Tears for Somalia

This morning I started crying over Somalia. Now, I really don't know much about the place. I know it's been going thorugh rough times, to say the least, but I'm not too aware of the details. I was listening to NPR this morning and they were playing a couple of stories about Somalia and the tears just started falling.
Part of this is most likely due to where I land in my Pill package this week. (The third week is always so emotional, right ladies?) But, I believe I've been consciouly and unconsciously affected by the state of the world. And the thought that this momma can't do too much about it.
I'm exhausted on an everyday basis. This is okay with me; i do it to myself and I thrive on it. I care for a daughter, a husband, a home, people at work, friends, family, cars, myself (sometimes), food, money.....the list goes on. My tears arise when i think about the little I do to help the big prooblems of the world and the little amount of time I feel I can devote to even helping the community I live in. Watching the news drives me crazy not because of the news in and of itself but because there is so much of it! It can make me feel small and helpless.
I can be extreemely selfish, yes, and this is 80% of the reason I choose to spend my Saturday off reading a book instead of taking care of the poor. However, I do want to be motivated by that other part of my heart plus I want to be an example for Amelie. I want her to see that caring for others should be a normal part of everyday life.
I truly feel that we help because we have been hurt and God has brought us hope. We spread that hope to others to show our gratitude for what He has done. (Blow out your breath. The preachy part is over.)
So how to make this change? How can my family help our own "Somalia" in Arizona? How do we make this a part of who we are every day? I'm almost afraid to ask for suggestions.....


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Location:Crying Over Somalia

Another Change

Ami and I decided to have a Toy Story marathon today since it was our last day before some big changes in our lives. Here is what our couch looked like throughout the movies.




Amelie turns 4 tomorrow! We're playing it low-key; probably breakfast at Liberty Market and dinner at Joe's BBQ. Her presents center around Barbie and Disney of course. She's pretty excited.
Ami also starts a new year at Kids Club. She'll be a top dog now that she's 4. I can't believe it's just one more year and the. Kindergarten!
I start my new job at Jewish Family and Children's Services. Not sure how I'm feeling; everyone keeps asking. I guess since I didn't want to leave my last job so I'm not crazy excited to start a new one, I guess. I'll make the best of it. Obviously this is where God wants me for now so I'm going for it.
Wish me luck!

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Location:Gilbert, AZ

The Cut

I did it! I made the big cut! Thank you honey for your scissor skills!

I loved the below picture but my hair sticking up is what convinced me to cut today.

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First Day

This was quite a day for our little family! I started working at Southwest Behavioral Health and Amelie started full day care at Kids Club. She was so excited all weekend and I have to admit that did make it easier for Matthew and I.
The decision to go back to working full-time was, surprisingly, not a hard one. I have thoroughly loved the three years I was home with Amelie. These years were filled with moments I will forever treasure and experiences that I know have shaped qll of us. However, I had to finally admit to myself and Matt....I have been a bit bored at home. And, frankly, I'm pretty sure Amelie has been pretty bored of me.
The Martin girls are social spastics. Both of us love being on the go and thrive off of interactions with people. So, for both of us, this decision was almost a given. Now, I'm not sure if Matt knows what hit him, but I'm pretty sure he will like the extra income and he already said he likes having Ami to talk to on his commute now that he drops her off at daycare. Plus, now he gets to drive the better car everyday and I get the crappy Civic!
Amelie loved "klids club" as she calls it and can't wait to go back tomorrow. I asked if she missed me or thought of me at all today and she said no! I thought of her throughout the day and admittedly had a few tears this morning but, overall, I loved being back in the workplace. I had no guilt or remorse (though I'm sure those feelings will come and go over the years). I can honestly say I felt complete peace about it all.
So, we'll see how it goes, but for now I feel i was meant to be a "working mom" (though I feel I exerted less energy in 8 hours today than I do in one hour at the park with Amelie).



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First Haircut

Amelie gets her first haircut today. We plan on having the stylist cut it to shoulder length (if she's brave enough to approach it at all). Amelie is okay with the whole idea since she's been begging Matthew to cut off her hair so she doesn't have to deal with it anymore.
I'm having mixed feelings about the event. On one side, I will be happy to not have as much of a struggle brushing her hair. Everytime I or Matthew attempt to brush her hair, the neighbors must think we're actually beating her. She starts screaming the moment her eyes catch sight of the brush. This is why the girl only takes a bath twice a week. It might be gross but the event stresses me out too much.
On the other side is my love for her precious ringlets. I have been so delighted to watch them grow and spring to life. I have no idea how her hair will react to the scissors and I'm a bit scared.
So, just in case, in memory if the precious baby hair of Amelie Martin.



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Good Hair Part Two

I'm doing it!

I've decided to make the BIG TRANSITION from relaxed (permed) hair to my natural hair texture. For my white friends (as most of you are), this is a big deal for a black woman. This will mean months of having very, creative and sometimes, time-consuming hairstyles until my permed hair is eventually gone and only my natural locks remain.

I am excited. I feel very empowered in my natural state; like i'm taking back the reins in my life. It can also be frustrating because one can feel alone in this process. Since, as i stated above, most of my friends and family do not share my same heritage, there are not many people i can go to about my hair concerns and woes. This leads me to asking strangers on the street how they are handling their hair. Like the poor lady at the Bohemian Chic store that I bombarded with questions that i had been holding inside my head for the past month.

Also, I am basically going to have two textures of hair to deal with for quite a while (like maybe two years)! You can try to relate to my concern here by looking at weight gain. My relaxed hair was like all of those yummy desserts and venti frapps we have over the years that were fun but very, very damaging. Now i have to work with the results of all of that damage like we have to work with the left over cellulite and flab as we begin our vigorous workout regime until we are back in our size 10's (a part of this process is learning to be realistic so no size 6's for me, ladies).

The thing i have going for me this time around (i've tried this before and wasn't comfortable with the state of my hair a year later) is that I have a bit more knowledge about how to care for my hair. It takes a lot of conditioning and moisturizer. Plus, the realization that I can't just wash and go; Imhave to actually style it.

So, I will need your support, especially those of you that are in my close proximity. I will need encouragement along the road and kind honesty when a style i try is just not working for me. I will also need help keeping my eye on my goal - my beautiful crown of hair that my Lord intended me to have from the begining.

This will take a while, but wouldn't it be pretty?

iPad Cover

Think I could go into business?

I had fun making this iPad cover for Matthew's Pad though I have to tweak some things about it at a later date.   I think I'll make one for myself soon.  It was fun trying to work with the concept Matthew had come up with.  It was nice to do a project together with him.  It's not everyday that you and your husband can mix hobbies together. Matthew made the apple label.
I'm in quite a sewing mood right now.  I finsished a dress for Amelie and I'm working on a bag with my sewing group.  I love the days I can just stay in and create.