Just a quick announcement......

LILY HOPE MARTIN

Born:  Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 3:28 p.m

8 lbs. 12 oz.

21 5/8" long

Mommy and baby are resting comfortably.....look for pictures later when mommy's not so tired

My apologies to those of you who check here occasionally for an update!  I've been gone too long....and if you want excuses, I can think of some!   One of them being.......facebook.  If you have a facebook account, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about......if you don't, well, facebook is a lot of fun and somewhat easier than blogging.  But I guess that's not a very good excuse!

Lots of activities since Christmas......

Our eldest.....DAWSON......turned FIFTEEN on January 25 !!!!!!!

We celebrated at his choice of restaurant for lunch and then with his favorite dessert for supper--Cherry Delight.  I can't believe I had to put 15 candles in this year.....time has flown by and I'm beginning to feel rather old!

(Do you think that maybe Justin is wishing it was his birthday instead? )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAWSON!  You are growing into a fine young man and you make us very proud to be your parents!  Keep growing in Jesus!

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My pregnancy has been progressing nicely.  I am so thankful to have an uneventful pregnancy.  Other than feeling tired and quite cumbersome, I cannot complain!  No backache, no other aches and pains, no more morning sickness.  PTL!!  I mostly just feel.....old!   I am at the point now that when I drop something or need something picked up off the floor, I am asking one of the children to please get if for me!  Bending over is just a pain at this point! LOL!  The other day I asked Emily to please tie my shoe for me.  We had just gotten out of the van to go into the store...her words were..."Mom, isn't that embarrassing?!?"  (I guess she thought I'd be embarrassed for someone to see her tying my shoe in the parking lot, but there wasn't anyone else around, so I didn't really care!) 

Only 3 1/2 weeks left until my due date, which is April 16.  I've been praying and hoping that JUST ONCE, maybe the Lord would allow me to go early--even a day early would be great!  I've never gone early with any of my babies, so my track record isn't so good, but I guess it doesn't hurt to hope a little!  It would be really neat to go 3 days early and have baby on my own birthday.  Wouldn't that be special?  I know that God knows the perfect birthday for this little person, so I am choosing to trust Him, even if it's "late" by my calculations. 

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The first week in March, Royce and Dawson spent time with MDS in Diamond, Louisiana.  They had a great time with some other men from church and others helping with construction on the bayou.  It was a good experience and I'm so glad that Dawson was able to go along.  What a field trip!  I faired rather well here at home with the other children alone, but by Thursday of that week, I felt like I was at the end of my rope.  I know that I had friends praying for me, and we made it!  We were all very excited and happy to see them back home on Saturday morning!!

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Last weekend we got to spend some time with some friends of "long ago" at a mountain cabin.  I haven't uploaded the pictures yet.  We had so much fun!  There were 4 families, including us.  All of the men were buddies way back in their teen years when they ran around together.  They did a lot of reminiscing, laughing, and talking about the "old days".  We women would just listen and shake our heads at some of the crazy things they did.....Much of it I hope and pray that my boys don't get into!

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One more thing.....we've settled on a girl name, but are still searching for a boy name ......any suggestions?

That's it for now.....more pics later!

HAPPY SPRING!

Here are a couple of promised pictures!  The kids and I took lunch over and got to see dear little Josiah Allen!  What a precious little bundle!  I told Ruth that it seemed a little funny to see them holding someone blue instead of pink   He does not look like the girls--he has his own "boy" look--maybe like the Yoder family?

They look quite pleased, don't you think?