So Sayith Tay and Jay #42

What is music?

Taylor: Music is like created music like you don't shout or you wont sound good.  Like princesses make beautiful music.  Like music is when you make noise and go up and down.

Jordan: Um, its my Jordan CD.

What kind of music do you like?


Taylor: Momma's music.

Jordan: Um Jordan.

What is your favorite song?


Taylor: Um, I can't remember.

Jordan: Jordan.

What instrument do you want to play?


Taylor: Drums.

Jordan: A drum.  Momma, I want to buy a drum.

What's a band?


Taylor: A band people who make music together.

Jordan: Marching.

Do you have a favorite band?


Taylor: Jesus.

Jordan: Yes. The pink band.

Who sings the best?


Taylor: Mom.

Jordan: Me.

What movie has the best music?


Taylor: The Candy Man (no idea what that is)

Jordan: Um, Jordan.

Musical Thursdays

I almost started this blog out with “so” and thought to myself…I think I start EVERY blog out with “so”.

I need a new word. 

And I just almost typed it again ::sigh::

Every Thursday night is “music” night at our house.  I figured that was good night for it since Justin and/or I are usually at worship practice the parent at home could be playing music with the kids too.

This is one of the nights I tend to skip to be honest.  It is loads of fun, but also very loud.  I mean we put on a DVD of kids songs and the kids sing, dance, and play their box of instruments as loud as they can.

A couple of weeks ago Justin headed off to worship practice and I stayed home with the kids.  We were also blessed to have the Music pastor’s daughter join us (I believe she’s 7 months old).  Sophie became the center of attention so most of the musical instruments were piled high on her lap as the kids sang to her.  It was nice evening and it comes with pictures which is mostly why I’m sharing it with you.

Random Thoughts About Taylor's School

This is a Taylor dedicated blog.  More specifically a Taylor’s school blog.

Late Birds

So Taylor’s school breaks up their Kindergarten class into “Early Birds” and “Late Birds”.

Taylor a few days ago said to me, “Mommy, I think you should wake up earlier so we aren’t late all the time.  I’m tired of being a Late Bird”.

In her mind she just figured she was a Later Bird because she was always late to school and not because that was the class she was assigned to.

Isabella

Pretty much the first day of school Taylor decided her best friend would be a girl named Isabella.  Why? For the logical reason that she looked a lot like her old best friend Ally.  Isabella and her seem to get along great, but Isabella has made the wise choice to also play with other kids - “the twins” to be exact.  Taylor has been distraught and has been asking me for nearly a month to meet Isabella’s parents so she can go play at her house (since I told her she cannot go there unless we are invited by Isabella’s mommy and daddy).

Of course Taylor assumes this is much easier then it is since it’s not like we see her parents ever (she is an early bird so she’s dropped off and picked up before Taylor). 

Thanksgiving Feast

The Kindergarteners at Taylor’s school had a “Thanksgiving Feast” yesterday.  All the Kindergarteners dressed up like Indians and Pilgrims.  I had the opportunity to take the day off work and volunteer to help set up for the event and hang out will the 60 Pilgrims and Indians that surrounded a very full table for a very large “Feast”.  They were adorable and I loved being able to help and be part of Taylor’s school life.  For a working Mom I try to take the opportunities whenever they arise to take part in her events to make sure she knows I’m interested even if I can’t be there on a regular basis.

Maria

There were a lot of parent volunteers for the Feast so we finished setting up early.  We then spent a couple of hours cutting out projects for the Kindergarten teachers for future art projects in class.  I got to meet a wonderful woman named Maria.  She has a daughter in Kindergarten (like Taylor), a 3 year old daughter (close to Jordan’s age), and a 1 year old son (semi-close to Elijah’s age).  Her husband was laid off right before they had their 2^nd child (Just like Justin was) and he was a stay at home dad until just recently.  She was fun to talk to and we related on a lot of things.

