Happy to be........

1. ...a kid. A few days ago, while I was folding laundry, I overheard Jack saying, "I'm happy, Mom." He was playing in the playroom with Josie, and he was certainly happy. I asked him why he was happy, and he answered simply, "I'm happy to be a kid, Mom." I thought that was profound! He didn't really need a reason....he was just happy to be himself. Here's a photo of my happy kid in the backyard this week. He is definitely happiest while outside, gathering rocks and sticks in his bucket, playing in his sandbox with his cars, or climbing the ladder to the top of his swingset.




2. ...a big girl. Will and I have both noticed how big Josie seems, just this week. Must have been the food at the farm last weekend! She is still very tall for her age. Proof of this is that she is wearing 2T clothing. This is a whole new ballgame for me since Jack outgrows clothes so slowly. Anyway, JoJo is at the stage where, if I put her down in the morning for a nap, she will still sleep, but doesn't necessarily need it. She is happy to stay awake until after lunch and go down for a long afternoon nap. It's a nice stage, and we have been able to do a few more things in the morning like errands and fun outings. She is simply crazy about Jack and loves to kiss and hug him regularly! She also loves to play along and get into trouble with him outside in their "clubhouse," which consists of nothing more than a small space between the house and side fence that has a gate, lots of leaves and a pile of bricks! Who needs a fancy playhouse! I love watching them imagine that they are really working and creating back there. Here's a photo of Jack and Jo in their new place.




3. ...in GP. There are many things we love about our home here. Some of things that make us happy here are: our church family, the close parks and playgrounds, the new Super Target, Daddy coming home for lunch, Chick-Fil-A down the street, music class, Sonshine Club on Thursdays, the SFB, and our sweet little first home. But I think it really comes down to the people here because that's how we have made memories. I will always remember fondly our time here in GP (however long it may be) and be happy that the Lord led us here for a time. Here's Josie with our dear friend Janette Eubanks. She is a sophomore at Grace Prep and in Will's youth group. Will and Josie spent the day Thursday (while Mom and Jack were at school) cheering her on at the Regional track meet. It's people like she and her family that make us happy - and blessed - to be in GP.

4. ...growing little Kate. As the weeks pass, we are getting closer to meeting our sweet girl Kate. I can't wait to see her face! She is a little acrobat already, like her big sis, and that has been fun to feel her moving and making her presence known. Thank you for your prayers, as I am feeling so much better. I don't have a photo of myself (big surprise) but for those of you, like Kat, who want to know, I am officially wearing maternity clothes! This was the first week that I pulled out the pants with a panel. Jack likes to rub my tummy as I read to him each night and Josie is still clueless. 23 weeks along, and counting down to Katherine Joy. I am happy to be carrying and growing my daughter.

I Want You to Know

Dear Jack,
I want you to know that I will always love you.
You are my firstborn, and you made me a mom, and for this I thank you.
I want you to know that I think of you every minute of every day.
Your smile brings me joy, and your laugh doubles it!
I want you to know that I hurt when you hurt. Already it feels as though my heart is wandering around outside of my body when I see you walk around.
I want you to know that I am proud of you. You are smart, curious and athletic and my heart swells with pride when I see you.
I want you to know that, before you were born, I had no idea how much I'd love you. You changed my life for the better.
I want you to know that I'd do anything for you. You have a very "can-do" attitude, but helping and serving you is what I long to do.
I want you to know that I pray for you daily. I pray that you will follow Jesus, know Him intimately, and want to be more like Him. I pray for your purity, your future wife, and future family. I pray that you will be a leader among men and lead others to Christ.
I want you to know that I love being the mom of a playful, funny, energetic little boy. Playing with you is an adventure, and I will never grow tired of it.
I want you to know that God made you unique. You are different from any other and I am so thankful He made you the way He did.
I want you to know that you are my son, and I wouldn't change anything about you.
Love,
Mom




Dear Josie,
I want you to know that I will always love you.
You are my sweet little girl whom I always dreamed of.
I want you to know that, before you were born, I didn't know if I could love another child like I loved Jack already. The moment I saw your face, my love doubled. There was no doubt that I had enough love for both of you!
I want you to know that I can't wait to see your face and hear your babbling each morning. You are truly my sunshine! You have turned me into more of a morning person.
I want you to know that there is no one else like you. Only you can make us really laugh and we all find ourselves watching you during the day, just waiting for the next smile, "word," laugh, or new face.
I want you to know that I love to hold you and cuddle with you. My favorite time of the day is reading to you, singing and holding you before you take a nap or go to bed at night.
I want you to know that I will always protect you. You are my precious daughter and I want only good things for you.
I want you to know that I pray for you daily. I pray that you will follow Jesus, know Him intimately, and want to be more like Him. I pray for your purity and for your future husband and family. I have so many hopes for you, and pray for God's best for you.
I want you to know that I think you are the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I praise the Lord for the way He made you. Your big blue eyes radiate true beauty, and I pray that the Lord will continue His good work in you.
I want you to know that you are my daughter, and I wouldn't change anything about you.
Love,
Mom

Friday Funnies: Fave Five

Life is fun and ever-changing at the LHIGP.
Each week brings it's favorites, triumphs, and frustrations.
It seems I will never forget each hilarious stage, new words and phrases, tears....and then it's on to the next thing. Here's five faves from this week.

