Little Stories

Well, I shared with you the overall Christmas we had. I just had a few little short stories to go with them.
Canaan and Daddy's Truck Being the MAN that he is, my hubby loves electronics and manly things like, say, trucks. So, remote control cars and helicopters really caught his attention this year. I knew it would be silly to buy him anything expensive since we are moving in a month, so I knew I'd hit the jackpot when I found one for less than $20. I immediately got it for him, thinking he and Canaan (the ultimate lover of trucks and all things with wheels) could have some real Father-Son bonding time with it. As soon as Canaan saw that Daddy was opening a truck, his jaw dropped and he uttered three times in the lowest and most drawn-out voice "TTTTRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!" It was so adorable. I snatched up the camera to try to video him saying it like that, but was too late. But the picture on the last blog entry says a lot. He just stood, repeating "TTRRUUCCKK" with his jaw wide open until we got it out of the package. (He almost had a breakdown because it took so long to get untied from the packaging.) Once we got it out and got the batteries in, Canaan was very unimpressed. This gigantic and beautiful truck ran over his little toes and moved around all by itself! Instead of this facinating Canaan, it scared him. No more remote-control truck for him. I was a bit bummed, but happy that Dougle liked it. It took about 24 hours, but Canaan eventually warmed up to the truck. I think he still prefers it when it is not moving on it's own, but I did hear Dougle and Canaan playing together with it one morning when I was upstairs enjoying a bit of sleeping in!
The Before-Christmas Gift
My mother, who was the most strict mother with my sister and I, is the most push-over of all grandmothers! It is so fun to see my mom as a grandmother. It is such a different role than I saw her as a mom. It makes me smile, laugh and shake my head! Well, Canaan was playing in the basement (my parents' bedroom) one morning and saw A CHRISTMAS PRESENT that his grandparents had got for him. He immediately recognized it as something colorful, with balls, that should be for him. He reached for the box and started motioning wildly about it. So, what could Gran-Nan do but open it up for him? "He doesn't know Christmas is supposed to be on a certain DAY." So, she struggled with unlocking the present from it's packaging (unlocking is the key word-if you've opened kid's toys recently), in front of the very excited and quickly becoming impatient Canaan. He was thrilled. It was a green, pull-toy caterpillar with three balls that spun around in circles as he pulled it around. It really was the perfect toy for our boy, because he loves pulling things behind him and he loves playing with balls. So, it was like two toys in one! What a lovely, silly Gran-Nan to give him his gift early!
My Ring In Russia, they wear their wedding rings on their right hand, instead of their left hand. Being the picky girl that I am, I decided I didn't want to change my rings over, but wanted a new one for my other hand. I thought it would be romantic and special for my hubby to buy me a "second" wedding ring. We went shopping at James Avery and I especially liked one ring (that was more expensive than the others), but I pointed out several different rings that caught my fancy. (I did this to help my hubby-I figured he'd appreciate it- and I think he did!) Anyway, for Christmas he got me the ring that I really liked! He is the sweetest. I just love being married to my wonderful husband. He is just the best guy out there-better than I ever imagined there could be for me! I tell him all the time that he is stuck with me-and I am happy: there is no escaping me, crazy as I may get (or be)! God is just so good in giving him to me!

Farrah's Wedding

Dougle's sister was married on December 23rd in a small ceremony at her dad's place. Marriage had been in the plans for Farrah and Seth Greenberg for several months; in fact, they were originally planning for an April wedding. However, in a flurry of love and excitement to tie the knot sooner, Seth and Farrah were married last Sunday. Dougle did an amazing job in performing the ceremony. Seth's parents from Hobbs, as well as his sister and her family from Phoenix, and his grandmother were in attendance, in addition to Farrah's and Dougle's dad, Farrah's boys (Rickey and Brandon), and Canaan and I.
I just wanted to put these pictures of the ceremony on line to share them with family and friends. Congratulations Seth and Farrah! We pray that God blesses you, Farrah, Seth, Rickey, and Brandon in your new life together and in this next year!

