Thankful Spririt

In the spirit of the season, a few of the things I'm thankful for:

• coffee
• a dog that is so happy to see me, her entire body "wags" to say hello
• an amazing boss who I call friend, first & foremost
• my genius, gorgeous, hilarious children
• my extended family, including my "kids" who are student workers & athletes
• my best friend who happens to be an amazing husband
• fall weather that doesn't include snow
• an upcoming trip to Denver to visit family
• coffee

There is so much more, but I must get to work...

$3.06

Thanks to the time change, our family was up and at 'em with time to spare this morning. For me to be ready to go by 7am is quite a feat in & of itself, but since I was so chipper, I offered to take the kids to school. (Kelly, being the amazing dad & husband he is, usually takes them).

We drove along, enjoying the sunshine, as I began to pray (with my eyes open, of course!). This is a tradition we began when Claire entered Kindergarten, that our kids would hear us pray out loud for them as they make their way to school. When I finished, Nolan asked if he could pray, to which I said "of course".

His prayer went something like this: "Dear Jesus, Thank you that we believe in you. Thank you for dying for us. Thank you that when we die we can go to heaven and have new bodies. We love you. Amen."

My heart swelled and I thanked him for his prayer. Then I realized just how early it was, too early to go to school. So I suggested that we stop at the gas station for donuts. I ran in, paid the $3.06 and came back to find the kids chatting quietly. Then Claire said, "Mom, Nolan wants to pray that special prayer to have Jesus in his heart forever." I re-parked the car, and we prayed. I cried and the kids knew, "Mom is crying happy tears".

Could I have a better beginning to my day??

Too Pooped to Party

Last week was Northwestern's Homecoming and the Spanns were Demons through and through. Tuesday night I judged the Lip Sync competition. It was quite a sight watching the various sororities & fraternities get their "rock" on. This year's theme was "Live Like A Rock Star". The department decided that next time the Student Activities staff will definitely participate. We may be old, but we can still get our groove on.

On Thursday I took the kids to the Homecoming Parade & Pep Rally. The kids had a blast and caught more candy than they could carry. "This is the best parade EVER!", Claire exclaimed as she stuffed her cheeks and the giant Wal-Mart bag with candy. On Friday we tailgated & enjoyed another Demon victory (at least the first half... We can't stay past halftime, due to boredom.)

This week brought Fall Festival, school carnivals & parties. And I'm pooped. We have candy coming out our ears. Hannah Montana & Batman made an appearance in the Spann Home, for which we consider ourselves very lucky!

Today kicked off the Demon Baseball World Series. It's the grand finale of Fall Baseball. Kelly is once again the head coach of Kelly's Heros, and unfortunately they dropped their first game 5-4. It's a 5 game series, though, and I'm confident they'll take it all the way!

I have pictures to post of the above mentioned events, but I'm way too tired as I sit at work at 8:15 pm to tend to a "work emergency". So, with a sigh & a yawn I'll be on my way...

Growing Way Too Fast

FINALLY!

It finally feels like we've had a change of seasons in Louisiana. This weekend is the perfect example. The air outside actually feels a bit crisp. Not too crisp, though, because it's always humid. Always. We ate lunch outside yesterday. Usually it's too hot, there are too many bugs or it's raining. Yesterday was picture perfect. Grilled hot dogs & dad hung a tire swing! Yes, a tire swing! The kids love it!

We spent the evening at a portion of a 13-inning baseball scrimmage/practice & just enjoyed the outdoors.

It may (no, it will) get warm again, just when we least expect it, but I'll take this for now.

Funk-y

I'm not sure if it was the lack of fall weather or just the daily grind, but I'd been in a bit of a funk for, oh, the last 2 months or so. I was working on weekends, staying far too late, searching for an after-school babysitter and feeling the pain of it all. Last weekend I finally decided that enough was enough and I couldn't do it anymore. I decided to buck up and be happy. God is in control, even when I can't feel it, even when I can't see it. He is constant. He sees beyond what I can see. I've already learned to trust Him, I just needed to be reminded of his capabilities.

Life chuggs along at full speed, meanwhile. Claire & Nolan have a new babysitter who picks them up from school and brings them home. She hangs out with them until I get home at 4:30. She adorable and sweet and we're so glad to have found her. Kelly is in the midst of fall full-team baseball practice. They will continue team practices for another month or so, when they go back to 4-on-1 practices. My office is hiring an Admin Asst who will help me and take many duties which I have been performing since May. She will start Monday and I will take a HUGH sigh of relief.

It finally feels a little like fall, with temps at 55 degrees this morning. Chilly for us. Funny, huh? I realized this morning that I never wear socks. Except when I'm wearing running shoes. Small details, but say a lot (to me, anyway!!).

So with this I say goodbye to my funky mood and welcome autumn with open arms...

A Conversation

Disclaimer: This blog is not only for reader enjoyment, but also for the Spann Family to preserve cherished memories. Not all of these memories are sweet, though they may be funny. That said, read at your own risk...

Angela: Hey Bud, what's up?
Nolan: I have to tell you something, but I'm afraid I'm going to get in trouble.
Angela: Nolan. Tell me.
Nolan: But I'm afraid. I can't.
Angela: I can't promise you won't get into trouble, but you can still tell me. What is it?
Nolan: Will I get a spanking?
Angela: I don't know until you tell me. But I promise that if you tell the truth now, you'll be in less trouble than if you don't.
Nolan: Okay....
(silence)
Nolan: I pooped outside. And Daisy ate it.
Angela: (suppressing laughter but not shock) You did what? Are you serious?
Nolan: Yeah. Am I in trouble? It was only one...
Angela: (now laughing outloud) Only one? Where?
Nolan: In the bushes. Will I get a spanking?
Angela: No you're not in trouble, but please don't do that again!
Nolan: Okay.
Angela: But now you have to tell your dad. (Still laughing but trying not to).
Nolan: Will he give me a spanking?
Angela: No, but you have to tell him.
Nolan: Okay...

Boy - through and through, what can I say??