Smiles

This is my favorite time of the year!

Give thanks with a grateful heart

This is one of my favorite Christian song titles and it is so fitting at Thanksgiving and I should learn to apply it to my everyday life.


* For example - On the messy days I should be thankful to have a house to clean and three kids and a husband to mess it up. On the "ain't got no money" days I should be thankful that I have a steady job to know that eventually there will be another payday. For the days that I have laundry to do and to put up I should be thankful that we have enough of a wardrobe that I don't have to do it any more often than I do and that we have a washer and dryer to do it in. On the irritable days I should be happy that I have people in my life that I love enough to let irritate me one minute and cause me to smile the next.


* This Thanksgiving has been a great one. We went to my Mamaw's for lunch where we stopped drama in her tracks (it's a long story), enjoyed lunch and family and then on to Jared's Mamaw's where we crafted some small snowmen and watched the Cowboys win. Now, I am in my room with the door closed while the boys watch the A&M vs. UT football game and I have put my shopping ads down long enough to reflect on the things that I most thankful for on the best and worst of days.




I aM tHaNkFuL fOr:
1.) My husband of 12 years and his willingness to put up with me and love me in spite of it all. He is also a wonderful daddy who gives hugs and kisses to the kids all the time but is also willing to help with the discipline.
2.) My oldest son, Clayson, and his independence, his humor and his persistence (most of the time).
3.) My middle child, Trey, and his sensitive/sincere personality, his humor and his great hugs.
4.) My youngest child, Ashlyn, and her craftiness, independence and her ability to always make us laugh.
5.) All of my kids are healthy and for the part of my heart that will always belong to them.
6.) My mom and dad are so amazing. They are always there for me and I could not make it without them!
7.) My brother and the fact that he talks to me. (There were many years where we just did not have much in common.) He's also a good uncle to my kiddos.
8.) My grandparents mean the world to me. They set the best examples by living their life the way that they do. They have helped me "raise" all of my kids when I started working and helped with me as a little girl. They are my rock.
9.) My aunts, uncles, cousins are so much fun to be around and always make me smile.
10.) My inlaws are wonderful and also help us out in many ways. They are so much fun to be around.
11.) Last, but not least, my wonderful groups of friends. They are always there for me, always offer encouragement, are fun to talk to and hang out with and when all else fails they always have a shoulder and a smile waiting for me.


This list could go on and on and there are so many things that I could add to each list. I am thankful for the life that I have and the people that are in it.


Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the holy one, give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ his son.

I am thankful for Jesus.

Here is the video of the song, I encourage you to listen to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBpv-ZzcQD8

Reflecting

Evidently Desperate Housewives is not coming on tonight, so blogging it shall be.

Clayson turned 11 last Wednesday and it is so hard to believe. My first born, the baby I could not wait to have is approaching teenage years. We won't think about that... He is so grown up and I think it is due to the fact that he and Trey are close in age. Clayson was "forced" to grow up and be a big boy at the ripe old age of 17 months, the day he became a big brother. Of course, I did not realize it then and it took years to realize that he did not get to be a baby/ only child long. I don't regret any of it because I wouldn't trade those precious moments or precious baby boys for the world.

Thinking back over the past 11 years I remember that as a baby Clayson was spoiled rotten - all I wanted to do was sit and hold him. (He slept on our bed until he was 7.) As a toddler, he was a biter. I babysat kids and he always bit one sweet little girl on the cheek. It was a habit I could not force him to break and it was so hard to deal with. As a child he always idolized his daddy and wanted to do whatever he did. He had a strong infatuation with tractors for the longest time. Now, as a big kid, he is so independent and still worships his daddy. He loves to hunt and is into name-brand clothes. He smiled big when he got the Abercrombie shirts from his daddy and I for his birthday - back in the day he would have been furious to unwrap shirts and they would be tossed to the side. It's evident that he is growing up and I can't believe just how fast.

On to weekend news... while the boys are away, the girls will play. Jared and the boys went to Abilene to hunt all weekend. Ashlyn and I had some good times with friends and family. On Friday night we went with some friends to CiCi's and then on to Southern Junction. She and Corbin had a blast on the dance floor. We got there early and left early before the family restaurant turned into a nightclub. Here are some pictures of Ashlyn in action.

Saturday, we went to Mamaw's to make Christmas candy. This is a yearly event that I cherish. Here is Ashlyn licking the spoon- when did I get too old to do that?!

Today we have been to church, watched the Cowboy game, looked through the pictures that my friend Allison took, took a short nap and went back to church for the Thanksgiving dinner. It has been a great weekend. I just wish we were out of school all week like some other cool schools!

giddy up

Whoa! I was ready to grab the reins on Friday to get a grasp on what had become my life: football practice and games, a birthday party to plan for, numerous school trainings, Christmas things to do and a house that needed some attention from more than the broom. Most days I can handle the pressure and then there are days where I become so overwhelmed that none of my thoughts make sense. I was almost to that point when I decided to shop instead of think Friday after work. I love retail therapy - it's my favorite form of stress relief. After being out of the classroom 4 days out of 9; three days a week of football since August, a birthday party that had to have times adjusted due to an unexpected football game, the realization that I need to write my infamous Christmas letter, buy loads of Christmas gifts, schedule pictures with Allison and a house that needed cleaned before the birthday party - my week could have easily spiraled out of control but I refused to let that happen. Here's how:

* I had great subs who kept things/ students orderly and productive. This made it easy to come back to work on Friday and keep things moving. Shout out to those three ladies.

