It's My Blogoversary! "And the Award Certificate Goes to..."

Today is my One-Year Blogoversary!  I can't believe I've had so many things to ramble on and on about celebrate for this long!  Seriously...it might seem like nothing more than ramblings and endless photos of changing seasons, pets, what our house never always looks like, and my adorable children {ahem...!}...but one thing is for sure...this blog has led me to so many new friends, lots of inspiration, and allowed me to appreciate all the little things we do each day and to literally watch the transformation as Alex and Emily grow up! 

It all started here... one of our several snow days where Alex missed nearly two weeks of school with all the cancellations and delays! 

So what do you do with all those days off, but take pictures!  If you know me at all by now...you know I take lots of pictures...and if you are lucky enough to be in the family and on my email list...you probably received tons just a few pictures in your inbox almost daily!  So instead of cluttering all those mailboxes...I decided to start this little blog to share our pictures and allow our family to view them as they pleased...and the rest is history!  But...it became more than just a place to post these cute little mugs...

{and how I wished these little mugs were still just as little...it just goes too fast!}

...but it became a place to document the joy in every day!

So thank you all for sharing these special little moments with us and being so kind and uplifting to leave your encouraging words when visiting Martin Manor!  And...now...what you've all really been waiting for...

"And the winner is..."

#11 - Terri from the Four Scarbary's...here's her winning comment...
Terri said...

My favorite Valentines day present would def. be the bubble bath while the hubby worries with the kids... I guess we can dream right? Hope you have a great day :)

Yay!  Congratulations Terri!  I hope you like Chili's and Target...enjoy your Valentine's Day...dreams can come true! {wink!}  It's been amazing getting to know all of you and it's been a blessing to share these moments!  Please stop by and congratulate Terri...she is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to two great kids!   {Terri please email me your info...and I will get that right to you!}

{Okay...I need to get to bed...Sunday School in the morning...but I was so excited to pick a winner...I just couldn't wait until tomorrow afternoon!  Goodnight!}

"You're Gonna Miss This...Moment" Painting Pottery

Time to join Pam and share the moments we're going to miss one day...because life is so short! Sometimes it's hard to find those moments among our busy schedules, but that's what I love about participating in this...it makes me stop and think about it and appreciate them so much more!

I know it seems as though all my moments and time have focused on Emily...but the time is fleeting...and once they start school all day...I don't get that time back! I already miss it so much with Alex! {And besides...when I try and take his picture, he runs like the wind to hide from the camera!}

Anyway...yesterday Emily and I had lunch at Wendy's {our new favorite hangout after school...Mmmmm, Frosty's!} and then headed to a quiet, little shop to paint pottery. 

If you've never painted pottery at a place like this...I recommend it!  It's a little overwhelming to walk in and pick something out and try to decide what to do with it...but once you sit down and grab a paintbrush...it's so relaxing!

Emily picked out a little kitten and a little egg...and I decided to paint a larger-sized egg...mainly because it was about the simplest thing I could think to paint...and Easter's around the corner!  We listened to the great music playing and enjoyed the warm sun pouring in the windows {especially since we haven't seen it in a few days...so gloomy lately!}...and concentrated on our painting...and in between paint drying...I, of course, took pictures!  A great, peaceful afternoon for these two artists...and it's always fun to get the finished pieces back!  They look so much better when they've been 'cooked'...all shiny and smooth!

I love spending this quiet time with both Alex and Emily...doing what they love to do!  I'll miss this wonderful, alone time painting pottery after school...when they start getting too involved with activities and friends and even more homework...yuck!  So I will cherish it now...and will have these cute, shiny little trinkets to remember it later!

What will you miss one day?  Stop by Pam's and share that special moment with us, too...before you blink...and you miss it!

{And don't miss your chance to win a $10 gift card to Chili's and $10 gift card to Target and some other goodies...just click here and enter my giveaway to celebrate my one year Blogoversary on Sunday!}

Melt My Heart...

This little face...

...really melts my heart...

...those big brown eyes, that sideways smile, and quirky sense of style...

...gets me every single time...

...seeing you with your friends...

...so full of life and energy...

...you really know how to melt my heart...

...even on ice!

