A New Year to Explore!

Ok...so I lost the camera.... my New Years Resolution to take more pictures is now lost!  That tells you how well New Years Resolutions work for me :)   My list is fairly short and I have decided it will change month to month so I can at least accomplish some things for the new year..If I don't do them in January I will be doing it in February...if not in February, then March....after that I consider my self a loser so I better get my bottom in gear!

I do have one resolution I am planning on doing and that is reading scriptures EVERY DAY!  If I do this I figure everything else should fall in to place such as being a better Wife, Mom, Sis, Friend, Neighbor and better in my calling.  I'm hoping that this ONE thing that I am going to try and do makes all the difference in ALL I am.  My other resolution for January is take more pictures.. haha soooo I best be getting a camera!

Well life is not quite settled at the moment, with Christmas ending and the business booming.  It's back to school for the college crew and long long hours for the Martin Clan.  Luckily we are working long hours together as a family!  Takeout food is our nourishment and a few hours sleep our salvation!  Not quite the best situation but one that we are very greatful for, after all the rush will end in a couple of weeks and life will resume as usual :)

The big boys are snowboarding as much as possible and working twice that.  They spent the weekend at the Dew Tour and Jaden has a couple offers for sponsorship for his snowboarding.  Dakotah is happy to be his camera man and his biggest support..  The younger ones get to spend all their time with us at the office.  Not such a bad thing...They have treats and a big warehouse for their play.  They play basketball, shoot air soft guns, ride scooters, watch movies, color, play computer games, play school and help stuff envelopes with books.  Ken and I are coming up on our 23rd year anniversary!  I sooo cannot believe it!!  23 years ago and I thought I loved him then...it's nothing like I love him now.  He is my everything,  Does he know it?  My other resolution for January!

This is My Family...all of us together Christmas Eve day.. A gift for Mom and Dad

 

 

And so it begins...

The tree is up, the decorations are out and it looks like Christmas! (minus snow..)  The countdown begins with our Advent Calendar and our number blocks!  This year for our Advent Calendar we are focusing on Christ and His Miracles.. Day 1..Puzzle and "The Plan"...the Plan of Heavenly Father, likening the puzzle to how it all plays out and comes together when we have the fullness of the Gospel.  Day 2....Gingerbread cookie cutters and making Gingerbread Boys, likening it to the part of the plan that allows us to come and recieve a body, a body that is in the Image of Our Father in Heaven and Our Savior and brother..Jesus Christ.  Day 3...Coal, likening it to the Atonement....the part of the plan that made it necessary for the birth of our Savior, for without his birth there would not be someone to bridge that gap so we could return home where no unclean thing is permitted.  Therefore our Sins as dirty as coal would not allow us to go back to where we came from.  Day 4....Pencils, reminding us of the Savior who was placed on a wooden cross to suffer the physical pain along with the spiritual and emotion pain that would set us free.  Day 6......a Plant, reminding us of the resurrection and the knowledge of life after death, a new beginning for Eternity..faith in the growing stages from a seed and how it needs to be nourished on a daily basis.