Life with my sister

She hugs the side of the pool as though she is going to die, just like I used to do. We walked to the pool together. This is what we looked like ( minus me) I love Sambo's shirt and Anna's little prissy self, as usual. Yes, D & D are absent from these pictures. They were at their baseball trophy presentation. Some things are just more important than swimming...like a trophy! Daniel said he plays baseball just to get a trophy. Smart kid, he is. I wish I had taken a picture of Anna when we got a snowcone Saturday night. She loves to put on any old thing to play around the house. She had on a shirt that had fruit type images all over it and a pair of multicolored striped leggings. She was looking good, let me tell ya. It was so funny. She could not find her hot pink flip-flops so she got in the van with her pink and purple rubber boots on over her leggings. It was a sight to see. She is never short on entertainment. Abby

Last night Abby called to say that she was going to get to come for David's baptism. I was so exicted!! Molly, Randall's stepmom and a friend of ours from Augusta, called and offered to foot Abby's gas bill so she could come and represent the two of them. What a wonderful gift. Not only to Abby but I think more so for David. Aunt Abby will be there for his special day and it will be because of Molly who has loved him since he was 6 months old. Thanks Molly!!! Change of subject: Yesterday at the pool Daniel was sitting beside me and broke our silence with this bit of wisdom "Mom, do you think the 9 foot end is the shallow end to God?" I hope he always realizes that God is bigger than anything. ANYTHING! He always has been and He always will be. Amen! Julie

Hey everyone! The pool is open and we are so excited about it!!! Monday was the big day, and the kids started asking "how long until we swim" at 7:05. Well, it didn't open until 1:00! So it was 6 hours of asking and me telling them to go look at the clock. I was so ready for the pool to open. This year I bought a new sunscreen. It said it was a clear no-rub spray . I thought this was the greatest idea. Last year I had a pump spray sunscreen that I had to rub in on each of the children, but this one didn't require rubbing it in. I was so excited!!I sprayed it on everyone and we all had a great time. David and Daniel got sunburned on their shoulders but it wasn't bad. Tuesday we went to the pool, I sprayed on the clear no-rub spray and realized that I was out. OUT! I had used it 3 times. It cost $7.00!!! I didn't have any left for the 3:00 reapply. Imagine my dismay!!! You see, I have a history of getting sunburned. It is one of the things Stephen remembers vivi...

May 25, 2008-A great day in our family. David was saved yesterday. We are so excited! After church yesterday he told Stephen he was ready to be saved. So when we got home they talked. Stephen asked him questions to know if he was really ready. They read scripture so that David would know what the Bible said about salvation and baptism. And then David repented of his sins and prayed that Jesus would become the Lord of his life. What a precious moment. We have been praying for this since David was kicking the daylights out of my right side, and causing me all sorts of unnecessary pain while I was so lovingly carrying him so that he would be a healthy baby. And that prayer has been answered. YAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stephen will get the honor and privilege of baptising him Sunday morning. With gas prices being as high as they are, some of our family will be unable to attend. We will miss them at this wonderdful moment for David, but we will still celebrate this awesome occasion. For m...

These are the words I just spoke to my overworked husband, as he came to the back door covered in sweat wanting water. God love that man! Pray for his strength, if he happens to cross your mind in the coming weeks. He is burning the wick at both ends and I am so proud of him, yet exhausted for him. Well, it has been a while since I posted. Life is moving in fast forward and I don't always have access to a computer or Internet. In fact, not sure when I will have it after today. So, be prepared to be reading all about Jules because there will be very little of me for a while. Don't be sad...I will be back! Last week we found a tiny little new townhouse to rent month to month until we decide on a house. The owner was nice enough to not make us sign a lease. Anyway, our house has not been shown in over two weeks and that is a huge thorn in the ole rump, as you can imagine. We live about 20 miles from Memfricia and we fear the gas prices are keeping people from looking out in the s...

