The Spence House

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-07-17T14:14:00.003-05:00

The Princess on her throne with her purse, baby, fav video in front of her and let's not forget the rain boots. We HAVE to have the rain boots on!!

She did it again.....

2009-06-27T14:21:00.001-05:00

Krista, that is!! We had our yearly photo shoot with her and our pictures turned out awesome!! At least the sneak peeks I have seen on her BLOG. I cannot wait to see ALL of them because she never ceases to amaze! Be sure to click HERE if you haven't figured that out already to go to her blog and see our latest pics.

I have been having our family pic done when each of the kids is 18 months. The past 2 family pics I have been prego again and AGAIN .......so hopefully with the next one we shoot I will be normal size. HA!! We also did this shoot to get AC 18 month, Will 3 yrs and Jacob 5yrs......MY how the time flies!

Don't forget to check Krista Lee Photography out!! She rocks!

Favorite Foto Friday-AC style

2009-06-19T14:53:00.004-05:00

This is how we entertain ourselves in the car on the way home from a ballgame when we haven't eaten supper yet! ha!
Bet YOU can't do that!!!
Crazy girl!

Trying something different....

2009-06-15T14:41:00.002-05:00

Hopefully this will force me to actually post what is going on with the fam!!! Cross your fingers. Still not done with it all---trying to decide what I like and don't like of what I have changed.

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-05-29T21:33:00.005-05:00

Not really sure......all I know is Ni Ni has convinced him to do the Chicken Little dance {from the movie} at his upcoming birthday party. This is what he was practicing....don't ask me which part and YES I will video it when said event happens. Hilarious!!!

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-05-22T15:30:00.002-05:00

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-02-13T08:13:00.005-06:00

I SWEAR I am going to catch up the blog. I am here just busy with the kiddos. Not staying up til all hours of the night lately has REALLY cut my blogging time! Since these are the only posts I can seem to get up and not even every week, I thought I would try not to disappoint. More posts on what we've been doing to come.....

This was end of Jan when we had just enough snow to cover my
car and make this eency teency snowman

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-01-30T23:08:00.002-06:00

Check out that after nap hairdo!

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-01-02T18:24:00.002-06:00

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry Party if I Want To!

2008-12-18T01:25:00.007-06:00

December is Party Central here at The Spence House for Birthdays. We aren't done yet still another coming in a couple of days. {that doesn't include 2 uncles later in the month}

Anyway, I thought I would participate in my Happy Birthdaying too, why not?! So.....

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Me & my Sis

Yes I had to search for a picture where I looked halfway decent
You know not in my pj's with no makeup ~~staring holes through the person behind the camera for taking the picture~~ smiling usually on the couch or in the rocker donned with at least ONE of my ~~five hundred~~ three kids......oh wait am I ~~wallowing in self pity~~ complaining??....ok I'll stop....it's my BIRTHDAY ~~woo~~ and I'll be happy. 31 years is here and I will embrace it! whatever it's ~~too late~~ early and I don't even know what I am typing about.

On another note we got our external hard drive fixed so I can now find all the pics of those things that I ~~will never~~ haven't yet blogged about and will hopefully get them on here soon.

Can you tell the strikethrough is my new ~~obsession~~ toy?! Thanks MckMama!

It's Papa's Birthday!!

2008-12-17T22:05:00.000-06:00

Today is Papa's birthday. We went over there tonight to celebrate with him and have dinner {that he cooked on his birthday....I know what the?} It was yummy Steve Spence spaghetti though and noone can pass that up!! This is a pic we grabbed right before leaving. Everyone is in their jammies {well actually we came over in them} and Will has on a hat Papa gave him to wear.

Happy Birthday Papa!!!

Love,
The Spence House

Early Christmas at Mickey D's

2008-12-16T23:14:00.000-06:00

Amy, Jake and Will patiently waiting for their food......HA!

So we always get together with our friends Lyndi and Steve and their girls, Amy and Becca, at Mickey D's. It's just the best place to meet with all of our kids and not worry about who is where and who is screaming for what because let's face it at the Playplace someone is ALWAYS screaming......so it doesn't matter. Therefore all future Hopkins/Spence weeknight dinner meets are at Mickey D's. Nuf said. {don't worry we wash hands REAL good when we leave...swear}

Tonight we exchanged Christmas gifts and the kids had a big time playing together. The little ones even got in on the action--in fact Becca went all the way up to the top and slid down! I was impressed--she is only 18 months!! {Jake JUST now is going up there and playing and Will still won't--we have Playplace scaredy cats} Alaina Claire didn't make it that far but she did play in the tunnels a bit.

Becca

Action shot: Will and Becca

Woo hoo mom this is cool!!

Just chillin in here because I am a big girl...oh yeah...I am ONE YEAR old!!

Barely caught a shot of Jake--he and Amy were on the move the
ENTIRE time....never caught Amy.

The men and Little Miss

Happy Birthday Little Miss!!

2008-12-14T10:30:00.005-06:00

One year old...it's so hard to believe....time really does fly when you are having fun and let me tell you a girl is SO much fun!! Bows, dresses, pink, tiaras, tea sets....the whole nine yards...too much fun!! We love you and are so proud of you. Can't wait to watch you grow......

Happy Birthday Alaina Claire!

8 days old

3 months

6 months

9 months

One year old!!

Want something for FREE??

2008-12-03T02:06:00.005-06:00

KIM is giving away one of her single letter Classic Collection initial paintings over at the Nesting Place. Go check it out. All you have to do is leave a comment {on the Nesting Place} and you are entered to win. It ends Thursday at midnight.

WHO doesn't want a piece of Small Words art??

Party Like a Rockstar!!!

2008-12-03T01:28:00.005-06:00

It's your birthday go YaYa....it's your birthday go YaYa!

James and his mom at our wedding

Today IS James's mother's birthday.
She of course is more affectionately known around our house as YaYa

We all wanted to wish you the very best birthday ever!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear
YaYa/Mom/Deborah. Happy Birthday to you!!!YaYa, Granny{her mom}, Aunt Susan{her sister}

We Love You!

in love....

2008-12-03T00:47:00.004-06:00

What more can you say about THESE FABULOUS pictures that Krista took today of Alaina Claire. I need not say anymore........except go check out Krista's website or or go straight to her BLOG HERE.

Tell me what you think........

We were appreciated...

2008-12-02T23:04:00.000-06:00

This morning Jake's PreK class had a Parent Appreciation Breakfast right when we dropped him off. We all went, Mommy, Daddy, little brother and little sister. Jake was so proud. They had yummy finger foods, coffee, juice and milk. We were able to look around the room a bit and they had the MOST precious DVD running on repeat that had pictures of all of the children. It had the sweetest song playing behind it and Psalm 139 scrolling through. We are SO lucky both teachers in this class literally walk around with their cameras in their pockets. They take thousands of pictures of these kids. The ones they had on the DVD were all super cute close ups. AND lo and behold when we went to Jacob's seat in class there was a present there for us parents and in that present was his colorful hand, the picture from the DVD and a copy of the DVD itself. It was VERY sweet....

The DVD was attached on the back

Then after the bell rang we got to see them do all of their first of the morning routine. Their prayers, picking special person of the day, checking the weather, setting their schedule and singing some songs. We left when they broke out into their small groups.

I always wish I could be a fly on the wall to see what goes on and how my kids act when I am not around. Do you do that too or am I the only one??

a 10 month old, an airplane and suppertime...OH MY!

2008-11-06T13:58:00.003-06:00

Well that about wraps up what the rest of my day entails. Oh my!! Just got done packing so that Alaina Claire and I can fly up to see my friend April to help her out with her nursery before her baby comes. Still have to go pick up the boys and then AS SOON AS I get back from getting them leave for the airport with AC. I haven't flown in forever and have yet to take one of my children on a plane so all these new rules about 3 oz of liquid and only 2 free bags or whatever---I have had to brush up on all of that.

Anyway, we will be departing right about the time that AC eats supper so here's hoping that what we eat before we leave the house for the airport and all the little snacks she gets on the plane will be enough. AND here's hoping that she doesn't decide that all the people on the plane need to hear her wonderful yet shrill scream she loves to do. AND here's hoping that she will be in a good mood in general since her nap schedule is ALL OFF today!! Woo hoo!! Yay me at least April's mom is traveling with me so I will have help. There will be two laps for her to roam around in instead of one for the hour and a half we will be on the plane.

I have LOTS O snacks---LOTS O toys---LOTS O books---and Motrin if I get desperate! =) {only kidding.......well not really}

Wish us luck! See ya when we get back and I promise to update with Halloween pics then. Have a great weekend!!

Re-Vote!!!!

2008-11-05T08:55:00.004-06:00

We need a re-vote over here. Can we rewind 24hrs because.....wait.....I have a write-in!!! He is the best candidate out there....I promise! He will make our country a better place no doubt about it!!

Re-vote!

I love it!!!

WOO HOO!!!

2008-11-04T22:10:00.003-06:00

The Spence House is excited about what's to come! What an amazing and historic election we have just witnessed. Awesome story to be able to tell......

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

2008-11-04T11:21:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone is taking advantage of one of the basic privileges we have here in our United States of America. In case you are living under a rock....TODAY is the day we elect our next President.

SO if you haven't done so already......get out and VOTE!!! We live in the land of the free and home of the brave people......get out and be a part of the future....right now!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!

Change is coming......

Oh and Favorite Foto Friday

2008-10-24T13:59:00.005-05:00

AC playing outside--crazy hair day and NOTE what the shirt says...
VERY important!

This is what I get..........

2008-10-24T12:57:00.005-05:00

So it's official I am done, finito, gone with the wind, adios.....c-ya....I'm outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I was up late last night, what's new, up late most nights. Anyway, apparently last night was the end {usually there is finally a day that my body says nope you've done it---it's over--time to rest} Well today must have been THAT day because...... With Jake safely at school, Alaina Claire safely in her bed napping----Will asked to watch a Barney video {I know there are so many things to say here so just refrain....thanks!} So I obliged. I put in the video and he started watching it. Of course he wanted me to sit on the couch with him so he could sit in my lap to watch not like I could get up and get something done. Next thing I know I hear the menu music playing over and over again......what?! huh?! oh $@#%! I fell asleep. Now mind you it only had to have been for about 10 minutes and I vaguely remember Will sitting there turning the pages to a book and then get up {I wasn't completely out....but then again I was....know what I mean?} He got up---that is the important part to this story.

SOOOOO when I finally had my "oh my gosh!" moment. I jumped straight up off the couch and ran to see where he was and I walk into the kitchen/dining area to find THIS................

{don't look at the horrible wood paneling we have yet to replace since we moved in FIVE years ago....I know!}

This would be the ENTIRE 5lb bag of sugar that Daddy made sure to get at the store last night because we haven't been able to make Tea for a week and he is going into withdrawals....so what was it that you wanted when you got home today dear?? milk? water? apple juice? good

So my friends it is with much grief and exhaustion that I bid you adieu. It's just not in me. I don't have one more "able to handle Will" bone left in my body. He's done it.....he won and he is ONLY 2 1/2. Yep....that's it. If you want to contact me from here on out feel free....my new address is:

Looney Spence
123 Gone Crazy Rd
Looneybin, USA

Thanks for visiting!

PS if you are new and/or think I am weak or exaggerating or just plain weird---I encourage you to visit this post and this post and this post and this post.

Cool Tidbit from the weekend.....

2008-10-20T23:48:00.001-05:00

I'll start with.....It's all in who ya know! Apparently I know the right people because I know HER and HER and lucky me they are two of my closest friends. Because of this friendship I got to be their moral support this past Sunday morning for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Why is this important you ask?????

Well let me tell you.......because we got to meet The Nester and her sister Emily !!! WOW! I know right?? {now for those of you who don't blog you're going...what the heck?!} I would encourage you to go visit them if you haven't ever because they both have super cool blogs......very different but super cool nonetheless.

Me, M, Emily, the Nester, Kim

They were in town this past weekend for a Blog conference you can read about it HERE on the Nester's blog. Kim arranged breakfast for us the morning they were heading out of town. BOY am I glad I went. Those girls are awesome and we ALL had a blast. We talked like we had known each other for years and years. OF COURSE, I must put a disclaimer in here that if any of you know Kim Wheeler in person, it's REAL HARD not to talk to her like you have known her for years even if you just met......she is that kind of person. hee hee

So with lots of bacon to be had, grits overflowing, bloggy questions asked and answered, mommy questions answered and photos in front of the prison fence we had a blast!

Hopefully we can do it again soon, ladies!!

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-10-17T10:19:00.007-05:00

These are from AC's 9 month photo shoot a few weeks ago. These are just a couple from Krista's blog. Don't you just LOVE them?!!! She did a fantastic job as always!!! Thanks Krista!

To see more click HERE.

While you are on her blog she did pics for my cousin Lori and her family the other day. To check them out click HERE or just go to the homepage of the blog and scroll down.

