Comfort and Joy

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

Saturday, June 25, 2011

what a week...(part 1)

This was a wonderful & exhausting week all in one.  David graduated from Residency on Monday night so the weekend before we had lots of celebrating to do with the other residents.  On Saturday the wives were treated to a Spa Day and the husbands went golfing.  On Saturday night we attended the Roast where the 4th year residents roast the 5th year residents.
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Every year the 5th year residents pick a theme and all the guys dress up like the theme.  This years theme was "Will Ferrell characters".
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The wives had airbrush t-shirts made with a quote from the movie their husband's character was in.
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The guys had a blast being together, cutting lose, and dressing up.
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They have been through the ringer together and I don't think anyone else can really understand the 5 years they just went through except each other.

David and I were exhausted after the Roast and walked into the house at 1:00 am to find that Miller wouldn't settle.  He had another ear infection (this is the 3rd one after he got tubes) so I stayed up all night with him.  I was beat on Sunday so it was a day of rest.

On Monday my mom came in town for the week of festivities so the kids were excited to have GiGi there.  We headed downtown to see David graduate from Residency.  It was a very proud moment for me because I know how hard he worked, the terrible hours he put in, the heart, soul, and passion he gives to surgery and his patients all the while being an incredible husband and father.  We can't stop talking about all that happened in the last 5 years...bought our first house, rented out our house, had 3 sons, lost our first son, worked at the church, stayed home with the kids, and even more things that I can't even remember right now.  It has been truly amazing to see the hand of our Lord on every aspect of our life.  Even through the darkest time of our life, He never forsaked us.  Truly by his mercy did we survive the last 5 years.

So on to the graduation...we packed up the kiddos, my mom, David's parents and headed downtown.
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Funny story happened at graduation. Each resident when presented with their diploma took to the podium and said a little something. Usually thanking family, friends, fellow residents, and the staff. It was very nice. Well, David was last and when he went to the podium, Austin was sitting in my lap and he starts calling out for Daddy and keeps getting louder and louder until he starts crying, jumps out of my arms, and runs to the podium during David's speech. He then stayed in David's arms as he finished his speech. It was sweet and funny. The staff remarked that was the only time they had ever seen that happen. At the end of the ceremony, the staff presented some awards to the kids. Well Austin ended up with one that I'm pretty sure meant he was the most rambuctious!

After the ceremony the guys got together for some pictures.
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We then had the guys with kids take a picture all together. In 5 years, 11 children were born. 3 were born before residency started and 11 during residency (with 1 on the way).
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I love the next few because it shows you what life is really like with Miller right now =)
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We got one good one.
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I love this one...such a proud daddy.
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This post only included Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  We still have the rest of the week to go...stay tuned!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Week with cousins

Austin and Miller's cousins came to town last Tuesday and we had the best time with them.  In 3.5 years, 6 grandchildren have been born!  Forrest would have been the oldest, then O 2 months younger, than Austin 10 months younger, than J 9 months younger, than Miller 1 year later, and the newest one K born in April 10 months after Miller.  To say it is a little crazy when they are all together is an understatement!  It is crazy but so much fun!  The kids are getting to the age where they play well together and have the best time.  Austin would wake up asking, "Where my cousins at?".  He wouldn't call them anything but "my cousins".  It was hilarious!
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Trying to get one good picture of all 5 kiddos. It didn't work =)
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The 2 oldest and youngest cooperated!
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While they were here the kids shucked corn...
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Watched videos on Dingdad's computer...
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Played at the Sprinkler park...
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Ate at Sweet CeCe's for a good cause...
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Aunt Brittany LOVED playing with O's hair.  I was always putting braids in it!
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Opened birthday presents...
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Give cousin kisses...
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and blow kisses...
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We are so thankful for family and love that the kids love each other! We can't wait for them to visit in Boston...hint, hint!

Click here to see all the cousin pics.

Bible School

This past week the boys and I headed each morning to VBS at our church. I helped with recreation and Austin did a young version of "Bible School" (thats what he loved calling it). He LOVED that he got a t-shirt like mommy's and wanted to wear it everyday. Our church (IPC) does a wonderful job with VBS. I am so impressed by it and extremely proud of the people who put so much work in to make it great.
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I love his big grin in this next picture...I love this little guy!
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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Paintings complete

Click here to see the Forrest Sibling Room completely painted...we are getting closer to a finished project!!!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Sibling room pics

While having jury duty downtown every day, I stopped at LB to see the work on the sibling room. To say it is amazing is an understatement. You have to see it for yourself to really appreciate the beauty. Elaine is doing an incredible job. The details make everything so real looking.






























I am so proud of the room. Proud of the sweet legacy my son left behind. We hope it's a place where children will feel safe and loved, and a place they can have fun while their parent/s are visiting their sibling who is sick.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Juror #1

A little over 6 weeks ago I received a letter saying I was due for jury duty on May 6.  I unfortunately was going to be in Boston trying to find us a place to live.  After 2 days of calling I finally got through to someone who worked there and they told me I must come in early to sign up for a week of Jury Duty.  I went thinking surely they won't have a week before I move to Boston.  Oh...they had 3 different weeks I could sign up for.  So I picked June 6-10 for my week of Jury Duty.

I showed up Monday morning, June 6 with my laptop, Kindle, and lots of things to do thinking I would have a lot of time on my hands.  Instead, I was picked Juror #1 for one of the first cases.  There were 26 potential jurors on this case.  I answered the lawyers questions thinking they would never pick me but I was wrong...they picked me as Juror #1.

We spent 2 days listening to the lawyers, witnesses, expert Medical Examiner and then it was time for our deliberation time.  Again, I thought, I will be the juror that gets their name picked to not have to make a decision (there were 13 jurors during the case but only 12 vote).  Oh no...not only did I get to be a juror who decided, my fellow jurors voted me to be the Foreman.  I had to lead the other jurors in the decision making and then speak on behalf of all the jurors when it was time for the verdict.

To say this was an interesting few days is an understatement.  I went into it not wanting to do it at all but came out of it proud to be an American...proud to live in a country where rights to a trial and a jury are exercised.  It was difficult to make a decision...it took over 2 hours of discussing, arguing, not agreeing, thinking we had a hung case, to finally all agreeing.  In that Jury room were 13 very different people...different ages...different races...different nationalities...but one thing was the same...we wanted to make sure justice was met.

If you ever get summoned for jury duty...don't dread it...go and be confident that your eyes will be open and you will learn a lot.  


Monday, June 6, 2011

32 and never been more handsome

My wonderful husband turned 32 last Tuesday and we were so busy moving that we didn't get a chance to celebrate big. His parents were so sweet and fixed a delicious dinner and cake though.





I love this man more than anything in the world. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put us together. We have been through a lot together but I wouldn't want anyone else to walk this road called life with. I am very blessed!






I love you David Spence and I am so proud of you. You are a wonderful husband, father, friend, doctor, son, and person. Our sons are blessed to call you daddy!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Forrest Sibling Room

The plans for the Forrest Sibling Room at Le Bonheur are coming along. Our incredible painter, Elaine Pacello, is busy painting the room to look like a forest and David and I have been busy picking out furniture and flooring. We are so excited about the room and can't wait for the grand opening on August 26 (the day before the race).

Here is the floor plan with the furniture we picked out. All colors of the furniture and flooring are nature colors like tan, forest green, etc. The walls will have forest scenes all around.



The Forrest Spence Fund is funding the entire project. We are thrilled to create a room that will be a place for healthy siblings to go and play while their patents are spending time with their sick child.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone