We've moved, so why not our blog? Check out our new blog at http://spearsportion.blogspot.com

It's a work in progress, so forgive me. The links part wasn't working right when I was working on it. I will get the rest of them up soon!

MOVING DAY IS ALMOST HERE!

-Pots, pans, dishes, cups . . . . . . CHECK
-Clothing, towels, sheets, blankets . . . . . . CHECK
-Bilateral myringotomy with titanium tubes . . . . . . CHECK

As the days here in Huntsville wind down, we still have many things going on! Charlie's little immune system suddenly decided that it no longer liked the regular, garden variety ear tubes anymore and thus launched into full 'foreign-body rejection' attack mode which in regular, non-MD language means that his ear spouted blood, pus and other disgusting fluids at varying times during the day. Nice. As of today, we have a lovely set of titanium ear tubes that are supposedly VERY inert and not likely to upset young immune systems. What can I say, we know how to have fun!

We also have a house, err place to live in New Orleans. Because they don't have an apartment open for us, they have offered for us to live in 'temporary' housing. This means, we can live in a 'quad' apartment that is meant for four singles. Good news - four bedrooms, two bathrooms, cheaper, on campus. Bad news - REALLY small, already furnished, no additional furniture can be added, six kitchen cabinets. Needless to say, this changes our moving plan a little, and we have been going through all the boxes and paring them down even more.

BUT, we are moving in a little over a week, and we are EXCITED about it! The homeschooling is a go, and I am happily purchasing school supplies in anticipation. I also purchased clippers and shears so that my haircutting friend Tracey could teach me how to cut everyone's hair. She came over yesterday, and I am happy to report that I cut all three guys heads and they all lived to tell about it! Mind you, it was not JUST with the clippers, it was with the actual scissors too! They even all look pretty nice. I was happily surprised and think this new investment will save me approximately $30.00 per month. Rockin'!

The next time I post, it'll be from The Big Easy! I am SURE there will be a good moving story, so look forward to being happily embarrassed for me!

Homelessness and stuff

We are homeless! We had a moving sale Friday and Saturday, moved on Sunday and closed on Monday. Whew! My entire life now resides in a 10 x 20 foot storage building. In some ways, I think that is good. Sometimes it makes me sad. Even sadder is that New Orleans Theological Seminary does not currently have an apartment for us! I have added on to my mantra. Now I constantly say, "God's plan is better then my plan" before I start rocking back and forth repeating, "I am okay, I AM okay, I am OKAY". I'll write more later when I stop rocking back and forth.

By the way, we are staying with friends here in Huntsville for three weeks until we move to NO.

And a wave of patriotism swept over me.

Today, while I was packing and my house looked like this,

I had a moment of sadness thinking that my kids probably didn't even realize it was Independence Day at all. I mean, I didn't even monogram them a flag shirt or anything! AND on top of that, this may be one of the last Independence Days we experience here in the ol' USA. So, my motherly instincts kicked in and we created this

Yes, it IS an American Flag pizza with a homemade crust. Don't try to tell me I am not a patriot! ON TOP OF ALL THIS, I made this lovely creation without a rolling pin or any kitchen utensils really. (By the way, the blue part is not really old cheese but instead nice, fresh cheese dyed with food coloring to look like penicillin!)

Yes, I am going to write a book one day.

I am really good at this . . . .

Clearly I am a house selling genius!!!! In SIX short days, not only did we get one offer, but TWO offers with one of these offers being ASKING PRICE! All the decluttering, depersonalizing, giving that house a 'homey' smell will be worth it when that check is in my hot little hands!

However, we really got a kick out of the request for repairs sheet, because the homeowner went a little overboard! For example, she wants us to ' have the two fence gate latches adjusted so that they open and close with ease' AND she requested that we add FIVE additional smoke detectors making a total of seven. The house is 1281 square feet with nine rooms- seriously, are we going to have smoke detectors for every room of this house? In addition to that, she wants us to provide receipts where a licensed professional completed all the repairs. Does she really think that I am going to have a licensed professional come out and adjust gate latches? Um, I don't think there is a heading for that in the Yellow Pages - Latch Specialist? Whatever.

