COVID-19 Isolation - CARLY RETURNS

Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have closed their borders.  Most US missionaries that are serving international missions are coming back home.  All have to spend the first two weeks in self-isolation, then they will be released or reassigned somewhere stateside to continue their mission "virtually" until it is safe for them to be out with the public again.

We are very happy to have her home safe and sound!  She's disappointed that she had to come home after just 6 months of service, but is looking forward to possibly completing her mission after a 12-18 month hiatus.  Hopefully the COVID-19 situation will be calmed down by then!  Until that point, she plans to go back to BYU to continue her studies-- which will include Mandarin Chinese this time!

If you'd like more details on Carly's mission experience, check it out here:
SincerelySisterMartinez.blogspot.com

Jan 2020 - Honolulu HAWAII

For Daniel's birthday (and an early anniversary), we traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii.  It was so wonderful to spend time alone together and get out of the cold weather for 6 days!

We found a wonderful out-of-the-way beach, attended the temple, drove around BYU-Hawaii, and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center... and did I mention the beach? We also visited Costco for possible souvenirs -- and they serve hamburgers at the Honolulu Costco.  They were delicious.

We agree.  We plan to make this an annual trip--  Next year, Maui!

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.

Merry Christmas!

It was so wonderful to have all the kids home for Christmas again this year!  Just when we start to get used to someone being gone, they come back.  Then they leave again, and the house once again feels lonely.

Gabe and Sam are both living at home now, but Carly has been having a blast at college and we loved having the Martinez clan again together.

     Happy Holidays 2018! 

    

     Daniel continues his work at the VA Hospital, and recently accepted a position as King of the Universe (whoops – he just wants to be called that at home.  At work he will be “Chief of Sleep Medicine”).  He’ll work at both the Seattle and American Lake’s campuses, which will provide a shorter commute for most of his workdays.  His previous position included multiple departments, so he looks forward to being able to focus on a single department and devote more time to it.  He serves at church as the Executive Secretary to our Bishop, and enjoys working in this capacity.

     Jennie works as an Office Coordinator at University Place School District, and enjoys the multi-faceted aspects of working with the Maintenance/Grounds staff, and the facilities projects at our schools.  She is the Ward organist as well as the Primary pianist and secretary, and enjoys serving the children of the church. 

     Gabe turns 23 this month, and is living back in Washington with us as he hones his 3-D Textural Artist skills in preparation for his job hunt!  He’s currently working for Office Depot, and paying down his student loans.  Or, he’s a child-sponge living as long as he can with his parents because it’s free room and board!  We’re happy to have him here for as long as we can afford to feed him!

     Sam turned 21 this year, and is enrolled at our local Community College.  He’s taking it slow, as it can be challenging for him to adjust to the socialization and processes of college.  He’s been really helpful to our household and we often rely on him to cook dinner and take care of some of the household chores.  He’s as witty (and sometimes snarky) as ever, and can bring a lot of mirth to our lives.

     Carly graduated from Curtis High School this summer and jumped right into college, starting in Summer Term at BYU.  She really enjoys being a student there, and has been pushing herself academically (just like she did in high school).  She also enjoys all the social aspects of college, and especially loves rooming with her best friend from her home town. She plans to serve a mission for our church, and will focus on that after this school year.

Sending love to you --    Daniel, Jennie, Gabriel, Samuel, Carly

Dropping Her Off At College

Not much time between high school graduation and starting college, but she was raring to go!

Dan, Carly, Jennie

Gabe, Carly, Sam

It was very bitter sweet dropping off our daughter at college!  She was so excited to be out on her own at Brigham Young University, getting to know her new dorm-mate, living in a new state, and starting the next phase of her life!

Yep, it happened again!

Yep, another one of our children graduated from high school!  Carly is such a dedicated student, and really loved going to school every day.  She loves to learn, and enjoyed learning French and Spanish in addition to her other academic pursuits.

The Webb and Martinez families hosted a graduation BBQ at Fircrest Park, and invited friends and family to help the graduates celebrate.

One of the things she enjoyed doing during her Junior and Senior year was Science Olympiad.  She and her best friend, Erica, worked hard to prepare for competitions.

Carly will attend BYU for Summer semester (no summer break for her!), and hope to major in Linguistics or International relations.

Merry and Bright!

 Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

L     Daniel and I continue to work at the VA Hospital and University Place School District, and love the opportunities we have to spend time with our little family.  Daniel is an 11-yr-old Scout leader at church, and I serve as the Primary pianist and secretary.  Our dog, Rainbow, died earlier this year, but she had a pampered 13-year lift with us.  However, she left a hole in our family and we recently decided to adopt a cat.  His name is Tomyn.

I      Gabe turned 22 this month, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Utah this spring.  Along with some of his graduated college peers, he has formed a video game company “Designated Play Space” and is working on a new game project.  They will eventually release the game and (hopefully) make some money!  Until then, it’s a labor of love, and he’s working at Office Max to pay the bills.

G     Sam turned 20 this summer, and has taken a few art classes at Tacoma Community College.  He’s not sure yet what area of study he wants to pursue, and is looking for a job to help save for school.  We enjoy having him at home for now!

H     Carly is almost 18 years old, and will graduate from Curtis Sr High School in 5 months!  She’s in the midst of college applications, and is very busy with high school classwork, church activities, and socializing with friends.  She and Tomyn are inseparable – Daniel keeps saying she needs to find a way to take him to college, too.

T     Wishing all our family and friends a wonderful season!

Daniel, Jennie, Gabriel, Samuel, Carly

College Graduate!

Another milestone for Gabe!  He's now a college graduate, with a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts in Entertainment Arts & Entertainment!

Daniel and I were able to go to Utah to attend the graduation ceremony.  

We also helped him move out of Grandma and Grandpa's house and into his own little rented room -- a bedroom in a house full of students.  He was able to bring the bed and desk from Grandma & Grandpa's house, so we just had to buy supplies and a few kitchen gadgets.  

I guess he's an adult now... maybe.  We are very proud of him for accomplishing this goal! 

He and some of his friends from his graduating class have formed a video gaming company, "Designated Play Space".  They released a VR game on Steam right before graduation -- their senior project, called "Trapped with the Dolls".  Here's a photo of the DPS group:

Now he's working as a 3-D Textural Artist on their next game, and looking for a job to pay the bills.  

Eventually their new game will be ready for sale, and all this (free) labor will pay off, but for now he's putting in the time (a lot of time) and work to help create their new game.