The kids-2011

Over the past several weeks Heston has been working on his "collection" from Toys R Us. He's been cutting pictures out of the catalog to show Santa (whom he is terribly afraid of) and stuffing them in his CARS backpack. He calls Toys R Us...TOYS ON RUST! He is so cute.

He loves to Kiss on the lips and give hugs. Out of the 3 kids he is the cuddle bug. I can't believe he is about to turn 5. He still sleeps with us. He starts out in his bed, just ends up in ours. We hope to change this in 2012.

Katelyn is a mess. She continues to excel in school. She has yet to make below a 120 on her spelling tests. She is getting so big. The other day she asked Jon "daddy, when are you going to take me out to show me how a man is supposed to treat me?" We both melted a little. She still gets scared by being alone or in dark places and has weird dreams...sometimes they are good sometimes they are bad. This year Heston has started realizing he has dreams and once had a bad one. I told Katelyn to tell him what to do if that happens again. She proceeded to tell him - Heston--you pray and ask God to take away those thoughts and for Jesus to send Angels to be with you and then you go ask mommy to turn on Noggin or some TV show to help get your thoughts off the dream so you can go back to sleep. I thought she did a great job telling him what to do when he's scared. Katelyn still wets the bed, almost every night, this too, is something we plan on really working on in 2012.

Josh, is well....Josh. He is doing great in school making all A's and 1 B- (in his "struggle subject"-English) He loves to read and his favorite subject is Social Studies. He also does well in math and science. He plans on trying out for baseball this spring. He is involved in the church youth group and we are trying to give him a little more freedom--like having a cell phone. The kids are just growing and the time is going by so fast. I have one about to start kindergarten and I have started to place little notes around the house to remind myself to ENJOY the kids, who cares if the house is messy etc. I have a whole list of New Year Resolutions! That is another post!

A NEW "to us" CAR

Well the time finally came when we HAD to replace the Tahoe. It was a 1999-The Tahoe was bought in June 2002, one year before we were married. We took that car on our honeymoon, we brought our babies home from the hospital in that car...we had LOTS of memories made. It was a little sad to see it go.

We traded it in for a Honda Odyssey. (its a minivan) It is a 2003. The kids are super excited and we are excited that we have something that holds us all comfortably. It is NICE. It has leather interior, a DVD system and other extras. I absolutely love it. The kids really like the fact that the doors open with the push of a button.

On another note, I was right about the boys surprising me with their answers to the "what are you thankful for" question. Heston said God and Jesus (left out the Holy Spirit, but he's only 4)

Josh said family -- and that is all I could get out of him--he's in that stage where he is just too cool for stuff like that. On thanksgiving we went to mom and dads and had a simple lunch and dinner while watching football and making a game plan for Black Friday. It was a nice time. Kate had us all taking turns saying one thing we were thankful for while we ate-that too was nice.

We are all ready for our trip to Gatlinberg for Christmas this year, we just have one or two more gifts to buy and wrap. We hope to enjoy our friends, family and get some rest this holiday season. We also strive to remember the birth of our Savior and teach the kids what the real meaning of Christmas is all about. It has been a WONDERFUL 2011. We are so blessed and so thankful for what HE has done for us this year and always. Here's to expecting great things in 2012! Blessings to all!

Thankful...and a proud parent moment

This week is Thanksgiving, whether we are ready or not. We really need to celebrate all we are thankful for and blessed with more than once a year. This year the kids are all old enough to really say what all they are thankful for. Last night, while Katelyn and I were at the dining table, just the 2 of us, I asked her what she was thankful for...she replies with

"I am thankful for

1. God

2. Jesus

3. The Holy Spirit

4. family

5. church"

....in that order. (along with other things like food and water...she did not mention toys, games, tv etc...)

Yes, my 6 year old is thankful for the Holy Spirit.

While in the car on the way to school this morning, she requested The Revelation Song (by Phillips, Craig and Dean, a christian group) She sings and pretends she is leading the choir or church music--she says out in the middle of the song...Come on, sing praises to the Lord! Katelyn has a deep understanding of Jesus, which we have known for a long time now, but she doesn't really express herself and all that she knows and comprehends to us, we have to just let life happen for it to show itself.

After that conversation, I plan on asking Josh and Heston what they are thankful for, alone, without anyone else around-they will probably surprise me too.

Yesterday was our church's 60th Birthday and we celebrated in a BIG way. In part of celebration we were asked what brought us to this church and why are we thankful for it:

Most answers in our class were: "the outstanding children's ministry"

I have to agree, when my child knows and is thankful for God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit, I know that they are teaching God's word and that thrills my heart. I am going to make many mistakes as a parent...just ask the kids, but my main goal is to teach them about Jesus and that He can fix all our (my) mistakes! It is moments like these that make me think we must be doing something right!

