Really - 3 months !!

I can't believe that it has been over 3 months since I have blogged. Facebook is way too much a part of my life - LOL !! We are busier than ever here at Davisland. Blake and Rachel are in full swing with school and their Scout activities. Rachel recently enjoyed a Mall Lock-In and Blake camped in the wilderness and had to build his own shelter. Pretty sure from this point on Blake will be able to make his bed....Gary had gall bladder surgery and is doing well from that experience. Halloween was huge fun as Jason came up with Jada and Kaleb. A good time was had by all.

Facebook...the New Blog???

I haven't had time to Blog because of Face Book.....umm.....Hopefully, I will post more later. I didn't think I was going to like FB, but I have grown to really like it. Too funny, you just never know. Even my Dad is on FB !! It is addictive....gotta run and check my FB.

School's Out For Summer

We have hit summer head on. Blake and Rachel are both golfing.

Blake having a moment with Gary

Picking strawberries.....

Taking a walk by the Cumberland River.....

Plus there is soooo much more that we have done that I just haven't even taken pictures of...bless my heart !!

Happy Mother's Day !

I have had the best Mother's Day ever !! My parents and grandmother came up yesterday and we went to lunch because another really bad storm came through and we had no power for most of the day so out to lunch it was !! They enjoyed their "flower cupcakes" also.

My kids treated me to breakfast in bed, yum, yum and Rachel has been a sweetie and has worn her "I heart my Mom" tee-shirt for 2 days in a row declaring her love for me...aawww...

Do you notice how tall Blake is getting?? He's 5 ft. I'm 5 ft. 3 inches. Oh my !

Jason is spending the day with my parents and my grandmother and his other grandmother. Nothing makes me happier than that !! He has his 2 little ones with him today and I think that is the greatest way for him to spend the day !! Happy Mother's Day everyone !

I knew I wouldn't die today....

That's right not today. There was yet more tornado activity in Clarksville. What gives Mother Nature? Are we your red-headed stepchild weather city? Have we not seen enough of that type of weather to last, let's say 100 years or so? Can't you go bother some other cities for awhile. Don't you get tired of coming back to the same place over and over? Its a big United States out there really. Not that I wish harm on anyone else but can't you lighten up on us? At any rate, like I said I knew that no matter what the old girl had up her sleeves, I would be spared? Why? Because I had cupcakes to bake today and it just wasn't on my list today. And so after all the rumbling ( I was at Wal-Mart when the storm hit buying cupcake supplies), I headed home and made my cupcake cuties and all is right with the world. So take that Mother Nature !! (My cupcake blog is www.davislandcupcakes.blogspot.com)

You never know what kids are thinking

Part of Rachel's homework is keeping a journal with the teacher giving them a "journal prompt" each day. Recently the prompt was "You have a million dollars, but you can't spend it on yourself. What would you do with it?" Here's here entry....

"I would build an animal shelter. We would keep on excepting animals no matter what. Plus, I would give the leftover money to poor people."

Aawww...I have such a good, kind, compassionate, caring, sweet, girl. Plus somehow, I think that would truly be her answer no matter what the conditions on the million bucks.

S'more Cupcakes

Today's cupcake is S'more Cupcakes. We have a Girl Scout meeting tonight about Camporee this weekend so I thought why not try some of these cupcakes to get us in the camping mood ! Here is Blake sampling them to make sure that they were actually edible. He gave them an overall 8 on a scale of 10 ! Sounds like they passed to me. So its off to the Girl Scout meeting with these cupcakes in tow. Yum, yum.

Happy Birthday Rachel !

Rachel had a couple of her friends for a swim party at a local hotel. We had big fun! It was easy and I didn't have to clean the house - yippee! Rachel is 9. Good thing she is getting older and me and Gary aren't - LOL ! A good time was had by all and yes, these are some more cupcakes that I made. Beach cupcakes to go with our "splash bash" theme. Yes the girls are eating sno-cones in the pool ! Its their party they can do what they want. All kidding aside, they stayed on the side of the pool and did not make a mess and I watched them like a hawk while they were eating. It all turned out just fine. Happy Birthday Rachel !!

