs 18

When dealing with discouragement/depression:

• Don't isolate yourself.
• Be open about your feelings.
• Don't try to fake it.
• Don't neglect washing your mind with the truth and aligning your feelings with worship.
• Ask for help.

Check out these encouraging Bible verses: 1 Peter 5:7, Zeph 3:17, Isaiah 30:18
Ecclesiastes 4:10 - If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
I am often over-scheduled and too exhausted to be the Godly friend that I should be BUT I am here for you if you need me.

Hello Fall or Winter?

Read Read Read...Summer definitely wants to be read to these days.  We typically start the day with about 5 books while Mama sits and drinks her coffee.  And most we then reread.  We are focusing on colors and counting.  The colors Summer is doing well at but the counting is still in her own language.  Here she is this weekend on the computer and Mimi is reading her a book on Skype while we get ready to go to Waffle House (yum!).

Winter decided to stop by for the weekend and the temperature on Saturday was in the 40's the entire day.  Chad built a fire over at his parents house to keep warm.

Since Summer began her antibiotics for her ear infection a couple weeks ago we have had issues with you know...poo pooing.  I think it is a domino effect where it was painful once and since then she tries to hold it when the urge comes.  I have resulted to bribery.  If she poo poos in the potty then she gets a lollipop.  Let me tell you, she will pick out the color she wants and carry it in her pocket all day knowing that once she goes she can eat it.  I am impressed with her restraint.  Here she is reading a book to her babies while enjoying her lollipop.

My pregnancy is going well.  I am feeling good minus being more tired than usual (which was already tired).  We will find out the sex of the baby in 3 weeks on our 8 year anniversary, October 25.  That is very exciting and we will be thrilled, genuinely, with either a boy or a girl.