Needless to say, the packing is commencing as well as the extreme paring down of all our possessions. As I pack in the sweltering heat, I wonder why we always manage to move in July? Because I know how to have a good time.

Tips for Selling a House

Selling a house is GREAT! I really, really love it! I love it so much that I have compiled a list of things you should definitely do in order to sell your house quickly! If you adhere to these rules, I will guarantee you a contract in three days or less!!!!

1. Move out all your most favorite stuff without packing it and shove it into the attic haphazardly only when it is 900 degrees outside- this is called decluttering or depersonalizing. It is very important and you lose three pounds to boot! Just like the sauna, but funner.
2. Make sure that one of your chidren has to poop five seconds before prospective buyers are coming to see your house. It's even better if they forget to flush! It makes the house really 'homey'.
3. Try to baking something before prospective buyers come over, ESPECIALLY if something has spilled in the bottom of your oven. It really gives a house that 'homey' smell too! Even better if you have a self cleaning oven, and you just run the self cleaning cycle right before someone comes by.
4. Sit in the garage eating hot dogs while someone looks at the house and don't leave because the agent has blocked in your vehicle. This is better if it is pouring down rain outside and you sit in the garage in a folding chair.
5. Move your laptop to a new location where you have to move it each time you'd like to hook it up to the internet. This is especially good if your husband CAN'T figure our your wireless router and you threw away the directions.

So, really. We actually do have a contract on our house, but it is contingent on them selling their house. We'll see how that goes. People are still coming to look, and it's like an adventure gone wrong trying to keep everything in the proper order around this place! We are going camping tonight to avoid having to be home over the weekend. I hope you are all doing well. We are praying for your guys all the time, even though I haven't had five minutes to email or call. Love you guys!

Warning . . . Rambling Ahead

Jonathan and I just returned from the great city of New Orleans where, God willing, we will call home within the next eight weeks! We are calling the real estate agent tomorrow, and if our house sells in time, we are moving! However, it may be a drawback that we just had an infestation of termites and a leaky roof! We'll see.

I'm thinking that going to seminary in New Orleans is the perfect way to cut our teeth for international missions because the city is like a whole 'nother country! WOW! I spent the night across the street from a billboard that showed photos of four men and asked the public to help in apprehending them as they are wanted for murder. Comforting to say the least!



Please remember us! So much is happening and some of it is not all that exciting to me. It seems as though I am going to going to work full time in New Orleans to bring home the bacon while Jonathan is gettin' ejecatd. I was really getting into this whole 'about to start homeschooling' thing, so I am sad to give that up (although I am still holding out hope that we will find a way-scholarship anyone?)!



I can't even describe to you all that has to happen before we can move because I then would be in tears and overwhelmed by it all, so I will contentedly blog about it all the while repeating to myself that I am okay. (I am OKAY, I am okay, I AM okay). Okay.



What a fun time we had down in the Big Easy! I really am excited about living on the campus. I think it is going to be a wonderful time for our family-especially the kids. It really seemed like a GREAT place to be.



We also celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary while we were there. The kids stayed with my mom for an entire week, so I had some down time and relaxed a good bit. I did all sorts of fun relaxing things - shopped at garage sales, thrift shops, went to the library, etc. I even got to go to Sonic alone and get a huge (albeit diet) Coke. Are you all aware that Sonic has the BEST ice on EARTH? I am sure I will miss Sonic ice when we leave for the wilds of ___________ (just fill in the blank with the funniest place you can imagine me living-that's what we do)!





Preschool graduation was fun (although unnecessary-how many times can one graduate really?) It was sweet and there was a slide show from when the kids were tiny until now (sniff, sniff). Growing up - WOW!

What can I say about this kid? He is so cute and sweet. I like him a lot!

I need to end by saying that some of my friends (who shall remain nameless) don't ever update their blogs and it saddens and annoys me. I mean, what else do you have to do? I know after I left your vicinity you don't have a life or anything. Come on people. Throw a dog a bone! I mean it's JUNE (almost) the SANTA pictures are getting old! :)