Most of the mom’s there were primarily Spanish speakers so I sort of understood about half of what was going on.  Maria took the time to translate some things that she could tell I just didn’t get.

After about an hour of chatting she asked me what my daughter’s name was.  When I told her she said “I keep telling my daughter to play with Taylor! Taylor was her favorite friend and then she started hanging out with the twins, but I liked Taylor better.” I laughed and asked if her daughter was Isabella (see above) and she said yes! We laughed about how both girls had been trying to tell us to meet each other so we they could play together only to find that we had finally met and not even noticed right away.  And don’t worry.  We exchanged numbers so we can have play dates.

Tri Tip Man’s Kickin’ Cowboy Rub

Ok so this is not related to school, but very important.  If you are looking for a GREAT – AMAZING – PERFECT rub to put on your beef (of any sort).  You MUST try this rub.

It’s incredible really.  If you want some let me know and I can order it for you for $6 for a whole bottle and hand deliver it so you don’t have to pay for shipping! Or you can email TTME@TriTipMan.com

Is It Time Yet?

When something “exciting” is coming I begin planning way to early.  I sit here realizing its only November 14^th and I so desperately want to start the planning (and invites) for what we’ve decided to call Happy HoliDavis.

“We” is Sam and I (or is it me?) since Justin was rather indifferent.  In many parts of our lives Sam is pretty much a Davis.

What is HoliDavis you ask? I am so very glad you asked.  I honestly stole the idea from Kurt and Ali Blake since they have “Blakesgiving” every year a little before Thanksgiving (which I am very excited to enjoy in just a few days)…I figured I should do the same, but a little before Christmas.

So to restrain myself accept this as your non-formal invite to HoliDavis on 12/15.  If you were there last year…you’re invited again.  If you were not there last year and feel like you should have been you are also probably invited.

Yes it is far to crowded in my apartment.

Yes parking is a nightmare since there is no “guest” parking and everyone has to park a few blocks away and walk.

However…

Yes there will be good grub.

Yes there will be fun games.

Yes there will be laughing.

And what I am most exited about… Yes there will be yummy homemade treats to take home as “goodie” bags (And don't worry Jen and Buck - yours will be shipped to FL).

I want to plan NOW!  I want to invite people NOW! I love my friends and am so very excited to share HoliDavis with them.

I Think I Lost My Baby

It’s that time of year.  For us (well for Taylor really), Jordan’s Birthday is the kick off for the Holiday Season.  When October 27^th comes around we begin our Holiday festivities with Jordan’s Birthday.

This year she really wanted a Tinkerbell bounce house, so we had a few friends over and let her enjoy her birthday gift from us. 

With a high of 91 degrees the kids bounced their hearts out with bright red cheeks…the adults that dared get in didn’t last long (I was one of those).  It’s rather exhausting.

Jordan had a great time and was showered in gifts (she is spoiled) – her favorite this year being anything she could wear.  Seriously.

Here are some pictures of the party:

Now for the most important part.  Celebrating my baby girl.

Stats:

Height: 3’4” (55^th Percentile)

Weight: 33lb 8oz (32^nd Percentile)

A message to my baby girl:

Jordan,

You are my smile.  You are sneaky and mischievous, but you love to love and care for others.  You are my helper and you even smile while you do it!  You have a way of letting your smile slowly grow on your face that melts my heart.  The joy you find in everything inspires me to remember the little things and enjoy life through your experiences as much as you do.  You are brave and will try almost anything at least once – which makes you my roller coaster girl and I LOVE that.

You drive me crazy with your defiance and strong will, but I remind myself how much you need it to hold your own in our full house.  You are happy when others are happy.  You are sad when others are sad.  You have started trying more and more to be more like your big sister.  We tell you often you don’t have to be like Taylor, because we like all the things that make you so unique.

We love you baby girl.

