undershirts and tip toes

A sweet picture of my boys in their undershirts after church on Sunday.

Best buds

Austin on his tip toes trying to see his daddy in the living room. He is going to be a climber. He tries to climb up everything.

Uncle Toph

My oldest brother Christoph came in town Wednesday-Sunday. He was AMAZING!!! He was pretty much in charge of Austin the whole time. I was crazy busy with the race and needed tons of help with little man. Chris was incredible with him. He took care of every little detail with Austin. Getting him up, fed, bathed, breathing treatments, medicine, etc. I knew he was in good hands with his Uncle Toph.

Austin getting a breathing treatment

Getting ready for the 5K with Uncle Toph

Finishing the 5K

Austin asleep after the 5K

Christoph and Austin getting ready for the 100 yard dashAustin walked the entire 100 yard dash with Uncle Toph

Austin riding on the golf cart with mommy and Chris

Austin loving Rico (Christoph's dog)

Thanks Chris for being the great Uncle that you are. We can't wait to see you again soon.

a little teaser of the race

I don't have time right now (in less than an hour I have 15 sophomore girls coming to my house for bible study) but here is a little teaser of yesterdays race. It was AMAZING to say the least.

Kids before the 100 yard dash

Lining up for the race start

The Fund Table with Ruth (nurse from LB)

6 West Nurses from LeBonheur who made precious shirts

Halley and my Sophomore girls who made shirts that said "We Run 4 Forrest"

sweet Forrest

The 10th is here. How can 2 years have already passed. I thought I was going to do ok today because there is so much going on with the race that I wasn't sure if I would have time to grieve but now as I sit here in a quiet house (just put Austin down for his morning nap), I am truly sad. I miss him so much sometimes I feel like my heart is being torn in two. It is true that time heals but at the same time, it takes you farther away from the precious moments you had with your child. I sometimes want time to stop because what if I forget something, what if I don't remember something about him. I still remember the way his skin felt when I touched it, the way his little hand grasped my finger, the way his eyes sparkled when he saw his daddy. I am so scared I will forget those things. 2 years...I can't get over it. 2 years ago today I was sitting in a hospital bed waiting to meet my first child. I was so naive. I thought if you made it through the pregnancy with a healthy mom and a healthy child, than it was home free. I would walk out of that hospital 2 days after the 10th with a precious child of God in my arms for me to love, hold, and take care of for life. In a matter of 10 hours how our lives changed forever. Forrest was so beautiful and so perfect. God molded him inside my womb to be perfect. It wasn't the way I wanted him to be but he was perfect in God's sight. God knew that in 55 short days he was going to join Him in Heaven as one of his newest angels. I am so proud of my son, I am so honored to be his mommy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Forrest. I love and miss you with all my heart. Make sure Jesus holds you real tight today since your mommy can't.

This picture was taken when he was opening his eyes to look at us for the first time, day 32.

beautiful flowers

My dad and his girlfriend Sheryl gave these flowers to our church this past Sunday. David and I didn't know they were doing it. It meant so much to us that Forrest was remembered during a hard time for David and I. He would have been 2 this Thursday (10th).The bulletin read, "The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God by Cliff Miller and Sheryl Greene in memory and in celebration of the life of Robert Forrest Spence, son of Brittany and David Spence, and brother to Austin".

What an great tribute to a very special little boy. Thank you Dad and Sheryl for remembering Forrest and us.

my brother...the Ironman

This past weekend Austin and I loaded up in the car and headed to Lousville, KY to see my brother Matt participate in an Ironman. He has completed some in the past by guiding blind athletes (see notes at bottom) but this was his first time to participate on his own. We left Friday after Austin's morning nap and drove to Hendersonville to stay with my best friend Bobbi (didn't take any pictures). We had a great time with her 2 boys and husband. Then Saturday morning we picked up my mom and drove to Louisville. (Taking Austin on car trips is pretty terrible. He HATES the carseat and can't sleep in it so there is nothing enjoyable about driving but oh well...hopefully this will pass when he turns around.) We woke up Sunday morning at 5:00 am to make it to the Start to see him take off. It was crazy how many people were there. There were 2,5000 participants and each participant had at least 3 people there to cheer them on. We did see him start the swim, finish the swim, start the bike, and then saw him 2 times on the run. The whole thing took him 11 hours to finish. The swim is 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and the run is a full marathon (26.2 miles). We are so proud of him and proud of the C Different Athletes.

Charlie (66 years old and blind) being guided through an Ironman!!!

Matt starting the 26.2 mile run.

Matt running towards the Finish Line.

Austin, Christin (Matt's girlfriend), and Matt at lunch

My brother founded C different over 5 years ago and it is amazing what he and the other members of C different are doing in the racing community. Visit http://www.cdifferent.org to learn more.

11 Months

Austin turned 11 months on the 25th. It is getting nearly impossible to get a picture of him on the blanket. He is into EVERYTHING!

Big accomplishments this past month. He is walking really well. He can pivot, turn, and even tries to jump and run (not very successful at either but he tries often). He wants to climb on everything. He tries to climb on his stool, his toys, boxes, chairs, and more. His favorite activity is getting up on the couch or bed and jumping on the pillows and trying to climb them like they are a mountain. He says Da Da all the time and even said Ma Ma this past weekend. He is definitely showing some strong will as well. He has thrown a few tamptrums when he doesn't get his way.

I can't believe my baby is almost a year old. This year has flown by. We are so blessed by this little guy.

Here are the month pictures 1-11. See how he has changed.

fun with daddy

Pictures of Austin and daddy having fun before church a couple weeks ago. We thought it was funny that he looked like he was just chillen on the couch. Such a man =)

getting a snack

daddy got in trouble for letting him eat on the couch but David said that's what men do =)

just hanging out

playing with friends

Kate, Carter, and Kennedy came over the other day to play in our backyard. We have a tiny baby pool but somehow Kate, Carter, and Austin fit. We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors who have kids Austin's age.

Austin watching Carter get in.

Kate and Carter playing while Austin makes a dash for it.

Trying to get a picture of the 3 of them was impossible.

(Kate and Carter were on a walk without their swim suits when I called and asked if they wanted to come over...that is why they are bathing suit less.)

LeBonheur Radio-a-thon

David and I are talking live on FM 100 tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 8:15. We are sharing Forrest's story and the impact LeBonheur made on our family. You can click on the link below and scroll down to hear Forrest's story.

http://www.lebonheur.org/lebonheur/Ways%20to%20Help/Special%20Programs%20and%20Events/Special%20Events/FM100%20Radiothon