I am...Emma

I am 12 years old.
I am a Canadian American.
I am the one who started it all, whose infectious joy helped my parents understand that more children with Down syndrome would be best for our family.
I am in a family with three older sisters and one younger sister, two older brothers and one younger brother.
I am a stinker of a little sister sometimes.
I am the girliest of girls in my family.
I am involved in a long term, on again/off again relationship with Nick Jonas...it's complicated.
I am a dancer.
I am a huge Taylor Swift fan.
I am swift to tell my parents not to sing or dance....it's embarrassing!
I am cute and sassy and giggly.
I am the baby who slept through the night when I was 2 weeks old, making me Mommy's favorite forever!
I am a stutterer, but I really don't even notice it or let it bother me at all.
I am smart.
I am motivated to learn.
I am often unwilling to do my chores.
I am often willing to bend the truth about whether or not I've done them, hoping Mom won't check this time!
I am deeply apologetic and downright tearful when I'm found out.
I am a loyal fan of our dearly departed dog, Holly.
I am completely apathetic toward our two remaining dogs.
I am funny.
I am charming and friendly in group settings.
I am emotional.
I am a lover of pink and purple.
I am so lovely.
I am so loving.
I am helpful...on my own terms.
I am plucky.
I am supremely self-confident...I'm pretty darn fabulous and I know it!
I am The Love Geyser...it just builds up in me and explodes all over my family from time to time.
I am not a kisser at ALL.
I am a hugger, but sparingly.
I am a fan of Shake It Up.
I am sometimes mad, but I forgive very easily.
I am a huge iPod fan.
I am healthy, with just celiac disease to keep things interesting.
I am very easygoing about not being able to eat certain foods. I don't want my tummy to hurt!
I am the child my parents didn't know they wanted but could not for one second imagine living without.
I am a gift straight from God.
I am Emma Lane Spicer, and I am a person.

Vera's Birthday pics!

Vera turned 12 back in February! After weeks and weeks of buildup the day finally arrived! She's so happy to have her birthday celebrated!!

Here they are in all their morning glory! The Spicer Birthday Pic. Settle down, Deano.

As is now the tradition, Vera received a gift sack full of her very OWN treats and snacks. That may have been her favorite gift!

The Nerf gun vest for the Nerf gun enthusiast. We knew she was receiving a Nerf machine gun from her cousins so we had to get her properly outfitted.

The iPod! Remember the iPod God found for her?

No, Ella, the candles aren't for you. Everyone loves the birthday around here!

Ha ha, Mom! Vera let me sit by her for candle time. Maybe it really IS my birthday.

Nope! Louis Armstrong Vera took the lead in blowing out her candles.

Happy Birthday, precious Veronika!

We will happily celebrate your special day from now until forever! You are our treasured daughter and nothing would make us happier!

Random girly cuteness

The girls are modelling aprons I hope to contribute to a giveaway here.

What do you think? Would you wear these aprons? More to the point, would you donate a few bucks for a chance at one? I don't know how she's doing the giveaway but it may be that you don't enter for any particular item, but you get a chance at all the items. I'll be sure to talk it up here when it happens!

Fort Worth Botanical Gardens in late fall

Last December, I took the kids to the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden within the Botanical Gardens. (The pictures were all on my iPhone and I just downloaded them.)

The parks were incredibly beautiful, particularly with the fall color of the Japanese maples adding a red glow everywhere you looked. The kids enjoyed it and we got lots of pretty pictures.

Isn't that amazingly beautiful?

I have always loved the view from the top of the Rose Garden down to the lake. It's hard to believe we're so near the downtown hustle and bustle because the gardens are so purely peaceful...even with the Spicers in attendance.

Song got some great pictures of Anna and Luke, in particular.

Any time is a great time for a pose, right Emma?

God is showing OFF!

God was showing off when He made these eight beauties, too!

I promised the kids we would go back in the spring. I'm sure spring will be spectacular, but a sunny, cool day in late fall is awfully nice, too. As you can tell from the pictures, we practically had the park to ourselves.

I love the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens!