November/Thanksgiving

So long November, I so enjoyed you this year!

After nearly a full month of counting my blessings, we enjoyed a wonderful thanksgiving meal with family and friends. Even though I stayed up late the night before to iron tablecloths... and got up early to mop the whole downstairs before any children woke up... and "facilitated" Ashley and Emily in the kitchen cooking up a sweet potato casserole and a corn casserole... I really enjoyed it. Really and truly. And in spite of 9 adults and my 6 kids running around after dinner... and the countless spills, tiny scoops out of the tops of pies by little fingers... trying to entertain and have grown up conversation while still keeping up with diaper changes and sippy cups... I really. Enjoyed it. It seems counting your blessings doesn't make life easier, but it sure makes it more enjoyable. :) What a blessed Thanksgiving we had this year!

We topped off the thanksgiving festivities with our church small group. We had a crab boil feast. On the back deck, Jake fills a hug pot (the same one we use to fry a turkey) with corn on the cob, small red and gold potatoes, artichokes, seasonings, and lots and lots of crab legs. Then we cover the kitchen table with newspaper, dump out the pot on the table, and enjoy! We may or may not have gone through five sticks of butter for dipping. ;)

And afterwards, we played "mafia" and "trim the war sheep" and laughed and laughed and laughed until I'd cried most of my makeup off and my abs hurt.

So I'll say again, because its worth repeating: Counting your blessings doesn't make life easier, but it sure makes it more enjoyable. I'm so thankful for my family and my friends. I'm thankful for those I do life with. I'm thankful for every one of those little arrows in my full quiver. And I'm thankful for my better half who makes everything.... so much better. And I'm thankful that my heart is in the hands of Jesus who gives me life, and gives it more abundantly.

So with a heart FULL of thanks... so long November, hello Christmas season.

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 21

This beautiful fall morning, the day before our national holiday to give thanks, I'm thankful for:

#1) Jesus, my Savior. I'm thankful that He died on the cross to save a sinner like me. I'm thankful for His Spirit that lives inside of me. And I'm thankful for hope of Heaven.

#2) I'm thankful for my family. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with an amazing man of God to be my friend, my love, and head of this house. And for six beautiful, healthy, smart, funny, loving children. I couldn't mean it more when I say, its an honor to be their mother.

#3) I'm thankful for my extended family and friends. We are richly blessed by those around us that we do life with. Some we're celebrating with here tomorrow, some live too far, some we'll love on this weekend. But for each and every one, we are grateful beyond measure.

I can't believe how fast that 21 days went.  Looking back over all my days of Gratitude, it puts tears in my eyes. I'm so blessed. And I find myself being really sad to end these 21 Days of Gratitude! I think I might start a thankful journal. Something I've always wanted to do, but now I'm in the habit of it, so it'll come more easily.

Signing off, with a grateful heart....

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 20

#1) Thankful for awesome neighbors who bring us party leftovers to feed our little troops!

#2) Thankful for extra hands around the house to help me clean for Thanksgiving.

#3) Thankful for Paula Deen and her delicious, butter-filled recipes. ;)

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 19

#1) I'm thankful I didn't have to get up with the sun today to help 5 members of my family get out the door, but got to sleep in a little.

#2) I'm thankful I didn't have to match socks, fix hair, pack lunches and stuff folders into little backpacks but instead I got to take my time having coffee, ease into my daily chores, and play with my crazy kiddos.

#3) I'm thankful for Thanksgiving break!!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 18

#1) Thankful for my new iPhone! Though I'm not sure I'm cool enough for it. I think I need lessons. ;)

#2) Thankful for Pandora. Because I have like, nothing in my iTunes.

#3) Thankful for my little speaker-thingy, that I can plug in my phone and play Pandora in my kitchen!

I'm so blessed to have all this technology, and I'm thankful!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 17 (My tree)

#1) My kitchen window. Deep thoughts, prayers, and revelations happen as I stand there, watching the world while I cook or wash dishes. 

#2) Color. Some of you might know that I have this fascination/obsession with color. I love color. Actually I have a board on pinterest called I love color. Sometimes the Lord uses color in nature, to speak to me. Usually to remind me how much He loves me or to confirm something I've been praying about. Every fall, I get so excited to see the leaves change into brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. In the winter its the bright red berries contrasting the deep evergreen. Spring its the pastels of flowers- the tulips, irises, forsythia... the red bud tree at our last house would make my heart rejoice every spring! And probably my favorite is summer- seeing the incredible greens, aquas, dark turquoises and blues of the ocean against the soft hues of sand and sky. Seeing them from a plane is my favorite. God is quite the artist and works wonders (literally) with that color wheel! 

(I told you I'm obsessed with color.)

#3) The tree in my backyard.

One of the tree's in my backyard is directly out my kitchen window. And though its faded now, earlier this fall, my little tree turned an incredible fire-y red. And stayed that way for days (if not weeks) longer than any of the the other trees in the backyard. And given that my kitchen window is such reflective place for me... and just how much I love color... I can't help but believe that gorgeous red tree was like a kiss from God. "Amy, don't forget. I see you. I love you."

