Whew! Is it over yet?

As many of you know, our Christmas is not one that lasts only a day or two...no it is nearly an entire week of family, presents, and food. This year our celebrations began on Friday and went through Tuesday. We spent any spare time (which wasn't much) at home cleaning out the old toys to make room for the new ones. We did manage to be home Christmas Eve in order for Santa to find the girls and deliver their goodies to them. Kinsley had begged for a Barbie Jeep and good ole Santa came through and delivered one. The first thing she did was run straight into a tree in the yard. Poor Karlie doesn't know any better and hops right in for the ride. I'm surprised she doesn't have a bad case of whiplash from all of the times Kinsley has pushed on the gas then let off, then pushed, then let off....Maybe she will eventually learn.

Karlie got a bounce and spin zebra which she loves. She loves to climb on things and she also loves to stand and jump in her crib so...it's perfect. Santa must have really known what he was doing this year...(guess we'll enjoy it while we can- I'm sure in a few years he won't be as lucky).

Well we have eaten enough food to kill us- now its time for the New Years Resolutions about losing weight...we'll see about that later. Jamie and I are leaving on Friday to fly to San Antonio with some friends of ours. It will be the longest that we have ever been away from the girls. We are both excited and nervous about spending time away from them for 4 days. I know they will be fine- they will be getting to do whatever they want and not hearing "NO" at all. We probably won't know what to do with them when we get back.

Overall we had a great Christmas. It was good to spend time with both of our families. It is funny how Christmas changes as you get older...we no longer get as excited about our presents as we do getting to watch everyone else open what we bought them!

From the Grizwolds to Scrooge

Jamie and I were very excited about Christmas this year. So excited, in fact, that the day after Thanksgiving we got a head start on all of our decorations. Jamie fought the day-after-Thanksgiving madness to go to Walmart and get more lights and decorations since several strands from years past had quit working. And we had thrown away our tree last year so he went ahead and got a new one. When he got home we were so excited we immediately went to work decorating (even though it was only about 40 degrees outside). We got all of the lights hung, except for the icicles that were supposed to go on the high point on the front of the house. Jamie had to borrow a ladder and by the time he got home, it was too dark.

So we took our excitement indoors and decided to break family tradition and go ahead and put up the Christmas tree. Ever since I was 1, our family waited until my birthday (Dec. 11) to put up the Christmas tree. Jamie and I have carried on that tradition for the past 5 years we have been married. Oh well- we are excited about Christmas! Let's go all out this year.....We can't wait until then- let's do it now.

Long story short...the icicle lights never got put up on the high point of the house- I refused to turn on any of the lights until they were ALL hung. So the days went by with lights hung that never were turned on....and then they started falling down. Instead of fixing them, Jamie tore all of the lights down. Yes all of the Christmas lights have already been removed from the outside of our house and they were never turned on. So, we went from being Clark W. Griswold and "going all out" to Ebeneezer Scrooge and "BAH HUMBUG!"

Happy Turkey Day(s)!

The Spears family enjoyed a great Thanksgiving holiday again this year. We ate and ate and ate some more... with all of the family that we have, we not only celebrate Thanksgiving one day- but an entire weekend. We started on Thursday at my mom and dad's house. We had a great time eating, visiting, and playing "Catch Phrase". We loved it! I have to say it is the first game that the entire family has sat down to play and not gotten into a fight over in a REALLY long time. Ha Ha!

On Friday we had the day off so Jamie and I spent the day putting up our Christmas lights on the outside of the house and (yes I broke the family tradition) we went ahead and put up the Christmas tree.

On Saturday we headed to MiMi and Papaw's house to have Thanksgiving with them. Colyn had found their old original Nintendo- complete with Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. Embarrassingly enough, I played it so much I had a blister on my thumb! Oh the good ole' days! We had a blast trying to see who could make it the farthest without dying! Such fun! Kinsley didn't understand what all the fun was about...can you believe it?

On Sunday, we went to church with Jamie's grandmother and then went to her house for the day. While we had a good time, it was also a little sad as this was the first Thanksgiving without Jamie's granddad sitting in the recliner smiling at everyone as they came in. We sat around and got to visit, which is good. It seems like life is so busy for everyone that we don't take the time to really sit down and talk to each other about what's going on in our lives often enough. We had a nice visit.

