LincolnJack the Lumberjack turned 1!

Our Lincoln Jack turned 1!  February 11, 2015. Yes, I realize that was nearly a year ago...! But, we are about to welcome another little Davis boy into our lives and I just felt the need to get a little more updated on my blog before we're thrown into the whirlwind that is life with a newborn.

So, in an effort to do that (blog nesting, if you will...) I will tell about the ADORABLE theme of Lincoln's 1st Birthday. I have enjoyed doing all the boy's first birthdays...

Tristan's theme was Veggie Tales (I didn't have a blog then) 

Peyton's theme was Chunky Monkey

Kohen's theme was Sports

Grayson's theme was a Barn Yard Bash

We chose each of their theme's based on them and their personalities. Tristan's 3rd word was "Bob" as in Bob and Larry, Bob from Veggie Tales. Peyton WAS our Chunky Monkey. Kohen loved playing with any ball he could get his hands on. Grayson loved animals and we lived on a farm at the time... So as you can see, all of them just fit. Lincoln Jack's birthday was quickly approaching and I had yet to choose a theme for him. One night over dinner a friend of mine, Melissa, mentioned how cute a Lumberjack theme would be... And it clicked! Of course! It was just PERFECT for him.
As you will see from the pictures, I had entirely too much fun planning it. :)

Family, Friends, Plaid, Logs, Pine trees, Axes, Beards, BBQ & Fixin's, Smore Pops, LOTS of burlap and Manliness all around... 

Of course, the birthday boy was all dressed for the occasion in his plaid and denim overalls outfit and his little boots! Gah!! I know I'm the mom but... He is such a doll, isn't he?!?

Lincoln's 1st Birthday Stats:

32 inches!
28 pounds!
2 teeth!

I love...
-Bathtime
-Peek-a-boo
-Crawling
-Spinning my Mobile (before EVERY naptime/bedtime)
-Laughing at my Brothers
-My Paci
-Giving kisses away (especially to my Momma!)

My Favorite Foods:
-Bananas
-Avocado
-Cheerios
-Cheese

My Favorite Toys:
-Balls
-My Puppy (Ozzy)
-Anything my brothers are playing with

I can say:
Dada
Mama
Tri-Ti
Dye-Dye (bye-bye)
Hi
No-No
Nana (banana... didn't make the board because I forgot)

 

Decorations are fun but the people that come to a party make it a true party! We had SUCH a great time with family and friends celebrating our little man's big day. And everyone dressed in their plaid to add to the party fun! :)

 

You can't have a 1st Birthday party without a SMASH cake!!

Lincoln wasn't sure about it at first, it definitely took him awhile to get going. But, in the end (with the help of his Deeda & Gram)...

He nailed it!

Like we've done with each boy, we spent time together praising God for Lincoln Jack's life, for the blessing that he is to our family and also praying over the man he is going to grow up to be. God has great plans for this little Lumberjack! He is smart, sweet, hilarious, so TOUGH, big, friendly to just about anyone he meets... We couldn't be more excited to get to be a part of his life.

We love you, Lincoln Jack!!

Twenty Fourteen in a flash

Let me just start by saying... Holy Blogging Hiatus, Batman.

I can hardly remember the last time I posted anything. 

The point of starting this blog was to have a place to "use my words" as my husband says, where I can keep recorded the crazy/beautiful/messy/laughable life of ours and hopefully be able to finish a complete thought once in a while (something that is highly underrated).  Our family is still spread out across the states and I remember wanting to start a blog so our family could be updated on whats going on with us.  So.  I am going to attempt to start blogging again...  ahem.  I said attempt! 

I figure a good way to start is to recap our 2014.  It was a BIG year in the Davis Family!

We started the year off  (just 6 days into the New Year) in the Emergency Room with Brandon being dehydrated and having heart palpitations.  He scared me to death.  I could've killed him.  Thankfully, we learned his heart is in great health and he just needed to be drinking more water, even while being busy on a hunt with students (like he is RIGHT NOW... He better be drinking plenty of water...).

