Blooming Where Planted

New Blog!

2009-02-27T14:20:00.002-07:00

Alrighty...took FOREVER,,,but I have a new blog. Follow me at: http://owningmyadventure.blogspot.com

See you there!

It's About Time...

2008-04-16T22:00:00.001-06:00

Goodness. What a whirlwind we seem to live in every day now! You know I'm busy when I don't have time to read other blogs and even get updated pictures onto my own! :) I am continuing to "bloom where planted" and adjusting to everyday life around here. It was a tough season for me this year with Greg being gone for reffing out of town 5 days a week & having a new baby, but life is good. I've been learning how to deal with slight post-partum issues and am on the way back up. I've learned so much about our Heavenly Father and what it means to be a wife, mom, & individual. And how He enriches our lives in the most un-expected ways.

Many have been asking how things are going and what we have been up to here. So, below you will find an update, as well as some new pictures of the darling daughter, who is 7 months - now THAT I can't believe! Most pics were taken up in the great state of "Minn-eh-so-dah" visiting my best friend & her husband!

Just after Thanksgiving, I started working for a Commercial Lending Company - from home!!!! I've been helping them launch online marketing strategies and grow their list. This has been a challenging, but rewarding job and we thank God every day for my boss. He truly has been an answer to prayer and we are getting bills paid that didn't for the 6months I was unable to work due to the pregnancy complications. I love being challenged and I love the fact that I have the flexibility to still play with Kaileigh and hang out with friends during the day.

Greg is finally done with basketball and onto getting DLC started for the Spring. We're hoping to expand in the sprinkler work this year with the business.

Now for the pictures that Auntie Carolyn and others have been waiting for!

(PS - yes, our daughter is cutting her first tooth and is on her hands & knees now rocking, so I'm sure she'll be zooming around here in no time - yikes.) :-)

One of these days, we'll have a family picture where we're all looking at the camera! :)

As you can see, she was asking "who put me in this thing?!"

Happy Easter!

with her Auntie Buffy & cousin Seraphim

Christmas Photos

2007-12-20T19:08:00.001-07:00

Here are a few Christmas photos of the kids(yes, Milo does count as a child)! I PROMISE I will post pics here over the holidays. :) I know it has been forever. But it has been CRAZY here!

Enjoy....

My first Christmas photo

Playing with my doll while I talk all sorts of baby talk

Laughing at Milo in the Santa hat

Re-Designing

2007-11-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

So I am in the process of re-designing this site, so please excuse the mess. As far as recent pictures, scroll below!

Dedication Highlights

2007-11-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

Alrighty. Here are just some of the pictures! Enjoy...
(if you're family, we're working on sending out JPG copies to you via email!)

Corporate dedication at church on Sunday morning.

Kaileigh and her cousins!

"Auntie" Katie at our house for reception

sleeping on Great Grandma Max's lap

4th Generation Photo: Great Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Kaileigh

'talking' to Great Aunt Marsha

Various Family & Friends who came to dedicate Kaileigh:

2007-10-13T07:17:00.001-06:00

Here are pics from last weekend!

Practicing sitting while waiting for my great-grandma

chillin out with Grandma before the football game

my Aunt Rachael loves me very much! She kept the wind off my face during the game

Watching football with my Dad

the wind got so cold that we had to move inside the stadium to watch game! Here Dad got me all bundled up to go back outside.

My Dad, me, Grandpa, & my Mom after the game before Grandpa went back inside with the team.

me with my Grandpa & Mom

a 4th Generation photo! Mom, Me, Great Grandma, Grandma. It was a special time!

just a few photos of Me & Mom

waking up with Dad

2007-10-05T12:36:00.000-06:00

at Garden of the Gods

Playing with her Einstein gym. Colors, Shapes, & Sounds are all exciting now and can be focused on!

No Horror Stories Here

2007-10-01T12:50:00.000-06:00

Any friends or people I'd talked to in the past who had had a baby, always felt the need to share their 'horror' stories, but particularly when I was pregnant, it's like people felt the need to share any and all details of how horrible and painful and terrible their deliveries were. Well, as you can imagine, that only added to my already anxiety-level fears of having a baby.

I spent the first 4 1/2 months truly dreading the labor process. I wanted the baby, but not the delivery. And then as my pregnancy became trying and high-risk, I wasn't sure I wanted anything except the baby to come out by the snap of my fingers! Well lo and behold, I happened to be visiting a friends website on Myspace that I'd come across and I hadn't seen her in several years (though we go to the same church and sing in the same choir!). I happened to read about her new business that she was doing and checked out the website that she posted for everyone to read. Turns out, she had been working as a Doula and she also did private, in-home birth education. I'd never heard of a Doula before, so I sent her a quick message asking some questions about birth and delivery and agreed to meet up with her to talk more in-depth about birth education. I knew Greg would not be comfortable in a group setting at the hospital practicing 'breathing' techniques and we both wanted to learn more than just breathing, but learn about the pros & cons of different birth choices, birthing positions, and pain management that wasn't drug induced. At any rate, we ended up working with her for the full services of education and Doula.

Her goal was for us to have the best possible birth experience that we could have and leave the hospital feeling like we had no regrets about ANY decision that was made. I honestly cannot say that I had a terrible or dreadful experience during any time of my labor and delivery - and I did it all naturally with no drugs of any kind. And I honestly don't even think it hurt that bad, It was more hard work than anything, but that's normal! And had I not had the abnormal uterus & brith canal, there wouldn't have been any surgery afterwards - that's how smooth it all truly went!

Our Doula worked with us as our advocate, coach, and friend. She spent the months leading up to delivery educating us on all the pros and cons of drugs and of not using drugs, continually reminding and reassuring of all the symptoms during labor were normal and that I could do it, she educated us on laboring positions, techniques, and relaxation, she encouraged me throughout the entire labor either by phone or at our house and then at the hospital, she was able to help Greg coach and encourage me and free him up to be what he needed to be - my husband, she stayed through for my surgery afterwards, and met with me postpartum.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't condone or think it's wrong to use drugs for pain management, but we didn't want to have to use it if we didn't need to. And she would've been just as supportive and done all the same things if we had chosen to use all the pain killers there were. Point is - she was there to encourage and advocate on our behalf and to make sure that we walked out of their happy about our birthing experience.

If we ever decide to have a 2nd child, you better believe we will use a Doula again. I can't imagine any woman not having one.

It was a great birth experience and I truly have no horror stories to share or compare!

Three Weeks

2007-09-29T08:08:00.000-06:00

Kaileigh is 3wks old today! Being a parent is everything and more than we expected. What a blessing she is in our lives.

Below are some more pictures for all to enjoy!

Aunt Rachael

Sunday football naptime with Dad

Uncle Joel - and he didn't drop her!

