Oh, How I Do Love Fall

For all of our marriage, fall has been a super fun time and a sad time altogether. Usually Matt is up to his neck in basketball and then the time changes and it starts getting dark at 5:00...that equals hours that I need to entertain our kids AFTER dark. Well, after the job change this year, Matt was home more in the afternoons. Wow. Amazing. I didn't realize what I was missing.

Here are the boys carving our pumpkin with daddy.Ya think he's excited??
I think pumpkins are one of the main reasons I love fall!! I love all things pumpkin...homemade pumpkin soup is my favorite. Yum. But I also love pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice coffee, etc. etc. etc. I love using all the yumminess after the carving for some homemade goodies.

We went to a halloween party at one of Hudson's friends' house. This is their best "mean" face!

Hudson was adamant about being a Pirate this year. So cute.

Our little small pirate. I could eat those cheeks.

Here are a couple of girls I've been hanging out with. They LOVED the hot chocolate at the Church 'Cars with Candy' event. Who am I kidding? So did I.

The boys enjoyed WAY too much candy. Micah didn't put any in his little pumpkin, he just walked around, played a game, and ate the piece he got. When he needed another piece, he played another game. Awesome.

Isn't this awesome?? I love Matt Spivey. A couple of years ago he was a pirate for VBS...so when the boys said they wanted to be Pirates, he was all for it. He dressed up too and took care of our game at the Cars with Candy event. Hilarious. Awesome. What a great dad. One day it won't be cool for him to dress up with the boys...until then, I'm sure he'll take full advantage : )

Top 10 Things

That I want to blog about...geez. I get so far behind. Oh well. Here is a little preview for the events I'd like to document over the next few days. Anyone want to catch up on the Spivey family??? Hope you're still there!

HALLOWEEN - Super fun having daddy home this year. I love all things pumpkin...not necessarily Halloween, but we had a great time. Baby Shepard's Arrival!! My sweet friend Annie gave birth to her 4th child, Shepard. It was so precious. So thankful for her as a friend. And this little man is a DOLL. Christmas Tree Farm- We picked out our Christmas Tree the Sunday before Thanksgiving. So fun...even though it was 80 degrees outside. Seriously. Hudson is FIVE! What? Man, where has the time gone? I can't believe my baby is five. That seems so old. I can't wait to share all about my sweet boy and how we celebrated him this year.Parenting Woes- Yeah, I have a few woes to share. Had several issues over the past few weeks. I guess this will forever be my life. Community Group Christmas Party- I love this group. I am so thankful for them. We had a blast getting together for a little Christmas partying. Hudson's Christmas Program- My boys are so grown up. Hudson had a program & Micah had a party. They loved it...and I love their school. Christmas Family Traditions- I LOVE Christmas. Love it. And this year was no disappointment. We started several new family traditions to add to the ones we already had. And I love that. I love traditions. Did I say LOVE? Well, I do. We celebrate Christmas in a very specific way. I'd love to explain on here...not necessarily for advice, but so my boys will know that their mommy and daddy put lots of thought and prayer into how to celebrate Jesus' birth with them. I am certain we are messing it up somehow, but we care and we are seeking Him on it. Sweet Baby Girl- Whoosh. I need to share some thoughts on having this new addition : ) I'll just say that I was up most of the night that we revealed she was a girl...whoosh. I worried ALL night about having a girl. I'll fill in the details later. I'm very excited, but overwhelmed at the same time. Thankful to the Lord for entrusting us with a baby girl.

A Legacy- Matt's grandmother, GrandMary, went to be with Jesus a couple of weeks ago. I have so wanted to post about her legacy. She was a woman that loved Jesus. Both of her children walk with Him, her grandchildren. I can't wait to honor her with a post about how she left a legacy.

So, there you have it! I will get started tomorrow!

It's a.....

GIRL!!!
We. Are. Shocked. Aaand very excited!!! This little girl tried her best to not let us know...she kept her legs crossed almost the entire time! Finally she showed the secret!

We are so so excited to see a healthy baby- and I'm gonna have to get my mind wrapped around her being a girl.

Here are some pics from the reveal:

A few of the girls...thanks for making it special!

I love this picture...Katie, this might be 'best day of your life' pose. The cake. I loved it. I picked boy...Matt picked girl. Hence, the pink and blue : ) Table full of my cravings: apples & caramel, cucumbers & ranch, cheese ball, sausage balls.
Against my better judgment, 19 week pregnancy belly.

Pink or Blue???

That is the question of the day...

We find out tomorrow! Yay! We are very excited to see this little bambino in action. Everyone has been guessing girl...I mean everyone. I remember when I was pregnant with Micah my grandmother said, "Maybe you'll have a girl and then ya'll will be done.". She was dead serious. I tried to explain to her that it didn't matter- and that we thought we wanted more kids anyway. So funny. But I do feel like this time so many people are hoping and hoping that it's a girl. We shall see. I really don't have that feeling that I have to have a girl. I don't see myself crying tomorrow if it's a girl or boy. I am praying that this little one looks healthy. I love love love my boys, so I certainly won't be disappointed if we are adding a third little man to the mix.

