Where Have The Martins Been..?

Well, it is me!  I was just thinking last week that I haven't blogged in a while.  I don't know why besides everyday life gets in the way. :)  So, I thought I would catch you up with the Martin Family.

We will start with Rich...Rich officially graduated from SAMS (School of Advanced Military Studies) last week on May 17th.  He was thrilled to finally have completed his third school while in Kansas and obtained his second Master's Degree.  He will use his knowledge well for his follow on assignment.   As most of you know, he made the Battalion Command list and we are off to Fort Riley, Kansas this summer.  We have been stationed there before, so we will be going back to familiar territory.  Rich will be traveling a lot between now and December and expected to take command the following year.  He couldn't be happier and we are so proud of his accomplishments!

Lillian is a graduate of First Grade (okay, not until Friday) at Bradley Elementary.  She has enjoyed her two years at Bradley and will greatly miss this school.  So will I!  We have had many great times at this school and hope she continues to love her education at Fort Riley Elementary where she will start Second Grade.  We are believing she will continue at this school until the end of 4th Grade, but as you Army families know, nothing is ever guaranteed!

Lillian also completed her first year on Dance Team at Katie's Dance Studio.  She put in a lot of effort and work this year for dance and managed to take ballet/tap, jazz and perform on dance team.  She completed her recital on Mother's Day and did wonderful!  She had four routines in the first show and five routines in the second show.  The shows were only an hour apart and she pushed right through until the end.  I was proud of her for memorizing all those routines and still smiling until the end.  I think I was more tired than her with costumes flying, feathers flying and make up flying all in the back room and on the side stage.  Rich even participated in the recital this year.  There was a daddy daughter dance in the show and all the dads did an amazing job!  The highlight of the show!  By the way, the song playing on my blog currently was the song they danced too...melt your heart. :)

We also drove Lillian to Bates Dance Studio at Fort Riley, Kansas a few weeks ago in April.  The studio held dance team try outs for the following year and we were lucky enough to only be two hours away.  We made the drive and Lillian is now a Sparkler!  She continues to take jazz, ballet and tap and declares dance her passion.  And that brings me to Lydia...

Lydia is ready to get back into dance too.  She will be taking predance at Bates Dance Studio too.  She dropped out last year from ballet/tap, Sunday School and preschool.  Yeah, we only made it two days!  But, she said she is ready for preschool and dance this year.  She continues to take mommy and me gymnastics and loves it!  She will continue at Fort Riley too.  She is my crazy one in gymnastics and tumbles all over the place.  That would explain her busted lip last night while rough housing in the basement! :)

Lydia will be attending St. Luke's Preschool starting in September.  She will only go on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:00am to 11:30am.  I really hope she enjoys preschool.  My heart is not ready to see her so upset like last year.  That was too much for my heart and soul.  Both Lydia and I will have to be strong!

I thought I would attach a video of Lydia learning to ride her bike without training wheels too.  This was Lydia's idea and we have been working a little at a time for a couple of weeks.  Lydia has her own mind set and tries for five minutes and then moves onto something bigger and better.  But, she doesn't want the training wheels back on and is starting to really get it.  Not bad for a 3 year old! :)  So proud of her!  She has really grown up lately and just too stinking cute!

I also attached a video of Lillian performing the Hula Dance at her school Talent Show.  She performed in the Talent Show last year and made it again this year.  This dance was originally done in her recital with her dance team members (17 total members).  She looked adorable in the recital and talent show.  I was not like her as a child...way too shy to try something like this in front of the whole school.  I am so happy both my children seem to be just as outgoing as their dad!

Well, we will be off to TX next week to visit our wonderful friends.  Then, once we return, we will pack up and head to Fort Riley.  Wish us luck!  Good bye Fort Leavenworth and all our wonderful friends we have made here.  We will miss each and every one of you and will look for you at future duty stations.  We also wish you all nothing but continued success.  Love you all!  See you down the road....

Julie