When we got home that night, we learned that Jamie's sister Danielle and her boyfriend John Ross had been in a car accident on their way back to college at Tenn. Tech. We were thankful to hear that neither of them were seriously injured even though John Ross's car was totaled. It really made us stop and count our blessings...which is really the whole reason we celebrate Thanksgiving. It's not about the turkey, or dressing, or pecan pies...it's about the people you are surrounded by and all of the wonderful things that God has placed in your life. These are the most important things.

As I look back over the 5 1/2 years that Jamie and I have been married, I realize that we have been blessed TREMENDOUSLY. We have two healthy, beautiful daughters and we do not take this blessing lightly- it was the day before Thanksgiving two years ago when my pregnancy was ended at 9 weeks. When things like that happen, you wonder why, and you wonder what God has planned instead. Two years later, I can't answer why it happened, but I can say that if that pregnancy would have gone full term, we wouldn't have Karlie. And at this point, I can't imagine life without her- she is so precious. And as Jamie and I sit back and watch Kinsley and her play together, hug, and even fight (already), I can't describe how blessed I feel. And while we gain a lot more weight over the holidays because we have so many places to visit, I can't complain because I am thankful to have all of that family to surround us and love us.

I hope all of you had a happy thanksgiving with those that you love...and if you forgot to count your blessings- do it now.

Oh What a Night!

Well, the Spears family had a very exciting night last night so I had to share it with everyone...be sure to use your mind to picture all of this as I explain it to you.

Last night I got home from work (late), started supper, and got both girls in bathtub so we could get ready to go to church. During supper, a pretty big storm came rolling in and it sounded pretty rough outside so I told Jamie I was going to check the news to see if there were any warnings for our area. Just as I turned the TV to the station - BAM! A huge bolt of lightening, a loud pop, and our house alarm system begins blaring with the loudest noise I have ever heard. I immediately realize we've just been hit by lightening and start telling Jamie to check for fire or smoke. He is running around the living room with his fingers in his ears proclaiming that he is about to go deaf...can I do something about the alarm system. I pick up the phone to call the alarm system company and- NOTHING...no dial tone. So our only way to communicate with the outside world is to use our cell phone, and if you know where we live, you realize this is a miracle in itself.... so i go into our bedroom in front of the window (where it is still lightening) and try to tilt my head just right to talk to the lady on the phone. After saying "Can you hear me now?" about 100 times, she finally gets our phone number for someone to try to call us back. When the guy calls back he can't hear me so he hangs up on me the first time. I call him back and can hear just enough to know I need to find out how to unplug the silly alarm. I hang up on him this time and go start pulling wires apart until the crazy thing finally shuts up. During this, Jamie is walking around the house looking for fire and Kinsley is screaming and crying. Karlie is still in her high chair just looking around to see what in the world is going on. Jamie opens the front door to go outside to check for fire and a bird flys into the house. Kinsley starts screaming again. She and I lock ourselves inside the bedroom while Jamie gets a broom and get it out ( not before it poops on the hardwood entry way).

Oh we're not finished yet...more excitement to come.

Once the first round of excitement has settled down, we realize that half of the house has power and the other half doesn't. So, I again stand on my head by the bedroom window to call my mom and ask her to call the power company for us. About 2 hours later, they arrive and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb knock on the front door and say "Your lights are on." (Like we had not noticed that point already Captain Obvious!) This stupid statement confuses Jamie so badly that he turns around and asks me "Did we call the power company?" So, I push him aside and step in to have a conversation with Tweedle Dee. We come to the conclusion that the lightening must have hit the breaker so its the box that needs fixed, not the power. Okay...so...."We don't fix that- call an electrician." Thanks for nothing.

So, Jamie and I are making phone calls today trying to get people to fix what needs fixed. So far the list of damages are: no power in garage area or hallway leading to the garage, breaker box damaged, internet and digital phone box blown, alarm system damaged, TV in our bedroom is dead as well as the cable box in our bedroom. Where do we start?

Well, I guess there is some good news out of all of this, there was no fire or smoke. It could have been much worse, and we are thankful that it wasn't. But I hope you got a laugh or two from the picture I painted for you about the events of our night.

Trunk or Treat

Last night we had Trunk or Treat at church. The girls were very excited about their costumes. Kinsley was leery of the adults who were dressed up, but Karlie thought the whole thing was pretty cool. She rode in her stroller and smiled at everyone who came up to talk to her- even Moses.

