Comin' At You Live!

We've just finished putting the final touches on my Live CD from the Rethinking Education Conference! This is a very exciting opportunity for people to hear all of the conference sessions that we held at THE Unschooling Conference in Dallas, Texas a few months ago.

If you are someone who would love to see what an Unschooling Conference is like, this is CD for you! I have put all 6 of my sessions, this is over 10 hours of inspiration and passionate explanations of all of the aspects of Radical Unschooling. It is like attending a conference but without having to spend the money and travel!

This is the perfect gift to give to doubting family or partners to help them learn more about Unschooling. It can be listened to anywhere at anytime. There is even a session that Joe and I led together called, "Respectful Partnerships". Very cool if you are trying to help your partner understand this unique, Joyful life.

For more information visit here

Devin's New Drum Set

Reminder: To listen to this video scroll down and pause the music on my black Playlist player on the right.

Devin just got his new drum set in the mail! I cleaned out my office so Devin could use it as a "Music Studio." It was important for him to have a place to keep his drum set where he could lock the door so his little sisters couldn't get to it if he didn't want them to. I plan on painting the music notes or something cool on the walls in there soon. His Studio is a small room off of our playroom/my childbirth teaching studio which is above Willow Toys Workshop. It isn't in our house so he can go out any time he wants to rock out.

Nurturing our kids interests in such an important aspect of our lives. When they are passionate about something we dive right in with both feet and do everything we can to give them as much support and encouragement as possible. I love that Devin can spend hours a day doing everything he wants to do.

Embrace Kaizen

I was walking on my treadmill yesterday listening to Tony Robbins. He is one of my favorite motivational speakers. I love his Worldview and positive attitude so much.

While sweating and loving every minute of it, I was listening to Tony's' belief that humans are designed to be in a constant state of improving their lives and relationships. It is through personal growth that we are truly happy. I love how he shared that when we don't put the effort into a relationship or do more to maintain it, it slowly dies. When we focus on it and make the effort to improve it, it grows and flourishes.

I really dig this guy.....I mean, he's right! I know personally I am always needing more. More from myself, more from life, more from my own personal success and more from relationships. Isn't it funny that modern culture almost looks down on this type of "wanting". It felt good to hear Tony explain what I had been feeling my whole life as being normal and a sign that I am on the path of success in life.

The Japanese have a single word for "constant and never-ending improvement" and it's called "Kaizen." Kaizen is from the Japanese words Kai and Zen where "kai" means change and "zen" means good. Yes folks, change is good! It's natural and fluid. It is the state that most humans are happy and content in. Being willing to grow and change and be in a state of Gratitude allows us Kaizen in every aspect of our lives...

Moshing For Peace

My path to this place in my life is so unique. As a kid and teen I was a total "Metal Head". I have always loved heavy metal music, for as long as I remember. People are always so surprised to hear that after they meet me.

I remember being 15 and making a promise to myself that I would never, ever stop listening to Metallica. I can remember it like it was yesterday.

Autograph and photo of Tom Araya from Slayer. Also some cool Slayer panties. (wink). Tom wrote, "Dayna Dude!" I was the only girl in line for his autograph.

I've kept that promise, for 20 years now. I guess most people enjoy the music they listened to as teens in their adult years. Metallica, and many, many other hard-core bands have been such a big part of how I got to this place today. I am so grateful that I was so immersed in the Metal scene for so much of my life. I guess what I was really promising myself way back then was that I always stay true to *Who I Am*.

I played in a Metal band and I attended so many heavy metal concerts as a teen and young adult. Often times I was the only girl at a show.. I remember seeing a band called, "Obituary" and I was the only girl at the club, other than the bartenders.. It was hard being in the Metal scene as a female. Either you were looked at as a "groupie" or someone that not many guys took seriously... But those that knew me knew I was always "real" and "hard core".... My dream back then was to become one of the first Female Heavy Metal Artists...

I remember meeting the band Slayer when I was pregnant with Ivy a few years ago. I told Tom Araya the singer, that I listened to Slayer on the way to Births as a Doula... He thought that was very cool. He gave me a hug and it was nice to chat and connect with him about my passion. He has 2 kids and his wife had homebirths. I saw him as a person chasing his passions, just like me.

I have always stayed true to that promise I made so long ago, not only with the music I listen to but just being myself. It's all I know how to be! ;)

So the next time your kids want to listen to music you may be opposed to, or play video games that may be "violent" and watch a TV show that may make you cringe, remember my words...

Trust Your Kids Path! Know that whatever they choose is right for them and meets a real, true need within them. Connect with their passions and become their partner in life. Music is more than a string of notes put together with someone screaming in the background. It is heart, soul, passion.. It changes the World.