Spring Ball

Could it really have been time for the Spring Ball already?? My time flies. Blake said that he had a good time. They played "musical knees" which is similar to musical chairs. It was fun to watch the girls scramble to find an open knee to claim. Blake has had a busy weekend. Baseball Friday night, a Scout outing Saturday day, see the sunburn cheeks - and then the Ball Saturday night ! Whew ! He only has one more year for Cotillion. It has gone by too fast for me - probably not fast enough for him !! Though he did say that it has made him feel more comfortable being around the girls. That's good - I think.

Cupcakes

I have been making cupcakes like crazy lately. It all began with Rachel's birthday a few days ago. Then she needed some for a class party. So below are "tye-dyed" cupcakes. Yummy, no frosting needed. They were a big hit. Next, Spring Fling at her school which was a circus theme. So I after some searching I came up with "Cotton Candy" Cupcakes. But, there was a problem, the cotton candy only lasts for about thirty minutes. So I had to re-ice these babies. So these cupcakes now go under "flaming dessert and serve immediately" catergory. I am enjoying trying new cupcake designs. Rachel even said that my cupcakes look professional. Oh, how sweet......

How is your life going??

I know that I am taking mine for granted. That's right. We get up every morning thinking, I'm so busy, I've got this and that to do, this can wait, etc. Well, unfortunately, I attended two funerals within two days last week and it was a wake-up call. One was for my 39 year old neighbor. She left behind a husband and 12 year old son (she had been ill) and one was for Gary's 92 year old great uncle (who had been active until the very end). They were both equally hard because death, my friends, is for everyone, no matter the age, and what family members you leave behind, it is FINAL !! So having these experiences soooo close together really, really gets you thinking about "how's my life going?" I have a beautiful family, home and all my needs met. But, I need to do more and can do more. So this past week, every day, I have done something new and different. It wasn't anything like climbing Mt. Everest, but small things that made a difference for that day and that I enjoyed and haven't done before. Because, it can all be gone tomorrow. I found a great website - www.recyclethis.co.uk - that gives you something new to try everyday. Give it a try, what do you have to lose or better yet, you might gain something. Enjoy your days. I hope your life is going well ! Try something new today !

Woof Woof Waffles

Yep. You read it correctly. Woof, woof. I helped Rachel make these special treats for Oreo. Homemade waffle treats for the dog. Um....they took a few minutes to mix together and an hour to bake. Whose spoiled at our house??

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 12th wedding anniversary! We got married in Maui. Wish we were there celebrating, it was such great place to be. It was a beautiful beginning to a wonderful life. It is truly hard to believe it has already been 12 years. It has gone by so quickly ! We have had so much fun and have 2 beautful children from all of our "hard work" I love you Gary ! Thanks God for sending me such a great guy. Here's to the rest of our happy (and busy) life !! (Do we look young or what??)

Lent

I just love Lent ! It means so many things. First, that we get to celebrate that Jesus died on the cross for each and everyone of us and for our sins and that we are forgiven ! Amen to that ! AND it also means that Spring is getting closer and closer every day. Lent also means that we give up something to help remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus or we can choose to do something good for other to also honor this sacrifice. At any rate, Rachel was very proud when she announced that she was "Giving up school for Lent !" Um, no, let's try that again. She thought about it and went with Cheese-Its. Blake has given up desserts, and asked that I please "Don't bake any Brownies or cookies because I don't think I could take it !" I hear buddy.

I have decided to give up complaining. Not that I sit around and gripe all day, but when you think about it, sometimes you just don't realize how much you whine or complain about things that truly do not matter. I can't repeat what Gary was going to give up.....I'll pray for him - LOL. Happy Lent/Easter Season everyone !

The Cookies Are Here !!

Rachel is hard at work filling her orders. She finally, after 3 years of trying, placed first in Cookie sales in her Troop. Way to go Rachel !!

Happy Birthday Oreo !

Yesterday was Oreo's 2nd Birthday ! And it snowed also, so the kids of course were out of school. It was a real treat for everyone. We have had Oreo for 7 months and the kids are still just as crazy about her as they were on Day 1. She got a new coat for her birthday which made the snow day even more appropriate, along with her gift! Then today, I lost Oreo ! It was absolutely terrible! She cannot be trusted without her leash. She loves to run and run and run away from us. She loves freedom more than us! I was having trouble with the garage door closing and I didn't shut the inside door and she bolted outside to enjoy the snow again. All I could think about was how sad Blake and Rachel would be after being so happy yesterday, if I lost Oreo for good. So I went inside to get treats, because women can always be persuaded with food, and put on my snow boots and started my search for a semi-white dog in the white snow. Happily I found her and lured her back to me with treats and got her back in the house. The kids will never know !! Whew......

