tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325672542024-03-07T07:54:44.869-06:00The Spann Famwe are awesome. read about it!The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-73837155961237705322013-01-20T11:20:00.004-06:002013-01-20T11:50:28.731-06:00summer lovinYes, I'm fully aware that it's January 20th. I am also aware that despite my promises to update the blog, I have been absent as of late. You know, life... happens. So much of which is too boring or too frighteningly personal to post on the internet for all 3 people who read this to see. I've kept it all in. Okay, if you know me than you know that I like to talk. A lot. NOTHING is really ever held in.<br />
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So instead of waxing poetic or reflecting on the new year or sharing my deepest thoughts, I thought I'd share my summer dreams.<br />
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It's winter. It's cold. It rained for most of Christmas break. It finally stopped this week. I am anxious to get outside, to feel the sunshine. To sweat. Yes, I said it. I am ready for a long, hot summer. I am ready for bright colors, glaring sunshine and the sunburns that inevitably follow, despite the amount of SPF I wear.<br />
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Last summer I did nothing. Really. I know I did something - or maybe even a few somethings, heck we even had <a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2012/06/charmed-life.html" target="_blank">a list</a> - but while I relaxed and enjoyed my months off, I didn't fully take advantage. This summer will be different. I will plant a raised vegetable garden. I will recover our patio furniture cushions and install a fire pit. I will paint the trim in our living room (maybe). I will (convince Kelly to) build out the old, existing slide play structure into a cool, awesome fort for the kids.<br />
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I will also relax to the best of my ability. I will swim in the pool as often as I can. I will read as many books as possible. I will be creative with my kids.<br />
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I am longing for bright colors, loud summer playlists and midnight swims. No big vacation needed (remind me that I said that come June). I just need summer! My thoughts on our backyard, Summer 2013...<br />
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Yes, I know. I must get through the remainder of January. And not to mention February, March and April. I will rejoice when it's 90 degrees in May. Don't kill my summer buzz. </div>
<br />The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-38506980565660079202012-09-22T10:29:00.001-05:002012-09-22T10:42:40.329-05:00joy.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today is the first day of fall. And it's a rare Saturday that didn't have us up & at 'em by 7am. Instead we ate french toast, drank coffee and lazily lounged. I spent some time cleaning the patio, fetching leaves from the pool {a futile task} and pulling weeds. I came in to find myself all alone. At home. Most moms will understand the rarity of this occasion. In the peace & quiet, I am reminded that I have decided upon a new motto for my life, to accompany the new season.</div>
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This is not a <i>new</i> motto necessarily, but a new way of thinking of what I want my life to look like. I'm not talking about an obnoxious, faux kind of happiness, although I am a fan of "fake it til you make it" when it's necessary {like during the last week of school before Christmas vacation}. And I am in contact mostly with children under the age of 12 and their parents, so sometimes my greetings are over the top. And maybe I have taken to calling the owner of each knee I bandage or recipient of each tardy slip I write out <i>babesweetheartbuddyfriend</i>, as is deemed appropriate. But still. I don't just want to be happy. I am longing for joy.</div>
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I am a happy person. I would hope that people who know me would share that opinion. I smile often and laugh loudly - often too loud in public for my preteen daughter. And when I cry, it's often tears of happiness. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." <i>Ahh, Truvy, you are truly insightful.</i></div>
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But joy. Joy can be experienced in pain, in heartbreak and in turmoil. You can be joyful, without feeling over-the-moon happiness. And that is how I want to be described. Joyful. Peaceful. Kind.</div>
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That can be hard to achieve when the word <i>sarcastic</i> is also often used to describe you. And the fact that I think I'm pretty darn funny also doesn't help. I'm not kidding myself here, I will never be considered the quiet, angelic creature that I once longed to be. I have embraced my loud, fast manner of speaking, my witty, intelligent sense of humor (I told you already, I think I'm really funny). But to have joy that is contagious... Does making fun of someone else count?</div>
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I'm working on it. I promise.</div>
The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-22507847736898335952012-09-11T20:33:00.004-05:002012-09-11T20:46:06.967-05:00ahead of her time<div>
More & more, as I browse the internet, troll Pinterest <a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-pinteresting.html" target="_blank">(no, I still don't have an account... not that I'm bitter or anything)</a>, and follow various blogs, I realize that the mother of my youth was a visionary. She was light years ahead of her time. She was an organic, sewing, frugal domestic goddess that many modern women only dream of becoming today.</div>
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Most of my clothes were home-sewn. Christmas dresses, skirts, blouses, corduroy pants, leggings, swimsuits, you name it. One year she sewed my ballet slippers, the elastic was rainbow. Everyone was jealous. I just wanted regular ballet slippers. My sister and I had coordinating outfits and since I am 4 years older, I wasn't always thrilled about the whole matchy-matchy homemade outfit thing. Of course, mom and I had matching outfits as well. We wore them when we visited boutiques to sell her shell belts. </div>
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As we did, we drove around in this. Except ours was blue and had a heart painted on the front tire.</div>
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Of course, all I wanted was a pair of Guess jeans and an ESPRIT sweatshirt. I knew we were weird. We lived in California. You have to REALLY be different to stand out when you live 2 hours from Los Angeles.<br />
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I grew up in the 80s. Not the hippie 60s or groovy 70s where you would expect someone to tote their kids in a VW bus or make their own clothes. No, the 80s were the decade of indulgence. The decade of wealth and of greed. Of designer jeans and Gunne Sax. But not for us.</div>
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We belonged to the food co-op, run by a woman who wore Birkenstocks and no bra (funny how I remember those details). I drank soy milk and <a href="http://nationalkefirassociation.com/Kefir.aspx" target="_blank">Kefir</a> instead of cow's milk until I was in the double-digits. We ate "ice milk" instead of ice cream, ate protein bars instead of candy bars, sprinkled flaxseed on our no-sugar cereal and added wheat germ to our carob cookies. I did not eat a snack cake or drink Kool-Aid until I was an adult.</div>
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My siblings & I took tons of vitamins. And by "take" I mean I would dump most of them down the sink when mom wasn't looking. Especially the homemade ones. Did you know you could make your own vitamins? Mom would buy the herb or crushed form of vitamin and fill empty capsules, or roll them with dissolvable vitamin paper. Those were particularly disliked by my sister and I... not sure why. We typically had 12 or so various vitamins & supplements sitting by our juice glass each morning. </div>
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When we had a hint of a cold, mom would give us a clove of garlic smeared with peanut butter. Natural peanut butter, of course. We would make it ourselves in the machine at the health food store. No sugar added! I begged for Jif. Never happened. </div>
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I can honestly say that I never remember being truly sick during all of my childhood. That came much later. In college. Ahem. The only way to stay home from school was to fake it, and then I would have to eat the garlic. Finally, I just gave up and went to school. It wasn't worth it. Trust me, the garlic stays with you for a long time. </div>