Living Gratitude

Living the Law of Attraction over the last two years has helped to make our lives richer and happier. It is the most empowering realization to understand that we create our own realities! When I looked out of the window this morning I said to myself, "I can choose to be happy today.... all day!" My heart filled with so much gratitude for the day before me. I took time to appreciate how blue the sky was and how pretty the trees were as they swayed in the breeze.

Although it seems like a simple idea, it isn't easy for people to control their thoughts. One thing that has been helpful for me is I find things I am grateful for all day.

Since I have been living this way, my children have learned that this is a pretty cool way to *Be* in this World! In fact, the kids have learned that Gratitude is one secret to living a rich, full, abundant life!

Yesterday Dakota told me she wanted to thank our friend Caitlin for making a hat for her and her doll that matched. I gave her a few ideas and she decided that a Thank you card was how she wanted to express her gratitude.

We lead an amazingly abundant life as a family. I know in my heart it is because we are always grateful for what we already have and living on that vibration of *Gratitude* we are able to allow more and more abundance into our reality. In order to let anything new come into your life, you need to be thankful for what you already have, rather than living in a place of *lack* or *wanting*. When you focus on all you have in life and live in a place of gratitude you are on a frequency in which the Universe keep giving you more and more to be thankful for. It is truly amazing.

Winter Soups

Ahhh, Winter is coming! Once the weather turns cold, I pull out my big soup pot and start creating. I never use a recipe, because for me, making soup is a natural, instinctual thing. For some reason it comes easy to me, where baking or cooking other things is a bit more challenging for me.

One of my passions is making soup and I love the feeling of food simmering on the stove all day. The smell in the house is so yummy and cozy! I also love that the kids enjoy cutting vegetables to go into it.

I also love that if someone stops by for a visit I can offer them a bowl! In fact, my sweet friend Jill came over the other day and it was cool to nurture her with a bowl of hot soup. It is so nice to be able to give the gift of a warm, full belly to our friends when they come to spend time with us.

Here is some yummy soup that I made a few days ago. It is Vegetable-Chicken Soup.

Wanna Tussle?

Here is a video of Tiff play-fighting with Goofy at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This will give you a little glimpse into her spunky personality. We can't wait to go back in a couple of months!

Jammin' With Grampa Joe

Grampa Joe taught Devin a song that they could play together. Devin thought this was so funny. Grampa Joe was so proud to have a little protege to Jam with. It was a fun, loud weekend!

Ivy's Dolphin

To watch any of the Sparkling Martins videos, you first need to scroll down and pause the black Playlist player on in the right hand column of this page.

Since I just figured out how to upload videos, I have many to add from the last couple of months.

This is incredible to see! We were at Sea World a few months ago and Ivy had a dolphin puppet and well....... you can watch the rest. It was amazing!

Rockin Out With Grampa Joe

We drove south to Connecticut to spend the weekend with Joe's father and his family. It has been many years since we have gone down that way to visit.

Now that we have the motor home, it enables us to visit places that we normally couldn't because of the size of our family. It was so amazing to literally drive our "home" (and it truly is our second home.. it is a really big motor home with bedroom, full kitchen, full bathroom, 2 tv's ) up to someone else's home and visit! How cool is that?

Joe's father is a really good drummer and he pulled out his old drum set for Devin to play on during the visit. Grampa Joe and Devin connected in a way that I have never seen him with anyone before. It was really special and I am so glad we went down so that they could get to know each other and spend time together.

Devin has drumming in his blood. My Grandfather was a famous drummer in a band as a career, and Joe's father played drums in a band.

Here is Devin and Grandpa Joe rockin' out during an incredible visit that will always stay in our memories as such a special weekend.

Lovin' My Tribe

We had a great weekend on the road in our Motorhome which proudly wears the licence plate LYFROKS.

We got together with an Unschooling group in southern New Hampshire and had an intimate discussion at what they call a "Fireside Chat".

It was so relaxing and fun and "real". While I was there I was reminded of exactly why I started Unschooling United. Family to family in-person support is so needed on the path for most of us. Our online communities are vital but so is being able to talk with and see and touch other human beings living this unique and amazing life.

It was an honor to be among these wonderful, loving, connected families. I enjoyed every minute of it and so did Joe and the kids. The food was fabulous and host was incredible and the hospitality will never to be forgotten.

So here is a "Shout Out" to my friends in the LEAP group! Thank you for welcoming our family with open arms. We can't wait to see you all again!

That's How He Rolls

We decided to "Unschool" Orion in driving and just let him have-at-it.