So I ask...what are you thankful for? is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on the top of your list?

FALL BREAK

Ok

Here is Heston's last *tear* pre-school picture...well a picture of the picture and I can't figure out how to rotate it...sorry but hope it'll do for now

We HAVE REALLY enjoyed our fall break. Jon has been working out of town the past 3 weeks and I have had to do all the kids stuff...baseball, softball and basketball by myself (must insert credit to my parents here, because really I can't be 3 places at once) But it is really hard and at times stressful. Being organized helps, cooking meal ahead, making sure all the laundry is complete...all helps BUT doesn't replace an extra set of hands around the house. You all get it...

so I'll leave it at that.

SOOOO Fall break has been great...no school, no homework, no games or practices, even Wednesday night church was canceled! We have had free evenings and wonderful weather! (well the mornings have been pretty cold, but the afternoon's have been delightful)

AND Jon came home from work yesterday and said he WAS NOT going out of town this week! Yea, he'll be home once all the craziness comes back!

Our calendar remains full, but come the end of November we should have a few months break!

We are already preparing for Christmas, I am making lists and checking them twice and we are all really looking forward to a few days away in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee!

If anyone can stop by our house on the way, let us know!

Fall

Fall is officially here. We have busy schedules, but having cooler weather is AWESOME and helps the craziness just a little.
The BIG news is that Josh made the 6th and 7th Grade Basketball team. He found out on Friday and is already busy with practices. He already has his uniform and is # 22. There is a Parents meeting tonight and I hope to get LOTS of good information. This weekend we will be shopping for basketball shoes.
The little ones still have a few weeks left of fall ball. Heston is ready to be done (I think) and Katelyn is loving it and will be sad when it's over. Heston's biggest concern these days and the question I hear most from him "Is it bath night" He knows if he has a game that he has to take a bath....which HE does NOT enjoy.
Jon is working out of town this week and next which makes me a little crazy since we have so much going on once we get home...well not really home, just off work and out of school for all the craziness of the evenings activities to take place.
We are looking forward to the holidays that are quickly approaching. Jean and I have been emailing back and forth this week to plan the "perfect family holiday in the mountains" We are looking forward to seeing everyone!

Happenings since school has started

Well, here we are, more than 1 month into school. Progress reports came home on Friday, I am happy to report both Josh and Kate are making good grades and are doing great in 6th and 1st grades. Kate has had her expander put on. We are almost done with all the required turns...her bite looks better and she now has a lovely gap between her top 2 center teeth (which is what we want). We will go on the 26th for a check up. Josh will have a sports physical on the 27th for try outs on the 29th and 30th for basketball. He is hopeful he will make the team. Grandsherry is going to have to help us out with practices, but it should be ok and work out. We are staying busy with Heston playing baseball and Kate playing softball. She is really doing well and has even made a HOMERUN! Heston can hit the ball, but often gets out running to 1st base. He is left handed and hits the ball right to 1st base...hardly fair!
Fall is in the air and it feels so nice. We are having a Sunday School party (social) at our house on 10/8/11. We have been busy cleaning out, cleaning in general and doing minor chores on our to do list...which doesn't look like there's an end in sight. Next weekend we are planning on cleaning things that are "weird"...like silk plants, trash cans, blinds, fans, baseboards etc. Then on 10/1 we will focus on the outside...mowing, pulling weeds, blowing off the patio etc. I have cleaned out every room in the house and cleared out all the extra toys, games, clothes...and items we just don't need/use. IT FEELS SO GOOD! The kids are even playing with what we have left. They have fewer toys and seem to be happier about it. What we kept, they really want and enjoy. We have made new rules concerning TV (especially for Josh) and he is reading a lot more now and enjoying it. small changes that make a big difference. There is not much more to tell, just wanted to keep you updated. I will post pictures of fall sports soon (I hope)!

Jersey Shore 2011

Here are the kids on the last day...in the far background (top right) you can see a little boy in a navy blue shirt...that is Clark...best we could do! LOL also in the top left you can see a parasailer...kinda neat


This is one section of rides on the boardwalk for the kids. They had so much fun!

We went on bike rides EVERY single mornning (well except one). It was nice. I rented a bike for me (with Heston attached) and one for Kate.