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My mom tells me that my nursery was decorated with homemade decor, scarves from India and a sheepskin rug. Ahead of her time, I tell you.</div>
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When I left home, I departed from her healthy, frugal ways. I ate white bread, shopped at the mall and didn't take a single vitamin for years. After my children we born I saw the wisdom in her choices. In the years since, I have come to appreciate and emulate some of her ways.</div>
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Now, 25 years later, blogs are devoted to sewing - everything from home decor to their children's clothes. And it's chic. The shell belt picture above is a current Etsy listing. Mom's were a bit more intricate, but I'm sure someone would totally rock one today. And receive a ton of compliments.</div>
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DIY is everywhere - and people are proud, not embarrassed to use and re-use what they have. I wanted a white bookshelf in my room. Instead I go this: </div>
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Would be totally cool in some artist loft today.</div>
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Women now brag about saving money with coupons, posting their savings on Facebook, when I can clearly remember wanting to hide when mom disputed the price on the fruit leather in the shopping cart. </div>
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Lifestyle blogs include the best organic, natural... well, everything. Clothing, cleaning products, skin care, food. The list goes on. My friends had Capri Suns and fruit snacks in their lunches (yes, I remember when both of those first showed up), I had 100% pineapple juice and raisins.</div>
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I would have never dreamed in a million years that my childhood routines would be what many mothers strive for today. I am not nearly as healthy, frugal or creative as she was. But I did make <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/" target="_blank">homemade laundry detergent</a> tonight. Mom should be proud.</div>
The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-25726328433483905312012-06-29T09:24:00.001-05:002012-09-11T19:26:47.982-05:00traditionsWhen we were first married, I was eager to establish new traditions in our house. We lived states away from our families, and occasionally found ourselves alone on holidays. I worked hard to establish traditions that, well, never really stuck. Over the years we had babies, moved again {and again, and again, and again...} so sometimes holidays looked different every year.<br />
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Last night, as we were discussing Claire's 11th birthday plans (today!), Claire informed me that we would start the day in the dining room, where it would be decorated. I had every intention of decorating after she went to bed, so she could wake to a bright, birthday celebration, but I asked her why she assumed I would.<br />
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"You do it EVERY year, mom!"<br />
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That's when it hit me... we do have traditions in our home. Some that have been around for ages, others that are new.<br />
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After the kids were sleeping soundly, I reached for my box of streamers, garland & birthday banners and went to work. As I hung (and re-hung) the decor, I thought of the traditions we had established:<br />
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*our children wake to a birthday wonderland on the morning of their day. we eat donuts, drink orange juice out of fancy glasses and open presents before we do anything else. just us.</div>
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*we give 3 quick kisses in a row, every night before bed </div>
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{I plan to continue this until they are 75 years old!}</div>
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*every Christmas Eve, our kids open one gift before bed. new pajamas!</div>
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*we listen to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHyGh0RgCA" target="_blank">'arise my love'</a> by newsong on Easter morning on full blast - while dancing around the house. repeatedly.</div>
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*if it is raining and we have no place to be: one of the star wars movies is on and the curtains are drawn. {and mom falls asleep.}</div>
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*we pray out loud every day on the way to school. <a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/11/306.html" target="_blank">amazing things</a> have come from this.</div>
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*we love and laugh - every day</div>
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Most of these traditions came about by accident. And those are the best ones.</div>
The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-2653788061492179392012-06-24T19:04:00.000-05:002012-09-11T19:26:37.091-05:001% (no, not that 1%)Waaay back in the olden days when Kelly & I were just newlyweds (15 years ago!) we took the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_temperaments" target="_blank">Four Temperaments</a> personality test. We also learned each other's <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/" target="_blank">Love Languages</a> (highly recommend) and took the <a href="http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/" target="_blank">Myers-Briggs Type Indicato</a>r.<br />
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What I remember most about the results of the tests, is this highly significant statistic: only 1% of marriages are between two Sanguines. Can you guess what Kelly and I both share as our Primary Temperament? {The quick description of a Sanguine is "social & pleasure-seeking").<br />
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We have different Secondary Temperaments, thank goodness, but I like to revel in the fact that we are in the rare minority. {I cannot prove the 1% statistic to be absolutely true, but our teacher said so, and we were the only couple in our class of over a dozen couples who shared the same temperament. Plus, I like to think we're special!}<br />
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For fun, I had the kids take a modified version this evening. They both came up as Melancholy, although, I imagine that they have a large dose of Sanguine in them as well.<br />
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What prompted all this?<br />
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At the dinner table it dawned on me that we are all so similar in personality, it's scary. Oh sure, there are some majorly HUGE differences, but aside from looking alike, we talk, act and think very similarly too.<br />
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Lord, help the Spanns! And for those of you who spend time with us - I'm sorry! What can I say, we were born this way!<br />
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<br />The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-83340039731838909862012-06-17T09:45:00.000-05:002012-06-17T09:51:11.144-05:00how pinteresting...Pinterest.<br />
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When it first came on the scene, I didn't pay much attention to the hoopla. When it comes to social networking, I'm usually a little late to the party. I didn't join Facebook until 2008, and that was only because I worked at a University and I realize that 'kids these days' didn't check their email anymore. I'm still not on Twitter or Instagram and my cell phone is a plain ol' cell phone. No internet or 4G or gps or any of that cool stuff.<br />
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Anyway, I heard about Pinterest, and wasn't really interested. People raved about it, and talked about how much time they spent "looking at pins". No thank you, I had plenty of things to suck my time. Then, more and more people I knew - regular people - were talking about it. So I logged on, ready to sign up, to join the masses. What the what? I had to <i>request an invite</i>? I was immediately turned off. Pinterest was a snob! It condescendingly sent me an email, thanking me for my request and allowing me to 'view some pins'. I still didn't know what it was talking about, but I knew that I didn't like it. I felt like a girl trying to rush a sorority, and was told "sorry, we're full. but if you want to hang around pathetically, you can. here - we're having a party, you can watch from outside and maybe later we'll invite you to come in". {I never rushed a sorority - I just sound like I have issues.}<br />
