Happy St. Patty's Day from the Martin Clan (and Jamberry winners)!

The lucky Irish winners are...

The winner of the free sheet of Jamberry wraps is: BONNIE :)

The winner of the mini-heater is: MARGARET (I'll contact you by email)

And if you entered over on my Instagram, go find out the other winner later today!

Slainte!

You Want Quirks, I'll Give you Them Seven Times Quickly

What a weird title, sorry, it's one of my quirks - I write the title before I write the post, then I usually have to go back and adjust it because what spills out of my tappity-type fingers is not what was sitting in my brain file.  Grace wrote about her kid's quirks, and I love that kind of stuff, so I'm joining in with some of the current Martin quirks, one for every kid and their quirk-passing parents.  Oh wait, that will make 8 takes, which is great because...

COLLEEN:

I love even numbers when I group or list things.  After every odd numbered kid, I knew/hoped I would have another one to make an even bunch.  So if there's ever a Martin Baby #7 there will most likely be a Martin Baby #8.  And wow, that would be a lot of kids!  Right, Michelle?  I also have another weird quirky number thing, I don't like to set a timer or microwave to a number ending in zero or five.  so if I want to heat up some food or set the timeout timer, you can bet it will read 3:01.  I always add an extra second or two.  I can't sleep without a sound machine or fan or something producing white noise.  I'm a wicked light sleeper and every little noise wakes me up, so this at least blocks out some of those.  I always pour myself fresh glasses of water, take a sip, leave it, come back later, dump it out, refill with fresh water and repeat cycle.  Why can't I ever just drink a whole glass?  Prefer my salads at room temperature and my egg salad warm (and homemade) but to really enjoy tuna salad, it must be from a restaurant.

PHIL:

He likes to have all the "work" done at night by the time the kids go to bed.  Then he can relax.  This means he is usually found making lunches while cooking dinner while doing dishes, etc.  I'm always like, let's do the lunches later!  But he wants it all done already.  He also can not go to bed right after everything is finished and the kids are asleep.  He needs some unwind time in the form of TV watching or he feels like his whole day has just been a work day, with no relaxation.  (I prefer sleep as my method of relaxation.)  When he exercises at the gym, he always changes his shirt after for the ride home.  Plus he wears a hat while he works out to keep the sweat out of his face, and uses a towel to wipe off his face.  So after each workout, he has a lot of laundry to do.  He wears old shoes with holes in the bottom even though his wife buys him brand new ones for Christmas.  Won't eat mayonnaise, sour cream, or seafood.

JOHN-PAUL:

He gets completely lost in books, and is oblivious to anything else going on around him.  Which means he loses a lot of things, then thinks they are stolen.  He prefers one certain brand of boxer briefs and does not appreciate when his younger brothers wear them...oh the joys of a joint underwear drawer.  He loves to sleep in said boxer briefs only, but we make him wear pajamas in the winter months.  Money and gift cards burn holes in his pocket like crazy.  He feels the need to put something funny in everything he writes for school - which so far seems appreciated by his teachers.  He's been wearing deodorant for a long time now, even though he still doesn't need it.

ANDREW (10):

He has this crazy high-pitched laugh that he does when he's acting like a goofball.  He loves to get everybody riled up and into something physical - playing basketball, wrestling on the floor, running around like lunatics.  He can't sleep without a nightlight and stores all his treasures under his bed.  Every night after his shower, he makes his hair stick up a little in the front so it dries like that.  When you tell him to go read, he acts like he's dying.  Likes peanut butter, like chocolate, does not like them together.

EAMON (8):

This boy needs physical touch in the worst way.  He gives these super long and way-too-handsy hugs to us everyday.  It's sweet and disturbing at the same time.  When he eats, he does so sloooooowly and has the tendency to put tons of food in his mouth, then sit there like a chipmunk until he can chew away at it for twenty minutes.  He is always found tossing a ball around or washing his hands.  He has perfected the mommy voice when he talks to the baby, pitch and all.  Likes his cheese cold, not melted.  Will not touch ketchup.

MAGGIE (7):

She is the quirkiest about her hair.  She will only wear it in a ponytail or down with a headband.  That's it.  If you want to get her to do something, threaten her with "or I'll braid your hair" and she'll do it pronto.  Even getting it cut is a process, she only allows the hair stylist to spray her hair with water, not wash it in the sink.  Sleeps so heavily in her makeshift hallway bedroom and won't wake up even though people are walking back and forth to the bathroom or turning on the light or talking.  She needs to have like ten stuffed animals in her bed with her, along with her blankie.  She keeps everything and thinks it's under control because she puts them in various boxes and containers around her room.  She can be found Irish step dancing her way through the house, why walk when you can jig?  Will not touch ketchup either.

