Cabin Fever

I can't remember ever having it before, however I have a confirmed case of cabin fever now. We have had such a wonderful spring. It seems the last few years the weather went from 40 to 90 in a matter of 2 or 3 days, but this year it seems we have had a nice long spring with few days over 80. I am sure it won’t last but it has really fueled my illness of cabin fever. I just want to be outside all the time. I think that having infants and toddlers over the last 3 years has kept us (unnecessarily) home-bound and indoors. But after completing the fence in our yard, we have made more of an effort to be outside and love it. Last week we spent hours out there. After Dad put in a sandbox, we have to beg Ryan to come in for dinner, bath, etc. ( I will add a picture when I have time to upload.) We also spent most of the Memorial Day weekend outdoors in Piedmont. Next weekend we are going to Lake Guntersville with my family and we are sure to be outdoors there too. It's the only remedy. It's hard though, reversing the need to gravitate indoors. Yippee.

Happy Post-Memorial Day

Boy, did we have a blast in Piedmont this past weekend. All of the Martins congregated in Piedmont for the holiday weekend. It was a beautiful weekend and we all had a great time. Darryl and the boys did some fishing down at Uncle Stan's pond. Darrly was most excited over catching "Gus", Uncle Stan's prized bassy fish. Uncle Stan was not thrilled. He threw Gus back though. Ryan loves fishing. Chase went too and was not a bit squeamish about grabbing the fish. We also spent some time down at the creek. Ryan and cousin Graham got soaked and had oh so much fun. Saturday night, Uncle Tim and Philip had a fish fry with cheesy grits, yummy! Sunday we all loaded up to go to trade day. Darryl carried Chase in the baby back pack and he was happy as a clam underneath his little fishing hat. I wish I had taken my camera. Ryan, the high maintenance one, was tired of all the walking until he found a booth with nothing but toys. We had put some change in his pocket and he could afford to purchase a few race cars. It was a beautiful weekend and I loved just hanging out, catching up and spending time with the family.

I Volunteer.

Word up. It has been quite some time since I last wrote. My head has literally been swimming in decision-making and planning. I have wonderful and exciting things to report. First and foremost, I have elected to take a package from my company voluntarily severing our working relationship. Yep. I quit. With the increase in oil prices, Delta wanted rid of 10% and I said "pick me, pick me". They had no choice. I really have not gotten use to the idea yet. I am still experiencing intermittent, small panic attacks. You know the kind where you can't breath for a minute and you look up to the heaven's saying "What have I done?". However, I know without a doubt it is the right and most wonderful thing to do. Darryl has been the most wonderful, supportive husband in all this. Thank you, thank you, for letting us "try this out".
The little guys have been completely oblivious to all of the late night number crunching and option-weighing going on, seemingly not involved in the decision-making process. However, they have also played a critical part. Every time I thought of them, looked at their smiling faces, hugged and kissed them, I realized how I needed to be with them MORE. (It has brought me out of the small panic attacks.) I hope they are going to benefit most. Hopefully, 8 weeks from now they won't be saying, "send me back to daycare, mommy's crazy". And, hopefully, I will have stopped saying "what have I done?"
So, what comes next. That is still a bit unknown. Still waiting on an exit date and I am in pursuit of part-time work. So, stay tuned for details.

Compassion

From Family Christian Stores, daily devotion...
A mom who loves Jesus and you is one of the best things you have going for you. She never forgets her baby. She is always there for you, just like your Savior and friend Jesus. Your heavenly Father birthed you into His forever family. Because you are His child, His compassions excel, “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22). Therefore, receive His compassion and be healed. Receive His compassion, so you in turn can extend it to others. The most effective givers of compassion are receivers of compassion. Moreover, model what your mom has done for you all these years and follow what your heavenly Father has done since the beginning of time. Compassion facilitates intimacy and forgiveness. It builds robust relationships that resonate with grace. Never forget that God doesn’t forget you. His compassion is constantly ‘on ready’ to respond to your hurt and discouragement. Compassion is not free to forget those it loves, so be a receiver and giver of compassion!

Pretty good little reminder?