As you can see, Karlie is Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh, and Kinsley is a Lewis County cheerleader (Mom might lose her job over that one!)

Karlie has started trying to walk finally. She is working on having the courage- she likes the comfort of holding on to something stable. She takes more steps each day, so Jamie and I are getting a little nervous of what she will get in to.

Karlie turns 1!

Happy Birthday, Karlie!

Karlie celebrated her 1st birthday on Thursday, October 11th. I can't believe that she is already a year old. Time has FLOWN by. We get to celebrate for a constant week with all of our family so I will be continuing to post pictures from all of her parties.

We are glad to be finished with formula! Yippee! We are still working on weaning from the bottle (down to 2 a day). She does not have much desire to walk- why walk when everyone will carry you? She gets into enough trouble crawling, so I'm in no hurry for her to walk. She has enjoyed all of her parties. She has even mastered how to say "thank you" while opening her presents. The picture on the top left was taken at Granny and Pa's house (my parents). She LOVED her Elmo cake...she tore in to it pretty good. I would post that picture but she rubbed her eyes and started to cry so it's not a good picture.

We celebrated with MeMe and Papaw while we were in Cookeville. That was her first party. She didn't know what to think when we sang Happy Birthday. Here is a picture of her with chocolate cake on her face. She LOVED the chocolate cake.

Grandpa and Paula came to the house and brought Karlie her presents. Kinsley enjoyed getting to help show her how to rip the paper. After supper we went and played outside on the swingset. Karlie had a great time.

This coming Saturday we will have a party at Mama Jane's house with all the rest of the family. I will be posting more pictures after that party.

Go Eagles!

Jamie and I took a trip down memory lane this past weekend. Our family went with some of Jamie's family back to Cookeville for the Tennessee Tech homecoming football game. Danielle's boyfriend, John Ross, plays for Tech and we had been wanting to go watch him play- so we figured homecoming was the best time to do it. We had a great time. It was really fun to go back to where we had gone to school and see the things that had changed. It was very hot during the ballgame, but it was a great game. Unfortunately Austin Peay pulled out a win in the 4th quarter. It would've been great for TTU to win, but we enjoyed it nevertheless.

We also celebrated Karlie's 1st Birthday while we were there. She will turn one on Oct. 11th! I can't believe how fast the past year has gone.

On Sunday, it was great to go back to the church where Jamie and I went while we were in school. We grew pretty attached to the congregation while we were there, and while Jamie has been back a few times (on his way home from a UT game) I haven't been back since we graduated. The people were so excited to see us and get to meet the girls. They said it didn't seem like we had been gone long enough to come back with 2 children.

Jamie and I love Cookeville. We loved it while we were there, and still do! In fact, we still tease that we are going to pack up and move back there. Who knows? Until then, we will just stick to visiting every once in awhile.

My husband, the hero

The past 24 hours for our family have been awful...Yesterday at school I started with a stomach virus. So I called Jamie and told him he would have to pick up the girls. When he got to the babysitters, Kinsley had also started vomitting and Karlie had major diarrhea. With all 3 girls sick, Jamie had to take care of all three of us- and try to not get sick himself. I have to say that he really was a trooper. He would cover his face with his shirt and open the bedroom door to see if Kinsley or I needed anything. Whenever he heard running to the bathroom he would come see who needed support that time. I have to say, we couldn't have made it without him. Now we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn't get sick...will keep you posted.

Spaghetti, anyone?

Here is just a glimpse of a weekly ritual at our house. As many of you know, we all love spaghetti, so it is a weekly menu option. As you can see, Karlie has joined right in to the rest of the family in LOVING her spaghetti. She not only likes to eat it, but also likes to bathe in it apparently. We have to take her straight from her high chair to the sink where we "hose her down" before she can even get in the bathtub...(the last time we just took her straight to the bathtub and Kinsley complained about all of the floating noodles in the tub!) So, tonight I hosed her down in the sink and when I pulled the plug, it was about like emptying the stopper after doing dishes...a sink full of spaghetti- GROSS!

Back to School

Kinsley started preschool today (for the 2nd time). She went last fall in Columbia, but after Karlie was born, it became too much to get her to school and pick her up when Jamie was headed to Lawrenceburg and I was headed to Centerville. We've been trying to get her into the Dayschool at Centerville Church of Christ for over a year now, and we finally got in!