AND last but not least Kim had Miss Emsley's 6 month pictures done and they are on there too--you can go to homepage of the blog and scroll or just click HERE.

Enjoy!

Abducted by Aliens

2008-10-17T08:08:00.004-05:00

You see I have this THEORY that everyone in my house has been abducted by aliens. Too many strange things going on around here that wouldn't happen in MY house. For instance..........

SCHOOL PICTURES---this picture turned out to be a half way decent pic of all of my children--minus the always bright blue background--and it was a SCHOOL picture!! Mother's Day Out actually. {at MY house school pictures would have turned out crappy and all of my children looking at once...doesn't happen}

My OLDEST son is going to PreK and loving it---every morning if he drags I threaten for him to NOT go to school and he gets right up and gets dressed. {you see in MY house he would whine and fuss all the way to school--mother's day out--once he got there he had a blast but the getting there was annoying} He even fusses when we don't have school like today because it is Fall Break. {in MY house we would be jumping for joy and counting all the "shows" we would get to watch on TV}

AND My oldest child is getting so tall it is hard to hold him all at once anymore......{in my house he is still my baby that I can rock whenever I want} He draws pictures of himself, sounds out words, sings a blue million songs I've never heard, greets several teachers he sees at school each morning by name and will carry on a conversation with you for as long as you feel like talking {in my house he doesn't want to draw, is shy with adults and refuses to talk when you try to talk to him}

My MIDDLE child is attempting to be more loving to his sister. Will sit with his brother and watch part of a tv show with him on the couch. AND has ASKED to watch a movie and then sat and watched the whole thing---people I'll take what I can get---that was 2 1/2 years coming to get him to sit at the tv for more than 2 minutes---call me what you want aliens or no---mama needs a break and after 2 1/2 years a couple hours in front of the TV for the VERY FIRST TIME isn't gonna hurt!!! {in MY house he looks at the tv with absolutely no interest at all and goes back to beating on his little sister which appears to be much more fun}

AND my middle child counts to 10, says his ABC's, loves to color, will sit down to do arts and crafts for as long as you will sit there with him, loves music and talks up a storm where you can actually understand what he is saying---most of the time. {in MY house he is just too busy getting into everything to be interested in doing any one thing at all and when he talks you just nod because who knows what he is saying}

My BABY GIRL is walking--more like running, has cut her first tooth, plays with her brothers for a good bit of time, takes a bath in the big tub, loves to be chased, can play independently for as long as you let her and has the most hysterical personality and oh yes a temper. {in MY house she was just sitting up much less crawling and definitely not walking, had no teeth and gummed everything to death, would just sit and watch her brothers but not dare intervene. In MY house she wouldn't scream/screech/squeal at the highest decibel the INSTANT she didn't get her way because she knows it gets attention--not in MY house}

My HUBBY comes home from work at the same time every day with plenty of time to have supper, play with the kids, do bathtime and then bedtime---all of that uninterrupted by work. {in MY house he has to stay late 2-3 out of 5 nights of the week and when he is home work calls each night for direction on something and weekends would involve going in--that's what happens in MY house}

ME--I have been actually going to bed at night instead of blogging--obviously, cleaning, laundry or dishes---UGH not that THIS is a good thing. {in MY house sleep was overrated and the only time things got done is the middle of the night} As of late it seems I have no choice---sleep overtakes me--it is all catching up with me---or aliens need more sleep. ha!

Last but NOT least and the reason I KNOW the aliens are here---the Vanderbilt Commodores are 5-1 on their season this year....... I said 5-1!! That means they have WON 5 games and only lost 1 game. They are ranked in the Top 25--#22 to be exact and are 3-1 in the SEC. {in MY house Vandy would be 0-6 and have pipe dreams of the Top 25 and be DEAD last in the SEC}

GO VANDY!!!!!!!

As it appears the aliens have taken over and so many changes have taken place in our house. I couldn't even pinpoint the time for you when it all happened---things just have a way of getting away from you. Time gets away from you. Before you know it----it is Halloween and you are shopping for Christmas presents because Christmas is just 69 days away and before that your baby girl turns ONE!! AAAAGGGHH!! Go AWAY aliens GO AWAY---I want MY house back---let me enjoy things the way they used to be for a little bit longer.....just a little!

We're back....

2008-09-29T12:34:00.004-05:00

We made it back yesterday and I have not had a chance to look at any pictures much less blog about them. I promise, I will go back and fill in Fri/Sat/Sun soon. We had a blast at the Children's Museum and Holiday World. We did lots of fun stuff in a short time and the kids had a great time.....well so did the adults for that matter I believe!

First off, Little Miss is good. No phone call Friday = good news for us. Sure enough her fever was gone that day and she has been good to go ever since......well minus her little mishap yesterday morning while she was eating snack on top of the bed at the hotel and decided to crawl away to play ....yeah you guessed it....right off the bed. She has a nice carpet burn under her left eye. Woo hoo us! No really she only cried for a minute and she is good. =) {and we were sitting with her on the bed she is just THAT fast....swear}

Of course no trip is complete without someone being sick at all times. So Mr Mischievious didn't let us down last night he woke us up burning up with fever and congested. He must have a cold or a "virus" as I am sure they would tell me if I took him in. HE finally got back good and asleep after we gave him meds and turned on the vaporizer so he could breathe and then I had to wake him up to take Big Bro to school this morning. Poor thing.....don't go feeling too sorry for him though. His sickness didn't stop him from pouring out 1/4 of my new bottle of Dawn on several toys, toy bins and oh yes 1 hr later I find out my chair and a half. GREAT! Then later he brought me the pickle relish and an egg. {if he had just brought me tuna I could have mixed it up} And last but not least.....got the Desitin out and smeared it on a few things including the remote and his little sister and then passed it on to her no less so he would be in the clear. Yeah Right, dude, Mommy's not buying it!! All that was this morning....he is napping now, we'll see what the afternoon brings. =)

So updates on our mini vacation soon!

Children's Museum

2008-09-26T23:12:00.002-05:00

Today we got up at NiNi's apartment and had breakfast and waited for what seemed like an eternity to the kids for Net Net and Gramps to drive up and meet us today.

Once they got there we went to the Children's Museum of Evansville. It is located in the old Library building so it has tons of character and the way this place was decorated was super cool also---although those specific features I'm not sure I took pics of. This place had 6 different sections to it. One of them was a water section which was closed to maintenance much to our dismay.The first one we went to was a temporary exhibit. It was one on accessability. This place showed you the different things you can do in everyday life no matter what type of disability you have.

Then there was the Work Smart area. This area was right up Will's alley you could build and create things and it was geared toward engineering things. Alaina Claire got in on the action here as there was a place for just toddlers to play which was nice! They also had a dig where you could uncover dino bones--Jake was all over it!

Upstairs there was a room called Live Big. This one talked all about the human body and how it functions. There was a huge talking brain and also a drum that if you held the handles in front of it then it would beat YOUR heartbeat. Pretty nifty!

The water area had an upstairs part where you can load plastic balls into a cannon type thing and shoot them down to the water. This area also had a play area with climbing and slide.

Last but not least was the Freedom Gallery. This place had a room with all kinds of different instruments and then another with household things used as instruments. There was an art section in here and a stage makeup place where NiNi gave them a few pointers.

Our FAVE was definitely the stage where you can act out a story on the stage and it shows up on a screen outside the little "theater" they have set up in there. You have a choice of 4 stories and then they have boo coodles of costumes to go along with the stories and you can even change the background on the stage. At first there had been a field trip there with us all morning which wasn't a big deal as they kept the place lively. BUT once we got to this place Jake wanted the stage to himself so he could act out Where the Wild Things Are---which just so happens to be is ABSOLUTE favorite book right now. Those kids left and buddy he put on a show. He even got Daddy and NiNi up there to help be Wild Things. It was too fun!!!

This place was excellent and all of the kids enjoyed it. Great pick Ni Ni. This makes me want to go to our local kids museum which I haven't been to since I was a kid to see what all they have now.

After the museum we were able to check in our hotel after eating lunch. Then we were supposed to go back to campus to do a few things with NiNi but ALL of us laid down to take naps and we ALL napped for 3 hrs at least. By the time we woke up we had to get ready to go out to eat tonight which we did. Looking forward to Holiday World tomorrow!!!!

One of Those Days...

2008-09-25T23:42:00.004-05:00

Yep we all have them. Although I seem to have them quite often lately, especially after having 3 kids. So as I sit here in my sisters on-campus apt at college while she quietly sleeps on the futon and my children and hubby are asleep in her room and one roommate is gone and the other is in her room doing homework or maybe she is asleep now who knows....I can talk about it.

You have now obviously gathered that we are on a trip. Yes this was a PLANNED trip for some time now. We are visiting my sister and then tomorrow going to a children's museum here and then on Saturday the REAL fun begins as we go to Holiday World! Woo hoo! The kids are stoked not quite as much as running around like crazy people and showing off for NiNi's friends tonight but stoked nonetheless.

I digress....to what lead us to this point. Last night I was supposed to get stuff together because the plan was to leave straight from picking Jake up from school. We were going to go up to daddy's work {it's on the way} so all his coworkers could see the kiddos and then head to NiNi's. That was the PLAN. Therefore everything had to be packed and in the car by 2pm today before I headed to pick Will up first and then Jake. OH yeah and all the while taking AC to her 9 mo dr appt at 10:15.

SOOOO last night daddy had to work late and I put the kids down and you have to have been reading awhile see this post to understand why I don't like to put the boys to bed. Anyways I fell asleep. Woke up when daddy got home but regardless I had lost my mojo. It just wasn't happening. So I thought ok if I can get back from AC's appt by 11am {smoking crack} then I can feed her lunch and put her down and have almost 3 hrs to get everything together, download old pictures, wash some towels, take out trash and straighten up the house. {who likes to come home to a dirty house from vacation...am I right?!} I could spend all my time doing this because I will get up before daddy and get my shower and also after I take Jake I will come back home before Will has to be at school and I have an hour to get all the clothes together that we are going to take that will be one thing down.

SO here's how it REALLY went down:

AC wakes at 4:45am guess she's hungry...that's cool I need to get up earlier to take a shower. So I pick her up to feed her....good grief she feels hot....must be hot in this room. Yeah fall back to sleep. Don't wake up til AFTER daddy gets out of the shower....you know 6:30. By this point it is a mad rush to do the whole morning routine of breakfast, pack lunches, get dressed, brush teeth, get ME dressed and out the door. When I got AC dressed I decided to take her temp cuz she wasn't acting so hot either and out of the bed and in the high chair she felt really hot. YEP 102.7.....LOVELY! We haven't had a fever since all of our UTI and urinary reflux diagnosis now that we are on daily antibiotics. BUT hey! we have a dr appt anyway...score!

Get everyone out the door, AFTER I remembered at the last minute that today was Jake's asst teacher's birthday and OH YEAH.....they sent home a page for him to color for her that was due on TUESDAY {this is Thurs} So grab the crayons and pry him from his morning show long enough for him to make a bEUtiful picture for his teacher....put it in the bag....let's go! Get to school and all the kids have their green or things that start with D for share day....SHARE DAY...we forgot SHARE DAY....oh dear Lord....please help us!....it was a crisis for a minute but to my surprise he was ok with just talking about his green thing {a plastic little snake he was going to bring}. Shew....cleared that one.

Rush back home....well haven't had a shower so guess what takes up the majority of that 1 hr before Will goes to school....you guessed it! Along with packig his lunch, getting his bag together {thankfully he never has homework!} and comforting AC who was obviously not feeling well at all now.

Get W to school and then rush to the Dr office because I scheduled myself JUST enough time to get there and sit for a minute to let her nurse and then run in the office. That is just what I did.

We actually got back there in short order, but of course seeing the dr was no such luck. When he finally came in and I of course shared the 102.7 info......he said if he didn't find any other symptoms from the fever than we would have to do another cath to test her urine......WHAT??!! I know I know they are doing their job with the condition she has we don't need UTI's but I SWEAR it is a virus.....Will came home with it last Thurs lasted a couple days and voila....timing is right....see.....yeah he doesn't budge. So my baby had to have ANOTHER cathater put in to get urine to test. Of course it was a nurse who apparently NEVER does this with an experienced one holding AC....now does this make sense. Took forever botched the whole thing and all I can say is thankfully the experienced one grabbed the cup in time to catch the pee pee that was flying. Anyway, too much info I know.

So as if this wasn't enough torture for one day they still had to prick her toe for her hemoglobin count which is normal at 9 mo. Here she goes pricks her toe and one small tiny teeny tiny drop so she squeezes and she squeezes {AC is screaming BLOODY MURDER, of course} and she squeezes and she massages and she squeezes and still hardly anything and she finally says well this will have to do. I'd say so LADY! {I really do love her.......not today in this moment}

Well the rapid test came back clean so we are good to go....just a virus....treat the fever. {after the nurse told me but I had to wait on the dr for 20 more min to TELL ME THE SAME THING} been there done that people I got it. If it grows overnight you will call me. Which by the way it did last time and that is why I am not overly excited about the initial positive result today I will be better after lunch tomorrow and I haven't gotten a call from the dr.