1. FAVE BOOK: We're Going on a Bear Hunt. This book was given to Josie on her first birthday from Fran Eubanks, and it is a classic. It tells the story of a family going on a bear hunt through different terrain - grass, water, forest, snow, etc. The imagery is awesome, and Jack loves to make the sounds of the land! My favorite is the "squelch squerch" of the mud. The best part of the story, though, is when they find the bear and then go through the whole journey backwards! It's great - a must read for toddlers and preschoolers. Jack's favorite line: "We're not scared!" We have read this book at each nap and bedtime this week.



2. FAVE GAME: Big surprise - going on a bear hunt. Jack and his sidekick Jo gather their flashlights (to "flash sumpin" he says) to find a bear. They turn off all lights in bedrooms and closets, close doors, and chant "we're not scared!" Jack has found more than 20 bears in our house alone, but his favorite is the inflatable Bozo the Clown in his closet. When our small group from church was over Sunday night, our friend Hunter helped him on a bear hunt and they found one on his foot! This kid has an imagination like you wouldn't believe. I have to admit that I am a little tired of the bear hunts but it has been fun to see he and Josie imagine and play together. Here's a photo of a recent hunt in our closet. (btw, I realize that Jack has been pantless in many blog photos lately but such is the life of a potty training preschooler)




3. FAVE FACE: Josie may not be as verbal as Jack yet, but she speaks volumes with her cute little face! We love to see her new faces and tricks. This is our new favorite. There is no specific reason for this face but if I could translate, I would say, "Look at me. I don't talk much but I can do this. My family laughs when I do it, so I must be cute."



4. FAVE PLACE: Hands down, the Kennedy farm! The kids and I are here while Will is on a boys trip. I haven't been here since the Christmas holidays....everything is so pretty and green. The garden is looking fabulous, bluebonnets in full bloom, and the weather has been perfect. J and J are loving throwing rocks into water, getting dirty, picking asparagus, and climbing trees.




5. FAVE SONG: As you know, we love music, and most of our days are spent singing about ordinary things....picking up toys, going to the potty, playing outside, etc. We have been looking forward to coming to the farm all week, and Jack knew that, on Thursday after school, we would drive to the farm. So, all week in preparation of our trip, he has been singing "Okie Donald Had a Farm!" Josie chimes in on the animal sounds. They go through all the animals that are on the farm here. I just love his pronunciation of things right now, and hope I will never forget about "Okie Donald."

Mommy Tip Monday

I wanted to pass along a little tip for all you mothers out there. We have recently started attending a Mainly Music class at a local church in GP. Jack and Josie love it! It is a Christian music class that focuses on lots of movement, different instruments and props, and interaction with mothers and children. We have taken classes at Kindermusik, and it's comparable to this but with a Biblical-based curriculum. We meet every Monday morning from 10-11, and it costs $1 (yes, you read this correctly!) per family. They even offer a snack at the end of the class time. I think it's simply the best thing going....
If you hear of a class in your area, go for it. I love hearing ideas, strategies, and ways to save money in parenthood, so please share your tips as well. In my next Mommy tip, I am going to share all the restaurants that we have found where kids eat free or that have family nights. Some friends and I have compiled a list that is very helpful! Press on, my friends.

Friday Funnies

Maybe I should come up with another name for my Friday post. It is turning into more of a journal, as the journal beside my bed collects more dust. I love to write, and never thought I'd let that go....but this is so much easier and faster.
Anyway, it has been a rather uneventful week at the LHIGP so here's the latest with......


1. Will & Cara. We celebrated my birthday with our friends the Eubanks and Brimberrys here. Courtney's birthday is coming up this month so it was a surprise for both of us. We shared lots of laughs and a great steak..a little pricey, but worth it.

We have moved to two church services on Sunday morning, so Will is extra busy coordinating and doing what he does best - serving people. He is training two more youth this semester in Evangelism Explosion, so that has been neat to hear about how the Lord uses them each Friday afternoon to spread His Gospel at local places like UTA, the Parks Mall, etc.