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So, I checked my email, waiting for my precious email to be accepted. I did 'view some pins'. I still didn't know how the heck it worked, but was sure that I would be informed of how it all worked once I was in. Mark Zuckerburg was kind enough to walk me through FB, afterall, and even "Tom" was an automatic friend on MySpace back in the day {I only joined that so I could stalk high school friends, and never posted anything about myself, not even a picture}.<br />
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When I was finally 'accepted' {Hey look, mom & dad - I have been accepted to Pinterest! You should be so proud!} I was ready to get pinning. But wait, what do I do? I look at other people's pins and then save them as my own? People were following me, and I found myself following others, even though I didn't want to. I couldn't figure it out. I was supposed to pin things I found on the interwebs, and pin them here so everyone can see what I'm doing?<br />
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Wait. A. Gosh. Darn. Minute.<br />
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If you've ever read this little blog o' mine, you know that I've been around for awhile. I have been blogging since 2006. 2006! Clay Aiken released his first single, Suri Cruise was born, Justin Timberlake was Bringing Sexy Back, and I started a blog {it was a slow news year, otherwise}.<br />
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In starting my own blog, I read other blogs. Lots and lots of blogs. Blogs written by a woman who was married to a schizophrenic man, blogs about parenting, blogs about Christianity, blogs about blogs, blogs about baking, blogs about saving money, and eventually, blogs about decorating. By 2010, I had bookmarked 40 or so of my favorite blogs. Some I would visit every. single. day. Others I would wait until a lazy Saturday morning and visit every. single. blog on my list.. I could be on the computer for hours. Nolan's Mother's Day card this year listed words he associated with me: smart, intelligent, working, reading, relaxing, ice cream, computer, sleep, jawbreakers. I laughed but wanted to cry. I was spending too much time on the 'puter. {I am proud that he mentioned ice cream & jawbreakers, though, I love that boy.} I also had folders saved with recipes, ideas, crafts, etc. I had been saving sites and files to my computer for over 6 years!<br />
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Pinterest totally ripped me off! And now, my favorite bloggers were getting in on the action. Well, not me, no sir. You see, I didn't want readers. I had once posted a project I did on a blog I followed, and I've had literally hundreds of people read that post. It's a horrible post. There are blurry pictures of my kid playing basketball, and my camera makes my project look all weird. I suddenly felt like I needed to go back and proof read everything I had ever written. But I didn't write it for them, I wrote it for you. I couldn't handle the pressure. After finally figuring it out, because they made it so difficult, I canceled my Pinterest account. I'm good, Mr. Whateveryournameis {I still think it's weird that a guy invented Pinterest}, I am totally fine without ya. I was at a social where the food was wonderful. Every time I complimented a dish, a different person would just say <i>"Pinterest!</i>". I thought I was going to punch someone in the face.<br />
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So then. My computer crashed. Okay, okay, I crashed it. I was trying to be awesome by installing new software, but it wasn't the software I thought I was and I totally wiped the hard drive clean. It's still messed up and Kelly still isn't thrilled with me about it. Anyway - my blogs were gone! All of them! At first, I panicked. My friends were missing, floating around in cyberspace, how would they ever go on without me to read them??? My horror was followed by a sense of freedom. I was not longer a slave to my laptop. I didn't HAVE to visit every single site. Now, I sit down at the computer in the study, check email, Facebook and occasionally write a blog post {not one this long, of course!}. I still check in on a couple of my very favorite sites on my Kindle, but that's totally different, right? Right?<br />
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Last month, I hosted a social gathering at my house. Most of the girls coming had never been to our house before. I cleaned and tidied, but that's about it. It's funny, the Angela of 5 years ago would have painted or stained something, frantically rearranged the furniture, purchased new something-or-others, in anticipation of having 40 ladies over. Not anymore, I'm kind of over it. I didn't even paint the hallways where I had filled in holes. Humph - <i>over it</i>. At the party, more than one person commented on my "Pinterest House". STOP. <i>No, ma'am, I don't have a Pinterest house</i>. "But the painted wallpaper, the repurposed chest, the chalkboard pantry, the book page wreath, these are all Pinterest ideas." That was when I vehemently denied even knowing what Pinterest was, and claimed that the ideas were mine, or a spin off of an idea from a blog that I follow.<br />
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That's when I realized.<br />
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I was ticked that I was not the only creative person in the room anymore. I could not claim ownership of an idea. My ideas were no longer original. No one oohed and aahed over my creative ideas, because someone (or 50 other someones) were doing the same thing and "pinning" it, for all the world to see. I needed to get over myself.<br />
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I now take a gander at Pinterest every once in a while, but man, there is some weird stuff on there. How many pictures of Jennifer Anniston's hair and cute little puppies can the world look at? And Lord knows, I don't need another technology related time-suck in my life {Draw Something and Temple Run have been released for Kindle!}.<br />
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I may have requested another invite, but I'm not sure if I want to accept. I have a feeling that I will just get frustrated ALL OVER AGAIN. In the meantime, my goal is to just smile and nod, and resist the urge to flinch when I compliment someone and their reply is <i>"Pinterest!"</i><br />
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<i>Happy Pinning!</i><br />
<br />The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-12682938477364786762012-06-03T11:30:00.001-05:002012-06-03T11:31:17.178-05:00charmed lifeThis morning, in the afterglow of a rousing 9th birthday party, followed by 12 full hours of blissful sleep, while I was lazily drifting in the pool, I was reminded of what a charmed life we lead. Perfect? No. Charmed and lovley? Yes.<br />
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I have just 4 more days of work until I am officially on summer vacation, where I will steadfastly remain until August 1st. Just this week Kelly & I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, plan summer vacations, watch movies late at night with the kids and enjoy lazy mornings.<br />
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We will grill & consume more hot dogs than is recommended and squeeze every last drop out of our summer vacation. We made a 'summer to do' list, and we plan to check off every single one of the boxes.<br />
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Wishing you & yours the bliss of summer!
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<br />The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-81701021647625455672012-05-27T13:47:00.000-05:002012-05-27T13:47:23.822-05:00since i've been gonea lot has happened!<br />
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Kelly's inaugural season as head coach for the Chiefs has come and gone, several tourneys with Claire's new softball team under our belt, school is out for summer, Claire & I took a Girl Scouting camping trip, Nolan's baseball season is nearly over, Kelly's weight loss total is up to 30 pounds, we've logged hours and hours of swimming, Claire attended her last day of elementary school and Nolan turned 9!<br />
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This past spring totally ate. my. lunch. And stole my milk money. It was wonderful and painful, all at the same time. The busyness of the season overwhelmed me, but it is nearly over. Most of the activities that have kept us running are over and I'm finishing up my last couple of weeks at work (8 work days to be exact, but who's counting? I am!)<br />
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I think of this lonely little blog often, and it is my summer resolution - yes, those are totally real - is to get this baby up and running again. Much like we had to do recently to the SpannVan, but I digress.<br />