Less than a week after Brandon's ER visit we were thrown into a whirlwind with Gray.  All of a sudden, he wouldn't walk- only crawl.  We're talking about a 2 year old who'd been walking since he was 11mo old.  When we encouraged him to stand on it, he would say, "My yeg hurts."  Long story short: He had a bone infection (Osteomyelitis) in his lower right leg.  We spent time in the hospital, running tests and giving antibiotics via IV.  The antibiotics stretched out over a few months.  Lots of pokes for our little man.  But, over time he regained his ability to walk and the Lord healed his leg!  A crazy-miraculous situation that the Lord used to draw us closer to Him. 

Towards the end of January,  The Lord moved my brother and his family from Orlando FL all the way out here to HOBBS NM!  He is serving as the Worship Pastor in the same church Brandon serves as Family & Student Pastor.  Cra-zi-ness.  I never would have imagined we would be able to serve together like we have been.  Brandon has spent nearly a year pinching himself and trying to get it through his head that he really is working alongside his best friend!  And I am blessed to get to worship through song alongside Jeff and Lori every couple of weeks!  Not to mention, we get the joy of doing life with them and their 4 children.  The kids NEVER tire of seeing each other.  It is truly awesome.

In February and then in April, my last living Great-Grandparents went to be with the Lord.  Jack and Alice Miles, or as we knew them Poppa and Nanny.  I don't know if I can truly put into words the beautiful Legacy of Faith they left behind.  These two were truly saints in the Kingdom of the Lord.  They celebrated being married 76 years in January before they passed away.  76 years!!!  And even in their mid 90's (dealing with poor health) they faithfully prayed for each person in our family, daily.  Full lives of preaching and sharing the gospel, the GOOD NEWS of our Lord and Savior.  Oh that one day Brandon and I would be faithful enough to leave such a legacy for God's glory.

February 9th, Tristan (7yrs) and Peyton (5yrs) were baptized together!  After making professions of faith in the couple months leading up to this.  Brandon beamed with JOY as he got to baptize them.  To see the Lord's faithfulness to answer our prayers from before they were even born to draw their hearts to Himself at young ages and to see them step out in faith and obedience... was truly overwhelming.  God is SO GOOD.

February was a BIG month for us.  On Feb 11th, our 5th baby boy was born!  Lincoln Jack Davis  (Our Grandfathers', Jack Miles and Jack Parr's namesake) was born weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz and was 23" long.  Dark brown hair and dark eyes (much like his momma).  Life hasn't been the same!  He wasn't a good sleeper for months.  But thankfully, he was super cute and therefore being up in the night with such a cutie made sleepless nights a little more bearable.

Other birthdays celebrated this year in our family (in order by month):
Peyton turned 6
Brandon turned 31
Tristan turned 8
Gray turned 3
Kohen turned 5
I turned 30!?! 

Spring, Summer and Fall flew by in a mad dash, it feels like.  Filled with... Celebrating being here in New Mexico for a year.  The Daddy-man being gone on church Staff trips, Mission trips, Youth trips, Hunting trips, etc.  Home school killing me slowly some days and being a lot of fun others.  Finding a good groove with 5 little and not-so-little people to wrangle.  Many, many epic wrestling matches on the trampoline.  Lots of good meals with great people.  Memories made with family near and far.  Celebrating 11 years of marriage to my most favorite person in the world.  Seeing the Lord answer prayers of healing in people's lives.  Walking with dear friends through incredible loss.  Loving where God has called us to serve and the people we're getting to serve with and do life with.

2014 was a good year.  I am thankful for the things God used to bring us to our knees and draw us closer to Him.  May we be more faithful to proclaim the good news this year to those living in darkness.  And may His Kingdom continue to expand here on the earth!

The Davis Family December 2014

Grayson's Barn Yard Bash!

This post is loooong overdue.  Regardless,  I want to post about how we celebrated Grayson's 1st Birthday...  

Barn Yard style! 

 I had a ton of fun hunting for ideas and figuring out how to make his party special.

Party Peeps!

A party isn't a party without Family and Friends!! 

And food...  of course!

Here is his Barn Cake!  I had a few ideas trapped inside my head about how I wanted to do this cake. If it hadn't have been for the help of my husband and sister (the night before during the LATE night hours) this cake wouldn't have turned out so cute!