Christmas Fun!

Christmas this year was a blast! We were together with family and friends, and Canaan was old enough to enjoy all the fun. It was just perfect!
My family (Lucy's) opens presents on Christmas Eve. So as soon as it got dark, we all gathered around the Christmas tree and passed out gifts. (This year was a humongous Christmas for ALL of us!) Canaan, being the youngest, got to start. Daddy helped guide him as he opened his first gift. He wasn't really sure he was supposed to be ripping that paper, but if Daddy was doing it...so would he. It was clothes! Always a good gift for a growing boy! All of us went around in a circle, opening gifts. Canaan played with his toys in between his opening of gifts (of which we all took turns helping him). But after 3 rounds, he was ready for bed. So, he got to enjoy the remainder of his gifts on Christmas Day! The rest of us stayed up and finished our gifts and stockings.
The next day, we had our teammates (Rob, Denyce, Malachi and Silas), as well as some old friends of ours (Althea, Phil and Herman Edwards) over for lunch. We had a great time with them and got to open presents again! (This is when Canaan and Malachi finished opening their gifts...neither made it through all their gifts the first time around!) Denyce was accused of being in her "own little world"- hiding under a blanket, feeding Silas. These newborns...so demanding they are!
We all had a great day! It was so much fun to watch Canaan this year. He was able to experience Christmas a little more this year than last year. We are just so blessed with the friends and family that we have to be with through the holidays!

Mommy's Model

I'm sure Dougle would be appalled to know I was going to post this picture. I just can't help myself- it is too cute. So, SHHHH! Don't tell him. I got overly ambitious this week and decided to make matching Mother-Daughter aprons for my friend and her little girl who was turning two. I haven't sewn in years but figured it would come back to me. So I went through my mom's material and chose a cute material to use, and then I started. Well, I started two nights before I wanted to have them made...maybe that was a little too late! Mom ended up bailing me out of several of my mistakes and fixing some things for me, but I got them done. We had a pattern made up for an adult sized apron, but none for a kids size apron. I tried my best to downsize the adult pattern and made a small kids' size apron on my own. I was anxious to see if it would fit properly, so I used Canaan as my model. And he made such an adorable model! Isn't he the cutest little boy ever?! Daddy didn't let him wear it for too long, but I thought the colors went well on him! Overall, I was proud of myself; the material frayed easily so I should have double hemmed it, and the kids' size apron was a little off in parts- but I still count it as a success!
PS. Did you see his big belly sticking out??!!

Growing Up!

So, this isn't a monthly update. Canaan is currently 13 1/2 months now. I just had a few things I wanted to write about since I am "WAAAAY overdue for a new post!" (Thus said Timbra.)

New Word: Guess what? CANAAN SAID MOMMA! Horray! After adding over 30 words to his vocabulary, he has finally decided to say "Mamma." I ran downstairs in the basement and he called out, "Mamma, Mamma!" I ran up the stairs saying, "Here I am!" It was wonderful. He started signing "Mom" (not the exact sign- but something close) a few days ago. If his ball rolled under the table or he needed something, he would sign, "Mom. Help." It was cute. But now he is calling after me! Does this mean I am officially a Mommy now?!! Ornery: Canaan is just getting bigger everyday! He has a few new signs and words, some new games, and some new attitude! Today, he decided to disobey Mommy and not come when called; he just looked at me with a sparkle in his eye and slowly backed away from me. So, after he was properly disciplined (and then came to me much more willingly), Auntie Livi said that she didn't like him growing up and getting in trouble. These feelings are shared by Gran-Nan too, who in the past has offered to buy Canaan anything he wanted in a catalog after he got in trouble! Oh my! Games: Dougle was in the shower the other day. Canaan walked in the bathroom and started playing peek-a-boo with him behind the curtain. It was so cute, I had to snap a picture! Canaan just loves peek-a-boo these days. He just laughs and laughs! I just can't get enough of him some days! He also loves playing chase. He looks at you in a teasing way and then turns around and runs the other way. This means, "Chase me!" He will just go as far as he can, looking behind his shoulder the whole time to make sure you are following. If not, he kind-of giggles to get your attention and let you know he is playing with you, and that you should be playing with him!
Bible Class:
For the past few months, Canaan has been crying when I drop him off in the nursery for Bible Class. This is very sad to me, since I have always had the impression that he loves Bible Class. There were even a few times when the nursery had to page me because he wouldn't settle down enough to stay. It has got much better recently, so that he would only cry when I first dropped him off; then he would settle down and enjoy class. But now, Janie in the nursery has figured out that Canaan loves trucks. So, when we go to drop him off, she asks him if he wants a truck. Canaan immediately perks up, forgets about crying, and goes right to her! So, he now goes to Bible class without a worry! It is wonderful. Thank you Janie and all the nursery workers who allow me to enjoy my Bible class in peace!

