Photos of Corey & Family

Hi Everyone.  I know you all are probably dying to see what our baby girl looks like and too impatient to wait for the reunion so here she is!!

Dear Granny

Dear Granny,

It is has been 5 short yet long months since Heaven called you Home. I always knew that Heaven would have a wonderful place awating you, I was just hoping that it would not have been ready so soon for you. Granny I am so happy that I have a lifetime of “Granny memories” that I can reflect on often. However on the other hand, I am sad that we will not be able to make more “Granny memories”. One of the things that I don’t understand is “Why did the world not stand still the day we lost you?” It should have, yet other people and their lives kept right on going.

Almost everything I see, do, read, or think reminds me of you, Granny. For example, a grilled burger, a commerical adversiting Las Vegas, or a new cookbook. Why? Everytime that you joined us when Pete was grilling burgers, it was a given that you told Pete to burn you a burger. Everytime that I saw a Las Vegas commerical, I remember when I told you that Pete and I was flying to Vegas for our anniversary, you said for us to be careful in Sin City. Cookbooks, well it just reminds me of you loving to sit and read a good cookbook. These are just a few of the things that trigger “Granny memories.”

Granny it goes without being said that these past 5 months have been difficult. It would have been alot worse without Paula, Katherine, and Tina. The four of us have become closer in a way that has been a comfort that they will never know how much it means to me. We have talked or emailed more than we ever have. The common demoninator is always you, Granny.

Granny, I tease all the others about being your #1 grandchild, but in reality each of us was your #1 grandchild. How did you manage to do that?

I will always love you in the way that only a grandchild can.

Loving you,

Martha Jane

checking in…

I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t gotten to post much on the Martin Box.  I just looked thru and it’s turned into just a list of Whitney’s quotes (which are great by the way) and Martha’s birthday and anniversary wishes.  It could be so much more if everyone would just post a little something here and there.

I tried a new recipe today, so it might be coming to the Recipe of the Month posting soon.  It’s for oatmeal cookies with a brown butter glaze.  They are without a doubt the best oatmeal cookies I’ve ever made, and I’ve made a ton because they’re one of Wynn’s favorite cookies.  He was very excited to be my guinea pig this afternoon.

I made the cookies today because I’m part of a ministry at church that serves “new moms.”  We provide dinner for two weeks after the new mom and baby arrive back home from the hospital.  We sign up for one night and take a complete meal to the new family.  I love doing this.  Sometimes I feel like I’m so busy with the girls that I can’t serve at church like I would like to, so this ministry is perfect.  If it’s one thing I can do is cook a bigger dinner and take half and share with someone else.

Speaking of serving at church…I’ll be teaching in Rea’s class this Sunday.  She just moved up to the 3 year old class 2 weeks ago.  Her new teacher remembered me from VBS, so she asked me to sub for her because she’ll be out of town for a wedding.  I must say I’m a little nervous.

Quick subject change…we just put our house up for sale again.  We put it on the market back in February, and after a long 6 months it still had not sold.  We weren’t very pleased with our realtor, so when our contract was up with took it off the market for a couple weeks.  It was actually good timing, since we were going on vacation.  Mom and Dad were here keeping the girls, so I’m glad they didn’t have to deal with any showings.  Once we got back, we got it back on the market.  Our new realtor is sending a professional photography service tomorrow to do a lot of photos.  I think she said 22-25.  I’ve been cleaning like a crazy woman.  I’m sure Wynn would say that I always clean like that.  I must agree.  Sometimes I’m convinced I have OCD.    It’s going to be a relief to get those photos taken.  I feel like if I can just make it until after that I can relax, but I can’t relax for long.  Next week is already looking really busy.  Plus I have to get my flyers and emails out for my Halloween costume photo special I do every year, and I’m doing school photos at Rea’s school this fall.

Busy, busy, busy around here.  But, busy is good. 

Work Hours

In case some of you didn’t already know, I’m looking for a job. Today I spent the day going to a few vet clinics in my area, getting applications, filling out said applications, and then turning them in. I wrote out the days I could work. It said: Tuesdays and Thursdays, open to considering alternating Fridays-Sundays, and not available Thursday-Sunday of Thanksgiving. on one application it asked what I thought about working holidays. I put that I would be open considering that, but that I wouldn’t work Thanksgiving.

Mom asked me what I would say if they asked me why I couldn’t work then or if they asked me to work then. I told her I would tell them that I have a large family and that was when we have our reunions. That my grandmother just died and this would be the first reunion without her. And that I had family business to attend to then. Pretty good answer?

There’s no way I would give up coming to reunion! I miss everyone so much and I don’t get to see you very much, how could I miss out on the one chance I get a year to be with you? And since I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to come to the next 2 after this one…a team of wild horses couldn’t tear me away. When I go to FL, I’m not promised to get holidays off. Of course, they’ll probably stagger it so that you don’t have to work every single holiday. If that’s the case (which I’m sure it is) I’ll just have to trade if I get assigned Thanksgiving. I’d trade Christmas and New Years, anything, to get to be there! But, like I said, no guarantees. You’ll just have to love up on me real good this year, in case I’m not there next year. You better enjoy me while you still have me!

Newest “Little Limb” on the Martin Family Tree

Emsley Blake Paris Murray

was born to

Leah and Blake

Saturday, August 9th at 6:14 she weighed 6 lb 1oz.

She has a VERY special name-

she is named after all 4 of her grandparents

Emsley -   is Brenda’s father name

Blake – is Blake’s mother’s maiden name

Paris - is Granny’s maiden name

Murray – is Blake’s father name

Then to add to it - she was born the day before her Grandmother Brenda’s birthday!

wedding bells will be ringing today

I’ve had Rachel on my mind all weekend and wanted to remind everyone that she’s getting married this evening.

Congratulations Rachel and Sean!  I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we wish we could be there, and that we’ll be thinking about you this evening.  I can’t wait to see photos and hear all about it!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday  — Damon Martin

Enjoy every minuite of this day!

vbs

I was too busy to post about this last week.  Too busy now too, but going to do it anyway.    Last week I volunteered to work vbs at church.  I signed up for the preschool story time, which basically was a drama team.  Our little guys were so little, we had to act out our daily stories.  Since I volunteered it meant that Rea and Emmy were eligible to attend.  VBS at our church is only for K-5th, with the exception of the volunteers children.  We all had so much fun.  Rea had so much fun, when she got up this morning she asked to go to bible school.  Emmy slept most days.  My days were filled acting in costume of course, story telling and singing.  We had a different lesson for each day.  We taught about Moses and the Red Sea, the birth of baby Jesus, Bartimeaus, Jeremiah, and the good samaritan.  I’m so glad I was able to help and can’t wait to take the girls again next year. 

Daily Quotes

Whitney – I must say that you are doing a great job on the daily quote postings. I am so proud of you, so glad to call you my daughter.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Jason Shryock

Make the most of this day!