We are having a 'Baby Reveal' party tomorrow night. I'm super excited about that. Soooo....feel free to leave your vote. Do you think pink or blue?? Matt is guessing pink and I'm guessing blue. Atleast one of us will be right tomorrow! I'll let ya know : )

Sad Day

Here's the conversation that went on today on the way home from school.

Hudson: "Hey, mommy. Why do those bigger kids have dark skin? Those kids that are older than me? Does your skin look like that when you get bigger, or did God just make it that way?".
Me: "God made it that way. He makes all of our skin exactly the way He wants it. And He chooses to make it all look different."
Hudson: "Oh...". (thinking)
Me: "Do you know that the Bible says that we're made in God's image? Do you know what that means?"
Hudson: "What?"
Me: "It means that it makes God really happy to make all of us very different...and that it makes Him happy because it shows us something about Him."

Why does this conversation make me so sad? On the one hand, I'm really glad that Hudson just thought his skin would change colors when he got older...and on the other hand, I'm really sad that he noticed. He's only 4 1/2...and I'm very aware of my ability to screw him up. I don't want to screw him up in this area. I want to get it right...sigh. Do you guys have any insight? Is there a better way to handle this conversation?

College

I love this little kid. He is funny. He always keeps me on my toes because he has a billion questions and his mind never stops. We've had a funny conversation lately that has progressed and I just had to get it down to remember. Enjoy.

Part 1: (At the dinner table)

Hudson: "I'm ready to go to college..." - (He is saying this because Andy from Toy Story goes to college)
Me: "Ok. Well, can I drive you to college?"
H: Nodding like I'm an idiot, "Yeah.".
Me: "Can I pack your lunch??"
H: Again, acting like I'm losing it, "Sure. Do whatever you want." Looks at me like, 'Who else would pack my lunch?"
Me: "Can we put that in writing?"
H: Laughs hysterically though he really has no idea why it's funny.

Part 2: (Days later at the lunch table)
Hudson: "What school will I go to after college?"
Me: "Well, after college you get a job. Like, daddy chose to be a teacher after college, and Uncle Mark chose to be a banker. So, you decide what you want to be and get a job."
Hudson: Thinks intently. He has no words.

Part 3: (Atleast a week later)
Setting: Yesterday morning my van was having issues and I wasn't sure if I should drive it so I called the mechanic and they sent a tow truck to our house just to be safe. This was the ABSOLUTE coolest thing to two little boys! (it wasn't the coolest thing to their mommy, but nonetheless) They were enthralled as they watched the tow truck back into our yard.

Hudson: Smiling the cutest little smile, "Hey, mommy. You know what I wanna do affer college??"
Me: "What, buddy?"
H: Cute little grin, points to the tow truck.

Bahahaha! He has decided that he'll drive a tow truck after college. Hilarious. Boys are so so funny. It was great comic relief for my day.

Sigh.

I. Can't. Get. It. Together.

Sigh. Am I the only one??? I feel like I clean my house ALL the time...and it is never clean. And lately I'm wondering, 'Am I spending enough time with my boys? Am I ignoring them to do my to-do list?'. Mommy guilt is a beast. I'm trying to remind myself to listen to the Lord and not my own guilty-conscience. I'll let you know how that goes.

On another less depressing note, Hudson's class had an "Umbrella Parade" last week. They were studying the short U sound and on Thursday they were all invited to bring their umbrellas for a parade. It was so cute and creative. I really love his school.

He was SO excited! He talked all week about the parade and said that he could "spin it or push it up and down". I guess they discussed all the different options for displaying their umbrellas during the parade. It was so cute.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful that this little man decided to potty train himself on Sunday. Whaaat? It's really shocking to me. I have tried a couple of times to start the potty training process with him and he just wasn't ready. I would say, "Micah, you know what we need to do? We need to start tee teeing in the potty every time!!" To which he'd reply: "I already did!" Clearly he didn't get it. Well, Sunday we were out of diapers by accident and I just left him in pjs for a while without one and voila!!! I don't know if he was just "ready" or if changing the "prize" to marshmallows was the trick. At one point he said, "I wuv marshamyows.". And boy does he. So, since Sunday we have had ONE accident. Seriously. Shocking. He has been to the potty at school, church, Chick-fil-A, work, the community center, etc. etc. AND he doesn't even have to go with me necessarily...BONUS. Ah-mazing. The Lord knew I needed that this week.

SO THANKFUL!!

Sporting the "big boys" and cowboy boots. They clearly go together.
I could have another good cry about how grown up he looks in this picture. Man, where did the time go?

I love this. I think it's hilarious.

