Brittany turns 21.

This going to be mildly immature and childish...but oh well. I never miss a good opportunity to pick on Brittany. :)

Brittany turns 21 today.
Shes old.
Almost as old as me.
But she's still my baby cousin.
She's also a brat. Who delights in annoying me.
My friend. My support. My fam(ily).

Brittany turns 21 today.
Brittany loves her Momma.
She loves her (our) baby cousin, Gabe
Practically dotes on him.
She makes Gabe not like me.
Again, Brittany is a brat.

Brittany turns 21 today.
She also loves and dotes on Gabes big sister, Lexie.
And countless other little kids on her life.
I don't know Lexie.
Brittany won't let me meet her.
Brat.

Brittany turns 21 today.
Her best friend (ahem, apart from yours truly) is my other baby cousin Ashley.
Ashley is also a brat.
They get along famously.
Of course.
They also gang up on me.
Brats.

Brittany turns 21 today.
She loves her grandma.
She also loves her family in general with the one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen.

Brittany turns 21 today.
She attends Morehead State University.
Complains about going to class.
But is smart enough to do whatever she wants and sets her mind to...if she sets her mind to something.

Brittany turns 21 today.
She complains about me being mean to her all the time.
I'll say right now, off the record of course, that Brittany Marie Coyle is a filthy liar!!! I am NOT mean to her!

Brittany turns 21 today.
I'm sure her momma is upset that her baby is growing up.
I'm not, I have a drinking buddy now!!! ;) (love you Gracie!!!)

Brittany turns 21 today.
She may be an old hag now, but she's MY old hag.
I wouldn't trade her for anything.
Not for a few extra hours of sleep cause she keeps me up all night texting...
Not for a day of quietness and peace...
Not for a phone that doesn't vibrate constantly...
And not for a cousin that doesn't nag, berate, belittle, nag, complain, or cry constantly.

Brittany turns 21 today.
She's afraid of storms, mice, strange people, me, her momma, falling, failing, strange animals, being sick (even though she's a hypochondriac), and getting old (TOO LATE!).

Brittany turns 21 today.
But she'll ALWAYS be my baby cousin.
I got you.
<3






P.S. Brittany turns 21 today.
And because of this, I may not live to see 23.

Being a slacker & other news...

So there is a reason as to why I don't do "30 Day Challenges"...that reason is because I'm a slacker, a procrastinator, and a very forgetful person. Usually less than halfway through, I forget to do that days "challenge"...or I'm too busy to do it. Either way, it doesn't get done. So, yes, this is the end of the 30 questions list that I had been doing...er, trying to do anyways. :( I may do the remaining questions randomly whenever I want to blog, but really have nothing to say. Which isn't often. But we shall see.

My tanning bed sunburn has went from a horrible burn, to an itch. I almost (I said ALMOST, people) miss the burn. I have spent 2 days scratching my butt cheeks and thighs like some kind of insane crack head. No joke. This is for real. Nothing helps and I may end up scratching my skin off. :( at least I can't burn it anymore if I do...that's a bright side, right?

I have decided that if I purchase (or receive as a gift from a loving person who ultimately lets me pick out my gift) a new laptop, it will not be a laptop. It will be an iPad. I wanted a kindle, but then realized I have the kindle app and with that on the iPad, it's basically the same thing. So, I want an iPad. Mainly to edit pictures and such on. Or a Netbook. Just something that I can edit my pictures on, blog, and just do stuff that I would normally do on something with a screen bigger than 3-4 inches...ahem, IPhone!! So yeah, of some kind of iPad fairy is out there...this girl right here would LOBE one! 😊

So, today I read an article in the May issue of Cosmopolitan. It was discussing how insurance companies are wanting to do away with birth control payment, and/or increase the price that the patient with said insurance would have to pay. As part of the "Affordable Care Act" insurance companies are now required to provide contraception without co-pays or deductibles. But some people, aka: Rush Limbaugh, are trying to do away with this section of the law. What they are not realizing is that birth control is used for other medical purposes than to prevent pregnancy. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one thing that birth control helps with. It helps prevent cysts from growing on ovaries that reach up to tennis ball, even softball, sizes and can result in the woman having to have her ovaries cut out therefore preventing future children. The group of women that most often need or want birth control, ages 18-34, are also the ones that most likely to be least able to afford contraception such as this. It's just not affordable to everyone, especially those that have medical needs that require more expensive forms. Clinics are also being defended that would willingly help women get these contraceptives at more affordable rates. And for those women that have been warned not to get pregnant at a certain point on their lives, for whatever the medical purpose, or those that wish to continue school or pursue a career, also find it more difficult to have an intimate relationship with their husbands/boyfriends because of the scare of pregnancy that could be prevented because of contraception. Now, I'm not advocating going out and scrounging whoever just cause you're on birth control, my point is that some women NEED this for health purposes. And since men are unwilling to help us and stand up for us, and are actively trying to make it unattainable to us, us WOMEN need to stand up and speak out about this problem. Because if we don't, then who will?! If you tell people you know, love, and trust about these issues then they too will begin to care. Hopefully we can build an army of women to stand up for ourselves!

