May = Graduation galore!!

Morgan graduated on May 16, our niece, Haley (a.k.a. Wormy) graduated on May 17 and our third child, Allison (a.k.a. Fred) graduated on May 20.

Seeing Morgan graduate was absolutely fantastic!!  She worked so hard to get that diploma.  She made A's and B's all year.  Generally, I would say that that is normal for her.  But, the kicker is that she made A's and B's all year...in honors classes...while raising a baby. We are so proud of her, the person that she is and the mom that she is to our sweet grand baby. 

Morgan about 4 years old.

Receiving her diploma.

Kaitlyn is a proud sister!

We didn't get to see a lot of Haley's graduation because of the rain.  We got there right as they called her name to receive her diploma.  It was a bittersweet night for her, as well, since her dad was not here to see everything that she accomplished.  She made the thank you speech since she was president of the senior class.  However, I missed that.  Graduation was scheduled to start at 7pm, but Mary sent a text saying they moved it to 8pm because of the weather.  We got there at 7:57, and found out they actually started at 7:30.  I heard it was a great speech, though!!

Me and Haley at my wedding.

Haley and Kaitlyn

The graduate.

Allison, or Fred as we like to call her, has been Morgan's best friend since they were in the first grade.  She has been called Fred since then.  Not sure why, or where, Kevin got that name, but it stuck like glue!!  She and her boyfriend, Forest, come to the house and hang out with us even when Morgan isn't there.  They are truly like family to us.  She graduated from Hillcrest exactly 20 years to the date that I graduated from Hillcrest.  

Fred is a graduate!!

Fred and Forest

One of our very good friends, Andrea, also graduated from college with her Bachelors Degree in Social Work.  Two of my student employees graduated and have moved on to bigger and better things.  We are extremely proud of these three as well!!  

Now, in about 6 years, I will post my OWN graduation blog!!

Reflections......

2012 was a bittersweet year for us.  We had lots of highs, and some lows.  Just a few reflections on our year.

• We became grandparents to the most precious little girl ever!  God blessed us tremendously when he sent that little bundle to us.  We wondered when we found out that Morgan was pregnant why God put us in that position.  Well, it didn't take long for us to find out.  God used it to get our attention and get our focus as a family back on Him.  Because of that, our marriage is stronger than it has ever been, Kevin and the girls are closer than they have ever been, we do more as a family and we are more involved in Church. We are praying together as a family now. We are more solid and stronger as a unit.  So, we know now why God gave us that trial.  Morgan still needs to make better decisions with her life, but that will come in time, I hope.  For now, we are just thankful for where we have been, and where we are now.  And, we are very, very grateful to those that prayed for us, cried with us, laughed with us, hugged us, or just let us scream.  We remember every one of you, and each action and it is because of you guys, and the Grace of God, that we survived.  So, thank you!
• Kaitlyn graduated from elementary school and began middle school. It's so hard to believe that she is 12 years old already!
• I started college....again. Pursuing my degree in Psychology.  I would like to be an HR Partner at the university, but that may change. :)  I have lots of semesters left to make a definite decision.  I do know for a fact, though, that I want a degree in Psychology.  We will just have to see where that leads me.
• We broke away from Graceway and started our own church, Faith First Ministry. Our first service with Faith First was on Sunday, September 23. This was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, and again, we questioned why we were put in that situation.  But, as we continue along, we see the blessings of being faithful and standing for what we believe God is asking us to do.  We have people coming to our church that have NEVER attended church.  We have about 50 regular members, and it is awesome to see the work being done.  We are in a position to help so many that need it.  God keeps sending them, and we keep helping them!  It has been amazing!  I can't wait to see what happens in 2013 with this church.
• My brother, Keith, was called into the ministry and became a preacher.
• I was diagnosed with asthma. Finally.  I have been battling issues with my breathing for a long time.  I finally found a doctor that could figure out what was wrong, and is treating me for it.  I am extremely grateful that he listened to me, and didn't think I was crazy.
• We gave our dog away. Yes, you read that right.  We got rid of our dog.  I have cried a lot over this.  She is 9 years old and does not do well around young children. With Keith's kids being at the house so much, and with Elaina, we didn't need a dog that didn't do well around young children. So, we gave her to Kevin's cousin, Tommy, and his wife, Angela.  They don't have small children, and Angela wanted a lap dog.  Well, she got one. :)  Sassy seems to be doing well with her.  I miss her like crazy, and still look for her when I go home.  But, I will still get to see her and she is in a really good home now, so it works out.
• We lost our freezer, and about $500 worth of food.
• My sister-in-law, Mary, started dating a wonderful man, and is smiling again.  It's nice to see that after so many years of not smiling.  Keith has been gone 3 years now.  Tommy is a very nice guy and treats her and the girls great.  Couldn't ask for more.
• My grandmother turned 79 years old!! Yep, my sassy, speak-her-mind, bat-her-eyes grandmother is now 79.  But, she still acts 29. :)
• I got a tattoo.  In memory of my grandfather and in honor of my grandmother. 
• The LAST Twilight movie premiered! I am absolutely heartbroken over this. 
• And, last but not least, Kaitlyn went to her first Mardi Gras parade. We have friends that live in Mobile and we went there.  The last time we went to a parade, I had just found out I was pregnant with her.  So, technically, it was her second parade. :)  We had a blast and cannot wait to go back this year!

All in all, we had a very eventful year!!   Happy New Year, everyone!

happy birthday, bennie!

today, my grandmother celebrates 79 years on this earth.  she has been my rock, my supporter, my encourager, my best friend, and my laughter all my life.  i would be a different person today, i think, had she not been such a huge part of my life.  happy birthday, bennie! i love you so good!

Me and Bennie on my wedding day, 7.3.99

Happy Halloween!!

