1st Karate Tournament

EEEE-YA!!!

Ethen had his first Karate Tournament today! It was fantastic! I sure wish I could have gone but I had a garage sale to work... however, Jonathon, being the wonderfully fantastic father that he is... took him and got some great photos and videos. Ethen had a great time... He was even awarded a "first place" trophy! He's so proud of himself! He works really hard and I can't wait for him level up and get his orange belt! Check out some pictures below!!!

 

 

Ethen with his best bud, Lily.

 

 

 

 

Ethen with the tournament judges.

 

 

 

***sorry unable to upload video right now... will post later***

Ethen and His Karate

For the past few days Ethen has been using the boxes that I have for packing as targets for his karate! He’s such a genius!

 I think he likes karate… what do you think?

FHE in style

I have been working on some ideas for FHE… and let me tell ya… it’s not all that easy for toddlers. Keeping a 3 year old’s attention is sometimes, shall we say, challenging!

After much thought, hours of searching I have decided to do a felt storyboard. So I went shopping today! I found this great idea on a blog that I follow called Oopsey-Daisy (HERE). She is fantastic! So here’s what I created….

Felted Side Dry Erase Board Side

And… what could be better lesson on this BEAUTIFUL new creation than…

THE CREATION!

SO CUTE…

This was probably the most successful FHE we have had to date! On the back of each of the pictures I put the scripture reference and every time the words “And God Said” came up I pointed to Ethen and he would yell real loud “AND GOD SAID!”!!!

It was so much fun! I can’t wait to use my storyboard next week!

Karate

Ethen earned his second knowledge stripe today at karate. They have a great system where they break down the forms you need to know in order to advance into 3 stages, each stage earns a stripe on their belt. Once they have all 3 stripes they are allowed to test for the next belt. SOOOO… Ethen earned his SECOND!

GREAT JOB LIL’MAN!!!

Testing of Windows Live Writer!

So I heard about this tool from a blog that I follow, ThingsILove. Well I didn’t even realize that I all ready had the program installed on my computer! How awesome is that! Anyways… I thought I would give it a try! So…. here goes!

This was a picture taken on our way back from Pahrump yesterday. We decided to take the scenic route through Red Rock Canyon. I love the panoramic function on my camera. A single shot just couldn’t capture the beauty that is Red Rock!

So… still trying to figure this Windows Live Writer out… but it’s still pretty cool! You can upload pics and place and resize them right on the screen and even upload videos too… Plus there are so many more font options! Way cool!

If you want it for yourself you can go HERE to download it! The best thing… its completely free and links directly to your blog…  AWESOME!

Brandy

Doing What We Do!!! (and a rant!)

We had the greatest time today. My dad is selling some guns and a friend of ours in Pahrump was interrested in the AR-15. If you are unfamiliar with guns the AR-15 is the civilian version of the military's M16A2 only with a shorter barrel. It's totally awesome! So of course we had to go play a little bit with it! Check it out!!!

Lil'Man

(Ethen was actually pulling the trigger! I love how he's trying to look down the barrel and aim!)

The Stud...
The Pro

My future Marine

****

After shooting we decided to get some food before we headed back over the mountain to Vegas. We stopped in at the Terribles Town casino... Yea they have thier name right... It was definately Terrible!

We were seated and everything that a waitress could do wrong... she did.

First there was absolutely NO KIDS MENU! And when we asked the waitress if they did she looked at us like we had 2 heads and said "Well this is all we got!"

So we are sitting there and my drink gets emptied... hey it was hot and I was thirsty what do you expect. So as a signal to my waitress I set it towards the edge of the table... Do you think she filled it... NOOOO... She walked pasted us at least 8 times and even looked at us but didn't fill our drinks.

THEN... (Oh yea it's still going) As she's walking by drops our ticket on the table... doesn't ask how we are doing, if she could get us anything else... not a word! But then heads right over to another table and starts chatting it up with the regulars!

By this time I'm completely annoyed! Unfortunately we had to wait for 20 minutes before we could get to-go boxes for our food. The sad thing is, it wasn't even our waitress that came by we had to stop the busser!

So we decide to talk to the manager about this HORRID service... this was her response...

"Oh, ok... well... um... I'll take care of that" said in a manner that we KNOW nothing was going to be "taken care of", needless to say we didn't leave a tip!

So unless you would like to die of dehydration and absolutely LOVE bad service stay away from Terrible's Town in Pahrump!

A Treat for Ethen

Ethen was treated to a wonderful surprise when we arrived home today from the gym! The wonderful Las Vegas Fire Department was conducting hydrant inspections in our complex... Ethen was astounded as to how much water came out of that funny little red thing he loves to play on!

Now... I typically don't allow my child to play in the road but this seemed to be a special occasion... thankfully no cars were coming!

It was fun to watch him "splish splash" in the water! The guys were really great and thought that they would be on the evening news when I started snapping pictures! To them I say... tho you may not gain the fame of the world, to us you are heroes and we thank you!