XANDER (3):

Bites his nails - all twenty of them {shudder}.  Freaks out about tags, and begs us to cut them off his clothes.  Can physically dress himself but you wouldn't know it by the no-bones-floor-drop he pulls every morning.  Needs a sippy cup of water next to his bed at night, and a pillow with the tag still on to hold as he sucks his thumb.  If he's watching a tv show, he makes everybody in the room be one of the characters..."ok, you're Peg and you're Cat, and you're Ramone..."  Tells us most mornings that he doesn't want to go to school, then tells us every afternoon that school was so much fun.  Has a tendency towards pessimism and speaking without a filter.  Tries to get away with saying potty words by insisting he was saying something else "No, I said but, not butt!"

DECLAN:

Hates diaper changes.  Loves his nuby (pacifier).  Throws anything he can.  Does not like to cuddle.  Sleeps on his belly with a blankie.  Is very frustrated by his inability to talk and walk.  Says "mmm" after every bite of food.  Points with his whole hand, a la Vanna White.

Linking up with the quirky and adorable Kelly, and hoping you all have a wonderful weekend and aren't getting yet more snow like us :(

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY JAMBERRY GIVEAWAY HERE!!!

Forgiveness: Letting it Go and Faking it Til You Make It

Well Lent is almost halfway over, and all the things I've wanted to do are about halfway being done.  I am only listening to Christian music in the car (and dare I say getting used to a couple of the songs they play on repeat), I have been cleaning out the litter box as seldom as possible (though I usually huff and puff my way through it, because I'm ornery like that), hugging the kids comes easy for me, I have been at least more observant of my picking-up-my-phone habit when I'm around people (though I tend to easily justify that one) and the not cheating on Weight Watchers, well that one is dying a slow death.  I really really tried in the beginning, but I was STARVING only eating 26 points and exercising hard.  So I had a couple cheat days, confessed it this past Saturday, and the priest told me it wasn't a sin.  What?!?!  Good to know :)

But my real Lenten journey this year has been one that started back in October.  You see, without going into details, I got into an argument with a friend that turned into a bigger deal than it should have.  Feelings were majorly hurt and it's been a long 5 months of having to see this person and trying to get over all the drama.  

I have always been someone prone to a quick temper, and a lack of filter.  If you do something that makes me upset, you will most likely know it right then and there.  But my saving grace is that I am also quick to forgive and move on.  Just give me a good night's sleep, and by morning I'm over it.  Grudges aren't worth the time or energy, but I couldn't seem to get over this incident.  I confessed this anger to the priest, but he unfortunately didn't cover it (I guess I had other sins that needed more attention!) and I left feeling even more confused as to what I should do.  I wanted this whole thing to be over, but I didn't know how to get over it.

I would alternate between feeling like I should fake it til I make it, and then feeling like that would be deceitful.  How could I smile and act normal to someone whom I can't see without holding back tears of anger and hurt?  But how could I go on with this eating me up inside, like a virus to my soul?  

Then I realized something...forgiveness is like love, it is an act of the will.  A choice, not a feeling.  I was getting too caught up in my feelings.  I could choose to forgive and it was OK not to have my feelings agree with that!  

As soon as I had this aha moment, it was like God gave me bunches of signs to reinforce the decision.  Our cat, whose litter box was way too dirty last night, instantly forgave me as soon as I started cleaning it...purring and showing me affection.  In the car this morning, forced to listen to Christian music, I heard a song about allowing forgiveness that spoke straight to my heart.  The prompt over on Blessed is She's Instagram account is #mercy.  Then I went to morning Mass at our school's chapel and the gospel reading was the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.  Um, timely much?  

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times....

Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Wowzers! So yeah, today my journey of anger ends.  I choose forgiveness, and I hope my feelings can catch up quickly to my will, but even if they don't, I will still have peace in my heart.

Big Family Parables

When people find out you come from a big family, they usually ask "What's it like?" and when people find out you have your own big family, they usually ask "How do you do it?"  Well, here's what it's like and how we do it, parable-style...

Adding another baby to an already large family is like adding another star to the sky, they brighten your life and add more beauty, but can easily get lost in the shuffle.

Feeding all these children is like going to a Las Vegas all-day, all-you-can-eat buffet.  Except you are the chef, waitress, dishwasher, and entertainment.  Tassles not included.

Being a parent to many is like playing the longest football game ever.  You're the quarterback AND head coach AND the ref, and your team always wins, so the losing team better just get used to it.

Children are like junk food.  You want them and love them, but sometimes you indulge too much.  That's when you need a juice cleanse and can go back feeling refreshed and unclogged.

In a big family, children are like high school cliques.  You have the big kids, the littles, the middles, the babies, the boys, the girls, the teens, the school kids, the preschoolers.  They are constantly being reclassified depending on the event.

Parents of many kids are like the Apostles.  They speak in tongues, so that their kids don't know what they are saying.

A bathroom visit in a big family's house is like a celebrity phone hack.  What should be kept private has become public.

A perfectly clean house with lots of kids is like the planet formerly known as Pluto.  Out of this world, and doesn't exist.

Groceries in a large family are like a lesson in economics.  High in demand and low in supply.

Going anywhere in public with all the kids is like being a card shark.  All you do is count, count, count and hope nobody notices.