Winter Ball

Blake and his cousin Austin are involved in the National League of Junior Cotillions. It is a wonderful program that teaches young men and ladies about manners and dress in social situations. This past weekend was their first ball, appropriately titled "Winter Ball". The boys said that they had a good time. Probably as good as time that anyone can have all dressed up and having to dance with someone of the opposite sex. The last few minutes of the ball was reserved for a dance with your parent. We had a good time. The boys go once a month for their "instructions" and I think that they really have learned quite a lot. I am very proud of Blake, he was already a polite young man, and he just keeps getting better and better. Until the Spring Ball....

One Person Can Make a Difference

Yes, one person can make a difference. That's it just one. Rachel's elementary school doesn't, or should I say, didn't allow soap. That's right, you read that right, soap. The children would have to use Germ-X given to them by their teachers to "clean their hands" after restroom breaks and before lunch. Some children are allergic to Germ-X and I know of some mothers who would "sneak soap type packets" into their children's bags, so that they could wash/clean their hands. Seriously, don't the children have other things to tend to during the day, than to worry about clean hands?? The reason for "no soap on my watch" was that the principal didn't like the "mess" that soap could make. While Germ-X has its good qualities and does come in handy - no pun intended - sometimes you just can't ignore the good old fashioned quality of handwashing with soap and water. So it was one Mom's mission, Kristine, to make Sango a better place for our children and thanks to her and her unwillingness not to stop the fight, each child can now wash their hands like millions of children across America !! Thank you Kristine ! You are awesome !

Ding, dong, hey there want to buy a cookie??

It is that time of year again here in Tennessee. Thin Mints, Tag-alongs, etc. Rachel has really been working hard selling these yummy cookies. Normally she is pretty shy about forcing herself on others but not when it comes to selling cookies. This is her 3rd year of selling cookies and she is proving herself to be a real Cookie Diva! She has sold to everyone in our neighborhood, who was at home. She had no problem marching up to their doors, ringing their bell and saying "Would you like to buy some cookies?" I on the other hand at age 8 would have been mortified to have done that! She has even sold to people at church. Her daddy has helped her out also,(and maybe her mom). But she has done the bulk of the selling. Even making phone calls ! I'm so proud of her ! You go girl! And if anyone out there needs a box of Thin Mints, give us a call !

I mean well

Bless my heart ! In reading some of my past blogs, I can't spell or I use the wrong word ! I am going to blame this on my thyroid. Yes, my thyroid. My numbers are way off, AGAIN ! And part of this disease messes with your memory. Soooo, there's my excuse. Please bear with me, or bare with me, I do mean well ! I am on more medication to get this under control. Give me strength that I will be "cured" like Oprah ! Good for her! Don't even get me started on that......um....

Patience

Blake is the most patience person I know besides his father. I guess he didn't fall far from the tree. He made the middle school basketball team which is pretty good for a 6th Grader. Which also means he doesn't play much at all, or dress out. His journey began last October. He has practice every day after school, every day. Even during Christmas break they practiced some. Then there's the homework, plus Scouts, plus some sort of resemblence of life. He has to catch the bus every morning at 6:45 a.m. - ouch. He takes this all in stride. Some nights, he doesn't finish homework until 10 p.m. because middle school is a whole different ball game from elementary, they demand more from their ever expanding minds.

He is number 21. I love that, 21 is his birthday. Look how small he is compared to the big old 8th Graders ! This past Thursday was his night. He not only did he get to dress out, he got in the game! We were so proud not of him, but for him. This is his thing. He is the one doing all the work and making all the scarifices. We of course are thrilled to support him but this is his baby.

Hang in there buddy! Your patience is paying off!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone! Its hard to believe that the holidays have rolled in and out so quickly, yet again ! We had a wonderful Christmas. We are so lucky to live in this country. Yes, I hear all of you now going - hello- are you crazy, recession, grocery prices, fear of losing our jobs, etc. But really where else would we rather be? We are close to our families and friends who love us and want to spend time with us no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how much gas costs, who love us for just being us. And that my friend is worth a million don't you think?