Also, today on Facebook, I read a friends status that literally pissed me off. My friend, Cordelia Ray, is a military wife. Her husband, Ivan, is deployed out on a boat in the middle of the ocean, ready and willing to protect our nation. Before I get into the status, I'll give a little background...Cordelia (aka: Cordi) and Ivan dated in high school, and married shortly after graduation. Cordi followed her now husband to a Florida base so that she could be as close to her husband as possible, and of course, because she basically had to because he had to. It's a wonderful love story, but I don't know exact details, so I'm not going to act as if I do. Anyways, Cordi is now pregnant and Ivan is still on a boat. Today, her status said something about someone making a negative comment about her husband being in the military. I'm not sure why, or what was said, but it doesn't matter. Because it was still a negative comment. Of course, Cordi is livid, and she has every right to be. Of course, I'm 100 times more pissed than a normal person would probably be because I know her well, but even if I didn't, I'd still be mad as hell. That's just like saying something about my Grandfather who went to Vietnam, my cousins Danielle & Shawn who are active (I think they still are anyways) right now. That's MY family out there protecting people who obviously don't care, that's MY family being deployed so that idiots such as those that make those comments can sleep peacefully at night! And people think its ok to say what they want and protest the funerals of soldiers? How dare you? How dare you make light of the fact that all those soldiers have families, wives, PREGNANT WIVES, babies, at home but they drop EVERYTHING to ship out to protect YOU ungrateful people? How can a person make ANY negative comment towards people who are actively protecting them?!?!
Now, I am aware that there is a vast majority of the United States that stand up and salute our soldiers, that pray for them, send them packages, etc etc...but for every group of loving people like that, there's a group of morons protesting against the funerals or making derogatory comments. More needs to be done for our soldiers. ALL of them. And I wish I could do more. And for their loving families who stand behind them and give everything and gain nothing. More needs to be done. There is NOTHING in my mind more honorable than a person going of to defend us while his family stays here to await news of how they're doing. NOTHING! And when people make those comments or protest them, it sickens me. And it pisses me off.
I complain about my life, my fiancé, the world in general, just everything a normal person does...but how often do you hear those brave people (the soldiers and their families) complain? Almost none, because to them, it's worth it. Complaining is nothing, because when they get those extra few minutes to see each other, or hell, just to receive a PHONE CALL from their loved one, they cherish it. Because the next one may not happen. But they willingly take that risk even though there are people over here that have no respect and will gladly stand up and spout ignorance about them. That's honorable. That's courage. That's bravery. And most of all, THATS LOVE! Love for their families. Their friends. Their NATION as a whole.
Ahhhh...sheesh. I've probably become redundant about this. But I needed to rant about it. :)
Cordi & Ivan & Baby Ray::: keep it up lovies. You're doing just fine. You're an inspiration to tons of people, whether you know it or not. You're love is an inspiration. Love y'all! And come home soon! (both back to Ky, and Ivan back to land!) praying for you two! And Baby! <3

As I close tonight, I'll leave you with a comment "if you can't stand behind our brave men & women, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!" I'm sure it won't hurt anybodies feelings at all if you do. Then maybe REAL men & women can come back home. :)
As I lay down tonight, I WILL be praying for all our soldiers, active or not. Because after all, that's the LEAST I can do. <3

With Love & Laughter, always.
God Bless.

Wedding news & a burnt butt.

My wedding dress is in.
I have decided on bridesmaids dresses, and groomsmen shirts (no tuxes or ties).
I have found a cake that I am in love with...just have to order that.
Invitations are ordered, and shipped yesterday morning.
Current "crisis"? A flower girl...that as of yet is non-existent.
Other than that, I feel as if all major wedding things are done, or almost done. So glad for that.

On the other hand, I am fully aware that I am behind on my list of 30 things to post about. And I am not posting them this morning because I wanted to actually blog, unscripted and unguided by a topic this morning. So, if I remember, I will catch up on the list tonight.

What's going on now? Well, I decided that since Brendon and I will be traveling to Florida in about a month with team Spencer & Co., that I had better start getting a base tan so I don't end up looking like extra crispy KFC chicken while down there. Also, I wish to not be invisible in mine and Josh's engagement pics, I'm also hoping we will be taking those soon. So, I got a tanning bed package. It's been almost 4 years since I laid in a tanning bed. I am not a person that burns, I may get red, but I don't burn. Usually if I do, it's just one burn at the beginning that goes right in in a matter of a few hours and I'm fine. Well, let me tell you something. I am burnt. It wasn't really a painful burn, more so a "itch me to death" burn...on my butt. That's where it started. Later on last night I realized that it was a semi-painful, irritating burn from my boobs to my knees. Seriously? That's not even cool. So basically all my previous white meat, is now red meat. Chicken into beef, not meant to happen...obviously. It wasn't that bad at first. But by 3 am, I was in pain. I couldn't sleep because every time I moved it hurt; and if I was uncovered, then I froze. Whereas if I was covered, I burning up. I finally got up to get cool washcloths to put on me to help take the heat down. It helped if I laid in certain positions and didn't move at all. So while I was getting the washcloths, I took a gander in the mirror at the intensity of it. And immediately got sick to my stomach from the pain. Blah. I am part lobster from my chest to my knees (oh, and as I just discovered, the backs of my thighs as well). I'd better be tan after this. Or I will be very very upset. As I was laying in pain last night, I realized that when I went to get in the bed and the little fella working the desk asked how long I wanted to stay, I replied "oh, 10-15 minutes." because MOST beds allow you to lay up to 20-30. He said "oh! This bed is JUST a 15 minute bed..." I'd never been there, so I said alrighty, give it to me. I should have thought about it. Cause any kind of tanning bed that only allows you to lay 15 minutes is surely made in bowels of hell and solely for the purpose of inflicting pain! I laid a full 15 minutes in this hell machine, unknowingly of course. To make matters worse, I was barely even pink when I got out. It took a full 2 hours for the redness to start. All I want is a tan dammit!!! :( ugh...anyways...