{...sigh...you are such a sweet, genuine girl...everybody's friend...you make such a sweet impression on everyone you meet...you are not afraid of much, except maybe spiders, like me...and can sometimes have a sassy, stubborn side, a little like me..and I wish I could stop time for just a little bit...you are growing up so fast...and I don't know how much more my heart can take...sigh...but I love watching you grow and each stage brings new accomplishments and milestones...just s...l...o...w

it down a little, okay?  I {heart} you more than you will ever know...and even when you groan and sigh when I say "Just one more picture, please?"...you sure know how to turn on the charm...so my heart can melt just a little more!}

  

Wordless Wednesday - {Thirsty} for Bird Watching

**Reminder...Giveaway...{here}...Enter...Now!**

I ♥ Faces - Week 4 {Texture}

This week at I {heart} Faces is all about Texture! I absolutely love the look of texture applied to a photograph...it can change the whole mood and scene of the photo! Unfortunately...I do not have an editing program to make my photos as such...however, I am entering this picture of Emily...using the soft feathers and chunky knit hat as my texture! And besides...who can resist those big, bright eyes...all dressed in pink? {sorry...I can't!}

{She is such a good sport...I had her throw this ensemble on and stand out on the front step in the cold wind and snow!  Anything to enter I {heart} Faces!  I {heart} her!}

Now go over and check out all the amazing entries {here} to see some awesome texture and to be inspired and join in the fun!

It's easy to enter, not so easy to win {so many great photos}! 

{Chalk} Devotions...Update...{Live and Learn}

Remember the small change I made in the kitchen {here}...I am so happy with the how it's been working in our home...so far!

We read it each day...and change the verse when we have memorized it.  I've never been able to quote scripture from memory...but this is a great way to start.  Alex has been really excited about it too...wanting to memorize it so we can write down another one!  We tried to remember today's verse when I tucked Alex in for bedtime...we couldn't quite remember it perfectly, yet...but we went over the two previous verses...and I was so proud of Alex for reciting them both!  It's been a great way to open up the Bible and pick one out together...and since I have lots to learn...we randomly open it up and skim for a verse together that seems to speak to us {and is small enough to fit in the little space!} 

I've also included the verse that we are learning in my sidebar...so that I can still see it there...when I'm not in the kitchen where I should be making dinner, loading the dishwasher or putting groceries away...{ahem...}

Today's verse:  {...btw... I know I need to switch the candy canes for candy hearts...but I also still have Alex's and Emily's little Christmas trees in their rooms too...but...onto more important things...}

This seemed so appropriate to me since the kids have been complaining lately about who has what and "Why don't I get to do that?"  It's important to live with thanks for what we have...our health, home, family and friends...and not dwell on what others have or be envious of what seems to make them happy.  It's an important lesson that I need to be reminded of too...and stop to appreciate what makes me happy and brings me peace!

How does this verse speak to you?  Or do you have a favorite verse that has worked in your life and spoke to your heart?

I love this small chance to share God's word with my family!

{Don't forget to enter my giveaway...Just go here and leave a comment or two!}

{100} Reasons to Celebrate! {with a GIVEAWAY!}

...or maybe just a couple of reasons to celebrate...
...so we'll do as Alex would say, "One, Two...skip a few...99, 100!"  {He can be such a little smarty pants!}

{1}  Today is the 100th day of school for Alex and Emily!  So they get to celebrate with special activities and a day of fun with the number 100!  Emily made a special hat with the number {100} on it and a necklace with 100 beads!

{100 backwards...he's left-handed!}

It's hard to believe how quickly the school year is going...{I'm a little sad}...but it only means that Spring and Summer are getting closer!  {Yippee!}

{2}  Another reason to celebrate...my One Year Blogoversary is coming up on Sunday!   What better way to celebrate and thank all my loyal guests at the Manor than to have a giveaway to show my appreciation!  It's been lots of fun getting to know so many bloggy friends who care to stop by and visit Martin Manor...and I've enjoyed getting to know all of you!  I'm like an outsider looking in...but I appreciate the inspiration, laughter, and sweet smiles that you all share with me each day too!

{The goods...}
If you've followed me for very long...{or even just for a day...} you probably know where my favorite places to go are when I leave the Manor...  Chili's and Target!    You could enjoy some chips and salsa and a little shopping spree on me!  I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Chili's, a $10 gift card to Target and a couple other of my favorite things...Bath & Body Works goodies and some treats for your sweet tooth!  And because it's getting close to Valentine's Day...what better way to celebrate than by taking your sweetheart out for appetizers and a stroll around Target browsing the dollar bins all while smelling good and eating some chocolate for dessert...what a great date night, right?  Okay...maybe not your idea of Valentine romance...but still...a night out...from yours truly!  {Just call me Cupid!}

{To enter...}
Just leave me a little comment telling me hi for one entry...
And another comment telling me your favorite Valentine's gift...{do you like candy and flowers...or just a day to relax in a bubble bath while hubby does the chores?}...for a second entry!

