Happy New Year!

This year has definitely had its up's and down's but I made it through and if you're reading this, you made it too! This year I've renewed my vows after 5 years of marriage, raised to beautiful girls, cried a couple of tears, gained a few friends, and discovered a few things about myself. This year has not been easy but what year has? Life is full of challenges and through those challenges we learn how to be better people and learn from the trials that we've faced.

I'm excited about 2013 not because of anything in particular but just because its a New Year and I lived to see it:)

Shout out to my 4 amazing new followers, I gained before the end of 2012! 

I will be spending my New Year's Eve in church worshipping & Praising God. However, If you are doing something different or are doing the same thing. I wish you a very Safe, Prosperous, and Blessed year!

-Martina

My Job

God is so amazing:)

I had a bad morning yesterday and let me tell you why!

I went out with my family yesterday to Golden Corral for breakfast and everything was going well until my cousin states that the boots I had on were cute and then started to joke about where I got them and how much I paid for them because my family knows that if I can find a great bargain I will certainly go with that. I mean who wouldn't? Lol..

However, it was funny for a while then it led from one thing to the next and to make a long story short he said these powerful words... "Oh, you don't do nothing but stay home with your kids, etc" honestly, he said more but I was so heated I actually forgot what he said. Now this is one of my favorite cousins and he says it a lot, I guess he gets a kick about me being a stay at home mom but I don't. 

I don't have a strong support system when it comes to me being home with the girls and I know I really don't  need one but it does help to have one sometimes. See a lot of the women in my family had to work (even my grandmother) so I am pretty much the only one in my family who has been afforded the opportunity to stay at home with my girls so it becomes a joke with them but they forget that I have feelings sometimes. 

A long time ago I use to be ashamed to tell people what I do now because not to long ago I had a job or 2 or 3:) 

BUT last night I was reading a post from my blogger friend Mrs. Tabb's and let me just say that the frustration I was feeling was lifted immediately. It was like God guided me to this post! So, I will stop rambling now and I want you to head on over and read Reasons you could be a SAHM and allow it to minister to your spirit.

For all SAHM's out there and to those who will soon be one, read this post and allow it to encourage you as well.

I am a proud stay at home mom and I thank God for choosing me for the Job!

-Martina

Oh, how

I MISS MY LONG HAIR:( 

I cut it in February 2011 and at the time I felt like it was a great choice, even though the guy who cut it did NOT give me the bob I asked for. It still turned out cute but now as I looked over my FB photos I ran across a pic a few weeks before I cut my hair and I got all emotional because I started to miss my long hair. It's not really short but its not as long as it was either. I will show you before and after pics of my hair. 

This is my hair before I cut it.... Really Long:)

This is my hair after I cut it & colored it Jet Black

This is my hair Now....

Its growing back ssssllllooooowwwwlllllyyyyy ....LOL.... So, I can't complain but I still miss my hair.

-Martina

marriage is hard sometimes

I'm not ranting and I am not putting down my marriage at all but Can I be real for just a moment?

Marriage sucks sometimes..............

I am a woman, a wife, and a mother who does not have it all together.

Marriage is one of the best things God created. It is a blessing to be married to this other imperfect human that God designed just for you but it isn't always perfect. It isn't always this fairy tale that everyone makes it seems.

Marriage comes with so many challenges. Such as.. Finances, Sex, Communication, Kids, Infidelity and so on....

You are with this person everyday for the rest of your life and its not always peaches and cream... Sometimes I want to act like a baby which I do sometimes pout and cry with my arms folded until he comes for me begging that I forgive him but life isn't that way. We have to work through our problems... Forgive and move on! AND isn't that like the hardest part? lol.... Both of you/us want to be right so nobody wants to do it or somebody wants to have the last word.

Crazy right? Marriage is HARD! PERIOD!

I cry sometimes because I feel like maybe he doesn't love me like he says he does or maybe we just aren't compatible and as I right this mad at him then I go back and realize I am definitely blessed to have the man that I have in my life but it just gets so hard sometimes.

