Year in Review-2008

Oh what a year it has been! Although, I could probably say that for every year because they're all great in their own special way. A few highlights and then a few pictures.

The Serious Stuff:

• Seeing my three kids grow and laugh and learn everyday.

• Deepening my friendship with a group of women (the NOGGS!) who aren't exactly like me but certainly get me.
• Continuing to be able to enjoy a large family (both sides) who always know how to laugh and love!
• Working on my relationship with God, it's not always smooth or easy but He's always there, isn't He?
• Continuing to learn to love my husband better each day and strengthening our marriage.
  

The Not-so-serious Stuff:

• Hamburger Mary's
• Our first night at Disney World over Spring Break (that's funny now, not so much while it was happening)
• Rylee finally learning to say mommy after Daddy, kitty, baby, Grandma, and Grandad!
• Brady finally learning to use markers and crayons in the way God intended instead of on himself and our coffee table.
• Peyton learning to improvise on Show-n-Tell day at school when Mommy dropped the ball. (For those of you who haven't heard this one, he used the baggie of cereal in his backpack for show-n-tell and gave a rather detailed dissertation on the subject of cereal and breakfast-you can see it at the First Baptist Preschool site)
  

Now a few pictures, ok maybe more than a few, but it is a whole 12 months!

January-Snow and Sledding in Indiana

February-Brady turns 2 and Peyton starts T-ball!

March-Beth Moore!

April-Disney World with 3 Kids and Jon is Teacher of the Year!

May-Memorial Weekend at the Beach

June-Summertime!

July-Rylee turns 1

August-School Starts

September-6 years of Marriage (Really, I just included this photo because 6 years and 3 kids ago I was sooo much skinnier)

October-Super Heroes

November-Peyton turns 5

December-Christmas Memories Made

Goals for 2009-Get a decent picture of my three children together; as you can see, that is easier said than done!

Me and My Piggies!!!

Finally, I achieved a picture of Rylee with her hair in pigtails. Usually they last all of about 30 seconds before she tears them out. So, with a little help from Daddy and Elmo I got them in on Christmas Day and she actually kept them in for an hour or so. I guess it was Rylee's Christmas present to Mommy (and Grandma, who has also tried several times to get the piggies in) .

Just Like the Post Office

Just like the post office, not rain, nor sleet, nor snow could keep us from seeing Santa yesterday. And I'm pretty sure we saw a little of all three yesterday. The weather was horrendous, but because Jon and I are not believers in the "get it done early" theory of living, we were running out of time to take our kids to see the big guy in the red suit. So we head to Mall #1 where when we arrived Santa was on a break. So, we entertained ourselves for the better part of an hour. Jon, Nick and the boys in the arcade; Rylee and I strolling around Target because they have carts where said "Princess Rylee" could be strapped in securely. Then after a 45 minute wait we ventured over to the place Santa was to arrive and low and behold, Santa wasn't coming. . .because of the weather! At this point we were prepared to give up the quest but we really didn't want to attempt this again tomorrow on Christmas Eve (besides I'd dressed the kids in their adorable red and green outfits). Thankfully, Nana came through and knew of a Santa at a different mall in downtown Bloomington. And was it ever a blessing! Other than slipping and slidding on the street to get in; this Santa was friendly, the photographer was friendly, the "elves" were friendly and no lines!!! It was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. Rylee didn't cry but was happier observing Santa from afar as you can see from the picture. Brady liked him ok, talked to him, but was not about to sit on his lap (as you can see).

A Christmas Survey

I read this on the Living Proof Ministries Blog and thought it may be fun a few days before Christmas. And since it's Tuesday and I don't have anything better to offer; this is my Two-Thumbs Up Tuesday Tip. . .FUN, for absolutely no good reason! (Copy and paste on your own blog and add your own answers!)

1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree
Fake-This was mine and the hubby's first major fight of our marriage. Fake or Fresh (I wanted fresh), Colored or White lights (I wanted white) So, after three days of barely speaking we compromised, white lights on a fake tree, and we've never gone back.

2. Favorite Ornament
This cute little snowman ornament Peyton was fascinated with his second Christmas (he had just turned one).

3. Favorite Christmas Song
O Holy Night by any decent singer

4. Favorite Tradition
Opening one gift on Christmas Eve at my grandma's house, which I've altered for my own kids. We open one gift on Christmas Eve, too, except it's always their Christmas pajamas (Thanks to my SIL, Stacy for that great idea).

5. Favorite Gift Ever Received
Two Christmases ago my wonderful husband surprised me with a laptop. I had been wanting one really, really bad and he came through. I didn't think I would get one that Christmas because we had just found out Rylee Jane was on the way (our third in three 1/2 years) and I didn't think our budget could handle it. But, Jon had ordered it about a week before we found out about RJ and there was the laptop Christmas Morning waiting for me next to the coffeemaker.

6. Favorite Christmas Meal
The usual, followed by my Aunt Jacque's scotcheroos (although, really, these are a staple at any family gathering, not just Christmas)

7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
My mother-in-law, Suzy's Christmas Tree cookies.

8. Favorite Place To Be
Wherever my family is, Florida or Indiana, we always have a great Christmas because we have great families in both places.

9. Favorite Memory
I have two (other than watching my own children on Christmas, of course). First-On Christmas afternoon we would always head over to my Aunt Jacque's house with all our loot to hang out with her family and my Aunt Cathy's family and just enjoy each other and all our new stuff! My childhood memories mostly center around mine and my two aunt's families. We spent so many good times together-loving, laughing (and a little fighting) but mostly laughing!

Second-For many years of my childhood my greatest ambition was to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader and one Christmas my parents . . .uh, I mean Santa. . .brought me a Dallas Cowboy jacket (the shiny 1980s kind). I was in tacky, cheerleader heaven.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie (and Book!)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: If you've never read this book or seen the movie, I highly recommend it! I just finished it with my students and even as 6th graders they enjoyed it immensely.

Alright, as I said before, FUN for no good reason!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Addendum: Yes, I know my oldest child is 5 now. I think the cold has affected my brain or maybe, I'm still holding on to my 4 year old baby rather than my 5 year old big boy. And by the way, it is now O degrees here in Indiana.

Well, we have arrived safely in Indiana and it is C-O-L-D! While Jon and I were shopping this afternoon it reached a high of 12 degrees, that's right all you Floridians, I said 12 degrees.
The trip up was fun, it was real, but it definitely wasn't real fun. This picture pretty much sums up the first couple of hours in Georgia after everyone awoke. Peyton first and then Brady, but at least the 4 year old held it until I could get him a bag; the 2 year old -not so much. And to make it even more fun we had to stop in the exact spot where I am certain Deliverance was filmed in Georgia. The clerk in the convenience store told Jon he had a pretty mouth.
After that the trip improved drastically and we arrived safely, which is , of course, the most important thing after all.

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!

Happy Thanksgiving from. . .The Pilgrims and the Indians. . . the Turkey . . . the turkey put up a brave effort but alas. . .

As we all know, the pilgrims were victorious. Poor, poor turkey.

My First 5K!

Well, I did the Turkey Trot at the Hammock this morning and completed my first official 5K. Let's just say it was my best time ever! (yes-I know-it was my only time ever, but ya gotta start somewhere people! My only suggestion for those of you planning on trying a 5K-don't choose the one in November, even in Florida, it was C-O-L-D!(Keep in mind these pictures were post race!)Me, Heidi and Sarah, Heidi's cousin.

The Cannons made it a family affair and Eddie placed 3rd in his age division!

Happy 5th Birthday Peyton!!!!!

Well, 5 years ago today (@ 10:54 pm to be exact) I became a mother to a beautiful baby boy, Peyton Robert Spencer. He was my first baby and I thought he'd never arrive, but he was well worth the wait. He has brought countless moments of joy and fun (and a little exasperation) over the last five years. He is smart and loving, funny and mischevious, cute and outgoing. . .I could go on and on. Here's a look back!

Some of my favorite moments include:

• The first time he said, "I love you, Momma." -Of course!
• The time he told me he was going to pray for me because I was not agreeing to his plan of wearing his pajamas all day. (and all this praying took place on the potty, of all places)
• His first t-ball game that he was so excited for.
• Watching him love on his little brother and sister when they were born (and occasionally, still)
• When he chose coffee at Starbucks over hangin' with Daddy at Chili's.
• Almost every moment in between November 23, 2003 and today!

Ok, I'm going to admit something that will probably get me in trouble with Starbucks lovers everywhere but I'm going to say it anyway. A couple months ago I took a chance on the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I was nervous because I thought "What if I don't like it? I will waste a trip to Starbucks and I'm sure that breaks some kind of coffee lovers code." But, I convinced myself it would not be a waste because everyone raves about it so much I figured, what the heck! Well. . .I hated it. I felt like I was drinking liquid pumpkin pie (maybe this is appealing to some but I'm not one of those people) and quite honestly, the orange issue creeped me out.

(I know about now you are wondering, "What, exactly, does this have to do with Two Thumbs Up Tuesday?" Stay with me folks, I promise it's coming.

So this weekend I notice Starbucks has rolled out the speciality Christmas drinks. And my first thought was, "No way, Jose, I'm not getting sucked into that dark hole of coffee drinking again." But, then the other little voice in my head said, "Come on! You're 31 years old, married with three kids; how else you gonna take a chance in this life?" So, I took a chance on a Grande Peppermint Twist Mocha.

. . .Let me tell you, the birds sang and the sky seemed to turn just a little bluer. It was great! The peppermint and the mocha made it taste something like a Thin Mint and even better-it wasn't orange or any other funky color for that matter.

My tip for Tuesday: Try the special holiday coffee at Starbucks and if you don't like it, wait for the next holiday and take a chance again!

Ms. Robyn is my Stylist

Ms. Robyn bought me this adorable fall outfit before I was even born. Well, it was finally cool enough and I've grown up enough to fit into the outfit. Don't I look pretty cute? (Also, I'm including a few pictures of my big brothers too, because I have to at least pretend that it's not all about me and my cuteness)! Love, Rylee Jane

P.S. I included this picture of me coming down the slide at the park. I love slides and feet first. . .it's for sissies!

Fall in Indiana

Even though we travelled to Indiana for a sad reason it was nice to spend time with Jon's family. I also feel sure that having Peyton around provided a nice distraction for everyone. With Jon's parents we visited an Apple Orchard and enjoyed some delicious, fresh hot apple cider (and yes, Robyn, you would have loved it). We also found time to visit the Martinsville Candy Kitchen which is a staple of Jon's childhood. They make homemade Candy Canes and they are wonderful! Although, they didn't have any the day we visited????? Jon says that it's kind of like the time we stopped at KFC and they didn't have any chicken but I assured him it was probably because we are still two months from Christmas. We also took Peyton to the park which is right next to a big hill that is the sledding site in Martinsville. We never seem to be there when there is enough snow to sled down it but I'm looking forward to that day. For myself-I'm not sure I want to witness my babies shooting down this hill on a sled toward an end that requires hay bales to stop you. Anyway, enjoy the pictures of fall in Indiana. Peyton with his cousins Clare (she is only two months younger) and Isabel.

Peyton on top of the sledding hill (we were a little afraid we were going to have to call the ambulance for Uncle Nick after climbing the hill but fortunately, for him, I did not take a picture of him at the top of the hill).

Ok, my tip for Tuesday, (although, I don't remember agreeing to this!) is the new makeup I've been using for the last three or so weeks. If you've ever watched late night infomercials you've seen it: Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals makeup. I know you wondered if it really worked as well as it looked on tv. Well, it does, my sister-in-law, Stacy, was the first person I knew (in real life) who wore it and then my mom started wearing it. And even though it looked really great on both of them I still wasn't a believer. See, I have really oily skin so every kind of makeup I've ever tried has vanished off my face by noon. So, my theory was: the expensive stuff slides off my face just as quickly as the cheap stuff did so lately I've been buying the cheap stuff. Well, I finally tried Bare Minerals and it is by far the best makeup I have put on my face! It stays on much longer and prettier than any other makeup I have ever used. The starter kit is $60.00 but when you consider what you are getting it's a pretty darn good deal! And you can order from the internet or the new JCPenney's up at 1-4 and 27 has a Sephora which also carries the makeup.