Friday, July 9, 2021

7QT: Busy Busy, Mom Guilt, and Camping for Nine

 1)

Summer time is supposed to be a slower pace of life and lots of time off, but it sure hasn't started out like that.  After last summer of doing nothing, the kids were excited to get back into sports and activities so we have been watching a lot of outdoor basketball games, tennis lessons, swim lessons, and track and field meets.  It's equal parts adorable, exciting, and exhausting.






Just look at my little guy trying to jump hurdles :)


2)

Both Phil and I work all summer, so there is a constant juggle between the big kids of who is working and who can babysit and who can drive who where.  This makes me  have major mom-guilt that the big guys have to step in for us, and that our littles don't see us as much as I'd like.  So on days off, we try to have some fun, like bumper boats, and cousin sleepovers, and ice cream trips and friend hangouts.



3)

We did have a very nice Fourth of July (celebrated on the 5th) with a parade and family cookout and birthday party for the July birthdays.  



When this posts, it will be my Dad's 81st birthday - happy birthday you sharp shooter!  


My brother-in-law rode his car in the parade with some of my kids in the back throwing out candy - so fun!







A group shot from the parade...Summer Martins...Summer Not ;)



4)

We are currently packing up to head to Catholic Family Land next week.  Three of my neices are working there all summer, so I'm happy to see them, but the idea of living in a camper with nine people frightens me.  The kids are so excited and I just keep thinking that the extra stress of trying to get ready to go on this vacation will be worth the destressing that happens on vacation.  Fingers crossed.

5)

I thought this article was a good read "The Hard Truth About Raising Catholic Teens", though it left me feeling a little hopeless for ways we've already gone wrong.  I do feel hopeful since JP chose a good Catholic university and pray the rest of my kids can follow suit if it's God's Will for them.

6) 

Is this real life?  I mean seriously, when is Jesus coming back?

7)

Can I ask for your prayers while we are away on this family retreat?  We have had a tough year and even tougher past month with some things I can't elaborate on publically.  We are hoping for some clarity on what to do moving forward and discerning God's Will in our lives.  Thank you :)

7 comments:

  1. Praying for you Martins! I just read that article and while I do agree there are things we can do better on, you need to remember we were meant for a time such as this. You are a great example of faith in my life via the internet, so I imagine you have influenced your children far more than you realize. Yes, their heart's relationship with Jesus is the most important but knowing how to have that relationship and still be functional in the world is the balance everyone has to learn for themselves.

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    1. Thank you so much Madeline, what sweet advice.

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  2. Praying that you find the clarity you need on this trip (and that sharing a camper isn't as bad as you think it will be!)

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  3. I can only imagine how hard it is to juggle everyone and everything while working in the summer. I have a tough time juggling who is driving where without the added stress of who is home with the littles. Great pictures. My dad just turned 81 in May. I'm anxious to hear how the camper goes. Praying that you enjoy your trip and that you find time to relax. May God give you the clarity you are looking for. My heart goes out to you. Life is full of tough decisions and challenges. Hope that whatever is weighing on you becomes more manageable.

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    1. Thank you!!! I know from reading your blog that we would be great friends in real life!

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    2. Colleen - My Eddie was just asking me what I was writing. "Blog post about Irish dancing championships." He asked me if I have many readers, etc. I told him that I've noticed that people have found my blog through martinfamilymoments. Then I showed him how I can see that in my stats and I said these words: IF SHE LIVED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WE'D BE GREAT FRIENDS. As I was clicking to your blog to show him your blog and your cute family - some with same names as my kids, I read your comment to him. I was like OH MY GOSH. SEE?! WHAT DID I JUST SAY? So funny. Looking forward to hearing about your camper adventure.

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