He did well for the most part and only hit a few pedestrians. It was a rough hour, but he got the hang of it.

Devin's Handi-Work

Lately Devin can be found under a warm blanket on the couch watching Avatar and doing a project of some kind.

He surprised me the other day saying, "Mom, I made this for you". He had made me a crocheted heart. It was so sweet and thoughtful. I love it.

Then yesterday he finished his first embroidery project. He made a ying/yang symbol. He was very proud of his work! I am going to find a frame to put it so he can display it in his room.

We are going to start making Christmas gifts soon. If anyone has any good ideas or websites with project ideas please send them our way!

From Gentle Beginnings to Attraction Birth

My sweet friend Rain, who is a life coach inspired me today! Check out her website and sign up for her newletters. She is one amazing woman and so supportive and inspiring! She inspired and supported me to chase my dreams and I love her for that!


Gentle Beginnings has been my childbirthing and Doula business for almost 8 years now. I have supported and educated couples about natural birth and breastfeeding for almost a decade in my local community and all over the World. It is my passion and the beginning point for my Radical Unschooling Advocacy.



I have developed a Birthing Method called, "Attraction Birth" which will be coming out to the public soon. It is in it's final stages.



Right now though, I am taking time to honor my business that began all of this for me, Gentle Beginnings. Through this business I have grown so much confidence and Joy. I have grown so much as a woman and mother supporting and educating others on their path to a natural birth and attachment parenting.



I still offer Natural Birthing classes, (which I have a waiting list for), and Tele-Doula services, which are doing extremely well. I am presently working with a woman from Canada and Switzerland. I absolutely cherish my passion and the women I work with!

Here's to the next chapter in my life... Attraction Birth... I know it will be receieved with so much enthusiasm. The World is waiting for this. Am I ready?


Yes I Am!

Upcoming Family Fun

I love having tons of things to look forward to in life! I Ever since I was a little kid, counting down the days until we leave for a trip or fun event was so much fun. My kids love it too.

We have a few cool things lined up for the next 6 months.

Some of our upcoming adventures are:

Polar Express on December 21st - We can't wait to go on this adventure to the North Pole! Tickets are really hard to get your hands on and they are by drawing only. The kids go in their pajamas and enjoy hot chocolate on the way.

Disney World arriving on January 28th (Ivy's Birthday) - This is our second trip this year! Orion's first birthday is the day after Ivy's, so two kiddos will celebrate at the Magic Kingdom. We are staying at Fort Wilderness again and will be there for 9 days. We have a pass to all four parks and we were stoked to get the Disney Dining Plan this time around! Ivy is so looking forward to her special birthday dinner with Winnie the Pooh at the Crystal Palace. Josha and her family are coming with us.

SHEAF Conference starting February 6th - I will be the Keynote Speaker. This homeschooling conference is right in Orlando at Universal Studios! It is going to be so amazing!

Sea World and the Everglades starting Feb 8th - We have a ticket left from our last visit for Sea World and we can't wait to go back! My father lives in the Everglades of Florida and he plans on showing us a really good time. The kids can't wait to go to Shell Island and also go on pontoon boat to check out alligators.

Great Big Happy Life Conference - April 28-May 1, 2009 - This conference retreat looks amazing! I am honored to be one of the main speakers for this unique event.

Our Family - By Tiff

Tiff wanted me to add this to the blog today.

Here is her portrait of our family.

"Yes" To Everyone

Dakota Leigh Martin, (aka Tiffany Rose) is such a powerful creator. She is a fierce leader. She doesn't listen to what others feel is "right". She finds her own *truth* in all that she does. She is an intense free-thinking person.

I am so grateful to be her Mom. I can't imagine her being part of mainstream parenting and schooling. She would most certainly be put on medication to control her and keep her within someone's else's ideals of being "obedient" because she wouldn't listen to what someone else tells her to do. She isn't made that way.

Joe, my dear love, has had such a hard time dealing with her personality sometimes. I think because they are so much alike. Joe is very intense himself, so meeting every one's needs has been more than a challenge sometimes for me as a wife and mother.

It was a difficult morning here. Tiff so wanted to buy a toy caterpillar she saw the night before at the grocery store. (Devin has one that he got years ago and she has always loved it.) When she saw one there for a special promotion she was beside herself with excitment. When we shared that we may not be able to afford it this week she screamed. She yelled. She cried. She let us know in every way humanly possible that this huge toy Caterpillar was something she wanted so badly.

Instead of becoming a wall between her and her desires, and letting it slip into a power struggle, I merged with her and became her partner and helped her find a way to help her get what she wanted while respecting Joe's needs to save money... I could see how desperate she was when Joe said, "Not this week honey". I could see that she saw the inJustice in his words.