*** Sorry if the pictures are grainy... I only had my cell phone available for pictures***
*** And if you are wondering why in the world I would dress my child in a long-sleeved, hooded shirt coupled with black pants in 107 degree heat... I didn't... He did... He has been wanting to dress himself and this is what he opted for this morning!***

Moving update

Well today Ethen decided to help me pack up some things. He decided that he needed to pack up his toys and movies (even tho the movies were all ready in a box ready to go!)

Thankfully I caught him in time to stop him from packing up the cat!

I think the Boaz is nervous that we may forget about him tho. I'm constantly finding him in the boxes!

I did get a great video of Ethen "packing" a box complete with his version of taping it shut! But it didn't want to load so we will try again at a later date!

*****

On a different note... I must say that I can't wait until this move is over. I think Ethen is stressed out about it and doesn't completely understand what is happening. He's been acting a little crazy lately and well to be perfectly honest a little destructive (well more than usual). We still have 2 weeks and I don't think that my patience level will be maintained. From him dumping fingernail polish on the carpet to peeing in his room... something's going on with this kiddo and I am having a hard time understanding it.

Parenthood sure is difficult and I'm not sure why I often feel that I'm completely incapable of raising this child of mine! And to think I want more! Yikes... I know that we shouldn't look at other people's lives and think that they have it all together, but it's seems so natural to do so. I just want to feel like I am doing a good job, for this IS my job. Perhaps one day I will make it there... but as for today... I failed again!

But it's not really about the fall... it's about getting back up! Tomorrow is a new day and I will do all that I can to keep my head on straight and be the mom that Ethen deserves and that Christ knows I can be. She's in there somewhere... I just need to find her!

USMC

Up to this point I have spent most of my adult life in the service of this great country! I served in the United States Marine Corps from Aug 1999 - Sep 2008 in both an Active Duty and Reserve Duty status. I was proud to be one of the "Few". I finally found a copy of my boot camp picture. Gosh I was skinny!

I served in a few places. North Carolina, San Diego, Okinawa Japan, and a deployment to South Korea. Here is a pics from Warrior Base, SK.

Those were great times. And though I love my life now, I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Corps. I made many great, life long friends. I thank God for the experiences that I had along the way. They have made me a better person.

Ethen Busts a Move

Today after lunch Ethen saw the Party USA store and asked to go look around. Since we didn't have anything planned I thought it would be all right. Boy am I glad!!!

The store had their radio set to some 90's hiphop station... totally great songs that take you back! Well the song "Whoomp There It Is" by Tag Team came on and Ethen started groovin'! It was hillarious! I caught it on video so I had to share!

I got Ethen a balloon and at check out the cashier commented about Ethen great dance moves. She was as amuzed as I was!

I must appologize in advance for some reason (tho I was holding my phone right) the video came out sideways.... ooops!

2 WEEKS and counting

2 WEEKS... 2 glorious weeks and Ethen starts school.

We went today to register him for school and learned that he will be in the PM session... YUCK... That totally interferres with my schedule for Institute class. Maybe I'll just go to the Tuesday night class rather than Wed morning session. We'll see if Early Childhood Development will let me change it. I need to call them anyways becuase we are moving about a week into the school year and need to see if Ethen will be changing schools. I certainly hope not! For the sake of consistency he'll all ready be used to his teachers and classmates. So here's hoping that 1. We can get him to the AM session and 2. we don't have to change schools after our move!

Happy Birthday to my big Bro

Last week was my brother's Birhtday but due to scheduling conflicts we weren't able to treat him... so today we took him to see Step Up 3D... It was pretty good... great dance moves (of course) and the best part... my favorite dancer LEGACY from season 6 of SYTYCD! Pretty good.
Glad the I got the time to spend with my bro... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (belated)

Shirts

Ethen just came to me and asked me to help him with his shirt... I should have asked WHICH ONE? Let's see how many shirts lil' man had on... AT ONE TIME!

1

2
3

4

5

Apparently he was a little uncomfortable... cause once I got to the last shirt he was all smiles!

5 SHIRTS!!! Holy goodness... This kid is hilarious when it comes to clothes and shoes... He sees them in the store and gets all excited... This just proves it even more. The obsession has started!

Ethen's First Sleep Over!

Ethen had his very first sleep over this week with his best friend Amari. It was a lot of fun. They love to play like Power Rangers and all kinds of "boy" stuff...

Look at those future Marines... Nice salute Ethen!

This is them after set up of the bouvac (camp) site!

PROTECT THE BOUVAC!!!

Once the site was secure... time for some FOOTBALL!!!

Ready for some ghost stories... ok maybe not but it is time to hit the rack!!!

It was lots of fun having Amari with us for the night... surly on Ethen's top 10 favorite days!

School...

So Jonathon is going to be starting school at the end of the month... Perfect timing cause we are MOVING then too! BUUUUT... I'm totally stoked because we have been talking about this for quite some time. A little hard work now for a better future tomorrow! So that's got me wanting to get back to school too... I mean hey... I paid $1200 for the GI Bill I might as well use it! PLUS... If there is ever a need for me to go back to work I can and with some confidence! My problem... I don't know what I want to study... Nursing... Teaching... Nursing... Teaching! I've been going back and forth for hours now. I love nursing... I'm totally into the human body and how it functions. I think it's amazing how each system operates individually but yet has to function with the other systems for the body to do what it's supposed to do. Seriously, if sat and thought about it... there could not possibly be any reason to deny the existence of a Creator. There's no way your body just HAPPENS to work the way it does! ANYWAYS... Teaching seems like a stable, recession-proof career. If I do teaching once I have my associates I can start working as a substitute. But... will I love it! I don't know! The nursing program has a huge wait list and even then... will I get work after? AHHH Decisions decisions... so tough!

