Pregnant, but not for long

9 months pregnant...

Large...

and in charge

I can't believe that soon I will be a Mommy of 3 girls. I'm getting induced Wednesday the 25th (I'll be 39 weeks). This pregnancy has gone by mostly fast. The last month is always the longest it seems. We are so excited and anxious for this little girl to join our family. It's been fun talking about it with Gracie and Abby and how they plan on helping me take care of her. I'm so excited, but nervous and sad at the same time. Ben and I were just saying how easy and perfect life is right now. We feel like we have most things down with the girls, they are at an easy age, and get along so well. I know that when this new baby comes into the mix things will be tossed all around for a while, but life will be all the more perfect with her in it. I can't wait to have a newborn again and to bring this new little gift home to our girls.

Benjamin Martino, MD

It's official!!!! We have a doctor in our house and couldn't be more proud of him. What an adventure these past four years have been. Ben's graduation took place Saturday afternoon at Texas A&M in College Stattion with a banquet held Friday night. He was recognized for his acceptance into the AOA and graduated with honors. His parents, sisters (Kim and Jason, Karina, and Lauren), as well as Grandma were able to make it to support us in this big accomplishment. It was such an amazing feeling watching him get hooded (a sash they put on to show he is an MD) and be a part of this journey. Medical school was definitely hard but we were able to get through it and be blessed by the love and support from family and friends.

Abby was scared of Ben in his graduation attire and wouldn't go to him until he was changed out of it.

Congratulations DR. MARTINO! We are so proud of you! You did it !!!

Grandma

We loved having you for a few days! We can't wait to move in a couple of weeks and be able to see you a lot more.

Soccer Awards

Grace and Ben had a wonderful first season of soccer. I think they both learned a lot. The kids all got trophy's at their last game Saturday. We had a little award ceremony at the park with donuts. Gracie got the "Best Effort" award and was very proud of her trophy. It was so fun watching Grace and Ben in action.

6 Years

Happy 6th Anniversary to the most amazing husBEN. We had a wonderful evening out together last night going to dinner and walking around Austin. We were reminiscing about how much has happened these past 6 years and predicted what the next 6 years will bring. I love Ben so much and am grateful for all he is and helps me to become. I love calling him my best friend. I love you Benny-Boo!!!

(I couldn't bare putting a pregnant picture up so this is of us last year on our cruise celebrating our anniversary)

Easter

We celebrated Easter all week long (or should I say all month long). Back at the end of March Nana and Pop were in town for conference. There was the big Martino Egg Hunt the weekend that Ben and I went to California to look for a house. Grace and Abigail got to enjoy in the fun with cousins while we were away.

We had an egg hunt with playgroup, Gracie had her preschool egg hunt, egg hunt for church, and Scott & White Hospital Egg Hunt. Needless to say the girls had tons of fun and got tons of eggs.


Easter Morning the girls found the dyed eggs we had colored the night before throughout the house. The Easter bunny hid their baskets and left clues leading them to it. Gracie thought this was so fun to go on a "basket hunt". After finding their baskets in the bath tub, we had a wonderful morning before heading off to church.




The week leading up to Easter we talked every night about the events leading up to Jesus Resurrection. I'm happy to say that on Easter morning when we asked Gracie what the real meaning of Easter was she told us, "Not bunny's and candy, but how Jesus died for us and Lives again". I'm so grateful for this time of year and the knowledge that we have that He Lives and we can return to live with him one day!

Bluebonnets

We sure are going to miss the bluebonnets every spring!

Soccer

Gracie is playing her first sport ever...soccer. Everything about it is perfect...cheap ($35), age group is 3-4 year olds, 6 players to a team, only for the month of April, one practice a week, and games every Saturday. The best part of all is her coach...Daddy. Ben's dream has come true. He's been talking about coaching our kids in sports since before they were born. It is perfect timing since he's schedule is so light right now. Grace loves having Coach Daddy. The practice and games are pretty funny with lots of chaos, but sure are cute and fun to watch.