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I'll be here, hope you will too!The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-14004772877424467502012-04-02T19:45:00.000-05:002012-04-02T19:45:34.891-05:00absentee bloggerIt's better than an absentee mother, isn't it? Gosh, I hope so.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've been blogging <a href="http://www.iheartyonna.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to help a dear friend who is battling breast cancer. Please visit & if you're local, consider donating a <a href="http://iheartyonna.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/dinner-time-updated/" target="_blank">meal</a> or purchasing on of <a href="http://iheartyonna.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/join-yonna-on-her-journey/" target="_blank">these</a> rad bracelets or key chains!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYUf56bnxbU/T3pHoadQbiI/AAAAAAAAEh4/eXKV_P0STnI/s1600/yonna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYUf56bnxbU/T3pHoadQbiI/AAAAAAAAEh4/eXKV_P0STnI/s320/yonna1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Yeaux!</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Every year about this time, I feel a little like I'm drowning. I've cut back on activities for myself & my children, but the season still gets the best of me. I feel like I have several after school "jobs" which take up valuable time in the evenings - all for a good cause, mind you, but I will uphold my vow to pare back even further next year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be back - but until then, YES, I am still here! xo</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-77402015395232613232012-02-26T13:14:00.000-06:002012-02-26T13:14:43.878-06:00blinkIt's the 26th of February.<br />
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I have sat down at ol' flatscreen more than once during the last 2 months, intending to share a marvelously witty post. I became distracted from the task at hand each and every time. So much has happened as the weeks whizzed by, and along with a user-induced (oops) computer crash, I haven't spend too much time on the world wide web.<br />
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Winter is practically over here in Louisiana (it was 85 degrees on Thursday. EIGHTY FIVE!), as March is upon us. In the world the sports, baseball season has started for Kelly, Claire is practicing with her new travel softball team and Nolan just had tryouts for our local baseball league. I have started back running in the mornings (5am is something I used to rarely see!) and am training for a 5K in March.<br />
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Kelly has lost 20 pounds {total hottie} and I am waaay behind him, but let's just say that I am not as much woman as I was a month ago.<br />
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Claire is once again on her school's Quiz Bowl team (for a boring-for-you-but-thrilling-for-us account of last year's tourney, you won't want to miss <a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2011/03/whats-buzz.html" target="_blank">THIS</a>). Nolan begins a week-long theatre (leave me alone, spellcheck, I like spelling it that way) program on Monday that will culminate with performances next weekend.<br />
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I took a not-so-insignificant trip to California last weekend, where I enjoyed a vacation at it's finest. I visited family, old and new, and spend many hours in blissful solitude. I am a much better mom after doing so!<br />
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Life has been so busy, I've got my pruning shears out and am ready to go to town. No, I'm not talking about the overgrown bushes and hedges in our yard - it is pretty scary, I really need to tackle the jungle out there - but the hyper-busy, over-scheduling I've done to myself. Everything I have been doing is good and worthwhile, but I cannot do it all. I will finish out my responsibilities, but I will say no to next year. And it will feel good.<br />
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As for today, I will rest, enjoy my broccoli-cheese soup and San Francisco Sourdough bread and lazily watch the Oscars while I critique everyone from the comfort of my couch. Tomorrow is Monday, after all.The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-42796365781067602602012-01-08T08:51:00.001-06:002012-01-08T08:52:12.044-06:00a new year!It really has been the perfect Christmas Break for the Spann Fam. It was a tad bit longer than usual, which was <i>just enough</i>. Long enough that we're all ready to get back into the swing of things, and we're rested and relaxed.<br />
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We didn't travel this year, which I didn't miss, but I am a bit sad, because we didn't have any family visitors either. We love and miss them and wish everyone well.<br />
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Kelly finished the gate near the new fence (yay!) and has lost 9 pounds in his quest to begin the new year healthfully. We've watched a different movie each night as a family, thanks to a generous family member. Claire and Nolan have jumped on the trampoline for HOURS each day, thanks to the unseasonably warm weather. They've danced their booties off to Just Dance 3, read, rode bikes and Nolan shot a bird with his bb gun (it flew away, but he claims he hit it!). I baked and cooked and put on 9 pounds from all the holiday eating. (Not really, but it feels like it!)<br />
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Claire hosted a New Years Eve party, complete with a dance playlist, Twister, bonfire and fireworks. It was a great way to ring in 2012! And now we've had a full week to recover. It's been wonderful!<br />
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Personally, I have been on a couple of simultaneous, but separate emotional journeys which have spilled over into 2012. One filled with love, wonder and joy. The other with heartache, stress and turmoil. Family has it's way of making us feel both. I know it's quite cryptic, but that's all I need to say for now. I do know that life comes us at us, sometimes whether we're ready or not. I am ready. I am blessed.<br />
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Cheers to you & yours in 2012!The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-56534770407667616132012-01-01T11:24:00.000-06:002012-01-01T11:24:55.141-06:00year in review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">HAPPY NEW YEAR! Grab your coffee & settle in, as we review 2011!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">WINTER...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">brought us frost, crazy hair day at AWANA, basketball, quiz bowl and cozy days at home.</span> </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SPRING...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brought us races, Girl Scout cookies, swimming way too soon, baseball, softball, banquets, Easter, awards, field trips to NASA and NOLA and days spent outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nZRyM1VwkQ/TwCElrVtd9I/AAAAAAAAERw/HpMi_GYGOBw/s1600/angkelrun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nZRyM1VwkQ/TwCElrVtd9I/AAAAAAAAERw/HpMi_GYGOBw/s200/angkelrun2.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aQmgeFQuQw/TwCEn4LWO4I/AAAAAAAAER4/2Bz_7SCTJ0I/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aQmgeFQuQw/TwCEn4LWO4I/AAAAAAAAER4/2Bz_7SCTJ0I/s200/IMG_2096.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SUMMER...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brought us birthdays, parties, all-star softball & baseball, swimming, vacations, cousins, a patio revamp, butterflies, a trampoline, lazy days, canoeing, camp, books and the beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FALL...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brought us faux-hawks, back to school, soccer, football, 5Ks, homecoming fairs, a goatee, trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving, nerf gun wars, playoffs, the violin, Jeopardy!, and braces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And as we returned to WINTER...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We celebrated advent, shone like stars in the Christmas program, rode the in the Christmas parade, enjoyed the Christmas Festival, graduated from DARE, watched a different Christmas movie every night, went thuggin, got a Justin Bieber haircut (but don't call it that), rang in the New Year and now we continue to enjoy our break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2011 was a truly wonderful year for the Spann Fam. We have so much to be thankful for. Blessings to you & yours in the new year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-20230406087443285722011-12-24T08:47:00.001-06:002011-12-24T08:49:26.360-06:00joyeux noelIt's Christmas Eve and I am at peace. At ease. In the comfort & joy of our home. It's quiet. Just the 4 of us. Kelly's mom will join us this afternoon. We are enjoying fresh baked scones & quiche. A pound cake is baking in the oven.<br />