2. Jack Davis. This is how our oldest is referring to himself, and you will see in the video below as well. Will is "Daddy Davis," I am "Mommy Davis," and Jo is "Josie Davis." He is suddenly very aware of common courtesy also. When he does nice things for others, especially for his sister, he comments, "Was that nice for me to do that, Mommy?" He also has a need for justice to be served. Several times this week, he has approached me and said, "JoJo need a spanking, Mommy. My spank her please?" He is on his way to being the 2nd nicest person I know, following his Dad. Doesn't he look handsome in his pink tie?




3. Josephine Marie. This girl is hilarious! There are certain things that I don't quite understand about her, like why I still have to hold her when I vacuum, or what exactly is she saying all day as she babbles? Two new very clear words that she added this week are "all done" and "cookie." Seems she has a sweet tooth like her mama. She has been a baby sign language expert for some time now, but this week instead of using her sign for all done, she looked at me while I was changing her diaper and said, with volume, "ALL DONE!" It is funny to see her assert herself because, from the beginning, she has been so sweet and easy-going. She was quite a sight on Easter in her navy with white polka dot dress, pink hat, and pink purse. She insisted upon carrying a purse with a baby and blankie in it. Gotta love the accessories!

3. Comic relief. I am so thankful for my children that keep me laughing, and keep things light around here. I love Jack's new talent of making up his own words to classic tunes. For example, his latest song about potty training is called "Clean and Dry," to the tune of "Deep and Wide." Check out the short video. For help with lyrics, see below.



Lyrics by Jack Davis:
"Clean and dry, clean and dry,
Jack Davis is clean and dry.
Clean and dry, clean and dry,
My pants are clean and dry."

And Josie is into scaring us by saying "boo!" She especially likes to pretend she is waking up her Daddy. Her laugh is infectious. Does it really get any better than this? I think not.

Because He Lives

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future....
And life is worth the living, just because He lives."
(Hymn written by Bill and Gloria Gaither)
Easter was a bittersweet holiday for us this year. Yes, we celebrate a risen Savior that allows us to face tomorrow and live life to the fullest. Yes, we are eternally grateful for this gift He has given us. But we miss our brother and friend. Easter marked seven years since the "home-going" of our brother Clay. He is now in the presence of Jesus and celebrates Easter every day! One day we will be with him, but until then we will continue live, laugh, and cry here on Earth.
Life goes on but life will never be the same without our Clay. We miss you brother, and we'll be seeing you soon.

Friday Funnies

1. BABY. When I went to Jack's room Monday morning, I told him today was a big day. Mommy and Daddy were going to the doctor to see a picture of the baby. He immediately looked at me and asked, "Is baby Sam in there or sumpin'?" The expectations were high! However, it didn't take long for Dr. Payne to realize that this baby was not Sam, but our precious Kate! We thank God that Katherine Joy (Katherine after our sisters Katherine Tynan and Kat Kennedy, and Joy after my Aunt Joyce and myself)is growing well and right on schedule for a late August arrival. I think Jack is adjusting well to the news....he asked me yesterday, "will sister baby Kate have a strawberry like Jack?" I said I didn't know if God would give her one or not. He answered simply, "We'll see Mommy - maybe." (fyi - Jack has a small strawberry hemangioma on right arm that he is quite proud of) We are enjoying praying for Kate by name and talking about what it will be like when she gets here.

2. BIRTHDAY. I celebrated 29 years on Wednesday. It was a very nice day. It started off wonderfully when my husband of 7 years brought home a caramel macchiato from Starbucks and breakfast tacos from Taco Cabana. Thanks Will! You have become a pro at speaking my "pregnancy love language!" (food=love) My little family sung happy birthday to me, complete with dancing of course, and I received so many phone calls and emails. I was humbled and felt very loved. The best present I received was a memory made with Jack. Sometimes he wakes up sad from his nap and today was one of those days. He wanted me to hold him, and he immediately fell back asleep in my arms - all 35 pounds of him! It was amazing to hold him like a baby again. If you know this little mover and shaker, you know this is a rare thing. Happy birthday to me! Here is a photo of me, on my birthday, with my favorite gifts. (minus Will)




3. BLOOMS. For my birthday, we drove to spend the day at one of my favorite places - the Dallas Arboretum. Our friends the Brimberry girls came with us for a day at the park. The tulips and azaleas were lovely, although a little rain-beaten, and the fellowship was awesome. We had a picnic in the sun, and now we have great photos to remember the day.





4. BEST HOLIDAY. Now we are preparing our hearts and mind for the celebration of our risen Savior! I have always loved Easter, even more so than Christmas and Thanksgiving, and teaching my children about it has been humbling, heart-breaking and also exciting! Jack has been walking around saying, "He is risen indeed!" And somehow he is convinced that Jesus is coming to our house tomorrow. (?) Our prayer for all of you is that the Easter story will be your story. Jesus Christ bore all the suffering and pain with you on His mind and in obedience to His own Father. Then, he triumphed over the grave so we can be with Him again someday! We are Easter people and I encourage you to celebrate tomorrow.