tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266996752024-03-07T09:02:44.076-05:00Kid KoveMartin family blog!mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.comBlogger370125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-66039591269855486442011-03-28T23:51:00.001-04:002011-03-28T23:51:36.003-04:00Brendan rides without training wheels<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lwqj6nW0gDY?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-83740869437573613942010-12-18T12:02:00.007-05:002010-12-18T12:27:20.732-05:00Movie review - Voyage of the Dawn Treader<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBmt8MM2xK76nGAHR1ZhAt8OtI9nQb5tkB3y4M-omPRgmNIZ0pIpUUiIjKzCXcYq3iUi_E5debhfhLePzcceiABHJ7vOM12cd8WvqPxv3HvFzg2fTOzcXncKul-qWIlg9YC740g/s1600/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-Voyage-of-the-Dawn-Treader.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBmt8MM2xK76nGAHR1ZhAt8OtI9nQb5tkB3y4M-omPRgmNIZ0pIpUUiIjKzCXcYq3iUi_E5debhfhLePzcceiABHJ7vOM12cd8WvqPxv3HvFzg2fTOzcXncKul-qWIlg9YC740g/s400/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-Voyage-of-the-Dawn-Treader.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552069235651716594" /></a>One of my birthday presents my family gave me was to take me to see the newest Narnia movie, <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>.<div><br /></div><div>I became a fan of this series as a young boy and have been thrilled with the undertaking of turning the books into big-budget movies. Of course as a life-long fan I have tried to adjust my expectations of the story-telling of these books. The first one was fabulous and Walden Media and Disney did an amazing job with putting the story to film. I knew the next two in the series would be harder to bring to the big screen because the stories do not follow as straight of a story line, so I had a bit of "realistic" look at how the movies were going to come out.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said I was happier with the way they treated the story line of the Dawn Treader than they did Prince Caspian. The only objection I had was that each island felt rushed and quick, but in the end I suspect a two or two and half hour movie would have put it way over budget. As it is the making of the fourth book, the <i>Silver Chair</i>, is in doubt due to budget concerns and the monetary performance of the <i>Dawn Treader</i>. So as fans we have to put up with small parts for interesting characters in the book because this is Hollywood after all and big budget entertainment is the goal, not minor character development. Still, a little more of the Dufflepuds would have given the film some more comic relief, in my humble opinion.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 366px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtXrq1dzNH-NB83VarLxt43CRVzHHppegncMK7xkmGPc40yNVVyJzud6rGbWD1U18mjM0rePO8errWI21WSfQFCWSWxpqI2fqQlMjTNMI1tVOSXElxAATEEV3dXcmNWE2xxwsKQ/s400/chronicles-of-narnia-voyage-of-dawn-treader-movie-photo-03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552074268671641442" /><div>I really appreciated the makers of the movie brought out the Christian themes that were in the book. In fact they were more direct than the subtle CS Lewis put in the book. I especially loved the pointed lessons Lucy learned on appreciating who God made you to be, and not envying others and who God made them to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all I encourage you to</div><div>go and see this movie and to take your kids (our four year old was great with the movie). The more people who go an</div><div>d see the movie, the more likely they will bring the fourth one unto the big screen!!</div><div><br /></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-12686865981928895102010-10-27T10:09:00.003-04:002010-10-27T10:23:08.729-04:00Happy birthday Patsy!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So today is my lovely wife's birthday. Let me just say that I have a wonderful and amazing wife! Generally speaking she is the cautious and careful one, while I am the adventurous and cavalier one in our marriage. Yet she still prayerfully goes along with my ideas for our life, which are sometimes harebrained! I will say that she has taught me to plan, pray and consider much more than I am naturally inclined to. She also has a wonder for life that adds such a dimension to our non-conformist way of living! God knew what He was doing when He brought us together.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We have so many wonderful experiences in life as we have blended our strengths together. Celebrating her birthday in an RV is our newest one! What fun this will be as we party in Howard! No I am not baking her cake, I am buying her one. But this is no different than I have ever done. The one thing I wish I could give her this year that I can't - a nice hot and quiet bath all to herself. You know "Calgon take me away." I guess she'll have to enjoy the hot, quiet shower this year.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70bBWWkFOFDKoQjJ3EyQd9biRHd7avQXRKJiYlNh19gEnR5_trUfAbtBXdpAQvOKMA_0DmcuHGoM_Ppu3Daa0xCLEcYtrLIDvpHtcZ6S469zinUSl0CSPZGz21FzzrrAdq8we2Q/s320/DSCN2512.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532731136350919538" /><div> </div><div>This picture we took yesterday at the Fort Worth Water Gardens. She is pretty amazing girl, more beautiful with every passing day. </div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-84267341315769130632010-10-07T12:15:00.004-04:002010-10-07T12:33:29.551-04:00The 39 Clues book series review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj0Ao1TCh1hyphenhyphensReZwyov0TS6BYW7oPNLK4PTJV4Xa5EUbHShyDgyzsnXxV-JPh9qNj9Rsv8A8cl40c0rVBdAJzKSukm8BPjLPm6RhB4WQYo7WyzIwEMLGn02-QRDUxP8nMDAdTw/s1600/The_39_Clues.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj0Ao1TCh1hyphenhyphensReZwyov0TS6BYW7oPNLK4PTJV4Xa5EUbHShyDgyzsnXxV-JPh9qNj9Rsv8A8cl40c0rVBdAJzKSukm8BPjLPm6RhB4WQYo7WyzIwEMLGn02-QRDUxP8nMDAdTw/s320/The_39_Clues.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525342426745372802" /></a><br />This year we started reading the 39 Clues series and recently finished the 10th and last book. We actually got the 2nd book first on CD and listened to it on the Christmas trip from Ontario to Rockford. We liked the CD so much we went back and read the first book and the rest is history.<div>Hope our reviews help you decide whether to read the books or not. Once again the review is based on a 5 star rating system.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marty - 4.5 stars - These books are not only interesting and captivating, but they will also help teach your kids geography, history, chemistry, science, archeology, literature, world cultures and a bunch of other good things. These are not written from a Christian perspective, but they do offer some good lessons in morality. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tanner - 4.5 stars - Basically these books are great. I didn't like the love story with Ian and Amy. The best thing about the books are Dan and his ridiculous jokes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Patsy - 5 stars - Not only is there a lot of history in it, but by the end of the series it teaches forgiveness and the importance of family relationships.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blake - 5 stars - This was a very entertaining series. It was full of mystery, action and I liked the characters.</div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-34660093165790700852010-09-27T21:37:00.002-04:002010-10-07T12:14:58.420-04:00Brendan's dedication<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4NTYzNzgyMjI4OSZwdD*xMjg1NjM3ODU4NTA1JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz*xMWM4YTIwMzY1YTA*/NGQzODJkYjNiN2RjOWZhZGQ*ZiZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll24%2Frevmmartin%2FBrendans%2520dedication%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed> <a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll24/revmmartin/Brendans%20dedication/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-44448375902845546842010-09-21T12:47:00.000-04:002010-09-21T17:00:45.130-04:00Fish gone wild<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/x9AEf6Feq28/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x9AEf6Feq28?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x9AEf6Feq28?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p> </p><p>Crazy Koi at the Niabi Zoo</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-81346920575124614712010-09-19T18:25:00.000-04:002010-09-19T18:25:58.846-04:00the final end battle.wmv<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/h6oG5gLrpxs/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h6oG5gLrpxs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h6oG5gLrpxs?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p> </p><p>This is another one of Blake's stop motion videos. He is getting pretty good at this, when he takes his time and slows down. Try to overlook his spelling though.</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-15035329604460395692010-09-05T09:38:00.000-04:002010-09-06T09:57:53.468-04:00Go Fish concert<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/LFUwPv2PR6w/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LFUwPv2PR6w?