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We didn't make the trek to Colorado or Florida this year, which means that we are without our extended family. I wish we together this year, but we are blessed with Natchitoches friends who we love dearly. The kids are filled with anticipation of what they'll find under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning.<br />
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The advent candles are on the dining room table, wax dripping down the lavender candlesticks. We are not a family of ritual, but we have participated in celebrating advent during the month of December. We read scripture, light the candles and listen to worship songs that speak of the coming King.<br />
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We dream of fried turkey to be enjoyed tomorrow and gumbo this evening. Not to mention the baking pound cake. We've been enjoying egg nog, Shirley Temples, apple cider, hot chocolate and of course, coffee with good cream.<br />
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The youngest Spanns will open one gift this evening - which just happens to be pajamas & slippers - they same gift they've received on every single Christmas Eve of their existence. Either they forget and really don't know what is inside the wrapping paper each year, or they just know happy it makes me when they are thrilled to open them each year.<br />
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We will visit with friends tomorrow and throughout the next few days. We will continue to exchange gifts, enjoy treats & good drinks and laugh & play. We will celebrate the greatest gift of all. The one who was sent to save us from our wretchedness. Who does so, without making us feel wretched.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hd0VPJki7JEMBs2aa6DIDnN_JrQjV6WkblghtveamZ8fLAQ5MIE6uuFs8dk1Ng5X-XY5AdF1T78z7eIsWjx63HyVytYySGdTQz9qTYkBtFrRpKUPipG-t4ewCAZCaPUwFJcwgw/s1600/JESUS071207_468x309.jpg" /></div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-75714457147710479222011-12-16T23:26:00.000-06:002011-12-17T13:55:23.841-06:00this little blog of mineThis blog was born in <a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2006/08/blog-yes.html" target="_blank">August of 2006</a>. Claire was 5 years old and ready to start Kindergarten. Nolan was 3 and obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. Kelly was teaching & coaching and I stayed at home. We lived in Mayer, Minnesota and were ready to embark on a new journey - a move, new jobs, a new life.<br />
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Fast forward 5 years, 1200 miles and 341 blog posts: Claire is 10 and in the thick of 5th grade, Nolan is 8 and his obsession is now Star Wars, Kelly is still teaching & coaching (although in a whole new way) and I am working.<br />
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We lived the adventure - an in-state move, a temporary out-of-state move, and a long-distance, all the way down south move. We've embraced a new way of life, and truly love where He's taken us.<br />
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I like to go back and read posts from years gone by and re-live our journey. This blog has served as a scrapbook, preserving memories. It's been a place for friends and family to keep up with us. It has been a place to reflect and to vent.<br />
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Here are few of my favorite posts (in no particular order):<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-am-c-i-am-c-h-nevermind.html" target="_blank">I am a C, I am a C-H, Nevermind..</a>. (where I get all deep & stuff)<br />
<a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2007/07/psycho.html" target="_blank">Psycho</a> (A recap of a 2 days when Kelly was coaching in Kansas City)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2011/01/whatever.html" target="_blank">Whatever</a> (I need to read this again - as a reminder!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2011/01/better-whatever.html" target="_blank">A Better Whatever</a> (Part 2)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2010/10/backyard-photo-shoot.html" target="_blank">Backyard Photo Shoot</a> (just because they make me smile)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2010/06/great-room.html" target="_blank">The Great Room</a> (Because I am still a blog-lover)<br />
<a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/12/claire-can-cook.html" target="_blank">Claire Can Cook</a> (It took her a long time to be able to laugh about this)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/11/306.html" target="_blank">$3.06</a> (the best money I ever spent)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/09/conversation.html" target="_blank">A Conversation</a> (boys are funny, even if they're gross)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/12/its-gonna-be.html" target="_blank">It's Gonna Be...</a> (another Nolan story)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spanns.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Family Love</a> (they were so little and cute!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have not posted in a while, because I needed to step back. I am a blog-reader myself, and have a list of favorites that I check into regularly. I started to feel like my blog wasn't good enough, funny enough, spiritual enough, crafty enough. I found myself posting the same things here as I did on Facebook, it became old.<br />
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But I missed it. So I'm back. I still don't know what it will look like - I'm still figuring it out. But hope you'll still join me for the ride!The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-88730264991328844352011-12-15T20:50:00.002-06:002011-12-17T13:58:44.018-06:00What Is?Claire & I had a little adventure recently. Let me start at the beginning. Claire's all-time fav TV show is Jeopardy!.<br />
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<i>Did you know that the official title is spelled with an exclamation mark at the end? So, while I'm excited that it's her favorite show, and I admit that I over-use the beloved excitement mark (that's what Nolan used to call it waaay back in 1st grade), I am just typing it as I see it, people.</i><br />
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Thanks to the miracle that is DVR, she hasn't missed an episode in a year and a half. She's dedicated. So when they advertised that you could take an online test to star on Jeopardy! Kids Week, she knew she couldn't miss it. We registered online and waited a week or two to log in and take the test. It was on a Wednesday at 7pm in November. There happened to be a dozen or so high school football players at our house that evening, but it didn't deter her.<br />
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She logged on, took the test and did well (I watched). She missed a few, mostly the pop culture questions.(Should a 10 year old know who Usher is? I'm glad she missed that one.) We were told that if she passed and was selected, we'd find out some time during the next year. If she wasn't selected, we'd never hear back. Duh.<br />
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So, imagine my surprise when a week later I received an email stating that not only had she passed, but that she had been selected for an in-person interview, test and mock Jeopardy! game. We would have to travel to Houston for the in-person process. I confirmed our appointment and we counted down the days. Claire's teachers gave her encouragement, support and all kind of books and games she could use to study.<br />
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If you know Claire, she is the Cliff Claven of the Spann Fam. She is very smart, but also has the ability to retain trivial (and important) information in that beautiful little head of hers like nobody's business. So she read and studied, but these were things she does for fun anyway. Yes, we tell her that she a nerd, a title she wears proudly.<br />
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On November 18th, Claire & I drove to Houston and stayed with the beloved Mrs. Nowalk, Claire's 3rd grade teacher and now friend, enjoyed a lovely dinner out, a trip to Target and went to bed, filled with excitement. Yes, it is thrilling when I get to go to Target!<br />
