Young At Heart

On Wednesday I turned 31. I am no longer thirty, instead I am 'in my thirties'. This is very different, people. But I figure with all that I do to stay young, I'm really going back in years. So, really I turned 29. What?! Read On:

Last week I took mornings off to volunteer with VBS at our church. I had the opportunity to share "God's Unshakable Truth" with 18 wild & wonderful 3rd graders. It was a long week, as I worked late everyday to make up some hours, but it was worth it. That takes off a few months right there, at least.

This last weekend I attended a retreat for the Student Government Association at Northwestern. My job works very closely with students of different organizations, with SGA keeping me very busy. It was fun weekend & fully participated with the group in team building, low ropes, the whole bit. I even earned a nickname.

And each day I spend my time with college students from all walks of life. They are good to me, but definitely keep me young. I was spoiled on Wednesday with gifts, food, flowers & cards. I enjoyed a wonderful meal and received lovely gifts from my family. Claire schooled me in Yahtzee and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am LOVED.

And young at heart, no matter my age.

Summer Lovin'

Or Lovin' Summer, whichever way you like, it's definitely summer 'round here!

We're settling into out new home, which the kids call the "house in the woods" which is pretty accurate. We've been visited by lizards, squirrels, rabbits and every manner of insect you can imagine.

Kelly is in full stay-at-home dad mode. He's great at it, though we'd both be thrilled to switch roles. We're thankful for how everything has worked out this year and have truly seen God's hand in all that we embark upon.

Claire had her last softball game of the season on Tuesday, taking home a 1st place trophy. Early on in the season, when the team won games, we tried to emphasise that it wasn't a big deal... we didn't want losing to be a big deal either. Well, when they ended up with an undefeated season, we didn't have much opportunity to learn about being a good loser. And just when we thought it was over, I got a call last night informing me that Claire had been chosen for the All-Star team. She's thrilled, especially since she knows that they'll be in a tournament and are playing other cities. It also means that we have tree weeks of practice and games will be played in 100+ degrees. Summer in Louisiana, gotta love it!

Saturday is our 11th Wedding Anniversary. We'll actually be spending it together this year (last year he was in Kansas City & I in Minnesota). We're hiring a babysitter & everything... a very big deal!

We also have birthday partys, softball camps, and VBS starting next week. Like I said... Summer Lovin'!

Picture Day

A while back, one of my student workers who is a photography minor, took some photos of Claire & Nolan for an assignment. Above are a few of the results. Definitely an A, don'tcha think?

Moving Day

Okay, I have to make this quick... We are moving today and there is much to do, but I wanted to sneak in one little post since I don't know when the computer will get unpacked! Many events have transpired since my last post: birthday parties, Conference Tournament, a trip to Texas, end-of-the-year programs and the last day of school, just to mention a few.

Nolan is officially 5 years old! We had a party last weekend which was a bit of a bummer. That's what happens when no one shows. (Sigh) Nolan was fine, as he still received awesome toys including Speed Racer & Transformers. I was more upset than he was. A party to remember, I guess!

We left on Wednesday evening for the Southland Conference Tournament in Huntsville, Texas. Unfortunately, the Demons were eliminated in 2 games, and we left just after Thursday's afternoon game. The trip was shorter than expected, but we came home and decided to move. It was the plan to tackle that little task this week, but we figured it would be nice to do it during the holiday weekend, while some of the players were still around. Nothing like free help. Free, that is, if you don't count the food!

The kids are done with school for the year and Kelly is a stay-at-home dad for the summer. They'll attend baseball camps with Kelly, as well as VBS and all the other traditional summer activities. Claire & Nolan both had programs, and I was so proud as I listened to Nolan & his class recite the entire 23rd Psalm. We are thankful for the school they attended this year but look forward to the new school they'll attend here in Natchitoches.

Okay, I really have to go... Won't be long until I check back in, but until then, have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Seriously?!

On those rare occasions when I sit down just to think, I often find myself asking... "Seriously? Do we really live in Louisiana? When did that happen?"

Then, when I continue to ponder just how we got here, I consider how interesting the journey is. If you've read much of this little blog over the past 2 years, you know that life with the Spanns is anything but boring. But if you'd have asked me 3 years ago where I'd be today, my answer would have probably been "right here in Minnesota, living in the home we'd built (with a completely finished basement!), enjoying winter at it's best (and worst), summers on the lake, kids growing up as our midwestern roots continue to deepen" (or something even more witty & profound).

Obviously, that was not part of the plan. But if I go back even further... if you would have asked me the same question 10 years ago, I would have never imagined that we would have ever returned to Minnesota after leaving nearly 11 years ago! But we did, and our journey continues.

I sincerely don't believe that this is a last, or lasting, stop for us. But who knows? Certainly not us. Soon I will be sending out our new address. This will be our fifth address in the last 2 years. I'm certain that by now you've learned to use pencil! I find myself saying - okay, muttering - "this is not what I signed up for". But what did I sign up for? An amazing marriage? Healthy-beautiful-hilarious kids? Wonderful friends? The love of my savior... even when I look upwards and ask, "Seriously?!". Yeah, I guess I did get what I asked for. Seriously.

Mom's Day

Here are a couple of pics from the Mother-Daughter Tea Claire & I attended a few weeks ago. We really did have a ton on fun. At first I thought I'd seem random to post them, but since it's Mother's Day tomorrow, I think it's totally appropriate.

This year Mother's Day will consist of church with the kids, baseball in the afternoon and dinner out. Kelly was trying to surprise me with dinner reservations, but I was being a brat and teasing him about not taking me to lunch since they have a game. I'm looking forward to it!

Believe it or not, Demon baseball will be over before you know it! This weekend is the last home series of the season. The kids continue to play until mid-June, but things are slowing down considerably. We're now thinking about birthday parties and summer celebrations.

Okay, have to run - kids are calling, as always. Here's to motherhood!

Zoo Crazy!

There are some days I feel as though I live in a zoo. Kelly left Thursday for a weekend series in Texas and now that it's Sunday much of my energy is depleted. Instead of going crazy at home, however, the kids & I made our way another zoo. This one actually had animals! Saturday we visited the Alexandria Zoo, about an hour south of Natchitoches.

It was a special event day where we explored "The Wild Side of the Arts". The kids made crafts, necklaces & bracelets, tote bags and flags. We listened to pirate music, ate ice cream and rode the Bayou Zoo Train. We got frog tattoos and Claire & Nolan were transformed (see below). It was a zoo-licious day!