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LFUwPv2PR6w?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>Our family had a blast at this free outdoor Go Fish concert in Shannon, Illinois!</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-84320382311529879292010-08-30T09:48:00.000-04:002010-09-06T09:56:16.873-04:00Forester Sunseeker tour inside<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Expvz5jCw9g/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Expvz5jCw9g?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Expvz5jCw9g?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object> <div><br /></div><div>The inside of Howard our RV. Howard is a derivative of the acronym HOW (Home On Wheels)! We named it Saturday.</div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-77724879212977399742010-08-30T09:46:00.000-04:002010-09-06T09:56:16.874-04:00Forester Sunseeker tour outside<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0-k8ojXkaHg?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0-k8ojXkaHg?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>This is our new RV - can't believe we finally have it! Be sure to check out the inside tour.</div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-37004433036274920502010-08-25T16:30:00.006-04:002010-08-25T17:11:54.558-04:00Marital bliss<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94eiWAR01nMf5peQ3olfxMDi0gVQvfZqbWO_vJGtWAfIUmx646jIKe1R-a3R0XFOEAILVXusonKgTOLnTh8zG_2Iz910vrBz3Xxb7Ej-xeBFA_M8ek7rMMI-gyRVpPlU7RG8D0A/s1600/Sparkly.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509453719864555522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94eiWAR01nMf5peQ3olfxMDi0gVQvfZqbWO_vJGtWAfIUmx646jIKe1R-a3R0XFOEAILVXusonKgTOLnTh8zG_2Iz910vrBz3Xxb7Ej-xeBFA_M8ek7rMMI-gyRVpPlU7RG8D0A/s400/Sparkly.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Marriage gets some pretty rough treatment these days. Either people don't want to get married, they try to change God's definition of marriage, or they forsake marriage all together! We were watching the Closer the other night and Lt. Flynn was trying to tell Lt. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Provenza</span> that getting married leads to murder!!<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Well as I celebrate 15 years of marriage I can tell you that marriage rocks. I love being married! Maybe I am one of the fortunate ones though, I was blessed with an amazing wife! Yes we get on each other's nerves from time to time and we even fight, but I could never imagine life without my wife Patsy. So in that spirit and my affection for top 10 lists I am presenting the top 10 best things about getting married (Warning this may be rated PG 13).</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>10. Two minds are better than one - when you have a problem another perspective and set of eyes can really help you solve it!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>9. So much warmer on cold nights to snuggle with your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hunny</span>!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>8. More earning power. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Whether</span> it be taxes or income or the ability to save money, two people can earn more than one. Yes the expenses are higher, but not in proportion.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>7. A happily married couple makes for the best greenhouse to raise well-adjusted kids. Stats continue to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">overwhelmingly</span> bear this out despite what you might see in popular culture.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>6. Face it married people have way more sex than single people, even for those who have no morals!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>5. A three-prong cord can never be broken, husband, wife and God together can do the impossible. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>4. There is always someone who is on your side. Even when they have to help you see the other side's point of view.</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;">3. When you're sick, you have someone to make you soup and let you sleep.</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;">2. Marriage is one of God's best ways to sharpen us and mold us into His image, if we let Him, of course. Marriage serves as a mirror into our soul, if we are willing to look there. A good marriage should bring us closer to the point of the death of our self. </span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;">1. God created marriage before the parenthood, the church, and all other institutions. Marriage was here before taxes, football, Walt Disney World, the Bible, sin, death, pain, the United Nations and is a fixture of every culture in the world. It is one of His greatest gifts to humans, and it helps us become less selfish and self-centered, if we let it change us. It is a picture of God's relationship with His people.