VBS Hump Day - Outrigger Island

Some pics from VBS ... well, once again - the dance movements get harder and harder every year - or I am getting older and older - nah! What a great theme this year - pretty cool to see the kids getting involved and most importantly hearing and seeing the love of Christ.

(to add to Brent's blog)

Brent has spent three years inviting neighborhood kids to anything at church. Finally this year two kids said they would come. Only one of the two kids have come this week. During my nap today... the door bell rang and there were four kids at the door asking if they could come to Bible School with us tomorrow!! PRAISE THE LORD! We are so excited. Enjoy the pictures of Brent's class. He also works with the special needs kids/adults. They are such a joy and remind us how simple the message of Christ and the act of Faith truly is!

Brent's class has this awesome swing in their class just for VBS!

A friend with one of our favorite people Mrs. Lisa

Chillin' in Worship
I love to hear this kid say to Brent "what's up dog?"
This is our neighbor with one of the youth worship leaders! Doesn't she look thrilled to be there...the reality is she is having a blast and talks about it on the way home everyday.
Jenna's 4th grade class

Last Post of the day (promise)

My friend Mary Lindsey used to do these fun surveys while she was pregnant with Harper. I thought since I have been so anxious about this baby, this maybe something fun to do and a fun way to report what is happening!

So here we go:

1. How far along? 13 weeks

2. Total weight gain - I am in denial on this and may not be able to share this part too often. I think it may be 4 lbs! I need to get out and walk a ton more (even in the 90 degree heat!!)

3. Maternity clothes - Not quite yet. There are a few things that don't fit anymore, but I am trying hard to hold off!

4. Stretch marks - A few on "the belly" (as Brent calls it). I have been using major lotion daily to stop them!!

5. Sleep - Still not doing well with this yet. I am doing a little better with my pillow, but still waking up a lot at night.

6. Best moment this week - had a few days free of illness.

7. Worst moment - Gagging all day long! It's the worse feeling of all.

8. Movement - None yet

9. Food Cravings - Still orange fanta and lots of fresh fruit

10. Gender - Still not going to find out! Brent and I both still feel like it's a boy. But either is good of course {or both as Brent hopes -twins!}

11. Wedding rings on or off - On except at night when I often sweat and need them off.

12. Weekly wisdom - Start now making a summer plan for getting the house in order

13. Milestones? - None yet!!

We have our first sonogram on the 16th. I am anxious and looking forward to it at the same time. Brent can't wait and wishes it was yesterday. Pictures of baby Spears to come!!

My husband

Many of you may already know this about my sweet Brent, but for those of you do not know him the way I do, he is, well, anal about being clean {Mr. Monk for sure}. He can't stand the fact that streets have oil stains in them. He can't stand trash, filth, dirty kitchens, dirty houses, or clutter! Dr. Cox our pastor has been challenging us to get out in our neighborhoods and share Christ with our neighbors! My husband accomplished both of his goals this evening. Several weeks ago he invited all of the kids in our neighborhood to come to a "clean up night/gather sticks for our winter fires (he's such a good dad already thinking of keeping the baby warm). Right on the dot at 6:00 pm tonight we had 11 kids show up in our front yard ready to clean. They divided into two teams, named their teams and then tried to see who could clean the most the quickest. The winning team (wink wink) got pizza, drinks, and ice pops for dinner. The kids had a blast. After dinner the kids went into the back yard and gathered a ton of sticks for us. We are set for winter and we have a much cleaner neighborhood, free of trash and litter!

This week is also VBS at our church. After three years of living here and asking the kids each year to come to church with us, we have two families that have agreed to come!! PRAISE THE LORD!! Join us in praying for these kids and their salvation. Brent will be teaching special needs VBS, as he does each year and I will be helping in a 4th grade class. We are excited to share more experiences from this week. We will have lots of fun videos to share! Especially from Brent's class.

Gathering the Troops

Determining a winner

Brent asking the kids to go wash their hands for dinner

Two pizzas and two Caprisun's later (well it was three pizza's - Brent, the Baby and I had one as well)

Our back yard and the kids getting sticks!

