Thoughts for my Children

It scares me thinking that something could happen to Kevin and I and we would leave Blake and Delaney on Earth too soon, or even just me,  before we are finished raising them and teaching them things that we want to about life.  I am constantly thinking about things I want them to learn about life, things I want them to take in to their adulthood lives.  We have our Will in place to “take care of them”, but I still want to teach them.  I want them to know who I am and what I believe in.  I want them to know what Kevin and I dream for them and what we feel about them, the love we have for them.  If something was to happen in the next couple of years to us they wouldn’t remember too much about us and that makes me sad.  I hope that all of you, family and friends will keep us alive in their lives, I know you will.  I have started a list on my phone, that links to my computer to back it up, with Bible verses, quotes, thoughts, and advice that I want them to know. I write on it each time I read something, learn something, or think of something.  It’s a good reminder to me to use throughout life but they will also have it in hand to keep me close.  I keep thinking I want to write a letter, but I just don’t know how I want to do that.  

So Blake and Delaney, as you look through these blog books, I hope I’m sitting next to you.  I hope we show it to your children together.  (I’m doing all I can to stay active, eat healthy, and make good choices to stay strong, keep a healthy heart and live a long time with you.) But if not, if I’m chosen early to have the honor of paradise in heaven know that these books, blogs, memories are all my letters to you.  They show you how we lived, how much I love you, and what I dream for you.  But there is also a private list out there just for the two of you to take with you in life to always have your mom there.  Find it, keep it, read it, know I want to teach you and love you for many years after I’m gone.  I have put a lot of thought into them and am trying to limit them.  If I leave this Earth before you’re grown know that I will always be there to listen to you and I will watch over you and protect you with God’s help as I live with Him in heaven.  We will wait on you together when it’s time for us to be together again forever!  I will love you forever!

Kevin’s birthday trip

We love to travel, but with two little kids, we haven’t really been able to like we used to.  It’s not as much fun with kids that like their schedules.  We were so excited to get away with just the two of us.  I surprised Kevin with the news I had a flight and hotel booked a few days before so he could decided where he wanted to visit.  That’s his favorite part, planning. 

Friday we flew in and took a 45 min ride to the hotel, The Capitol Hill Suites.  It was a great find.  Close to the Capitol, but tucked away in a neighborhood.  We had a trolley we could get on and off all day Friday and Saturday so we did that and took it up to the National Cathedral stopping for lunch near National Geographic to have lunch with a college friend of mine, Skye.  We enjoyed the sites, walked a lot, and waited on the trolley a lot.

Friday afternoon we went to Georgetown, bought some tea, had a cupcake for Kevin’s birthday, then a drink on the river and dinner at Old Ebbit Café.  We sat in the booth that JFK used to read the paper and have his Sunday morning brunch before he was President.  Two booths over is where he proposed to Jackie!

On Saturday we had a great breakfast and rode the trolley around to see the monuments, White House, the museums, and other landmarks.  We stopped at the Art Museum, Natural History Museum, and Holocaust Museum.  We enjoyed dinner on the early side then ran through the rain to enjoy some of the other historic and new bars.  We had a great day together.

We heard there was a motorcade, but we missed it, Michelle was at the Olympics, but the President stayed in town.  When we saw the White House during the day I saw a black man walking in the door off the balcony upstairs, assume it was him?  Was a quick second, Kevin missed it. 
Sunday we finished the trip with a visit to the Newseum.  This is all about the news, and a fairly new museum.  We loved it!  Sunday morning is a great time to go too, there were very few people there.  We walked around some more, I bet we walked 10 miles over the weekend, and grabbed our bags to head to the airport.  We were glad to get back to home to the kids, but had a great weekend away, and well needed!

Zookeeper Camp

 

Smiling Tigers, Hungry Giraffes, Zebras in a cage, and Growling Lions!!!

Underwater fun!

The kids have really learned how to swim, both go under water, but Blake jumps in and swims without a support to the stairs and does it again.  A friend let me borrow an underwater camera, we had fun with it!  I can’t believe how cool the pictures are! 