Ceasars Palace, Atlantic City, NJ (one night me, Travis and Deb went into Atlantic City to eat at Ceasars Palace and play the penny slots)

Here we are on the beach

Here is Grace and Kate-notice the matching shirts. Totally not planned and totally bought at separate times without prior knowledge...kinda funny--Trav bought Grace's the week before we got there and out of necessity I ran and bought Kate one, the same one, when I got home with it, we discovered that we had picked out the same shirt--I guess it's in the genes!

Here is Heston playing in the waves. The first day he got out on the boogie board and wiped out...after that he only wanted to play in the shallow water!

Here is a lifeguard boat

Here is a view of the boardwalk from our house Kinda hard to see everything but its cool

Here is WONDERLAND...the big ride/game area on the boardwalk

Here is Clark!

Here are the kids on the boardwalk

Here is the big ferris wheel. This is the one in Wonderland-we passed it everyday on our bike rides

Here is the view of the ocean from our house. It seems far away, but really it is maybe 100 yards

Here is Heston and Cannon

Here are the kids again

Kate splashing in the ocean
-she was NOT scared at all of the waves. She loved them , we had to keep a close eye on her because she would get further and further out having fun

Here was the first night-a little surprise 60th birthday for mom-complete with an ice cream cake-yum!


Well, I don't want to bore you with any details, so feel free to stop reading here, but I do want to write a little more so that in a month from now, I can remember some things from our trip.

I really missed having Josh and Jon with us. They took a trip to Texas that overlapped our trip to New Jersey. I think I missed them so much because I knew Josh would have especially had a lot of fun. Next time we go, he is definately going too. (Jon's not much of a beach person, but if I have my way, he'll go next time too!)

Day 1: Friday 7/29--drive...stay at hotel

Heston is wondering about this "bacation" thing. I kept telling him we were going on vacation and he did not know how to comprehend that. When I told him we were going to stop and spend the night at a hotel he was not happy. He asked about going to the mountains (like the year before) we explained we were going to the beach/ocean--again, he had no clue -he declared once he learned we were not going to Disney --"I want to see the map" we gave him the Garmen--he had fun looking at it

Day 2: drive most of the day, arrive at the beach house about 5:15--quick surprise party for mom, go to store (food ordered over internet and picked up = easy and not time consuming) then dinner at the house and a walk on the boardwalk--popcorn: at Johnsons Caramel = so good

Day 3: rent bikes, go on bike ride, get ready for beach, beach and play, dinner-ordered tacos and boardwalk--rides in Wonderland

Day 4: bike rides, beach, ready for dinner in Atlantic City--kids stay home with GrandSherry and Granddad

Day 5: bike ride, beach, dinner on boardwalk--pizza

Day 6: a little cloudy this morning--misting in the am--no bike ride :( late breakfast/early lunch out then mini golf--time on boardwalk--then to the beach for a few hours...dinner in (Trav and Deb out to dinner with friends) --water balloon fight with kids-Me and mom to boardwalk to shop--

Day 7: Bike ride, breakfast on boardwalk, beach...all day...then dinner-then boardwalk for rides and shopping!--start packing to go home--return bikes :(

Day 8: check out at 9:15--head for home...so tired...kids sleep most of the day-check into hotel eat dinner and take kids swimming in hotel pool

Day 9: COME HOME, unpack and get ready for school to start and head back to work

It was a great trip, so much fun--I have a ton more pictures (even some I still have to get from Travis and Deb) but hope this gives you an overview and gives me something to come back and remember!

All about...kids!

Josh 1st day of 6th Grade--Middle School



Kids Easter 2011



Kate and her piano teacher at her May 2011 recital

Kate-last day of Kindergarten

Josh-5th grade graduation May 2011

Kate 1st day of 1st grade

Josh -Young Southern Writers Award Ceremony

Heston Easter 2011

Heston Soccer 2011

Heston soccer
Sorry some of the pictures are sideways...but I cannot figure out how to change them.

I wanted to post the happenings leading up to the New Jersey Shore trip since it has been so long since I've posted photos and since there is a ton of pictures from the trip.

Heston was a pro at soccer. This was his first time/year playing and he really liked it. He was the leader of the team and the coach told me to "play him up an age group" next year so he can have a little more competition. He is signed up for fall baseball which will start in a few weeks. He is doing great!

Katelyn is still taking piano. At her lesson last week, she learned a whole song perfectly and her teacher said that no one she has ever taught that song to has learned it in one lesson. She is doing great and loving it. She is excited about 1st grade and this summer has really learned how to swim well. She is completely independent and can dive to get things in the deep end without any help. I am proud of her. She is also signed up for her first year of softball, she is a little hesitant but is willing to try. I hope she finds a sport she is passionate about to help keep her active and exercising. (Jean: the book with a "K" you got her, holds her "wedding dress designs") She is very creative and has a real imagination. One day this summer she told Grandsherry about a dress she" saw in her head" and basically walked her through how to make it. They did-she got a dress made out of formal dinner napkins.