Proud Mama Max

Auntie Jess &Uncle Doug

Cousin Seraphim

Meeting my 2nd cousin Kolby

Kaileigh Michelle

2007-09-18T11:18:00.000-06:00

She's here! Our daughter, Kaileigh Michelle was born last Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 2pm. She weighed 6lbs 14oz and was 20 inches long.

check out www.belliblossom.com/davis for some great photos as well.

Below are some pics of the new family:

Only seconds old!

All clean after my hospital bath. I'm told that my daddy went with me while mommy was recouperating from my very fast arrival!

Our first Family photo!

A very proud daddy

Headed home from the hospital as 3!

Kaileigh loves her Grandpa!

Aunt Rachael & Uncle Joel love on Kaileigh

First Bath

And The Assembling Begins

2007-08-25T22:45:00.000-06:00

So growing up, every holiday I have memories of my Dad, Grandpas, and Uncles all doing assembly projects for us kids for some toy or contraption. And it never failed - there was always something every holiday. In fact, on my side of the family, we joked just this last Christmas that it'd been years since anyone had gotten a gift that required self-assembly.

Well, the cycle has started all over! Only this time, Greg is the Dad and as you can see below, he is on his 2nd official assembly(the dresser) for our daughter and she hasn't even arrived yet! (A BIG HUGE thanks to Uncle Josh for the wonderful gift and helping of putting it together!)

Here's to many more years of self-assembly projects all over again...

What's Been Up Around Here...

2007-08-21T10:38:00.000-06:00

So, I've discovered that though I've not been working, I've found plenty other things to keep me busy! I honestly spend my days now getting baby stuff ready, sleeping, and going to doctor and chiropractor appointments. In the past month, we have seen miracle after miracle with my pregnancy - my uterus has completely adapted and isn't an issue, the canal has shifted to a normal position, and the baby has turned head down! All these things they said would be factors of risk and now they are gone. Praise God. 3wks ago she officially moved me off the 'high risk' pregnancy and I now I have a 'normal' tab on my medical file!!!

The baby's nursery is basically done. We have a few more things to put in, but the necessary items are ready and organized! Our bag is packed and the contractions are slowly rolling in, so it is just a matter of when the time comes...I must say that my entire outlook has completely changed in the past 9mo on this! 9mo ago I would've told you I was going to never be able to handle this entire process, but today I am encouraged and ready to labor :). We hired a certified Doula to work with us over these past months and boy has it been great! We have had private, in-home birth education classes and a wealth of knowledge and techniques brought to our attention. I'd never heard of such a person until I was reading one of my friend's websites and noticed that was what she did! She is a blessing from God to our family and we're so thankful for everything she does for us! I'd (obviously) recommend her personally to anyone, but a Doula in general - in our opinion - is something we think every couple should have the privilege of! You can read about it here.

I've also been spending the last month and a half placing bids for some freelance projects that I can do from home for a few months to help supplement while I'm on unpaid leave. This has been hard work, but a fairly rewarding search. All deal with curriculum development and/or welfare to some extent and are temporary. So, I will continue to do this until I re-enter the world of Social Services in January!

Here are some pics of the nursery and me at 38wks!

At The Farm

2007-08-04T11:24:00.000-06:00

We have spent the later half of our week out here with Greg's family. Greg's been re-installing the sprinkler system and I have been, well - um...sitting in the air conditioning either at the house or at the coffee cafe(they don't have a website, but here is a good article on them). This is the only coffee type place anywhere remotly close, so I spend lots of time when we visit here. I love the atmosphere, the smells, free wi-fi, and the ice cream that they serve - in addition to the coffee. :)~

Tomorrow Greg's aunt & cousin are doing a small shower, which should be lots of fun. Until then, I will be spending much more time inside and out of the humidity and probably will have ice cream at least once today!

2007-08-02T08:53:00.000-06:00

I am officially done with work right now! I've been doing lots of nothing as of currently. :) Minus doing lots of reading on birth, nursing, etc. I haven't engaged in a whole lot. My body has definitely been winding down and I'm finding myself trying to figure out a whole new routine. Mainly, I just do a BUNCH of sleeping! I'm about as tired as I was at the beginning of the pregnancy (or at least it seems that way).

We got our crib last night from Greg's parents, and I have been working on getting some ribbons sown onto the bassinet. And today I will probably start going through our gifts and getting the clothes somewhat separated and organizing everything else to some extent so we don't have gift bags everywhere! We are both getting very excited and it's hard to believe that we're down to + - 30dys. We will be assembling furniture for the nursery when we get back into town next week! So, I will have pics posted soon. :)

Count Down Begins

2007-07-21T16:37:00.000-06:00

Painting, showers, reading books, birth classes, weekly doctor appointments - we're counting down!

I've officially reached the "I'm uncomfortable, let's get this baby out" stage. Thank goodness we don't have humidity here and that the house has air conditioning! At the bottom is also the just about finished product of the nursery - I think it looks great! Big thanks to Greg & Katie for doing the bulk of the work :)~

We went to visit our new 24hour old neice yesterday! Hard to believe that in 6wks, we will have one of our own. lol. She was as cute as ever and we're so happy for Brian & Buffy, and for Seraphim who is now a big sister!

Ok, for the pics...

7 Weeks & 2 Days

2007-07-15T22:55:00.000-06:00

Well, yes, it's been over 3wks since I've posted! But it has been busy around here. I am getting ready to close stuff up at the office & have been training my Interim on top of doing things at the house! As you can see, we are approaching the 6wk mark and getting very excited for our daughter's arrival.

This weekend we got started on the nursery and got it pretty much finished - we will have it done before Thursday, as we have company arriving and the other spare room will need to be cleaned out of everything we moved in there! We have the chair rail and baseboard to get on to complete the project.

For those who'd asked, I was going to post some recent pics this eve, but the cable is hiding in the mess, so will work on getting those up tomorrow!

More will be coming, as I have more time at home and less time in the office. Keep posted for pics of the belly and the nursery!

Maternity Leave Countdown

2007-06-21T12:40:00.000-06:00

Can it be true? Am I really training the Interim to handle my projects for the next 6 months? I can't believe it! By the end of the month, she will be completely trained, and then I will shadow her for two weeks as she carries functions out on her own; then I will be home free until sometime in January or later.

For me this has been a very emotional time. I am definitely getting more and more ready each day for our daughter to arrive, and seems that's all I can think about most days. But then I have my days where for the first time, I actually feel sad that I don't have the 'creative' energy and passion for my job as I did and that I'll be giving up a portion of myself when I leave the office. Not that I can't ever come back to it or do it again somewhere else, but it's just hard to have to let go.

So, enough processing for one day. :) It's time for some Bugles!

1st Father's Day

2007-06-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

This past weekend we went camping with my parents. It has become an annual tradition over Father's Day with them!