New Teammate!

For those of you who don't already know, we have a new teammate!

Silas Jude Hindman joined the team on December 12th. He has an adorable Roman nose like his Daddy, cute lips like his mommy, and looks just like his big brother Malachi when he was born!

We are so happy for the Hindman family upon the birth of their second son. They didn't know if he would be a boy or girl until after he popped out (they wanted to be surprised)! Denyce had a C-section with their first son, but wanted to try a natural delivery again this time. She had a completely natural delivery (only local anesthetics- I am so impressed!); everything went smoothly. Unlike Dougle and I, who had our baby names picked out 2 1/2 years before we had kids, Rob and Denyce waited 24 after the birth of their son to name him! This is quite bizarre in my mind, but shows how unique our two families are, and how well we will compliment each other in Russia!

CONGRATULATIONS ROB, DENYCE, AND MALACHI!!!

Thankful for Books

On Thanksgiving, Canaan was thankful for...books. Here are a few pictures of Canaan in the past few days, enjoying his favorite activity: reading. In one picture, he is kissing his book, right after reading it. His favorite book at the moment is his train book (featured in the picture of David reading to him). He loves trucks, with trains as a close second. He calls any vehicle with wheels a truck, and they all say 'choo choo.' Silly boy. Anyway, his train book has a picture of a train carrying a truck. He loves that page, as well as the one with the tractor in the corner of it and the apple (a new word). He has had it read to him so much, he knows gets really excited when the next page has a truck on it: he knows it is coming up!

A Family Tradition

A Martin family tradition has always been to go out the day after Thanksgiving and shop for some bargains. Here is how it goes: My dad gets a newspaper for each family that has Thanksgiving with us. We each go through our papers, cutting coupons and writing down the places we want to go and the times they open/are having their sales, and the particular item we are hoping to purchase at that store. In years past, we've had bigger items on the list: those that necessitate getting up insanely early in order to get one before everyone else. (My brother-in-law actually stayed up all night waiting in line for a laptop a few years ago.) This year, Dougle and I had no particular 'big' item we wanted to purchase. This means: no super early mornings. We still woke up at 7am, but didn't arrive at the stores until closer to 8:00am (it takes so much longer getting ready with a child)! We hit several sales before they ended, got several good deals, and went home exhausted and happy. To me, this is so much fun! There is so many good memories that are brought up when we participate in this holiday tradition: we've waited in lines trying to be one of the first hundred who enter and get a prise or gift card, we've frozen our little noses getting out earlier than we ever have so far that winter, and we've made memories splitting up with different parents and shopping for the other parent/sibling (we always bought TONS more stuff when we went with mom than when we went out with dad....ummm)! It is wonderful. I doubt they have "Day After Thanksgiving" sales in Russia (no Thanksgiving in November there), but maybe, just for tradition's sake, we'll hit a few stores early in the morning and conjure up all those happy thoughts and memories!