I believe we are one blessed family but I won't sit here and act like we have it all together because we don't. As I sit here writing this post I look back at our good times and realize that our good days definitely outweigh the bad. I am one of those people who absolutely, positively, HATES going to bed mad so hopefully by the end of the day I will be the "bigger" person and resolve this issue before we go to bed tonight. lol

Loving & Learning,
-Martina

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!!!!!!

I am SOOOOO excited..... It's 10:38 pm and its CHRISTmas eve! So, that means tomorrow is Christmas day.... I can't wait to see my girls faces tomorrow when they open their gifts (especially Madison b/c she's the oldest) and see what "Santa" bought them.

However, I asked Madison who's Birthday was tomorrow and she said JESUS! That's right baby....Jesus:) Isn't it pretty cool to have a Wonderful Savior such as Jesus.... He was Born, he died, & he rose again just for me and you! I love you Jesus and I am so thankful for all your many blessings and for giving me chance after chance! You are a wonderful, amazing, all knowing, all powerful, king and I am so THANKFUL!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just had to get that in because I love this time of year but for some they hate it and as I was reading through my Facebook timeline I was heartbroken. Some people said they weren't in the Christmas mood and other said they hated this time of year.

Let's keep all of those who aren't "feeling it" this year in prayer because for some it isn't the most wonderful time....

Everyone be safe out there and Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-Martina

The Lost Pacifier.......

Me & Mallorie were driving around and all of a sudden I hear this loud yell and I turn around (while driving) and the pacifier is gone..... I mean nowhere to be found..... By this time I am on the highway and I'm driving and luckily I didn't have a lot of people around me so I'm checking the sides of her car seat and I don't see it or feel it. 

So, at this point I am panicking..... Have you ever been driving and the baby was crying all the way to your destination until you found the paci? Well... That's what was going on! Lol.... I tried talking to to her and that didn't work and then I turned the music up a little so that could calm her down... And guess what? She got quiet so I just so happen to turn around and the paci was in her mouth! Yes, in her mouth! hahahaha

Homegirl had it the whole entire time!

We lose the pacifier all the time or she does which is most of the time.... For example: Yesterday I was looking for one and found the one I was looking for plus another one in Madison's toy box. I was one happy camper! Lol... If you guys could see me when I'm looking for those paci's you would definitely L.O.L. I'm like the top notch paci detective and when I find them I am rejoicing all over the house. My husband doesn't even try to look for them anymore because he knows I'll find them. Honestly, I should get a stash of them or just wean her off of them because we are always looking for those little suckers. It helps her sleep and relaxes her when she's cranky, it's really for me because mommy can't take all of the crying sometimes so yes it is definitely a lifesaver. 

The Lost Pacifier is HI-LA-RI-OU-S because most times when I am looking for it, I am so pathetic and desperate, its like I'm on some type of scavenger hunt trying to find this great reward :-)

P.S. Watch out for The Lost Pacifier Part II because we will surely lose it again

-Martina

What type of mommy am I?

I am not your typical mommy. I don't know how to act like I have it all together or try to impress people with ways that I raise my children. I am a Stay at Home Mom who gets frustrated, moody, and happy all in a matter of 5 mins. Society makes women believe that we have to have it all together but in all honesty we are human and things aren't always going to be perfect.

I enjoy my kids and I love them with every thing in me but kids are a handful  well maybe my kids because I know some of you have it all together  and they can wear you out and bring on complete exhaustion. My sweet bowlegged 1 year old Mallorie is into EVERYTHING and she loves her mommy. She is one clingy baby and she won't let me out of her sight. It is so emotionally draining when you have a clingy baby grabbing on you "ALL" day and crying when you leave her sight. It's emotionally tiring and exhausting.

Sometimes throughout the day I think to myself "Am I suppose to be a SAHM?"..... Crazy thing is sometimes I feel like I am and sometimes I feel like I should be doing something else but daycare is $250 a week and aint nobody got time for that... LOL....