In other news, I love photography. Which that's not news, but I would love to be a photographer. Like a pro. Or at least a paid one anyways. So, I'm going to work on that. Hopefully this weekend too. I'm hoping Team Spencer will allow me to photograph them. They'll get free pics, and I'll get pics for my photography portfolio thingy. So, of that happens, then I'll post some. I'm excited! I've got some awesome ideas, and an awesome group of people to photograph. Should be fun, even if they don't turn out. We shall see I guess.

Well, it's time to get ready for work. :( horrible. So I will leave you with some pictures I took last night. :)
As always, with Love & Laughter.
And God Bless.

Sheesh.

I may get to the point where I blog everyday...I guess it'd be easier if I had a laptop, where it's easier to blog, instead of my phone. :/ Oh well. Anyways, this is 4 days worth of posts for the 30 day list.
................................................................

Day 12) Describe a typical day for you.

Well, this one is a hard one. It just depends on if I work and what time I work that day. I'll do it as if I'm working, and with the usual weekly time I work...

5:30-6:15...get up and try to get Brendon awake and on the bus at 6:15.

6:20-7:30...lay around and debate on going back to sleep....while waiting for my sister to get done with the bathroom and off to school so I can take a shower.

7:45-8:00...long hot shower...lonnnnnng HOT shower...

8:00-9:30...hair, makeup, scavenge for clothes that may or may not be dirty...find shoes, head out to car, return for keys, head out again, return for purse,...repeat up to 4 times unroll all necessary things are in my possession...

9:30-10:00...drive to work while cussing slow drivers...don't these people know I'm in a hurry?!

10:00-5:30...work. :(

5:45....finally clock out...I'm always late.

5:45-6:30...head home...depends on of I have to stop some place, which I usually do.

6:30-7:30...take off bra (best feeling ever!) break. Rest, relax, regroup.

7:30-8:00...find clothes for Brendons bath.

8:15-8:30...try to catch/find Brendon so I can bathe him...

8:30-8:45...find him hiding with the goat or catch him after a long chase around the dining table.

8:45-9:00...explain to him 800 times why he HAS to have a bath and why I can't just "wash him off"...

9:00-9:10...BATH TIME!!!

9:10...try to get clothes on Brendon...

9:15...clean up copious amounts of bubbles and water from floor...

9:15-9:30...search for movie for Brendon to watch while falling asleep and fixing food for his "unsleepy, but starving belly..."

9:30-9:45...corral Brendon into bed..

10:00-10:15...watch Brendon sleep, and call Joshua 500 times...

10:15-10:30...talk to Josh on his way to work.

10:30-12:00...me time: blogging, lost making, facebooking, pinterest pinning, reading...all that great stuff.

12:00-12:30...try to fall asleep...

12:30-5:30...repeat as needed.

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Day 13) 5 weaknesses.

Oh dear...

1) Brendon...he can usually get me to do whatever...
2) Josh...my love. Makes me weak.
3) Great Music...hello high as hades iTunes bill.
4) The beach...or water in general.
5) Crying babies, crying men...people crying in general.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Day 14) 5 strengths.

1) Josh & Brendon...both make me strong, and make want to be "strong" for them..
2) art. I love art.
3) cooking. I can make a mean supper.
4) organizing/cleaning.
5) style...or at least I think so...when I try.

*********************************************

Day 15) if you could be any animal, what would it be? And why?

Hmmmmm....sloth? Ha! Seriously tho, they just creep through the trees with not a worry in the world. They always look happy too. Or high. Whichever. They've got dopey grins, and they are so freakin adorable!!!! And they pack their babies on their bellies. :) precious. Yes, I think I'll be a sloth, please and thank you. Except, all they eat is leaves. :( Ewww. I'll take a meat eating sloth. Please.
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I may be caught up now...again. It's gonna be a long week of work, so I hope I can blog at least every other night.
Oh the other hand, today's church service was sooo awesome and just filled with with holy spirit. I loved it. I wish we could have services like that more often. I love hearing "stories" and the praise team sing. <3
And Brendons second T-ball practice was great as well. I think he will really like it this year. :)

As always, with love & laughter.
God Bless.
:)

The REAL 10th Day...

SO, the "Day 10" post that was posted a day or so ago...was really Day 9. :( I'm not sure how I did that. So now I have to do two posts today to get myself back on track. crap.

Day 10) Most embarassing moment....
*Oh man. I really wish I could write an awesomely hilarious story for this one. But, I just am not someone that is easily embarassed. If you can embarass me, then you're one talented person. I've found that it is incredibly easier to laugh at yourself when you fall down or do whatever it is that embarasses you...cause you can bet there will be others laughing at you.

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Day 11) 10 Pet Peeves...
 1) when people spell things like this: yur, da, dat, iz...etc. Ya know, that high school, teenager babble talk that doesn't make sense. And shows how lazy someone is.
 2) when people add a million extra "i"'s where one "i" would suffice.
 3) when people do both previous statements all at the same time. How hard is it to reach your pointer finger up and tap the "o" button? Why leave out important letters that help make a word, a word...but add unneeded letters?
 4) when people misuse words...such as: their, there, they're. you, your, you're. etc. It annoys me to death.
 5) hypocrites.
 6) when people (ahem..Destany) "borrow" my stuff. With AND without permission. And then never return it. Or use it all.
 7)  dogs that are ALWAYS up in your face.
 8) kids that do stuff, such as hit, and their parents don't reprimand them. But when you do it, they look at you like you're crazy. Hello people, if your child hits me repeatedly and you don't say anything, then I am going to do something about it.
 9) people who come in and order large amounts of food 5 minutes to closing at work. Especially if they get 32 ounce shakes and it's like 10 pm. Or when they "force" their kids to get large orders of food, when they're like 5-7.
 10) people who can't drive and refuse to use turn signals.