Today was her first day and we were all very nervous about how she would do...she has a tendency to be very attached to me- and I am the one who gets to take her to school and pick her up. I am thrilled that she is now right across the street from where I teach. However I was not excited about being the one to drop her off on her first day. She surprised her daddy and me by not shedding a single tear...she kissed me, waved goodbye, and that was it. I left. Of course around 8:15 I called to check on her because I knew she must have had a melt down as soon as she realized I was gone...nope. She was fine. She had a great day and when I picked her up she was so excited she talked my ear off the entire way home.



One day at preschool and she already came home talking about her "boyfriend". Oh boy! What an adventure we are in for!

It's Football time in Tennessee

It's that time of year again...football. Probably Jamie's favorite season second only to March Madness. Last night we went to the Lewis County Football kickoff. His cousin Paxson is a sophomore this year for Lewis County. We also went to support Malea and Mashaya Hinson who are cheerleaders. We had a chance to take a lot of pictures, including one of Paxson and the girls for the program. As you will see in the pictures, Kinsley and Karlie both have jerseys just like Pax's. Kinsley is very proud of hers.

Here is Pax, Malea, and Mashaya.

Kinsley LOVES to be like Pax.

Jamie, Kinsley, Mama Jane, Karlie, Pax, and Marty

New things happening

Well, sorry for taking so long to update the blog. August is a very busy month as I begin preparing for another school year. I have been working on my classroom and sitting through lots and lots of meetings. I got to meet some of my parents last night at Parent- Teacher Orientation, but will meet the new students this morning. I will try to continue to keep the blog updated, but can't promise anything during these first few weeks of school. They are always the hardest. I have several students with disabilities this year, and even one child who is autistic. I pray that God will give me the love and understanding to patiently deal with each of these students.

Things are pretty much the same for the rest of the family...Kinsley doesn't like the fact that she has to get pulled out of bed at 6:15 am rather than sleeping until 10. (Of course, neither do I. ) Karlie doesn't seem to have noticed that things are different yet. That is probably a good thing. Jamie continues driving to Lawrenceburg every day to a job that he LOVES. So, things with our family are good right now.

For those of you who know my extended family, I want to tell you what is going on with them. My mom put Matt on a plane yesterday headed to Florida to meet his birth mother for the first time. Also waiting for him at the airport was his full brother, 2 half brothers, and his maternal grandparents who have prayed for him by name for the past 18 years. While it is an exciting time, it is also a very emotional time both for Matt and my parents. Please keep all of them in your prayers during this time. If you don't know Matt's story (it's a great one) please take some time to check out my mom and dad's blog- it over on my links section ( Gary Neat Blog). However I do warn you that before you read it, you need a box of tissues handy. Make sure you start with the post that is labeled: Part One. I will try to keep you updated on that situation also.

New tricks

Kinsley has finally perfected the art of riding a bike (with training wheels). It amazes me how hard of a concept it seems to be to pedal. She got her bike this past Christmas and it took her a few months to even get up the courage to do more than sit on it. But we have been practicing all summer and she has been riding her bike at Grandpa's house too. Finally we have mastered it! The pedals must go forward- not back- to make it go. Why is it that now that we can pedal, we have suddenly forgotten that pushing the pedals back will make us stop? After a few trips off the sidewalk and into the grass, we have learned...to just stay away from that part of the sidewalk.

What is Karlie's newest skill? Self- feeding...

Devils in Disguise...

Here is a recent photo of our two little angels for those of you who don't live close or get to see them very often. As you can see, Kinsley still looks just like her daddy. We are still trying to figure Karlie out. Some think she looks like me, others think she looks like Jamie, and some think she and Kinsley look like twins(?!?!?!). Anyway, you can decide for yourself.

Chattanooga

This past weekend Jamie and I took Kinsley for a mini vacation to Chattanooga. It was quite an adventure and lots of fun. We left Karlie at home with Granny and Pa (her own mini vacation). We figured Karlie wouldn't enjoy being in a stroller for 2 days looking at fish- we also figured that it would be a good chance for us to spend some quality time with Kinsley. We were wrong about one of those. Instead of enjoying the one on one time with mom and dad, Kinsley worried herself to death about her baby sister. For 2 days all we heard was "Where is my baby?" "Can we go get my baby?" "What is my baby doing right now?" "I want to go to Granny's to get my baby." over and over and over... But even with all of that, we all had a good time.