There are days when I feel like this wonderful supermom and then there are days when I feel like I going to lose my mind. And Mommies if you ever have those feelings IT'S OK!!!! I had to except that it is ok to feel that way. Being home with 1+ child all day, I mean literally all day, is very exhausting. I have found different hobbies to at least feel like I'm doing something with my life because if I don't have something to bring me back to reality when I'm having a moody mommy day, I probably would go in a closet and cry.

Let me be clear, I LOVE and ADORE my blessings from God but I have those days where I'm like this couldn't be the life I thought I was going to have. HA! I mean you think you're going to go to college and finish (for those of us who didn't) meet this amazing man, get married, have beautiful obedient kids, and live this amazing beautiful life and its going to be this fairytale! Ummmmm- NOT! HA! Life isn't like that.... It comes with all types of twists, turns, mistakes, errors, happy, sad, and amazing moments.

I get compliments on how good I am with the girls and then there are days I feel like this horrible mom but I guess its just that inner crazy me talking. Being a mom is hard, dedicated work. Our kids depend on us, whether we work or stay home and it is a lot to carry and its scary because you trying to make sure you're raising them the best way you know how. However, I am blessed with these two beautiful girls but this mommy gets tired and drained. I need God to strengthen me because this is one tough job. If you're honest with yourself you get frustrated too:)


-Martina

Another American Tragedy

I'm going to make this blog short and sweet because I don't really have much to say about it because it is so devastating and heartbreaking to continue to think about and speak on but sad to say that once again someone has taken the lives of innocent people and this time it was 6 and 7 year old students and a adults.

We live in a crazy world and it seems like we aren't safe hardly any where that we go.

On the day that it happened these were my exact thoughts.... "I couldn't even bare to watch the news for more than 10 mins! I have been in Prayer today for these families and for my very own. This is another tragedy in America and all we can do is Pray. I teach Madison to pray at night for God to protect her. They may have taken prayer out of the school but it is our responsibility to teach our children to pray and allow them to see us praying in our home. Also, I don't know a lot about Mental Illness but what I do know is that people have to start taking it serious. Even if you have a child or family member that suffers from it. Make sure they take their Meds, are in counseling, and have regular Psych Evaluations."

I pray for those families in Connecticut that lost a child or loved one on 12/14/2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I pray that God will strengthen them and give them a peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray that each day (even though it probably feels impossible) they will find the strength to make it.

Someone sent this to my husband and it really encouraged me and I hope you are encouraged too!



Responding to the Tragedy in Connecticut:

Our hearts are broken for the families whose children were slaughtered in the Connecticut grade school on Friday. There’s nothing more heart-rending than the death of an innocent child. David wrote about wicked people who, “shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear”. (Psalm 64:4)

I can’t think of anything more evil than for someone to gun down a defenseless, terrified kindergartner – let alone an entire classroom! We can understand why Jesus warned if anyone harms one of these little ones it would be better for him if a millstone was draped around his neck and he be drowned in the depths of the sea. We can only conclude that the young perpetrator of this horrible deed was mentally deranged.

Let’s really pray for the parents, the grandparents, the brothers and sisters of the slain children – they are experiencing unspeakable grief. Let’s pray that God brings a special comfort to those who mourn in the depth of their souls tonight.

Let’s be sure to do our part to protect our own children. Insist that your children’s school has proper protection. There is really no totally safe place, but we have an obligation to protect the lives and innocence of our kids the best we can. In 1849 Robert Winthrop stated, “Men…must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet.” Having scoffed at the Bible and removed it from our classrooms, we are left trying to restrain the carnal nature of man by force.

Let’s understand the times and be ready for the Lord’s return. The Apostle Paul predicted, “There will be terrible times in the last days….evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse….” (2 Tim. 3:1 & 13)

Jesus prophesied the final days would see an increase in anarchy. “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man”. (Matthew 24:37)…. In the days of Noah, “The earth was corrupt in God’s sight and full of violence” (Gen. 6:11)

I am convinced we are in the final stages of history and are witnessing the unraveling of a society that has rejected God. The increase of violence and mass shootings is just one of a number of signals that the Lord’s return is eminent. Just as salmon instinctively swim upstream, God’s people should be looking up, sensing their redemption is drawing near.