I may or may not be caught up. I've lost track. :( oh well.

Love & Laughter.
God Bless.
<3

Life Right Now

I have comandeered a laptop. Literally comandeered it. From my Papaws house. He knows I have it...but still, I comandeered it!

SO, my laptop has died. That's gone with a capital "D". :( I've had it since 2008, so I guess it's had a pretty good run. I just don't want to lose all 1,000 of my songs on iTunes, all of about 5,000-6,000 pictures from everything since 2008. I'm hoping that I can find someone to fix it, or at least pull the info off of it. Can people even do that? hmmm..must look into that. I'm missing my laptop in a pretty bad way. I figured since I had my Papaw's laptop for the night I would blog twice today; one as a "catch-up blog" and the other for the 30 day list that I am totally flubbing up since I keep forgetting.
I'm not sure if anyone even reads this stuff that I am typing into cyber space. Oh well, guess I'll keep it up since it seems to keep me calmer...er, not as mentally bogged down? You know what I mean...

Random Thoughts & Other Things That's Goin' On

Note: when I say random, I really mean random....

*I really enjoy lots and lots of music...sometimes, only sometimes, I wish I only liked one genre...

*Speaking of music, I've found a band that I really like...er, I like the free download of one of their songs anyways. It's called "Hold On" and the band is Alabama Shakes. I love it. Josh & Brendon do not. Oh well...I'll just have to rock out when they're gone.

*I've also finished the first two books written by Tucker Max. I don't recommend reading him if you are faint of heart and/or against the constant use of vulgar vulgar words...However, he did have a good plot, outline and over all theme. His topic was a just crazy as heck. I have now started on the 4th book (free e-book on my iphone kindle...so I skipped the third one...whoops) and am also reading "Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children". It has proven to be peculiar in all essences of the word. I like it though.

*Josh is still sick, still doubting my homemade chicken soup capabilities, and still not going to the gym. So when I got up this morning, on my day off mind you, and got all ready in my new yoga pants to go to said gym, I was NOT thrilled to hear him say he wasn't going. :( I think I've gained 5-10 lbs this month. Crap.

*We still haven't been able to find a place. :( ahhh...and I'm stressing Josh out over it because he's stressing me out over it...we're just stressed over it. At least we're stressed together.

*Brendon started T-Ball practice tonight. It went great. His T-Ball coach is so much better this year than last! They've changed the rules so much, I really hope he likes it better too.

*Is it weird that I already have our future house planned out to a T? Paint colors, furniture...themes..etc...

*I really want a fluffy little purse puppy for our new house. Just because. Like a teacup Yorkie...or something tiny like that. Please Joshie?! :(

*I would also like to have a nice scope zoomy camera....I'm not sure what they're called!....but a nice one. Even though my current Canon is fabulous...I'm being really needy this month aren't I.

*My sister has a sty...that has swollen her eyelid shut...I've begun calling her "Sty Eye"...she has threatened to kill me.

I think that may be all the "going's on" of my life as of right now. I'm happy with it all. Except the impending death by Sty Eye...that may not be as happy as other things.

As Always, with Love & Laughter.
God Bless.
:)

Day 10...

Day 10) 10 people who have influenced you, and why...

Oh man. There's a lot but I don't know if there's 10...let's see...

1) My Nanny...of course. She had a rough life, grew up poor, made a successful life and raised my dad and his bro. As well as me. Had a great job and pretty much supported herself. Dealt with an alcoholic husband and smiled the entire time. So classy and happy it was insane. Worked 8-9 hours a day, everyday, and still kept a clean house and had dinner on the table every night. Every time I go to do something, I question myself about how it would make my Nanny feel. I truly hope she's proud of me. And I'll leave it at that.
2) My Great Grandmother Margaret. Lived during WWII, and had a husband in the war. Who later passed on, as well as her second husband. Raised two daughters, and is an all around wonderfully classy woman.
3) My Great Uncle Richard. Haha. He's so funny. But a true country man. Taught me to find the happiness and greatness in the simple things. Poor almost all his life but happy to have what he does have. Cusses more than a sailor, where I get it from, but can be the sweetest man ever once you to get to know him.
4) Mrs. Rebecca Banks. My high school art teacher, whom I go to see every time I visit the high school. She truly believed in me, or at least I think she did. One of the few teachers who saw my potential and did her best to help me help my potential to blossom. A fabulous artist, if only I could be half as talented as her. She has 3 fabulous kids. All 3 with crazy names that totally suit them. Precious children. :) teachers like her make high school worth while and make it great. And she makes me miss high school too. <3 her.
5) Cathy Spencer. Ahhh..she's great. She's just an all around strong woman who goes out of her way to help others and make others happy. I can't even go into detail how awesome she is. The strength she has in her faith has mostly influenced me though. If everyone had that much faith in ANYTHING, the world would be such a better place


I think that's all I have right now. I may think up another later, and I'll add it if I do.

As always, with love & laughter.
God bless.
<3

Team Spencer & Co. --Professional Whiffle Ball Players

Happy Easter Everybody!!!
This is part 2 of tonight's post....if you're following along...

I put together Brendons Easter basket late last night, and set it out. He about died when he saw all the fishing and T-Ball stuff. I love his face when he gets "surprises". I love the innocence in believing in something as often thought as being mundane as The Easter Bunny...or Santa, etc. I love making him smile and I actually crave and thrive on his smile. It makes all my time and late nights worthwhile.

