Martin Family Blog

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Talent Show Teamwork!

This is a video club recorded at the recent Saint Patricks School Talent Show courtesy of Gabes mom.

We posted earlier this week the concept of goal setting and work. Amber and Gabe have continued to work together weekly. While we all enjoyed the talent show experience, it was even more fun watch them work together and learn team work. Kelly Rojas said they make a good team. We agree. Well done Gabe and Amber!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Setting Goals!

Last spring Amber fouled out of the final track meet during the discus throw in 7th grade. She was disappointed and I understand. She had the meet best throws in practice and then lost focus, stepped out, and fouled out her long throw and lost. After a brief disappointment, she said she wanted to win in 8th grade and said she would try to win the all time record. A year later the goal paid off. More on that below. This is not a boast, but a testament to goal setting and hard work. Trust me, I was there with her...

For the past 4 weeks she practiced 2 times during the week and once on the weekends throwing at least 6 sets of 5 and practicing general techniques. Her coach was critical, encouraging, yet to the point reminding her. He said many times "don't waste the potential!" He was right and sometimes when she was throwing short distances you could recognize the pressure was bothersome. She persevered, trained, listened and results showed each week. Last evening, she threw an 98' and 103', both well beyond the record. Now she had three events to make it happen, 3 throws over three events. 9 attempts. The first and second throw today were solid, but they looked short. Then on the third try, she exploded with a smooth toss and it sailed. 99'-3" was the result. The former 1996 record at 95'-6" fell.

Not many really noticed and she did not excessively boast. But her joy was gleaming. She shared with me shortly after, she said a brief prayer before rotating on the third attempt, saying Please Lord, and then let it rip!!!

Goals are scary and easy not to set. I am not impressed with just the win. I am far more impressed with the experience that she learned. She was willing to set the goal and take a chance, win or lose. Praise God for this experience...

Good job Amberito! We all love you and are very proud.

Thanks for reading...

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Amber sings Royal's Cover

Enjoy this great music mix that Amber created on Garage Band. There are no voices except for her own... Enjoy...

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Farewell Celtics Basketball

I must admit today was mixed with joy and sadness. As I tried to hold back the tears, I hugged my daughter as the tears ran down her face. They lost to Orcutt for the 3rd spot in todays school basketball tourney but that was not the reason for the sadness and tears. Today, on the 4th year of this journey, she will no longer wear the Saint Paticks Catholic School Celtics basketball uniform. Season is over, and she will enter high school at another school next season. Lord willing, she will wear another uniform and play basketball.

As she wept and said "I dont want to be over", I simply said that that I understand. I hugged her and reminded her that this chapter is over and there will be more to write.

Here are some photos to mark the day...

A comparison from today, to her 5th grade rise to the 7th grade team...

Towing the line and leading her team...

The mighty Celtics team...

Coaches Kristen and Claudia, thankful for these wonderful ladies and their dedication...

Ambers first youth basketball coach and Fire Captain Steve Gonzales. First class dad and SP parent... As he always says "I taught her everything she knows..."

Praise God for these wonderful folks and experiences along the way. So grateful for everyone involved and especially Coach Rob Burt and Coach Horace Grant for giving her a start and letting her release this passion and gift.

Much thanks to my wife for supporting her and the teams along the way.

Many blessings to Ambers wonderful teammates and friends gained along the way.

We love you Amber and so proud of you...

Wonder Glasses!

Amber sporting her new glasses. I call them wonder glasses! Do you remember the Buddy Holly story when he sported his icon glasses and referred to them as Wonder Glasses? Not making that up...

Love this pic. My daughter is changing, growing, yet the same. Crazy how that works...

Love this kid. Love everything about her. What a privelge to raise and care for this precious jewel...

East Side Flyer!

Had a belated birthday blast recently with a quick run to the east side for some fly fishing on the Lower Owens River. Middle of February and the forecast was 70 degrees with little wind. Yep, that is exactly what we got till late in the day and Saturday night when some fercious winds churned up. Still had a blast nonetheless and enjoyed the shelter and comfort of our year old Lance Camper travel trailer.

Dad, Seanyboy, Korndog, and yours truly for a quick photo leaving the house. 6 hour drive ahead Friday afternoon...

Seanyboy on the Lower O on the first day getting his game on chucking bugs. Very quickly he landed a typically beautiful Lower O brown trout. This never gets old to him...

Like I said, this never gets old and its like a wonderful surprise ever cast and land...

Korndog, Seanyboy and Johnny O grooving...

My dad in the honey hole with John just below in another pocket.

Sunny wading in February.

Crazy landscape on the east side. The backdrop just begs watching. Gods handiwork in living color...

Love these trips even if short and exhausting. Big thanks to my dad for sharing this wonderland with me as a child and placing this seed in me at a young age. I hope to do the same for my son and friends as they experience it with me.

Thanks for reading friends and family. We love you much.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 In the Rear View, Welcome 2014!

For those who read our family blog it is obvious that my post activity was low. This is not to suggest our activity was low and not jam packed, because it was packed indeed. I praise God for his faithfulness in providing work and occasional rest and leisure time for which our family finds important. You can see the outdoors and activity is a large part of our lives in addition to family time.

Since I did not post much, I am going out of 2013 with a mega picture post of experiences. There was so many highlights only to name a few:

Every waking day with my lovely wife and wonder children Amber and Sean - I praise God for you both every day!
Family 10k run at the Miracle Mile for Kids 2013
John's 50th birthday fishing trip on the East Side Sierras (East Walker and Lower Owens River)
June family camp at Gold Lakes Basin and Salmon Creek Campground
Summer surf trip at Brendan's in Del Mar with Sean and Debbie
Seeing Amber rip it up in volleyball and basketball seasons
Seanyboy experiencing new sports and passions including Puma swim team this year
Pittsburgh trip with the wifey and visiting my Uncle Al and Aunt Nancy
Kendra and Daniels wedding celebration at Red Rocks!
Christmas Dinner together at the house with the family fully present (except Richard!)
Big Sean becoming a grandfather to Ellie
Living everyday in the company of my parents
We miss our friend Doris Schonert but enjoyed the time with her daughter to celebrate her life. May God rest your soul Doris...
Experiencing community with Korey, Christina, and Gavin, our neighbors and family
Loved this past week in Ventura camping together and enjoying the visit of John, Donna, my brother Sean in uniform, and my parents this afternoon. This time capped the year and was an amazing time to celebrate family...

I praise God for the experiences of this life and the wonder of his creation. God willing, there is much more to go and look forward to 2014. Every day is simply a gift so lets suck the life out of every day. Bless you all and thanks for reading...

Here are a bunch of pictures (sorry if I did not get you all in the pics!):