We have been dreading this day since the end of last year. Ethan, Samuel's best friend in town, and his family have been called to be missionairies in South America. When we first found out about their impending move we didn't tell Samuel, knowing that it would break his heart. And we were right, it broke his heart. Samuel knows about moving, he has moved 4 times in his 10 years, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with. He also knows about moving where God has called you, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with when you are 10. Last weekend we had to drive past moving trucks at Ethan's house and that made all of us sad. They are moving to another town in state for a year before they leave for their mission assignment. But since this is the last week of school, after they moved all their possesions to their temporary home, they came back here for a few days for us to enjoy them. Ethan has been playing at our house last week and spent his last night ...

My heart is so heavy and sad right now. The daughter of one of our favorite singers was killed yesterday in a tragic accident. Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year old daughter was hit in their driveway by her older brother. I cannot imagine the agony they are experiencing at this time, the loss of their daughter and the pain and suffering of their son. I can imagine God's love for them at this time though. He is loving them and pulling them close to His side. For those of you who don't know who SCC is, he is a most wonderful Christian musician. Stephen sang one of his songs to me at our wedding, we have seen him in concert a couple of times(the Memphis trip is a most memorable one). His songs never fail to speak to me. His song Cinderella is popular right now and in fact is on our playlist . Anna calls it "my song" . If you are so inclined, pray for the Chapman family. www.thepreachers-wife.blogspot.com has a wonderful post concerning this. Go over and read it, it...

As you know from reading this, my life is in the heat of transition. Thank goodness My Rand is here to walk with me as God leads us on the wildest journey we have been on in our six years together. To many, my Rand comes across as reserved and a tad bit jaded...and maybe sarcastic. Let me tell ya, it is all an act. For those of you who really know him, you know he is never short on humor. He is also very sensitive to others needs, aware, intelligent, disciplined, not afraid to break a sweat, most loving, convicted, and the best money manger I know. I am always in the bed before him each night catching a quick read. When he comes to bed, he checks his alarm 2 times. On the 2nd time, he leaves whatever song is on the station (it is hip-hop music, most of the time) and turns it up and then we have Dance Party . We see who can dance the fastest and the best. It is hilarious and it usually results in someone running into one of the 4 posters or knocking a knee on the side frame of the bed. ...

I know, it seems like every thing I write is about Miss Anna. But as I was pondering that, I realized that it isn't as fun to write about the things 10 year olds and 7 year olds do as it is 4 year olds . So, I am telling you a few more things about Miss Anna. I may have mentioned it a few times, but not lately I'm pretty sure, Miss Anna has been a booger to potty train. We have been at this for 1 year and 4 months. We have done everything we knew to do. We took advice from loved ones, strangers, books, and our own imaginations and nothing worked. Well, 2 weeks ago, something "clicked" in her little head and she has had 1 accident in 2 weeks! HALLELUJAH !!!! I tried not to act too excited but I can hardly keep from screaming at the top of my lungs. Ya'll this has been a L-O-N-G battle, and I thought for sure I had lost. But (as we Davis girls know) we never back down from a fight. Unfortunately , Miss Anna is also a Davis girl, so we were both in it for the long...

Another reason why I am glad we have moved to Jonesboro , Diana & Rick (read past post). They are our "People". (The "People" is an elite group, in case you are unaware of this special label. It is good to be "People". You have to be family to be "People".). Leaving Memfricia has meant leaving lots of "People" and that makes us sad. Having Diana & Rick close makes the move a little easier. These precious "People" farm about an hour from here and come into town to shop, eat, etc. We will get to see them a lot more and that makes my heart ever so happy! Diana is one of my most faithful blog readers and one of my most favorite people. She loves me like crazy and doesn't have to and I like that a lot ! She is into her sewing these days and has already made our future baby (AND NO, I am NOT pregnant) the cutest blankets, lovies , bibs, etc. She just bought an embroidery machine too....I can hardly wait! We share a lo...

