Spangler Family Communication Center

He leaves tomorrow night sometime. I guess that's all I have.

Jess

No! This blog will not go silent! :) I really like the chance for us to all talk like this. Let's not let it die.

OK Jess, the astro-turf. The jury is still out. It looks nice- nicer than I expected. And there's no mud, no watering, and that seems nice. I don't know how expensive it was. And we've been warned that it can be hot in the summer, although told we can hose it down to cool it off. I don't know yet what's going to happen when a dog does business on it. So far they're cleaning it off with a leaf blower, but I think that's only going to work for leaves and little stuff. After the "grass" part is down, they pour tiny little black rubber beads all over it. It makes the blades of grass stand up and it looks more real- like dirt. But the little beads go all over the sidewalk and we have to keep the little ones from putting them in their mouths. So we'll see- we're still in the astro-turf honeymoon period.

So glad you got to spend extra time with Mark! That is great! We had fun web-camming with Ally & Micah while they were at Julie's. So has Mark left now then?

Around here things are OK. Addie's reflux is acting up and that means some poor sleeping, which means a cranky kid with a low tolerance for ANYTHING. Geesh! Anyone know what that is like? We're stuck until we see the gastro in a week and a half, then we'll adjust her meds or do whatever he thinks will help. She had a good day on Sat., an OK day on Sun., and last night was up for several hours unconsolable- so I don't know what to expect. Keeps me on my toes.

Some updates on Greg's transfer/promotion. He won't be going after all to the Pasadena property, or a downtown property that was an option, but he will be transfering somewhere in the LA area eventually. We just don't know for sure when or where. Maybe in March. The company is trying to acquire some new properties and if they do it would change a lot of the staff placement all over the region. So we're preparing ourselves for the great unknown. :)

Better get a few more things done before Addie wakes up!

Okay so tell me what you think of the astro turf. It looks real in the pics. I've heard of people putting this in their yard. How does it stay clean? What happens when it rains? I would love to put this stuff in my back yard. I have to convince the powers that be, mr Mark Spangler, that it it such a good idea. I have yet to meet anyone with personal experiance. I'd love to hear the pros and cons. i guess I'd love to hear them again in a month and even a year. I'm sure I'd be in big trouble if I put that in before Mark got home :) Tee hee hee.

I can already name the baby anything I want HAHAHAHA no can stop me. Yeah....
Pray for us :) Too much power too much power and no supervision.

Jessica

Ok so Mark's flight was delayed and it left him with time and nothing to do with his time so he flew me out for a few days to see him. It was time we will never regret and time very well spent. It was so great just to be the two of us with nothing on our plates for the time being. We just had fun and soaked up each other. It's a wonder we don't try to do that a whole lot more often. I suppose it is more meaningful since we aren't together. It was so great and a special thanks goes out to Julie for watching the kids. They had so much fun at Mamaws.

That is all for now. I've been updating more on our website so check it out when you get a chance. I hope eveyone is doing well. Is this becoming the silent blog?

Jess

Thanks for the pics from the party guys they are great! We've been very sad around the Spangler house. Not a day passes where we don't have sad times. Ali talks about her dad all the time and about missing him. We try to talk to him often but I'm afraid that will all come to a halt soon. He will either be off the 14,15 or 16th we just don't know yet. Talk about last minute. He doesn't find out his schedule for the next day until late in the evening the night before sometimes.

We are still having fun but we are all pretty lonely. I'm working on a package to send to him in Afganastan. We've been told not to expect any communication with our spouses for about a month or so after they leave the states. Mark is hoping for better than that but we'll see. I never hope for the best with the Army.

Please pray for us as our tennant in the condo is breaking her lease for a job change to CA. I am at a complete loss because I don't know how I am going to handle this. Not only do I have to deal with the lease break but also deciding what to do with the condo. Mark and I only have a day or two more to talk about it. I'm on my own. It sucks and I'm good but not that good. It is hard to find tennants and do all the leg work, repairs and crap that goes along with renting with two little ones in tow. Not to mention soon to be three under three. I need God to sort this all out for me cause I can't think straight enough to deal with all this as Mark leaves.

I did meet some wives from Mark's Batallion this week. Hopefully I will be seeing them a little more often. It is nice to know that everyone else is not put together either and that everyone's kids are just nutts. Hopefully this nutts phase won't last long. Ali doesn't like to be left alone at all and neither does Micah. Needless to say I don't get time alone even to shower. Again I hope that this is just a phase but whatever I guess. At the very least I know all the wives are going through similar feats. I'll surely let everyone know stuff as I do. I have an address for him if you want to e-mail me so I know I have everyone's correct e-mails. Then I can send it that way instead of over the blog.

Please pray for us. We like to compare ourselves to Job. When we do, no matter how stinky it is, it just ain't THAT bad.

Jess

I love this picture of you guys!
Galen and Ally on the dance floor
Sorry Sarah, this bottle wasn't really filled with alcohol. :)
Mark & Jess with Chris & Roberta 

Addie & Mark. Don't you love her hair? Greg was in charge!
Mark receives a bayonet
Mark, Jess & Ally listen to the lovely comments from friends and family. Brad & Sarah, it is too bad you missed this time- it was very special.
Mark takes Jess and baby for a twirl.

Well, here are some of our pictures from the fabulous New Year's bash. We had such a good time! And it's a good thing too, since we needed a good memory to get us through last week.

For any doubters- Mike really can dance!

The group shot is us dancing to "We are Family." Ally is hiding behind Jess in the picture.








Well, we got home from Phx, Addie still having some trouble with her ears, and found out that a mean stomach virus had swept through the neighborhood while we were away. Aparantly it wasn't gone yet, because Addie got it, then Niki. There was diarhea, vomitting, fevers, and general unhappiness. Addie stopped eating, but would nurse, then Niki got dehydrated and couldn't nurse her anymore. Whew!

But God was good, Niki didn't get sick until Friday afternoon just before Greg got home, and he managed to avoid the bug all together and took really good care of us. We are over it now- Niki feels healthy, Addie still has a cold but seems to be OK. I'm sure she's lost more weight because of it all, but what can you do? I think she is destined to shrink instead of grow!

Also, Niki got her root canal this morning. Again, God was so good and worked everything out so that Greg could be home to take care of Addie today. The procedure went well and what a relief to be done with it!!!! I (Niki) am not even in pain now (8 hours later)!

Good luck Brad & Sarah with the house- sounds exciting! Jessie- how are you adjusting? When does Mark arrive in Afghanistan? Julie- Addie misses your turtles and your hallway. We sure miss you all. We will try to post more pictures later!

There I broke the ice. I know we are all so speachless because of what a fun time we had over the holidays. Feel free to chat now people.
Jess