After the kids enjoyed time playing Delaney wanted to get out and play in the garage, I was behind the stairs for a min collecting a few toys and by the time I knew it Blake said, “Ut oh Delaney, Mommy!”  She had climbed up on her own, which I didn’t know she could and was in the middle of the baby pool underwater, I couldn’t get to her quick and it felt like forever.  I can’t believe it, you never think it’s going to happen to your child!  I pulled her out and she sat on my lap crying for a while, then just say there still for like an hour.  She was so scared, my heart throbbed all day and I still hurt when I think about it.  I always will now.  She told me she held her breath and didn’t swallow any water, I’m not sure, but at least she knows what to do!  Blake is my little hero though, who knows what would have happened without him today!

I love loving my kids

It amazes me how much I love my kids!  Each day I feel so blessed and excited that God chose me to raise them.  I love Kevin more and more each day too and time apart this summer is showing me that.  Sitting here by myself after a full day with just me and the kids makes me realize it even more and I appreciate my life so much. 

I had a conversation with someone yesterday that has lost her parents, struggled with infertility, never conceived, and is now getting divorced after 14 years.  She’s 34, not much older than me, and it makes me think about all the things that I worry about and stress about and how minor they are and how they shouldn’t exist.  I need to remember to praise God every day for all He has blessed me and my family with.  The love, health, and blessings He has shown us.  Now the only thing I need to worry about:  keeping my promise to Him to raise them in His ways to follow Him and trust Him in all they do.  I want to raise them with grace.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

A night out at the beach

We have pretty much stayed in for dinner most nights at the beach (there a month).  But one night when it was just me, the kids, and my parents we decided to clean up, put on make up (I didn’t do that much) and head out.  We went to Calabash to eat supper, see the boats, and run by a store.  I have such cute summer clothes for them and we live in T-shirts, I was ready with the camera!

Mom and Dad have been such a big help.  I have been with the kids 24/7.  They were awesome about giving me breaks and helping with stuff so I wasn’t overwhelmed with Kevin being gone.  We sure missed him during the week, but it was nice to have him come for long weekends.

We met Lucy the turtle

After a sweet walk on the beach we went to the OIB Community Center to learn all about sea turtles and meet the new mascot Lucy.  The kids had fun playing games, making turtles and having their picture taken with Lucy.  OIB, Holden, and Sunset Beaches have teamed up and are making all aware about sea turtles to help save them.  They are now only endangered instead of being close to extinction.  Only 1 out of 1,000 eggs grows into adulthood and each turtle lays about 100-150 each time.  There are 16 nests on OIB so far this summer.  I hope we can all do our part by covering in holes, and picking up trash.

Daddy’s little golfers

Both kids love min golf.  Daddy’s has bought them clubs, borrow clubs, and let them use sticks.  They play golf everywhere.  We have finally got them on the min golf course a couple times.  Both do great.  They hold it right and Blake focuses enough for all 18 holes.  He makes some in only 2 shots.  Both made a couple hole-in-ones without help.  Wont’ be long until they are on the big course with him!

Up, up, and away!!!

The weather was perfect, the time was perfect, the company was perfect.  We had a great Davis family fund day today on the beach flying kites for the first time.  I just love the excitement in Blake’s face.  Delaney enjoyed it for about 30 seconds, then was back to the sand.

The cousins

The last day at the beach with the cousins was so much fun.  It started with all the little cousins waking up Taylor.

 

 

Then we were off for a final boat ride.  They all experienced the tube, expect Blake, he says “maybe the next day after tomorrow.

Then we headed off for the last swim in the pool.  They all had PB and honey for lunch and Peyton put Delaney to bed for a nap while Coalson put Blake to bed for a nap.

Independence Day

We had a fun-filled day today.  Wes, dad’s brother, Sara, and Creighton were here all week to celebrate.  The 4th started with fun clothes and glasses to wear to the parade.  The big kids decorated the golf cart the night before and rode in the parade.  We watched from the side and collected candy.

 

Peyton was Delaney’s request that day to put her down for her nap.  She likes to request someone and if it’s not that person she throws quite a fit.  He did great!  He said, “I just had to read her another book, she’s too stinkin’ cute.”  They are so sweet together.

After naps we had a pool party and cookout (Chef Kevin) with the Blake family (that’s my mom’s sister’s family).  Dotty, Bob, Kim, Alan, Meredith (16), Rebekah and Katherine (twins, 11).