</span></div></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-19177655776010373492010-08-15T15:36:00.000-04:002010-08-16T15:47:39.293-04:00Creation video<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/apxsO_vu7o0/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/apxsO_vu7o0?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/apxsO_vu7o0?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>Blake. with some help from Tanner with the clay models, made this video as their first school project of the year. Their little brothers have been studying Creation through My Father's World Creation, so this was their part in helping their little brothers help learn about the Creation account in Genesis.</div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-10932640605664575832010-08-13T09:25:00.005-04:002010-08-13T09:37:03.521-04:00A Whole Nother Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3gMQ_QvKywGoHTO-JH4q_23ZMvYsb6LttrgYi6SjR2iUWJ9wpIvlDVoyZ_gcV_t4hVN9usYVuMzObK9DmT84FA6wW4ni79ZDESHtVDLt_aayXaIbp5EZU5zAIFdwwpQhNEW21g/s1600/nother+story.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504887997184966562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3gMQ_QvKywGoHTO-JH4q_23ZMvYsb6LttrgYi6SjR2iUWJ9wpIvlDVoyZ_gcV_t4hVN9usYVuMzObK9DmT84FA6wW4ni79ZDESHtVDLt_aayXaIbp5EZU5zAIFdwwpQhNEW21g/s400/nother+story.bmp" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn4sbR_v2BsBgr0XRz23yT0B61tpjcFsDjSkqCBxGl5vTY7D9ywPX6XLVrJRkyAbyxjl2oMf3ICB8Sp0B6yRW9Li2je4NBF9n75p3oi0Gm8A9LOpXBbRfeEWNOF-WeGHJoDtTuA/s1600/nother+story.bmp"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>It's been awhile, but it is time for another Martin family book review. This time we look at a quirky title, <em>A Whole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nother</span> Story</em>, by a quirky author, Dr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cuthbert</span> Soup. Once again these are based on a five star rating. Be sure to check out other reviews (look at the labels to the right or at the bottom of this post for Martin Family book reviews).</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Tanner 5 stars. It was absolutely hilarious.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Blake 4 stars. I laughed a ton, but there were some places that were depressing</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Patsy 4.5 stars. The only thing that was funnier than the story was the unsolicited advice at the end of each chapter.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Marty 4 stars. Be careful when you read this if you are drinking milk. You might squirt some through your nose you'll laugh so hard! Parents of the Christian faith might need to talk through a couple of elements <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> their kids, like a psychic dog and a fortune teller. Otherwise the message is very positive!</div></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-84006152823389987362010-08-11T14:29:00.000-04:002010-08-11T14:31:40.835-04:00Shaving cream homeschool b<p><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XLC-xXM3pSw&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XLC-xXM3pSw&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>In homeschooling you can also quickly and nimbly adapt to a child's learning styles (like if one finds shaving cream messy on his hands).</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-91503315514790849782010-08-11T14:25:00.000-04:002010-08-11T14:31:40.837-04:00Shaving cream homeschool<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/f1aBZdiHpBA/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f1aBZdiHpBA&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f1aBZdiHpBA&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p> </p><p>One of the beauties of homeschooling is that if a child is struggling with a concept you can revisit that concept over and over again and find different ways to teach that same concept until it sinks in! You can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">also</span> move on quickly with concepts that are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">quickly</span> learned, not lingering too long on something so the child bores of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">school</span>.