Mommy

And here is the best part.  Here is how she’s morphed this year (starting oldest to newest - also noticing there isn't a big change like previous years):

Baby Evangelina Needs Your Help!

The point of this blog is to tell you what's going on in the craziness that is the Davis household.  I tend to mess that up occassionaly with blogs all about me (far less interesting then my kids I know) and then days like today where something has touched my heart in a way that I need to share it to try and help.

I read this when a friend at work posted it and am sad to know that I cannot help since I have a blood disorder that would prefent it.  Here is a message from Baby Evangelina's Daddy that I hope you take the time to read and if you can help.:

Exactly two months after the happiest day of my life (the day my daughters were born), my wife and I received a phone call that turned our lives upside down. The call was from a doctor who had the dreadful task of informing us that our little Evangelina had been diagnosed with a rare and life threatening immunodeficiency. The disease results in an immune system so highly compromised that it is considered almost absent. To our luck, the early diagnosis has given our precious baby an honest shot at beating this awful disease. The most successful type of treatment is the bone marrow transplant from a matched related donor which, unfortunately, her mom, her twin sister Anabella and I are not. The only way we can improve the odds of finding a compatible donor is to encourage as many people as possible to get tested and become donors. Getting tested to become a bone marrow donor is as easy as swabbing the inside of your cheek. You could be the one that will save my little angel’s life.  I will be forever appreciative and I have no doubt you will be blessed in many ways for your kind gesture. Please share this email with your friends and family. The following provides additional insight on the disease: http://www.genome.gov/13014325

DoubleTree Hotel Santa Ana is hosting a Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Screening in honor of Evangelina Vaccaro Monday, November 12, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p. m. DoubleTree Hotel Santa Ana 201 East MacArthur Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92707 (Across from the Santa Ana Campus)

Bone Marrow Registry

This will only take 10 minutes and getting tested to become a donor is as easy as swabbing the inside of your cheeks.  Please read the general requirements for potential bone marrow registrants.

Note the links work above, the picture just didn't transfer over but you can click on them to get the info.

Enjoy Some Bragging

It’s a fact that a good mom brags about her kids right?  I’m sure “good” can be replaced with many words, but since I’m about to brag about Taylor I’m going to say “good” is the perfect word and not “annoying” or “rude”.

If you don’t know what AWANA is then the short description is that its sort of like a “Christian” Girl/Boy Scouts.

Kids of all ages go into a group (3-4 year olds together K-2^nd together and so on)…just like the Scouts.

In these groups they compete in games and earn “badges”…just like the Scouts.

What makes them different is the way they earn those badges. Kids memorize verses from the bible instead of building a fire or whatever the Scouts do (it’s been awhile since I was a Brownie).

There are 30 weeks of club and in those 30 weeks the kids are expected to complete roughly 40 sections in a book.  Each few sections they earn a “badge”.

Taylor has been speeding through these sections and last week after about 2 months worth of club she finished her whole book!

I was proud of her.  She then has the option of doing a “review” and doing the book again.

I figured she would have an easy time the 2^nd time through, but still need to practice them verses several times to help refresh her memory…

Then in the car on the way to school this morning (when we practice) I told her we were going to spend some time reviewing verses and reminded her it is ok if she doesn’t remember them – that’s why we practice (she’s very oversensitive with that kind of thing) and she blew my mind!

I would say just the location (like Genesis 1:31) and she just spouted off the verse without any help.  She just blew through 12 verses in the 15 minute drive and I told her that we weren’t going to do anymore so she has more to do for the rest of the year in AWANA.

I’m proud of my baby girl.  She is learning God’s word and she loves doing it.

FYI for those non-Christians that read my blog please note I am not shoving this down her throat and telling her she MUST believe it. I explain to her our point of view and why we believe it to be truth.  We discuss why other people think differently and that not everyone believes what we do. And regardless of what somebody believes we LOVE them like and RESPECT them…a lesson many adults should take to heart.

