Christmas 2009

This may have been the only picture I took this year with the Christmas tree. Camerone, Connor and Katelyn live dow the street and come over frequently to play with Braden. He has really grown to like them and is always so happy when them come to the door.

I had to act quick to get this photo and luckly I caught Braden with a bit of a smile.

Thanksgiving in North Carolina

We had a great time in North Carolina at the Zellers. Good to see Mom Davis too, she flew down from Mass. We were also able to see Gabe and Alejandras' new baby Gabriella.
I'm picking up tips from Susan on her table decorating skills... very nice!

trying to keep warm on the sideline, with a soccer ball. Braden, wishing he was big enough to play football with daddy

Time to burn off those Thanksgiving calories!

Halloween 2009

Nice Job!! and so scary

Carving the pumkin version of Harry Potters "lord Voldemort"

Braden as Winnie the Pooh 2009

Nathan, Seth and Braden. How cute can three boys be.

Rainy Visit

A break in the rain gave us a chance to visit the

home of "Gone With The Wind" Author Margrett Mitchell

Last year the news reporters spoke of a 3 year drought that had the lakes in Georgia all but dried up. After last week I'd say, "thank goodness". Georgia had more rain than I have witnessed in all my 37 years of life. Sadly 8 people lost their lives by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was also a good time to survey the leaks in the basement, which took me by surprise when I spotted not only water dripping through but an entire branch of a tree. "What"! I say, it even had leaves on it. "How is this possible"?? "A tree growing through my basement wall, this can't be good". Turns out, it was part of the ivy that's growing up the house and one of the vines found it's way into a crack in the wall. Sneaky little suckers!Mom just missed the flood but she had plenty of rain while she was here. How much fun can one have with buckets of rain and a tight budget. That leaves us with the Margret Mitchell House (author of Gone with The Wind) and the Cyclorama. The Cyclorama is a gy-normus painting of the civil war. Pretty awesome really but I did get dizzy on the turn about. Not sure if anyone else did and I didn't want to be a damper so I didn't say anything. Not to mention my little bundle of energy who has now mastered his outside voice in quiet settings. Now I know what it's like to be gawked at by piercing eyes who haven't been there and sympathised by those who know what I'm going through.

Bradens 1st Birthday / Part One

Just a little spoiled this day but that's what birthdays are for.

Someday you will love all this attention!!

Greg's brother Gerald and family came over to have a family birthday party for Braden. It's so great to have them close by for all the holidays!

Mommy and Braden admiring Nanny's one cake.

Braden with sister Emma

Bradens 1st Birthday / Part Two

We tried to get the boys to sit in front of the picture.... yeah right!

Two of Bradens best friends Seth and Nathan were at his birthday party.

Happy 1st Birthday boogie man. We love you so much!

Precious Moments

It used to be so easy
I’d get all that I need.

I didn’t have to wake up
until I felt complete.

Now is a different story,
there’s reason to arise.
He wakes me every morning,
with a sparkle in his eyes.

How can I be so grumpy
when I see his shining face.
A smile that melts my heart,
and puts me in my place.

So wipe away the sleepers,
this time is not my own.
These are the precious moments,
before my boy is grown.

By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
7/17/2009
I wrote this one morning as I was laying in bed trying to get a few more winks of sleep, while Braden was playing on the bedroom floor. Watching him play and roll around my heart melted knowing this is for such a limited time and soon he will grow and be on his way. We are truly blessed to have him in our home!

Fine Words

Hearing what sounds good,
where fine words take me away
will I still remember
when sorrow comes my way.

Give me hope … give me faith
just let me stay here in this place.
Tell me fine words that wont go away
So I can remember to act and to pray.

I have a dream of what I may be,
though who can say what His will is for me.
To know the end is not in the plan
to help me learn patience and know that He can.

So give me hope … give me faith
Life… will sure be better that way.
No matter what the end may be,
to know that He loves me is all that I need

Fine words I seek to lead the way …
and bring me through a sorrowful day.


By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
1/20/2008

I had just confirmed that I was pregnant when I wrote this. I was filled with worry because of my previous complication with getting pregnant and keeping the pregnancy. My greatest desire was to be a mother but time was slipping by and hope was hard to hold on to. For a week I had the impression to call brother Johnston in our ward for a Priesthood blessing. Finally I made the call and when I hung up the phone it was as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders and that everything was going to be all right. He came over and gave me a blessing that told me that I would carry this baby to full term. Looking back I should have been more at peace and had faith in the blessing but I was still very worried for the next few months.