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The next morning we headed to IHOP and ate a ginormous breakfast. Afterwards we headed to the Westin in downtown Houston. We shopped the Galleria a bit and was early for her appointment. When we arrived, we learned the following:<br />
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- Over 8,000 kids took the online test, 200 were selected for an in-person interview<br />
- Interviews were taking place that same day in 5 different cities, across the United States, with 40 kids in each city<br />
- Claire's group has 18 kids, 5 were girls and Claire was the youngest of the group<br />
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We filled out paperwork, had their photos taken and the kids were taken next door for the process. They were interviewed in a casual, group setting. They were asked how they would spend the money if they won, what they wanted to be when they grew up, that sort of thing. They took a 30 question, written exam, and had 8 seconds to answer each question. Claire said she knew all but 3. They played a mock Jeopardy! game and Claire won her round! They didn't keep a total score, but she said she answered most of the questions - correctly, I might add.<br />
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Before we left I got a bit of advice from a teacher at our school, who's husband was on the show a couple of years ago: Have lots of energy! Be outgoing! Have a big personality!<br />
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When Claire was done, she and the other kids rejoined their parents. Immediately Claire said, "I think they're going to pick me, I did well and had lots of personality. The other kids... well, they were kind of dull." I love that girl.<br />
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So, we wait. We will find out in February if Claire is one of the 15 10-12 year olds selected out of 200 to be on the show. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted!<br />
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<i>Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... the week before we left, Claire had 6 (yes six!) teeth pulled and had braces put on. Yeah, I probably should have rescheduled that appointment.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dnXzBX6v-E/Tuzx2RNVdPI/AAAAAAAAEMA/vRSDz22EO0A/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dnXzBX6v-E/Tuzx2RNVdPI/AAAAAAAAEMA/vRSDz22EO0A/s320/IMG_3515.JPG" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> waiting to go in</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZQ5qcuRv2Y/TuzxxYy63pI/AAAAAAAAELo/TjUw_CSph9g/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZQ5qcuRv2Y/TuzxxYy63pI/AAAAAAAAELo/TjUw_CSph9g/s320/IMG_3511.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> big breakfast - her braces were hurting</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNrEcSHPs8g/Tuzxyn0CZlI/AAAAAAAAELw/SOnAr_w2Hko/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNrEcSHPs8g/Tuzxyn0CZlI/AAAAAAAAELw/SOnAr_w2Hko/s320/IMG_3512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> outside the Houston Galleria Westin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h3OafMhvYk/Tuzx0vfz4vI/AAAAAAAAEL4/wp2r37PE1BM/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h3OafMhvYk/Tuzx0vfz4vI/AAAAAAAAEL4/wp2r37PE1BM/s320/IMG_3514.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">where it all happened!</div><i><br />
</i>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-89059863288959070712011-10-23T20:35:00.000-05:002011-10-23T20:35:18.388-05:00heavy, man...wow, i just realized that it's been nearly a month since i've posted. it's not that i haven't had anything blog-worthy to share, quite the opposite! my days and weeks (and obviously months!) have gotten so jam-packed lately! i have a feeling that it will remain that way... at least until june!<br />
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beware - this is a photo heavy post (hence the title!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnUjBWeNy0Q/TqS9s76_blI/AAAAAAAACJs/8Wv6IiTYnB0/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnUjBWeNy0Q/TqS9s76_blI/AAAAAAAACJs/8Wv6IiTYnB0/s320/IMG_3239.JPG" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q27DV7B_hLU/TqS9uAp8ZeI/AAAAAAAACJ0/Hf7X_x-k-Q4/s1600/IMG_3249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q27DV7B_hLU/TqS9uAp8ZeI/AAAAAAAACJ0/Hf7X_x-k-Q4/s320/IMG_3249.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Epwzw_u5zk/TqS9vPYSfNI/AAAAAAAACJ8/DVcNwJfmSj4/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Epwzw_u5zk/TqS9vPYSfNI/AAAAAAAACJ8/DVcNwJfmSj4/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>cotton candy & games at the NCHS A-Fair during Homecoming Week</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6Nlcx6wiLA/TqS91HaiWUI/AAAAAAAACKU/7QOt5lQUQa4/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6Nlcx6wiLA/TqS91HaiWUI/AAAAAAAACKU/7QOt5lQUQa4/s320/IMG_3280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12iCBiYBZNUucCzNQzYB4zMfd3qSTOQOrzC7DtUnt-SEcMK4M561hC_jwaPEEm2_rDQQriGQgDS6MozVYjKczOhB-au00jW8vEgWyYIS106iK2uSRcojfCz2h38RSVSyLBHm2/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12iCBiYBZNUucCzNQzYB4zMfd3qSTOQOrzC7DtUnt-SEcMK4M561hC_jwaPEEm2_rDQQriGQgDS6MozVYjKczOhB-au00jW8vEgWyYIS106iK2uSRcojfCz2h38RSVSyLBHm2/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7RKfURvmpA/TqS9zqTYuhI/AAAAAAAACKM/NBa52MRfyXA/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7RKfURvmpA/TqS9zqTYuhI/AAAAAAAACKM/NBa52MRfyXA/s320/IMG_3262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>taking in some Chiefs football! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUn6UjKBbUk/TqS-c065MYI/AAAAAAAACMM/s9mI0KWxI6w/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUn6UjKBbUk/TqS-c065MYI/AAAAAAAACMM/s9mI0KWxI6w/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEPu8wkt-w4/TqS-eBCuIsI/AAAAAAAACMU/hAxYkY63rMw/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEPu8wkt-w4/TqS-eBCuIsI/AAAAAAAACMU/hAxYkY63rMw/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" width="235" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Claire & the UNDEFEATED Natchitoches RoadRunners!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XraSUz-iv60/TqS995y7kBI/AAAAAAAACK0/G-3kMEVbBJM/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XraSUz-iv60/TqS995y7kBI/AAAAAAAACK0/G-3kMEVbBJM/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXw9-qqH-M0/TqS98FrIAWI/AAAAAAAACKs/AsNgCwynsxQ/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXw9-qqH-M0/TqS98FrIAWI/AAAAAAAACKs/AsNgCwynsxQ/s320/IMG_3316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9SX3MlwzG4/TqS95bHKSAI/AAAAAAAACKk/52wN3goKbOc/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9SX3MlwzG4/TqS95bHKSAI/AAAAAAAACKk/52wN3goKbOc/s320/IMG_3315.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yayvVNWdcw4/TqS9_0nEapI/AAAAAAAACK8/8rGxf9SfHz0/s1600/IMG_3328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yayvVNWdcw4/TqS9_0nEapI/AAAAAAAACK8/8rGxf9SfHz0/s320/IMG_3328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>More FOOTBALL! Chiefs are 6-2!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS4ANsGpJaM/TqS-B0lINnI/AAAAAAAACLE/lzLR099ZLsQ/s1600/IMG_3341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS4ANsGpJaM/TqS-B0lINnI/AAAAAAAACLE/lzLR099ZLsQ/s320/IMG_3341.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>fun at Wal-Mart</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOg-aoPER7o/TqS-DoDUv-I/AAAAAAAACLM/GPEz54e1KhY/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOg-aoPER7o/TqS-DoDUv-I/AAAAAAAACLM/GPEz54e1KhY/s320/IMG_3344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>fooball is fun, but friends make it even better!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9d5yIxhQ_Y/TqS-Fs9kDMI/AAAAAAAACLU/tvtL67wAux8/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9d5yIxhQ_Y/TqS-Fs9kDMI/AAAAAAAACLU/tvtL67wAux8/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>just a cute girl...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IhWz9i8quI/TqS-QCN98BI/AAAAAAAACLk/Bp6XmCdQhv0/s1600/IMG_3383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IhWz9i8quI/TqS-QCN98BI/AAAAAAAACLk/Bp6XmCdQhv0/s320/IMG_3383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1m653K_T8G0/TqS-SPYtJcI/AAAAAAAACLs/7jGn8F_TVeo/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1m653K_T8G0/TqS-SPYtJcI/AAAAAAAACLs/7jGn8F_TVeo/s320/IMG_3387.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TovqHve2GpY/TqS-TSKz0hI/AAAAAAAACL0/P5YWmPkLDj4/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TovqHve2GpY/TqS-TSKz0hI/AAAAAAAACL0/P5YWmPkLDj4/s320/IMG_3406.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcVuGseM_Qg/TqS-ZXLutFI/AAAAAAAACME/pzOp06NdDYU/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcVuGseM_Qg/TqS-ZXLutFI/AAAAAAAACME/pzOp06NdDYU/s320/IMG_3413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>gobs of candy acquired at an early Halloween celebration!