Let’s make a concerted effort to train our children to know the Lord and respect Biblical standards of truth. They aren’t going to be taught right and wrong in value-neutral schools. They are bombarded with anti-biblical messages from violent video games, popular music, and vulgar movies. Christian parents must be proactive. Read the Bible to your children. Discuss spiritual matters when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Andy, a banker who has been imprisoned for a double murder he did not commit, tells Red, a man he befriends in prison, “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free”. Let’s be courageous enough to live with hope and not fear. The Scripture admonishes us, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

God has not promised us exemption from tragedies or death. But He has promised to be with us through whatever happens. Let’s rise to the occasion and be strong and courageous and joyful in all circumstances. This is no time to hunker down in our homes and refuse to go to any public place for fear some madman with an automatic weapon may unload on us. Our children and our neighbors need the inspiration of Godly people who are fearless.

Revelation speaks of those who overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Our kids don’t need to see us biting our nails and sheltering them from all risks. They need to see that our faith in Christ is genuine and that, “we will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day” (Psalm 91:5) because “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

The Apostle Paul went on to write, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

-Bob Russell

God Bless,

Martina

D.I.Y Santa Wreath

First let me say I am definitely proud of myself for seeing a craft on Pinterest and being determined to do it and complete it.

I was on Pinterest pinning as usual and ran across this Santa Wreath and thought it was the coolest wreath. I mean you don't normally see wreaths like this hanging on someone's door during Christmas and I told myself I had to make it because I love things that are different and I really wanted to challenge myself. 

I am going to do a "How to" for anyone that's interested in making it. However, before I begin I do want you to know that my pictures are horrible because I was using my cell phone and because the lighting in the house was very awful but you can see it good enough to understand where I am going with it.

Supplies:

           1. Styrofoam Wreath 

                            2. Red Spray Paint or Red Paint

3. Red burlap

  4. Black burlap

 5. Hot glue gun

                              6. Silver or Gold scrapbook paper 

      7. Wooden Letters

                                                    8. White paint (only if you don't buy white letters)

I bought a white styrofoam wreath and immediately started adding burlap rosettes to it and realized that you could see the white through the burlap. So, I was trying to figure out a way to cover up the white so I was searching and found a blog where a woman had spray painted her wreath red so when she added the rosettes you couldn't see white. I can't remember what blog it was but thanks so much!!!! So, I realized I had some red paint from when I painted my "L" on my fall wreath. I started painting it and I only had a really tiny paint brush so it took forever . I painted it and let it dry and I decided to finish it the next day. 

I started making Rosettes and added them to the wreath with my hot glue gun. BTW, I burned myself and had a blistered index finger for 2 days. Ouch:(

After I added all of the Rosettes I cut a long piece of black burlap (I didn't measure it, sorry) and I made sure it went all the way around the wreath and then I glued it to the wreath.

Next, I got my sparkly scrap book paper that I got for $1.00 because they had a sale that day! Yay! Cut it in a square and used it for my belt buckle.

Last, I got my wooden letters and painted them with my Deco art snow paint (that I'm using for another D.I.Y that I found on pinterest) painted them and then glued it to my wreath.

Here are a few pictures of how I did everything.... I tried to explain it the best I knew how not really good at that  Enjoy!!!!!

You don't have to use this actual paint but I already had it that's why I used it but it works great

You should be able to find it at any craft store. I got mine at Hobby Lobby on Sale for .89

I cut the burlap in circles. I did not measure them I just cut small circles and big circles but I had a lot because I wanted my wreath to be really full. I went to Hobby Lobby and got 2/3 of a yard of burlap and thought it was enough but because I made it so full when I was half way I ran out. I had to go back to Hobby Lobby and I decided to get 1/2 a yard and it was just enough and I had a little bit left over.

After I cut my circles I bunched it up until it look like the rosette you see below and then I hot glued it to the wreath. Also, in order for my rosettes to stay like that I hot glued it on the inside so it could hold and then I glued it to the wreath.