Our version of a garden!

We have tried on several occasions to grow a garden. We have a terrible yard for a garden. One side of our house gets minimal sun and water gathers and makes a big mud mess. Well that is when we get rain. We tried two years ago to grow lettuce on that side of the yard, and had little success...not a good sign when you tear into the lettuce and white liquid comes out! The other side of our house gets a little sun but has all of the crazy satellites for the TV, the air conditioner and a few other things, well you get the picture. Our back yard, if you can call it that, is really just a forest with a cemetery at the end of the path. So we are only able to plant things in containers or by the mailbox. This year we have attempted to grow green peppers, two mums and then a little flower garden. In the flower garden we put some wild flowers and then BLUE BONNETS in honor of all of our Texas family and friends! So here are a few pictures of our garden attempt. Nothing has bloomed yet, so we are still hoping we have a successful garden this year.

We jokingly call this big plant our marijuana plant because we have no idea what it is!!

We can't wait to see how this tuns out!

Question

Okay all of you moms out there, I have this question! My mom very lovingly bought me a body pillow that I had been asking about forever (or since I got pregnant). I love the thing. The problem and where I need your help is how the heck do you sleep with this thing? I did what the instructions said. The lady makes it look like such an easy concept! It hurts to sleep on my stomach, but I end up there each morning. I never sleep on my back normally and can't even do that now. But I really want to accomplish the art of sleeping with the body pillow and not 1) knock out my husband each time I roll over, 2) learn the art of sleeping while not being taken over by the belly 3) not waking up with the pillow outside of the bed holding down my covers while I shiver to death!! I told Jen yesterday that before the baby, when I sleep alone while Brent is out of town, the bed looks as if no one has slept in it. Right now, it looks like two pit bulls had a fight all night long!

Suggestions anyone???? In the picture they make it look so comfortable! I do still use my own two pillows to sleep on and this "thing". Is there a way to make it all work?? HELP

Great weekend and Week 13

Let me first start by saying, we had one of the most refreshing weekends we have had in a long time! It was all because we spent the weekend with a 13 month old little boy and his wonderful parents! Our friends the Barts came to visit (it was a end of the school year "surprise to Jon by his awesome wife Jen) We always have wonderful visits with friends that come to stay, but there is just something to be said about some friends that are so like minded with us that can just come and sit and talk to us about the things we struggle with!! Jon is originally from Korea and we have recently come across an amazing store that sells INEXPENSIVE fresh veggies and fruits and all Korean food, since the area we live in has a high population of Koreans! So, Saturday we had such a treat by asking Jon to cook us a Korean dinner! It was wonderful. I think Brent loved it more than I did, only because food and I are not great friends still. Regardless, it was so good. We spent Saturday exploring the Zoo and stayed up each night playing cards! Jen and I thought we had the rotten end of the deal since we both are not spades savy. Actually we killed the boys both nights. I tell you what, don't mess with us. We will rock your world for sure!

Today we are excited to finally be at week 13. I am finally feeling better. In fact I told Brent the other day that I may want to take another test to see if I am still pregnant because I don't feel so bad anymore. Soon after I made that bold statement I was quickly reminded with heartburn that YEP still there!! We have our first sonogram on the 16th of this month. We are looking forward to the first baby picture for sure. We still on standing firm on not finding out the sex or giving out the names that we will choose for the baby. (when it takes 34 years for you to have a baby you take all of the fun surprises that you can get at this point!)


Jen Jordan we have not forgotten your challenge, just need more time to get it ready!! HEHE

Barts with us at the Zoo

I don't know how Brent didn't get in this picture with me

Wrigley was eating dinner at the same time Micah was eating. Micah was trying to say hello to Wrigley by barking at her! It was fun to see them both get along so well. (of course Wrigley finally got to the point that she just ignored him! Hope that continues as her pattern with babies!)

Crazy new parents

We realize that we are already really crazy parents. In fact, we are those people who believe our dog is our baby. We really wanted the chance to do something special as a family this holiday weekend. So we went to Charleston, SC. We actually met Jenna's family (mom, dad and sister). We had a great time. Of course, we took a lot less pictures than we should, but the ones we took were so much fun. We stayed on this incredible island, that cost a ton of money to live there. It was fun to dream for a minute. Wrigley loved the sand, but barked at the water because it scared her so much. The weather was perfect and the beautiful view from our villa was so wonderful. We both could not help but reflect on "last." This was our last Memorial day weekend with just Brent, Jenna and Wrigley. It was a lot of fun to talk about the future and how a year from now we will be taking care of a little boy or girl that is a special gift just for us.

I don't have a ton of great information to blog about right now. We have been hanging low for a Spears!! Although, work has kept us both busy. We are so looking forward to this weekend, as we are having very special friends come and spend the weekend with us! They have a little boy who just turned one and we can hardly wait to "practice." We officially made it to week 12! I can't believe the first trimester is almost over. I did tell Brent today, that this is tough waiting. I can hardly wait to open my gifts on Christmas, and that is just under the tree for a few weeks. How am I expected to wait 9 months for this gift??? The other crazy thing to us has been how many friends we have, that are also having babies right now!! We got a phone call this weekend about two more friends who are also pregnant. (they are all having baby number 2 or 3 though, but still, pregnancy is pregnancy!) I have to admit that it is a great comfort having so many others walking this with me!

Just as a way of keeping our word, we have accepted the challenge given by Jen Jordan to video the soldier dance. We will get to it, we promise!!

Enjoy our pictures from our vacation!

I love bottles

Bet you can't do this!!!

Piggly Wiggly House (the family owns the stores)

Check out this size of this. It stayed on this wall all day long. At night it fell to the ground and by morning was hanging again. Never seen anything like it before

Sick Sick Sick

I have to share and hope not to offend any of my friends out there, but I am tired of women telling me they were never sick a day of their pregnancy! So many people have said, "I just can't imagine what that would be like." Well, I will spare you the details, and realize that in comparison to some friends of mine who had to get a pic line, that I have nothing to complain about, but morning sickness has been for the birds! When people tell me they never had this and make you feel like your crazy that you are sick, I sort of want to kindly poke their eyes out!!! (just kidding people, just kidding... well okay maybe just a few times I have felt that way but hey hormones right???) I have not wanted to sit down and blog about any of this, because really, when I feel good, I want to get things done or sleep or something else lazy like that.

We are getting more and more used to the idea of a baby. Although, there are still days that (me hating change) we think that life will never be just Brent and I any more! Then we think, but we don't want it any other way! Brent is so cute. He is reading all kinds of books and doing everything a first time father should be doing. He gets up early early each morning to make me a p and j sandwich in hope that if I eat something as soon as I open my eyes, I will not stay sick all day. He has cleaned the house and kitchen so many times and does not allow me to do anything around the house! He is fabulous! Not that I didn't already know that, that's why I married that man!! He is the best. He really will be the greatest father in the world too. I look forward to those days for sure. Everyone is telling me to just sit back and enjoy everything. Those must be the women that don't get sick for the first 12 weeks. The other funny thing has been all of the people who have guesses on what we will have. Everyone has their theory. Because I am so sick we have heard it is a girl or twins! I had one lady during a counseling session this week say it is a boy for sure because I have a younger sister! (what???) I had another lady tell me it's a boy because her ring made a circle near my hand!! (see why I am doing counseling with that one!! CRAZY LADY FOR SURE!!!) I heard that it is a girl because at night I have had cravings for sweets! (hate to tell them that pregnant or not, that has been going on forever!!)

I will try to be better about blogging of all you faithful fans! We are both still taking in all of the changes and feelings of being overwhelmed! Hang in there with us!

Honesty

So let me get down and honest! Many of you out there reading this already know this about me, that I get a little anxious about situations that I can't control! One thing in my life, so far - I have been able to completely control is my own self!! Brent and I have talked many many times about wanting a baby. But, for the past several years I have again controlled that situation as well! Finally, God has shown me that He is in control, becuase we found out today that we are having a baby. (my fingers are trembling as I type this out!) I have had to say to myself that God created women to have babies and women have babies all of the time! I just never really thought that we would actually have one! In fact I imagined that one day we would just adopt our children, and got to be okay with that. In a way, I am glad to have a place to talk about rational and irrational fears that I am going through. The neat thing is my seminary roommate is also having a baby and is due (from what we can tell) 9 days before I am! Our baby is due December 10, 2008. I know that is supposed to sound far away, but I am convinced that it is tomorrow. (more anxiety) As I blog I am watching Jon and Kate plus 8! 8 kids, I can't even imagine. Especially 6 of the same age. What a great show, expect now, it's a little overwhelming for me. It's also funny to me that recently a friend from church asked me to read a book with her, since she is also pregnant. I shared with her my fears and (she is also my care group leader) and she talked about being a support. How shocked she will be to know that is going to be sooner than later! So all of you out there in blog land, we (I) need major prayer. Prayer for the normal stuff you pray for friends when they are having a baby, but really pray for me right now, because this is not something I can do in my own strength. In fact, I am so beyond myself, and continue to tremble in fear, that I am completly living on God's strength right now. Not to mention, we live a whole lot of miles away from family. So for now, I feel like I am living for December 11th (totally planning on having this baby on the due date just like my mom!) Both my sister and I were born in like 1 hour and 20 minutes start to finish!! PRAY PRAY PRAY!!

Can't deny truth any longer

RED! RAIDERS! READY!

Here we are again. Our third sport in a row. Actually it is our 5th if you count basketball and baseball last year! No, we still have not had any kids yet, but we are back out coaching again and loving it. Brent is coaching 5 and 6 year old boys baseball. He was so excited when he saw the team names list come out at the beginning of the year. There in the middle of GA bulldogs, GA tech and all of the other SEC and ACC teams, his Big 12 team and Alma mater, Texas Tech was in the mix! You got it, we are the Texas Tech Red Raiders! Our friends Jen and AJ would be so proud of all the parents sporting our Raider Power shirts!! Today was opening day and the first time we were playing on the new fields at church. We did not win our game, but the kids had a total blast! The parents and coaches had a great time as well. One of our kids made a home run! The score of 9-14 did not reflect the heart of the kids that were playing! Enjoy our pics! GOOOO RED RAIDERS!!

The Bulldogs trying to figure out what just happened!

As head coach, Brent is also the pitcher!

Praying before the game

A good friend and assistant coach, Trevor and his daughter helping us out

All hands in, GOOOOO RED RAIDERS!!!!!

Are we crazy?

We painted again this weekend. You would think that we would have remembered it took us forever the last time we painted, but we both have short memories. We painted our hallway, chair rail in the dinning room and downstairs bathroom. It looks amazing! It was worth the effort for sure. We are so excited to have company coming next weekend and then later in the Spring, and wanted to make sure the house was looking good! The pictures below are of Brent painting. I promise I did help!! Someone has to take the pictures!

Before Paint

Frustrated Dog because she is blocked in our room!

Brent painting! (this wall is finished!)

Catch Up again!

Sometimes it takes us a while to update our blog. Sorry! I promise, there are days we do good if we see each other before crashing in bed at night! We will try to do better! So here are three posts with lots of good pictures today.

As many of you heard, last weekend the Atlanta area had some major tornadoes that killed at least two people, injured a whole bunch of others, did major damage to downtown Atlanta and sent us inside our closest a few times in order to take cover. Although the tornado went around us at least 3 different times last weekend, Saturday was a day to remember and a pretty scary experience. We did have some major hail (which is the picture below). The first month after we moved to GA in 2005, we had another, much smaller hail storm, that did major damage to our white car. We were blessed this time to have nothing more than a stressful, eventful day we won't forget for a while!

Hail Storm

Right before the Hail

Old Guys

Winning 4th and 5th grade team!