Joe and I recently booked a trip to Disney World. We are saving every penny for this amazing adventure this January, So, being torn between Joe's desires of saving for our trip and Tiff's desire for this toy was hard. I held on to the desire to find a way with this situation so that everyone wins.

There are real life limitations that keep us from getting certain things we want in life sometimes. Our children learn this just from living life with us, so I never find it necessary to say "no" just so they learn that "lesson".

After much thought, I found a way to meet everyone's needs. I cuddled and held Tiff and talked to her about her desire. I shared that one option was that we could sell a few things to make the money to buy it if she wanted. I suggested a few things of mine that I could sell. Tiff decided to sell a few Gameboy Games that she didn't play with anymore. We also sold a few of Joe's old games. We discussed options to all help one another rather than just taking the easy, traditional role and saying, "...because I say so" or "life is hard" or the other many choice phrases that most kids hear if they want something their family can't afford.

Luckily, the local Pawn Shop bought Tiff's & Devin's old Gameboy games that they didn't want anymore... just enough to help Tiff get the cool Caterpillar she so wanted! The other kids were happy for her and also helped by offering to sell some of their things. She was so grateful to us for helping her. She knows she can count on us to help her get what she wants in life. She trusts us and she knows that we are here to help her in life, not stand between her and her wants. This is really important to us as parents.

We know that our children's wants are their needs. We help them. We love them. We don't try to control them. We shift from control to understanding and partnership. This we believe is a way to show our kids a more peaceful, loving, connected way to be in this World than a traditional role of Power Ruling.

Here is Tiff with her new toy.... Rainbow Caterpillar. She fell asleep with him last night and Joe and I were proud that we all worked together to meet everyone's needs. Yes, it was challenging to work through our cultural conditioning to find a more giving, caring, peaceful way, but it was worth every second. Tiff knows that those that love her will help her get what she wants in life. In turn she is learning that this is the way to *Be* in life...

Working together to meet everyone's needs in the family and respecting everyone equally is our goal as a family. Sometimes it is hard to break out of traditional roles because of our culture and how we were parented, but when we do........... Life Is Good.

Creating Cool Games

Being Free Thinkers, we encourage our kids to also think for themselves and think outside the box. We share with them that every game in history was just an idea from a person just like themselves. We let them know that they can do anything they want in life that makes them happy.

Devin just invented a new game called, "Medieval Times." We have enjoyed playing this game together as a family almost every day since he created it.

I was amazed at how Devin thought of this game the other night while watching the show, "Hero's" He jumped up half way through the show and ran in the kitchen and began putting it all together.

I am constantly in awe of all that my children accomplish with no force, no coercion, no threats or rules. My kids are making history.

Here is Devin showing Tiff how to play the new game, "Medieval Times".

Rock The Vote

Today was an important day in history. Electing the next president was something that my kids knew a lot about from our family discussions over the last few months. They anticipated this day and looked forward to coming with me to place our vote. We discussed the issues surrounding the election and we all agreed on our choice for the next president.

My children were so proud to take part in making history.

Threadbanging Coolness

I just love this new hobby! I am addicted from only one project!

It is really important for me to always be learning new things and taking on new interests living this amazing life. I want my kids to know that life is all about growing and nurturing our interests. Devin and Tiff both got sucked into the vortex of my enthusiasm and are working on their own embroidery projects. Devin is stitching a ying/yang symbol and Tiff a gnome's house. Very cute!

I really wanted to get into embroidery, but had no idea how to do it. All of the patterns that I found seemed so boring and not "Me".

Then I was so thrilled to find the Sublime Stitching Website, "This ain't your Grandma's embroidery!" You can also learn how to do it yourself compliments of the Craft Mafia and founder of the totally hip, Sublime Stictching here.

It's hip and all of the patterns are from cutting edge artists. I am waiting for the Rock N' Roll patterns to come back into stock so I can stitch Devin a drum set wall hanging for his new music studio.

Here is my first finished project. I call it "Bee-lieve in Yourself". The kids all love this cute little Bee!

Orion Starts Solids

Today was a special day for my little man. He started eating solid food! For my family, our babies begin eating solids, when they can feed themselves. Before that point they are breastfed exclusively, with the exception of the occasional taste of something from my finger.

I truly believe that "baby food" is completely unnecessary. I know that some parents think it is fun to feed their babies baby food. I respect that. The baby food market is really good at making people think it is necessary, but it is my belief is that the ideal baby food is breastmilk. It is all a baby needs until a baby has reached the developmental milestone of sitting up and feeding themselves.

Here is Orion at 9 months eating banana for the first time and loving it!