Finals

This was the last day of school that our boys would spend in the Amarillo, Texas school systems. I have to say that the schools here have been one of the biggest blessings since we have been here. Our boys have had fantastic teachers for the most part. They have been pushed to excel in their classes. They have learned a lot and grown so much! It is hard to believe that they have spent three whole years here. When we first arrived, Drake was just starting high school, and now he is on the cusp of his senior year!

As Theo finished school, he has been seriously considering where he will begin his new career as a physical therapist. We have prayed and pondered about what the next steps will be in our lives. Although we weren't sure if there would be an opportunity, we have always held out hope that we could return to our home in Page, AZ one day. As luck and/or the Lord would have it, there was an opening for a physical therapist at a home health company in Page, Zion's Way. With mixed emotions, we decided that our tenure in Texas had come to a close. We have received so many tender mercies here. We have made so many wonderful friends. I was able to advance my own career in such unexpected ways. The boys have had a fantastic experience.

Alas, it is time to move on. Arizona, we are coming home!

Birthday Bonanza

My birthday was the usual family affair at home. My mom sent me a beautiful quilt! The boys also thought it would be fun to get me some gifts to enhance my fabulosity. Bowen was gracious enough to model my sun hat and sunglasses while coveting my chocolates and Nutella. These boys sure know how to spoil a lady.

 

The Twelve Year Tradition

Theo started a tradition with our boys when they turned twelve. His goal is to take each one on a special endurance hike. It has been a great experience for our two older boys. As Bowen's 12th birthday was approaching, they were making big plans. Bowen had decided that he wanted to climb a mountain for his coming of age adventure. Theo has a small window of time in which he was available.

The mountain they planned to conquer was one of the peaks outside of Colorado Springs. They would drive to Theo's brother Donavan's house, spend the night, and then spend a couple of days climbing their mountain.

The week of the climb arrived, and the boys were getting their stuff all ready to go. And then the weather decided to take a turn. In the area, there was heavy rainfall for several days followed by dangerous mudslides in the foothills. In fact, the community of Manitou Springs had roads washed out and covered in mud. Sadly, the trip had to be cancelled.

The bigger bummer was the continued busy schedule Theo had for school. He was in the midst of his clinical rotations with no breaks or days off. The trip was put on hold indefinitely.

Many months later, Theo wrapped up school, we celebrated his graduation, and then true to his super dad form, he immediately whisked Bowen off for their delayed adventure. In the months that had passed since the false start, they decided to do a Grand Canyon hike instead. Havasupi Falls was just the ticket! 

Theo and Bowen left Amarillo in the wee hours and drove all day to get to the trail head. Having arrived after the sun had gone down, they camped at the top of the gaping canyon below. In the morning, they left long before the sun was up and made their decent. At the bottom, they then jogged to the Havasupi village, considered one of the most remote communities in the whole world. They then made the necessary arrangements to visit the falls. After some frolicking in Mooney Falls and a lunch in the village, they started to the climb back to the top. As they neared the last few miles, Bowen had slowed down a great deal. Upon checking his bag, Theo discovered that Bowen had not been drinking water all day. He was still carrying all of it! 

They took a long break and worked on getting hydrated. The going was still slow, and Bowen wasn't sure if he was going to make it. Having hiked for such a long time without recharging his water supply really took its toll. Just as Theo hoped, Bowen soldiered on and made the trek all the way to the top, a 21 mile round trip in one day!

Not only have these hikes been a great way for the boys to really see what they are made of, it is also a great father son bonding time. I was so grateful that in the middle of all the craziness of our lives, Theo made the time for this special occasion. Yes, it was belated, but it was always a priority. Theo always makes our boys his priority. He is an awesome father. Bowen is becoming a strong young man. The tradition carries on.

Doctor Martin Graduates!

This weekend was a watershed moment in the Martin family. Almost four years ago, Theo and I started our journey which ultimately led us to Texas on this grand adventure. We took a bold step and decided to go back to school. I say we because even though Theo was the student, our entire family sacrificed, changed, moved and grew from this experience. This graduation ceremony was a symbolic culmination of all of those things. I am so proud of my husband, Doctor Theo Martin!

Egg Hunt

We decided to have our Easter egg hunt on Saturday rather than Sunday this year. Of course, we dyed real hard boiled eggs which meant the dog was excluded from the merry making. It was a boys only event. Good times.

Four Wheeling into Forty

This year Theo turns forty. He has been less than excited about this milestone. With his graduation from physical therapy school also looming, I was looking for a special gift. Something big. Something meaningful.

Theo had his own ideas about what he would like. He searched for just the right one, and found this beauty. With my blessing, we came home with this...

Such a Softee

 

My baby is ELEVEN! No matter how many times I tell Rex that he needs to stop getting bigger, he just goes and does it anyway!

Rex is actually our only kid that doesn't have a summer birthday which means he often has to be in school on his birthday. This year he begged me to at least come and get him for lunch. He also had the notion that once we had eaten, he should just take the rest of the day off school. I told him lunch would be fine, but he had to go back for the afternoon.

On his birthday, he opted to go to Chic-Fil-A. I suggested some sit down places, but my kids don't get much fast food, so it is a treat for them. Whatever. I like me some nuggets every now and then. I came to his school to pick him up, and as he came to the office, I noticed he was wearing his backpack. As we walked out to the car, I asked him why he had his bag. He said that he had told his teacher he wasn't coming back and that he had collected his make-up work. What?! We went back and forth about it as we drove to the restaurant. He may or may not have become a little teary when I insisted he needed to go back.

We ate our lunch and chatted, and then we ran home to check on Sam and Ruby. I admit that I have the classic "cave-in-to-the-youngest-child" syndrome. I relented and left Rex at home with his pets while I went back to work! What a pushover!

That evening we had a yummy dinner, gifts and cake.

Many of the presents we got him were related to his early birthday present, his new pet chinchilla, Sam. Books on care and a big exercise ball were a hit. Rex also got a special quilt from his Grandma Ross. He has been asking her when she is going to make him another one for well over a year. Our boys all LOVE their grandma quilts! All-in-all Rex made a good haul.

 

 

Man, I must be getting old and soft! Rex is such a blessing to our family! Happy birthday kid!