* Football is FINALLY over as of Saturday. I love that Clayson plays football and is becoming a great player but Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are days we need back for all of the other things that might fill those nights - or at least for earlier bedtimes and a day of rest on the weekend.

* Clayson's birthday party was scheduled for 4:30 Saturday but when our playoff game was to be played at 3:15, the party was moved to 6:00 on the coldest night of the season. There were 12 kids (9 boys/ 3 girls) - theme was football - food was concession stand items (nachos, chili dogs, pickles and drinks) - activities included football, musical chairs (I insisted), the ChaCha, chocolate cupcakes smeared on faces, and a condensed/ altered 5th grade version of the Cupid Shuffle. Shout out to Cindy Huff and the dad for helping me make it through this three hour 11th birthday crusade.

* The Christmas letter is in my thoughts, I have found some cool things to get people for Christmas but still have a long list to do and to decide upon and I have pictures with Allison on Thursday. I hope she can work her magic on my picture-hating- boys.

* The house has been cleaned but will need an additional cleaning on Tuesday afternoon because Bunco is here Tuesday night. I failed to mention that earlier.

So, that's the low down on this past week and weekend. I slowed the lifehorse down and made it through :0)

Here are some pictures of the barrel race :)

5th grade boys doing Cupid Shuffle - not quite like I taught them

the party crowd

the birthday boy

can't forget Ashlyn Brooke

*disclaimer: I do not know where the horse theme came from. My mind works in mysterious ways.

weeekend *wows*

I had an incredible weekend - no, we didn't go to Cozumel or anything like that. Good things happen in the Crandall/Combine area from time to time. Let the good times roll...

* Friday night one of my A friends with two little A girls came over for some girl time. The J friend with her circus wasn't able to make it and we missed them dearly. Clayson had a friend over so they dominated the upstairs while the girls ruled downstairs. (Trey and Jared were hunting.) Allison and I just sat back and relaxed with our laptops - we've gotten a little nerdy in our thirties. We enjoyed some old pasttimes and laughed a lot. The girls were excellent and it was such a great night for everyone.

* Saturday morning started off bright and early with Clayson and his friend up at the crack of dawn (6a.m.) wanting to make breakfast and coffee. I told him not to bother me until 9:00 so I got a couple more hours of rest - but no sleep. Instead, I fed my new addiction of making digital photo books. There are some things you don't have to get out of bed for.

Saturday afternoon we went to Clayson's football game and they let him run the ball for the first time and he scored a 40 yard touchdown. I knew he could do it if he was given the chance. I was the happiest mom in the stands! And, Clayson was the happiest player on the field. He needed that boost of self-confidence. I just can't tell you how much it made my face and my heart smile to see this football dream come true for him.

Saturday night was dinner with my other group of friends. (I have been accused of having different groups of friends...) We ended up where we always do, at Texas Roadhouse. We made lists and checked them twice. We laughed and we probably disturbed those around us but we were oblivious. We were just glad to be having a girl's night. After dinner we came back to my house for some laughs and more "intelligent" conversations.

* Sunday I got up and met my mom and kids at church. After church it was time to work on lesson plans and grade papers for the end of the second six weeks. This year is flying by. I've got great students and that makes for great days on the job.

While fixing taco soup, the kids and I practiced the Cha Cha and the Cupid Shuffle. We haven't laughed and had this much fun in a long time. We are gearing up for Clayson's big birthday bash this weekend. Football, music and food - it's gonna be a good one - Davis style.

Clayson had a make-up game from the Ike storms so we were back at the Pirate stadium last night. It was cold - the perfect football weather. He got the ball late in the 4th quarter and scored again! Go #44, you are our hero!!

It was a great weekend and I look forward to the next one. It's fall and I'm happy to see it outside my windows :)

a few words

Obviously the outcome was not one I had hoped for during yesterday's election. It saddens me to think of the uncertainty our nation now faces. Our preacher used this scripture in the 2000 controversial election and it's something I cling to for our nation's future.


Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1



The only thing that will get us through is knowing that God truly is in control and this is just one more piece of His big picture. We may not understand, we may not agree but we must keep the faith and make HIM famous.



It is my American duty to honor the President and it is my Christian duty to honor my God.

*I'm Stephanie Davis and I approve this message.*

Personally speaking...

We have a big night in store for us and I wish I had brought home an electoral map to color. I'll grade papers and tune in to the

results all night long. It's gonna be a long night, could be scary at times but we have to know that the electoral college in Heaven already knows what's going to happen and who's going to lead this great nation for the next four years. I am not extremely knowledgeable about the economic crisis or the socialistic downfalls but I am certain that our country needs to be lead by a Christian. Despite all the big issues, this has to be the biggest of them all - in my personal opinion. We do not want our children growing up in a nation that has forgotten the Bible, a nation where anything goes - gay marriage, partial birth abortions, etcetera or a nation that could nominate someone as President with their birth country and religous stance truly unknown. Seven years after 9-11 it amazes me that someone with the name Barack Hussein Obama is even on the ballot. Have we forgotten? And about the war - if military heroes would vote for John McCain because he has been there, done that and spends time with them why would anyone else even be considered? I doubt our military is thinking more of the government spending than the freedom and safety that is at stake. Some vote for Obama because he is against the war which virtually means let's undo all that has been done and many lives were lost for nothing. I hope he can live with that decision.

I pray that this election leads our great country in the right direction because we need Christ in the White House.