Ten on Ten - March

We almost made it through the entire Winter season without snow...and we thought it was smooth sailing into Spring in February.  But then a few weeks ago...the snow caught up with us!  The kids missed a week of school and just about every morning called for a delay due to snow or negative temperatures!

But now it's March...and Spring is definitely close!  The birds have been chirping like crazy and the snow is finally all gone!

{no.1}
If you want to know where to find me...first, check the ice-skating rink--second, check Target--third, check the allergy office--fourth, check here...the dentist office!  After all the kids had their check ups, it was finally my turn today.  I looked about the same way Abby did... and finally, if you don't find me at any of the mentioned places, I might actually be at home...so check there! 

{no.2}

After the dentist...Abby and I went to the pet store to visit the sweet, playful cats, and to get more food for our own cats and Emily's hamster.

{no.3}

It rained absolutely all. the. live. long. day!  I wanted to stay home in pjs under the covers...but I forgot to mention...if you can't find me at home or the other places mentioned above...I'm probably here in my car...headed to one of those places!

{no.4}

these two loved the rain...and it washed away the last of the snow we had...and it felt more like Spring weather...so it was all good!

{no.5}

nothing says joy then getting to jump and splash in puddles when you're four!

{no.6}

pony parade...thank you Grandma for all the extra ponies, Elizabeth is in heaven!

{no.7}

Easter colors!

{no.8}

Emily's summer camp acceptance letter...she's pretty excited to go for the first time!

{no.9}

home from school and getting in their minecraft game time before homework!

{no.10}

we are days away from Spring Break and headed to warmer weather...my toes needed some TLC and some new sandals!  

Happy {almost} Spring!  Daylight Savings Time is kicking our super-tired booties...but I usually catch up...about the time we fall back again...

Go { here } to share and enjoy more ten on ten!

Dear {Abby}

{broken record alert...}
The time is going so fast! 

I still remember the exact day when we found out about baby #4 like it was yesterday {a trip to Target with Alex on a Sunday, Labor Day weekend, a hot flash and a rush of nausea on the way prompted a quick purchase to test if my instincts were true!}...and now we are closing in on meeting this sweet baby girl with just two weeks to go! 

And it was only just about one week ago that we all agreed on the name as a family...

Abigail Marie Martin

We are so excited to meet you and have you complete our family! 

We've been getting busy {trying} to organize closets and clothes and prepare for having another little one join our family!

Emily and Elizabeth have become great roommates...and Elizabeth is happy to help get the nursery ready for her little sister! 

seems like we were just getting this room ready for Ellie...

ready to love her little sis

I'm the big sister now!

Big brother Alex has been a great helper too...he was eager to put the baby glider together...and he did a wonderful job all on his own...{with just a little supervision on my part}

So the countdown is on...

{Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.}

So many things in life are uncertain, but no matter what...we have experienced nothing but joy at the small blessing of life that was created to us...and expect nothing but joy once we hold you in our arms!

...and soon these arms will be completely full!

...and even though we can't wait to meet our sweet Abigail...

I wish I could s-l-o-w time just a bit to savor these very last movements, jabs, hiccups and having an awesome reason to eat ice cream like it's going out of style before she makes her grand entrance into the world!

{...to be continued...}

{Spring} Fever

It's been a typical winter season here...but we are finally having some wonderful Spring weather, sunshine, green grass and blooming trees and flowers!  So we have been soaking it up while we can...the weather, after all keeps plunging from the 70s and 80s back to the 40s in the blink of an eye.

Last weekend, we had a great visit with Aunt Nicole, Hunter and Grammy!  They weren't able to celebrate Emily's birthday or Christmas with us this year, so they came with gifts!  They all enjoyed Emily's new pogo stick...and she and Alex were also happy to receive iTunes gift cards!

So excited to try her new pogo stick!

Elizabeth and Grammy- it was a windy day!

Alex trying out the pogo!

I'm so excited that my sis and I will both be having baby girls very soon...just about six weeks apart!  Obviously...I have a little bit more baby than she does! ha!

This week we enjoyed more outdoor time...yard work, playground fun, swimming and a little rocket launching contest!  {Mostly, I've been a happy admirer sitting by the sidelines watching all the activity...this baby belly has been a bit uncomfortable these last few weeks!}

enjoying the playground while Emily is ice skating

having a fun morning at home!

watching Dan and the kids go for an evening walk/bike ride,
while me and my belly take a few moments of quiet time

enjoying a popsicle on a pretty day after MOPS!

three eager swimmers!  First swim of the season! 
Thankful for the heated pool...but the air was still a bit chilly!

Alex got a new rocket in his Easter basket this year, and this weekend was a perfect time to build it!  He and Dan were going to have a contest to see if his rocket or the one Dan built a few years would go the furthest!

Ready to launch at Brown County State Park!

"Which way will it go?"

heading out to set it up!

Daddy goes first...
his rocket went really high, but the parachute didn't open up!

watching for the rocket!

"Watch out!"

Alex's turn

Blast off!

Alex's rocket went so high I lost sight of it, until it started to come down! 
We lost both rockets in the woods, but look forward to coming back and trying again!



windy sisters

Now that we've been spoiled with such nice weather...we get to look forward to a true Spring forecast for the week...rain, rain, rain...and back in the 40s by weekend.  We will be having Spring Fever for a bit longer it seems...but at least there is no snow in the forecast!