Ike Virus

Well, I decided to blog today, not only because I am at home again for my 3rd sick day this week, but also because our t.v. isn't working, and I am awake from one of my many naps today. For those of you who don't know, I caught the "Ike Virus." That's right, the "Ike Virus." It started last Friday, when the air changed. I had a terrible headache, then a sore throat, then my sinus headaches were unbearable. I decided to go to work Monday, although I had blown my nose so much that I looked a little on the "Rudolph" side. By Monday evening I felt miserable, I called in a sub, went to the doctor, got tons of meds, and rested before trying to go back Wednesday. Well, Wednesday, I felt worse, not to mention, my sister caught the Ike Virus and she stayed home as well. My poor husband had the daunting task of caring for us both! :) I went back to work Thursday, to come home feeling worse than I did the day before. Once again, I called in a sub and here I sit, Friday, at home, with no t.v., a quiet house (Mark went in to the office and Kim is already better). What ever will I do with my day. I think I am going to take another nap in between coughing up a lung and feeling the effects of my 5 medications. Or maybe I'll play with Myko- he's just sitting here, staring, confused as to why I am here on a workday, I'm sure. Sheesh! My poor students and more importantly, my poor husband! Who wants to look at a virused (?) mess! Hopefully this weekend the LORD will bring a renewed health and energy, not to mention rest, so that I can make it to Small Group Sunday and back to work Monday. We'll see!

Better Late than Never...

Well, I know it's been awhile since we've updated our blog, so here we go...

1. Many of you didn't know this, but I have been on crutches for about 2 weeks. Let me say, as much as I enjoyed rubbing my armpits raw and being wheel-chaired around IKEA with my husband, it was really great news today when my doctor declared that I could toss the crutches aside! Hooray! I will say that I now have much more of an appreciation for being about to walk and exercise. It is a humbling experience to be limited in such a way. 

2. Myko Update- Myko weighs 11.2 pounds now and he is 2 weeks away from ending his ability to impregnate a female puppy. I am hoping that he will calm down a bit after some of the "life" is taken out of him, if you know what I mean. We do love him! Puppy school is up next, right after he is snipped. We'll keep you posted!

3. Shevawn's School Stuff- Well, I started back to school just 3 weeks ago, but man it feels a lot longer than that! I am really enjoying teaching the GT students. Their sense of humor is so much fun, and they really are a different breed. I love it! I am having the hardest time adjusting to going back to work. My sleep schedule is terrible, and I drag all morning long. Hopefully, it will get better.... Lately, I've been feeling a little lonely at school. I am at the end of the hall, not on a team, and I don't get many visitors. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a social person, and I crave interaction. I told Mark that I felt that maybe the LORD is preparing me to enjoy quiet and enjoy being with myself (as weird as that sounds). One day, if I am blessed to stay home when we have children, I will need to be able to be around "just me" and the kiddos, and the social interaction will be limited. I will just try to prepare myself now, right???

* Insert funny quote here: Let's see.... students say funny things everyday, but what about me? Well... a couple of days ago, I was trying to tell my students to move a little faster in class. I said, "You guys are moving at the speed of a tortoise and you really need to move at the speed of a hare." Except that's not quite what I said.... What really came out was, " You guys are moving at the speed of a tortoise and you really need to move at the speed of a whore." Whoa.... did I just say what I thought I said--- yep.... the kids looked at me, and I just said--- uhhh.... "Word Vomit!" and we moved on. Wouldn't you believe that there is still a group of girls that remind me daily about that comment. :) Hopefully I did not encourage any pre teens to get pregnant.

4. Mark's Update- I asked Mark to give an update. He said he will post some things later, but here is his short list to describe where he is: working, reading, football watching, and relaxing. Wow.... his update is shorter and more relaxing than mine! Any surprises there?

Here's a pic of Myks and I.... We'll post some pics of our update office this weekend! Love you all! 

Summer Fun!

(Myko- aka McPuppy or "Mac Puppy" based on this photo)

Well, I can't believe it is already the middle of July! We won't talk about the ever approaching Birthday of mine coming up, as I have started to think that counting backwards would be fun for my Birthdays from here on out! I am also realizing that my summer is coming to an end, and pretty soon I'll be back to the middle school entertainers! :)

So, let's see... Myko is growing. He's over 5 pounds now, and is getting longer and has more personality. We are really loving him, and I must take the time now to praise my husband for his willingness to always take Myko outside, play with him, and for being patient with him. Mark's the best! Above is a shot of Myko, taking an interest in technology. I bet Mark was really proud!