Important

Be important, don’t throw it away.
Find out what it takes,
for you to mark your stay.

What have you to give,
what have you to say?
If it's not important then just go away.

Be important, don’t throw it away,
Living life so smartly, every single day.
If your not important and have nothing cool to say.
Why are you still standing here your getting in my way.

If you ever wonder,
why you’re born that way.

Don’t let yourself give into it
its only called mind-play!


By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
1/20/2008


I wrote this over a year ago so it’s hard to remember what exactly was going through my mind at the time. I think I was being facetious at the way people like to think that they are so much better than other people. On the other hand, I could look at this now and see that we are important and the way we live our life is very important too. So this poem can have two very different meanings depending on how you look at it at the time.

Hilton Head

In hopes of having summer fun,
We drove all day to see the sun.

A new island to explore,
We spent most the day on the shore.

Nice place, I must say.
Only watch for the bikers,
They get in the way.

First time surfing a wave,
No fear at all, the boy is brave.

Keeping the sand out of his hand,
A few shells made it to never-land.

Sisters helping keep the peace,
Surely put my mind at ease.

Movie night with anticipation,
Harry Potters a hit to top our vacation

On the road heading home,
With sand in our hair and wearing sea-foam

We sang and we ate and had a good time,
We thank you to dad and his magical dime!


By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
7/16/2009

I wrote this on the car drive home from our vacation. Just wanting something to do, I thought I would write down what we did in rhymes.

Who Knew

One…. One …. One …. One …..
Count the days till life begun.
Sitting on my ….. who knew it was up to me.
Who knew about victory….

Awake now and Im understanding,
theres a bigger life for demanding.
Or what the heck is all this for.
It's time to fix the score,

cuz I am walking through the door.
Who knew it was up to me….
Who knew … now I see.

Choices…. each day ….. how big …. no one can say.
Only one way to find the truth, am I effecting my youth
Be like a child …. they say… innocence is the way.
Who knew …. it was up to me
Who knew about victory.

Awake now and I’m understanding,
there’s a bigger life for demanding.
Who knew it was up to me…
Who knew it was up to me….
My life…. has possibility…
Because I decide that it’s up to me…


By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
1/19/2008

This was my first attempt at writing something. Not really sure what it is, song/poem but I think the point is pretty clear. I was inspired to write something after talking to my brother Steve and he was talking about his music. I thought “I want to write something too”

He's a Walking Boy

It's been almost a year now and Braden is growing so big. On July 5th (10months) he took his first steps to Greg and I and his sisters Emma and Hannah. He's feeling more and more confident on his feet but he's had quite a few spills too. Charlie (our dog) is having to move quicker to get away from him now.

Gardening Woes

So I went on vacation to Hilton Head South Carolina and when I returned my garden was in total ruin. Something went to town on all the ripe okra and green beans. Such a disappointment to see all my work go to the birds. I bet they're just sitting up in the trees saying "wow she's doing a great job this year, we're gonna have a feast". Next year I'm getting a Scare Crow!

Hilton Head SC

In hopes of having summer fun,

we drove all day to see the sun.

A new island to explore,

we spent most the day on the shore.

Nice place, I must say,

only watch of the bikers, they get in the way.

First time surfing a wave,

no fear at all the boy is brave.

Keeping the sand out of his hand,

a few shells made it to never-land.

Sisters helping keep the peace,

surley put my mind at ease.

Movie night with anticipation,

Harry Potters a hit, to top our vacation.

On the road heading home with sand in hair and wearing sea-foam.

We sang, we ate and had a good time,

we thank you to dad and his magical dime!

By: Kristen Davis

Squeaky

Do you feel proud that you squeak when you walk.
Is this how you like to live, to cheap to hear me talk.

You have all the answers to your master plan,
How can I measure up to the cards in your hand.

Is this why you came here, to grind us with your feet,
A land of new beginnings as long as it is cheap.

I should have seen this coming when a contract there was none,
I should have been more watchful at the figures to be spun.

Another lesson learned but likely not the last,
It’s time to carry on and put the squeaker in the past!!!

By: Kristen Lorraine Davis
7/19/2009

Fathers Day

Emma and Hannah made a nice dinner and coconut cake for desert.