I think I used about 10 or more Hot glue sticks to make this wreath. You don't need that much but I was suffering from paranoia and ocd (I don't have ocd or anything to that nature but sometimes I feel like I do when I want things to be a cetain way) at the time and I really wanted my rosettes to stay so I glued and glued until I felt like it was secure. You just have to use the amount that satisfies you.

This is how the wreath looks in its beginning stages and with the paint on it.

This is just a close-up picture

Now I am at the half way mark on day 1 1/2 and this is when I had to stop and go back to Hobby Lobby to get more Burlap. My finger was blistered by this point, my wrist was hurting, and my hand was completed tired from all of the cutting to make the circles. 

This is how it should look when its full 

I can not remember the exact name for this paper but I did get out of the scrap book paper aisle at Michaels. It was originally $1.99 but I got it on sale for $1.00.

                                                     

This is something I actually measured because I wanted my lines to be even. FYI: the box on the inside is for you to cut out so you can have a thick, evenly sized belt buckle.

 I got the wooden letters from Hobby Lobby for .99 per pack and you get 4 letters in each pack. So, I spent $2.00 for 8 letters which was a pretty good deal.

The Finished Product..... Santa Claus Wreath!!!!

It took me 2 days to finish it because making the rosettes from the circles I cut and gluing them is time consuming and I had a lot of distractions with the kids and my other duties I have to do through out the day. It shouldn't take you that long if you actually have a lot of free time so I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on my Santa Claus Christmas Wreath! 

Best of Luck,

The Queen

Pressure

I put to much Parenting pressure on myself sometimes. I mean when I think about it I know I'm not alone but I hate the pressure. lol

Here are a few examples of when the "pressure" comes in......................................

1. If I don't play with them for a long period of time- I mean what is the actual time limit that you should play with your kids? If I play with them for 10 mins right before bed time or earlier in the day I feel like a failure b/c I'm doing it just to please myself to make myself feel like super mom and if I play with them for more than an hour I get frustrated because Madison ALWAYS tells me what to do and how to do it and oh my goodness, the whole lets play barbie drives me nuts with the whole play talking and walking. 
2. Giving in to all of their "wants". Mallorie wants me to hold her all the time or she just wants to be under me 24/7. I mean I try not to give in to all of her wants but I hate to hear her cry and it gives me a headache  so I give in ALL the time. Madison always wants something out of the store no matter where we are. Shoot we could be at a car wash and she's going to say she wants air freshener. Lol... I think you get where I'm going with her but yeah. I'm working on not giving in so much. Well, not as much as I should but I want to:)
3. When I have that I'm tired attitude with them and I'm just so frustrated. After the king has gotten on my nerves about not helping out sometimes or I have heard "mommy" way to many times. My mommy dearest starts kicking in and I feel like I'm having an outer body experience because of all the things that's happening around me so I am really trying to work on the whole being frustrated thing but ummmm its so difficult. 
4. I hardly ever take them to the park b/c I think creepy people hang out at parks and I think that maybe someone is watching me or something. Weird I know but hey don't blame it on me blame it on Criminal Minds and Law & Order: SVU... HA!

Can you feel the pressure:)

The Queen

Miss Madi is Sick......Again!

Right now I am going to rant! 

It really saddens me to see Madi sick because there is nothing I can do about it except pray, comfort her, and give her medicine. She was out on Tuesday and even though she wasn't feeling well she really wanted to go on Wednesday so we let her go; but when daddy woke her up this morning she was totally out of it and was burning up so she didn't go to school today. I guess that what happens when parents bring their kids to school sick sometimes.

The fact that they look so pitiful and it seems like my mommy super powers (hehehe) don't work at the moment gets the best of me because there is nothing you can do but what I said earlier and just wait until it passes I mean who wants to see their child in pain and sick?. 

I forgot to mention since I'm only on here every blue moon she is in Pre-K now and she's doing extremely well:) 

P.S. Here's a picture of my Princess on her First day of School....

-Martina