SO remember that home by 11am? Try 12:30........remember I have to leave at 2 to pick up the boys........remember nothing is packed.......nothing!!!

I got off the phone with Kim even to complete this task as it could only be done with the most focused mind and determined will. SO needless to say after all that. I RAN MY HINEY off for a straight hour and a half to get everything packed for us to be gone for 3 days. This may not seem like a lot to you but when you have a 4, 2 and 9 month old.......you never knew you could pack so much stuff and still drive the vehicle down the road.

I DID IT!!!!! I was impressed and I think my hubby was a bit impressed too, I could be wrong.

Just goes to show you the best laid plans........... {what was that again}

So we made it up here and unfortunately AC still has her fever but with medicine she is still playing. We made it to daddy's work and got to see all of his work friends although I am quite sure they were glad when we left as they could hear themselves think again. {that is what they get for making a comment the first 2 minutes we were there that they are SOOOOO good I don't believe any of those stories your daddy tells about you...........yeah right} Oh well it didn't help his friend Shelley decided to chase them around either.....LOL! They had fun.

AND we're off for an exciting weekend. I will hopefully have lots of good pictures. I will also post AC's update if the dr calls and maybe I will write for my bloggy friends a post about what she has. She is good just have to prevent with antibiotics....which....well I digress I will save that for THAT post.

OH YEAH did I mention that Of course NONE of the housework part of that plan today got done just the essentials of packing. So who will be coming home to a messy house......ME! oh yeah can't wait

Enough of the rambling......if you are still here....thanks!

night

Gas Crisis?! REALLY people!!

2008-09-22T02:52:00.005-05:00

SOOOO---in case you didn't know. My town which happens to be the capital of my state....has run out of gas. You read it right. It all started with the hurricane {Ike well actually Gustav before that}. Everyone heard we weren't going to have gas so GO FILL UP the night before it hits. Still gas...go TOP OFF because surely we won't have it the next day. Guess what now we DON'T!

SO all the crazies in my town have out demanded the supply of gas in our 620,000 or so people city. What the ?!!!! Every city around us has gas....it is just us!! This is the craziest thing I have EVER seen! We get our gas from the pipeline that runs from Houston to New Jersey. It was shut down after the hurricane and then gas was only coming up the pipeline at 20% but NOW it is at full capacity. yada yada yada There is lots more to it of course. But the point is that WE HAVE FUEL CRAZY PEOPLE HERE IN MY TOWN!!!! Quit getting all your lawnmower gas cans and weedeater gas cans and dusting all the cobwebs off any other gas cans you just happen to have in your garage {milk jugs} and topping off your car every time you see a station with gas!! YOU are causing this crisis! It's not a game people!! Get gas like normal and it will correct itself in a few days. duh!

No joke there are...hmmmm.....let me count them....1,2,3,4,5,6 gas stations within a 2 mile radius of us and ONE had gas the past 2 days.....that is it! And the line for it was a quarter of a mile long. I am talking like 75-100 people lined up to get gas and this isn't some big trucking gas station with lots of pumps---nope its a mom and pop joint with very little parking lot so it of course spilled out into the main road causing a traffic jam. I mean it is just ridiculous. Then what happens is when a station gets gas in SOOO many people rush to get it that the station runs out as soon as they get it. I drove past a station on Saturday on my way to the store that had just gotten a shipment and had a LOOONG line. I drove back by 1 hr later........out of gas.......

My hubby went out late tonight to get gas in both of our vehicles because---unlike everyone else we are just getting gas when we need it! We were both close to empty. He had to go several miles from our house after searching ALL OVER to find a station that had gas and then he had to wait in line.

Hopefully this crazy mess will end soon....I mean we are doing it to ourselves.....how do you explain that to people who can't see the BIG picture. wow! frustrating.............

8 years ago......

2008-09-21T10:56:00.001-05:00

today was the Daddy and Mommy's very first date. It's amazing to look back at that and then look at our life now. How did we get here???? Wow....lots can happen in a short amount of time. Yeah 3 kids...that's what I'm talking about. Shew.....what will 8 more {yrs} bring. hee hee Love ya honey!! Too bad Copeland's closed down or we could have some more garlic mashed potatoes and reminisce. LOL!

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-09-19T02:10:00.002-05:00

Sleep Yoga

{yes she fell asleep that way}

**Check back through the first of August as I have filled in a few posts for that month**

Lil' Ol' Will.......No...Never!

2008-09-15T12:12:00.001-05:00

Just a few things in the past month that were picture worthy....

Tried to mail his sister off...I asked where...he said wherever

What is this kid's obsession with the butter?? Please tell me!

Carnation Instant Breakfast is fun to get out of the couch...ummhmm

Toothpaste....yep I think he was going for the camo look to match his shorts....I could be wrong....

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-09-12T23:12:00.001-05:00

OMG! TXT ME LOL!!!

2008-09-09T13:23:00.007-05:00

So I would say the world of Text Messaging has slowly taken over my life.....well part of it....the part that hasn't already been taken over by blogging. And by part I mean all of this is just one PART of my life.....yes there is still time for family.....I swear!

OK I guess you know you are addicted when you try to get the texts you know you have received and you can' t even get into the text messaging system of your phone. The day before, just fine, texted all day, the next day.......FROZEN. Well, who knew it was frozen beyond repair!! They literally laughed at me and when I say laughed, really I mean they looked at me sternly and said you REALLY shouldn't let it get this bad again. You should NEVER EVER have more than 100 messages in there total.

What?? You may ask. Well see I have a deleting problem......I never saw it as a problem before......but I think today I have been shown the light. I had so many texts still in my inbox and my sent folder and even in the drafts folder that all together they totaled like 1,000. Oh yeah you read it right! The reason I say deleting problem.....well I kinda have this issue with my email inbox too...I don't know you be the judge.....is 4,498 a problem??? I don't feel SO bad about this because I KNOW there are others worse than me on this {you know who you are and I won't link to you because you are in my sisterhood and I would never break that bond----HAHAHA!!} Then of course there is the stuff on my desk, you know all the things I NEED to keep that I KNOW I will do something with because it is stuff that has to do with SLAH or my kids or finances or you know ANYTHING. {what's the limit on how long it should stay before you say trash it---I think 3 yrs at least, huh?} Problem? anyone......oh my I'm getting anxious over here. I have an addiction and I never knew it----thanks cell phone company for opening my eyes!

SOOOOOOO........when I took my phone today to complain because it was not letting me text my little text messages, which is truthfully the only way I talk to my hubby during the day and lots of times the only way I talk to my sis {what is the world coming to?}......anyway took it in and they {4 different people} said well we can't help you---you will have to get a new phone, it's just frozen to the point of no fixes. {you jacked this one up you silly texter lady who knows nothing about cell phones and how they work} I'm positive that is what they were thinking. ANYWAY......lucky for me.....I got this phone less than a year ago and who knew but it is under a year warranty {never had to use it before} and I was able to get a BRAND SPANKING NEW phone. WOO HOO for me!!!

So all that to say, all is right with my texting world once again.
Hope all is well with you........TXT ME sometime! LOL!!!

**Edited to add: Phobia....maybe it is a phobia not a problem....a deleting phobia??????? Oh dear?!

Whoever said Girls..........

2008-09-05T13:46:00.004-05:00

Can't make messes! HA! Just thought I would share what my 8 1/2 month old did while I was typing the previous post!! Needless to say she is in my lap as we speak. All of this stuff was either in bags or stacked on the desk shelf. Oh yeah, I'm in trouble...no need to include that in your comment cuz I'm already feeling the vibes!

What have I gotten myself into, O Lord?!
{this gets asked about a hundred times a day}

Caught in the act

The path of destruction

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-09-05T13:25:00.005-05:00

Ok so I am trying to start some new weekly posts to make it easier for me to blog. =) Obviously I am having a hard time with it. We will now have Favorite Foto Friday where I will post a fav picture, it might be current or it might be old. Who knows just whatever I run across. So here is the first edition:

Just chillin' reading my mag with my sunglasses on {upside down} cuz its so bright in the house and don't worry......got my back up ready to go! {right side up} Ahhh the many faces of Will!

The Heavens parted

2008-09-05T03:10:00.008-05:00

....and God said "Alaina Claire I will let enough of your hair grow back that your Mommy can at least put a bow in a few strands"

And it was SO!

Folks this is the first day that she had ACTUALLY been wearing a bow
in her hair---- all day people!!
It was about a month ago but just now getting to the picture.

ALLELUIA!!

Random Facts

2008-08-22T02:49:00.004-05:00

First off I have tried to update from last month. So I think I am done with July now if you want to browse back through to check it out. There will be more from first part of this month to come...AND eventually the 3 months that I left out in the Spring will get updated too. :O

On to the Random Facts---I have been TAGGED by Lauren to share 6 random facts about myself so here goes:

1) My fav-o-rite food in the world??? FRIED SQUASH

2) When I was 15 I took my grandparents car {along with a friend} on a joyride in town and then to another town and got too cocky thinking I knew how to drive so well and ended up in "other town's" police station.....the parents AND grandparents were none to happy and I was in big T.R.O.U.B.L.E!!!

3) I always wanted to be in the Military but I'm a scaredy cat!

4) My guilty pleasure? General Hospital....I love me some Jason Morgan!

5) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups + DrPepper = LOVE

6) I used to be Michael Jackson's #1 Fan! Thriller! Thriller night...I sing as I wear my white glove and do the moonwalk in my zipper jacket.....hee hee

I TAG Holly, Andrea, Lea Ann, Amy, Stefanie, Lyndi

The rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules to your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

PreK Update and the Streaker

2008-08-20T21:12:00.001-05:00

Well so far we've made it. I have successfully gotten 3 kids up, fed breakfast, dressed and out the door by 7:30 to get Jake to school. Will's school {Mother's Day Out} hasn't started yet but he sure doesn't understand that. EVERY morning he wants to go to his school. Pick up wasn't that bad once I figured the whole thing out. The big deal is everyone else can wait for their kids to come to them but PreK parents have to get out and go get their kids so you have to do all of that within this time limit of the group of cars you came into the parking lot with. It really is VERY orderly CHAOS!! But that's just the way it is!

Jake did well Monday morning but yesterday morning and this morning he has decided to cry both times. They said yesterday he did just fine right after I left and had an "Excellent" day as his homebook says. SO let's hope the same for today and that we get over the whole crying thing as fast as it started. He does keep asking me " MOOOOM, do I have school AGAIN today?" He just isn't used to the every day ordeal--he is used to Tue/Thurs and having a break in between. Precisely one of the reasons he is in PreK right now.

The Streaker

So......back to yesterday......I pick him up and Ms D says he did great right after I left. She said but I have to tell you this and she starts busting out laughing. I'm thinking great what did my kid do???? Weeeellllll.........they have a boys bathroom and girls bathroom in their room and when they have bathroom break they send one boy and one girl at a time. Ms D said things were going well and Jake had gone to potty as did {let's call her} Sally.

Next thing she knows here is Jake standing in the doorway, stark NAKED, leaning to one side with one hand up bracing himself saying "Teacher, Teacher.....I need some help over here! Ms D looked around and thought whoa! then said "Ok Jacob go back to the bathroom and I'll be in there in a minute" {stifle laughter} You must know that during this Sally had come out of the bathroom apparently to witness Jake's unsightly deed and cry for help. {keep that in mind}

SO Ms D goes to help Jacob and figure out what happened---when she walked into the bathroom all she saw was his little behind. He was bent over toward the toilet and was making all kinds of faces in the HANDLE {you know it was silver and partially flat so he could see himself} Hilarious!! So she was {stifling laughter yet again}. She then helped him get dressed again and all the while having a conversation about why we keep ALL of our clothes on when we go potty. {Oh good grief---the first week of school no doubt!!}

They get done and are coming out of the bathroom when lo and behold what does Ms D see......{remember Sally??} OH YEAH.....hanging on the bar across the big paned window to the hallway of the inside of the school was little ole Sally naked as a jay bird. She was just singing away and looked at Ms D and said "Boy is this Fun! She saw Jake do it and thought hmmmm let me go back in here and try that out too. hahahahaha Oh great and MY Jacob started it!! What am I gonna do?!

So I am assuming Ms D and Sally had the same conversation that was just had by she and Jake 2 minutes prior. I am also sure that Ms D was ready to go home at this point that day. She did say that if anyone inside school happened to be walking by during THAT 5 minutes of the day...they probably wondered WHAT IN THE WORLD are they doing in PreK?!

Oh the things a 4 year old will do!!! I am sure there will be many more stories let's just hope that none of them involve a lack of clothing. :)

I can't help it!