Getting everybody to appointments and activities is like learning to juggle.  You try your best, but inevitable end up dropping a few balls.

Breaking up fights between lots of children is like refereeing the Superbowl.  You try to be consistent and honest, but end up with everyone thinking you're so unfair.

Playdates for kids in big families are like facial tattoos.  Highly visible but not necessary.

Living with a big family is like living in a frat house.  There is always fighting and partying going on.  The toddler acts drunk, the baby is up all night, there's dried vomit on the floor, and people end up asleep in someone else's bed.

Getting everybody cleaned and dressed to go to Mass is like running a marathon.  It takes forever, and by the time you're done you're ready for a nap.

Holidays in a big family are like a Monster Truck Rally.  Loud, fun, dirty and expensive.  Ear plugs are recommended.

Watching all your kids grow up and navigate their way through life is like watching a car accident.  Disturbing and sometimes horrific, but you couldn't stop it and you can't look away.

Having a house full of perfect children is like having a stable full of unicorns.  It's just a myth.  They are all donkeys.

Potty training tons of kids is like labor.  You know the end is worth it, but there will be lots of sweat, tears, poopy accidents, and yelling before it's over.

Christmas 2013 with my side of the family

I hope you know I'm joking, because having a big family is truly beyond compare.  Where there is fighting, there is love.  Where there are financial struggles, there are deeper riches.  Where there is testing, there is patience.  Where there is boredom, there are playmates.  Where there is hurt, there is forgiveness.  Where there is selfishness, there are endless opportunities for generosity.  Where there are failures, there is support.  Where there is need, there is grace.

That's What He Said

Listening to the Christian radio station in the car (because, Lent, ugh.)...

Andrew: They said the "A" word!!!

Me: What???  This is Christian music! I can't believe they said a swear!

Andrew: No, they said Alleluia during Lent!

At the dinner table...

Me: So what happened at school today?

Andrew: I got to serve Mass, and I was Thurible.

Phil: Well maybe you should try harder next time.

After looking at the dress that changes colors...

Andrew: We looked at this in school!

Me: Isn't it so weird?

Andrew: Nah, it's just an elliptical illusion.

Watching a tv show when they said something about Minnesota...

Xander: I love Minnesotas!

Phil: What are you talking about?

Xander:  Those orange things wif da sugar and we eat them outside sometimes because they are so messy?

Andrew: He means malasadas.

(I say Minnesota, he says malasada)

Walking out of Sunday Mass...

Monsignor: Don't forget, Andrew, you're serving a funeral mass tomorrow.

Andrew: (Big smile) I know!

Me: They love serving funerals, Monsignor.

John-Paul: Yeah, because we love money!!!!

Monsignor: (joking around) You mean you love to pray for the souls of the deceased.

John-Paul: (laughing) No, I just love the money!!!

And a great joke I heard...

Why do teenagers travel in groups of three?

Because they can't even.

:)

A Very Jamberry GIVEAWAY!

A while back, I started seeing people's blog posts and Instagram photos of their Jamberry Nails and I became very intrigued.  I hate doing any upkeep on my nails, but I definitely appreciate pretty manis and pedis, and Jamberry nails are like Manicures for Dummies.  Soon after Jamberry's started exploding in popularity, my good friend Laura started selling them!  And so I bought some right before Valentine's Day, and instantly had cute and timely holiday nails.

As I learned from Laura, the best way to apply these nail wraps is to have clean hands, super-clean and dry nails, and a way to heat the stickers.  Jamberry's nail heater is the perfect thing for it, but a hairdryer can work too.  I like to cut my nail sheet right down the middle of the wraps, pull one half off, warm it up and stick it on my nail.  Then I heat it up again, stretch it out and cut the excess wrap off as I trim my nails at the same time.  Some people prefer to file the excess Jamberry off, and I don't nail judge.

I just applied these ones yesterday:



Don't mind the state of my dry skin, Northeastern winters are harsh!

It's very easy, takes about 15 minutes,  and looks great once you're done.  Plus, each sheet of nails can be used for two manicures and two pedicures which makes the $15 sheet price a real bargain when you compare to the price of professional nail salons.  The nails last about two weeks, and can be easily removed with nail polish.

Are you interested in getting your own Jamberry nails to try?  Great!  You can order some from their brand-spanking new Spring Catalog that came out today by using my online party link.  Did you hear that?  You're invited to my (online) PARTY!!!  When you are ready to review your order, just choose the Martin Family Moments party, cuz the Martin Family Moments party don't stop :)

Jammin' with my jamberries.

If you're feeling lucky, you can enter my giveaway below to win a Jamberry sheet of your

own!    And then you can try again on my Instagram giveaway to win another sheet of nail wraps over there.  Plus, anyone who orders the most from my online party will win a Jamberry Mini-Heater:

So let's review!!  Just enter the giveaway below, go to my Instagram and enter that giveaway or order from my online party here.

Have fun, and remember you can't win if you don't play!

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