Today, finally, was the end of the North Metro FBC Basketball season. The last official game of the day, was AWESOME!! Our friends, the Mahr's, kids played in the game and their dad coached. They were losing by one point and Tyler threw the ball from behind the half court and MADE IT!!! We cried, okay well their mom and I cried! It was soooo cool!!! After such a victory, the "old guys" got their turn on the court. The coaches played the refs, then another set of coaches played the high school boys and the winners of the games were going to play each other!! Brent's team lost at the buzzer by a point. BRENT PLAYED AWESOME!!! He of course did not think so, but I had taped a good portion of the game for our enjoyment. It was so much fun. Of course, we were so glad they lost, because, that ment we FINALLY got to go HOME!! After a basketball game at 9:30, baseball from 1-2:30, another basketball game at 3:30 and then this game at 6:30, us old folks are exhausted! It was a really fun way to end the season. Now it's off to baseball with the 5-6 year olds!! What a bunch of cuties they are. Pictures and info on them to come. Enjoy watching Brent play!!!

What a beautiful pass!!

Free Throw Brent

I have more video's, but I will spare my husband and the other coaches! Great job guys!!

GA Weather

Growing up in Maryland, I expected to have snow in February. Since living in NOLA and North Carolina, I expect to have spring by the end of February. Yesterday, we woke to lots of thunder and lighting and the loss of power for a few seconds. We later found out that the areas around us actually had tornado's, with lots of damage. We were blessed to have just the heavy rain and wind. Our weather forecaster said that we should expect COLDER temps today, and then tomorrow it will be in the mid 60's again. After Brent left for work (and I was still in bed) I called him to make sure he had gotten off okay, only to find out that it was SNOWING IN GA!!! It is 32 today with a high expected of 34! The forecast is still saying mid 60's tomorrow. I DON'T GET GA WEATHER!!

We start Baseball on Friday. We should have started last week, but because of rain, we will start this weekend. Brent is coaching 5-6 year old boys. Yet another challenge is before us. As an update, we finished basketball last weekend, with a record of 1-6. Every team at North Metro gets to the tournament. It's a double elimination. We were double eliminated right away. Oh well, better try next year. As one of our parents said, it's not the win loss that we would have wanted, but the boys had so much fun and learned a lot about basketball and the Lord. During the half time of our last game, I told the boys to go out and do their very best and they could still win this game. One of our "star" players looked at me and said, "it's not about if we win or lose, we just have to do our best." They were right. That's what Brent taught them all season. We had a group of boys who many of them had never played b-ball. Our kids were a little smaller than some of the other teams, but that didn't matter because they played their best (most of the time.) Maybe we will do better in baseball, and if not, as Brent says, it's not about the wins and loss, it's about how you played the game!! (leave it to my husband to always have the positive spin on everything! Guess that's why I love him!)

Our Uncle Bob

One thing I remember growing up, was that most people have an "Uncle Bob" in their family! But none had an Uncle Bob like we had. In fact, soon after Brent and I got married, we went out to CA to see my Uncle Bob, at which time, Brent immediately loved my Uncle Bob like the rest of our family. My Uncle Bob was the twin brother of my dad's mom and the family patriarch. But still you ask, so what's the big deal with my Uncle? Well, he lived his life to the fullest. Uncle Bob was a scenic artist. If you have ever had the opportunity to enjoy the ride at any Disney around the world, and rode "It's a Small World" you have experienced the art of my Uncle Bob. His work goes way beyond Disney. In fact he worked on movies with Elvis and Michael Douglas to name a few. He also did work at Hershey Park, Knotts Berry Farm and several others places. In November 2004, my uncle passed away after a very short battle with Leukemia. He was 84. Brent had the honor of officiating his memorial service later that Spring in Mass. One of our favorite family traditions, for those of us who were married before Uncle Bob passed, was that we got a painting as a wedding present from him. Our painting hangs above our bed. It is a simple, yet incredible picture of a small church in New England. Not that we could ever forget our Uncle Bob, but having a piece of his legacy in our home, helps us remember him daily. You would think that would be enough for us to keep his memory alive. But, soon after his death, Brent decided that the first dog we got together, he wanted to name it Wrigley. The name is after Uncle Bob's favorite baseball team, the Cubs!! Our furry bundle of energy name is so fitting for many reasons, but one is because Uncle Bob played golf with his four some friends until close to the end of his time here on earth. He lived his life to the fullest.