Apparently the Davis’ have Issues

Sorry I have sort of been MIA.  I’m not really in much of a mood to be wordless (wordless Wednesday is not for me) nor do I feel much like actually blogging today.  So I’m making myself share something I don’t really want to.

I had a conversation with a friend about a week ago about how I do not ask for help easily.  I’d prefer to suffer through things alone.  Unless something cannot be done without help or if I don’t get help there could be impact on my kids or Justin I’m a “handle it myself” gal.

So today I’m asking for your prayers on something I find rather petty actually.  You may all read this and think…really? She’s bothering wasting my time with that?!  If that’s now how you feel, that’s how I feel about even mentioning it, but in my attempt to ask for “help” in the form of prayers I figure why not try.

I know you wont judge me, because for the 5 millionth time (and more to come) I can tell you I have the best friends in the world.

There are several things going on right now financially for us.  Things that don’t justify taking money out of our emergency fund like:

1. A broken Cell Phone
2. Dentist Appointments
3. A broken Steamer
4. Minor car issues

There are a few more, but you get the point.  They are not life threatening and not getting these things fixed or replaced doesn’t harm the “4 Walls” (Shelter, Food, Utilities, Transportation) so they just get pushed aside.

In total we would need about $600 to replace/fix everything and from previous blogs of mine you know in our normal life that won’t happen any time soon unless by some divine intervention.

My prayer if for peace and not for money to come falling into our laps – in God’s timing we will get the money to fix/replace things.  I try to focus daily on all the blessings in our life, but over the last few weeks the pile of frustrations has been piling up. 

Frustrations that I cannot do anything about simply because we can’t afford it. 

That last sentence has been a common theme in our house since Justin and I were married and sometimes it’s just exhausting.

My struggle right now is that I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel and although I know its there, it’s still too far out to get the glimpse.

This is living in Faith.  I don’t mind living in Faith - it gives me more opportunity to notice things from God that I might otherwise overlook.

I keep having conversations with myself/God about “good” things I want to “do” like

…adopt another kid (or maybe 2 –if I can convince Justin it’s a good idea)

…MOVE out of the place we are now where my kids are surrounded by teasing and disrespect to the point they can’t play outside unless no one else is around (Like when Jordan walked to the car and some much older  kid called her a name and kicked a soccer ball as hard as he could at her 3 year old legs knocking her to the ground and when you confront that kids parents they yell at you about minding your own business and how you have no right to say anything to their kid)

…stop paying debt so we can actually invest in the future of our kids, friends, and family

Again…pretty much all petty and I know that.  Just asking for you all to pray that I’ll stop dwelling on the things I can’t do anything about right now and remember that someday it will be taken care of.

Thank you friends – the best friends in the world that is.

So Sayith Tay and Jay #41

What is November?

Taylor: Its a day where you celebrate something I think.

Jordan: It means you have gum.


What is Thanksgiving?

Taylor: Super duper fun.  You have to Thank someone? Like Thanks...giving.

Jordan: Giving a doggy to someone. A live dog.  But I want a kitty.  Mommy you didn't get me a kitty yet.  I'm gonna name her Curl and she'll be fluffly and pink.  Mommy! You didn't get me one yet.  I want her pink.  You need to get her at the kitty store, but its a long way to get to the kitty store.  Mommy!! Are you listening to me?!

What season is it?

Taylor: I think its Spring or Winter.

Jordan:  Snow.

What is your favorite day of the week? Why?

Taylor: Christmas.  I love Christmas.

Jordan: Snow.

Who gives the best hugs?

Taylor: Mommy.

Jordan: Momma.

Who gives the best gifts?

Taylor: You? Because you gave me Harry Potter.

Jordan: People.


Who gives the best kisses?

Taylor: You.

Jordan: Hey you already said that.  Oh wait, momma does.  Momma gives me the best kisses.  Momma what are you writing? I said nothing.  I didn't say anything momma.  Momma I said NOTHING!