</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-36577833655224203872010-08-11T14:21:00.000-04:002010-08-11T14:31:28.876-04:00Psalm 24:1<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/A2NoSan7jws/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2NoSan7jws&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2NoSan7jws&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>Since I first started in children's ministry I have wholeheartedly embraced the concept of Bible verse memory for kids (its great for adults too, learn with your kids!). How much more dynamic is that concept when it is initiated by dad? There is a power in fatherhood that is so often untapped. Combined with the power of God's word and it is explosive!</p>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-63439822941640187332010-08-07T15:43:00.013-04:002010-08-07T18:02:29.406-04:00A little slice of Americana<span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502784192512983506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bNIU0xZ8aviUd0JYYaF_UbavyLbNglvHyEShWfGxgJavF0i_RpADD8Ja-NfMzsLSs1ZuH1ONg8v_OiI3S4PFVhLf9iRhyphenhyphen5hL03buaIk9qfInvB9zvDsK3WYXM9pl-h0I_tMOCQ/s400/011.JPG" /><span style="font-family:courier new;">There are lots of things I love about living in a little town like Cambridge. Sure you have to drive 15 minutes to a Walmart or to see a movie or to go to a nice restaurant (We do have a Subway and Dollar General in Cambridge though!). Yes sometimes the locals are a little suspicious of you, but here in Cambridge that is really not a big issue, unlike the city 1o miles to the north.</span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span><div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div></div></div><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />But all that is more than worth the trade off for me. I love sitting on the back porch working and hearing nothing but the cicadas and a dog barking somewhere in the distance while my kids play in the sprinkler (it is what I am doing now). I love how you can see so many stars at night and how you can tell your kids they can ride their bike or walk to the town park. I love how we have tons of flat sidewalk on our street to teach our youngest guys to ride without training wheels. I love how when you walk in the evening down the road the people you pass give you the pointer finger wave (almost a salute from the forehead).I love the small <a href="http://www.cambridgechron.com/">town newspaper</a> that has a picture of your kid in it about a dozen times a year (I used to be the editor of this paper many years ago). </span><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502784210641687042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguiewW6pV9HmXTli0LPMdEscFU8GnlGT1gyifCRVNVYk-ExnU-syMN5CapPDvJaz89TMCSe7Z5n06NdqcUtPWB4Nz8BCHFltgA2Wr4cGIkm8fL47_eTDlULBkUw51NA8vfylANA/s400/031.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />Today was another example of what I love about small towns. Today we went to "downtown" Cambridge for the Antique tractor show. We walked while the little guys rode in the wagon. We saw the old tractors and semi trailers and antique small engines (one of them was making "wooden nickels that some of the boys got to keep.) The three youngest sons got to participate in the pedal tractor obstacle course, where they each won a ribbon some animal crackers and a toy! There was face painting, a used everything sale and of course my wife had to stop by the library for the used book sale (she got 20 for $2). Besides the book the only real money we spent was for some ice cream and a couple of items we bought at the used whatever sale (some organization things we will use in the RV).<br /><br /><br />Everyone should live in a small town at least once in their life. It's a slice of what has made America a great nation and in some ways we all need to recapture as a nation some of the simpler things that help bring people together. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502784200422971458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6pMp8OE3tZKyGFSCtpvwa5Kpm47gxZZvC908Om_PHOSe9KxayGLvzpcXQTbdoLFySlC7XfQJ-yzjP9tfrDwacyR_Z0s9Y4oggPzd8x9NaBd1OgScG1Wj37dZevO4MxskweQdcw/s400/019.JPG" /></span></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-87672384428419140222010-08-01T20:43:00.000-04:002010-08-01T20:44:09.263-04:00Sunset the albino ball python<div><br /></div>Tanner got his wish of a snake for his 11th birthday! His Aunt Sue had nursed back to health an albino ball python and gave it to him! It is a lot bigger than Slidey, his old corn snake (it escaped at the hands of a little brother a couple of years ago). Now we have special clips for Sunset the python's home.