Father God, thank you for my tree. Thank you for the reminder. I love you too Lord.

(These pictures were taken with my phone and don't even come close to capturing the color, but I wanted to share anyway.)

This is a view from the other side.
You can see in the background how the other tree's were still green with just a little red.
And that bottom left window is my kitchen.

Can't wait for next fall to see those majestic colors again!!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 16

#1) Friendship that picks up where it left off no matter how long.

#2) Really yummy creamers for my hot coffee when its really early and I didn't sleep much the night before.

#3) Pomegranate season. :)

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 15

#1) Thankful that my husband is taking me out tonight and our precious friend is watching the kids.

#2) Thankful for a sweet gift from my dad and Margie, that means I get to go shopping and buy myself some new clothes!! Whoo hoo!!!!

#3) Thankful for my mom who was in labor with me for hours and hours and hours and has reminded me every November 15th for the last 30 years. ;) And I get to hear about how my mom had false labor a few weeks before and my grandparents drove all the way back to Ft Worth from New Orleans for nothing. And I get to hear how on the day I was born, the waiting room was packed to overflowing with family members... and how my dad and my aunt (my moms sister) both wanted to be in the delivery room so they stood in the hallway arguing, "I'm the father!" "No, I'm the father!"... and how cone-shaped my head was... awesome. Thanks mom. :P

Seriously though, I love you mom and I'm thankful for you!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 14

#1) Thankful for the amazing women in my Colossians study who have incredible wisdom and insight. Its an honor and a privilege to dig deeper with them.

#2) Thankful for fun, inexpensive dance lessons (led by sweet Godly women) for 3 of my girls!

#3) Thankful that Ashley and Emily have cleaned the entire downstairs (including unloading the dishwasher and washing what was left in the sink, clearing the table and the counters, tidying up the playroom, kitchen, living room and office of toys, trash, dirty clothes, etc) while I'm upstairs putting the 4 littles to bed, to "surprise" me! Thankful thankful thankful!!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 13

#1) Baby Kate and all her "isms". She's talking so much now and it just melts my heart. I'm thankful for good, healthy development!

#2) Thankful for our playroom, where Kate and Mabry can play with their baby dolls, jump on the mini-trampoline, and "cook" meals at their kitchen while I can get some house work done.

#3) Thankful for naptime, so I can take a shower!

For Kate

Because your cuteness must be recorded in history...

"Mugga": Micah
"Weeb-wee": Mabry
"Ashy": Ashley
"Eh-way": Emily
(And you say Abby, Mommy and Daddy flawlessly)

"Bay-dee": Blankey
"Holdy": Hold me
"Jay-Jew": Change you (basically, change my diaper)
"Did it": Get it (when you wants me to go get something for you)
"Duck": Stuck (when you've climbed on a chair or table and can't get down)
"Dade-you": Thank you

Your response to just about everything, "O-tay" or if you're feeling feisty, "Mine" which is very clear. :)

You sing with me at night before bed. I sing Lullaby and you sing along, "Buh-buh-BYE, buh-buh-NIIIGH.... {mumble mumble}... Baby!" {Lullaby, and good night, go to sleep now my baby}

Just the other day you said a four word sentence! At 16 months! Micah stole your doll and you very clearly said, "Mommy, Mugga MY baby!!" Daddy and I were very impressed!

When its time for dinner, you think its your job to let everyone know, so you waddle through the house yelling with all your might, "EEEEAAAAAAT! EEEEAAAAAAT!" Calling everyone to the table.

There are so many more words, but these are some of my favorite. :)

You are the sweetest, cutest, squishiest baby. I can't get enough, I love you so much!!!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 12

#1) Thankful for friendships, old and new.

#2) Thankful to be able to stay at home with my babies.

#3) Thankful for my "maids": my washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 11

Its been a long day. I'm tired. BUT.... I'm still thankful. :)

#1) Thankful for my triple stroller on Sunday mornings.

#2) Thankful for friends who are up for carpooling kids to birthday parties.

#3) Thankful for my mom's Frito casserole recipe and jiffy corn muffins- food I can cook when I'm too tired to think. Easy, yummy, southern comfort food.

And I need one more today:

#4) Thankful for bedtime when the whole house gets quiet and I can veg out on the couch with my hubby! Thank you Lord for bedtime!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 10 (Catan)

Today I'm thankful for:

#1) Don't laugh... Settlers of Catan

#2) Late night food like pancakes, snickerdoodles, and.... chicken tacos... that accompany #1.

#3) Good friends who've played this game with us dozens.... ok hundreds... of times over the years.

David and Katie...

Kory... and now his wife Samantha. :)

And one from the early days with Wes and D'Arcy...

Very seriously contemplating the board.

Other hardcore Catan players who've joined over the years... Travis and Rashelle, Krystal and Alex, John, Rob, and many more! You've put up with a lot of Spencer competitiveness! ;) We love all of you so much and we're thankful for your friendship.

Sometimes we dance...

Sometimes we sing....

Sometimes we play with random accents...

 Now... I'll give you two sheep for one wheat!! ;)

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 9 (Abby's Birthday)

#1) Today I'm thankful for November 9, 2006. The day that sweet Abigail Grace Spencer came into the world.