Josh has started 6th grade and the youth group at church. He is doing well and is excited. He has a locker (with combination) and was so proud he could open it on the 1st day when others were struggling. He helps the girls around him with their lockers too-Jon gives him a hard time with that one. So far he hasn't complained about anything middle school has thrown at him.

Jon is working a lot of over-time, and will soon start working out of town. It has its pros and cons. He is well and looking forward to FOOTBALL season.

I am fine. I am ready for cooler weather as my a/c in the Tahoe is out and the transmission in the Explorer is out too, so we are having to prioritize what gets fixed first! Jon drives his little black truck full time now.

All is well with the us and we are trying to get back into a schedule (which is full) with the start of school. I will do a separate post in a few days with more pictures

Our kids are so cute

Here lately they have been doing and saying some really cute things. When I started this blog I not only wanted to do it for our out of town family and friends, but for myself as a reminder of the cute happenings of everyday life.

Heston is starting to recognize that he dreams...the other day I woke him up and he said "mom, you're interrupting my imagination"

Katelyn dreams A LOT...the other day I woke her up and (that day at school she was to decorate flip flops) she told me in horror that she dreamed that she was having to decorate old, dirty flip flops not new flip flops...only Katelyn could dream about crafts and food.

Josh is Josh and is out of the "cute" phase but we still love him!

School is quickly approaching. In fact, we start on 8/10/11. Josh is ready, I think. He is promoting into the youth group at church and is a little overwhelmed at all the changes. We are attending a luncheon on Sunday that hopefully will inform us on all the youth "stuff". On Sunday we had him try on clothes...he has grown, literally in like a week. The clothes were in the laundry and he kept putting on some shorts and saying they're too small...prompting us to make him try on EVERYTHING...he now has 3 pairs of shorts that fit, 2 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of pants...everything else is too small. He has grown a lot this summer.

Katelyn got her expander put on yesterday. She is doing well, but talking funny. This morning I had a hard time adjusting it but finally got it. She will be in it for about a year. I am hoping and praying that she gets used to it soon.

Heston is entering the oldest class at daycare and is in his final year. I am happy and sad at the same time. I am sad that my baby is getting so big, he is REALLY developing quite a personality. I am happy that I will be saving a fortune on daycare!

Jon has a new job. Last week he started working at Hubbach Glass Company, which again, will require him to travel. He left Nations Glass rather abruptly so we are thankful God provided him a way to go back to Hubbuch.

My neck, back and shoulders have been hurting extremely bad and I am am heading back to the chiropractor for adjustments this week and next. We'll see if I get any relief.

My job here at the county is going well. I stay pretty busy. My hours have changed to 8:30-4 (and I take a 30 minute lunch) which I LOVE. It is not hard taking a short lunch and I love getting home with all the kids by 5. It makes for a better evening and more time with the kids. It will really come in handy when Jon travels with Hubbuch and when we have hours of homework at night once school starts. On Tuesday Jon and Josh leave for Texas and on Friday (7/29) me and the little ones will head to the beach. -then back just in time for school to start. Summer has gone by all too fast, but hopefully I will have pictures from our trips to post soon after we return...

ok...I know I've been bad

Ok, ok, I know I have been promising pictures and that I would blog a little more, the truth is...I am one busy momma and our computer at home has been on the blink...(well not really "the blink", completely broke is more like it). Josh's baseball wrapped up a few weeks ago and we have since been ENJOYING summer. We have been to the movies...we have been to the pool...we have purchased a new grill...and we have taken it easy.

Katelyn is growing and gets smarter by the day. The other day my mom had bought her some shoes...that apparently Kate could not live without...but that I personally did not like (the style) and I told her that I didn't like them...and she replied "well mom, I don't always like what you wear either" How could I argue with that? Needless to say, she got to keep the shoes.

She and Josh have been going to daycare and have recently gone on a field trip to Lake Winnie...it is a smaller version of Six Flags. They had a great time and Kate is getting to experience new things since she is a bit older.

Josh and Kate both currently have poison ivy (or oak or something) they are both itching and we have been treating with medication...Josh has it on his hand and wrist and Kate, bless her heart, has it on her check/face. On July 18th she will get her expander...

Josh is ready to start middle school. I recently bought him his summer reading book...let's just say it is LONG....I don't even know if he has started it.