Greg & I had tried for over 3wks to get out and camp, but had been so busy, so this was the first weekend out for us, and I did surprisingly well. Wasn't too sure how I'd handle the air mattress and the ground, but that wasn't what bothered me! It was so hot where we were at, that the heat and the bending over constantly is what eventually got to me. We're hoping to make a few more trips up the mountains before Baby Davis arrives!

Below are a few pics of the Dad's enjoying their weekend:

Burgers, Brats & Bellies

2007-05-30T09:01:00.000-06:00

Nothing like good clean 'nothing' for a 3 day weekend! Below are pics from the past weekend out at Greg's family farm. The wheat was extremely lush and green--quite the change from the past 4yrs I've been in the family.

Here we are with Greg's middle brother, sister-in-law and our niece:

Below are just some of the wind towers that have been installed on the Davis properties:

My sister-in-law and I going belly to belly. Obviously I lose in this category! (not that I'm disappointed!):

Greg with Uncle Harry & Uncle Dave:

My niece didn't want to think about food when she could be playing outside (without her shoes, of course...)

And this just proves that boys never grow up and they're never too old to play with toys...

14 weeks & 4 days

2007-05-25T19:00:00.000-06:00

That's right! 14wks & 4dys is the magical number in this house -- the 'due' arrival date of our daughter! Definitely am at the counting down stage and getting excited - and nervous - and anything else in between. :)

I'm tired and EXTREMELY hungry all the time now. This is a switch, as the first 4 months I didn't have any kind of appetite or too many cravings. Not the case now. lol. I do feel that I eat constantly, but the weight is still not going on. Tis ok. Least I am not losing, and that is what matters most. Until it does, milk shakes and pizza - here I come...

Below are some recent pictures of baby and I. Hope you enjoy!

Ah, Summer

2007-05-24T13:20:00.000-06:00

Well, I have re-constructed this webpage! I will be adding some different side links as time progresses. I felt the need to have something that expressed the stage of life I am now in; and it is definitely learning to 'bloom where I am planted' at.

I met with a friend the other afternoon who really encouraged me along in my pregnancy. She was very reassuring of all the feelings that had been rushing around the past month! And believe it or not, for the first time in this pregnancy, I am actually feeling confident and excited for the birth process. I shared with her that I felt that I have no vision of where I am going -- I mean, I can dream and imagine what the future will be like, but for a visionary person such as myself, I cannot see past September. For the first time I am having to look at the details in-between of a task and responsiblility that I know not of! Ha, well, here we go....

Greg & I are looking forward to what God has in this new chapter of our lives. A special plan lies for our daughter and God has chosen us to help show her the way. WOW. Another adventure is just beginning.... :)

Relieving Gas Pains

2007-05-22T16:05:00.000-06:00

So with gas ranging anywhere between 3.25 and 3.40/gallon here in town, I will be taking some extra steps to alleviate my gas pains--for the price of 1 1/2 weeks worth of gas in my car, I can ride the bus for an entire month. SOOO...beginning next month, I will be riding the Metro 5 days a week. Believe it or not, there is an Express Commuter Bus that leaves from the Forest here and goes all the way downtown to the main station. (which is only 2 blocks from where the County Parking Garage is at that I normally drive to and then walk). The bummer? My work schedule just jumped an extra 3hrs a day doing this; not because of driving times, but because of pickup & drop off schedules when it runs back and forth. Is it worth it? Well, I will let you all know!

My Best Friends Wedding

2007-04-26T11:55:00.000-06:00

My best friend, Ceccy, is engaged!! I am so happy for her!! I haven't had the privilege to meet the lucky man myself, but I've heard nothing but the best about him.

Last week Ceccy called me to let me know what dates they were looking at, so I could plan to be in and around all the festivities -- then something unplanned happened -- her fiance's brother found out he was being transferred back out to Iraq. This moved the wedding from October to August. What's the deal you say? Well, I can't travel at 8months pregnant on an airplane, nor can I risk a 12hr drive 3 1/2wks before my due date. Then it hit me -- I have to tell my best friend that not only can I not be in her wedding, but I won't even be able to attend it. My stomach sank and I cried. Of ALL the friends, this was not the one I'd ever dream of having to miss. But realizing I couldn't quite control the situation, I figured "I'll get over it - eventually." :)

Well, this past weekend she called to inform me that she and Curt had decided to move the wedding to Colorado beings half her family is here anyhow, and just make it a smaller, more intimate wedding. And the best part?! That's right -- I may be 8 months pregnant by then, but I will be rejoicing with my best friend as she enters into her marriage covenant!

Truly shows that God has a sense of humor. The little things that become most important always work themselves out; it just may not be as we thought they would.

The Slacker Is Back

2007-04-19T17:50:00.000-06:00

I am welcoming myself back into the land of Blog world! Below I have posted some pictures on behalf of those who have been wondering how my belly looks. (Ceccy, so sorry for taking so long!)

The past month has been very rough for me physically. I have dealt with colds, flu, and sickness for at least 16wks of my pregnancy(I'm currently in week 19!). Today was supposed to be my first day back at work in 14days after coming down and recuperating from pneumonia. However, I am going to be out on bed rest for at least another week. I have been on bed rest and will be slowly easing back into a daily routine. Has been rather discouraging, as this has not been an easy pregnancy for me. At any rate, the baby is healthy and doing fine and I am being diligent as possible to rest and get fully healthy and recuperated.

Enjoy the pics below! I should be back to a more 'normal' blogging schedule once again!

To Be, or Not To Be?

2007-02-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

So, I have quite the serious thoughts to post this evening. And, I will be asking for input and thoughts at the end.

It has been quite the busy few weeks as it's been more than I can do to just barely survive with work. I have been so exhausted that I come home and crash and when I'm on the road it's all I can do to smile and be polite with those I'm speaking to. lol. I actually spent the last few weekends in bed because I get to the end of the week and my body rebels -- I was spotting consistenly too much. Basically, I have a hard time slowing down and letting my body develop this tiny life inside of me. I'd forgotten that it's no longer just about me, but that I have a life inside that is dependent on me taking care of my own self so he/she can thrive and grow. So what did I do this week? Only was out 1 night this week and spent the entire day today resting -- even got a massage!! Now I have the fireplace on and will be watching a movie -- my husband gets back into town tonight and I can't wait! I'm sure I'll be asleep on the couch when he arrives, but nonetheless, there will be someone home tomorrow to watch the Super Bowl with!