Braden and Daddy on their first fathers day.

Braves-V-Yankees

First baseball game.... Go Braves!

Bradens' first bike ride

This video is so cute because clearly Braden is too young to be on a bike at only 8 months. Greg is always so excited to introduce him to new things that sometimes we jump the gun as we did here.

Intervention

The power that you hold is stronger than my own.
You are the great divide between the actions that I’ve sewn.

How did I let you in you creep just like a snake.
My life is set aside for these drugs I must take.

If only for a moment you take me from this place.
I give you all my power to free me from disgrace.

A solitary world the days turn into years.
The lines I see before me exposing all my fears.

To find a higher ground where I can spread my wings.
This is my only option if I'm to do great things.

Now is my intervention and there’s power on my side.
These comrades in my life won’t let me go without a fight!


By: Kristen Lorraine Davis

I don’t have a drug problem if you are wondering. I wrote this after watching the show “Intervention” on A&E. This is a reality show that follows a person who is addicted to alcohol or drugs. You can see the horrible affect that this addiction has on their life. These people are usually on the edge of death and must have an intervention from loved ones to save them. But with all that the family does to help, it’s ultimately up to them to change their life.

My First Born Birth Story

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, for several years but didn't happen until I wasn't expecting it.
2. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I knew within a few days from the symptoms and I wanted to tell everyone but I had to keep quiet for several months because of previous miscarriage.
3.
4. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 36
5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I just knew but I took a pregnancy test to confirm.
6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Greg
7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes, I wanted to get the nursery ready.
8. DUE DATE? September 5 2008
9. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? September 5 2008 3am
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? No, maybe a little in the beginning but I was too excited to notice.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? I ate a lot of grapefruit, apples, and Ice Cream
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Random things would set me off... Greg took the brunt of my short temperedness and he was really good about it. He told me I need to be nice or the baby is going to come out with frown lines between his eyes. Well, thats exactly what happened. Braden scowled at everyone for the first month and a half.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Male
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, Greg always wanted a boy so I was happy for him, but I would like a girl too... we'll see.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 50 big ones.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, one from Gregs work and one from friends at church.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No complications, but the last few months were very difficult with the summer heat and feeling huge.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Johns Creek Emory Hospital, GA
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? I remember the exact moment when I felt my first real contraction, but I wont be going into that. Labor started Wed 11pm and we drove to the hospital at 4am only to be told to go home until the contractions were 5min apart for 1/2 hour. By 1pm the next day, the pain in my back was so intense and would not go away so the Dr told me to come on in. Greg got stuck behind every slow driver on the road and as greg was pushing me in a wheel chair through the doors of the Emergency Room I had to tell a 90 year old couple to move to the side so Greg can get me through the door. I wasn't in a very good mood to say the least. After all that I didn't get my epideral for another 4 hours, right before my parents showed up at 5pm. Greg and my parents went to dinner at Chilies (thanks a lot guys : ) ) and I rested. I stopped dialating at 8cm and Bradens heart rate was droping to the 50s when I had a contraction but luckly would always come back up. I had to wear an oxygen mask which made my mouth sooo dry. I was finally ready to start pushing at 1am Friday morning and Braden was born at 3am...yeah
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Greg
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Greg and my Mom, my Dad couldn't watch and went to the waiting room..
23. WAS IT VAGINAL OR C-SECTION? Vaginal
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes, that was very weird to not feel my legs after the delivery but it made my long labor so much better.
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 8oz
26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Braden Christopher Davis

A Day in the Sun

Georgia has so many beautiful parks and hiking trails. We found this place a few months ago and love to come here when Greg has the day off.

Rice Cereal

Braden at 5 months has his first taste of Rice Cereal. I think he liked it, although most of it ended up on his bib.

Beatles Mania Around Here

If Greg got his way, our sons' name would be JohnPaul George Davis, but I wasn't going to let that happen.... sorry fans of the name. Hannah seems to have taken on her dads' love for the Beatles. For her 16th Birthday she got a Beatles Monopoly game. Greg also got one for Christmas from mom Davis.

25 Random Things About Me

Can you sum up a person is 25 sentences.....