Heston is Heston... He is so into CARS...we have seen Cars 2 and the whole time he kept saying to Jon "this is a good movie right daddy?" Jon bought him a Tow Mater pillow pet *which he loves* and carries with him everywhere. Jon also bought him a Tow Mater shirt, which is a little big so we were going to exchange it, but couldn't make Heston understand what that meant...so Heston says "I am putting it in my drawer and I am taking the tags off" How does he know about tags...geez

Today is our anniversary...yep, 8 years ago today we said I do...

In exactly 35 days from today the kids will start school. I am NOT ready, all the papers, folders, homework etc...I am NOT ready for. The hectic schedule...nope not yet. Having 3 kids at 3 different schools... NOT READY.

Jon keeps hearing from his friends at his old job (Hubbuch) that they want him back...he is thinking about it, but would have to travel. Say a prayer for that decision.

Somehow, through Jeff's (my old boss and new Judge) election process last year I have been selected to be Middle Valley Prescient Chairman heading up my districts voting...not sure what I am doing and am completely overwhelmed. We have 4 elections in 2012, one of which is the presidential election...say a prayer for me too...I have learned a lot about the process...

I don't guess that there is too much else to report...until next time...CHEERS...

END OF SCHOOL AND MEMORIAL DAY

Well, as always the Davis' have been busy. Josh graduated Elementary School last Monday, the 23rd. He cried at his graduation, as did I. We were happy and sad at the same time. He is really looking forward to Middle School and is hoping to have a good summer. He is participating in a basketball sports camp at his middle school this week and is well underway with All Stars Baseball. We have about 2 weeks left of that. He will also take a trip to Texas with Jon at the end of July/beginning of August--he is going with Jon and Mike to a Braves/Rangers game in a few weeks in Atlanta, so all in all he should have a good summer...relaxing and fun.

Katelyn is going to daycare 4 days a week and staying with my mom one day a week. She is taking piano lessons every other week to keep her moving forward, but have a more relaxed schedule for summer. Next week is our church's VBS which we will attend and then Thursday she will go to Texas for a week with mom and dad. The week she gets back, another church will have it's VBS and she is looking forward to going to that one as well. She LOVES to swim and I try to take her and Heston to the pool at least 2 times a week. Heston is Heston...he is so funny right now and is at a really cute age. He says stuff that makes us laugh out loud all the time. He is finished with soccer and was happy to receive a trophy at the last game. He and Kate are planning on playing fall baseball and softball and are practicing with Josh several times a week. They are cute playing together.

This past weekend was Memorial Day. We had no set plans on anything too fun but we ended up having a great weekend together and had real family time. On Friday night we ate pizza and popcorn and watched a movie together, Saturday: Josh had 2 baseball games and we went to those, Sunday: we went to church, ate, went swimming, grilled out, then chilled for the rest of the evening. Monday: we cleaned house and did laundry, then went to a movie (HOP), it was very cute and then came home, napped a bit, then Jon and Josh went to baseball practice and I took the little ones swimming. All in all it was a great time together.

While Jon and Josh are in Texas, mom, dad, me, Katelyn and Heston are going to New Jersey to see Travis, Deb and the kids. We are going to be at the beach. I am excited to see Kate and Heston's first experience of the ocean....it should be fun!

I think we have a fun and relaxing summer planned...I think this catches you all up on us and hopefully gives you a little preview of our summer plans. Hope all is well...until next time (hopefully with some pictures) CHEERS!

LONG TIME NO SEE

Well the Davis' have been busy since I last posted anything on this blog! We have been busy with school projects, baseball, soccer, and piano...not to mention church and other weekly obligations. Josh won an award...the Young Southern Writers (Poetry) award to be exact. We have had TCAP (which is a HUGE test for 3-7th grades) We have had torandos, science projects, field trips, dentist and orthodontist appointments, piano recitals, Easter, Mother's Day etc.

I will start with Josh: He has been busy with end of the year projects and baseball. We have completed a science project, history project on Thomas Jefferson and a HUGE English project. He is in the last week and a half of regular season baseball and will be starting All-Stars summer baseball soon (Jon is also coaching). He graduates from the 5th grade on May 23rd. (his last day of school) He will be attending Loftis Middle School in August and hopefully a sports camp in June. We all plan on attending VBS at our church June 5-9 as well.

Katelyn: She has completed her first piano recital and her first semester taking lessons. She will continue to take every other week through the summer just to keep her moving forward- she is reading well and is excited about 1st grade. She is having an expander put in (I think in June)-the orthodontist and dentist feel this is the best way to correct her bite. I call in next week to find out all the details etc. She is singing tonight at the PTA meeting and LOVES an audiance.

