Big News!

Well, in case you haven't heard, or in case you don't follow us on twitter or Facebook, we have some news! We're Pregnant! :)

Here's how Mark told his friends/co-workers:

http://quiz.markmcspadden.net

And here's how Shevawn told her co-workers (although all of the family stories are pretty cool, too)

Some have wondered, 
Some have guessed, 
So I think it's time to get this off my chest.
With  excitement and joy I wish to share...
A baby is coming for which Mark and I will care.
November 15 is the estimated date,
For this wonderful blessing-- we just can't wait!

Love, 
Shevawn

We are REALLY excited, and we can't wait to share more details in the coming weeks!

A Week in the Windy City

Well, we're back from Chicago! This Christmas, we spent a week in Chicago with all of the McSpaddens because it is Mark's brother's last semester in Med School, so we thought it would be fun to relax and enjoy a white Christmas for once! We had amazing food- pizza (twice), dinner at a jazz restaurant, dinner at the place where the movie Backdraft was filmed, and my favorite place--- A Jewish Restaurant on Christmas Day! :) 

When we first got there, we had to pull our luggage through a lot of snow, ice, and water--- not fun! But it was worth it b/c the hotel was beautiful, and it overlooked Michigan Ave. We played games, made a puzzle, went to the Shedd Aquarium, and went shopping. Not to mention, we saw Wicked (my 2nd time!). It was a fabulous time! We feel so blessed! Here are some photos from our trip! Happy New Year to all!

Having a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the McSpaddens!

We have so many blessings this Christmas! A wonderful home, family, great friends, our health, and each other!
  

This past weekend, we went to the annual "Kolendo Cookie Decorating Party," and it didn't disappoint! The Kolendo's new baby, Kaden, was part of the fun (although he won't be decorating cookies for awhile!) We were, again, asked to decorate a cookie to resemble your spouse. This year, we did much better- except for the fact that Mark gave decorated me as wearing a tank top, which clearly I was not! We can't say that for our "couple's tree cookie." I accidentally broke the top of our super abstract tree, so it was 1/2 the size of everyone else's. It became the "Charlie Brown" cookie!

We are both thrilled to have 2 weeks off of work to relax and enjoy the holidays. 

We hope to post a lot of pictures from our holiday adventures and house projects! We'll keep you posted!

Holiday Fun!

Here are some favorite things about the holidays for us that we thought we'd share as well:

Mark's Favorites: (these seem like things he likes year round, but when I asked, this is what he said!

1. Fires (we do have a fire place now!)

2. Family (hanging out, eating, games, etc...)

3. Food (meat and candy- you know

 your basic food groups) 

4. Paid time off (we both appreciate this one)

5. Tying up loose ends (just tonight he cleaned out his email inbox and finished 2 books)

Shevawn's Favorite:

1. Constant reminders of the LORD and his glory!

2. Christmas Decorations (including the tree- it just makes everything so warm and homey!)

3. The fireplace- ours is real, so we get that wonderful crackle and smell- I love it!

4. Reading a ton of books- I cannot wait to get started! 

5. Time with family- I feel like I get more opps to see all of my family and catch up... my sister is moments away from having a baby, and I love that I will get to be there for her!

and tied for 5th- NO WORK- yep! I said it! 2 weeks is such a great amount of time to decompress after a tiring semester, so yea, I said it, NO WORK!

What's New this Christmas:

1. Our home

2. Our snuggle pup- Myko

3. The fireplace (it needs a place of its own on the list)

4. Our Christmas tree- usually we get a real one, but now we have an attic!

5. A roommate- Sister Kim (Keith's wife) is living with us until April :) We love her!

Here are some photos of our house- decorated for the holidays ! Merry Christmas!

Super Fast Update

Here's the McSpadden's life in a nutshell right now...

1. Work (both of us)

2. Painting the kitchen

3. Camping

4. Holiday Hustle :)

5. Gearin' up to go to Chicago

6. Chasin' the dog

7. Happy! 

More specific updates to come! :)

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!