I will use random.org to select a winner on Sunday...my Blogoversary!  You have all week to enter!

So get your party hats on...and celebrate with me!

Thanks again for stopping by...here's to another year of celebrating all the things happening at Martin Manor!

"You're Gonna Miss This...Moment" Home{room} Mom

Time to join Pam and share the moments we're going to miss one day...because life is so short! Sometimes it's hard to find those moments among our busy schedules, but that's what I love about participating in this...it makes me stop and think about it and appreciate them so much more!

Once a week I volunteer in Emily's morning Kindergarten class and it's so fun seeing her in the classroom interacting with all of her friends and learning...and I love when all the kids are happy and excited to see me!  One little girl told me I was her favorite mom...besides her mom!  I thought that was so sweet!  {Or maybe she says that to all the moms...but I'll take a compliment when I can get one!}  I took the morning off this week so I could let my mouth heal from my gum graft...so I missed seeing all their cute little faces!  But although some mornings can really wear me out when the kiddos just can't seem to sit still, or complete their assignments, and have trouble listening...I love this opportunity to be involved in her classroom and having her get excited when Mommy gets to come to school too...and I'm really going to miss it!  I already miss helping out in Alex's class, too.  I was a volunteer in his Kindergarten class and he has grown so much since then!  It's a little harder to assist in his classroom this year having Emily home in the afternoons and he also switches teachers for Reading and Science/Social Studies, but I hope I can be a cool class{room} Mom for a long time...and when they're too embarrassed to admit I'm their mom when their friends are around {which will never happen!} ...I'll gladly help out with the PTO and just wave from the sidelines instead...{wink!}

{I'm also going to miss hanging out with my little Emily in the afternoons...I know I've said this as one of my Moments before...but the time is getting closer each day!  We eat out for lunch almost every day...and although that is not favorable for my hips and thighs...I know I'll miss it when she's in school all day long!  I'll start exercising then...maybe!}

What will you miss someday?  Be sure to join Pam and share those special moments with us, too!

{One more thing...be sure to stop by Kelli's too...it's her Friday to host Free 4 All Fridays!  She's having a super cute giveaway!  She's so creative!  Leave her some comment love and it might pay off!}

Daily {Chalk} Devotions

So... I've been updating the Manor here and there over the last few months...and no room is safe!  The kitchen does not have many changes at all...you probably don't even see any differences from here...but I did move the little bench that used to be in the Entry and put it next to the kitchen table.  I love pillows and pillows in the kitchen make it feel so cozy to me...even if this is just another place for us to pile our shoes up...or for the cats to jump on...it still feels homey to me! 

{oh...and be sure to check out Tiffany's blog...she makes the cutest pillows...and I would love to get that adorable pear pillow!  I already found a home for it on the bench!}

The other change...{that I've mentioned before here}...is the lamp that I salvaged from the dump basement!  I love having just a little bit of light in the evening and this lamp gives off a nice glow next to the sink where I let dirty dishes pile tidy up!

The newest addition that I love came from a picture in the Pottery Barn catalogue...{I love getting ideas from there!  Most of the items are too pricey...but Target has several comparable items that I like to steal...well, pay less for, I mean!} ...and don't look at the dirty smudges on the wall...a major change that needs to happen is paint...but then that wouldn't be minor...we're talking minor today!

{Here's my inspiration...}

{image from Pottery Barn}

I bought this little chalkboard from a Flea Market a few years ago for the kids to play with...{I also love shopping at Flea Markets...you never know what little treasures you can find!}  ...and now it's being featured in a popular catalogue...who knew!  And although I'd love for all my rooms to look like Pottery Barn...I don't want to live in a catalogue {okay...so maybe I do...} so I just try and find a place for my little inspirations whenever possible!

I love my Bible Study group with MOPS and learn so much...but sadly...when I get home I sometimes lose my focus.  So I want this to be where I can easily see God's word and be able to read it several times a day...grabbing a snack from the pantry...cooking...sitting down for a meal...and just passing through...afterall, I spend most of my time in the kitchen ... grabbing snacks from the pantry...

It's a small change...but hopefully with a huge impact on how I live each day!  It's also a way to teach Alex and Emily... tonight, I asked Alex to read the verse before we ate dinner...and I hope to keep this as our dinner-time routine to have one of us read it and be thankful and appreciative to how God is working in our lives!

Today's verse:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Col 3:17

Do you have a dinner-time routine, or a special time to read a daily devotion?