Isaac is Six

I remember Christmas Day well...six years ago I laid on my parents' couch all day feeling really uncomfortable as I waited for my first pregnancy to come to an end. My due date was January 3 but by then, my baby was already 8 days old! I came home that night and woke up at midnight feeling restless. I came downstairs and decided to edit some of the pictures I had captured that day of our family get together. By 4 am I called upstairs to Eric to ask him to "start timing". Things were progressing. So we spent the next few hours at home as the laboring process began and continued. Around lunchtime we decided it was time to head to Women and Babies. And by 7:55 that night, Isaac Ray took his first breath and we rejoiced in this Christmas miracle for our family. Today, there are six candles on his cake. He is our passionate lion heart. Tender animal lover. Hard worker. Lego builder. NEVER STOPS MOVING second born son and we know that the LORD will use him to advance God's Kingdom all over the earth. Happy birthday, Isaac!

Boys' First Sleepover

In honor of their birthdays, we gave the boys' the privilege of having their first sleepover with friends. Filled with pizza, cupcakes, cutting out paper snowflakes, making homemade soft pretzels, lots of wrestling, pj's and a movie, and a small amount of energy! Testosterone levels were at an all time high in our house! WHEW...mommy and daddy were exhausted but the boys truly enjoyed this special treat. We are so thankful for great friendships that our children are forming.

On The Fourth Day of Christmas...

...my true love gave me to me, four little Martin's by the tree! Count your many blessings name them one by one. Merry Christmas! May your coming days be filled with joy, hope, and love as we reflect on the One who came to bring us LIFE and LIFE ABUNDANTLY!

Happy 9th Birthday, Malakai!

Our oldest turns 9 today and we couldn't be more thankful for him. Currently, all is calm in the house but in about an hour there will be four happy little boys rising from their sleeping bags. We had our first sleepover last night with a friend for Malakai and a friend for Isaac. Lots of energy. Lots of eating. Lots of tussling. Lots of...well, just LOUD. We are thankful for great friends for our children.

Malakai is becoming more aware of who he is and who he wants to become. He is a true tender warrior and God has given us a great gift with this arrow. His life is a miracle and we never take that for granted. We pray that in the coming year, the LORD would give us wisdom as we continue to train him up to be a man of integrity, humility, and honor.

We love you, Malakai. Enjoy this whole day with lots of celebrating over your life!