Michael returns home from his mission - October 27, 2010

There are few things more joyful than a missionary reunion. I hold them right up there with babies being born and weddings! We were so excited for Michael to come home from his mission. We've been on a high for some time now. My parents were able to come for the wonderful event, and we had such a special time with them. Michael was as sweet and humble as ever as he arrived home. We are so grateful for him and feel so blessed to have him as our son. Thank you Michael for your incredible example!

The day after Michael came home, and was released as a missionary.

This was a happy, and yet emotional day – especially for Michael. He loved being a missionary so much, and it was hard for him to have his missionary badge removed. However, we enjoyed the day together. On the day Michael was released, Tanner's mission papers were sent in to Salt Lake. How great is that?

My braces are off

Unless you have had braces placed on your teeth as an adult (and a 50 year old adult at that) you won't quite understand the pain, frustration, and annoyance of braces.

However, I have paid my time (21 months) and they are OFF. It feels so good to smile again. It was a hard decision to get braces. Not only did we have to pay for them out of pocket, not only did it take up a lot of extra time (orthodontist appointments 45 minutes away, extra time flossing and caring for them), but they also really hurt, and I couldn't eat right.

Once my braces were off, I had to wear a clear retainer for 2 weeks, and that was not fun! I now just wear the retainer for 12 hours a day for 4 weeks, and then I'll wear them at night time for the rest of my life.

I am now on a bleach program. I have a week more to go. Hopefully my teeth will look even whiter in future pictures.
Here's some photos:

The first photo was taken on the day my braces came off. The second one was a few days after my braces were off, and the last one was taken a week ago at Pumpkinfest.

Trip to TEXAS- part 9

The day we left College Station was Jack's blessing date and Tanner's 19th birthday. We drove for about 20 hours straight through, and were exhausted when we arrived back home. However, we are so glad we were able to go. These are some of the finest moments of life!

Trip to College Station, TX - Part 8

More photos of Jack's blessing date, including one with all three of our grandchildren and us!

Trip to College Station, TX - part 7

Jack's blessing day. Jack wore the outfit Ryan, Jeffrey, Michael and Tanner wore. The white blanket he is wrapped in was made for Sarah when she was a baby!

It was just WONDERFUL!

Our trip to College Station, Texas - part 6

Our precious granddaughters and our awesome son Tanner!

Trip to TEXAS - Part 5

We lived in Austin for 7 years. We loved it there. We went to visit and had a blast. Laura Lee, Addie, Kate, and Tanner went with us. We went to Iron works in downtown Austin, walked down 6th street, visited our old home in Leander, I was able to visit with several old friends, and we got some photos of the girls in the cotton fields!

Visiting Texas A & M - Part 4

Visiting the campus of Texas A & M was great fun!

Trip to Texas - Part 3

Jack is simply beautiful!

Trip to Texas - Part 2

It was so special to hold Jack!

Trip to Texas - Part 1

I arrived in Texas in August 2010 to see our first grandson Jack William Davis for the first time. There's just nothing like being in the presence of a newborn who is so fresh from God - who is your very own grandchild!

Ryan and Jack's baby pictures compared

Jack William Davis




Jack reminds me of what Ryan looked like as a baby. It's been fun to compare photos. I think Jack has Sarah's eyes and he raises his one eyebrow just like her. It's so cool. Anyway.. I get a kick out of this all!


Here's two more:







baby Jack











Ryan as a baby

Kate's One Year Old Birthday

William, Tanner and I were able to drive to Cincin "Addie" for Kate's birthday. She was so precious and adorable. She couldn't quite figure out all the attention she was getting from us.

Laura Lee made white cupcakes with white frosting, and a chocolate cake called "Too much chocolate cake" for Kate's birthday. Her parents gave her "a choice" between the two, and Kate went for the white cupcake first, which made Marc happy.

Kate was a grinning girl most of the day.

Highlight of the day included:

#1. Kate especially loved me holding on to her hands while she walked around her home.

#2. I rocked Kate to sleep at church and held her in my arms. That was precious too.

#3. Laura Lee made an awesome chicken stir fry dinner over brown rice which we all devoured.

It was wonderful to sit around the table and have a meal together.

#4. I so enjoyed playing with Addie (with Kate's new toys), reading stories to Addie, and talking to her. She amazes me with her memory.

Harder moments of the day included:

#1. I rammed into the curb, when parking at Laura Lee's home, and busted the wall of a tire. It went totally flat before we left for church. William had to change the tire in his Sunday clothes.

#2. Being quite tired on the drive home.

I'm in LOVE!

Some of the most tender feelings I've ever had are when I've fallen in love with a new baby. Babies are so fresh from heaven, perfect, and pure. In fact, in the close up picture of Jack (below), he reminds me of an angel.

On the night of Jack's birth, my evening prayer consisted of pure gratitude for the birth of this little boy.

I feel overwhelmed with God's love, with His plan, and with His trust. I rejoice at the opportunity to be the grandmother of this little boy, and consider myself blessed beyond anything I deserve.

Congratulations Ryan and Sarah. You will be wonderful parents. As I thumbed through Ryan's baby pictures, and baby things, I found some wonderful things. I found baby photos of him, which look a lot like Jack. I found a hospital bill totaling $366.05 for the birth of Ryan and $14.00 for Ryan's stay in the hospital nursery. (Mind you, I purposefully made it as cheap as I could because we were so poor.) The doctor's whole medical bill for pregnancy check-ups and delivery was $495.00. A lot of things have changed in less than 30 years!

I also found the birth announcement we sent for Ryan. I will enclose it, along with photos of Ryan as a baby, in my next blog.

For now, enjoy the photos of Jack. He is so precious!

Jack William Davis

born: 8/9/10

weight: 8 lbs.

height: 22 inches

born in: Bryan, Texas

Golf Lessons

I signed up for golf classes in June. I've always wanted to take golf lessons, and this was my opportunity - even though they began right before my dance recital.

They were offered through our local YMCA where I teach classes. The cost was cheap, and the lesson offered were group lessons. I had fun, but didn't know WHAT I WAS DOING! I was the only beginner, and the game is so much more complicated than I had imagined.

I followed up my group lessons with 4 semi-private lessons. They were even BETTER. Our teacher was excellent, and he really helped me improve. The cost was decent, and he was patient and helpful.

Last night I received a private lesson, because my co-partner couldn't make our last class. It helped me improve my game quite a bit.

Here's the problem. I haven't played a game of golf yet. Is all I do is go practice my swing at the driving range, go practice putts, and practice my short game.

Now that I'm more comfortable, I think I'll now go PLAY a game of golf. I have someone who's offered to go with me. I now know why so many people get addicted to it. In order to get really good at golf, you have to practice ALL THE TIME. I've decided I'm not at that stage of life yet...

so for now I'll just putter around.

Arrowhead Golf Course - where I practice, and soon will play a round of golf!