<div><br /><div><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/J6FiLO8Zd2g/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J6FiLO8Zd2g&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J6FiLO8Zd2g&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-54421036667013726532010-07-26T10:32:00.000-04:002010-07-28T20:37:45.680-04:00"Food, Glorious Food" by the Emineminems<object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/t0v50e1DBMY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t0v50e1DBMY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t0v50e1DBMY&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Julia and Noah, Blake and Tanner, and Avery created and rehearsed this masterpiece in the van, then performed for us in the parking lot of America's Incredible Pizza Co in Davenport, IA</span></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-60757680340832409172010-07-24T22:40:00.000-04:002010-08-07T17:17:05.434-04:00Kids have fun with Uncle Joe<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/acYLeHVw0AY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/acYLeHVw0AY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/acYLeHVw0AY&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-80603555882545521292010-07-17T21:22:00.000-04:002010-07-19T15:25:20.802-04:00Kidology to Go - Mobile Kidmin Training!<object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/OU5QX6ChwUI/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OU5QX6ChwUI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OU5QX6ChwUI&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-43979869434575524362010-07-14T21:51:00.014-04:002010-07-28T20:36:54.285-04:00A Big Announcement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8magKpvtzT28Gye7vamGPa6gceMzKWCW_38oqPHTgA24WZF-Pc-7KnRsEB2KQOuslg2SdIkH_4BzXQ7wUBtJ4M1B7WW0PAOskD7VptUrrlY4E6_UVIVbhc5s3bk2E9xNKSUgecQ/s1600/slideshow_map1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494128067340407602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8magKpvtzT28Gye7vamGPa6gceMzKWCW_38oqPHTgA24WZF-Pc-7KnRsEB2KQOuslg2SdIkH_4BzXQ7wUBtJ4M1B7WW0PAOskD7VptUrrlY4E6_UVIVbhc5s3bk2E9xNKSUgecQ/s400/slideshow_map1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>This is something I have waited to talk about for months. In fact I have waited so long that a few of you have have gotten the scoop early, just couldn't wait to tell a few folks! God never cease to amaze me, and here is another example of how amazing He is.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you read this blog or follow my facebook page at all, you know that a few months ago we decided to pursue another path of ministry. At that time I was feeling I needed to take an extended break from the "daily grind" of children's ministry in a local church. Yet I still wanted to be involved in children's ministry in some way, most likely in a para-church ministry, doing some speaking and training. At the same time we prayed and really felt it was time to pursue a lifelong dream of taking a year or two or three traveling the country (or continent) in an RV before my family got too old for me to see this dream become a reality.</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494128064298996514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO-jEMJRKb02djmEaAB0nK2aIrz67vj-KAas9lBSjrd3prU3SrM0mwD4fVqE2pYPiJj7Nnpm5GmtbiPf54DpPrdZVHtPmVbylBNXXeCWcSjLnLxBrpc-QOnoiCLIvv-enrL3xsg/s400/slideshow_rv1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>As you may know I spoke to a few friends and family about this, to get some insight and advice and ask for prayer. Well one of those friends was the <a href="http://kidologist.com/2010/07/14/kidology-to-go-where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/#respond">Kidologist</a>, Karl Bastian, founder of <a href="http://www.kidology,org/">Kidology.org</a>. What I did not know was at the same time Karl had been praying for an extension of the Kidology ministry that would take the ministry into the local churches across the US. Wow, could this have a coincidence. Not with God!</div><br /><br /><div><br />Of course we did not jump in without more prayer and time to let God redirect, but God continued to confirm He was leading in this direction. If you are familiar with children's ministry at all then you understand how humbled I am to be able to work for the premiere children's ministry website and a visionary leader like Karl Bastian. For more information on the<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><blockquote></blockquote><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Kidology to Go</span></b> ministry please click <a href="http://kidologytogo.org/">this link</a> for the website with videos, booking info, schedules and eventually a webcam of our journeys, plus much more!