 

Elaina, "The Dandelion"

 

Granna and "The Dandelion".  Minus the flower.

 

Papa and "The Dandelion".  Still missing the flower.

Me and my little rocker/80's girl 

 

Me and Kim

Me, Jason and Kim - the UA employees

Lila Kate and "her" candy.  

Sweetest little 2-year old there is.  Love her to pieces!

Guess who's 12?

Today, 12 years ago, I gave birth to a precious baby girl!  She has brought so much joy to our lives.  She is loud, energetic, tomboyish (sometimes), diva-ish (all the time) and the greatest gift I have ever been given.  She has a heart the size of Texas and loves fiercely.  She is protective of her family and friends and will stand up for them in a New York Minute.  She is a fighter and will defend what she believes in at any time and in any place.  She loves God and shows that with everything that she does.  She has a unique sense of humor and makes me laugh all the time.  She says some of the craziest things, and is not afraid to try anything.  My life would not have been the same with out that 7 pound 7 ounce bundle of joy!

Happy birthday, Kaitlyn Marie!!  I love you to google and back!!

 Kaitlyn Marie Davis

Thursday, October 12, 2000

7 lbs. 7oz.

19"

Kaitlyn Marie Davis

October 2012

12 years old

The Happiest 5K on Earth!

This past Saturday, Kaitlyn and I and some friends participated in The Color Run.  The Color Run is a 5K that supports lots of charities all over the country.  The one here supported "Read Alabama Read" which raises money to buy books for school libraries that were damaged in the April 2011 tornadoes.  There's not a whole lot to say about the race, other than it was a BLAST!!  I can't wait until next year!  Below are some pictures.  Enjoy!

Me and Kaitlyn before the race.

All the people.  We were in the second wave.  They let us go in waves of 

500.  There were more than 4,000 people there.

Me and Mindy. Love this lady!

Our group:  Front row - Elle, Kaitlyn, Emma, me

Back row - Jordan, Kim, Mindy, Debbie and Jennifer

Not sure who the two photo bombers in the back are.

Waiting to start.

Dancing.

Dancing.

One of the color stations.  These people were serious about their job!

Crossing the finish line!

Such a goof ball.

Our group after the race, plus Rhonda and minus Jordan.

Such a fun day with her.

Love this dirty little face.

After we crossed the finish line, we had a closing ceremony that involved

more color!

Kaitlyn and Mindy in the middle of the closing ceremony. 

How cool is this picture?

Kaitlyn, Emma and Elle.  This picture was on the 

Tuscaloosa News website yesterday.  Kaitlyn is famous!

what a catch!!

Every year for Labor Day, we go camping - me, Kevin, Kaitlyn, his brother Kenny and nephew Chad.  It's been a tradition for about 5 years now.  This Labor Day, my brother, Keith, and his boys, Jayden, Fisher and Griffin, came too.  We had so much fun!  Keith and I really enjoy hanging out together and I enjoy fishing with him - he makes it fun.

Friday afternoon, I got to the campsite around 5:30.  By 6:00, me, Keith, Kaitlyn and all 3 boys were at the dam fishing.

Getting ready to go fishing :)

 Gotta have the silly picture.  Griffin is doing the 

John Cena "U Can't C Me" move.

Keith baited all the rods and within one minute of casting, Griffin caught the first fish.  It was a small catfish, probably about a pound.  We threw it back and Griffin said he would come catch it again when it got bigger.

We caught two more catfish that trip.  Fisher caught one, and it finned him when he pulled it in. That one was probably 3-4 pounds.  He was a keeper.  Jayden caught a fish called a drum.  It was probably 4 pounds maybe. Keith made us throw that one back because he said it would make us sick if we ate it.

We headed back to the camp site around 7:15 or so and I started cooking supper. Keith and all of the kids headed out to bait and throw out the jugs while I cooked and after we ate, we headed back out to check them.  This is when it really gets fun!

Jayden and Griffin fell asleep before we headed back out, so Keith put them in the tent and Kevin offered to stay at the camp site with them.  Me, Keith, Kaitlyn and Fisher headed out to check the jugs.  Kaitlyn pulled up one jug that had a deep string on it - one that rested on the bottom of the river.  She kept saying, "there's nothing on here, Uncle Keith."  Well, she was a little surprised when she pulled up that string and had an 11 pound catfish on it!   We caught several more that were between 5-7 pounds and one that was probably 9 pounds.

 Kaitlyn and her catfish

We had one jug that we had been watching all night that was in the middle of all of the other jugs.  We checked the ones on the outside first and were going to check this one at the very end because of where it was.  And, because we were picking on Kaitlyn.  Keith and I kept telling her that we were going to wait until the next day to get that one.  It was bobbing a good bit and she couldn't sit still for watching it.

Anyway, we pull up to this jug, and jokingly, I say, "Kaitlyn, I think I'm going to pull this jug up."  Keith, more seriously, says, "For real.  Your mom has never pulled a jug up.  Let her pull this one."  So I do.  This fish just kind of ghosts up to the surface of the water.  All I see is this head at the top of the water and it scares the mess out of me.  I throw the jug back in the water and jump up and run to the front of the boat.  I look at Keith and the look on his face is just priceless. His mouth is kinda frozen in a state of shock and his eyes are locked on that jug.  When he gets his wits back, he leans down and pulls the jug back up and tells us to get to the front of the boat because he is going to have to sling this fish into the boat.  He grabs it under the gills and slings.  This is what he ends up throwing in the boat:

This fish is the largest fish that I have ever seen, much less caught. I was the queen in the eyes of all of the boys.  We are still talking about the fact that I threw the jug back in the water, though. 

All together, we caught around 12 catfish.  We had a great time!  I can't wait until next year's trip.  Maybe I can catch an even BIGGER fish then. :)