He LOVED his cake!!

Since it was his 1st birthday, we got a bounce house.  We always celebrate BIG with the 1st!  Although, Grayson was quite content swinging in his new swing and not bouncing.  The bigger boys enjoyed celebrating in the bounce house most of the day. :)

Peyton asked if he could take a picture of me and Mom...  He loves taking pictures!

As you can see, his favorite way of taking pictures is rapid fire!  4 shots in 3 sec... I'm thinking 

Sports Photographer?  Ha!

He was blessed with very sweet gifts from our family and friends! 

Sweet, Baby Gray, what a joy to celebrate you turning 1!  Some days its hard to believe you're no longer a baby,  but quickly becoming one of "the boys".  I am so thankful you're a part of this crazy family.  Our desire for you is for you to become a great and mighty warrior in the Kingdom of the Lord.  He has great plans for you!  We anticipate the day that you give Him your heart and make Him your King!

Motherhood.  

It's not Rocket Science.

It's Brain surgery 

on Astronauts during a Lunar launch

while reciting the Declaration of Independence 

backwards-                

only with less logic.         

I got this quote in a card from my mother-in-love this last year shortly after Gray was born.  It was good medicine for a new mother of 4.  I received it on a day when I needed it most.

This is a typical view of mine on an outing.  If you are close in proximity to us you may hear things like:
Everybody hold hands!
How are we supposed to act in the store?
No, we are not getting that, it's not on our list.
Please don't lick that.
Don't touch anything in the bathroom.
Do we want this one or this one?
You may touch that with one finger.
Do you need to go potty?
Do not ask that again.
Are you the Momma?
Do not put that in your mouth.
Is it time to wrestle?
Is it time to be loud?
Everyone hold onto the basket and let's go! 

It is wild.

It is crazy.

It is often times comical

and most every time exhausting.

I have tried explaining to Brandon, that trying to get up and get going some mornings when it's just me and the boys is like trying to herd and clothe a pack of cats.  Not necessarily wild cats... just cats.  Have you ever tried to dress a cat?  It's difficult.  I dressed a few cats in my early childhood years (my family will attest to this) and let me just tell you...  It's a lot like trying to dress a strong headed 1yr old.  Or a two year old with a mind of his own.

It's not easy getting anything accomplished when you're the only person heading in the right direction.  All the while the little herd of crazies are going in 4 different directions.  Much less go grocery shopping!  Which, by the way, I really haven't made a habit of doing my big grocery shopping trip with all 4 children.  I try to do "the big one" with at most 2 children, if the Daddy can be home OR during late hours while all of my crew is asleep.  When all the people are stocking the shelves at the grocery store.  I know, night owl here.  It's kind of a blessing and a curse.

Blessing: being able to get things done while everyone is resting soundly in bed.
Curse: shopping amongst the sometimes creepy night stockers. (this doesn't include my perfectly normal cousin, Aaron, of course.  Congrats btw for you new day job amongst the living ;) 

Anyway... 

Even though I try not to take them all with me for the big grocery trip, we do tend to go places together... You know, all at the same time.  And it never ceases to amaze me what people say. 

I can't even count the times I've heard the infamous words, "You sure have your hands full...".   It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that having 4 children, no matter their ages, would automatically make your hands full.  I mean, sometimes I want to ask, "Did you come up with that all on your own?!"  I know that wouldn't be right and I have never given in to that temptation.  Like my baby sis always claims, "But I was thinking it!"

One of the last grocery trips I took, my before mentioned mother-in-love, Monica, joined me.  We split up for the first half of the trip (she actually took the oldest 3 with her) and then toward the end we rejoined forces to wrap up our lists.  The boys did a great job that day even not having naps that afternoon.  And mostly people were complimentary about "all those boys" we had.  But two people made comments that just broke my heart.

As I was scoping out the mushrooms in the produce section, a woman blessed my heart because of my "3 boys" and when I pointed out the 4th with a big grin in the shopping cart her response was "Oh, no!"

I was in complete shock. 

Oh no?

