Christmas 2019

We feel very blessed as 2019 comes to an end.  The family is back together in Washington State, with the exception of Carly, who is serving a full-time mission teaching the Mandarin-Chinese-speaking people of New Zealand about Jesus Christ.

Carly arrived in New Zealand!

After spending many weeks at the MTC, Carly has made it to New Zealand! She had 16 hours of travel and we received a letter from her Mission President along with this photo to confirm her arrival.

We were so relieved to receive this "proof of life"!

It's interesting that since Carly entered the MTC, a lot of my personal life now revolves around what she's doing.  I'm thinking about her, sending her things, emailing, posting on Social Media or updating the Mission Blog I created for her letters.  Her good friend, Eric Webb, is also on a mission, so I'm doing some of those things for her as well!  (Here's a pre-mission photo of them from our photo shoot):

Erica is like a sister to Carly!  I'm happy that they can share this experience together even though they are serving in different countries!

Here is the Mission Blog I set up for Carly's correspondence:

SincerelySisterMartinez.blogspot.com

Dropping off our Missionary

The time has come to say goodbye for a short time to our daughter, Carly!  The day before taking her to the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC), we were able to attend the Provo City Center Temple.  It is a beautiful, older temple with lots of history.  The grounds were amazing -- a perfect place for a photo shoot! 

The next day it was time to take her to the MTC.  The whole process is so organized!  At the specified drop off time, we drove in the main entrance where there is signage telling us which direction to go.  We followed the signs to the underground parking garage/drop-off area.  There is a lane specifically for drop-offs, with many helper-Missionaries waiting to escort the new Missionaries into the building!  It was a quick goodbye at the car, then our special little girl was gone.

As we drove away, we were relieved.  Excited.  Apprehensive.  Overjoyed.  It was an amazing feeling!  We didn't want to "wallow" in Carly's absence, so next we started our drive to Reno NV.  We took a detour on our way back to Washington to have a little break.  It was very nice to have a little relaxation time in the sun before we headed home.

Happy 22nd Birthday, Sam!

Twenty-two years ago our little Sam was born at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT.  It was the hospital that Daniel was working at during that time (as a Respiratory Therapist), and because of that he could be with Sam behind the scene after he was born.  It was really comforting to me that he could be with him.

I remember that my doctor was in surgery, and we had to wait for him to come and deliver the baby.  Sam could have been born earlier in the day, so it was a little stressful waiting -- although I had an epidural so I was comfortable, at least.  After being in active labor at home all night, being at the hospital finally with an epidural felt relaxing.  I wanted to sleep!

During the actual delivery the nurse was so comforting to me - she was calm and loving.  I don't know her name, but I'm so thankful for her assistance.

Happy birthday, Samuel Riker Martinez!

Missionary Prep - Seattle WA Temple

We were able to accompany Carly to the Seattle Temple today -- her first time!  She was so excited to take this step, and Daniel and I were very grateful we could share in it.  Chris, Becky, and Jacob Blackner also joined us for the session, and we stopped at Cafe Rio on the way home for dinner.

It was a lovely day.  We're so proud of our Carly!

Sister Martinez - Called to Auckland NZ

Yep, it's happening!  Carly received her Mission Call today.  She will be serving in Auckland, New Zealand, Mandarin Chinese Language!  She opened her Call with all her college friends, and they were very supportive and excited with her.  The rest of the family was able to watch via Skype.

She reports to the Provo UT MTC on 09/11/19.  We can't wait to see what's in store for her!

Happy 19th Birthday, Carly!

It's this special girl's birthday!  Nineteen years ago I gave birth to this little dark-haired beauty at West Valley Hospital in West Valley, UT.  It was Easter Day, and I labored all day at the hospital.  When she was finally born, I was so happy and relieved.

 

She was my first (and only) girl, so I really enjoyed dressing her in the girly clothes, doing her hair with barrettes and ribbons, and she definitely brought a different spirit to our home!  The boys always took pride in helping to take care of our little baby girl.

Happy Birthday, Carly Chase Martinez!

Snow in the Pacific NW

I feel like I'm back in Utah with all the snow that's falling right now in University Place WA:

I'm so grateful for Nature's beauty all around me.  These times of extreme weather bring our family closer as we "hunker down" at home!  In all the local Social Media posts, we are hash-tagging #Snowmageddon

Married 25 Years!

It seems like just yesterday that we started dating, but it was March 4, 1992!  We dated for a year, then we were engaged for a year.  That second year was kind of torturous, but it was really important to me to be married in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint's Temple.  Since Daniel has just been baptized on 01/24/93, the rules at that time required he wait a year before going to the temple.

We celebrated this big anniversary year by getting away for the weekend to Ocean Shores WA -- that was my gift to Daniel (a weekend where we just focused on each other), and he agreed that we could purchase a diamond anniversary band for me to mark the milestone.

We still enjoy each other's company, and along with all the "romantic" activities, we like to go to movies, eat out, and play cards/board games.  I love you, Daniel Silvester Martinez!  Here's to another 25 years!

Jan 2019 Home For The Holidays!

It was so nice to have all the kids home for the holidays!  As they get older, they are doing better at having good relationships with each other -- Carly and Gabe got along really well as younger kids, and when Gabe was away at college, Carly and Sam had the opportunity to bond.  I love these people so much!

Daniel always "shines" at Christmas.  He really enjoys the process of decorating and cooking for the holidays.