2008-08-17T11:30:00.003-05:00

I have to give you guys a sneak peak of our photo shoot with Krista from last Tuesday. She posted these pics on her blog because she knew I was dying to see!! Aren't they just the cutest kids ever?!! I know....hahaha! Thanks Abbey for coming to help! And Krista as always....awesome job!!

Jacob's Very First Day of PreK

2008-08-15T21:54:00.002-05:00

He won't be riding the bus but sure thinks its really cool!

Jacob is going to PreK this year. We feel like he needs a 5 day a week program to get him ready for the real deal come next year so Enter........ PREK!!! He is so excited. We visited his "new big school" in the Spring and he didn't want to leave and every time we drive by ALLLLLL summer long he has been asking when he gets to go. Well, Son......Today is THE DAY! Your first day of PreK, it is only a half day but First Day nonetheless.

Here's the school boy--ready to go!! Doesn't he look handsome?!

This is where he wanted his picture taken so I took what I could get.
{ignore Milo sleeping underneath the van}

We had all the "first of the year" events leading up to today. Tuesday was our Parent meeting and then Wednesday was Round Up Day---I took him to see his room again and his teachers and got to sign up for volunteer opportunities, check out after care in case it is ever needed, load his lunch card and most importantly we went to the uniform consignment sale!! He has a friend that is going to his "new big school" with him from Mother's Day Out the past 2 years so he will know someone right off the bat. We stuck together through all the "round up" activities and they got to reacquaint themselves since they had not seen each other all summer even though we said we would get together. {we all know how that goes...time flies} So then yesterday he had a break and today was it my friends.

Jacob and Mrs D

He went in without an issue and looked so happy to be there--didn't hardly tell me bye. He was excited to put his school clothes on just like everybody else this morning, too. Thankfully today I only had to participate in the "drop off" which wasn't too bad. Since we went half a day and the rest of the school went a full day I didn't get to see "pick up" yet. I have been told it is VERY orderly chaos and to PAY ATTENTION. So can't wait for that........ahhh school days. So much fun!! We are SO excited for him to have this opportunity. They will be doing Art, Music, Library, Computer, PE and Spanish so he will have some neat extra classes each day aside from all of his fun stuff in his classroom {math, language, writing, science, centers, etc, etc.} Love his teachers and we are excited for a great year!!

He wanted her to stand up so Mommy could get a shot of the rainbow that Mrs B the assistant teacher painted on the wall for them---in class art should be fun--Mrs D was sure to tell us Mrs B was definitely in charge of that!!

Picked him up and the teachers said he did great. I asked him what he did today and he said "I can't tell you I'll tell you when we get to McD after I get chicken nuggets and french fries." That's one smooth talker right there. Oh well guess not much can change in 3hrs. HEE HEE Our little boy is growing up..... {yes I took the bait it was Mickey D's for everyone....hey...it was his first day of school!}

Swimming with Aunt Abbey

2008-08-12T22:42:00.000-05:00

This morning we went to have the boys yearly pictures taken with Krista and I thought I was gonna be SOL on helpers but YAY for Aunt Abbey who didn't really have to come help {cuz she lives 40 minutes away now} BUT SHE DID!!! I definitely needed a helper with all the kids in one spot trying to take pictures....whoa! Thanks Abbey!

Anyway, after that we went back to Abbey's new house and more importantly her POOL!! The kiddos had a blast. The water was a little chilly but not too bad. My kids just get cold so easy in the water----ask our Swim Day friends---it can be 95 and sunny and my boys still end up freezing. Who knows....thin blood maybe...haha! They had a big time going up and down and up and down and up and down her stairs in the house like they have never seen stairs before. There was the issue with her precious doggy Mary Jane but as long as she was outside while we were in and vice versa....Jake was good.

Here sit the 2 little ones after the pool got too chilly---just watching big bro go!!

Here he is trying to see what the heck he is doing with those goggles on...LOL!

Jake was all about the diving board, though he made Abbey jump a few times too!

I was excited to see Abbey and Dustin's new house, James saw it when they moved in and he helped. They got a steal---cute house with lots of yard and a pool out in the country.....now that's what I'm talking about!! Congrats guys....love it! Can't wait to come back in a few weeks to see the new furniture and swim some more!!

Making Play Dough

2008-08-11T20:56:00.003-05:00

Net Net knows all the good tricks. When the boys wanted to play with play dough and none in the house. What does Net Net do......make some, of course! She was looking for the kool aid smelly recipe but couldn't find it so stay tuned for that one. This was just regular ole play dough and the boys chose RED for their color. Fun times at Net Net's spur of the moment any day of the week. =)

Beautiful Day

2008-08-10T23:17:00.003-05:00

Today was Alaina Claire's Baptism Day! It was such beautiful weather for such an important day in our little girl's life. We have been blessed with this unique, wonderful and absolutely perfect gift from God and today she was blessed with the gift of bringing the Lord into her heart and learning to love Him as we do. As she grows she has so many people around her that will foster that love and we hope that she learns to live in his glory and develop a true and meaningful relationship with Him.
We love you Alaina Claire and May God Richly Bless You Always! Us with her Godparents-David {James's bro} and Stefanie {my sis}

She made it through the first few minutes of listening intently to Father and then she just laid her head down and was out in an instant! It was too funny. She was supposed to have taken a nap during Mass just before that but was too busy checking everyone out so there you have it falling asleep at her own baptism. =)

Thank you to everyone who was able to come.

It meant so much to us that you were there to share in this special day!{the light coming in from the doors in both these pics was bad...sorry!}

Dinner, Dogs and Lawnmowers

2008-08-09T23:52:00.001-05:00

That's what our visit to Papa and Yaya's house consisted of tonight. In honor of AC's baptism, Uncle Dave and Aunt Liz {Will Speak: Umple Dabe and Umple Wiz----haha!}, came into town just for tonight and tomorrow's baptism. Abbey came over too and it was a family affair. Since it was Amy's birthday we all got to chat with her on the phone and wish her well.

Spoiled rotten by EVERYONE---sitting on the counter "helping" fix dinner

Dave and Liz have 2 dogs.....Greta and Stella {don't you love those names!!}. Both boys weren't quite sure of the dogs and they have seen Greta plenty of times before but this is the first time Stella has made the trip. So maybe it was because there were 2 of them....who knows. All I know is Jake spent ALL night worried about where the dogs were {it is evidenced in the pictures where he is obviously MIA}. Will, on the otherhand, was converted and he had the dogs eating out of his hands {no really!} he fed them carrots and was good to go after that!

Playing with Aunt Liz {this was secretly part of the bribe to get him to feed the dogs}

Eating out of his hand

While we were sitting outside Will decided to PUSH the lawnmower {it was not on people and he is obsessed with lawnmowers I don't know what else to say} ALL THE WAY around the garage.......except he ran into trouble trying to make the last turn and ran it into the fence and in his attempt to get it turned around he cut his finger. Uncle Dave took care of it though and he was back in action moments later.

Papa checking out the cut---sending him to Uncle Dave

Spending time with the fam is always so much fun. Later in the night the next door neighbor and her daughter came over and brought sparklers so the kids had a big time with that too!!

Getting ready for Sparklers

Happy Birthday Amy, soon enough you can spend it with us again!!
Can't wait!

WORD!

Happy Birthday Aunt Amy!

2008-08-09T14:06:00.004-05:00

isn't she sweet?!!

We wish we could celebrate with you on your birthday!! Know that we are thinking about you and we love you and miss you!!

Love
The Spence House

Aunt Amy with Alaina Claire during Easter

Biter Biscuits

2008-08-08T16:56:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure that I have been given all the Biter Biscuits in a 50 mile radius. Somehow all of my friends decided these things were too messy to fool with for their kids and they ALL decided to give me a box so I have a few laying around the house right now. Me on the other hand...ahh who cares....get messy....gotta do it sometime! She loves them and BOY??!!! are they messy and just icky and sticky and gooey. YUUUUUMMM doesn't that make you want to have one for your snack now..... me too!

Isn't she precious even with gook on her face!

Me? You wanna take my picture...aww shucks!

Pic-a-Nic

2008-08-08T15:12:00.000-05:00

It felt great outside today so we decided to have a picnic lunch albeit a fast food picnic lunch....but hey whatever works I say!! Jake is always wanting to have a picnic for every meal he would have a picnic. To him a picnic consists of eating anywhere but at the dining table for a meal...you must be having a picnic!

The picnic attendees minus myself

That's right run it off boys because little do you know about 30 minutes from now
you will be in BED taking a nap!!

No picnic complete without a pretty girl =)

Long Lost Cousins

2008-08-07T22:52:00.002-05:00

Me & Jackie and all of our Kiddos

Today we got to hang out and visit with our {mine and Stef's} cousin Jackie and her girls. They live in Nevada so we do good to get to see each other once a year at Christmas and sometimes not even that if it is the opposite year. SO maybe I should say once every 2 years. Wow...that sounds horrible. But C'est la Vie!

The communion cup of fruit punch--they thought this was cool, of course

We had a blast! It was Jackie, Ava Jayne (3), Lyla June (2 months) and Jackie's mom Linda and my crew included me and all of my kids and my sis Stef {Ni Ni}. The kiddos had a blast with each other-- Ava, Jake and Will took right up with each other like they had played together every day for the past year. You can tell they are alot alike personality wise.....at least Ava and Will are. HAHA those that know Will oh so well are going "oh no!" to Ava right now. But she is a girl so she was slightly more subdued.Will and Ava sticking tongues out at each other and cracking up---too cute!

This would be the Ava scream--hilarious!!
Don't think Will wasn't right in there with her!!

The plan was to go swimming at Jackie's other cousin's house. Of course we get there, unload everyone, get in the pool, slide down the slide a couple times {oh yes there was a slide and it was superfun!} and it isn't 10 minutes before it starts to lightning and rain. SO we spent alot of the time under the carport waiting it out which didn't work and then we gave in and decided to move the play date to Mickey D's and the playplace.

NiNi getting ready to throw Ava in the air--the girl{Ava} has no fear.....
just like her mama!

Linda playing with Will in the pool

A good time was had by all and hopefully it won't be so long til our next playdate! Keeping our fingers crossed for Christmas this year. Everyone pray plane tickets get cheaper. HA!

Happy Birthday Gramps!

2008-08-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

Today is Gramps's 67th Birthday!!
We celebrated it in true Gramps style and had breakfast for supper!! yum yum We love you Gramps!
---hope your birthday was happy!!

CLASSIC Picture
notice we only put one candle per decade plus one to grow on of course

Like what it said?? haha Don't worry he thought it was hilarious!
{yes I wrote on the cake this time---us and our homemade cakes gotta have homemade handwriting....told ya it would be bad---only thing worse
would have been if Daddy wrote on it---whoa!}

We attempted to get new things for his house so his bathroom
would be somewhat matching....we'll see how much of it gets used. ;)

Remember this?

2008-08-03T03:06:00.000-05:00

Ok does anyone remember this outfit. Mind you we are missing a hat and the shoes.......... anyone...anyone?? {hint hint--it would be James's family}

Heading to Granny's

2008-07-31T21:06:00.001-05:00

This is what Will decided his attire should be to go to Granny Gaynell's house or "ganny hase" as he calls it. He packed his back pack, found some knee socks and his sandles and he was READY!

Swim Lessons

2008-07-29T22:24:00.002-05:00

Jake has been going to swim lessons all last week and this week at the Vandy pool. He is having a blast! He wants to swim underwater the whole time and play on the steps. Other than that and for just turning 4 the youngest in his class--I'm thinking that he is doing a great job! He's having fun and that is what matters....loves the water! If you could swim underwater everywhere he would win!! We have enjoyed it and will definitely do it again next year and so will the other 2.

walking to go practice jumping in and diving

This is his favorite teacher Hannah

going underwater to get the rings--love the goggles

practicing laying on his back in the water

Fun with Fingerpaints

2008-07-24T19:25:00.000-05:00

What happens when you give my 2 yr old and 4 yr old finger paints---that started out as 5 different pretty colors??? You get a purplish/grayish/brownish can't recognize my boys mess!! BUT they had fun and that's what matters. Notice the cool plastic picnic tablecloth down to cover the table for some easy clean up.... Especially after the boys went straight to the tub....oh and the the water was yummy!

Practicing their meanest stick out your tongue with paint on faces look they could muster

this one is strictly copying his brother--he was ready to "git it opfh ma, git it opfh"

Dragon Park

2008-07-23T23:11:00.001-05:00

The kiddos had fun playing with their friends Amy and Becca tonight. We met them over at the park {along with their parents Lyndi and Steve} to have a Mickey D's supper and playtime after Jake's swim practice.

Jake and Amy play great together!