I decided to blog about him today, because I came across the website my cousins put together displaying his art work. I know for sure there will be an art gallery this summer in Mass to honor his work. But, like I said, you don't need to go to far to remember my Uncle Bob, just the next time you go to Disney, ride It's a Small World. As you admire the beautiful scene you will have a new memory of the man behind the "scene." Our Uncle Bob!

April 26, 1920- November 1, 2004

What a difference a year makes

Some of the guys Brent works with, at a retreat center in GA.
(Notice our friend Luke, the guy in blue. He's not standing on anything,
he is that tall!! Former NBA player, now chaplain)

I have been trying to come up with something new and exciting to blog about, but can't seem to find anything fun. It has been yet another busy season for the Spears family. Brent and I both were sick for several weeks, fighting sinus infections, colds, coughs, the "just want to stay in bed and die" feeling you have when your sick in the winter stuff. We both have FINALLY come out of that. Jenna got the opportunity to go to Austin Texas to visit friends and Brent's half sister. It was a great week. As I look back and reflect, much of the time I remember was spent eating Mexican food, shopping and just exploring a little bit. A few days after I came back, Brent left for his twice of year trip to Simpsonwood. It is a beautiful retreat center near our house that Brent and some of the guys he works get to go yearly. They always have a blast. The only picture I have posted is of them on their retreat. Besides that, we of course have been playing basketball (we just started the tournment and we lost the 1st game and play one more time on Saturday, unless we win!) On Saturday we also begin baseball. (is anyone else out of breathe from all of the practices and games we have been to since Football back in August?) Brent is stepping out and coaching a different age group this year. Last year we worked with 3rd and 4th grade boys, and although Brent was "head coach" it was by title only. We were able to work with two great coaches that season. Now he will coach 5 year old boys. Because of a basketball game on Saturday that Brent had to attend and coach, I went to the "tryouts" for the 5 year olds. Let's just say attention spans will be our primary enemy this season. Several of the kids made it to second base and then thought the butterflies and bugs were cooler than catching the ball. They were all too cute. It will be a great time.

It's hard for me to believe, as I look back on when we started this blog, that around this time last year I was beginning my adventure at the Bair Foundation. Now, I am counseling in a private practice. Last year, I went from being so stretched on time and energy from working insane hours, to trying my best to come up with ways to introduce our practice to other people around town. But through it all, God provides. He gives us the time and strength to get it all done, and for His glory! Just amazing what a year makes.

Round 2

Look close and you and see the snowman our neighbors made!

To our surprise, last Saturday, we got more snow in Atlanta. It was a blast to see all of the kids making snowman and playing in the snow in our neighborhood. Of course, Wrigley again was not found of any of it. The snow cancelled the afternoon basketball games, so Brent got to come home early on Saturday. But, his game was not cancelled. He says the boys did great, but were just a few points shy of a win again this week. It hasn't helped that we have not had a practice in three weeks because of the rain and snow. Much to our surprise, the cold temps affected church on Sunday as well. Our Sunday School was cancelled and we only had a 11:00 service. That was nice, since I had been sick all week and still needed a few more days of rest. Church services were cancelled on Sunday night because of the cold temps and ice again. Can't believe this time last year the news was talking about how hot the winter was and there were blooms like Spring all over the place. This year there is snow on the ground. Crazy temps for sure.

We had a quiet celebration for Brent's 34th birthday on Monday. Of all things, he asked for mac and cheese for his birthday dinner. My crazy husband. His wish was my command. We had fun spending time alone. I think we even had pj's on by 7 that evening. You know your getting old and don't have kids when that happens.

There is an icicle on our car and Wrigley is scared to death of it! She keeps running up trying to sniff it but it gets her wet and moves!

Front Yard

Look close and you can see the big snow flakes. This was no flurry.