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">We're also hosting dinner for the football seniors every Wednesday evening, hosting the coaches after games, visiting the orthodontist, completing major school projects, earning <i>ALL As</i> on the kids' report cards, volunteering at non-profit events, cheering for the Rangers in the World Series and having a lot of fun in the process.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have a few more interesting and exciting events happening in our lives, but those deserve posts of their own. I now have to detox from the above-mentioned candy! </div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-18960514517872137802011-09-24T09:15:00.000-05:002011-09-24T09:15:40.257-05:00love/hate<div style="text-align: left;">We don't use the word HATE in our house. Or, as the kids get older and certain words have become allowed, we highly discourage the use of the word. It's rather harsh, and we discuss if we REALLY hate something or not. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This morning a list of things I love, and a few things I don't, are floating around in my mind. Perhaps I should have titled this post something else, but too late, I'm not going back! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">LOVE LIST</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">coffee. good coffee.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/">cool, free fonts</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">cool, fall days (they haven't arrived yet, but I'm waiting!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://catalogliving.net/">funny blogs like this one</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">claire's soccer games</div><div style="text-align: center;">family movie night (we watched <a href="http://soulsurfer.com/">her</a> last night)</div><div style="text-align: center;">nolan's full body hugs</div><div style="text-align: center;">authentic mexican food</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/50-phenomenal-fall-vistas,7761/">beautiful fall photos</a> (since I can't see it in real life)</div><div style="text-align: center;">my backyard</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://e-mealz.com/">having someone else plan my meals</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strike>HATE</strike> NOT-SO-MUCH LIST</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">coffee without good cream</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/">misuse of quotation marks</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">grocery shopping at the end of the month</div><div style="text-align: center;">washing my new cell phone</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tipnut.com/over-40-mosquito-bite-itch-relief-tips/">mosquito bites</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">lima beans</div><div style="text-align: center;">rude people</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I could type plenty more in my <strike>hate</strike> list, but in the spirit of positivitiy, I will make sure that my LOVE list is longer! Happy Saturday!</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-55682946192964156212011-09-21T21:16:00.001-05:002011-09-21T21:20:10.206-05:00Happy Fall, Y'all!It's almost upon us! Fall... Autumn, whatever. It has been a record-breaking scorcher this summer, and we've had a little bit of a break this month. It was still 94 degrees today, but it was a balmy 94. Oh, who am I kidding?! It's still HOT and I'm ready for HOT chocolate weather. {Why is it I drink coffee when it's 110 degrees, but hot chocolate only when it's cold? Things that make you go hmmmm.}<br />
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We're rockin and rollin around the here. Football is in full swing, and we've had fun cheering the Chiefs on to victory the last couple of weeks. Claire & Nolan are knee-deep in homework, projects, soccer, AWANA & Running Club - which is to say that I am waist-deep in all the aforementioned endeavors!<br />
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I did take the time to do a little DIY on the ol bloggity blog and I hope you catch you up on the more exciting events soon. I am charging my camera batteries as we speak. Lots of memories to capture, so little time.<br />
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See you back here soon, but until then - HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL! {There is no escaping it - I am Southern!}The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-71065427435647104952011-08-27T16:40:00.000-05:002011-08-27T16:40:02.877-05:00Picture Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5G-OKNFkdE/TllisyUfa-I/AAAAAAAACIs/1D0Qab7tjRA/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5G-OKNFkdE/TllisyUfa-I/AAAAAAAACIs/1D0Qab7tjRA/s320/IMG_3139.JPG" width="164" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2k2yWgbdRM/TlliwqyVqpI/AAAAAAAACIw/_cPi3skOKCs/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2k2yWgbdRM/TlliwqyVqpI/AAAAAAAACIw/_cPi3skOKCs/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-od_bs5Ox22c/Tlli0a6mJgI/AAAAAAAACI0/O6APcGoMviA/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-od_bs5Ox22c/Tlli0a6mJgI/AAAAAAAACI0/O6APcGoMviA/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ip8m6zQj0Dk/Tlli13dmNyI/AAAAAAAACI4/vTLCIikxgWo/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ip8m6zQj0Dk/Tlli13dmNyI/AAAAAAAACI4/vTLCIikxgWo/s320/IMG_3142.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This past Friday was a special event... Picture Day! School picture day is an annual rite of passage each year. Uniforms are typically required at school, so when they get to wear what they want, it's special! Looking good, guys!</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-50569706663374968182011-08-27T16:30:00.000-05:002011-08-27T16:30:43.584-05:00Who's Number #1?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taP5wbWKvfM/Tllhvvv7JQI/AAAAAAAACIk/gVB38EHSSzg/s1600/IMG_3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taP5wbWKvfM/Tllhvvv7JQI/AAAAAAAACIk/gVB38EHSSzg/s320/IMG_3125.JPG" width="203" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> CHIEFS are #1!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-11342828445052330682011-08-10T17:45:00.000-05:002011-08-10T17:45:53.120-05:00ready or not...Today is May 27th. Oh wait, it's not? But today was a school day, and we haven't had summer vacation... What? We did? Oh, I vaguely remember something that resembled summer, but it was awfully short. Hmm.<br />
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Today was the first day of school and it was great. All was quiet in my neck of the woods (the office) and Claire & Nolan had a great day. Truly, it's like we never left! I was a little edgy this morning, preparing for the stress of the day, but it was easy peasy rice and cheesy. Just like I like it.<br />
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Does anybody know the two big kids pictured below. I think they're in 3rd and 5th grade...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtVUKlqtjRGc52TSh5AhcVhhi23gcmAXblpETuXpI73E12Nxd4Jz95-WBYsqj-FsrNg03u0UWo8ZUPmz4IuIW3OC_VulbdoCb4NrKKkjYDaVHLFMqW1E8P8BDBhgGfSkAkxvh/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtVUKlqtjRGc52TSh5AhcVhhi23gcmAXblpETuXpI73E12Nxd4Jz95-WBYsqj-FsrNg03u0UWo8ZUPmz4IuIW3OC_VulbdoCb4NrKKkjYDaVHLFMqW1E8P8BDBhgGfSkAkxvh/s320/IMG_3101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Where has the time gone?<br />
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The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-73886530181984253582011-08-07T11:31:00.000-05:002011-08-07T11:31:05.739-05:00Last Splash!<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, we hosted 25 upcoming 3rd and 5th graders for our 2nd Annual LAST SPLASH pool party. We swam, jumped (on the trampoline, and on each other, I'm certain), and snacked to our hearts content. Us moms sat in the shade and tried, unsuccessfully, to stay cool. I was so busy sweating, that I totally forgot to take pictures. Just imagine the scene below, filled with kids, laughter and good times!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQXlbqIp3XE/Tj69kT86baI/AAAAAAAACHw/noH0eeHbRsI/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQXlbqIp3XE/Tj69kT86baI/AAAAAAAACHw/noH0eeHbRsI/s320/IMG_3093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wvT1EvgxEU/Tj69nvLzrZI/AAAAAAAACH0/T69fYDaVUEU/s1600/IMG_3094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wvT1EvgxEU/Tj69nvLzrZI/AAAAAAAACH0/T69fYDaVUEU/s320/IMG_3094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uggVBosU2Oc/Tj69rjkHuwI/AAAAAAAACH4/IxCCvYmh0Yk/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uggVBosU2Oc/Tj69rjkHuwI/AAAAAAAACH4/IxCCvYmh0Yk/s320/IMG_3095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't our backyard looking good? We do love it, if we do say so ourselves!