Maybe I'll get my degree in something crazy like THEATRE!

Ethen's Idea of helping me Pack

I've been trying to pack some things lately... It's slowly coming along! Ethen in his sweetness has been wanting to help me... but I'm not sure if this is the kind of "HELP" I need...He looks like he's so proud of himself!

I could hardly be mad at him... it was too darn cute! So I grabbed the camera and started shooting... Sometimes... you just have to laugh!

Old news again... 4th of July

Ok so this isn't really THAT old... but I finally got the pictures off my camera and onto my computer... so it's time to share!

We had a fantastic time for the 4th. Celebrating the independance of this great nation in the only manner we deem appropriate...

SHOOTING!

We headed out to Pahrump and got some shots off. It was an unbelieveably hot day but well so much fun. We took our Glock 40 caliber and .22 rifles... but the real treat... our good friend, Chuck, let us shoot his AK47!

Doesn't Jonathon look good shooting it! Even Ethen got into it. He did pretty good shooting... and of course TOTALLY loved it! Check him out shoothing the 40 cal and the .22! He's Marine expert rifleman in the making!

Ethen with the 40 caliber pistol.

Ethen with the .22 rifle

But that's not all... after we stuffed ourselves with great food... we headed out for another great 4th of July tradition... FIREWORKS!!!

All in all it was a great day. Certainly one that is on Ethen's Top 10 favorite days I'm sure! Can't wait to take him again... maybe next time Jonathon will be on top of things and get ME shooting!!! Oh well... he was busy helping Ethen have fun... that's good enough!

Moving update

Well as you all may know... we are moving... will be in our house the beginning of September... Here is a picture of our the house. My mother is in need of some help so we are moving in with her to help her out. This of course is her house. It should be interresting. Packing is going s-l-o-w.... We are currently preparing for a HUGE garage sale on the 20th and 21st and then again on the 27th and 28th (if there is still quite a bit of stuff needing to get sold). I feel that most of my energy is being focused on that and the clearing of space in the house for our stuff. Here's a pic of Ethen helping me pack up some of our Family History files.He's such a good little helper!

We get to paint our rooms and by much demand from the boss (ie Ethen) we are doing his room in a baseball theme. It may wind up being all sports, but I love the Baseball idea! We got him a bunkbed set today... I love Craigslist.com... bunkbed for $100 practically new! Can't beat a deal like that! I want to make a bedspread and pillow case for him. We have also found some GREAT baseball deals online... gotta love online shopping! Will definately post pics as we get things rolling with the decorating!

Ethen Sleeps...

This kiddo never ceases to make me chuckle! He is completely awesome and has been since he was born. I'm always completely amazed how this kid sleeps... See below for some great pics of what I mean..

Here we have my little guy... knees tucked and butt in the air... CLASSIC.
(one of my personal favs!)



It always amazed me that this child could sleep anywhere... in his bed... pack 'n' play... ON A BOAT! Yep... that's where he is... looking soooooo comfi too!



Doesn't he look so comfi! Again... able to fall asleep... ANYTIME!!!

And finally... Taken last night... This kid is so stinkin cute!

I don't know how he sleeps like this!
There you have it... the many sleep styles of Ethen!

Sleep well tonight!
We know he will!!!

Old news... Just to catch up!

Lil' E's trip to the ER...

A few weeks ago we made a special trip to the ER because Ethen desided to place bb's in his ear! Not at all unlike any normal 3 year old! After a dose of Tylenol with Codine and a few minutes to let it kick in... E was flying high as a kite! We got some great video of the visit... check out below!



My favorite part is when he trys to get the bb's out himself by tapping his OTHER ear! So cute!



And finally... this one really shows Ethen personality... the roar at the end is PRICELESS!



We love being outside... all though it's INSANELY hot here now we tried to get out a bit before the huge heat wave. We took a few trips to Red Rock Canyon and had quite the time hiking the mazing scenery! Ethen did amazing. He's so fearless!

We were able to get some great shots from the camera, even Ethen had some luck with his - he captured a lizard! He's got a great eye!

Did you see it? Check out the bottom right corner... in the sun! Yup... there it is!

We're Moving!

End of this month we will no longer reside in a stinky old apartment...

Tho this place has been home for the last 2 years... it will be nice to finally leave the apartment living life behind us.

We will be moving into a wonderful home... pics to come once we get going!

Speece Family Intro

Welcome to our blog!

We are the Speece's...
Jonathon - the always cool former Sailor turned AC guy. Brandy... the ever awesome Marine turned Stay at home mom and Ethen... the always adorable favered child!

Ok so we are really that cool... and we are new to the blogging scene...

STAY TUNED FOR WHAT'S COMING NEXT!!