Heston: was sick yesterday and had to stay with my mom and dad, who said he was great and slept most of the day. He is Heston, he is at a really cute stage and is his happy go lucky self. He is AWESOME at soccer and they told us that if he plays next year to move him up an age group since he is so good. He is also VERY good at baseball so we think he is just really athletic and will be able to play whatever he wants.

We plan on having a fun summer, a little laid back and a vacation the first week in August. I hope everyone received the pictures of the kids via regular mail since I have not managed to get any posted on the blog or emailed. Hope all is well and until next time...CHEERS

The 10 Commandments

We have had a few issues with Joshua not "honoring and respecting" us (his mother and father). The other morning I had had enough...so I started telling him about all the Bible verses that reference honoring your father and mother. (which he claims he has never heard before) Later that day I talked to Jon and told him that Josh has a mind of his own and was simply not obeying...Jon worked late that night, but was quick to talk to Josh when he got home. He took out the Bible and read the 10 Commandments to him...He made sure he pointed out that God put Thou shall not murder and Honor your mother and father "on the same level"....and both must be pretty important to God. Josh is now reading through the book of Proverbs for the next 31 days in hopes to ensure he makes some wiser decisions in the future. So far things are going better-(he's even told a few of his friends that if they don't obey, then their days will be numbered). Hopefully we got through to him...

On an additional note, Katelyn has earned her AR shirt at school (a shirt you wear to get treats for reading books) and is still doing very well at piano. Jon took her to her lesson yesterday and told me how impressed he was at how well she could play. This past week, I filled out their summer daycare enrollment forms and had to put the grade they were going into in the fall...I had to put a "1" and a "6"...made me sad. She is more than ready to swim...she keeps asking when will it be warm enough...she also wants to take more swim lessons.

Heston is doing fine. He is learning a lot at school and I do feel that in a little over a year he will be ready for Kindergarten. (although I may not). He has his first soccer game on 4/9 and is looking forward to "running super fast".

Josh is playing a lot of baseball and is taking a trip to Dollywood on 4/21/11 (a really important day) with his class at school. In order to be able to go, he had to make good grades and have good behavior...FOR THE YEAR! he has met the criteria and he gets to go. That is the thing with our kids, they can be terrible for us, but they are always good for teachers, coaches etc. We are proud of them and are so thankful that they are ours!

PICTURES AND A THANK YOU

Our Big Snow January 2011. We had about 8"


Kate at piano lessons...she is doing great!



Kate's Spring school Picture 2011

Kate asleep in Mike's lap New Years

Kate on her 6th Birthday

Kate opening gifts on her 6th Birthday

Josh's School Spring Picture 2011

Josh with his Basketball Award 2011

Josh and Heston New Years/Christmas at Mike's

Josh on his 11th Birthday with the Jersey Uncle Travis and Aunt Deb gave him

Jon - Christmas at Mike's

Jon and Clark...both asleep at church...well Nursery Duty

Heston on his 4th Birthday

The boys' birthday cake this year....Kate picked it out special for Josh

All 6 Sittig grandkids

Heston, Cannon, Josh, Grace, Clark and Katelyn

December 2010

Oh my have we been busy. Jon is coaching Josh's baseball team this year and we are busy with practices and such. Heston is all signed up for soccer and has his first game on 4/9/11. Kate is enjoying piano. We all went to the dentist yesterday...well all but Jon...Josh is the only one with a cavity...and has 2 chipped teeth that need about 250.00 worth of work but that is going to wait for now. Katelyn's jaw is "crooked" so we have an orthodontist appointment for April 11th to see what needs to be done about that. It is affecting her jaw growth. I will keep you updated on that situation. Heston also had his 4 year check up yesterday (3/15) and was 3'6" tall...but I forgot to ask his weight. He had 4 shots and was NOT happy. He really cried because he had to take off all his clothes, he cried most of the appointment. He hated the dentist as well...he said "that Man" is not coming near me...he cried through most of that appointment as well.

There isn't too much to tell we have had a good but busy start to 2011. THANK YOU to all who sent cards, gifts and phone calls for the kids' birthdays...they (and we) appreciate it!

6 Months & a God that cares

This is a picture of the Courthouse I work in.
I wish it were bigger, but hopefully you can see how pretty it is.