Ok, for my serious thoughts:

Greg and I were talking last week about what my routine will look like once Baby Davis is here -- do I continue to work full time and hire a nanny, do I work part time and do part time nanny, or do I not work at all for one whole entire year and then re-evaluate about going back? These are the questions we talked about, and funny because before we both thought, "hey, keep working, hire the nanny, and do both." Well, there are mixed emotions for us on all these thoughts. If I continue full time, I'd be home 1 day a week and travel about 2x a month to DC or NY, but I'd be gone for a full 10hr day all week. We'd have a full time nanny to be here at the home so that during bball season, for example, there is 24/7 care when we're not around. On the other hand, even though we'd trust and love this nanny, do I really want to spend that much time away from a newborn? Or do I want to take that 12 months and begin to write on our child's blank slate the things that we want to see in our child? Am I willing to give up what I see for myself as pleasure and fulfillment and replace it with another, and if I do, will it be fulfilling? And most importantly in all this -- what does God want us to do as parents in our situation? My job is purely just for me -- the income is great, don't get me wrong -- but if I were not working, it would not hinder us. Then there is just me scarred because in the midst of all this change, I will have no "known" to return to. Everything for me will change and if I didn't return to work , that would be the one common, or known, factor that would not be existent. And for the first time, I had to be honest and ask myself this question, "Do I know who I am without my occupation? Do I put value in what I do instead of who I truly am?" Ah yes...that tis a humbling question! But yes, I can answer yes in that. I do know who I am outside of my occupation, but then why is it so hard to think of having to give up?

So, I want to hear from you all who are moms--or not :). I want to hear from you if you're a working or home mother. I want to hear what your pros and cons are and I want to know if I'm the only one that feels the way I do right now. I want your input and thoughts! Please feel free to post instead of email. Looking forward to reading your thoughts and stories!

Ready, Set, Go!

2007-01-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

So, I began the New Year with my job taking a job 'switch' with my co-worker. My boss has officially ‘switched’ my co-worker and I for this year. We will be cross-training, so I will be doing her position and she will be doing mine. I will have more focus with the actual Mentor Teams from the churches with the clients, as opposed to just working specifically with the clients. And I will be getting much more hands-on in Legislative Reform! That really is my passion and where I want to be in the Welfare area, so I am really excited with the new challenge that I will be attempting for 2007. It also will allow me (believe it or not) more flex time and ability to work from home. I’ll have a bit more travel for the legislative stuff, but it will be more balanced. Thus far it is keeping me rather busy -- hence the lack in posting since December!

We also, on top of my job transition, have begun to work on transitioning our home lives as well. As of January 1st, it has been official -- we will be parents by August! That's right...I'm pregnant! No wonder I didn't have a whole lot of "umph" over the Holiday. lol. The doctor was backed up, so by the time I actually go in and have my appointment and get a due date, I will be a little over 2 months. The last 6wks have been crazy, and we are both looking forward to this new phase of life. My plan(at this time) will be to travel through June for work, work a few months in the office, and then take a break and return in October. Thankfully Greg will not be in basketball season yet, so the timing of Baby Davis was perfect! I'm already working from home 2dys a week when I'm not traveling, and I am sleeping a lot. Really feeling great considering everything! We'll be finishing our basement this summer and getting the upstairs ready for our new little family addition. So, now you -- Micah and Josh -- really have your work cut out with Greg since I'll be MIA for all household finishing and landscaping completion projects. :)

On a side note, I'll be going full swing next week as there were many new Initiatives that were introduced into Congress this month, so I will be getting my feet wet immediately with work!

Hopefully I am back now in full swing here in Blogland, but who knows. :)

Post Christmas

2006-12-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

Well, we have almost finished Christmas! We meet with Greg's family on New Year's, and that will pretty much be all.

We started our Christmas with having some friends over for a small & intimate Christmas dinner, which really was a wonderful time. We fixed Prime Rib, Vegetable Au Te, fresh rolls, and a Cafe Chardoney. Our friends brought wonderful desserts and Tom & Jerry's to finish the evening off -- it was a fun and relaxing time!! Both of us have lived here in the Springs for almost 9yrs and have really made some great friends, which have become a form of family for us. What a great season to gather and enjoy those you love! We then headed out the next morning for my family's house and spent 3dys playing in the snow, opening presents, going to movies, & venturing to Estes for a winter drive/hike through the Park.

My highlight for Christmas this year: Greg developed several wedding photos and had them all matted, framed, & in collage form!!! They are simply wonderful!! I've got three collages to hang and have a few single frames as well to place around the house. We'd had a few pics done initially when our wedding was, but in the midst of moving, etc. pics couldn't be an option because of space. He then topped it off with new candles for my candelabras & new bubble bath from my most favorite store ever--Bath & Body Works. Ah yes...he did quite well. :) I on the other hand, had a travel bag personalized & "accessorized" for his reffing, as his old one was quite worn and not quite large enough. Now he has extra space and new ref shirts, etc. to go with it! He's already using it.

I know I've been a picture posting fool lately, but here's some photos of our holidays! Enjoy(especially you Grandma!!)....

The Christmas Dinner Table

Greg opening his new reffing bag

This was my 'early' Christmas present: Greg built a mantel for one of our fireplaces!! I love it handsome. :)

This was the first picture I opened. He had it framed with the matte all our friends signed at the wedding.

Here we are 'matching' for Christmas morning

My little sister with Milo

The first collage I opened!!

Our '2006 Christmas in Estes' photo

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone!

I'm Looking At A White Christmas

2006-12-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

All and all we had a great party. All of our friends, and their friends, and their friends friends.... oh yes. It was awesome. AND...my eggnog punch and pumpkin cheesecake was a HIT! (you're welcome Micah. lol. Anytime I can bring "glory" back to the family as far as dessert cooking goes, I'm happy to do it!) It was great to have friends together and to just enjoy the Christmas music, board games, food, and funny stories. The menu consisted of:

Steak & Chicken Fajitas
Salads & Queso with Chips
Egg Nog Punch
Cheescakes and other sweet delights
Several appetizers and other snacks of taste

Today we finally got outside to start digging away from being locked down for the past 48hrs literally. The entire city went on shut down and even the malls, banks, and PO's closed. Now, I realize that living out here in the Forest that we would get more weather than we did when in Rockrimmon, but seriously -- this was our 3rd major storm since October, and every time we've gotten almost tripple what people get in the city--especially those on the West side and downtown. Not so much the North because they seem to be close enough to the Palmer Divide (we sit on it). Needless to say, after seeing the pics, you will understand why we will still be having a White Christmas come Sunday & Monday!

Now the drumroll...here are pics from the party and some from the past two days of weather:

Greg & Rick are just warming up!

Our friends, Jim & Carol. Don't they look so in love??!

Friends mingling

Greg prepping more meat for the fajitas

More friends: Jason & Jess. We had a blast guys!

Egg Nog Punch w/Spiced Captain Morgan!

