It's Been So Long and I Have So Much To Catch Up On...

If you know me and know me very well, you know that I'm a list maker. And the thing about list makers is they can't get out of order. Therefore, I haven't blogged in a very long time because in my mind I had things I wanted to blog about. But then time passed and I hadn't done it, so of course you guessed it, I didn't blog at all. Heaven forbid I get something out of order!!

So for anyone who might read this fix yourself a snack, a cold drink, kick your shoes off, get comfortable while I play catch up.

FIFTY IS NIFTY

My daughter, sister, son, friends and family all came together to surprise me for my 50Th birthday. I'm not sure how long the conspirators were in cahoots but surprise me they did. It was so much fun when we arrived at the park and realized that it was a party for me. They really out did themselves. They brought so many people together from my life. Old school friends, family, church friends and best friends. Every time I looked up there was someone else from my life. I can't tell you how rich I felt to have so many come to help me celebrate my half century mark. They had this great idea to make it a "50's" theme so they put me in this awfully attractive poodle skirt. They were kind enough to wear them too. Those pictures could come back to haunt all of us some day. All of us that is except my sweet Kendall and Gracie. That was about the cutest thing I have ever seen!!

Thank you to those who were in on the planning and those who just came to help me celebrate. Each one of you have a special place in my heart, have been an important part of my life in some way or another. I am truly blessed! And just FYI...I wouldn't go back in time if it were possible. I would say 50 is proving to be one of the best years of my life!

SUMMER CAMP

I have lost count of how many years I have gone to camp. But I'm certain that I have walked away changed every time. The last few years Harriet and I have played the role of the "scripture memory ladies". At first it didn't seem such a big deal. We just tried to teach the kids a verse each day then play some type of relay game where they tried to repeat the verse, get a piece of candy then go on about their day. It was really just a cool break for the kids in a hot afternoon. Most probably would have rather been at the lake or the pool. So a couple of years ago we began to revamp the concept. Instead of teaching a verse everyday that they can't remember a week later, we have begun to teach one verse all week, the camp verse. We try to really break it down, what it means, and how we can apply it to our lives. We try to find some fun applications to go along with each days teaching.

Last year the camp theme was Super Sticky. So we really worked over time to come up with as many sticky situations as we could, The best among them was the kids getting to "bake" a cake on their counselor's head. The kids loved it and the counselors for the most part didn't mind. Everything came together as only God can do. It was great how each day built upon the next and the kids were really getting it and enjoying scripture memory. We were so excited, it was a great year. Everything just clicked. After camp we would run into people from other churches that had come to camp and they would say, "Oh there is the Super Sticky ladies. We just loved it. The kids got so much out of it." Man what a great feeling to be a part of that. And to be honest, an ego booster. OOPS!

Cindy came to us with the theme and camp verse for this year. She also dropped the bomb that we had a record number of kids and we would either have to split up or bring on another team. Our theme was Brain Wash and our verse was Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." WOW! What to do? The pressure was on. As always we spend time praying for direction, wisdom, ideas. But nothing was coming. NOTHING! Jump in ego...I told Harriet, we should have retired last year, gone out on top. There is no way we can compete with last year much less surpass it. We are going to fail. All the strides we had made to make scripture memory fun would be lost.

Boy was I a conformist...bigger, better, best! I was a mess. No way we could we do this.

We did add on another team because neither of us was willing to go it alone. If we were to fail, it would be much better in a group, you know misery loves company. Our group began to meet. We prayed together, shared ideas, talked about what we would want the kids to come away with. We had such different personalities, different perceptions, same goal, but oh so different. This was not calming my fears. Plans were forming, changing, reforming. We had some good ideas. Things I thought would be okay but...would it be great?

We like to give the kids something to take away. Sort of an anchor that reminds them what they have learned. We came up with these really cute rubber ducks. All ducks but yet dressed differently. Then came the concept of being a duck in a world of penguins. Okay, I like it! We're getting somewhere. We needed an acronym for DUCK. We worked and worked to try to be cute, innovative, inspiring. NOTHING! Oh that's not completely true. We would find something for 3 of the 4 letters but not all 4. We have ordered all these ducks and we have no saying. Okay, don't worry, it will come. Surely God will give it to us. Or maybe God didn't want us to use ducks? The questions just kept coming.

It came time to leave for camp. We had planned and planned. We had everything we needed. We weren't jumping for joy over our saying "Daily U Can Know" but it was good. We could make it work. To be honest, I was still a little worried about how all of it was going to come together. We had our first class and it went well. We set the tone for the week and started memorizing the verse. It was a good day. I was beginning to feel better about where we were going. I remember just asking God to remove me, my pride from the week and to work in ways I could never do. Well as usual He did it. By the time day 2 was over I was excited. I couldn't wait to see where He would take us the next day. The kids were coming up with great "Daily U Can Knows". They were asking questions, sometimes tough questions. They were thinking and God was working in their minds and hearts. We planned applications to use but God really supplied exactly what we needed. You can't plan those things to work like they did. He really brought it all together. By Thursday, I was so pumped about what the kids and I had learned. It was incredible. God, I want to be a duck in a world of penguins. I want people to know that even though I may look like them I am different. Because He makes me different. I have my duck on my desk and everyday I look at it and know these things...

Daily He forgives me; Daily He loves me in spite of myself; Daily He blesses me in so many ways; Daily I can show others His love; Daily He has a plan for me...and so on and so on and so on.

Thank you Lord for using children's camp to teach me new things about You!

FIRST EVER CAMP GIGI AND PEEPS

Randy and Ashley were going to their churches children's camp and asked us to watch Kendall for 3 whole days! It was really the first time since she was born that we had gotten to do that. We had watched her for short time spans, but she had never spent the night at our house without her parents. We had so much fun! We spent lots of time with Aunt Val and Gracie. I loved having the girls together. I think I wore them out trying to take pictures of them together. We got to see Grandma Dane, Mamaw and Papaw and some other family members, but not as much as we would have liked. We watched lots of Mickey Mouse club, swung in the swing outside, had fun seeing the birds with Peeps and feeding the fish. Boy three days can go by so fast! (I'm sure her mommy and daddy didn't think it went as I fast as I thought.) Here are a few pictures we took...

PLAYING ON THE BED

KISSIN' COUSINS

READING A BOOK TOGETHER It made me think about the future though and how fun it will be to do special things with the girls. I'm looking so forward to the days ahead and getting to have Camp Gigi & Peeps as a yearly event. I'm already thinking about things we can do when they get old enough. I hope we will get to make lots and lots of fun memories together.

I know I said at the beginning of this post that I was going to catch up but I think we all need a break. So go to the potty, stretch and maybe I'll finish up my list (only a couple more) in a day or two. Who knows maybe even this evening...haha

Me and My Girls

I have been trying to get a picture with my two girls since Gracie has arrived. You wouldn't think it would be that hard. Here are some of the ones we took while Kendall and Ashley were here during the Mexico mission trip.We were trying hard to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time. No girls your Gigi isn't oriental even though she has more chins than a chinese phone book. Here is one more that I think is so precious. Kendall is trying to give Gracie a kiss and I'm trying to keep her from falling off the couch.

I've Been So Busy....

I know most of you can't believe it but it has just been so crazy I haven't blogged in forever. So I'm going to get caught up over the next few days. They probably won't be in order but at least I will start catching up. So check back regularly to see if I'm true to my word.

Two Fat Peas in a Pod

I thought these were too cute. When I looked at Gracie's picture we took on Saturday it reminded me of the one of Kendall. So I wanted to see them side by side. I would say they were about the same age but according to the date on Kendall's picture she was less than 1 month old and Gracie was almost 2 months old. I think they are precious!!

How the World Turns

I just realized while thinking about Valerie's upcoming birthday that my Dad was the same age I am now when she was born. OMG! How crazy is that? Valerie is fast approaching her 30th birthday. Logically I know this is true, however there is a part of my brain that says NO WAY! I just turned 30 a few short years ago myself, didn't I?

When I was little I remember my Mom talking about how fast time would go by. But it never made any sense to me. It seemed an eternity from my birthday to summer, from summer to Christmas, and then back again the long 365 days to my next birthday.

Oh wouldn't it be great for a year to be a year again? It seems so much was accomplished in a year. I grew taller, smarter, hopefully wiser, new friends were made, old friends were kept, always advanced another year in school. Back then it was hard to remember 365 days ago. It seemed like a lifetime. Now days, weeks and months fly by. When I think back I try to pinpoint when this happened. Best I can put my finger on it, it was Valerie's first day of school. Time picked up its pace, but Randy was still at home so it wasn't out of control. By the time he started school it seemed 12 months was only 9 months long. So then I began to sound like my Mom. Telling my kids how fast time was flying by. I'm sure they didn't understand it any more than I did.

I wonder how long it will be before they are saying, "Man, where did that year go?"

Man, I Love These Girls

I just had one of the best weekends with Kendall since she has been born. Have I mentioned how much I love the stage (age) she is now? It is my favorite! She is so much fun. She is copying or trying to, everything you say, walking every where, and absolutely knows what she wants and what she doesn't. She very matter of factly shakes her head and says, " umm NO", when she doesn't want something. Its really pretty cute. We had so much quality time together just hanging out and playing with her toys. Our adventure to the museum was so much fun. She was like a kid in a candy store and it was worth the wait in the rain and cold. Even our quick trip to the beach was fun. She loved picking up shells in the sand and made me think how much fun she will have this summer playing out there. I hated Peeps didn't have as much play time as me, but hey I needed to play catch up anyway. That girl loves her Peeps! Actually, she really seems to be very crazy about all her grandpas. What is it with those guys, Kendall? Maybe you already know you have them wrapped around your finger?