My heart is full today as I sit in our waiting room (our corporate apt) as we move forward in our new life in J'boro. My hubby came home to a home cooked meal at a normal time tonight and I got to eat lunch with my Mama's dear old friend and our neighbor, Sue and her daughter, Kelly. I love that when we saw one another we smiled and hugged like 25 years had not seperated us. The first thing Mrs. Sue mentioned was the memory of me crawling in her hubby's lap when I was little, laying my head on his chest, putting my thumb in my mouth and grabbing his ear lobe. (If you did not know me as a small child...I loved earlobes!) It is so nice to have history with someone in a new place. It is also a real nice comfort to know that my only friends here know my background, my "people", my faith and love that I am here. I am also SO proud Mrs. Sue was aware of my love for the lime wedge from reading this blog and looks forward to making room for a lime in her kitchen for me! ...

Is my sister the best or what? She has added music, and she has outdone herself. Turn your speakers up and enjoy!!!! I love these songs. They bring such fun memories to mind. Memories of driving to Memphis with Abby, of Daddy singing "my" song(Julie, Do you love me?), of high school, of singing with my mom, of singing loudly in the car. Memories of just how much Abby loved Lionel Richie! It is amazing what music can do. It can transport you right back to the time when you first heard the song. It can put you in the same mood you were in then, even if it was over 23 years ago. The song One Touch by Nicole C. Mullen is my new favorite song. It is about the story in the Bible that talks about the woman who had had an issue of blood for many years. She had enough faith to go into a crowd of people where Jesus was, because she believed that Jesus had enough power that if she just touched His clothing she would be healed. Can you even imagine the faith that took? When she touche...

Nothing like it in a 250 square foot apartment with one window, thanks to a real fine furnished microwave. The cleaning lady is due any minute and I know she is going to love my aroma today! (She better mop this week or she is really going to be loving the angry side of me) Oh me, $1,300 a month for this fine living space, I might add. Can you tell I am a bit bitter about the space and the price?! Oh yeah, I am not paying for it so why Should I care, but I do. I am a nice, honest person, I reckon. I just know my house note is cheaper than this and that just seems a bit insane to me when I compare the two. (my microwave also doesn't burn popcorn) I am enjoying the journey, none the less. Yesterday was a test all day. Poor Rand helped me pass the test with a good pep talk last night when he got home (Yes, we are trying to refer to this place as home). I am glad I am on this road with him. This morning I found a Walmart gift card with $21 on it in my wallet from something I returned ...

This cutie appeared on my back porch. He was enjoying the smell behind his ears while he weed- eated . Wouldn't Granny be proud? My Rand planted a rose bush for me when we moved into our house 4 years ago. It is an Oklahoma Rose (He tells people I am from Oklahoma. It is a cruel joke and so it was most fitting it be the name of my rose bush). It has never done much or been much of a beaut. We came to our summer home (we now refer to our house in Mississippi as our summer home ) this week from J'Boro and it looks like it has been on steroids! It is huge and the whole yard smells like roses. Why is it that it decided to get all pretty and big when we are in the process of relocating?! So, par for our course, really. (If truth were to be told...I think my card carrying Chemical Boy spilled something not available in stores in the yard last fall and caused the recent rose growth spurt.) This is officially the last time to do yard work in Mississippi . We thought last time w...

Happy Mothers Day! My day started before 7:00. The boys all came in my room with cards. David and Daniel made their cards, and Samuel bought his card (but forgot to sign it, I didn't say anything, no need to make him feel bad.) They bought me a purse last week at a yard sale down the street. It had never been used, so it was in excellent condition and they got it for only 50 cents, so it was quite a deal. I will take it to church with me today. It is cute green paisley and you know how I love paisley!!! After the presents and cards were over with, Daniel came back in the room with a tie around his neck, a towel over his arm and his civil war hat on and wanted to know what I wanted for breakfast-these were my choices: cereal, poptart , or marshmallows . I chose cereal with a side of marshmallow . I mean how could I turn down marshmallows for breakfast?! My plate came and I got 4 marshmallows -I hit the mother load!!! Have you ever eaten cereal while there are pickles on your plat...

National Scrapbook Day 2003 We love you the Biggest much! Thanks for being our beautiful, strong, God-fearing mother. Mama, I love you tons - Abby Jo Mom, I love you more than Abby does - Julia Kathryn Kathy replies, "Oh girls, quit it!!! No need to fight over the love!"

My Iris' are beautiful this year. The fertilizer and rain have made them multiply. I hope someone falls in love with them soon and wants them for their own. Scrapbooking Easter pictures, makes me all hippity-hoppity inside. I am doing an Easter album like some do Christmas albums. I am taking an Easter subject and writing a page about it and putting a few pics (new and old) on the page, the Easter dress, The Easter eggs, The Easter egg hunt, The Easter basket, the Easter lunch, and of course my famous 2007 Easter wreck. The trash fairy makes my life so much easier. My neighbor, Mr. Garry, has been taking my trash down the drive (the 100 yard driveway made of gravel, I might add...Whew!) and bringing it back up for about a month now. I love that! I will miss that man. Peterson's rocks! It is a dump/hole in the wall in J'boro that is a overstock/flea market type place and I love it! I got gift bags with tissue in them for 30 cents and a groovy pair of earrings for a $1. Buys ...

By nature I am a planner, an organizer and a typical Type A person. Right now I am living in a world where I would be foolish to plan and being organized while living in 2 places is near impossible. Yes, I could resort to having panic attacks, fits of rage, or even curl up in a ball and suck my thumb, but I am not resorting to any of that. God's grace is sufficient enough for me and His will is perfect. As I sit at this beautiful state park in the middle of a work day, in this new place I will soon call home, I am thanking God for this perfect day. No one looked at my house today, no house was found here for us to call home, no one called me for an interview and no new jobs came up on the radar. Yet I sit at this park with a notebook, a pen and perfect peace and thank God for this perfect day. I quote Phil 1:6 and look forward to tomorrow! Abby

I was sitting here and came up with a few things I thought would be fun to share. ** David just asked Daniel if he wanted to play outside. This is how the conversation went: "David, want to go play outside?" Did you get that? David called Daniel David-his own name! I don't feel nearly as bad as I usually do when I call them the wrong name! ** My ipod has these songs/ CD's on it: WOW-the 90's disc 1 and 2 Dallas Holm -The Early Works Sanctuary-Michael English Phillips Craig and Dean-Let the Worshippers Arise Steven Curtis Chapman-All About Love Sunday!-Tree63 (what does that name mean?) 3 songs from Newworldson (who I happen to think is the funnest group right now!) David Crowder Band ** My ipod will soon have these songs on it: Chicago 17 ( I absolutely cannot wait for this!!!!) Heart from 1985 (oh, the memories) Boston-More than a Feeling (oh my goodness-the memories!!) ** I think from the above two items I am indeed a child of the 80's and might need t...

I was checking some blogs I like to read today and noticed that the last time we posted anything was Wednesday and that is just too long (that and Chip telling me that it had been a while!). So I shall come up with something funny and amusing to share with you. Today I was getting the kool -aid mustache off of Anna's upper lip(put plain ol ' toothpaste on a wet washcloth and rub, and it miraculously comes off-amazing!!), apparently I was rubbing a little too hard because she said "Don't rub my head off or Jesus will have to give me a new head!" She gives Jesus a lot of credit for things I'm not so sure He wants credit for. Like the other day when I told her to go to the bathroom and she told Samuel that Jesus hadn't put any poop in her. I realize that Jesus is awesome and capable of anything but Anna might just be pressing her luck there! While we are on the subject of Jesus, let me share with you about our seniors this year. Our church held a banquet for...