I guess looking back on the instance, maybe she was trying to be sympathetic for me since I had all boys and no girls??  But "oh no!" as a response wasn't what I was expecting. 

The other comment that caught me off guard was from a lady who turned the corner as I was reminding my all-boy boys to stay calm and that we were nearly finished shopping.  She rudely asked me, "Are you having fun yet?"  I was actually able to gather myself this time and I answered her with a smile and said,  "Yes ma'am, I am!"

I realize people are just trying to make conversation.  Trying to have something to say and the obvious is standing right before them in 4 different heights, ages and eye colors.  But it hurts my heart that people in our society are so negative about children.

The comedian Jim Gaffigan does a hilarious bit on having 4 children.  If you need a good laugh you must look this up.  I will give a little disclaimer though, don't watch it with your 7 year old... Even though he's cleaner than most it doesn't mean he's squeaky clean.  Okay, back to the point... He says at one point that he and his wife just had a baby and the crowd cheers. Then he follows with "Yep, just became a Father..." (still applause) and then he adds "for the 4th time" and it's almost like the clapping and cheering stops completely.  Of course, he makes a joke of it and moves on.  But this is a huge problem in our culture in America today.

I am thankful I don't have to just rely on people's words (positive or not) to form how I should feel about my growing family.  I try to seek out what the Lord says and allow that to shape and encourage my heart.   I know I am called to be a momma of 4 boys, if not I wouldn't have them!

"Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them." 

Psalm 127:3-5

I am not sorry I have 4 children or that they are all boys.  I am overjoyed to have my hands full.  The alternative to having "my hands full" would be to have them empty.

I don't want for this post to sound like I have a chip on my shoulder... I don't.  My heart truly breaks for people who can't (or don't) delight in having children.  And see the calling on their lives to raise them as God calls us to.

It isn't easy having lots of little ones.  Whether we go out or stay at home!  Ha!  But I do want to enjoy each moment... Even the crazy ones.

This is my favorite necklace given to me by my Husband and boys.  I want to live up to what it says.

Thank you Lord for your many blessings!  Namely, Tristan, Peyton, Kohen and Grayson.  They are a joy.  A crazy joy!  And You desire them to be a blessing for Your Kingdom's sake.  Continue to give Brandon and myself the grace we need to raise them to be godly men.  Guard my heart (as well as my mouth) as you use us to point others to YOU!  And may it be so that I have a happy heart as you have made my hands so very full.

Overwhelmingly Blessed

Me and my little loves this Mothers Day.

I hope you're having a Happy Mothers Day... er... um... Week! ;)

Oh to be a kid again! {B.N.D.7.}

 Day 7: I will be covering our Family Vacation week! Brace yourself for LOTS of pictures of all the fun we had... It was the week following mine and Brandon's getaway weekend. And actually we met Monica and Melissa (B's Mom and Aunt) with the boys in Austin the night we ended our weekend and started off our family vacation with a trip to the CIRCUS!!!!

 We got there early and enjoyed some of the "Pre Show" on the floor.

 Got to meet some of the performers and get autographs!

 P acting like a clown

 My pictures were a little blurry but you can see all the different exciting things going on all at once!

 T wore that thing probably half of the show! (which was 2 1/2-ish hours long) Ha!

If you've never been to the Circus, let me just tell you... It is AMAZING!! I think us adults might have enjoyed it even more than the kids did. We all kept saying "Wow!", almost as if that's all we could get out of our mouths because of the sheer amazement!

 Like:

11 Tigers being "controlled" by a little man in tights with a whip.
 

 Or how about 7 motorcyclists in a metal dome all driving in circles at THE SAME TIME!

 Check out these Elephants?! Seriously? Ah-mazing. 

 The Finale. Again, sorry it's blurry. 

 We decided the Circus was definitely a good way to start off our vacation and that we will
be going back again some day!

Thanks Gram & Aunt Lissa for joining us!

 (My favorite family photo to date)

If this next day was being blogged about all by itself, I would undoubtedly title it "The Best $20 we've ever spent"...

Chuck E Cheese. Need I say more?

I mean, just look at the joy on this face!