Then when we got home we got to babysit Gracie for the very first time. YEA! We kept her for about 3 1/2 hours at our house. She is so precious. She is such a little cuddle bug. I did tell her mommy and daddy that I'm pretty sure they have spoiled her already. She only wanted to sleep in my arms. We made a deal, we split the time between me and the bouncie. I'm sure I will do my fair share of spoiling, but I'm not going down for that one.

It was fun getting our 2 girls in the same day. That won't happen often, but it was great. Mike and I were talking about how great life is. The little things have always been the most important to us. And right now our "2 Little Ones" are just about perfect!

Gracie Reagan Davis

I know everyone is wondering why it has taken me so long to get something posted. Let me just say it has been a crazy (almost) 2 weeks.

February 16, 2009 - it happened again! The sweetest little angel came into my life and heart, and I will never be the same.

What a perfect answer to prayer you are. Myself and so many have prayed so diligently for you even before God created you. And what perfect timing He has. You came into our lives on
2-16-09, but it seems as though you have always been. I already can't imagine my life without you. It is amazing, this capacity to love. There is a constant flow that never runs out. The more we need, the more we have, the more we have, the more we give. So I give you my love sweet girl. I'm so excited to begin this adventure with you. To watch you grow and see all the firsts that you will have. What a priviledge to be your Gigi. Thank you God for this sweet blessing!

Sweetest Little Hands

I just cried this morning when I opened my mail. I had my very first artwork from Kendall. In the envelope was a big red piece of construction paper that said Hands Down your the very best valentine, love Kendall. And right in the center were the sweetest little hand prints I ever saw. I can say without a doubt that it is the best valentine I ever got.

What is it about those hands?
I love to kiss them, watch her clap them, hold up one finger to tell me how old she is, hold them out to me for me to hold her. Those chubby little hands hold a huge piece of my heart. And
I'm great with that!

I Feel Like I've Been on a Roller Coaster

You know that feeling of excitement and anticipation you get when it is climbing up the hill? Then the huge tickle of butterflies in your stomach when you zoom down the hill? That feeling of light headedness? That is how I feel. (No, I have not been drinking)

We just came back from such a fun weekend. Kendall's first birthday. I saw her walk for the first time. When she walked up to me and let me scoop her up in my arms my heart leaped. I have loved this past year and watching her grow, but I must say she is in my very favorite stage. This time between 12 months and 2 is so much fun. Walking, talking and developing into such a "little" person. The next 12 months will be even more amazing than the first. I can't wait for us to really talk on the phone. For her to call my name with her sweet voice. For her to spend the night with Gigi and Peeps (without mom & dad) for the first time. We have so many firsts to have and I look forward to every one of them.

Whoops...then the coaster goes around the curve at break neck speed and you try to catch your breath before the next twist. That twist is my Gracie. I can hardly keep from crying at the thought that I am going to see her sweet face in a few short days. I am thrilled to be getting a new grandaughter. I have prayed for her and her mommy so much over the last 9 months. As you know she needs to flip so she can be born the way her mommy and daddy had planned. If she doesn't then Valerie will be having a C-section. My heart hurts for her because I know this isn't what she planned. Whatever happens I am confident that God has planned the perfect way for Gracie to arrive. I'm confident because we have asked for it and I have faith that He will provide.

So for right now I'm going to keep on riding....

And so it goes.....

I'm trying my hand at this blogging thing. I may not be any better at it than my son-in-law. I invite you to read my ramblings, but mostly this is a way I can say all the things that never seem to make it out of my head.

I am so excited about my life. My beautiful sweet grandaughter Kendall is about to turn 1. And my sweet and beautiful (I'm certain of it) grandaughter Gracie is about to make her appearance in this world. Where has the time gone? As a mother of two kids I know how fast it can fly by. But it still amazes me.

I have always heard how fun being a grandparent is but you just can't imagine it until you experience it. The love that fills your heart when you look at your own child just doubles, triples, maybe explodes when you look at their child. It is such an expression of love, the Love God has for us, we have for Him, we have for our spouse and of course for our children.

I was not the perfect parent, but in spite of my mistakes my kids turned out completely wonderful. I know I won't be a perfect grandparent either but I'm sure going to give it my best shot. One thing is for sure, I'm going to keep thanking God for all the blessings of my life.