#2) I'm thankful for all of the countless therapists and specialists who've worked with her over the last 6 years so that she accomplish all that she does today.

Abby's "standing table" that taught her to bear weight on her legs. You can see her orthotics (foot/leg braces) here as well. 

#3) I'm thankful for all of the family and friends that have walked this road along side of us. Encouraging, loving and supporting us and our sweet Abby girl. You all know who you are. Thank you.

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 8 (Abby and Micah)

#1) Abby

#2) Micah

#3) Their relationship. :)

As Micah and Abby raced each other to the bus today, I couldn't help but give thanks to God for bringing these two together as brother and sister. I often wish that Micah had a brother, but I have to stop and remind myself that our family is fearfully and wonderfully crafted by the Father.

Micah and Abby have a pretty common, sibling love/hate relationship. But a picture is worth a thousand words, and these handful of photos make it so evident that these two are close buddies.

I also wonder sometimes if they understand that there is a common thread that they share. I wonder if they see that they are both special. But I don't think they do. I think that they just connect as siblings. The two closest in development. Though all of the children are close and have unique relationships with one another, Ashley and Emily are the big kids. And built-in best friends. Mabry and Kate are the babies. And always home with Mommy. Micah and Abby fall in place as the middle children and seem to find security there. They go to school together, play together, sit across from one another at the dinner table, and follow each other around the house. They have a form of communication all their own. They're buds.

My two, beautiful, chromosomally enhanced children. You both make my heart skip a beat. I love you.

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 7

#1) I'm thankful for and BLESSED by friends who text me randomly during the day to tell me they're praying for me.

#2) I'm thankful for my first niece who came into the world just this morning.

#3) I'm thankful for the moments when my 16 month old toddles up to me... and with outstretched arms, furrowed brows and pouty lips says... "Mommy, holdy." 

Kate and her "Bay-dee"

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 6

#1) I'm grateful for a country with the freedom to vote.

#2) I'm thankful to be a stay at home mom. Today I get to stay in comfy clothes, love on my babies, play with my kids (2 of them are home from school today for election day), and sit with a hot cup of coffee and a basket of laundry while I watch election coverage.

#3) I'm thankful for internet and satellite to be able to know what's going on in our country today!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 5

#1) I'm thankful for my church small group (we call them Cheers Groups) with friends who love the Lord, love laughter, love life, and are as nutty as Jake and I are.

#2) I'm thankful that my grandparents live in the same town and I can take my babies over to their house during the day to know their great grandparents. Mabry LOVES to go visit Grannie and Papaw.

#3) I'm thankful that no matter what twists and turns life brings, my mom is-- and will always be-- one of my best friends. :)

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 4

Today I'm thankful, from the bottom of my heart for...

#1) The freedom to worship my God in a public place with no fear.

#2) The man of God that my husband is and is growing into. And for the awesome Word he brought to our congregation today.

#3) The friend I sat next to this morning who see's me, understands me and loves me. :) So thankful.

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 3

#1) I'm thankful for warm, running water to give all six of my kids baths and showers before bed.

#2) I'm thankful for Saturdays with no planned events on the calendar, and I can hang out with my husband and kids watching House Hunters International and Next Iron Chef re-runs. :)

#3) I'm thankful for warm November days when we can still leave the windows open, feeling the breeze through the house, see the crisp red leaves falling outside, and hear the kids playing in the backyard.

Bonus:

#4) I'm thankful for leftover Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies from our Faith Over Fear night. :)

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 2

#1) I'm thankful that my two oldest daughters can go to an incredible Christian school that is not only awesome academically, but is totally centered around the Lord in ALL things. THANKFUL!

#2) I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend a whole day with the awesome kids of that school today for the GCA "Rollin' Roar" fundraiser.

#3) I'm thankful for sweet pockets of time with each of my kids individually. Today, that being: tonight, before bed, singing to Baby Kate in the dark. And as I stop, each time she smiles and says, "gen". {again} Thank you God for sweet moments like these!!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 1

Am I grateful?

I mean really grateful.

I don't even really want to come up with a solid answer for that, but just ponder it in my heart.

Being grateful isn't something I can check off of a list. Its a constant state of the heart.

A guy from our church, Chance Scoggins, had a great post on his blog today that got me thinking about this. 21 Days of Gratitude. 21 days to be thankful for 3 very specific things, with no "buts" attached. Starting today and ending on Thanksgiving Day. And because I can majorly identify when he said, "as we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, I feel like I’m sliding into home plate. It feels more like an event we pulled off than a day set aside to spend time together and count our blessings" I'm joining him. And I'm going to figure out a fun way for my kids to get involved in this thankful-journey but for now...

Day 1....

#1) I'm thankful for my husband. More specifically, that his his heart is always to keep our marriage solid and ever better.

#2) I'm thankful that we have enough money in our bank account to go buy groceries today.

#3) I'm thankful for my big beautiful house. Specifically today, that it is a perfectly safe and fun place for my children with special needs to sleep and play.

Lord, thank you. Genuinely, truly, sincerely. Thank you, Father God.