Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Monday, March 29, 2010

Busy weekend

The Spence clan had a busy weekend. I flew out last Wednesday to Palo Alto, CA for a conference Le Bonheur sent me too. It was a conference on Parent Mentoring and working with families who are dealing with a critically or chronically ill child. The hope is for me to formalize a training manual for other parents to become mentors at Le Bonheur. It was a very informative conference and I am excited to see the project come to fruition in Memphis. I flew back in Saturday evening and was thrilled to see my boys.

David's parents kept Austin during the week and David was in charge of the weekend. I called numerous times (a day) and Austin was having the best time with his grandparents and daddy.

On Saturday David took Austin to a function at Le Bonheur and then to his first Easter Egg Hunt.
You can see how Austin spent his first Easter Egg Hunt. He fell asleep on David for an hour and half and didn't collect 1 egg (fell asleep with food in his mouth).
Such a sweet picture of how much Austin loves his daddy. Right before he fell asleep, he had a big fall so that is why his lip is huge. He has a busted lip and little chipped tooth from falling.
I was actually a little thrilled that I didn't miss him participating in his first Easter Egg Hunt. We plan on going to one this weekend. They seem to all fall in the middle of nap time though. That is crucial in our household.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

My Big Backyard

Austin and I met our good friends the Robinson's at "My Big Backyard" on Saturday. It was the perfect morning to be there. The weather was gorgeous and the 3 kids were in good spirits. There are so many fun things to do for kids of all ages. Austin and CC had a blast on all the small things and Kate loved being the big sister and helping the little ones out. We are so excited that my dad and his fiancee bought us a year long membership after I told them how much fun we had so now we plan to go all the time! Thanks Dad and Sheryl!

CC and Austin in the big chair (Austin climbs EVERYTHING!)

Rebecca making sure Austin is safe
Hanging out in the chair
Playing in the log house
Sweet smile and some crazy hair
Watching the big boy play in one of the houses
Going up and down the music house stairs
The 3 kids resting at the end of the day

Friday, March 19, 2010

playing at the park

David and I took Austin to the park the other day and had the best time. He loves the park and will just giggle and laugh the whole time.


blog slacker

Sorry I have been quite the blog slacker. David and I have been super busy getting Austin's big boy room ready and I have taken up a new hobby...sewing! I love it. I have sewn Austin 3 pairs of shorts so far and can't wait to start on some new projects. I have been terrible about taking pictures as well. We went to the zoo today and I didn't even take my camera. I will try better this weekend to take pictures.

Our dining room table with one project (and my craving of the night...Sonic Strawberry slushie =)

Following the directions on making the shorts.

Sewing the shorts (I didn't take a picture of the finished project, I will try to get a picture of him wearing them).

Friday, March 12, 2010

generations

When we visited my dad in Florida, we had some wonderful time visiting my Grandma Maggie as well. She is an amazing woman that has impacted my life in so many ways. I am very thankful that Austin is getting the chance to know his great grandma as well.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

zoo with friends

Saturday was a beautiful day in Memphis so we met some friends for a fun day at the zoo. We had a picnic together after seeing some of the animals. It was a great day.


Sunday, March 7, 2010

Feeding the ducks

Behind my dad's house is a beautiful lake. Every day we spent lots of time running outside. The ducks learned that Austin was a good person to get close to because he was always dropping food. Uncle Toph and Austin went out one afternoon and fed the ducks. Austin might have eaten as much bread as the ducks. The kid LOVES bread. We would try to get him to throw a piece to the ducks but he would just stick it in his mouth instead.









Saturday, March 6, 2010

Friday play date

Austin had some friends over for a Friday play date. We loved having the little ones (and momma's) in our home and look forward to spending many more play dates together.

Austin watches as his friends play.

Austin watching Lilliana play the organ (yes, we have an organ in our home but no, neither of us play. It was David's grandmothers organ and when she moved to Memphis, there wasn't room for it so we kept it instead).

He loves watching Lilliana. She is the cutest thing and can talk so well. I think he is trying to tell her something in this picture.
If you live in Memphis and want to join us on a Friday morning, come on over. We would LOVE to have you. The more the merrier!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Fun in Florida

We went to the zoo while we were in Florida. Austin had fun seeing all the animals and playing with his family.

Watching the elephants with Uncle Toph
Hanging out with Pops

Walking around the zoo with Pops
Playing with Uncle Toph
In front of the elephants with Pops and Sheryl
Looking at the animals in the petting zoo
Hanging out with Sheryl
Riding the boat
Looking at the turkeys

Monday, March 1, 2010

working with Sophomore girls causes this...

Some of my high school girls last night decided to decorate Halley's and my car while we were inside getting dinner ready. I walked out and caught them (they were finished by then). Pretty funny.

"Another one is on the way"

"Sexy momma"; "Soon to be baby Spence #3"
"B Spence is my hero", "Baby Spence", "I love Ellen, she's my hero" (one of the girls who decorated my car)