It's cold in Hotlanta

Wrigley in the snow

Our front yard

She sits and watches the fire

I am forcing her out the door and she will not go

We can hardly believe that we are having a "real" winter this year. A close friend of ours gave us some wood so we could build some fires in our house. I think we both were thinking that we may not need a lot of fires here in the south, but this past week has proved different. The temperatures have been below freezing and we actually got snow last night. It is gone today, but it is predicted to snow again on Friday night into Saturday. The funniest part of the snow is watching Wrigley in the snow. She hates getting wet in the first place and really hates going into the yard after a rain storm. (her precious paws may get wet!) So we thought it would be funny to takes some pics of her experiencing real snow for the first time.

Don't Eat Yellow Snow

Why not to eat snow!

Game Day

Well today's game did not go as well as last week. Ours kids put in a good effort, but we could not keep up with the two giants on the other team! We stayed encouraged and fought a good fight and will come out and try again next week.

Brent and I both are experiencing a great deal of "business" lately and there is more to come. It's amazing to me that just in the time when I think we don't have one more second to spare in a day, the Lord calls us to start something new to draw us to himself. We started going a bible study on every other Friday night. Last night was the first time, and it was such a sweet time to sit around, eating, fellowshipping and studying with friends. On a more intimate level, the ministry Brent's serves with, has started a forty day bible study called "40 days with the Master." Again, I thought at first, (just being real) something else to add to my life. But in reality, it is exactly what I am needing to make it through our lives right now. The Lord is allowing Brent and I both to be involved in a lot of ministry opportunities. New families and people are calling me each day asking to come to see me in my new counseling practice. Brent is teaching helping with a new class at church on Wednesday nights. All of this is on top of many others things that we have been doing already. It's funny to me when I look at my calender and see how much we have to do, it reminds me how much more I need HIM. What a relief it is when I take daily time with the Father, my calender looks less impossible and more exciting. (don't get me wrong, this is my heartbeat, but on the other hand, I am praying for a day that Brent and I can sleep in and do nothing!! That is one of the very slim and few blessings that comes from not having kids yet! Although, our dog still needs to go out early each morning! Oh well! I can't have it all)

Last post of the day

And finally, the next season of sports has begun! The Royal Knights, 2-3 grade basketball team, at church. Brent is coaching and Jenna is helping. (really I just sit on the bench during the games and do what I am told!!) We both are having a blast of course. We played our first game on Saturday and won 18-10!! It was such a great way to start the season. Last year we only had 7 players on our team, and this year we have 10! It's like having two teams all in one. It's great. A lot of work during the week at practice, but a ton of fun regardless. We will continue to have games each Saturday for the next 6 weeks (I think, I told you I just show up to the games when I am told!) Of course the greatest part is seeing the kids learn the game and get excited about applying what they are learning in the team devotions on the court!

The picture below is of the team before they took the court! Check out those ORANGE shirts!! Can't miss the coaches this year.

Paint Adventure

The after shot!

Wrigley was locked up in our room for 4 days. Finally she gets some free time!! (She sneaked down the stairs to lay in the sun)

Sleeping on the job

Brent painting trim

Setting up

All furniture in the dinning room

Brent and I have lived in our little house since 2005. We made the decision to stay in this house and try to commit to saving some extra money and then buy a house in 2 years. So with the permission of our landlord, we began the process of painting the inside of the house. We started with the toughest room, the living room. The ceilings are 16 1/2 feet tall and required some extra help in order to get the trim at the very top. We allowed ourselves two days to complete the whole project. A normal person would have accomplished that task in 2 days, but Spears time is normally doubled. After 4 LONG days, we finally finished the task. We are both proud and loving spending time in our new living room!

Playing catch up!

So I realized that I had written a post on the 8th and did not actually post the blog until after Thanksgiving, so some of the information was confusing. Here are some pictures and video from our time with Brent's dad. We really had a great time visiting with Don. It was his first visit to GA to see us since we have moved here. We hope to get to spend some more time with him either this spring or summer.