First Day of School

How did my children grow up so fast??? Today was Hudson's first day of K4 and Micah's first day of K2. Their school is an absolute gem and I can't have enough great things to say about them. They are very small and do an amazing job with the kids. I can't believe Micah is old enough to go...it was very sad for me. No one cried this morning...except THIS MOM. Yep. Call it hormones...call it whatever, but I cried. And I really felt like I could've had a good cry. They are too grown up. I want the time to slow down.

Hugging before we left. I love this picture.

Spirit fingers?? Not sure what they were going for in this one.
Don't they look so much alike? It's crazy to me.

Micah sat right down with the puzzles. He was a little unsure.

Hudson, on the other hand, was an old pro. He didn't need a thing from me. I know he's gonna love it this year.

I love this little face. He was excited. I hope he's still excited when I go pick him up : )

And then after everyone was dropped off I waited in the hall because I was certain that Micah would cry for me. Well, he sure didn't. So I cried...in the hall. Sad. I think it's partly because in the last week Micah has a) gotten a new big boy hair cut b) totally potty trained himself, and c) started school. It's a little too much for me : )

Micah's First Movie

I know it's a terrible picture...it was in the movie theatre, taken with a phone. I love it, though. It looks old to me. We took the boys to see Cars 2 in July. It was Micah's first movie experience. They did great! Loved it.

He snugged up with me. I loved it.
Then a trip to Cracker Barrell. Yum.

My 29th Birthday

My friends were so sweet to me this year for my birthday. I felt very well, probably over-celebrated. My birthday fell ON Father's day this year, and look at all the people that came to celebrate with me. It was very kind. We went to a place called HopJacks. It was wonderful and fun. Several friends also took me out for coffee a couple of days later...again, one of my absolute favorites. Thanks, everyone!

Here's the crew at HopJacks. Notice the ENORMOUS pan of cupcakes...thanks Amanda!!
It was so, so hot in there that night...sorry about that!
Thank you all for your kind gifts...It made me feel very known and loved. You really gave me many of my favorite things: a coffee mug (extra large!! yay), a new book (definitely one of my fav things), a bottle of wine (my favorite kind to be exact), and a new picture frame (love it!). I also can't forget the pedicure...yes, please. Thank you all for your friendship...You are all truly an answer to prayer.

Boots, Hats, and Prayers

Sportin' daddy's hat and a kool-aid stain.
Check out the cowby & rain boots & the "cowboy" hats. We've been dressing like this a LOT lately.

These boys crack me up. They've been riding their toys & dressing in their boots and hats for several days now. I think it's hilarious. Also, they've been arguing every meal about who gets to pray. Isn't that sad? I think they argue about everything. Here are some of Hudson's recent prayers. He's a funny kid.

H: "God. Tank you sooo much for the woooonderful day. God please just give us ooonnne more woooonderful sunny day and theeeyun a rain day to water all the plants. And tank you for this food. Amen."

H: "God. Tank you for this wooonderful day. And God please help our plant that died. Please help it to grow again. And please help us remember to give it water. Amen."

L.O.L. Sad. He's devastated about our plant that died. I hate to say that I'm not quite that devastated. So sad. Micah looked at it yesterday and said we should water it...Hudson replied, "No Micah, (with the saddest face) it's too late."

New 'Do

Before...sweet little baby boy.

After...looking WAY too grown up. Sad.

Matt has been dying to buzz his hair for months now. We cut Hudson's when he was about the same age. It's amazing to me how different their hair is...Micah's is so soft that it just lays down. Buzz cut and no spike for him. I think it makes his cheeks look even more scrumptious.

Thankful Thursday

Prom pose, anyone?? Ignore the huge glare...I thought this picture was too funny not to share.

This Thursday I am thankful for this man. The pic was taken on our SEVENTH anniversary back in May. Wow. I can't believe it's been 7 years.

Lately he has been taking up a LOT of my slack...this preggo woman has been sick sick sick at night. So, he has bathed our children and put them to bed almost every night...with no complaints. I am so thankful for him. He is kind, generous, and serving.

Children up at the CRACK of dawn =

Chick-fil-A in my near future. Seriously. Why, oh why must my children rise with the sun? I mean, the sun is rising before 6 a.m. Am I awake at that time? Yes. Do I want to be interracting with my children at that time? No. A resounding no. It usually does not work well for us to begin our interraction with each other this early...I see a whiney day in my future. And a whiney day calls for Chick-Fil-A...whaa whaa.

In honor of the chick a lay, I thought I should post our Cow Appreciation Day pics. I love Cow Appreciation Day: dress like a cow and receive a free combo meal. That's right. Awesome.

The kids and their friends. Boat load of little cows.
Ya think he's happy??

I could eat him up. Too stinkin' cute.

Cheese...

He's looking so grown up these days.

HOW is Mr. Spivey not in this pic??? How in the world did I let him escape the photo op of him in his hot cow attire? Sigh. So sad. If you do need to see a pic of him (to prove he participated with a good attitude), we did make the website. That's right. Sure did.

So, if any of you wanna join me. You'll know where to find me.