On March 1. 2011 marked my 6 months of working here in the Hamilton County Courthouse. I am a Probate Deputy Clerk. The benefits are great, the pay is pretty good, the people I work with are nice...overall I can't complain too much. All I can say, is that it is different from being a paralegal. I am used to giving referrals and legal advice and here that is a HUGE no-no. I am now getting used to answering the phones and dealing with the wonderful walk-ins etc. So different than a law firm, where I make appointments and have a receptionist "screening" my calls. ONE THING I LOVE: the hours. When I worked for Jeff, we had a lot of deadlines and late nights/early mornings. Here I come in at 8:30, take a full hour for lunch and leave no later than 4:30. NO MORE WORKING LATE...

One more thing I have learned since my career took a change of direction is that GOD knows best. I remember panicking last minute as it appeared that I may not even have a job come September 1st. As I have spent time getting to know the people I now work with, they have really shown me what a better job I have here in the probate department than I would have had working as Jeff's secretary. I am a county employee, the secretary is a state employee, with lower pay, less benefits, and more work!! The Chancellors attended a meeting concerning a pay cut for their secretaries last week. The consensus: that for every judge there will be one secretary by July 2012. That means one of them has to go by July 2012, which means, it could have been me. Jon and I have been faithful in tithing and even giving above our tithe and truly believe that GOD has honored our obedience and faithfulness. God knew what was best, even when I was ready to fall apart. I am truly thankful that HE can see down the road and guide me in the right direction, because only HE knows what the future holds. I am glad to know someone with that kind of power and provision for my life, especially since it directly effects 4 other people (Jon and the kids). It is amazing looking back over the past year and seeing what all has come to pass and realizing that even The Davis' are in God's loving care.

Hello Again!

Since I have started my new job (on March 1, I will have been here for 6 months!) I don't have much time to blog. I am sorry...I will try to do better. With not having much time to blog that also means you all are not getting to see recent pictures of the kids. I am sorry for that too.

I do want to keep you as up to date as possible, and I want to write so that in a month, I can remember what the month before held for our little family!!...make sense?

Josh's basketball season has ended. In the end, he did make the first team, all district and won an award for that. He came A LONG way from 4th grade season to this season. We are proud of him. I have tried and tried to email a picture of him with his award, but have had no luck! GRRR

Jon made a quick trip to Dallas/Ft Worth last week to do some work for his company, Nations Glass. He is due to go back sometime in March....so pray for me (and the kids) --I hate being so outnumbered !!

I am doing fine, my eyes are healing wonderfully and I can see 20/20 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye and it is supposed to continue to get better over time. We Praise God and thank you for your prayers.

Katelyn is enjoying being 6. She has recently learned how to ride her bike, with NO training wheels!!! She is still liking piano (for the most part, practicing is a little difficult sometimes) Yesterday was spring picture day so she had to watch an episode of "What not to Wear" on TLC. She is so funny to watch when she is watching that show. She is taking it all in. There was NO changing her mind once she picked out her picture outfit. Of course, Josh could have cared less about the "event".

Heston, well, he is fine. Still a typical 3 almost 4 year old boy. He LOVES cars. He also seems very interested in NASCAR...so help me LORD...We cannot stand that sport, but he is really into cars and wants to watch the races on TV.

We are trying to enjoy the next few weeks as we are in a break from sports. Josh's season for baseball is just around the corner as is Heston's soccer season. Kate has mentioned both swimming and softball/baseball...I think we are going to do swimming one more year...lessons that is, unless we can find a "team" for her age group. Maybe next year put her in baseball/softball since we think she would be good at it.

We all go next month to the dentist. I think Heston might be the most traumatized of us all. This will be his first visit and he will also have his 4 year check up...with SHOTS on the same day. I find it easier to pick a day, take off from work, and make all the kids appointments back to back all day instead of taking a few hours here and there.

There isn't much else going on, I will try my best to figure out the picture problem and get pictures posted on the next blog post.

I CAN SEE!!

The Lasik surgery went very well. I can see just fine...even better than I expected. Everything is healing wonderfully and I am obeying Doctor's orders and staying on my drops etc. I will go back to my "normal" doctor for follow-up-post op visits on Saturday, then at one month, three month and six month intervals. Again, so far so good. PRAISE THE LORD. The only thing that is getting on my nerves is the dry eye. Totally normal and expected but it does wear on my nerves by the end of the day. They hurt most in the afternoon and evening. The mornings are the best. This will ease and go away after time. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We appreciate it! And a special thank you to mom, for taking care of me during and after surgery and for Jon for keeping the kids for the day/night!

One more thing....Katelyn had a great birthday, thank you all for thinking of her on her special day and Heston has been signed up for soccer and Josh for baseball--

Josh's basketball season has ended. He has won some award so we are to go on Thursday night to an awards ceremony at the Middle school. We should have a few weeks in between sports to get some much needed R and R!