After all the Easter basket opening was done, we got ready and headed to church for their Easter service and magnificent Easter program. It literally brought me to tears it was so moving! Josh's baby bro, Chase, did a great job portraying Jesus. And Casey was fabulous. Maybe there's a career there?? ;)
After the service we headed out to hunt eggs with the kids. It's so adorable watching them running and hunting for the eggs. I love it.
After that, we headed back home for dinner with our family. It was so good. And I made Banana Pudding, just like my Nanny used to. I guess you could say I've taken over that tradition. It was so delicious. I ate way too much, and now have heart burn. Blah. Oh well, it was definitely worth it.
As soon as all that food was scarfed down, we drove on over to Josh's Nannys for her dinner. Although we were too stuffed to eat, we gladly played a game of whiffle ball. Now, according to Nanny Janice rules,em older than 12 have to bat left handed. Which prevents them from busting it way out into the middle of nowhere. Well, they obviously misjudged me since the first ball I hit got stuck in a tree. Austin had to climb it and fetch it and I was only the 2nd batter on my team. He got it out and the game continued on. It was Me, Brendon, Joey, Lane & Brian on one team; and Cathy, Ashley, Daniel, and Austin on the other. We won by 8-10 points. We forgot how far ahead we were and nobody could agree if we had 13 or 15 to their 5. The score doesn't matter because the fun and family time overrode that easily. Now, nothing magical happened, but there was some key points in the game:
•Brian was hit directly in the shin with the ball. Everybody laughed.
•I managed to hit Ashley right under her arm pit on her side. It left a mark. I don't remember if anybody laughed cause I was about to cry I felt so bad. :( I'll apologize for that forever. I am SO sorry Ashley!!! :(
•Ashley was then hit in the shin with the ball.
•Casey tried to knock me off the base. I was scared! She was going full throttle and I was taught not to leave my base...so I tried to stand my ground. I don't remember if she got to stay on base or not, I just remember her sticking her arm out and halfway clothes lining me. She proceeded to do this every time. Then tells me she likes having me there to stop her. Sheesh woman.
•Cathy dared me to "get by her" on 3rd...again, I was scared. You all should have seen the determination in these women's eyes!
•I declared I'd never play again...multiple times. And Cathy said she'd never play with me again...then we laughed at Casey for being silly. Alls good.
•Austin mocked Lanes batting skills and said he batted like a girl...but we still won! So how's his batting now?!?! ;)
•Ashley retaliated by catching a pop up that I hit. And got me out. That's fair I guess, being as I almost broke her ribs. Love her heart. I really felt bad. Not so much after that pop up, but still feel bad...
•DANIEL BROKE MY STUPID TOE! It's bruised! Stupid boots! Who I their right mind plays whiffle ball in boots?! I'll tell you who, Daniel Clay Spencer, that's who. Needless to say I could have got him out a couple times after that but I was scared and kept yanking my foot out of the way. I didn't have shoes on...my poor big toe. :/ oh well. It's too far from my heart to kill me. :)
•Lane FINALLY hit the ball before getting a million fouls/strikes...after I showed him how a REAL girl bats... ;) he did great. And Brendon finally hit it too. I was so proud. :) #proudmomma

Anyways...I've determined that we play some violent whiffle ball. But man, it's so worth it. It was a blast. The kind of fun that makes your body hurt afterwards, but a good hurt. My hips, shoulders and arms hurt so bad, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. I've also determined that we need to join our a co-ed softball league. We could just go as "Team Spencer & Co.". We could have shirts!!!! :) Mamaw Peach & Nanny could be our cheerleaders! Ha! It would be a blast. We make a great team and would have so much fun. I had a great day, bruised toe and all. I wish we could that more often. It's just fun hanging out and playing around with family. Cathy & Casey, if you're reading this, we need to do this...like ASAP!

Now I must take my worn out body to bed.
With Love & Laughter, always.
& God Bless!
<3

Easter post 1...days 6,7,8 of the 30 day post..

I am such a slacker. :( But, y'all get 2 posts today!! Mainly because I have too much to say about today's festivities...but this post is solely to catch up on the 30 day list..

Day 6) Hardest thing I've ever experienced...
*ahhh. The hardest thing I've ever experienced. Thats a hard one, I've experienced so much (good & bad) in my life. I think it would have to be my Nanny passing. That was incredibly hard for me. She was my rock. We were so close and I was only 13 when she passed. Sheesh. Im tearing up just thinking about it.
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Day 7) what would be my dream job, and why?
*I actually have 3. I would love to be a photographer, a author, or someone who owns like a wild animal sanctuary or something like that.
- I love photography. I am always seeing something that I find beautiful and want to photograph. I have an Instagram (LaShannonLynn) account and I've posted hundreds of photos! Plus I have about 10,000 pics on my laptop.
- I love reading. And writing things that I think about randomly. I'd just love to be an author. Probably of children's books though. I don't think I could write a chapter book or a novel...maybe not yet anyways.
- I also love animals. I went to UK for Vet Medicine, and if you've read my other posts then you know that UK and I did not get a long well. I would live to own my own animal sanctuary. Or a Pit Bull sanctuary. They're my favorite dogs and I personally think they are misjudged and people are misinformed about them. (I'll probably do an entire post later on about them, just to clarify some things.)
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Day 8) 5 passions.
1. Laughter. I love laughing. Almost as much as I love a good cry. Both are good for the body and cleanses the soul. I am very very passionate about laughter. Whether its from a joke, a prank, a movie...anything. I love laughing. It's infectious.
2. My son. Ahhh...my little man. I love him sooo much. He's my life.
3. My Joshie. :) my fabulous fiancé.
4. Family. I love family. I love the togetherness, the at times overbearing feelings, the bickering and playful fighting. The gatherings, the fun, the laughter and love from it all. I love it. :)
5. Church/God. I don't really have to get in to telling why, do I? It's kind of obvious...



Ok, I'm caught up. Next post in about 30 minutes to a few hours...I've got a bath to give, and school stuff to hunt down. :)

Always, with love & laughter.
& God Bless.
:)

Day 4 & Day 5 of the 30 days of random questions

I forgot to post last night, like I said I would. I have a horrible memory. So Day 4 & Day 5 will both be in this post.
Have I mentioned how much I really, really miss my laptop. :(
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Day 4) 10 Things You'd Tell Your 16 Year Old Self, If You Could...

1. Take Chemistry, right now. You'll thank me later when you're having an easier time with it in college...and not failing it 5 times back to back.
2. Evaluate your friends. Some are not who they say they are, and will leave you soon.
3. Get closer to your family.
4. Stop paying attention to the guys who act like little boys. You have a little boy at home, you don't need another.
5. Make better grades.
6. Take the ACT again, try to score higher than a 25.
7. Stop eating so many cheese burgers. You'll thank me later.
8. Be nicer to people who aren't in your normal "clique".
9. Let go of the past, love everyone, and follow your heart. It'll never steer you wrong.
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Day 5) 5 Things That Make You The Most Happy Right Now...
1. Brendon Christopher Lee Holder. My boy will always be number one for me, and always makes me happy. He made my life better and changed it drastically. I will always owe him for that alone, I'll make up for it by being the best momma I can be for him.
2. Joshua Clay Spencer. Ahhh, our love for each other is just one of the things that makes me happy right now.
3. Church. I love our church. And the people in it. I wish I had went to church when I was younger. The fact that Brendon loves it so much makes me happy, having faith is something that can never be taken from you. <3
4. Every time I check something off on my list of "Wedding To-Dos" it tickles me pink. Because that means its so much closer! When I ordered our invitations the other night all I could think was "WOW! It's legit now! It's set in stone!!! Wow...I'm going to be Mrs. Spencer in a few months!!" well, Mrs. Spencer number 3...but oh well. I'm ready!!!
5. Cleaning. And I don't know why. I've gotten to where I LOVE to clean and it makes me happy when I can clean without being interrupted...I'm weird, I know. ;)
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Ahhhh....I'm caught up!!! Yesterday at work one of my long time best friends (yes he's a guy, and we're super close. Like bro & sis.) came into my work with his nephew. I hadn't seen his nephew in years, he was a baby last time! While he was ordering the little fellar came and sat by me on my break and just grabbed my hand and held it in both his. Like he'd known me his whole life! He just kept staring at me, into my eyes. I don't know, it was odd. I just feel like little kids, especially babies, know "Momma's" when they see them. He was so calm with me! It was crazy. But he's sooo precious! Made me giggle. Such a little flirt! :)
Now I have some time to get some things done around the house since Brendon is asleep!

With Love & Laughter.
God Bless.

The 30 Day Blog List & How I Failed at Starting it.

I recently found this list of 30 random questions to ask yourself. Or your date. Or whatever really. It's one of those lists that that can be used for multiple things. I won't take credit for it because I found it on another blog before I even started mine, cherishinghopesanddreams.blogspot.com I think...it's one of the ones I follow. So, I was going to start it Sunday and continue on through the month of April with it. But I forgot. So I'm starting now. And going to do the first 3 days in this post. And if I forget again, I'll catch up on it in another post...I am forgetful.
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Day 1) List 20 random facts about yourself.
1. My name is LaShannon. It's pronounced exactly how it's spelled. Though throughout elementary and up to graduating high school, nobody could pronounce it. And at UK they could, but always looked for a black girl. Stressed me out.
2. My parents are crazy bikers...for real.
3. I'm the shortest person in my family. Except my son, he's only half a person right now so he don't count in the height measuring.
4. I have a couple tattoos, and want more.
5. I have 10 ear piercings. I don't need anymore.
6. I hate leaving the house with my hair a mess. Can't stand it. It stresses me out and I always fiddle with it.
7. I LOVE jewelry. But hate spending money on it, unless it's thrift store jewelry. And is cheap. (My Nanny left me all her jewelry when she passed. Literally, a crap ton.)
8. I LOVE having my nails painted and think that if they're not then they look skanky. I blame this on my Nanny.
9. Bracelets are one of my favorite things ever and I typically wear multiple.
10. I adore crazy socks. The crazier the better. And I actually have a pair of knee high ones with gnomes on them. My boss gave them to me for Christmas last year. I love them.
11. I talk a lot. And really super fast. People who are not close to me can't understand me. And those that are wish I'd shut up.
12. I adore traveling. I'd love to visit every state. I've been to almost (pretty sure every one of them tho) every state between Pennsylvania and Florida. And Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. I'd love to visit Ireland.
13. I have a bucket list. Mostly mental. And a list from a book called "10 Things To Do Before You Die".
14. I love cooking and good home cooked food. It's apparently a lost art.
15. I HAVE TO HAVE a big kitchen in my future home. Because I like to cook so much.
16. I prefer to receive and give homemade gifts. They're more loving in my opinion, and more thoughtful. Even though I love a good gift card, I hate them as a solo gift. Too easy.
17. I wish I laughed more. It's one of my fave things to do and so cheerful. I like a good joke or prank.
18. I would love to be a photographer, artist or writer. Writing a children's book is one of my goals in life.
19. I am both Bipolar and mildly Schizophrenic as well as anti-social. I blame my father. I deal with it alright though. :)
20. I am OCD about organizing stuff. Seriously. I'm not a clean freak, but my hair, body, nail stuff and jewelry, craft and important paper stuff all has to be organized for sure. And when I move out, EVERYTHING will be as organized and easy to find as I can possibly get it...and keep it.

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Day 2) Describe 3 legit fears you have and how they became fears. I have 4 MAJOR fears...
1) Spiders. Ewwwww! I hate them. They're creepy and crawly and some are tiny and can get in your ears!!! The tiny ones are the ones that scared me before, until my lovely sister told me about some kind of Camel Spider...I think that's what it is. Don't look it up if you don't like spiders or nightmares!!! I think I've always detested them, but the movie "Arachnophobia" made it horribly worse.
2) Heights. I'm not sure really. I can't explain this one. I just know that I cried like a little baby on the Hellovater rode at Kentucky Kingdom.
3) Scary things in the water. I love to swim. And wish I had a pool of my own. I just can't handle things touching me at all. And if something does I can't just picture a tiny fish, it's always a giant alligator or squid or anything that's not supposed to be giant or swimming near me. Or I'll be swimming and all of sudden feel like its near me and will swim for the nearest bank r edge. It's not only in lakes/rivers either. I do it in pools where I can see the bottom. I'm not sure where this came from either. Probably "Jaws", "Lake Placid"...other horrifying movies such as those.
4) The Dark. Yes, I leave a night light on. And I don't feel safe without Josh next to me. Oddly enough I don't have any problems with it when I'm with him. But I love scary movies and some give me nightmares and make me see/hear stuff at night. It's crazy horrible.

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Day 3) Relationship with parents.
Ahhhh....yeah, we get along all right I guess. I love them, and they love me in their own quirky, weird way. I think my dad kind of withdrew from the family when my Nanny passed. She was our family glue. And him and I are pretty close, even though we don't act it as much now a days. My mom is just my mom. I can't explain her without running her down and even I am not bitch enough to do that online. They're my parents and always will be, what can I say? :)



Ok, I hope I'm now caught up and can get it on the ball and do it every night. It's actually quite fun and makes you realize a lot about yourself. :) stay tuned: tomorrow is Day 4) 10 Things You'd Tell Your 16 Year Old Self, If You Could. :)

As Always,
With Love & Laughter.
God Bless.

So Now What?

As a Kentucky citizen, I should be posting about UK's awesome win tonight. But I'm not. Cause (according to some of my friends) I'm a horrible representative as far as rooting for our team goes...I just don't care. I care in the sense that we now have another championship, that's nice. It's wonderful. For them maybe. But it doesn't effect my life. I don't get off work, I don't get a bonus, I don't get anything. Oh well. And since I was at UK during the great Cousins/Wall era and got to meet them and others since my dorm was close to theirs and McDonalds (UK ball players like McDo's apparently), I saw them often. I wasn't that impressed. The only thing that impressed me was the fact that they're like giants compared to me. And one actually asked me if I was a midget. Ummm...not too bright...sine midgets are considered equal to or under like 4 ft 9. And I'm clearly 5 ft tall. Close but no cigar my friend. Also, the fact that I was spending $20K a year, and they were going to take $250K+ out of their building funds to build the players a brand new building while the other buildings weren't really fit to live in. My room was like a closet and there was probably 2 perfectly great building already established on campus, they just needed some issues fixed. Those issues probably wouldn't have amounted to anywhere near $250K. For some reason, that really ticked me off. Plus other redundant things. So I've boycotted UK ever since.
So since we've won #8, what are they going to do now? What are the fans supposed to root for? What now?
Don't get me wrong, I love KY, I really do...I just don't get the BBall hype. I guess that's another gene I failed to gain from my mother.

In matters pertaining to me, I've finally ordered a wedding dress, and settled on invites and other random things tat seem small until you're the one picking them out...I actually resorted to having my 6 yr old son helping me decide on invitations. They're neat and Josh and I both like them, so that's what counts I guess.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Brendon and I are heading to the gym early to meet Joshua to sign up and to swim since they allow kids on the gym floor. Should be fun, Brendon is excited. Then tomorrow afternoon I'm heading to Peddlers Mall in Winchester with Cathy to find vintage frames and other shabby chic stuff for our rustic country wedding. I can't wait to start putting it all together.
Pic of our invite is included some where on here. I'm not sure where because I now have to blog from my phone because my laptop has died again and I think it's a permanent death this time. So please bear with me on the typos and such, my phone finds it hilarious to autocorrect stuff that doesn't need it and make me look as stupid as possible.

As always,
Laughter & Love.
God Bless.

The "Me vs. Teen Mom Stereotype" rant.

Before I even start tonight's post, I'm just going to go ahead and say that I am a ranter. I rant a lot, and I get mad a lot, and I also hold grudges. I may forgive you, but I will never forget what was done or said. Because I'm so antisocial, I tend to hold grudges to the point of ignoring peoples existence. That's horrible, and I know this. However, I can give said people a respected level of tolerance. And my future in-laws are about the only people that I WILL NOT call someone out in front of. I simply respect them entirely too much to do that. I am judgmental, to a degree, I know this about myself. I accept that this is a behavior that I need to break, but it's incredibly hard to do so. Anyways, to boil this down to a simple sentence: I am not perfect, nor will I ever be, I know this and accept it about myself. So, keep in mind that if I post a rant, I am in no way saying that I am better than people or that I am perfect by any means....

