Sunday, September 13, 2009

Camera Woes...Sleep deprived!

I've been noticing that I don't take as many pictures lately... I think I have my hands FULL to often with the girls.

And, it seems like there is so much to do when the girls are awake... and even more to do when they are asleep!

I wish I had a photographer, someone to manage my BLOG and FaceBook, a secretary to do the bills, etc., a cleaning "person" who knows were everything goes in my house, a full time grader for work, a techy to manage my teacher page for work, a scrapbook wizard, a cook, and last, but not least, more sleep every night! Note the time....

Anyone know how I can get all of this for FREE? Maybe then I would be able to find time to sweat 30 minutes a day....

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I'm back....

Sometimes it is so hard to keep everything going... but as you can see, I'm back.
I will get a 'summer' video done and then we will just move forward.

I haven't been doing as well with taking pictures. I seem to always have my hands full between Kyrie and Breoni. They are on the go ALWAYS!

We had a wonderful summer and are transitioning back to the routine of being "Back to School".

More soon.....

Friday, September 11, 2009

I'm ONE and I'm THREE....

Link to Kyrie's ONE year pictures and Breoni's THREE year pictures.


Click here and enter your Customer Name (TARA MARTIN):
https://www.thesmilestation.com/home.asp?AC=LTTT0883108226TAR

Click here and enter your Customer Name (JERRY MARTIN):
https://www.thesmilestation.com/home.asp?AC=LTTT0883108225TAR

May Highlights...

So... on May 6th... I did something very drastic. I cut my hair very short. I donated it to LOCKS OF LOVE again. But, this time I don't think that I will be growing it out again. I've really been enjoying it short. I have had it cut three times since and the last time I also added color. They also taught me how to do makeup correctly. So it was quite the make over. And, I LOVE IT!

It was a good change...

I think it made Shawn (who's been trimming my hair for years) more anxious to cut my hair than me.

COUSINS COME FOR THE WEEKEND!
Kangaroo Zoo





More playroom stuff...
Breoni has been a big help!
Breoni Loves to MAKE cookies...
Actually, she love telling mommy what to do... she comes up with some great ideas!
My parents are officially BACK to Utah. Their home in St. George is finished. We had a wonderful welcoming home weekend for my dad. I forgot the camera so I don't have any pictures to share of that weekend. But, it was wonderful. All the family was there. It was definitely a weekend full of love and laughter mixed with a perfect amount of tears and hugs.
It is amazing what kind of power a couple new grandkids have!

April Highlights...

Breoni and I playing!
We spent a wonderful EASTER weekend camping with the Sorensen's in Escalante hiking the slot canyons!







I'm on the move!

Breoni's Gynmastics had a really fun Easter Activity!


I started converting the 'entry room' into a PLAYROOM!

March Highlights...

Park Fun....









Backyard Adventures....




We took ALL my mom's appliances down to St. George! Now, that's was you can precious cargo!

Jerry went on a wonderful snowmobile day trip with his sister(Julie) and her husband(Brandt.)

Breoni loves playing with my hair... not for long!

My First Oreo's....

Last tidbit (belated) from February...

Kyrie discovers OREOS!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Fun Stuff!

Friday- 2/20/2009
Breoni got all dressed up to go out with her Daddy! The were going to take the tax info to the accountant and to go shopping at Old Navy! Daddy LOVES to go shopping. Breoni "LIKES IT A LOT!" (Imagine Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber saying this... Breoni does a great imitation!). They picked out 4 pairs of PJ's, 2 new swimsuits, two pairs of flip-flops, a sweatsuit and 2 shirts!

Saturday- 2/21/2009
Breoni really likes her new swimsuits. She has worn one or the other since she got home yesterday. She also got a wonderful present from "Nana Michelle", bath tub crayons! She has really enjoyed her baths the past few nights! She has colored all over the tub in her swimsuit!
We also went to the park on Saturday since it was such a GEORGOUS day! Breoni had a blast climbing, sliding and swinging! Kyrie went down all the slides! She is fearless! She even enjoyed swinging!
I forgot to take the camera! I really hate it when I do that!


Sunday- 2/22/2009
GAME NIGHT!
We were so excited that Jeff joined us tonight!
TREVOR WON!

She is LEGAL!

