Countdown to Kate

Davis girls 3, boys 2.
This will be the score in less than 10 weeks!
We continue to pray for our little Kate as she grows and makes herself more known. I was thankful to get one last look at her this past Monday for our 30-week appointment. She is growing well and is not shy in the womb. She waved and kicked as I watched her in amazement. I will never grow tired or bored of this miracle that is life! I bought her a new dresser at Hobby Lobby and am filling it with her things....new sweet clothes and old sweet clothes of Jo's. She has a monogrammed silky blankie and a new swaddling blanket from my favorite book Happiest Baby on the Block.
On the homefront we are staying busy, playing outside a ton, (with bug bites on Jo to prove it) setting up lots of playdates, and taking long afternoon naps. (Mom included) What's up with Jack and Jo......
Jack continues to amaze me with what he observes and absorbs. He is our little sponge who misses nothing! Today he came up to me and said, "Mama, Kate sure is getting big." The proof is in the photo - he is right. He keeps us on our toes and watching our every word. For instance, we ordered Chili's the other night and I guess he overheard the phone order because at the dinner table he asked very politely, "is that a good casserole, Mama?" (I ordered the Tex Mex eggrolls) This boy could read books all day - and sometimes we do. He looks forward to our weekly trip to the library for storytime, crafts, and checkout! I hope he will always love to read.
Josie's life is about to change drastically and I am not sure how to prepare her for it. She is still a Mama's girl. She also really loves her Mam and Doc, and calls them on her play phone almost daily. Periodically during the day she comes to me and says "hold" in the sweetest voice you've ever heard. The 30 extra pounds is probably not the best for my back but I can never turn her down! She sits on top of Kate, puts her arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder. I live for this.
We anticipate being a family of five. Thank you for your prayers.

32, and we love you!

Happy 32nd birthday to the best husband and father I know.
Jack, Josie and I thank God for Will today as we celebrate his life.
I know all kids love their dads but I wish you could see the way my kids light up each day when Will gets home. Yesterday I heard Jack say, "I so happy you're here, Dad!" The funny thing is that he spoke what I was thinking! Will is treasured here at the LHIGP, no doubt.
I found the kids some new "I Love Dad" pjs to commemorate their love for their favorite person on his birthday and Father's Day. It was far from a successful photo shoot, but hey, they are 3 and 21 months, so expectations were low.
This is the 10th birthday that I have celebrated with Will, and I am certain that, on this birthday, I have never loved him more than I do today. Wish I had a video of the kids singing this morning over bday cinnamon rolls and candles but the image is clear in my mind: one father, two adoring children, and one thankful wife. God has been good to us. Happy birthday, Will.

"Happiness is.....

all the bodies together." (Clayton Jack Kennedy, ca. 1980) I remember reading this quote at my Granny's house in Valley Mills growing up. It was embroidered and hanging in her bathroom. I think I took for granted the meaning of my brother's words - until now. Now we are all miles apart and spend our days looking forward to being together again! Back then it seemed easy to be together with our Donaldson family - Granny, PaPa, aunts, uncles, and 13 grandchildren. But now I know it took a lot of preparation, planning and work for all the grownups!
We have been having a wonderful time catching up with Clif, Kat and Clay. It has been a sweet family reunion for "all the bodies." Like his namesake, Jack is happiest also when everyone is together, so he has had a blast at the farm. Some of our memories include swimming and eating popsicles, helping Doc and Mam pick tomatoes, peppers, and blueberries, "helping" Mam at the Farmer's Market, swinging in the tire swing, going to the Ranger game, playing in the sandbox, and chasing the chickens.
The farm will always be home for Clif and I, and it was awesome seeing our children enjoy it together. Thanks for coming home! Here's a few pics of our time together so far.

A Good Year

Jack completed his second year at Sonshine Club at GPBC. He had a great year, made a new best friend in Jacob, grew in knowledge and socially, and generally looked forward to each Thursday. It was fun being up there together since I teach the 2nd-3rd grade homeschool class. I look forward to making it a family event next year, as Josie starts her first year in the preschool class and Jack moves up to the 3-year old preschool class. Miss Katherine Joy will be in tow as I teach Texas History to the HS 2 class. We are thankful for Jack's teacher Mrs. Tammie, who loved him unconditionally, while teaching him so much about letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and the Bible. It was a good year.
First Day of School - September 2006

Last Day of School with Mrs. Tammie - May 2007

Road Trip

We are back home after a week of travelling and visiting with family and friends. The Davis family headed south last week for our dear friend Stu's wedding. It was fun to catch up with old friends, but the night ended with a trip to the local ER....Miss Josie was having so much fun dancing at the reception that she fell and bruised her wrist badly. We spent 8 hours at Hermann Memorial trying to console our sweet girl. Thankfully she had a great attitude about her new "boo-boo," which included a splint and sling, except that it limited full access to her left thumb - tragedy.
After the wedding we headed to visit Will's folks, Pops and Mimi, in Louisiana. While there, we also were able to catch up with Aunt Tynan, Scott, Uncle Sam, Aunt Shannon, and cousin Connor. It was a fun and relaxing trip to the bayou, and we made many memories....a trip to the zoo, dance parties on the back porch, singing and playing the piano, great food, long naps, lots of laughs, and two Spurs victories. Thanks, Davis family! We love you and look forward to our trip next spring.

"Captain Stu," his bride Cassandra, Jack, Josephine

Jack and Jo on the dance floor, giving high fives to BP

Josie was very serious about her dancing. This is her - pre trauma - dancing to a Wiggles song......

And this is our little patient, post trauma. Doesn't she look sad? It broke our hearts for our happy girl to be in pain. So much so that we allowed them to watch movies all the way to Louisiana!

the Davis boys on the back porch swing - Will, Jack, Sam, Connor

Cousins and friends

Happy to be splint and sling-free!

Jack and his Pops

Thanks for a fun vacation!