Now, on with the ranting!!!

Ok, for those of my viewers (do I EVEN have any viewers?? I hope so...), I was (am?) a teen mother. I foolishly trusted a boy and ended up pregnant at the age of 15. I gave birth to my loving son two months and 13 days after my 16th birthday. Now think of ALLLL the teen mom stereotypes that you have heard or assumed yourself..................................................................................ya done? I am about to introduce you to me, the complete opposite of all those stereotypes.
First Stereotype:: this one is a big one..."all teen moms MUST be whores & probably don't even know who their babies dad is..."...negative. I am not a whore, never have been and never will be. I know who my "sperm donor" is, I regret him, but not my baby. I will admit, that I DO know some teen moms that regretfully fall into this stereotype.
Second Stereotype:: "all teen moms drop out of school."...again, negative. I graduated with honors, and went to UK for 5 semesters before they finally got tired of me failing chemistry and suspended me. No, I did not complete college, but I did way more than a lot of people who didn't have kids. So, Yes, I am proud of myself for that. And I do plan to return to school, sometime hopefully soon too.
Third Stereotype:: "all teen moms must dump their kids on their parents (the babies grandparents) and still go out and party and live it up...without contributing to the kids life or the household. Leaving the grandparents to raise the baby..." again..negative. I worked a part time job, went to school, took care of my child, supplied him with everything he needed and wanted, and paid my parents/sister for watching him. And I still do all the above except school. True, my parents have contributed quite a bit to raising him. I won't deny that. But I will deny that they did everything for him, because they didn't and don't do everything for even me. And I never attended a party in high school. Except for a party thrown by a friend for graduation.

There are so many, many more stereotypes that surround teen moms...they'll always be a whore, they live off the government, keep popping out babies for the working citizens to raise, etc. etc. etc. ahh...still a negative to all the above. I mentioned the "whore" thing above, I have been denied for HUD & Section 8 housing not once, but twice; and I only have one kid and do not even want to think of another until I'm in a stable house, with a good income, and with a great husband (Hey JOSHIEEEE! ;)). The list of stereotypes goes on and on...and prove them all wrong...

Ok, so I said I was going to rant...I think this may become an explanation of my hatred and great disdain more so than a rant...we'll see...it's early yet.

People fail to understand fully why it is that I hate some teen moms when I am a teen mom myself. The answer is simple. Those little girls that end up full-filling the entire, or at least half, of the teen mom stereotype have alone succeeded in making my life a miserable hell. Now, I shouldn't have been having sex, that is true. I will give people that one. I made a mistake, had a baby (who single-handedly changed my entire life for the better...my life at that point was horrible and I felt that I had nothing to live for...I wasn't headed for a great future at all...), and dealt with the "consequences" of my "grown up" decision to have pre-marital sex at a young age...
So, my point is that whenever someone finds out that I have a child, they AUTOMATICALLY decide that because I was so young that I fit every single one of those stereotypes with out even taking a second thought, or ASKING me about it. I think that one of the reasons I wasn't able to get financial assistance to get a place is because of young girls who live off the government so much without even attempting to help themselves, so when I applied, they thought I'd be the same and turned me down. That's horrible. Yes, I did get financial aid for school, and I admit that I effed that up pretty darn good. But don't I deserve SOME credit? Just a benefit of the doubt? Apparently not.
I've had people, upon hearing that I was 15 and had gotten pregnant, ask me "where were your parents?!?!" to which I reply "well, they weren't in the room!!! that'd just make it awkward...."...Then they think I'm a joke and I think my child is a joke. But in reality, I'm asked that sooo much that I have to be a smart ass about it to keep from crying because my parents did nothing wrong, they couldn't stop me. Or they will say "girl! You need to go to church..." to which I reply "I do. Now. Thank God. How exactly would the church prevented this?" they typically have no explanation and leave me muttering prayers for me and my child. I usually respond to that with "Thank you!! Everybody needs prayer! I'll pray for YOU not to be so judgmental!!!" People tend to not like me....oh well. I'm only here to please God and raise my baby boy.
Anyways, I hate that I am lumped into a horrible stereotype with such ungrateful people. I hate that I am judged based on said stereotypes. I have a great dislike for those girls who make themselves into those stereotypes. Because they have made my life 100 times harder because they make it true in their life. I've done everything in my power, and I know other girls who have as well, to change peoples opinions about teen moms, to no avail. Especially since MTV decided that glorifying it would be a fantastic idea. I would love to teach sex ed to kids, I have some awesome ideas on how to improve it. I would love to meet and talk to those girls on talk shows who decide that they're 13 and grown and want a baby. I would love to help other teen moms realize that they DON'T have to submit themselves to such horrible stereotypes. How do I get a job doing any of those things, because with the way the world (especially my county of residence) is going, they NEED people to help this girls. These girls need someone to believe in them and back them and to help them make a future for themselves and their children. Especially since most people are only keen to put them down and degrade them.
Nobody sees the good teen moms, only the bad. I guess that's life? And stereotypes. Where's Dr. King with an awesome speech when I need him?
I think that I have a right to not like these girls...I may not actually have a right to do this. But I don't know exactly how I am supposed to stop not liking them...
There are many horrible mothers out there that are twice my age, if not more than that. And that's just as sad as if it were a teen being a horrible mother. I just wish people would look beyond my past, and maybe in to my future and see that I am not automatically going to fail in life. The fact that my child is excelling in school and loves everybody, and doesn't realize that people in wheelchairs are different...tells me that I have succeeded.