Our friends Bob & Angela from choir

My Brother & Sister-in-law, as well as our friend, Nancy

Yet another grand friend from choir, James

And now pics from the storm the past 2 days:

Above pics were from Wednesday. Pic 1 is how much snow we had up against the house by afternoon. Pic 2 is Greg shoveling off a pathway for Milo to get up to the grass. Pic 3 is Milo stuck in the snow on back porch, as we gave up keeping up with the snowfall and the 55mph winds that lasted for over 48hrs.

Here is Greg out on the driveway today (Thursday) attempting to plow through.

I was standing in the middle of the road with snow up to the top of my thighs--this car didn't make it up the street yesterday!!

One of our neighbors works for CAT and called one of his colleagues to come out and front load our street!! It took him a few hours to clear the 4ft of snow on the road.

Hrs later we're still out shoveling and all the neighbors were just helping everyone else get dug out at this point. :)

I was sitting in a 8ft drift taking a break from shoveling

More plowing of our street outside our house.

Really this is the most snow I have seen in a very long time. Though, we've decided that the way the weather gets out here that we will be getting a snow blower, because all 3 storms thus far have produced at least a foot and lots of shoveling time!

Tomorrow we will be back to finishing Christmas shopping and getting our house ready for our Christmas Eve dinner with friends and Christmas Day with family.

Date Night!

2006-12-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting at Starbucks -- with my husband. Now, I do believe that I got the better end of the deal: I don't have to do work! I am purely entertaining myself while I drink my Chai Tea Egg Nog Latte. He on the other hand, is sitting here grading papers that he must have in before he leaves town again for more basketball games.

We did have quite the little "adventure", if you will, on our way over here this eve. For our business in the summer time, Greg has his pick-ups and trailer and all the mowers, landscaping machines, etc. and usually they sit in our front on the 3rd garage space. Well, in the winter with our Nazi of homeowners association, we have to move EVERYTHING. It technically isn't "Country Club appearance". lol. I have no idea why! :)~~ And we've been cited 3 times now. So last weekend Greg went and secured a rental unit for everything until March. Now for the story: Naturally, the trailer is un-licensed for starters :), the ramp doesn't have the latches on it to hold it up, so there's a bungy cord sort of thing holding it upright, and the wires aren't hooked up, so nothing flashes when he's driving/turning, etc. So I have to follow him to the storage unit. Well, we barely get out of our neighborhood and the ramp falls down scraping with flying sparkes, so I flash my lights at him, we pull over and then there's only 1 more bungy to hold it in place for 2mi. In the midst of all this, it's dark and we're seriously rushing because we want to get it fixed before Johnny Sherrif Law comes driving by and stops to check on us (with an un-licensed trailer) We did eventually make it to the storage unit, but once we were there, they'd plowed snow in front of all the parking lots, so the trailer got stuck in the snow, and well you get the point by now.... :) FINALLY, we finish and head to Starbucks. Now, this was just funny to me because here I am in my car switching from left to right, left to right to shine my lights to help him back into the spot without hitting anyone else and I'm seriously looking like a clueless blonde (which partially I was clueless!), the pickup is getting stuck, and I can't lift worth a darn right now, so he's doing everything. He's laughing about it now...anyhow, my funny story for the evening. [especially posted for you Ceccy, who needs a laugh...]

12% in Five Years!

2006-12-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Yep. I am sitting here drinking Egg Nog and posting maps of places I've been. I stopped at Safeway tonight on my way back and picked up a signature soup, french bread, & egg nog -- comfort food for a VERY long day that I'm glad is done! I will be back tomorrow and I have a date to look forward to!! I love you Greg :)

So, if you think about it, it's pretty amazing that in a 5 year time period, I visited 12% of the world! And..it's been 3 years since my last overseas trip. To note, I didn't include anyplace that was just a "fly through" or "layover". Any country highlighted has been lived in for at a minimum of 2days or more. :)

And here is where I've been in our good ole US of A:

To make your very own Countries & States visited, click here.

Well, now that this highlight is over and I've thoroughly amused myself, I do believe I will call my husband, go to bed and listen to Christmas music.

The Final Christmas Touches

2006-12-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, Greg got the lights onto the house yesterday. He finished in the dark, but nonetheless, we have lights on the house!! Nice to know that our decorating is offically done. Here's some pics:

Milo wishing he could go on the roof too!

Well, another week has begun and I have a short trip to take before the weekend comes and then it's our Christmas party!!

White Elephant!

2006-12-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Yea!! My present arrived today! I participated in an online white elephant exchange organized by my friend at HalfPintHouse. Here's what Jennifer sent me:

Here's the goods before I opened them..

Lo and behold it's a cookbook to romance my husband & a cute Christmas pad and decoration!

A close-up of the book:

The notepad and snowman were so cute! And thank you, thank you, thank you, for the cookbook!! It absolutely made me laugh out loud when I saw it. And here's why it's so funny that you should send it -- Greg is always teasing me saying "Gosh I wish you'd cook more around this house." Totally in jest because, really, he prefers to do the cooking and though I love it, I'm always up for his cooking. So, he saw that and we both just cracked up!! Guess, I need to get in the kitchen and start cooking!! :) Ha! It was great! Thank you!!!

I mailed my White Elephant on Friday, so mine should be getting hers any day!

Keeping Above Water

2006-12-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I've survived the week after being gone from my office for 12 days! Between traveling and having the flu, I've just been swimming this week with stuff. Am very glad for the weekend. I've finalized my travel schedule for January and made my deadlines for Christmas gifting for our Agency. I've got 6 clients currently that I will be getting baskets done for and delivering over the next week and a half. Am very excited for this!

This weekend my husband and I will be FINALLY getting the Christmas lights on the house. Between the weather and his travel for bball, it has been delayed a few times. :) Will also be getting the house cleaned and ready for our Holiday Party next weekend. I think we've got just about all 50 or so people RSVP'd, so this will be quite the event! Will be sure to post pics afterwards.

I've ordered one of Greg's Christmas presents, and am getting the menu ready for Christmas, as we're hosting this year for my family and any friends who're around.

Oh yes...one more thing.. I AM MAILING MY WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT THIS WEEK(tomorrow, actually)!! Apologies for the delay. I, however, had to find the right kind of packaging. :) Will post pics, so keep looking.

Grown-Up Baby

2006-11-30T10:30:00.001-07:00

Well, I was supposed to leave for a business trip on Monday for the entire week in San Diego. However, I cancelled that trip and attended my Grandfather's funeral on Tuesday. I am very glad that I ended up going. He was my first grandparent to pass away and it was much harder on me than I thought it would be. My cousin did a great job on the eulogy and my other cousin put together the slide show. We then left on Tuesday evening and drove back in the snow.

Which brings me to yesterday--we were snowed in--again. This time it really was more ice than lots of snow with some wind by the evening. My husband had the day off and we watched movies, baked, and got our Holiday party invitations printed.

Which brings me to today--I'm sick. 6am it hit, and well, I am finally now able to sit up and drink water (will be considering saltines). Now really if I had to pick a week to be sick, this was the week. I've had the privilege to work from home this week and just keep up on my emails and phone messages. But seriously, I was hoping to do some Christmas shopping, decorating, and visit with my friends -- so much for that (at least today!) . I just don't handle pain at all anymore. Really, I could consider myself a grown baby :)~~.

So today I will be laying here on the couch, watching movies, and enjoying the fact that my beagle is snuggled up to me keeping me warm! And now its time to lay down and rest...

Thanksgiving Briefing

2006-11-24T23:50:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with Greg's family at the farm. I really liked the way his mother helped do the table settings -- below is a picture. My mother-in-law did pilgrim hats with chocolate cookies, peanut butter cups, and frosting to add the needed touches -- I really thought it was the neatest thing!

I rode out to the farm with my two sister-in-laws late on Wednesday night, since all the boys had gone out early. Really was such a great trip and made the 3hr drive much faster! I also had a first since I'd moved to the Springs -- it took me 2hrs to get from downtown to end of Castle Rock! Now, for those of you who don't live here, normally that is about a 30-40 minute drive. Oh yea, and then I still had most of Denver to drive before the sister's house. Thank goodness I had my toll transponder and drove in the commuter lane the entire time. I felt like I was in New York again with the traffic that I was putting up with!! Grid lock is not the norm for Colorado. But all in all, we arrived at the Farm around 123oam --a few starbucks and dinner at Red Robin later!

This Thanksgiving has been rather hard for me. My Grandpa passed away last weekend. He had been sick from a cold and had alzheimer's for about 5yrs. But still, it was hard for me to just realize that Grandpa is gone -- he is up in Heaven laughing and telling his jokes and his mind is whole. I loved him so very much. I'd never really seen him with the alzheimer's because he was put in a nursing home when I was still working Overseas and when I quit doing that it took until last year to be able to go visit him. My cousin and I drove up last week on my only day in town to see my Grandpa in the hospital and I'm so very glad that I got to hold his hand and talk to him one last time. I am just grieving much more than I thought I would -- yesterday we walked into Greg's Grandparents house and it had that same "farm" smell that my Grandpa's did and I lost it; I was so overcome by emotion all of a sudden. You can read a small article and see his picture here. His service will be on Tuesday and I will be doing music with my cousin. Am ready to do the service and to say 'good bye'.

Today we left the farm and drove a few hours to see my family -- I will probably stay here most of the week. Am excited for the rest and time with my family. Though tomorrow is going to be cold, I think we will brave it to make the CSU/TCU game!

Decorating Season!

2006-11-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

Well, Greg and I took last night to spend time together and get our Christmas tree put up. Normally we wait till after Turkey Day, but this year we're so busy that this was the time to do it! We will be gone for Thanksgiving, and up until this morning, I was going to have to leave for a week long trip for work immediately after Turkey Day, so we took the time we were both home to watch the Broncos and set up the Christmas tree. Now my house is a slight mess! There are no window coverings up so that we can do the garland and lights around all our windows, there's no real place to sit since all our christmas bins are out until we can decorate, BUT..the tree is up! At this moment it just has lights, but I'll be happy with that until December. Greg is travelling before Thanksgiving, and it always helps fill in our [I think] huge for one person only living room. Below are some pics. (this is more for my family's enjoyment, but Im sure there are some of you who will find these funny, so please, laugh....)

Me setting up the tree

Milo facinated at the Santa hat. He wanted the snowball at the end!

Greg lighting the tree

Milo posing for final product (yea, we had to bribe him with a piece of popcorn to do this.)

Guess we wore him out!

Weddings, Adoption, & Other Random Thoughts

2006-11-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here is my handsome husband at his brother's wedding! I love weddings now. I mean, I've always enjoyed weddings, but since I've been married, I've loved the ceremony so much more. I love listening to the vows, sermon, & the rituals. Maybe it's because they all have so much more meaning to me. I just have to say this evening that I love my husband so very much. He is my completer and protector. He makes me laugh and he comforts me. I love you babe!

Augh...it has been a VERY LONG WEEK. I will not discuss or process at this time on the blog, but I am so very thankful for 24hrs off before I go 100% again.

I am finally on my weekend now as of this afternoon! I have tomorrow off before I head back into a busy week -- I'll only be in the office on Tuesday this week, while I'll be out the remainder of the week travelling for classes and also attending activities for the National Adoption Initiative. Just a few stats to throw out for those in Colorado: 777 children are free to adopt(parental rights have been terminated) currently in the State. There are 37 of those kids in my home county. At any rate, the link above is worth checking out. I have a wonderful opportunity to go to a fundraiser for a local Adoption Agency next week and am excited to see how Faith Partners will get involved even more at the local level.

Now, since I'm home & have had some dinner, I get to watch my favorite (and yes, somewhat cheesy) tv show, 7th Heaven.

Feel Good Movies

2006-10-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I will confess: I am watching Home Alone eating homemade Kettle corn. I love these 2 movies. For some reason they are just feel good, funny, remind me of good memories movies. Other movies that I love to watch during the holiday season: the Claymation movies Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, and The Night Before Christmas. I will watch Dr Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and then I will start watching the classics! I love this season -- the pumpkins, the fall decorations, & then the Christmas buzz of it all.

I begin traveling again this week, so I will be busy and probably blogging alot if time allows. I was so glad to get away for the weekend with Greg before we both go crazy busy for the next 5 months. Here's to all the fun stuff awaiting us!

Home Sweet Home

2006-10-27T23:40:00.000-06:00

There is nothing like coming home for a weekend -- college football, friends of ole, & sleeping in with no interuptions! Yes, I am blessed to have a wonderful family to go home to, and I'm blessed with a family that my husband loves to be around and hang out with.

We started out the afternoon by getting here for a late lunch, picked my little brother up from school (well, not so little anymore. He could be my BIG little brother, who now is in High School), took him to football practice, & then hung out with my Dad at the football Stadium as he got ready for tomorrow afternoon's game. Very fun to see the new turf they put in and to hang out while 35,000 people aren't in the stands. We then proceeded to pick my bro up again and headed to the house. Since my parents had a dinner to attend, we took my brother "out on the town" to Buffalo Wild Wings to eat and watch the World Series. And by the way...congrats Cards! Was a fun game to watch.

Now, no evening would be complete without stopping to get some pumpkins to carve. My poor arm is tired, but boy did we do up a great few! Of course my husband had to carve a John Deere out of one, but my brother and I tackled the "haunted castle and smiling moon", which turned out to be quite the workout. And since we're here for the weekend and can sleep to our hearts content, we are now watching The Legend of Zorro on the nice big screen t.v. Yes, life is good. :) So nice to get away for relaxation and not have it be for work or for anything else but pure ole R&R. I doubt I will get any reading done for classes this weekend now!