Where else would you ever get to ride something like this contraption??

Or be 4 years old and beat your mom at a shooting game??  And for the record I'm not just one of "those" parents who lets their kids win... I was trying!

(check out the aim that kid has going on)

Counting our tickets! 

Oh and if you would... Tell that pregnant lady that if she would just put her hand in her back pocket she will find 86, yes, 86 tickets that she won't otherwise find until she gets home much later that evening. *face palm* or should I say, *pregnancy brain*

Their prizes!

Also, where else other than Chuck E Cheese can you go and spend: 3 hours and $20 

To leave with:

3 plastic lizzards

3 crazy straws

& 3 Smarties candies?

Yes, Chuck E... The Davis family will be back some day or another.

The Day we went to the Zoo! 

I love the zoo. I am just as excited when we get to go as the boys are. It's just so fun, you know?

This particular zoo expedition we decided to let the boys bring a friend, Keith (or as they call him, Keiff). So, we had TWO 4 year olds, a 3 year old, 1 year old and a 7 & 1/2 mo pregnant lady and her brave husband to help keep the crazy to a minimum on this trip. Talk about fun. No, seriously, it was fun!

The boys scoping out the map and deciding which way we would go first.

The three amigos

Unfortunately, because of the heat, we saw a LOT of sleeping animals and quite a few empty cages.

What we did see, we thoroughly enjoyed!

It was fun being surrounded by so many handsome boys!

I know I'm not the only one who gets that very strange and even sick feeling when they see their children inches from deadly and highly venomous creatures... right? I know there's glass and blah blah blah... but, It's just not okay.

Wild Animals! 

Spending a day at the Zoo (and out in the heat) made for a quiet ride home too... :)

We tried to make a point to the boys during our Vacation week that we were together. And that no matter what we did, we did it together and we were having fun as a family.

One night we surprised the boys by setting up a big pallet with air mattresses, blankets and pillows and had a Family Movie Night! 

Complete with popcorn, of course!

For our last vacation event of the week we went to the Mayborn Children's Museum in Waco.

We got to see so many neat things! One thing I loved about the Children's Museum was that just about everything we did was so hands on for the kids.

"Wook, Momma... Meemo!!" to Kohen, every fish is Nemo.

Check out this tiny starfish! I nearly didn't see it but when it caught my eye I decided I wanted to take a picture to show just how small it was. That's my index fingernail and the starfish was right on the other side of the glass. It was so tiny!

We were all very impressed with the Tornado simulator!

How cool is that?!

Doing their best Weatherman impression.

We got to put our hands on pieces of machinery and different forms of communication from years past. Typewriters and even a Switchboard! 

Here, Tristan and I were learning about Braille and how people who can't see can read with their hands. We even got to fill out a card with our own braille words. It was so neat!

Our little servicemen.

We saw some truly amazing things.

Like this! This is a Humpback Whale Skull! We were able to talk about how big it was and how the fish that was able to swallow Jonah must have been huge like this fish was!

My handsome guys.

The last exhibit we went to before heading home was all about Egypt. Here we were watching how the sands move with the wind, covering up different artifacts or uncovering artifacts. 

We got to see a mummy (which we weren't allowed to take pictures of...) and we even got to build our very own Pyramid!

A small one... out of wooden blocks... but a pyramid non the less!

Tah-Dah!

And last but not least... Our last day of vacation... We got to see these two handsome men! And a whole slew of other family members!

My mom flew my brother and nephew (Jeff & Joel) in from FL to surprise my Dad for his birthday! They went to eat Mexican food (a family favorite) and to see a Ranger game (also a family favorite)!

But since they were in the state, we made plans to drive up and see them! We had a great visit with the family...

I love these guys.

We got to love on and get loved on by the Grands!

It should go without saying but we ate good! Just like we always do! :)

The boys liked Nana & Pawpaw's good cooking too!

Got to catch up on life.

And take a few pictures. It was the perfect way to end a wonderful week!

Well, that's it! That was our week of Family Vacation for 2011. We had such a great time together as a family and are just so blessed by God's goodness in all that we were able to do. Hope you enjoyed all the pictures!