</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-33079096909890011952011-08-05T22:57:00.000-05:002011-08-07T11:24:32.165-05:00camp!<div style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend, Claire and I ventured south for Girl Scout Camp. It was summer camp at it's finest: we slept in screened cabins with a ceiling fan but no other electricity, we trekked through the mud to our bathrooms, we made traditional Girl Scout crafts like rain sticks and sit-upons, canoed, swam, learned archery, performed in a skit, made up cabin songs and had a great time. It rained during much of our time there, which kept the temperatures down but also kept us wet & covered in mud for most of our stay. Four days was just long enough ("I could not have stayed for a week!" - says Claire) to make new friends and enjoy our camp experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--O2QxoBDgJ0/Tj60pLysCcI/AAAAAAAACG4/RuxPZixNBIE/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--O2QxoBDgJ0/Tj60pLysCcI/AAAAAAAACG4/RuxPZixNBIE/s320/IMG_3021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The Cajun Monkeys (their self-coined cabin name)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9xDfV68Jt0/Tj60reokP4I/AAAAAAAACG8/EzpbaCQb1sI/s1600/IMG_3030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9xDfV68Jt0/Tj60reokP4I/AAAAAAAACG8/EzpbaCQb1sI/s320/IMG_3030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Girl Scout Flag Ceremony</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clP9FOBbtAg/Tj60uukv00I/AAAAAAAACHA/WQRUVV20Jfs/s1600/IMG_3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clP9FOBbtAg/Tj60uukv00I/AAAAAAAACHA/WQRUVV20Jfs/s320/IMG_3045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Canoeing with a Daisy (younger girl)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md-euLSAk5Y/Tj60vtKULKI/AAAAAAAACHE/S-r9NoVYlks/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md-euLSAk5Y/Tj60vtKULKI/AAAAAAAACHE/S-r9NoVYlks/s320/IMG_3047.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Mom & Daughter (she still likes having me around!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pvXzDbuEgg/Tj60yWHLAJI/AAAAAAAACHI/cOU8MCYzsAQ/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pvXzDbuEgg/Tj60yWHLAJI/AAAAAAAACHI/cOU8MCYzsAQ/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Archery ("I want a bow and arrow for Christmas!")</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLxzYivdIH0/Tj600S3nSnI/AAAAAAAACHM/gtxa09w-lDo/s1600/IMG_3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLxzYivdIH0/Tj600S3nSnI/AAAAAAAACHM/gtxa09w-lDo/s320/IMG_3064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Nice Shot!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EO9OykoaUc/Tj6025Cs5jI/AAAAAAAACHQ/bWhzaBtW240/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EO9OykoaUc/Tj6025Cs5jI/AAAAAAAACHQ/bWhzaBtW240/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Sweet friends, being girls</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_OpsHb9-go/Tj605qK-XqI/AAAAAAAACHU/pgktTH31ie0/s1600/IMG_3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_OpsHb9-go/Tj605qK-XqI/AAAAAAAACHU/pgktTH31ie0/s320/IMG_3088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Until next year!</i></div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-92134772527529743972011-07-16T15:44:00.001-05:002011-07-16T15:47:59.151-05:00tool time!It's project time at the Spanns! Earlier this summer, we received a beautiful gift...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5jRAN-KXFQ/TiH0sAewO1I/AAAAAAAACGQ/F69-eB3DGwo/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5jRAN-KXFQ/TiH0sAewO1I/AAAAAAAACGQ/F69-eB3DGwo/s320/IMG_2647.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">A 7-foot privacy fence!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The house next door was purchased by the hospital, which is one block behind our house. The building behind the house (you can see it juuuuuust peeking over the fence) is an empty doctor's office. As far as we know, the hospital plans to use the house as housing - it's currently empty - but may turn it into a billing or admin office eventually. Kelly, being the resourceful gent that he is, called the zoning board to see if the hospital would be responsible for installing a privacy fence, since the property was no longer owned privately.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turns out, they were already on it! A local construction company installed the fence in a week's time and used the very best materials They even pulled up the old chain-link. The fence runs the length of our property up to the side of our house. The one thing they didn't do however, was gate it off. That is our job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kelly purchased the supplies (not quite the top-of-the-line fencing that they had installed, but hey, we're <strike>cheap</strike> frugal!). They are currently sitting in the backyard, waiting to go up. A table and part of the old chain link fence are keeping Daisy in the backyard. We're nothing if not classy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also treated ourselves to a new bed. King size, baby! Memory Foam! Ooooooh yeah...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We made a linen-covered, upholstered headboard, and I am so pleased with the outcome. I scored the linen at 40% off at Jo-Ann's with a coupon and used our noggins and decided on a foam mattress pad and batting for the upholstery. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kaqEPwvwq78/TiH3eoJQtwI/AAAAAAAACGU/ceL4S9xstw8/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kaqEPwvwq78/TiH3eoJQtwI/AAAAAAAACGU/ceL4S9xstw8/s320/IMG_2985.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7V4YQksr3g/TiH3gY5c60I/AAAAAAAACGY/ziOCuI4Z2d4/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7V4YQksr3g/TiH3gY5c60I/AAAAAAAACGY/ziOCuI4Z2d4/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sozWTapl7I/TiH3iCORTeI/AAAAAAAACGc/1s4IP4nlalA/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sozWTapl7I/TiH3iCORTeI/AAAAAAAACGc/1s4IP4nlalA/s320/IMG_2990.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am proud of us - especially since we did run into a few minor snags. Just the fact that we didn't threaten to harm each other, well that's success right there! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I have a few more projects up my sleeve and some other finished ones to share... but I'll save those goodies for another time. After all, I want you to come back! :)</div>The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32567254.post-45895277424253031902011-07-15T15:26:00.000-05:002011-07-16T15:44:46.787-05:00Getaway<div style="text-align: justify;">This year, our summer has been spent at home {with the exception of baseball & softball all-star tourneys to thrilling locations like Alexandria and Florien} up until last week. We were able to escape the hustle & bustle (ha!) of Natchitoches and made our way west to League City, Texas. What's in League City you ask? Friends, that's who! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Spanns invaded upon Holly & Dan's quiet abode where we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. No schedule, beautiful weather, beach day, great restaurants, shopping, swimming, sand volleyball and even a work out or two. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEOAYyi7zwQ/TiHzWKslOeI/AAAAAAAACF8/AgDf0XRszNg/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEOAYyi7zwQ/TiHzWKslOeI/AAAAAAAACF8/AgDf0XRszNg/s320/IMG_2934.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQVJsatE8dC11kjSTiSOKMjcdb1HSEldyXh1nTVtzW3YTbaIw51dfTBlco4zIqiFnnX2lGEUCX7Vec7aQSBmvMaxLZ87al7g7dyOfVt2Zp0_DTEBFknZD_dl4wm3aIYtb_dPp/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQVJsatE8dC11kjSTiSOKMjcdb1HSEldyXh1nTVtzW3YTbaIw51dfTBlco4zIqiFnnX2lGEUCX7Vec7aQSBmvMaxLZ87al7g7dyOfVt2Zp0_DTEBFknZD_dl4wm3aIYtb_dPp/s320/IMG_2937.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgVDkMluzk4/TiHzaVGZwNI/AAAAAAAACGE/W63ecQpsK3Q/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgVDkMluzk4/TiHzaVGZwNI/AAAAAAAACGE/W63ecQpsK3Q/s320/IMG_2948.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bgn5Ggbv4Ww/TiHzfc6g1PI/AAAAAAAACGI/k4_u4VclU_A/s1600/IMG_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bgn5Ggbv4Ww/TiHzfc6g1PI/AAAAAAAACGI/k4_u4VclU_A/s320/IMG_2954.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuAd5wg2Isg/TiHzg0vJ-VI/AAAAAAAACGM/4ldupxYuQqg/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuAd5wg2Isg/TiHzg0vJ-VI/AAAAAAAACGM/4ldupxYuQqg/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I didn't take tons of photos... too busy being lazy. But we truly enjoyed ourselves and can't wait to go back! Thanks friends, it was a great summer getaway!The Spann Famhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17763103448355181125noreply@blogger.com0