</div><br /><div></div></div></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-10330859694839293132010-07-09T22:32:00.006-04:002010-07-10T11:18:40.086-04:00A teen in the house<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfrYXhN1gYGKkbo-W2358w43qC8AZq0z8y6JrUAsP_sL3o2hBXvu0noxtxqk2bbnlRsw0iR6n_u386M4r2L0To_RG_XdUqRwEfqXdtWf5Hreb9gNwixKmc2oS7lmBNiL6lr4PrA/s1600/36762_140168039329043_100000075436126_403676_4848215_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492106925984627074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfrYXhN1gYGKkbo-W2358w43qC8AZq0z8y6JrUAsP_sL3o2hBXvu0noxtxqk2bbnlRsw0iR6n_u386M4r2L0To_RG_XdUqRwEfqXdtWf5Hreb9gNwixKmc2oS7lmBNiL6lr4PrA/s400/36762_140168039329043_100000075436126_403676_4848215_n.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So here I am on the eve of teenagerdom in my home. Thirteen years ago I never dreamed this day would come. I mean really how could that little purple ball of cooing flesh turn into a smelly hormone enraged walking moodiness with skin problems?<br /><div>Well things aren't going to change overnight with Blake. Granted he already has demonstrated some changes, like not wanting to hug his dad too often and wanting to sleep in. But overall he is pretty decent for a 13 year old. </div><br /><div>So my main goal for the next 7 years as a father of a teenager. To keep the communication lines open and to stay connected to my son's heart! I'm sure it will be a ride full of ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns, but I look forward to each and every one of them. Soon Tanner will</div><div>join him in the realm of teenagerdom. When Tanner turns 20, Chase will turn 13. So I have the next 16 years to look forward to dealing with at least one teenager in the house. I guess I should buckle up and by a gross of Speedstick!</div></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-31310830134533871812010-06-28T10:11:00.004-04:002010-06-28T10:22:52.098-04:00Top 10 things I’ll miss about Canada.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1Jh1Cj2Rss2Ie_PpeoU94dFvPJb5HdYU4rmJwQt3NKucYT8sNU1U6z4wF5pq8weD_Ap_zVSEHINIsAjnp7TLu1TIDShffTvhrwuiSJGcmAMlmOZFUiPEORL4Ot-C1E7Qk2meGw/s1600/loonie.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 399px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487829377226296706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1Jh1Cj2Rss2Ie_PpeoU94dFvPJb5HdYU4rmJwQt3NKucYT8sNU1U6z4wF5pq8weD_Ap_zVSEHINIsAjnp7TLu1TIDShffTvhrwuiSJGcmAMlmOZFUiPEORL4Ot-C1E7Qk2meGw/s400/loonie.jpg" /></a><br />10. Gravy on your fries.<br />9. Ice Capps from Tim Hortons especially in the summer!<br />8. Crabby Joes - Kids eat free on Sundays.<br />7. Niagara Falls – it’s like the Pigeon Forge of the North.<br />6. Canada’s Worst Handyman – a Canada Discovery Channel show. Makes me feel better about my own skills<br />5. Moose Winooski’s! Pie in the face and moose helmet on your birthday. Sweet.<br />4. Really cheap cookies and fabric softener.<br />3. Learning French on the back of food cartons and labels.<br />2. The toonie and the loonie. How nice is it to get the change out of your ashtray and realize you have like $20!<br />1. Timbits!!!<br /><br /><br />Of course the real number one thing we will miss is the great people we have met and Forward Church and its staff and members! God bless.mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26699675.post-49618014707417604772010-06-23T16:22:00.002-04:002010-06-23T16:26:53.799-04:00<div align="center">My book - <em>Imagine - Creating Memorable Characters for Kids' Church</em>, is finally available for purchase!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">You can get it Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Imagine-Marty-Martin/dp/1609571452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277292872&sr=1-1">(click here) </a>or at Barnes and Noble.com <a href="http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=imagine+marty+martin">(click here)</a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I hope you order it and enjoy it!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486068109044649970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yNTSFSLhXjuY8wAuHOggXUhc6IfGnEvqzPwueNz0ldH87OjSA3cAQZpy5SlzAAAy0ZjTm82BBYJ7_tYCHnWUsO502O2HXJCesroU74FVQCHC2SjATTeNYOtceSLFqpjmAB2BCg/s400/imagine+boook+cover.jpg" /></div>mmartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07522106712694180128noreply@blogger.com0