December 15, 2008
We finalized Kyrie's adoption!!!
We have to appear before the Judge to legalize Kyrie being a part of our family. It is a pretty interesting process. Our lawyer has documents to present. Then, our caseworker has to verify that we have met the requirements to be 'good' parents. Both Jerry and I are required to answer some questions from both our lawyer and the judge.
It is a very strange (but wonderful) feeling to sit before a Judge and tell him why you feel you are going to be a good parent. How do you explain the love you feel for a child and how she has changed your life? I, of course, get very teary.
It was nice to be able to continue working with Amber and Mr. Murphy, who both were a part of Breoni's finalization and adoption process.
And, no words will ever be enough, to explain the support that "Uncle" Stan provides. Thanks for being there Stan. And, thanks for showing your love in so many ways.
Lastly, I would be amiss not to mention how grateful we are to our birthmother (you are an angel!) and her family for all that they have sacrificed so that we can be a family. We LOVE you!


Michael Murphy (Our Laywer), Jerry, Kyrie, Tara, Amber, Breoni, (Our Caseworker), Uncle Stan

Kyrie was sound asleep until the judge entered the courtroom.
She seemed to sense something important was about to take place.
There were a couple of other adoptions being finalized in addition to ours.
Brenoi and this darling little girl became 'quick' friends while playing in the hall while we were waiting.
Our 'official' family with the Judge.
He was very impressed with both Breoni and Kyrie.

P.S. I will be posting the sealing and blessing soon. I want to get the digital images from my mom before I post the blessing and sealing!



A bit about December....

December 1, 2008
Breoni is just loving Gymnastics. She can tell you that she goes to gymnastics on Mondays. I also have a great time going to gymnastics. Soon Breoni will move into the class for 3 year olds (where mommy can't come with her) and I will start going with Kyrie!


December 5, 2008

Breoni is such a big helper. She wants to do everything I do with Kyrie. She helps with feeding (as you can see here!), holding, dressing, bath time and even diapering.




December 6, 2008
It was a very warm December day so while Kyrie was napping Breoni, Jerry and I went out and played in the hot tub. Breoni calls it her 'warm swimming pool'. She is getting very brave in the hot tub. She can touch bottom every where now and walks all around. She jumps off the sides. She especially loves throwing things into the bubbles and watching them swirl around.


A little info about January here.... since I never took any pictures and didn't realize that I didn't talk about it until just now... We signed Breoni up for swim lessons. Just Breoni and I would go. She was struggling some so Jerry and Kyrie started coming with us. And, Breoni was still a bit scared... which I think is my fault since I took her down the 'big' slide before lessons started when we had just gone over to the Rec. Center to play and the first time we did great. She wanted to go again. The second time we came out of the slide a little side ways and she ended up going underwater. And, her whole outlook on the water changed. So, we are slowly working her back into being confident in the water. Kyrie, on the other hand, loves the water. She looks a little surprised after going underwater but continues on like no big deal. We didn't sign up for the second session of lesson due to my surgery, but will sign up again! We really want the girls to be confident in the water since Lake Powell is a major vacation place for us!

December 10, 2008
Breoni LOVES her books. She 'pretends' to be reading all the time. She has memorized several of the books that we read at bed time. She can 'read' all the pages "I LOVE YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH" and there are several books where if you pause, she will fill in the next word (at least!), sometimes she can fill in a sentence or two! It makes be incredibly happy that she loves her books! Here is a really cute video of her 'pretend' reading in the bath tub.

December 14, 2008
We finally got a snow storm big enough to make a Snow Man. I don't know who was more excited about making him... Jerry or Breoni. (I think Jerry!!!) But, regardless, I think we created a first rate SnowMan!

5 Years of Marriage!

Jerry and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on Friday! We had a wonderfully relaxing day with the kids and ordered Chili's (one of my favorite restaurants) for take-out! On Saturday, we went to one of Jerry's favorite restaurants, Red Lobster. Jerry really wanted to go snowmobiling, so he will be taking an excursion on Tuesday! I told Jerry I didn't want any presents (he really hates that!) because I just wanted him to watch the girls so I could go use the present he gave me for my birthday...A SPA DAY! I had a wonderfully relaxing massage, facial and pedicure.



THANKS JERRY!

I LOVE YOU!
A couple of pictures from 5 years ago....



Thursday, February 19, 2009

Angel Gift!

I had a 'surprise' left on my porch today. The sender is 'anonymous'! The note was very nice. I think that there is something so wonderful about having someone share kind words with you... especially when they don't sign their name. It feels like an angel sent you a reminder of who you really are. A reminder that you are divine and deserving of blessings.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

ON THE MOVE!

Kyrie loves playing the paino. She is pulling herself up to a kneeling position and even gets to a standing position using the piano as a brace. She is a really strong little girl!
Kyrie started crawling this week! She has been "making the move" towards crawling for weeks. And, she finally decided to go for it! She doesn't go more than a few feet, but once she gets a little more balanced she is going to be all over the place!