Will had a good time crawling all over

Becca enjoyed watching and walking around in her new kicks

For those that aren't familiar with Dragon Park--aka Fannie May Park near Vandy
It is a huge dragon mosaic sculpture--it features many different pictures, people, animals--it is the coolest thing ever and the kids LOVE to climb on him.

Get Ready to Kung Fu!

2008-07-21T01:21:00.015-05:00

Jake's 4th Birthday Bash was Saturday! It was a Kung Fu Panda party {could you have ever guessed?} Complete with:
Chinese lanterns .

Panda cupcakes
and other Kung Fu Panda paraphernalia.

I do believe it was another successful party---thanks everyone who came...hope you had a great {I know hot} time and thanks for all the Super Cool gifts! He has played with/read/tried on ALL of it! The Slip n Slide was a big success. Here you see Jake feet up at the end. Jessi, Amy and Will were trying it out too! BUT....

by the end of the party Hudson Wheeler was for sure the King of the Slip n Slide!
{with a little help from his Daddy}

Ummm let's see who's having more fun here? The "big kids" or the little ones???? Run Samantha Run!! She's gonna catch you. Note Cayleigh and Emma Grace just taking it all in from the comfort and safety of the pool.

And what 4 year old's birthday party would be complete with out Bodyguards, or Men In Black or just Kyndall and Travis in sunglasses getting ready for watergun mania.
If only you could see Travis's shoes....they were stylin'!

While Hudson was slipping and sliding the rest of the Wheeler bunch were hanging out.
Emsley was chilling with mama and Carson and Lawson were living it up in the
little pool with daddy and all of their cups.

Here we find Aunt Abbey having a serious talk {at the kid table} with Jake about what it means to be 4 years old! Note Amy and Will listening intently.....as is Jake. Wonder what was said???

Let's open Presents!!

1. cool big boy basketball goal that he can dunk on...think we need to raise it up...haha
2. another dinosaur to add to his Imaginext collection
3. kissing his Where the Wild Things Are book--this is his FAV-O-RITE book right now he knows it by heart and can recite it without the book and does regularly throughout the day--his old one was torn up
4. A telescope...wow!! neat!! I think mommy and daddy might be more excited about this one until he figures out what it does and then we won't ever see it again...hee hee
5. Bag o' Balls....now WHO do we have to thank for this one??? Oh right...Uncle Phillip...BUT we cannot be mad----he is the one that provided all the Watergun Fun among other some of the other cool stuff ....THANK YOU Uncle P. {that's his rap name in case you didn't know}

This is pseudo mommy. Janice--I don't care how long it is in between times we see her she comes in a picks right up and my kids just take to her--always have. Thanks Janice just like last party--I was able to enjoy some while you took care of my bebe!! {you know that's why you get the invite...right? HAHA just kidding} =)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I am SO proud of myself!

2008-07-21T00:46:00.006-05:00

We had Jake's birthday party on Saturday {more on that next} and it was a Kung Fu Panda party. Sooooo when I saw these cupcakes in a past issue of LHJ, I thought.....hmmm...could I do that? It sure is a cute idea! Well those of you that know me well KNOW I am not much on creativity.... I mean-- artsy-craftsy NO, sewing NO, cooking---you know besides meat and 3 NO, decorating NO, writing......maybe Yes I'd like to think so sometimes at least I enjoy it......BUT my point is cooking/baking yeah not so much me and especially if it takes detail. This old girl doesn't have that much patience....I use ALL of it up on my kids EVERY day....I have to refill at night so anything extra just doesn't work out for me. Anyway, my mom was gracious enough to BAKE the cupcakes for me {if you need to know why go back a few sentences} and then I......yes ME decorated every single one of those pandas. WOOO HOOO me!! They went over really well I thought. Who knows what I'll try next time......ahh who am I kidding....I'm thinking that was a one shot deal! HA! {I'm still proud though...they might not be perfect....but....STILL PROUD}

Little bit of cake...

2008-07-13T22:42:00.002-05:00

We had a mini celebration for Jacob tonight for his birthday. He wanted a cake with "the bad guy" {from Kung Fu Panda aka Tai Lung} on it. Since at his big party we are having cupcakes, Net Net and Ni Ni decided to do a cake for him today {homemade yummy!} and we put "the bad guy" on it for him. Yeah so I wasn't around for the writing on the cake....I want that known now...although I am VERY positive I would have done a much worse job. HAHAHA {anyone who knows my handwriting is laughing and saying AMEN right now--I hear ya}

Everyone at the table

Blowing out his candles
Alaina Claire had a blast with his tissue paper

Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets, we're on our way!

Ah yes a Bop Bag...remember those! I'm hoping we can take some frustration out here instead of on each other.........I can hope right?

The "really cool whale" that he wanted every time we went to Target

He had a great day and had a blast playing with all of his stuff. He was a little confused as to why his big party wasn't today but we told him he just would get to have fun all over again on Saturday......so he is STILL excited!

Oh yeah and I told him 4 year olds don't suck their thumbs and if they do their thumb will fall off.....we'll see how well that goes over.... hee hee

Where does the time go?

2008-07-13T15:21:00.002-05:00

Four years ago today we were welcoming our first bundle of joy into this world... At 9:37am Jacob Nolan Spence joined our family. WOW how time has flown! Jacob you are our biggest boy and such a joy to be around. You make us laugh on a daily basis with your jokes {how does a bird fly? [hahaha]} yep that's the joke. {hee hee} Your imagination is ENDLESS. I know I had an imagination when I was a kid but it is nothing compared to yours. You can stay busy for hours with just your animals and little people to keep you company. Videos....videos....videos....I have never met a kid that asks to watch videos anymore than you either. {ugh} One day you will thank us for saying no at least SOME of the time when you are able to live on your own and make your own money maybe because you broke away from the videos long enough to learn more things. =) It is so hard to believe that you are already four. It seems like yesterday we were at the hospital to have you but then again it seems like you have been with us forever.

We love you Jacob Nolan and are SO proud of you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

See how he has grown:

In the hospital

Our New Family

6 months old

12 months old

18 months old

2 1/2 years old

3 years old

4 years old!!Check out that get up! He had been outside playing Robin Hood {too cute!}

What in the world did you do all day??!!??!!

2008-07-12T00:31:00.006-05:00

The previous post and recent conversation has prompted me to share this. For all of us Stay at Home Mommies out there....you'll SO relate.....Mommies in general will know. Now as for the rest of you {uhm hmmm....Daddy....er.. I mean all daddies out there or non believers} this post is for you! It is just a forward I received in my email one day from my mom. {Thanks mama!} Sometimes you gotta love these things. Enjoy!

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas,
playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front
yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys, sand and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of
toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered
and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know everyday when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?"

"Yes" was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

To all the Will fans out there.....

2008-07-11T22:50:00.011-05:00

Yeah I know you're out there--you can't hide! This post is LONG overdue...

I don't know if it is this face

or this face

{I personally like this face....but I digress}

OR maybe it's his crazy fetish (note playing with his belly button VERY seriously)

Maybe it's just his charismatic personality that just exudes self-confidence....yeah I know I have to admit he's one of a kind. {as all my children are...but this is about Will}

Whatever it is he has a Fan Club out there and we know about it so I thought I would give you nice people a little taste of what this little man is all about. I don't expect it to change your minds but actually I feel obliged for you to see ALL sides of Will. I know for some of you it is not news but others of you....I'm thinking he might have the wool pulled over your eyes. ;) Regardless you people need to be informed so here I go--mostly in pictures:

This would be one of Will's favorite pastime....vacuuming the floors....one can only hope he will remember as he gets older...

This would be another pastime...riding his "truck" or "jeep" whichever he feels inclined to call it that day ALL OVER our house and furniture and people and....

This my friends is a picture of a professional streaker and yes I know the picture is blurry and quite prefer it that way to be honest. This is something you might see at any given moment in our house....naked Will running through the house--gotta have a shirt though...

When he is with his girl-friends he has been known to act/dress the part. Nothing to him. Strolled that baby all over Riley Mo's house without a 2nd thought {baby didn't seem to mind} Why just this past weekend at MG's bday party she added a purse to this scenario--what did he do? Went with it! Him, the stroller, her new baby AND the purse set off all over the house. He's a go with the flow kinda guy...

I told ya...

Shoes...we have a change of shoes countless times throughout the day. He'll go by me one time with one pair on and the next a completely different pair. At least he can put them on by himself and on the correct feet at that. In fact he can walk in any shoe you can
imagine no matter how big or clunky {or if they have a heel}...

Now folks don't think I am done yet you know I was getting to the good stuff. Mr Will also likes to get into whatsoever he can get his dirty little hands on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are a few I was able to snap shots of.... emphasis on a FEW...

THIS would be what I found one day as I casually strolled past the living room where I thought my children were playing ever so quietly and being good little boys. Oh no...Will decided that butter what what he need for "nack" that day. Pulled out the knife to spread it and all...pretty resourceful that kid...

Oh yeah and THIS would be another "something" I found one day casually strolling back through the house unknowing that the refrigerator lock had been left open...... you know just trying to have some scrambled eggs and don't forget the tea to drink and might as well use this George birthday sign as my placemat....don't forget the ever so old hot pink tanning bed glasses that I was no doubt enthralled with how to make them stay on my head since they no longer have the elastic when...oh wait...I realized
THE REFRIGERATOR IS UNLOCKED.....SCORE!!!!

Crinkle.....crinkle..............crinkle....crinkle
This is what I heard another "one day" when I was sitting in the living room doing who knows what millionth chore around the house and I sat for a minute thinking hmmmmmmm do I know that sound?...wait ...who's here....AC too little....Jake right here....Will....OH NO!! "WILL WHAT DO YOU HAVE?!" as I run into the kitchen and catch THIS and as you can see he was trying to shut the door REAL FAST like I'm not gonna see the white powdery substance that strangely resembles flour like I have in my refrigerator that he is standing right
in front of....that is ON HIS FACE and THE FLOOR!

Then he changed his mind and decided to pose cuz he was proud of his work. And why not...he picked something ALMOST too quiet for mommy to hear...I said almost!

So THESE are the DAYS IN THE LIFE OF WILL SPENCE....don't forget THIS POST where you can check out more of his antics. Feel free to call or email on any given day and I'll tell ya the latest--I can GUARANTEE it'll be entertaining.

So what do you Will Fans out there think of your little man now? huh? not always such a sweet boy huh? YEAH YEAH I know..... I love him too!! What would life be like without a little Will in it?!! Pretty dang boring....

Swim Day

2008-07-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

Wednesday is officially Swim Day for the Spence crew and the Wheeler bunch this summer. We've had it planned since last summer when the Wheelers started building their house in a subdivision with a pool. Woo hoo! We were determined to get all 7 of our kids there to swim!! Yep s-e-v-e-n--- 4 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old, twin 21 month olds, 7 month old, and a 3 month old!!! I know we're brave. But hey we even got a taker to help us with the kids....my sis has been tagging along just to help. Thank goodness!! It wouldn't be happening without Ni Ni. You should see us wheeling up in there. Yes I really mean wheeling. We have 2 double strollers, 2 beach bags, one big bag with water toys, 2 quilts and a tent. {don't forget us and the 7 kiddos} We've got it down now though...we get in there and get set up in no time and buddy it can come down in no time flat too in case of screaming kids, hungry kids, tired kids, rain, etc. Thanks Wheelers, for having us to play at your pool!!!

This week our friends the Wombles decided to join us. We all had lots of fun and today was the first day anyone thought to bring a camera so here are a few pics to commemorate all of our fun:

Hudson--pretty sure he is getting ready to JUMP!

Alaina Claire just decided today she liked being in the pool

Will trying to catch the water

This is the tent where you will find the little ones usually
We try to hide the snacks at first but once they see them it is over and they are
hangin in the tent the rest of the time
This is MG, Carson, Lawson and Emsley with Kim

Jake swimming around in the big pool with his floaties

J hanging out on his noodle in the big pool

**Don't worry there was a Mommy or Ni Ni there to watch each child at all times**

Fourth Fun

2008-07-04T23:25:00.002-05:00

We did do other things besides watch Synchronized Wading, although I have to admit this was our focal point. The kids had a big time playing in the park they have there and running in the field. Alas, this year there were no fireworks for the Spence House. By the time we made it home we were pooped kids were ready for bed and Mommy just got to settle for the ones on TV.

Cooling off under the tent--looks like AC is getting ready to chow down!

Jake posing on the playset

NiNi hauling the kids back after playing

Alaina Claire just a swingin'--isn't that dress too cute!

Mommy and Daddy had a good time too!

Jake being silly hiding under Net Net's hat

Good times! Good times!

Jack Daniels- Moon Pie-Spamalot-RC-Spartans-what?!

