Craft Explosion!

For me, creating something is my "happy place" when I'm feeling dull or am needing a break. Here lately I have been on a sewing kick. I frequently sew, however, I have been so excited over my latest creation that I had to share! By "share" I mean brag. Here it is....

I'm not sure what title to give this....

So, the other day while my mom was visiting, Ally and Emma came down the stairs in these get-ups. We died laughing! You can't tell in the video, but Emma really got into character (I think that Ally was trying to dress them up in some kind of gangster outfits). She lowered her voice and walked real tough. Anyway, I thought some of you might enjoy watching the dance moves that Ally came up with. What would you call this type of dancing? It looks to me like some type of Asian hip-hop!

Let's just get this over with

So, if I am going to be honest and really recount my life experiences and thoughts, then I guess I am going to have to document yucky experiences as well as good ones. Just after Christmas my grandfather passed away. I suppose that he is the first person in my life who has passed on that I felt a deep connection to. I don't talk about this to most people very often because as soon as the thought creeps into my mind that he's gone, I push it out. I don't want to sound dramatic or morbid, however, I cannot leave this blog out and feel authentic at the same time. My mom's and my dad's families are both very special. They each have their different strengths. I have to be honest, though, and admit that there has always been something different that I have felt about my mom's family. For most of our childhood, we were the only grandchildren. My grandmother and Poppy were fairy-tale grandparents. It's so good for children to know that they are unconditionally adored. My family gave me that, each member serving their different roles. Poppy was our rock. He was never the center of attention, yet everyone wanted to be around him. When we were little he always gave us a "poppy dollar" as we called it, at the end of each visit. Once when we were visiting in Chattanooga Mom and Dad told us not to ask for a poppy dollar since the occasion for our meeting was another family member's illness. It was cold outside and our windows were fogged up. I believe that it was Ad'Lynn or Clark who started drawing dollar signs in the windows for Grandmother and Poppy to see! Hahaha! Poppy was hilarious! He was a hard worker. He was so big and strong, yet he was all mush on the inside. He loved my grandmother and his four girls. He loved us. He took care of everyone in a quiet way. I remember once, within the past year, I was visiting him with Ally and Emma. John had to work back home. I was leaving his house, which is in Winchester, late at night. Mom came up to me and slipped me a twenty dollar bill. I asked her what it was for. Poppy wanted to make sure that I had cash on me while I drove home. I told her, "Oh no, I have my card. I'm fine." It didn't matter, Poppy wanted me to have cash and he wouldn't take no for an answer. My favorite memories of him are: his laugh, the smell of his cologne, poppy dollars, going to church with him at Goshen, the smell of his car, receiving cards from him or grandmother especially while I was at college in Idaho, Emma kissing him, and so much more. Two weeks before he had passed away, my Aunt Hazel passed as well, both of them from Pneumonia. She also played such a significant role in our lives. I still have clothes that she made for my dolls. I have to believe that when our time comes to pass on, that it is because there is more that we can do for eachother on the other side than on this earth. Forgive my rambling, but if ever my girls grow up and read these entries, I want them to know about their great-grandfather and great-great-great aunt. I want them to know that my life consisted of more than funny stories and cute pictures, although those are special. Well, I guess you can see what happens when you stay up past midnight thinking about different things. You all probably realize why John is so funny about trying to get me to bed on time! Anyways, I love you Poppy and Aunt Hazel. Thank you for beautiful memories.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year! The girls were at the perfect age for Easter egg hunts, but also just old enough to begin to understand why we celebrate Easter. Here are some videos of them. Enjoy.

Congratulations Ad'Lynn!!!

Ad'Lynn is having a BOY!!! Our first grandson!!!! What are we going to do with a boy! Hahaha! Joshua Paul Martinez is due July 4th. There will be fireworks at our house this year! Yay!

Conference

Since my purpose in creating a blog has been to keep a journal of our family and of my thoughts, I felt it appropriate to share some thoughts from conference. For my friends and family who are not members of our church, twice a year we watch a broadcast from Salt Lake where our church leaders, namely our prophet and his apostles, speak to us. These talks are prayerfully prepared under the direction of the Lord. Each speaker has his own topic. Usually, there seems to be a theme that runs through the conference. This year, it seemed to me that the theme was to prepare us for hard times, but also to find joy in the process and to remember who it is that we look to for guidance. My favorite talks were Elder Hale's where he talked about living within our means, Elder Holland, who spoke about the Savior and His atonement for man, and Elder Bednar who spoke on the importance of visiting the temple. I especially liked how he spoke about the protection of going to the temple regularly. That has made it's impression on me and I am trying harder now than ever before to go at least once a month. As a child, conference was a long two-day weekend event that included playing with quiet books and eating Mom's hard candy from her purse. Now, it is what recharges me and reminds me of what is most important. I have such a testimony of those teachings and of what it does for those who hear those words and act accordingly. We do not pretend to be a perfect people, however, we try awfully hard!

Clark's Wedding

Okay, so I realize that I have taken waaaay too long of a hiatus from blogging! Didn't mean to, just got busy. Ever since Christmas it seems that we haven't stopped! I am determined to get back on track and update my blog. Here goes!