We had a lot of fun on the 4th! Mark's family had us over because the boys and their wives were all in town, so we went on the boat, ate a lot of food, and played Settlers... super fun! (I won't mention how awesome it was to win.... but it was AWESOME!) 

(Me and Sister Kim on the boat/ All of the McSiblings- Keith, Kim, Steph, Josh, Mark and Me)

Mark and I were also given some excited news at 5 am on the 4th--- our best friends, Crystal and Keenan were in labor, and they were on their way to the hospital. We decided that it would probably take awhile for the baby to come, so we went ahead and went on the boat (sorry Crys... we were boatin' it up while you were in labor). We made it to the hospital just in time (30 min. before Kaden was born). It was a very special moment, and were felt so blessed to be a part of it all! Congratulations to them, and we are so excited about the new addition! I think Mark put it best when he held Kaden. He said, "Dude, I'm so glad you're a boy.... sports, football, I mean, it's gonna be awesome. Oh- and food, yea, we'll eat a lot, too." He was precious!

 

Keenan, Crystal, Kaden, Me, and Mark at the hospital! This time last year, we were reminiscing our month old Europe trip! Friendship is such a blessing. We love you Kolendos! 

An Update....

Well, week 3 is upon us and I haven't posted since my last frustrating rant...

Myko is doing great! We are really starting to get the hang of things! Mark even said tonight that he is starting to like him more, and the biting is getting fewer and further between. I think it is all the episodes of Dog Whisperer that we have been watching, but Mark keeps reminding me to be the "pack leader" and stand up when I talk to him so that I seem bigger to him. He says that when I play with Myko on the floor, I am like a "big dog" to him. I guess I shouldn't take it personally that my husband called me a big dog. :)

We also keep calling Myko random nick names out of nowhere. Here are a few that seem to keep popping up!

1. Myks (pronounced: meeks) We use this one the most!
2. Mykster (pronounced: meeks-ter)
3. Myky (pronounced: meek-y)

I'll post a video and more pictures later! But for now--- everything is going great with our little puppy and our sanity!

P.S. He is still 100% sleeping through the night! No whines, no barks, no potty! Perfect!

Week One with Myko...Survival and Patience

Well, it's been one week exactly since we went to get our puppy from Bonham, and he has gotten quite comfortable in the McSpadden household. Okay, so don't get me wrong... I LOVE our dog, Myko. He has the cutest face in the whole world, it takes him about 5 minutes and all his strength and energy to bark, and he loves running back and forth. When I let him out of his crate, his excitement to see me is priceless!

With that being said, I have to ask my good friends, why they didn't warn me that I would want to pull my hair out on a consistent basis? Seriously, today,  had to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with our dog because of the intense biting and growling... he doesn't do it to Mark, but he does it to me. I LOVE snuggling with him and throwing a ball for him to retrieve, but seriously, the biting!!! Granted, it's only been about 3 days of biting and growling, so maybe I should give it longer, but we'll see. Here are some things we've tried:

1. Holding his mouth and saying, "no bite"

2. Barely popping his mouth and saying "no bite" (see the trend here)

3. Saying no bite, holding his mouth, and then putting him in the laundry room for 30 sec (time out)

4. Screaming "ouch" and walking away (trying to ignore him, but he follows me and jumps at me)

.....and then there's the growling. He looks like a gremlin mixed with the personality of Old Yeller when Yeller gets rabies. I keep asking Mark, "Does our dog have rabies?" He laughs it off and says, "No," but I am still suspicious. I may ask for a rabies test when I take him to the vet this week. :)

ON A POSITIVE NOTE: Myko has slept through the night every night except for the 2nd night we had him, and even then, he only needed to go potty at 2am. I guess God knows I couldn't handle losing sleep AND having my flesh ripped from my skin at the same time. :)

In order to provide a visual to how my week started and ended with Myko. The picture at the beginning of this post was taken the day we got him, and the picture below is one of me right after I put Myko to bed this evening. Can you sense my frustration!

 May I have patience with this pup, so that I can enjoy my summer and our dog! Any advice? Any anti-biting strategies? Help! At least pray for me to have patience with this dog. Babies are easier than dogs, right? :)

Myko: Our First Puppy

Wanted to just let everyone know that tonight, we went and picked up the greatest puppy ever, Myko.

Myko (Me-Co) is a 7 week old Miniature Schnauzer, and he was the first one of the pups to walk up to Shevawn when we went to pick one out. He loved her at first sight, and any dog that does that is one worth taking home!

Here are some photos!

Hello Myko!