2008-07-04T23:14:00.007-05:00

This year for the 4th we went down to Bell Buckle where my dad aka Gramps {the King of Bell Buckle my sister's friends call him} lives. Crazy stuff happens in BB--if you know where it is and you have been---then you KNOW of what I speak! So each year the 3rd Saturday in June they have an RC/Moon Pie F estival, as if this wasn't enough to pique your interest....during that festival they have what is called Synchronized Wading. Let me be the first to say that until you have seen one of these events you haven't truly lived. {Just as my dad would say if you can't consider yourself well traveled until you have visited BB} Sychronized Wading is a skit done in a wading pool to be frank about it. The skit in and of itself is usually absolutely the most hilarious thing you will watch.......not only because people you would never imagine get dressed into ungodly ridiculous costumes but because the humor in it is SOOO dry. Really it is fuuuunnny! My sister used to be in them when she lived in town but alas since she has moved FAAAR away to the big city {with me} she was not in it this year......BUT my dad was as he has been in the past also.

Back to my point in the beginning. We went down there today for a potluck picnic and to watch the synchronized wading which they do an encore presentation of at this picnic. This year was a spoof on Shakespeare in honor of the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival that The Webb School hosted in Bell Buckle this year going on at the same time.

{don't ask what it was about just know it involves Moon Pie who loves RC who is also being courted by Coca Cola and Goo Goo wants RC but he only wants Moon Pie so Mrs. Goo Goo Cluster tries to give him a love potion {#9} to cure that and meanwhile the King and Queen are having an argument because the Queen can't understand all the King's big words and then gay Jack Daniels comes in there somewhere as does King Arthur. Oh wait and in the end the King and Queen decide to entertain the Spartans...you know WE 300! Yeah them. And Elvis got in the picture too. Got that?! HA! Me neither...just know it was hilarious in person and enjoy the pictures!}

SO without further ado I present the
2008 Synchronized Wading "A Midsummer's Nightmare"....

The King {real mayor of BB} and Queen of Spamalot
Coke dancing with a gay Jack Daniels {daddy}

Daddy as King ArthurElvis has to show up somewhere--here chatting up Goo Goo

THE Love Potion {#9 to be exact}

Goo Goo cluster with Miss Goo Goo heartbroken over RC

Did you know? and a Question???

2008-07-03T22:53:00.007-05:00

First off did you know that there are 90 words in the dictionary that begin with the letters "pt". That is right--think about it---how strange is that. It's funny how we go through life knowing how to say words but sometimes we have know idea that there are silent letters at the beginning or somewhere in the word so therefore we don't know the proper spelling of a word. Yes I said SILENT letters. You know who you are. Just a little education---here are a few examples:

Pterosaurs (ˈtɛrəsɔr), is the same thing as a pterodactyl (tɛrəˈdæktɨl) which was a winged dinosaur.

Pteranodon (tɨˈrænədɒn) A winged reptile that was toothless like modern birds that lived during the time of the dinosaurs.

pteridophyte (tuh-rid-uh-fahyt) A vascular plant that reproduces via spores instead of seeds like ferns.

pteropods (tĕr'ə-pŏd') Another name for a sea butterfly.

*Kim I hope you enjoyed that....hee hee! Took me awhile but I try not to let you down. I see you laughing too Misty and Stef you should be proud of me.

NOW for my question.......

Who remembers Monchhichi's???????

I need to know people. James brought these things back from Japan for the kids and tells me I should remember them from my childhood....I don't. So I need to know who does before I officially tell him he was the only one who knew about them from some obscure place. I mean what kind of a name is that anyway??? Let me know....

Cutie Pie

2008-07-01T23:09:00.007-05:00

Today Stef {my sister} and I took Alaina Claire to have her 6 months pictures made with Krista. She actually cooperated really well {AC}. She loves her new sitting up trick and she has gotten pretty good. People she has even started pulling those knees up under her trying to get wherever it is she wants to go lately and will kind of scoot around. Oh my WOW how time flies!

I have put one of the pictures here but you can go to Krista's Blog and check out the rest of the sneak peeks she posted there and be sure to leave her a comment. {and me too for that matter} That is the best part!! Once again Krista got some awesome shots! I love em and can't wait to see the rest!

Edited to add 7/7/08**When you click to go to Krista's Blog now--you'll have to go back to look for the Juy 1st date--probably under Older Posts on her blog**

Backyard Update...

2008-07-01T23:03:00.003-05:00

Thought I should let you guys know that YES the playset is OK since you have asked. It has quite a few bumps and bruises, some split wood and loose screws {man I know what that's like}......but it lives! My mom and I got the clubhouse and slide part back up right after it happened and with the help of our neighbor to the back of us we got it kid ready for the next day's playdate--yay neighbor Joe! We still need to replace the wood on the monkey bars part so that it can hold the swings and we'll be good to go.

Now that my husband is HOME SAFE AND SOUND! I am just gonna kinda let him handle it! {I'll hold something or hand you the tools} =) love ya honey

Oh yeah and the grass is plenty green now after we had rain the other night it is doing just fine so I didn't kill it although ya wouldn't have known that right after I mowed. ugh

Shout Out!

2008-06-29T11:16:00.004-05:00

I wanted to thank everyone who helped keep me sane this week! I know it sounds silly but you have NO IDEA!!!

So shout out to all of the Spence siblings and Riley Mo--for hanging out with us while you were in town. We had a blast...pics to come. Thanks!!

Shout out to Yaya and Papa for cooking yummy food and hanging too. And Yaya for your trip with Jake Friday wherever you guys went he keeps talking about it. Thanks!!

Shout out to my dad aka Gramps for coming up one day and taking us to lunch and playing with the kiddos. Yummy and lots of fun. Thanks!!

Shout out to my friends Kim and Misty for helping a sister out by coming up here for our playdate this week!! It was fun....we'll have to do it again....wink wink. Thanks!!

Shout out to Granny for letting Jake come hang out at her house and spend the night one night. He LOVES going over there so he had a big time with you and Sam and Jessi. Thanks!!

Shout out to my mom aka Net Net for just being around this week and helping when she could. Especially for all the household chores that she helped with like washing clothes when a girl's washer goes out. (very sad and aggravated face) Mowing the rest of the yard {if you don't know why go back 2 posts} and cooking some too. Oh and don't forget Jake spent the night there one night too. Just thanks for everything all the time! Thanks!!

Shout out to my sister aka NiNi who is just always there to be a helping hand and keep the kids from burning the house down. Wow she really helps out so I can just get the smallest things done during the day. For that matter I need to shout out to her for the WHOLE summer because she has been hanging with me since she got back and I DONT WANT HER TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. What will I do?!?! Thanks!!

Thank you everyone for everything you do not just now but always. Ok I thank I am done thanking. hehe ok enough blogging for me for a bit...it's gone to my head....off to tidy up before the Daddy gets home oh yeah and tend to the screaming kid in the background...don't you hear that?? =)

Kiddos: an Update

2008-06-29T10:08:00.010-05:00

Ok so I have gotten lots of nice emails and comments wanting to see the kids. I know I know but it just hasn't happened. So here are some updates and pics of the kids. I promise that one day I WILL get caught up on this thing but as of right now I am just posting as I can.

Alaina Claire is 6 months old now. She loves to watch her brothers and they {especially Will} are the only ones that can make her really belly laugh. She just started sitting up by herself last week. She loves to jabber and is a good eater....as long as it's not veggies. FYI on her she has a urinary tract infection {ugh} and the dr wants to do a couple of diagnostic tests to make sure all is well on the inside. More than likely everything is A-ok and she just had bad luck and got a UTI but just in case we are having those done at Vanderbilt Children's on Wednesday afternoon. So wish us luck and prayers for that one. Oh and I swear she is growing her hair back slowly but surely. =)

Will is of course now 27 months old. Crazy and wild as ever! I don't ever think I have met a kid with more personality. He is a busy busy busy kid and he really means well as he gets into everything on God's green Earth. Really he does mean well he is a caretaker. If you even mention needing something even if you are talking to someone else--give him one minute--and he is bringing it to you. He is talking up a storm these days in plenty of sentences--yes lots of them only mommy can understand still but he is getting there and get do pretty much whatever he puts his mind to. He is the type that only has to see it once and he's got it. He LOVES lawnmowers & vacuum cleaners {more like obsessed}, daddy's truc, any type of truck and airplanes. He is such a sweet boy! {he is being good this morning so it is easy for me to say that right now..HAHA}

Jacob is almost 4 years old. {July 13} I can't believe we have a 4 year old. He is such a big boy. He is getting so tall and he just carries on conversations with you about anything. It is crazy. His latest is that he is going to tell you a joke. The joke is "how do _____ fly?" hahahahaha Yep that is it he changes the blank to anything and then after that he just laughs so hysterically you have to laugh too even though he hasn't finished anything...hee hee we are working on comprehending the "end of the joke" part. The other thing is he has started collecting. You may think he has been collecting before with the dinosaurs and all but no he really didn't know there were X number out there and he only had 5 and needs 3 more or anything like that. Well Kung Fu Panda at Mickey D's did it to him. How many McD's toys have we had and this time he decides he HAS to have them ALL! He was "hungry for McD's" 24-7 until we finally got ALL of those stinking toys. Thanks to Ni Ni and Net Net for being on the lookout and getting the hard to get ones for us. He still loves dinosaurs, reading, watching videos {ugh}, playing with all his people and animals and playing in the water/sprinkler. He is our biggest boy and such a great big brother. It is hard to believe he is going to PreK this fall but he is SOOOO excited.

While Daddy's Away...

2008-06-29T08:08:00.006-05:00

Oh what can happen while Daddy is away. James has been gone to Japan for work since last Sunday morning. Thank the good Lord he gets home tonight!!! Yay!

You know I have never considered myself a dependent person. I mean I can do whatever needs to get done that has always been my personality. In fact, I have a hard time sometimes letting others do for me. Anyway, I'm over that. This week I have decided I am definitely over that. Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1. FISH--I don't do fish. We have a saltwater tank. I have nothing to do with it and of course this week I HAD to have something to do with it. I had to touch their food which I CAN NOT stand and even worse than that I had to SMELL their food! UGGGHHH!!!! {Thank goodness Daddy will be home to takeover that task}

2. TRASH--we go through alot of trash. I don't know what all we use but GOOD GRIEF it is alot of trash. Now granted I normally end up taking the trash out a couple of times during the week. But Daddy is the one that makes sure all of the trash cans in the house get emptied before overflowing. I hate gathering them all up all over the house to take out. NO FUN! We have GOT to start recycling. {Thank goodness Daddy will be home to takeover that task too}

3. CAT LITTER--Yeah I feed and water the cats but since I have been pregnant most of the time we have been married {exaggeration but not too much} Daddy has taken over cat litter duties. When the cat starts to literally cry and I can't figure out why then an hour later I find pee in the floor in the laundry room. Mental note--check the cat litter as it is probably nasty nasty nasty. OH YEAH not my cup at all!! Guess you figured by now me and the pets....well they should take care of themselves. I have 4 humans to take care of....Daddy better take care of them or well oh well. {Thank GOODNESS Daddy will be home to takeover that duty too!}

4. PUTTING THE BOYS TO BED-- I know several people who have done this. When Alaina Claire was born it was just so much easier for James to put the boys to bed while I feed AC and then put her down for the night. That is the way it has been for 6 months now and well I like it that way. PLUS Daddy stays in the boys bedroom with them until they fall asleep most nights. I have begged and pleaded for him not to do this because of WEEKS LIKE THIS when I am the one to put them to bed and MAMA don't play that game. Ok well at least not every night cuz sometimes you do whatcha gotta do! {THANK GOD he is coming home to takeover that duty}

5. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HELPER--This one is just common sense. Although I know some guys don't help in the middle of the night. My man does and always has. Now I think some of it stems from the fact that I have breastfed all of our kids so there was never much he could do for me in the middle of the night when they were/are babies. Now if someone is having a bad dream and gets up then he is usually the first one up and then I get the next time....usually. OR you know when TWO KIDS are sick and both up screaming in the middle of the night for someone to hold them....yeah that would be a good time for him to be around!! {2 sleepless and I stress the LESS nights are enough around here!} {hurry home NOW Daddy to help with this duty}

6. MY FRIEND--I have to be cheesy and throw this one in here of course. It never fails that when he is away there are about a million things I can think of we need to talk about or I need to tell him. Whether it be with the kids or me or us or just random thoughts in my head. I take it for granted that I can share those things with him always. {Thank goodness he'll be home today because my brain only has a one week retention period---and that is pushing it!}

7. Oh last but not least folks...I have not let you down there are pictures.....
MOWING THE THE STINKIN' GRASS--honestly I think I'll just leave you with the pictures but I guess I need to set the story up a bit. Grass had not been mowed. I was hosting a playdate with HER and HER and their kiddos--total of 9 kiddos playing in the yard. It needed to be mowed. My sister stayed in the house while I went out during naptime to "quickly" mow the backyard so we could play the next day.
THIS is what would ONLY happen when Daddy is away....
THIS is why I DO NOT mow the yard anymore {apparently}....
THIS is what happens when you haven't mowed the yard in 7 years and you get a little cocky about trying to cut down on the trim work later and a swing then gets caught on a lever of your lawnmower....

