Rockin the Climb

I am currently serving in the Amarillo 1st Ward as the Young Women's president. We have an awesome group of girls that are fun, brave, thoughtful and adventurous. I am so lucky to work with them, especially since I don't get much female interaction at home!

On the first Wednesday of the month, we have a combined activity with the Young Men. In October, the Deacons (12-13 year old boys) were in charge, and they decided we should do some rock climbing. Lucky for us, one of the leaders on the boys' side is an experienced climber, and taught the kids everything they needed to know to have a safe and enjoyable time.

What impressed me the most about these young men and women was their willingness to try. I know that not all of them would choose rock climbing as a way to spend an evening. That said, every single young man and woman gave it their best effort. They all tried it. And they were all successful in their own right. As they trusted the equipment, their training, their leaders and most of all each other, they rocked it!

This is such a great metaphor for their lives. We talked about that with them. I am thankful that my boys have the chance to participate in these great activities with these exceptional people!

 

Temple Time

 

As I mentioned, Bowen recently turned the ripe old age of twelve. In our church, this means he graduates from Primary, moves into Young Men, gets ordained to the priesthood and is old enough to go to the temple.

With Drake, we were able to make a special family trip for the first time. This was because we attended a larger temple with a more expanded schedule. With Corbin, we waited until our ward had a scheduled youth temple day. You can read about that here.

And so, with Bowen we would again wait until a scheduled youth trip to go to temple. It is a wonderful experience to do baptisms for those who are no longer able to do it for themselves. I am so grateful that we are blessed with a temple close enough to visit on a regular basis. Being able to be in the temple with my husband and three of our four boys is joy beyond joy!



To read more about why we do baptisms for the dead in our temples, visit here.

Triple Threat

This year, we have three boys that are running cross-country. Corbin was pretty excited to make the high school varsity team as a freshman at Randall. He worked hard all summer to earn his spot. Bowen started with the Westover junior high team under a brand new coach. And Rex has been busy training with the Amarillo Striders, a local running club. All three have done well and grown a lot.

Best Month of the Year

Have I ever mentioned before how much I love this girl? It is my big sissy, Michelle. In early September, she called up to see if by any chance we would be able to join them on their houseboat for a very extended weekend of fun and frolic. Who could say no to that?

 

I took a couple of days off work, yanked the little kids out of school and headed home to Lake Powell. Theo and Drake would join us a couple days later. And poor Corbin was left behind so as to not miss one of his cross-country meets.

 

Let me just say that if you have never been to Lake Powell in September, you are missing out! It is the most beautiful month of the whole year! The water is nice and warm. The days are hot, but not scorching. The nights are balmy with skies full of stars! Best month of the whole year!

 

Michelle and I congratulate ourselves for launching the boat on our own.

 

Tyler joined us, and kept all of the littles entertained until his big kid cousins could join us a day or two later.

 

Grandma and Grandpa Ross also joined us on the houseboat, and lucky day, we were able to celebrate Grandma's birthday while we were there. A yummy chocolate cake along with some soft serve we wrangled from the marina restaurant were just the ticket.

 

The weather was perfect! We felt especially fortunate as Page had been having an unusually wet end of summer with lots and lots of rain. The clouds swirled around at times, but never moved in on us. Best month of the year!

 

 

 

On the last morning of our trip, Drake had an extra special treat. John has recently acquired a small airplane and a pilot's license to help with his travels between Colorado and Utah. He got up extra early Sunday morning to take Drake on a flight over the lake. Drake was thrilled!!

 

 

Thanks John and Michelle! Until next time, Lake Powell!

 

Begin Again

Another school year is upon us, and as all the boys have had their birthdays now, they are all even ages, odd grades.

 

Rex, age 10, heads off to Greenways, the intermediate school. This means we no longer have a child in elementary school! Jinkies!

 

 

Bowen, age 12, heads off to the big kid world of junior high at Westover Park. This will be a nice departure from riding the bus since it is just down the street.

 

 

Corbin, age 14, is transitioning from big man on campus to little fish in a big pond as a freshman at Randall High School.

 

Drake, age 16, is our only kid returning to the same school this year. As a junior with a license he is all kinds of dangerous as he drives to school now! Look out!

 

 

Here is to the start of another school year. Good luck, Martin boys!

First Time

 

This kid got to pass the sacrament for the first time today. Proud parent moment.

Bowen is 12!

I am certain that time is speeding up! My cute little sweet Bowen has turned into a lanky handsome young man! 12 years old! How did that happen?

I seem to be saying that a lot lately.

His birthday fell on a Saturday this year, and he said he wanted to go to West Texas A&M University to the rec center. We brought along his best friend David with our family and headed down to Canyon, just south of Amarillo. The kids had a great time doing their favorite activities. They have a cool indoor pool with a waterslide, racquetball courts and basketball. We hardly saw Bowen the whole time we were there. He is too big to be  watched over.

He is 12 now you know.

He and David were off having an independent wonderful time. Rex and Drake hung out in the pool while Corbin challenged Theo and I to a game of basketball. We settled for horse. My kids are getting old, so I am sure that means I am getting old too. Eventually, we all ended up in the pool.

 

After WT, we came home and had dinner and of course, cake and presents. In keeping with the theme of Bowen being grown up and big and independent and all that, he got a cell phone. It was all he really wanted.

Bowen also received  the traditional 12 year old gift from Grandpa Ross, a treasure box. Grandpa has made one of these for all of the Ross grandsons as a special place to keep the things that are most precious to them. It is a treasure!

 

Happy birthday to our young man, Bowen!