Hey Stranger

That's it. It's time. It's time to jump back on the bus that is my sweet little ol' blog. I sat down to research a past blog, and I got to reminiscing over past posts laughing and smiling at pictures and some of the hilarity that is my writing. I miss it! I miss you, sweet dear blog readers! So, I am hoping to jump back on, but this bus may be slow moving! 

have you seen the new VW van coming out this year?! I'm in love. 

Hop on the bus! (Couldn't resist)!

Lately, I have been busy like any mama of a toddler and a preschooler - well, any mama in general, really!  I am constantly flooded with thoughts of childhood activities, food to prepare, money-saving ideas, and the likes.  I am amazed at how the days fly by, and with that thought, this blog seems to be my way of slowing things down a little and looking back on these days and years with admiration and awe. My babies are growing before my eyes, and I want to document everything!! 

Speaking of documenting it all, are you like me in the sense that every single image is saved to your camera, computer, and hard drive?  I have 3 separate hard drives that I switch in and out, one of which being completely full of pictures of Naomi's first two years!! I'm talking ONLY pictures and videos, y'all. Music files aren't really saved anymore like they used to be, as I really only listen to Spotify or my SiriusXM radio these days.  I really feel bogged down with all of this data, so I guess, subconsciously, I stopped downloading music files to clear up some of this madness!! I have got to get a hold on picture/video files. What do y'all do with all of these things?? Erase them? Store them? Copy somewhere ELSE? There's really no need for every single picture - our mothers and grandmothers snapped pictures and waited to get them developed to weed out the bad ones. Now, we keep even the blurry messed up "whoops" pictures of the grass that we accidentally shot.  I've got to get a handle on it - we're talking thousands of files here, people. We all love our children and want to take pictures, but that is just insane. 

I have at least 30 more pictures from this afternoon of raking leaves! 

but aren't they cute?!

Things are rolling along in this new year.  A year of new possibilities and new hope.  Naomi is finishing out her second year at our church preschool, and even though I am in love with everything about it, next school year, we may be looking into something completely different for her education.  Next week, I am planning to attend a discussion about local options, less expensive options, for her future....and Ben's too.  She is a bright, bright child with an old, kindred soul, so I know she will do well where ever she goes, but I am in constant prayer about it these days because I want her to be in her best fit.  I am currently looking into montessori lottery programs (which are funded by the state and she may or may not get in) OR OR OR OR....I am considering homeschooling.  BIG ORS, BIG DECISION!  I look at it like this: my kids are only little once.  Like I heard this past week, "they are only passing through," and are only ours for a short while. There are excellent home school curriculums, for a fraction of the price of most private educations, and I hold a degree in education.  I know I could do it, and they could excel from home, especially in these younger years, but I have my reservations about it as well. Is it the BEST option for my kids?  Will we get burnt out on the process?  I feel like it can really work out beautifully, especially the more time I put in to it.  I have talked to a few home schooling friends of mine, and it works out so well for their families.  They know where there children are academically and how to help nurture that and help it to blossom - one on one, day after day.  There are so many pros to it, and so little cons in my opinion.  I just have a lot of praying to do about it because at the end of the day, He is in control and knows what is best for my family.  All trust goes to Him.  

I could easily spend all day every day with these faces

Omi gearing up for a cold day at school. 19* - coldest day we've ever had in Savannah!

I have been staying grounded these days by putting myself and my all into my family, becoming more and more involved with our church, and with quality "me time," more affectionately known as yoga.  I go to class here in town 3-4 times a week, and I try my best to practice at home (easier said than done with a Benjamin...yes, "a Benjamin" - he is a WILDMAN through and through!).  It is the meditation and breathing that helps keep me focused not only in class and on the mat but off the mat too.  It calms my inner voice to just be.  How powerful is that simple yet effective solution to daily problems? Just being. Just breathing.  Taking each day as it comes and just letting it go and letting it BE. It really is a wonderful thing.  Yoga strengthens my mind, body, and spirit, and I am hooked.  It helps me to be a better mother, wife, and person in general.  I'll take it!

Naomi's first day of gymnastics and she LOVED it!!!

This post has been a refreshing moment in time, and I thank ya for listening! I hope to be back soon and on a regular basis, taking you all on a journey through our lives and time here in the lowcountry.  I hope you'll come along and join us a few times here and there.  Have a wonderful day!! xo, Martha

can't believe our sweet boy will be 18 months old in 10 days!!

she's got her deddy's smile!

Ben's new fighter pilot hat from Uncle Jason!