THIS MY FRIENDS IS THE TRAGEDY THAT BEFELL THE BACKYARD WHEN I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL:Where are the swings? oh they are there...underneath the mangled mess.

Let's not forget the grass I killed by mowing it WAAAAY too close to the ground {note the dust cloud in the first pic while I was still mowing--Thanks Stef} because I forgot to lift the blade up a couple of notches and by the time I realized it would have looked stupid so I kept going. Hey at least we won't have to mow so often!

{Thank the good Lord in Heaven that Daddy will be back for this duty and that he enjoys cutting the grass...Thank you Thank you!}

So my friends this is just a little snippet of the week sorry so long but if you made it this far congrats!!! And James when you get home and read this I know we have never SET chores--I'm thinking this is a good list to start with. HAHAHAHAHA Love ya and miss you and can't wait til 6pm when your flight gets here! Woo hoo!

10 minutes

2008-06-19T09:26:00.004-05:00

This is what all William Isaac can get into in 10 minutes---this morning---just now. THIS is why I haven't blogged in 800 years. This is why you are going to find me in the looney bin VERY VERY soon, especially next week while my hubby is gone to Japan---for a WHOLE week. This is me trying to be very patient with my 27 month old son.

10 minutes---
I laid Alaina Claire down for her nap and she was good and asleep so I thought hmmmm I should put the clean sheets on our bed that have been sitting in that basket for about 6 days now yes that is a good idea. Laid her down, turned her aquarium on {which lasts for 10 minutes} and proceeded to strip the bed and begin to put clean mattress pad, sheets, pillowcases on pillows and even gather the dirty laundry in my room. 10 minutes it took me---why in the world did it take that long to do that you ask??? Well here is what craziness I dealt with all in the middle of that.

First it was "Mommy look what Will's doing" {If I had a nickel for every time I heard that in a day...} So I leave the room and go see "what Will's doing" He of course was in the office and had proceeded to take out every SLAH invitation in one pack--that would be 200, strow them all over the floor, then pull out all of the order forms I had so neatly placed already with catalogs ready to go to a party and then he found my chapstick I had hidden on the desk which is where he was when I walked in there looking up at me and saying "lips mommy? lips?" {this is what he calls chapstick--who knows} I let him have some lips, calmly led him to the playroom, he picked a book and was sitting there looking at it. SO I run back to what I was doing.

Next......."Mommy look what Will's got" ----oh great here we go. I come out of my room into the hall and he had pulled the "child proof" fastener which doesn't fasten so well anymore off of the refrigerator and had gotten out a lunchable {not bad couldn't hurt it} but as I walk into the kitchen he had pulled out all the applesauce with one open, the HOT sausage which he had tried to eat through you could tell AND a bag of breastmilk I had just pumped this morning for AC's cereal...yum! So as before I cleaned up and I took him to the toy room and he found his "truck" to play on and he was happy.

Lastly....."Mommy I think Will needs to go potty"----umm ok guess I should go see about that. Then here comes Will into my room with his diaper off saying "pee pee potty" so off we go. I sat him on the potty and realize his legs are already wet. I asked if he had already pee peed and he just pointed. {out of the bathroom} He didn't have to pee pee anymore so I cleaned him up washed his hands and then asked him where he had pee peed {as I walk through wet droplets leaving the bathroom} He takes me to the couch....oh yeah THE COUCH. Where he had undoubtedly sat, undone his diaper cuz being naked is so fun and peed and THEN thought maybe I should go to the potty. {YES out there we are working on potty training} So yet again I cleaned up the pee pee on the couch lovely, put a diaper back on my kid and went about my business while he ran off to play.

Good news is I only had a little left to do with what I had started and was able to finish and at least one of the chores I have on my list got done for the day even if it was only 10 minutes of my day. Who knows if anything else will get done?!

Now how was I able to blog about this you ask? Well said child is currently sitting in my lap writing on every piece of paper he can find on the desk including his belly and palm of his hand with a pen. That was his entertainment while I did this. Hope you enjoyed.....off to clean up pen marks......

Here's the deal...

2008-05-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

Ok so I am attempting to update you all back to the middle of February. Yes you saw it middle of Feb. I said. So keep checking each day and be sure to scroll down and you might even have to click to look at Older Posts after awhile to see them all. I have ALOT. All of you who subscribe to the email {check over on my sidebar if you are interested} might want to actually go into the blog to see what date the posts you are reading are actually from since the email version always just says today's date. Get ready cuz here they come.........hopefully.......no really.........I AM working on it. =)

***So far have added 2/14 thru 3/14, scroll down to check them out
---more to come***

Spoke too soon...

2008-04-07T07:13:00.004-05:00

Well I should have never written it down on here. It appeared that AC was better last night--well all day really. But this morning she woke throwing up again. Will call the Dr when they open.....we will see what the day brings. Back to a little fluid every hour, then a little more the next time....yada yada... fun stuff!

Potty Update

2008-04-07T00:05:00.002-05:00

Thought I would give you guys an update on Jake's potty success. We are 1 week and 2 days in now and he is doing GREAT!!! Did I say GREAT?!! I am so amazed. I mean don't get me wrong I have all the confidence in the world in my little man it's just that he has not been interested for so long that I think I thought he was gonna go to kindergarten in a diaper. Anyway, we now wear regular underwear ALL day. He is still trying to get the poopy in the potty part down but other than that I don't even have to go make him sit on the potty anymore because he tells me every time and is even starting to attempt to go on his own. Right now he stays dry through naptime so we wear regular underwear and he has stayed dry through the night all but the first night! Now I am not crazy or anything he IS wearing a pull up to bed. I won't give that up for a long time. Anyway, we are SUPER PROUD of our Jacob Nolan---he is a big boy now! Woo hoo!

As a treat today he got to go see Horton Hears a Who, eat popcorn, Raisinettes and a coke-- he had a blast! Thanks Gramps for taking us !!{Mommy & Jake}

Cross your fingers because Will is SOOOO interested and he goes sometimes when Jake does now. He's next. My goal is down to one pack of diapers by the end of the summer!!!! There I wrote it down so I HAVE to achieve it---little people willing of course.

She's a Trooper!

2008-04-06T23:46:00.005-05:00

Well if we didn't know it already we definitely know after this weekend. Our baby girl is a trooper! Ended up at the Dr office Thursday to find out that she has an ear infection---you read it right at 3 and a half months old an EAR INFECTION. So of course we get antibiotics...at 3 1/2 months old....ugh! So if the high fever, hurting ear and restless nights weren't enough for her. She woke up Saturday morning in a MUCH better mood and we were excited only to have it dashed by a vomiting session midday. When I mean vomit that is what I mean not spit up. First off none of my kids really spit up and when they do it is just a little bit SO I knew this was throw up. {what is up with all this crud at the Spence House---now a stomach virus too?!!} Other than the obvious limiting the fluids which HACKED this little girl off--she was just as sweet as could be through the whole thing. She would even smile while she was puking. Poor baby! Anyway, to make a long story short thankfully this icky mess left as quick as it came about midday today. Tonight she started back on a regular eating schedule and is resting well as we speak and now back to trying to get over the ear infection and that is it!

The picture above is her taking in some sun during her walk around the yard with Daddy this afternoon after her not so fun past 24 hrs. She was ready for some fun!

Sneak Peek

2008-04-01T23:49:00.000-05:00

Ok I couldn't stand it! We had Alaina Claire's 3 month pictures taken today. My friend Krista with Krista Lee Photography always does an outstanding job but buddy she outdid herself today. Of course it is my first girl.... so maybe that is it!! Anyway, she has already sent me some sneak peeks {yay!} and I thought I would share with you. The blanket in the one picture is her coverlet from her bedding and I am so digging the red in the other picture. Enjoy!

Jake Funnies

2008-04-01T10:05:00.004-05:00

Ok I thought I would share a few funny/cute things Jake has been saying or doing lately.

When we have breakfast in the morning we eat BEAGLES {aka bagels}
On pizza nights we always have to have BROOMSTICKS too {aka breadsticks}
For snack when we are good in the afternoon we get to have LICKSICLES {aka popsicles}

I got my mother's ring James gave me for Valentine's Day {more on that later} and Jake noticed it and asked what it was and I told him each color was for each of them, my kids. Red {ruby} was for him, light blue {aqua} was for Will and the dark blue {blue topaz} was for Alaina Claire. He looked at me funny and said but where's Daddy??? I thought for a second and then pointed to the diamond of my engagement ring and just said that is Daddy. He looked at me with the biggest eyes and sort of suprised look and said WOW MOMMY! {the stones on the mother's ring aren't too big it is very simple so the diamond was like whoa! to him} He has asked me all of these questions several times now it is too cute!

This morning as we were driving to school he said can I go on a train mommy? I said sure we can go sometime. He said no do you think I can be a train man when I grow up? I told him about Conductors and he said YES. Right then we passed McDonalds and he said Mommy I think I will cook at McDonald's too. Can I do that? I said of course you can son. He said I will be a train man and cook at McDonald's when I grow up. I said that sounded great. He said and you know what mom---if I cook at McDonald's I bet they would let you come play! {hahaha}

Now that he is pee peeing in the potty we of course have been telling him he is doing a good job alot lately. So he has started saying he is a Good Jobber. =) I'm not sure where that one came from because he actually has said it a few times before that I am a good jobber mommy.

That is all I can think of for now. He makes me laugh with something every day.

Don't Fret!

2008-03-31T09:34:00.001-05:00

I have not quit the blogging world. I WILL update soon....I promise. I have lots to catch you up on. But in the meantime, everyone get excited cuz it's potty training time around here. Jake put away the diapers on Friday and hasn't gone back. He's been wearing big boy underwear for the 4th day in a row now and is doing great. Don't ask me I have no idea what I or we said or did that clicked this time but whatever it was worked!! {might have been that he can't go visit Riley unless he goes to the big boy potty...that might have done it...thanks Riley Mo--love ya!!}

We are all well and lots going on and I will let you in on it all soon!!! Gotta go get Will out of the dishwasher now...................

Birthday Dinner

2008-03-14T23:42:00.000-05:00

**Pictures are horrible taken from my cell phone of course I forgot the camera**

For Will's birthday tonight we went to Rainforest Cafe. April was in town and that is her thing to do with the kids so we combined Will's birthday with April's fun outing and you get Will's Birthday Rainforest Style. It was James, me, Jake, Will, Alaina Claire, April and her sister Wendy.

He had a big time checking out all of the animals and EVERYTHING they have there. I have to admit that I am quite positive Jake likes the place WAY more than Will. Nonetheless the birthday boy had a big time. We decided that it was no birthday without cake so he got one of the Chocolate Volcano cakes they have on their dessert menu. Now for those who have never been to the RC let me just tell you---It is a big mound of chocolate cake shaped in a volcano they used to have a sparkler lit coming out the top {somebody must have gotten hurt} because now it is just a sparkly streamer deal coming out the top. When they bring this thing out from the time they leave the kitchen to the time the server gets to your table they are yelling Voooooooooooooolllllllllllcaaaaaaanoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Yep you read it right. So it was hilarious to see Will's face after he heard that and then they sat it down in front of him. He was like "is this for me? are you sure?"--he was darting his eyes around to check what everyone else was doing. He was in awe. It was too cute.

Afterwards we walked around the mall a bit and I wish I had a good picture but I don't. Will was strutting all over the mall like he owned the place. He knew it was his day and everyone better get out of the way. Mr Personality I tell ya! What are we gonna do with him?????

Happy Birthday Will

2008-03-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

Today little man Will's birthday. It is so hard to believe that he is 2 already!!! He is definitely FULL {brimming over for those that know him} of personality. He is loving and sweet but albeit mischievous to the core. Gotta love him.

I can't ever stay mad at him too long because he just gives that cheesy grin

and then gives you the look with the puppy dog eyes

That's our little man!! Boy are we SOOOOO proud!!

Happy Birthday William Isaac, We Love You!!

The bow

2008-03-13T00:30:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would post a picture of Little Miss one of the very few times I have had a bow in her hair. I am just not the lubricant jelly w/ ribbon stuck in it kind of girl. I mean for special occasions that is fine but I'm not doing it every day. Everything else falls out right now including these with the velcro. Still looks super cute..........until she moves. I'm not sure what she was doing here--I think it is a cross between a yawn and trying to fit her fist in her mouth. HA!

Rocking my babies

2008-03-10T00:02:00.000-05:00

This happens all the time. I'll be rocking one {lately AC} and the next one gets jealous and decides he wants to get up there too {lately Will} then the last one decides that it surely looks like a great idea and he wants to pile on top of everyone {obviously Jake}. Normally this happens during the day while I am home by myself and cannot possibly get a pic. This time it so happened that it was while James was home so I made him grab the camera before it all went downhill because someone elbowed someone else and that one arched their back because they were mad and made everyone jump down because they were falling anyway. I love these times though----they are priceless. I can remember when I used to rock Jake all the time but now, not so often. Will still lets me but on his terms. Right now I have Alaina Claire to fill that spot. But you never know when the last time is for that kind of thing---you turn around twice and they are too big. So for now, I enjoy it when I can.