We went to the Creative Discovery Museum on Friday...it took Kinsley a little while to get warmed up since there were so many people there, but eventually she took off playing and had a great time. We went to the Aquarium on Saturday and I was a little nervous about whether or not she would enjoy it. She is not a big animal fan (terrified, actually) and some of her friends from church had been to the aquarium and did not enjoy it because they were afraid. I worried for nothing. She LOVED it! In fact, I don't know who enjoyed it more- her or Jamie. Her favorite part was the penguins (mine, too). Since the aquarium was such a hit, we decided to go all the way and take her to the Chattanooga Zoo. For those of you who haven't been there, it is probably only about a 10 acre zoo and takes less than an hour to see all of it (even walking slowly). Kinsley again had a good time looking at the animals. However, I like to tease Jamie for making us look like the "Rednecks go to the Zoo." The very first cage we walked up to Jamie says to Kinsley "Look at the owl, Kinsley. " Then he proceeds to "HOOT" at the owl. As he is hooting, I notice the sign beside the cage says "Red Tailed Hawk." No wonder the other people were looking at us and laughing!

We had a great trip. And we look forward to going back in a few years when Karlie can go, too. In fact, from now on Karlie will go on ALL vacations to save Kinsley the stress from worrying about her.

Pictures?

Do any of you know how hard it is to get a child who doesn't want anyone to look at her to smile and pose for a camera?

Photographer #1 sitting fee- $30 + 45 minutes without 1 picture taken
2 weeks of bribing with candy/drinks/toys- $10
Photographer #2 sitting fee- $55
Tears shed- Thousands

......Finally getting your 3 year old to get her picture made- PRICELESS!!!

I was determined that I would have pictures made of Kinsley this summer...I mean, we have portraits from 1 year, 2 years, ... we MUST have 3 years. It was the battle of a lifetime. Everything was going great at the first photographer until Kinsley spotted his 2 dogs...(no likey dogs). She decided right then and there that she would NOT have her picture made. We had 3 people trying to convince her it was okay, we even tried to bribe her with chips, drinks, candy, books- all to no avail. So then mom resorted to threatening...I made her call her daddy and tell him how she was acting (all he got from the conversation was her screaming...) I told her she had to go home and go to bed early...the threats continued until I realized that she wasn't going to cave in (strong-willed child) but her little sister was as happy as could be and was posing for the camera already. My cheapness decided if we had to pay a sitting fee, might as well have SOMEBODY sit and pose for the camera...Karlie gladly stepped in and filled the role.

While that made things a little better, I still did not have 3 year old pictures of Kinsley, but swore I would not go through that again. As the anger wore off, we found another photographer that Kinsley agreed to go to once I promised her that there were NO DOGS. So, we went today. Things started a little shaky, but we ended up getting about 30 pictures made. The problem? This photographer is MUCH more expensive than the first...

Whose idea was it for her to get her picture made anyway?

What's Happening...

Well, since everyone else has a blog we decided to jump on board and give it a try! I am not convinced that our life is interesting enough for other people to actually read, but here goes nothing! :) I don't really know where to begin so I guess I'll tell you what's going on with the Spears family currently.

We are living in Williamsport, Tennessee. Jamie works for the Federal Government with the Social Security office- finally a job that he enjoys and can see himself staying with. (Thank Goodness). I am still teaching 2nd grade in Hickman County and LOVING it. I am getting ready to start my 6th year. I am also a graduate student at MTSU working on my Masters in Educational Leadership and Supervision. I just started this summer and have 2 years left...

Here is our last family picture which was taken in February. You can see what Jamie and I spend most of our time doing...taking care of the 2 princesses. Kinsley is 3 and Karlie just turned 9 months. Things around our house are always fun. As you can see, Kinsley looks just like her daddy. However she acts just like her momma (poor thing). For those of you who remember me as a young child, I was shy (to say the least). I didn't want anyone to look at me, nor did I want to talk to anyone that I didn't know very well (and sometimes didn't want to talk to those I did know!) Well, my mother is laughing because I am getting paid back for all that I put her through- JOY JOY! Karlie on the other hand is not even a year old and already a complete opposite of her sister. She is laid back, always happy, and loves everyone and everything. She is full of personality. She has changed so much since this photo so I will try to post more recent pictures soon.

Jamie and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful, healthy family. God has truly blessed us in many ways. We pray each day that he will continue to bless us. That's what's happening with us right now...more to come later.