On a side note, we were able to get new rechargable batteries for the digital, so hopefully we can post pics from this weekend.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

2006-10-26T12:25:00.000-06:00

Well, for the last 48hrs they've been talking about it, but it was hard to believe with the weather being in the 70's! But it happened -- 20 in of snow and still falling, blowing snow and blizzard conditions, and entire city on lock down. Literally am snowed in. Our streets won't get plowed until the main county roads are clear, which they've announced they won't start until tonight(on the main county roads). I was supposed to leave town today -- not anymore! I am very glad that I did the grocery shopping last night on my way home from work! Though, that was a madhouse in and of itself.

Check out these pictures, some are a blob cause of all the blowing and snow falling! Thus I am home working from my own computer. I will be doing pumpkin carving and baking today. Tis the season for Greg to start traveling with basketball and the time of my job where I'll get home too late to cook. So, here at the Davis household, we'll be eating homemade frozen dinners until March Madness is over--no joke. :) Hopefully I can get a months worth of baking in today!!

Of course today also marks the first blizzard, and therefore, hot buttered rum and wine with cheese and crackers will be consumed as well as the day progresses...and of course, thanks to Launchcast and XM radio, we'll have a variety of music to listen to as well(though I refuse to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving!!)

Well, I'm very thankful that I get to stay in town now for the week and that I've got time at home to cook and spend with my husband as well. A nice blessing in disguise!

Those in the storm - stay warm. :)

Friends of Ole

2006-10-17T23:32:00.000-06:00

Today has been a day of good news! I was able to get in touch today with two of my dear friends from childhood: Kirsten & Taylor. They are twins. We grew up across the lake that was in our neighborhood. Even when my family moved across town when I was in High School we still kept touch. Then college came. Then no more contact. Until today(8yrs later)!! I will hopefully get to see both of them when I visit my family in 2 weeks. They are such a blessing to me and I'm so excited beyond words that I can't explain in writing what I've felt today. I do believe the Lord brought us back together for a reason. We all had been thinking of each other at the same time! How funny is that!? I will post pictures when I get back in a few weeks.

On another side note about friends, my best friend Carolyn is back in the States! And yes, we have already spent a week together! lol :) She came to see me and we just hung out, went hiking, and laughed lots.

And in the same time, my other best friend Katie, had her baby boy--Ezekial! I am so excited for them too. Life is exciting and I'm so blessed to have such great friends to share it with -- happy and sad.

Feast or Famine

2006-10-16T22:43:00.000-06:00

Wow! It has been too long since I've posted -- so much for my "once a week". I've decided that it will be feast or famine for me when it comes to blogging. I tend to do more when traveling and by myself(and when I'm not tired!). It has been busy here! I've been adjusting to a new work schedule with much more travel, and we're gearing up for a huge Adoption&Foster Care Rally in about 3wks that will be with all of the Adoption Agencies here in the city.

I've, for the first time, hit true exhaustion with my job. I'm still loving it to no end, but I am realizing that there are certain seasons that this job will be taxing and pull me to the limits. I also was starting to feel guilty that I wasn't "compassionate" enough for our clients because I wouldn't just sit and listen to everything that's going on with them. Then I realized that there is nothing wrong! I am amazed that I've been blessed with the "ability" to be so objective on this job. Yes I have compassion, but I'm also able to maintain my boundaries. So many times I see people who aren't able to do this and get burnt. I still encourage them, but I am always providing an option to their complaint or dilemma.

I've got a great group of clients right now that are learning in the 10wk class and are eager for their Mentor Families. I've got a whole new slew of home visits and assessments that will need to be done before the end of the month and then I will put a hold on our referral lists until the First of the New Year. I will be spending a week in San Diego to get more training through Aha!Process and then I will finish a few other engagements and get ready for the holidays.

Once I'm able to get the pics to upload, I will post pics of my "home away from home" too.

Dominos

2006-09-25T22:49:00.000-06:00

Earlier last week we went to a friends house to eat chili and play dominos. We have all been playing dominos for quite a few years now -- in fact, before Greg and I were even dating, we both were at this same friends house and spent the whole evening on the game sitting next to each other, cheating, and playing the game (a.k.a. flirting with one another rediculously!). Just makes me laugh to think back to the things we used to do to each other when we were both in denial about liking each other. Our friend to this day, doesn't let us sit next to each other for a game anymore! I just had to post tonight how much I love my husband. He makes me laugh and is always so good to me.

The picture up above is us at our annual Palooza event that took place about 3wks ago. I'd never been to a demolition derby until I met him. Now he has me hooked on them. Ah yes... I love you handsome!

Contest

2006-09-18T09:10:00.000-06:00

Ok. So why not sign up for this contest?! You never know..you may win...I may win..someone will win. :) I'm always up for a new design and look!

Skype--International Communication At It's Best

2006-09-17T18:20:00.000-06:00

My best friend Ceccy is returning to the States on September 27th -- that's 11 days. (not that I'm counting!) She'll either be living in New York or Minnestoa. Either way, I figure she's closer than Portugal. Somehow I will be making a trip in the next month to see her!

We have however, been using the wonderful world of Skype to talk back and forth. Seriously, this is the way to go. Even the paid services are WAY CHEAP. I wish it would've been around when I was travelling internationally. You can do domestic talking as well(for a small fee). All you need is a microphone on your computer. At the very minimum, only one person really needs the mic on the computer and they can call your cell or land line! It's a sweet gig.

Here's to being "regular"

2006-09-16T16:58:00.000-06:00

So I love the idea and concept of blogging, but when it comes down to acutally sitting down on a regular basis to write whatever, I don't want to take the time to do it. So much has gone on this summer that I could've posted pictures about and/or written about. I've been journaling for all of my trainings and classes for work, as well as my whole experience working with our government in DC, but when it comes to having to put it down on the computer, I really struggle.

My new "resolution" if you will, for the fall is to blog at least once a week. This will be amazing if I'm able to do it!

Here's to seeing if I can be a 'regular' bloggie...