I hope that my child
looking back on today
remembers a mother who had time to play.
Children grow up while you are not looking.
There will be years ahead for cleaning and cooking.
So quiet now cobwebs.
Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
~unknown author

Daddy's little girl

2008-03-08T20:51:00.000-06:00

Nothing sweeter than the love a father has for his daughter

SNOW

2008-03-08T15:25:00.012-06:00

The Spence House

Well the weatherman got it right this time! We woke up to a nice pretty blanket of snow at the Spence House this morning. 7 and 1/8 inches of it to be exact--measured in our backyard --look at the right side of the ruler.

I cooked breakfast and then we had to keep the boys at bay long enough to get them dressed to go outside and off we went. The boys had a big time well we all did actually AND we built a pretty nifty snowman if I do say so myself! When we came back in to get warm Net Net came over and made yummy snow cream for us too! Check out our pictures from today. {yes I know I need to update other stuff but that will come in time I promise...}

The boys on our front porch

Will's Snow Dance ???

An even funnier Jake Snow Dance {haha}

Mommy and Jake working on the snowman

Jake kissing the snowman before he was finished--he was obsessed with eating the snow--he was just diving and eating/licking the snow off the ground--crazy kid

All Will wanted to do while we built the snowman was swing--here he is in 25 degree weather swinging--another crazy kid

Daddy and his bruisers with the snowman

Mommy and her angels with the snowman =)

Meet Huskamida the snowman--Jake named him
or as James and I like to call him St Patty since he is decked in green...so
Happy early St Patricks Day!

This is Alaina Claire's reaction when we came in and told her all about the snow and the snowman we built while she was napping--she was super excited!

Kiss & Maverick--what a pair!

2008-03-06T00:55:00.001-06:00

Looks like I gave birth to Gene Simmons {minus the painted face} and
Tom Cruise {minus the antics}! HAHAHA

possessed eyes and all just make the picture-hee hee!

That is one smooth little dude right there {in the words of his Papa}

Snoozing

2008-03-05T17:12:00.000-06:00

Took the boys outside today. Thought it best to just put Alaina Claire in the front pack I have so I had my hands to catch runaway kiddos if need be. I went about doing my thing and happened to see my reflection in the window of my van. Little Miss had fallen asleep. It wore her out just watching her brothers. Isn't that a sweet face.

Possessed Cat

2008-03-04T01:34:00.000-06:00

I just thought this was a hilarious picture of Maggie. This is the cat that thinks she is a dog. She fetches, specifically rubber bands. She loves them and if you have one lying anywhere around the house be prepared the next morning that it won't be there she can sniff them out and then she plays with them in the middle of the night and you find them in random places if you find them at all. Oh Maggie!

Get Together

2008-03-02T21:43:00.004-06:00

We had our first birthday get together of the year today with the Childress family. There was lots of catching up, good conversation, lessons on how to clean toilets and watching the kids run around. Fun times, fun times with the Childress bunch!! Among the birthdays {Johnny, Richard, Nooge, Net Net} we celebrated Will's birthday too! He got some cuuute swim trunks and a tank and some cool shirts that of course in true Will fashion he HAD to put on right then. His most favorite gift I do believe was the 4 wheeler Aunt Gale got him.

Check him out:

We always have cake of course and this time my crazy kid {that would be Jake today} watched everyone lick the candles after we sang and they blew the candles out. So he proceeds to get a candle and start gnawing at the base of it. Like he really took a bite there were bite marks which I didn't capture out of the candles. Crazy kid! Knowing that didn't taste good just because he thought he saw everyone else doing it. He knows now....or at least til next time....

MY MOST FAVORITE THING FROM TODAY!!!!!

My Aunt Phyllis, Uncle Eugene, Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Ronnie gave us a Christening Gown for Alaina Claire. Phyllis had called to ask if I had one and I foolishly mentioned I would just use the one I did for the boys and she thought I was nuts I am pretty sure! hee hee This gown is absolutely GORGEOUS and yes now after seeing it the one I had really looks like a boy's gown. I took pictures but they aren't in the best light hopefully you can see some of it. THANK YOU Nanny, Nooge, Charlotte and Ronnie I love it's guts out!! {as Phyllis would say}

Weird color picture--i know. Look at the teeny tiny pearls on the embroidered flowers on the gown, plus it has lace!

A Night Out

2008-03-01T23:52:00.000-06:00

For our Anniversary we did actually get to go out! {by ourselves!!} Yay for us---that rarely happens. Especially now with a 2 month old. So Jake went and spent the night with Granny Gaynell---don't you know that he is having a big time. Between Samantha, Kyndall and Granny I guarantee the boy hasn't had to lift one of his little bitty fingers to have to do anything! hee hee
Will and Alaina Claire stayed with Net Net. Will spent the night though we picked AC up when we got home.

Where did we go you ask? We went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse----can we say umm umm good!! Wow it was very tasty! Neither of us had been there before. Then we made our way to see a movie. Of course we ended up taking in an earlier movie so we were home by 10 ish. Pretty funny but hey we got out and that is what matters. It was a wonderful anniversary. *clink* here's to many more!!

Helping Daddy get Ready

2008-03-01T23:23:00.000-06:00

Will was helping Daddy get ready for his night out with Mommy.

5 Years Ago Today

2008-03-01T10:46:00.000-06:00

****Warning Warning-- sappy post below---not your usual Rach speak****

Today in 2003, I married my one and only, my cherry on top, my sweet sweet James Kenneth! I wake up every morning thankful to God that he brought this man into my life. I look back but I almost can't...because I can't picture my life without him. I do treasure him and all of the things he has given me and taught me and all the things we have experienced, accomplished and grown together. I am positive that I don't tell him these things enough and that I take for granted that he is with me every day but just in case you don't know, honey, now is the time to read the blog, my life truly is better because of you!! =) I love you baby!

I will leave you with one of the really cool things that we did at our wedding--it was a tradition we started with a Rose Ceremony. And yes for those wondering we still do it every year--this year I got lucky with a dozen roses but usually it is just the one like we started with. Here it is:

Rachel, I give you this rose. Because it grew from a tiny seed, becoming stronger and larger until it burst into flower, it symbolizes the way my love for you has grown.

Each year on our anniversary, I will give you another rose. By doing this, I’ll remember this day and renew the vows we’ve made.

James, I give to you this vase of water.

Because the water is the one thing without which we would perish, it symbolizes the importance of your love in my life. Each year on our anniversary, I will refill this vase, as a symbol to you of my ever renewing love.

Without water, the rose would die.

Without the rose, the vase of water would not be beautiful. My gift is enhanced by yours, just as my life is enchanced by yours.

My gift is lovely because of yours, just as my life is better because of you.

Today we begin our life as one.

Now is also a very appropriate time to remind those of you family and friends that shared that special day with us how much that meant for you to be there. Thank you all for the support and love you gave us before and have given us since then. We love you all!

Jake and the Pre K story

2008-02-26T21:11:00.000-06:00

So I am usually a little slow on the uptake about what I need to be doing for my kids schooling. Like places have a waiting list and I realize that I want them to be in Mother's Day Out for example and try to do it right then. {but have to wait til the next school year} Well as you can imagine that doesn't work that well. Last time I planned ahead was when I had Jake and I was supposed to go back to work and he had a spot and then my plan backfired and they didn't have a spot and well I'm not complaining because all of that got me to right here in this moment and choosing to stay home with my kids.

Ok I digress. Anyway, SO I had always said that the year before my kids go to kindergarten I want them to go to a 5 day a week program to get ready and James agreed---not just for the things they will learn but for the social and "getting in a routine" reasons. Jake of course has gone to Mother's Day out but it is only 2 days a week so we decided this coming school year he needs to attend a 5 day a week program. Well herein lies the problem....or so we thought. I have done research on all of our options here in our county and was gonna just go ahead and try for several of them. BUT when I started looking at the Catholic Church/School we have that is right near us {not the one we attend} that has a Pre K program it was back at the first of the month and it JUST SO HAPPENED that they were having their school open house that coming up Sunday. So we attended. Jake absolutely LOVED the room and all the cool things they had there and he loved the assistant teacher as did James and I was especially impressed with the lead teacher. SO what did we do but march right to the office, get our paperwork, go out to the car, fill it out, take it right back in and sign up for a family meeting .

Which brings us to tonight. Tonight was our family meeting that we had with the teachers. We went with about 4 or 5 other families and got to hear more about the program and ask any questions we had from the lead teacher and the kids got to play and the assistant teacher was observing/helping them. It all went well. I am still impressed. Now all we do is just WAIT the admissions for the siblings of current kids just ended and now they can accept new people but we don't know how many slots they have---I feel like we're waiting for a college letter or something!!! HAHA You know I am just joking--I know it is preK and we have lots of these type things to come.....with all the kids. BUT wish us luck. Jake REALLY wants to go back to big school. Of course being potty trained is a no brainer for PreK so we have a little work to do. The best thing about this place is ---it is like 5-7 minutes from the house--woo hoo for me!! We'll keep you updated.

Happy Birthday Net Net

2008-02-24T23:12:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Net Net/Mama
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

We love you and are so grateful for all the things you do and are so excited that you are now next door and we get to see you so much more often! Hope you enjoyed you gifts, your yummy Arby's dinner {hey that's what ya get with 3 kids--you think we're going out?! HA! or cooking double HA!---hee hee} she knows I am joking. AND don't forget the delicious birthday cake!!

Happy Birthday we hope your day was wonderful!!

A sleeping car

2008-02-22T16:46:00.004-06:00

You gotta love a sleeping car. What is a sleeping car you ask?? It's when I get home after we have been somewhere, gone to run errands or something to that effect and ALL my kids are asleep in the car. I am lucky, I must say, my kids "transfer" very well. They always have. Oh yeah don't think some days we just get in the car right before lunch go get some Mickey D's and then ride around for awhile. What I love about it is no effort to get them to sleep---bring em home--slap em in bed---let them sleep---get something done with ALL THREE of my kids asleep at the SAME TIME!!!

Today the reason they all crashed out was a big fat playdate at Kim's house with Hudson, Carson and Lawson. Kim they were sacked before we hit the interstate while you were on book number 7. HAHA -----AND they are still asleep. WOW!!!!!! off to accomplish something.....

Friendly visit

2008-02-20T22:21:00.001-06:00

Tonight our friends Lyndi and Steve came over for dinner and play time with their two girls Amy and Becca. It was a pizza and breadstick night---quick and easy. Then off to play. The kids had a big time running all over the house. Amy especially liked checking out our fish tank {which is in desperate need of more "stuff"}. Becca just didn't know what to do with all the boy toys in the house--you can see her pulling up to the table and checking out those dinosaurs--pretty nifty hey Becca??? Will always wants Steve to hold him. Our usual dinners take place at Mickey D's and last time they were in the play place area and the whole time Will just wanted Steve to hold him. Too funny! He took right back up with him again tonight. Well that is in between trying to keep up with Amy and Jake and whatever they were trying to play with/get into. Alaina Claire she was here but she just stayed out of the big kids way....don't worry she'll be hanging in there with the best of them in no time!

Thanks guys---we had a blast! We'll do it again soon!!!

2 months old!

2008-02-14T23:57:00.000-06:00

2 months old already!!! What a sweet baby girl! Time flies I tell ya. I think it goes by faster and faster with each child. She had her 2 month check up today and she weighed 11lb 15 oz and 22 1/2" She is a smiling queen now--that is for everyone except mommy. Guess since I am with her 24/7 I have to work harder for it???!!! She is a precious baby--tad bit of a mommy's girl. But that is ok with me....for now! HA!

2008-02-14T23:54:00.003-06:00

It doesn't get any sweeter than this......

Happy Valentine's Day!

Itsy Bitsy Bit of Snow

2008-02-13T22:49:00.000-06:00

This morning we awoke to snow flurries flying all around. Alas only flurries but the most we have seen this season. We still have to dream of our blanket of white. All Jake wanted to know was "can we build a snowman, mommy?" Sadly it melted right after it fell. He was one sad boy looking out the window but still seeing green grass {which was his sign there wasn't enough for a snowman} Oh snow, please come again and bring all the snowflake friends you can muster---we know we live in TN--but one good snow won't hurt!!! Come soon--we're dying for a snowman over here!!

In case you haven't noticed

2008-02-13T04:07:00.002-06:00

I haven't been very good about keeping the blog up daily or even weekly for that matter. I'm doing the best I can over here folks. But at least when I do update I try to go back and fill in all the things that have been going on at the Spence House. SO be sure to scroll on down and check out the updates!!