ALL ABOUT KATE

Here is Katelyn at one of her piano lessons. She is doing great and we've only had one issue about practicing.


Here is Kate on her 6th Birthday.

Friday was Katelyn's 6th birthday. To celebrate we let her have a friend spend the night. Her friends name is Grace. They had fun playing together. Mike came to town on Saturday, in part to see Josh play basketball and of course for Kate's birthday. I remember the day Kate was born, Mike came to the hospital at like 8 or 9 pm to see her. On Saturday evening mom and dad came over to eat dinner (chili, which Mike helped me make) and to open gifts and of course eat cake and ice cream. Fun was had by all.

Both Kate and Heston have had runny noses and a cough. I think Heston is finally better, but poor Katelyn...she came in last night about mid-night and informed me that her "nose was not working" I gave her some more medicine and she was able to go back to sleep. She also lost another tooth yesterday so the toothfairy came last night. This is the 6th tooth she has lost. 4 on the bottom and 2 on the top.

In March, we all have dentist appointments and Heston will have his 4 year check up (with shots)...shh, don't tell!!

On Friday 2/11, I will have my eye surgery. (Lasik) I am very excited! I will let you all know how that goes. I am supposed to "take it easy" for the first 24-48 hours and to ensure that, Jon has requested that I spend the night at mom and dads.

Josh is finally in his last week of basketball. He has enjoyed it again this year and is playing in the skills tournament on Saturday. We have signed Heston up for spring soccer and Josh up for baseball. Both are very excited.

We are all looking forward to spring. I can't wait for the kids to be able to go outside and play for a while. We have snow in the forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday, then hopefully spring will be just around the corner.

There really isn't too much to tell for now. Until next time....CHEERS!!

PINK EYE...OR NOT!

Since early December we have been battling what we thought was pink eye. Katelyn would have a red eye, it would be somewhat "crusty" and would hurt her. We called the pediatrition and since it is so congatious they would just call in a prescription. Well, on Tuesday I get a call from the school nurse saying that Katelyn had pink eye and someone would need to come get her. I immediately called mom, who, once again, dropped everything to go care for my sick child. After getting really frustrated that she has had these Pink eye symptoms for over a month I called the Dr.'s office again. I insisted that someone see her that day. Her "normal" Dr. was not there so she saw her partner Dr. Wiley. We have seen him before and we LOVE him. In fact, I love her regular doctor, but if we didn't see Dr. Shumaker then we would definately see Dr. Wiley. (even Jon was impressed) He was a bit baffled, as the drops she had been on should have cleared it up- he wrote her another prescription but also wanted her to see an opthomoligist the next day. So yesterday we went to see Dr. Nicola, who was super nice and she diagnosed Katelyn with Chronic Dry Eye and told us what to do to treat it and PREVENT it. Hopefully within the next month it will be all clear and it will be a LONG time before she gets another irritation. She said that she could deal with this all her life, for a few years or just this once...it is rare in children and very common in adults. So for now, we know what we're dealing with and how to treat and prevent it as much as possible. She will go for a follow-up in a month. We are so glad Dr. Wiley insisted on her seeing Dr. Nicola. (and by the way, Katelyn is 4'1" tall and weighs 69 lbs. (we also had a LONG discussion with Dr. Wiley about her weight)

TOO MUCH TO CATCH YOU UP ON...

Here is Josh in his 1/6/2011 game. They lost by 1 point. He is # 3






here is Kate and Heston on Snow day # 1 of our big snow

1/10/11--THEY were out of school all week...5 full days





Here are the trees in our yard





here is a snowman Josh built

Here were are cars on 1/10/11

We have counted: # of days the kids have gone to school since December 15th...(missed the 16th due to snow)....3. They are off Monday 1/17 (as am I) for MLK day. So maybe next week we can get back into a routine...a much needed routine....

On Christmas day it snowed. We had 4" of beautiful snow. Dad got his car stuck going to work and had to call a tow truck- Heston told the Tow truck driver "hohoho Merry Christmas" Overall it was a great day-which, if I remember correctly, I have already posted some details about it.

For New Year's weekend we went to Mike's. The kids had a great time and Jon Heston and I gor a lot of shopping done...even for Christmas next year!!

Katelyn started piano lessons yesterday. She paid attention and seems very eager to learn. She is also talking about swim lessons (again) and soccer. Heston is also requesting soccer over baseball so we'll see how that works out. I may put him in baseball for spring and soccer for fall. He calls it soccerball....it's cute.