1. After 5 years of infertility treatments and medication, my husband and I decided to adopt, and then got pregnant.
2. I have 3 beautiful stepdaughters who live 20 minutes away.
3. I am the only one of my siblings that is living out of California.
4. I met my husband in Hawaii and married him 6 months later.
5. I drive a minivan that is starting to smell like my dog. pewee
6. I love to sing the music of Les Miserables…but not in public!
7. A funny moment on my mission was when my companion and I were eating dinner with a family in our church and the man of the house said that he had a hiatal hernia. I had a flash back to anatomy class and said, “isn’t that your sphincter”. My companion looked at me, trying to hold a straight face and not laugh, but when I saw her I began to laugh, realizing what I said. What made it worse, the man was hard of hearing and said “what” and his wife yelled back to him “SPINCTER” and this continued a few more times. At this point my companion and me were laughing hysterically and had to apologize for being rude.
8. I watch Dog the Bounty Hunter to remind me of when I lived in Hawaii.
9. I love to hang out with my husband, roller blading, playing ping-pong, or singing along to the guitar.
10. My little baby boy is not so little, according to the statistics.
11. I’m still trying to loose the last 15 lbs from my pregnancy.
12. I wanted to be a PE Teacher but did not finish my degree, so I have done a variety of jobs from Airline Reservations to Stock Broker.
13. I am starting yoga for the first time and find it more difficult than it looks.
14. I got paid $60 a day to be an extra in a movie called “Meet the Deedles”, you can see the back of my head in one scene.

IF YOUR STILL READING I'M IMPRESSED...YOUR HALF WAY!!

15. The first time I went skiing I almost fell off the chair lift as my pole got stuck behind my back pushing me off the seat.
16. I was on the Elk Grove Swim Team from age 6 to 16 and we never lost a championship the entire ten years.
17. My husband and I could not decide on a name for our baby until the very last minute at the hospital when we finally agreed on Braden.
18. During the summer of my sophomore year in High School I lived with my aunt and uncle in Santa Cruz California and worked in the Red Woods repairing hiking trails and building bridges.
19. I love to be outdoors and would rather work in the yard than cook dinner.
20. I think I had a guardian angel with me when I ran out of gas on the freeway in the evening. As I was walking down the road, a suspicious car pulled over and then sped away… thankfully.
21. I want to learn how to sew because I feel like it’s something I should know how to do and not necessarily because I will like it. The same goes for genealogy.
22. I hope to make more friends here in Georgia to make life more interesting.
23. I served a mission in Houston Texas ten years ago.
24. Oh, my favorite food to eat out is fajitas.
25. And finally… I’m not giving up on becoming an instant millionaire from one great idea!

......no but it's a start.

Something New Everyday

Braden has recovered fine from his RSV and now he is back to being a wiggle worm. He just started to reach for his toes so I had to get a picture of it. I'm just one of those typical first time moms who feel like they need to capture every milestone on video or camera. Everyone tells me to appreciate everyday because it goes by so fast. I can see that already.

I discovered Facebook this week and it has pretty much blown me away to see so many people that I haven't seen for years. What a great idea... again I wish I invented it. People keep beating me to my invention, but I'm not giving up on becoming an instant millionaire with one great idea!

We have been going through the house looking for things that we aren't using and selling it on Ebay or Craigslist. I scored pretty big when I found my 20 year old "Daytime TV" Magazines that have been up in my closet for the past 19 years. One magazine sold on Ebay for $10 plus shipping, and I have 20 of them... Yay.. You would be surprised what people will buy, so I'm thinking twice before I throw anything away these days.

Braden has RSV Virus

Ok, my mommy skills are being tested, Braden is sick with RSV at 4 1/2 months. A week ago I took him in to get his 4 month vaccinations and the next day he was coughing and had a runny nose. Hoping it would just go away, I didn't take him to the doctor for almost a week. Unfortunately he got worse and his cough was really bad. I took him in a few days ago and they tested him for RSV... and it turns out that he has the virus, along with a double ear infection. The Doc. said good thing I brought him in... well I guess so. They sent me home with a nebulizer to give him breathing treatments. Hannah is helping me with that in the picture below. I have to say, I think it's really helping... I think Braden is getting better... lets hope!!

Moms pictures from California

My mom had better pictures on her camera, I can always count on her to capture the moment. Thanks for the pictures mom!

My Mom and Dad put on a Birthday party for me in California, It was great to see everyone!

Grandma and Grandpa Larson.... Don't they look happy..... You guys are awesome!

Me, mom and Braden Christmas 08'



These two pictures just make me laugh.....