Learning on Fatherhood

2006-08-23T21:13:00.000-06:00

So on Friday I will be in a seminar all day on Fatherhood and Child welfare. KU (Univ. of Kansas) and DU (Univ of Denver) have partnered in a series of seminars for the Graduate School of Social Work. So far any of their trainings have been excellent and I actually walk away having learned something practical -- not just textbook.(check the link out!) It's supposed to be interactive learning and they emailed me a 132 page "pre training" to read before-hand. I'm really excited, as the better part of my work is landing in on the Child Welfare side of things. But here is what I've spaced to even think about -- there are dads out there who're trying to raise their kids just as much as those single moms. The reason this issue is really facinating me, is that I've currently got a client that is a single dad who's trying to "right" all the wrongs from the past 3 years. And on top of that, the majority of my clients have smaller children who're barely in elementary school -- he's got 2 high-schoolers. This is a different family with specific needs that are just as importantas all my other clients and I really want to have all the best info and "helps" to help this family through our Mentoring Program. A quote that I read in this reading by Gilder said "The unmarried male 'is disposed to criminality, drugs and violence. He is irresponsible about his debts, alcoholic, accident prone, and venereally diseased. Unless he can marry, he is often destined to a Hobbesian life -- solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short'". This is, unfortunately, what our society is more and more looking to when we have a single male walk through our offices vs. a single mom. Then I read from Levine, "The roles of husbands and fathers are clear cut. The role is to maintain a job, to bring in a paycheck, to work as hard as necessary to financially support the family, and visibly be the authoritiarian." (Please see the previous quote!) If we have a group of dads (as my one client) who've never really been taught what it is to be "nurturing" and if he's never been a part of the day to day activities as the mother is, how then are they able to properly parent if there was no example for him to follow? Or if there was an abusive situation taking place so there was already disfunction within the home? How then can we expect these dads to just pick up and do the laundry, the homework projects, the house management, pick the kids up from school, take them to sports/activities, come home cook dinner, do homework, get ready for tomorrow, etc? These are the same things a single mom deals with. At any rate...

I've not yet finished reading all 132 pages, so I will wait to post all my thoughts on this issue after I've read the entire "booklet".

On a side note, having to go through the entire getting a Master's thing again, I'm tired! But it will be good for me to have an MSW, as it really is almost required in this field -- regardless of what other Master's you may have. And what would life be if I couldn't learn anymore!? I'd be bored. :)

More Farewells to Friends

2006-07-14T09:16:00.000-06:00

These past few weeks have been rather hard for me. Literally, the next 6dys will be spent going to "going away parties". My 2 best friends have moved, another good friend is preparing to depart for missions as well, and then 3 other friends whom I've come to know the past 4yrs are all moving to places across the USA. I am such a relational person, that this is never easy for me. I make friends, and then I watch them go -- while I stay.

My other best friend, Katie left today with her husband to continue their YWAM training in Washington. She is 7mo. pregnant, and I as I sat drinking coffee with her laughing about elementary and Jr. High stories, I realized that I won't be there when the baby is born, I won't be there when she celebrates her 27th another few years will go by before we probably will see each other again. However, we always are able to pick up where we left off -- thanks to email and phone! Unlike, Carolyn, Katie and I have pretty much been friends since the womb. We grew up together and went to school together, and believe it or not, both did missions in Europe during the same time, so we saw each other more in travel than at home! We then went to separate ends of the country for a few years, and then re-united for her wedding here last December. It's only been in the last year that we got spoiled because they came to work at the YWAM base here. So, as I am sentimental this few weeks I realize that time keeps moving on and friends come and go in location, but it's made me realize that those friendships are the ones that surpass distance. There are just days that it's hard for me to realize that it's time (once again), to go out and mingle and make some new girl friends here -- again.

New Look -- New Posts -- New Thoughts!

2006-07-03T14:28:00.000-06:00

So I have re-vamped this site and it is now mine. :) I want to hear your thoughts and thank "Pannasmontata Templates" for helping me get a nice, personalized look! I will also be using this as a true "blog", if you will, as I've decided that with my job these days I've been doing lots more journaling to express -- aside from music! There is lots of work to be done yet, but at least it is "postable" now.

My best friend left yesterday for Portugal. She and I worked together for a few years while I was still in college and then she moved to New York and then to Omaha and now to Portugal. However we have not missed a day together and have spent equal times in flying to visit one another! She was my Maid of Honor and is continually a source of encouragement to me. She and I have very rarely gone more than 24hrs without phone calls, so as you can imagine, it seems as if it's been forever. And though I know she was so busy getting ready to leave, I really thought we'd get to talk one more time on Saturday before she left. Ah well...I'm sure that our email inboxes will just have to be flooded now to replace our phone bills! :)

So here's to you Ceccy!! I hope that things are going well and that you are blessed during this time as you transition back into missions. I hope that you are able to quickly learn the things you need before you head back over here to finish fundraising. I miss you already!!

March Update--A New Beginning!

2006-03-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Dearest Friends,

We wanted to post some pics of the house and other festivities that have graced us the past 2 months. Last month we put up the latest update on Jordan with her professional career, and now we want to share with you what all has kept us busy since the beginning of December! Because we did more than just celebrate Christmas! (to enlarge photos at any time, just click directly on the photo)

DECEMBER -- MOVING & FAMILY
Below is the finished product of our house. It did snow that weekend, so our house was covered in plastic all day long! We moved on December 17th, and hosted Christmas for the entire Davis clan on December 30th! (oh yes...we also managed to go visit Jordan's side of the family during
Christmas too!) And you better believe we were all upacked before the New Year. Oh and don't forget -- I(Jordan), had the privilege to participate with my best friend in her wedding at the end of the year too here at the World Prayer Center. (though I'm afriad the pics won't downlaod!) I'm so happy for her and her wonderful new husband!!

Here you see some of our friends in the kitchen and family room on moving day:

Greg is finally King of his Castle -- no more Condo!

Here is our Niece (who just turned 2 in Feb) with our dog Milo. This was during the Davis Family Christmas. Everyone helped us break in our China (yes, we never had room to open it/store it in the condo, so its been in boxes the past 2yrs of our marriage!), and they made the house feel like home real quick.

And for those of you who know and love Jordan when it comes to flip flops (or open toed shoes in general) year-round, a pink "flip flop" note board now hangs in her current office. Now, THAT was a great gift!

JANUARY -- NEW JOB, REFFING, & RE-GROUPING
As you read in last month's "January Update", I (Jordan) took a new position here. My profesional career took another step as I began as Outreach Coordinator with Faith Partners within the Department of Human Services in El Paso County. (Please be sure to click on the archives to read last months(January) update to get the full story!) This has been a huge transition and excitement. I have been stretched and encouraged!! However, I am thrilled to be working in a field that accents me and that I studied for.

Greg's reffing season has been blessed. He enjoyed a 2 week Christmas Break and then hit the Middle School again teaching with reffing on the side. Below is Greg at a recent playoff game:

FEBRUARY/MARCH -- WHEW(CATCHING BREATH) & CURRENT HAPS FOR THE DAVIS'

So here we are at the end of February/beginning of March -- Greg is in Playoffs/State/March Madness for basketball and longing for Spring Break with school! BBall will finish at the end of March. And I am finally getting into somewhat of a groove with my job.

Ok, so we hope that you've enjoyed the pics and that we shared enough with you. We do apologize it took awhile to get them all posted. But better late than never! Drop us a note or comment or email or phone call -- we'd love to catch up with you!

Blessings!

Greg & Jordan