tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17954217253124703552024-03-13T07:23:54.706-05:00Planted Gypsy FeetGypsy feet... Finally planted with love... The love of two little people that make the journey worth it with laughter, tears, love and a healthy dose of sarcasm. Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.comBlogger406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-61195535230190086922017-06-21T15:26:00.000-05:002017-06-21T15:26:34.812-05:00My "Giving Key" Story<br />
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My friend Natalie introduced me to my
first “giving key” but
only because I saw a key around her neck with the word “believe”
engraved on
it. I got home and I googled it because I liked it and that’s where the
love affair began. These are re purposed keys that have a word engraved on them.. everything from Believe, Inspire, Create, Love, Hope, Faith, Breathe, Dream, Courage, Strength, Brave.. you get the idea. You wear the key until you either are done with your word or you feel that someone else needs your word more than you do. Cool, right? <br />
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I had recently gone to a women’s conference in
Dallas
with a friend of mine and I had heard a speaker talk about having a
“word of
the year” that you focus on. I had decided that my word was either
faith
or surrender. Due to lots of circumstances and a year of personal
growth, I had been praying on if faith led to surrender or surrender
was the ultimate display of faith but when I saw that one of the keys
already had faith engraved on it,
I had my word. </div>
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I went on a little buying spree, inspired to carry it
forward to just a few of these amazing women that have changed my life in so many ways.
I could go on and on about the women and the keys that have spoken to me for
them but that may be a tale for another time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">S</span></span>uffice it to say that I have bought 11 keys
so far and seeing the way that it’s working will probably push me to buy even
more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this is a story about my
very special key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I lost my big sister to alcoholism six years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t
think of her and miss her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13 years ago,
I saw her stunningly beautiful daughter born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This child, my goddaughter was born with a heart as big and unique as
her mama’s and instantly knew she was destined to do great things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I’ve had to watch her grow
into this lovely creature from a distance as she lives with her amazing dad and
step mom in Maryland and I live in Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are lucky enough to get to spend time with her every summer though
and we treasure that time we get to spend with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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Last Thursday, I got to go have dinner with
her all by myself which is a rarity when there are so many that want to spend time
with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a special time
with just us and I got a chance to listen to her and get to know her, be in her presence and feel her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to talking about
names for her future children (which is something her mama used to do), and she
told me her daughter’s name would be Michelle Marie after both of her mom’s
middle names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This touched me and I told
her so…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and all of a sudden her eyes
welled up with tears and it hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
looked at her and said…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“you don’t
remember her, do you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nodded
through tear filled eyes and said no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
quickly went over to her side of the booth, hugged her and asked if she felt
guilty about that and she nodded again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By this time, we were both crying and I reassured her that there was
nothing to feel guilty about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
been six years and she was only seven at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembers some things but not her smell
or the way she sounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembered
stories but didn’t remember what her arms felt like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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After thinking about it some more, crying about it some more
and praying on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that I need to help her remember the amazing woman her mother was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help her know that her mom always said that
she was the best thing that she had ever done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am the closest thing to my sister and it’s my honor
to help her know the mama who loved her so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to bed with this new resolve on my
mind and in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I
woke up the next day and went about my morning… starting with an early
workout, back home, shower, hair and was putting on my makeup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, I heard in my head that I
needed to give my "faith" key to Emilie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
always knew that I would pay it forward, but I honestly didn’t expect it to be
so soon after I got my first key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly, I was a bit bratty when I realized this and tried to bargain
that I’d buy her a new faith key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wasn’t ready to give up my faith key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still needed faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I heard in my
head again…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to give Emilie YOUR faith key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My eyes welled up with tears and I fell to my knees sobbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always listen to Pandora while getting
ready and all of a sudden, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Kristin’s favorite song and I knew
without a shadow of a doubt that I had to do what I was instructed to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is even stranger is that it played a
second time on Pandora as if to bring the point home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only God, but my sister too was telling
me to take care of her baby girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Emilie was leaving to go back home that afternoon…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so I took the opportunity to tell her this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took her hands in mine,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>looked into her eyes and I paid forward my
faith key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her that whenever she
needed to feel her mom to hold that key, feel its strength, rub its word and
know without a shadow of a doubt that she is loved immeasurably and that her
mom is always near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also told her that
she had to pay it forward when the time was right and she felt so led.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Finally, I was telling my first giving key recipient of this
story and she texted me an hour later and said that “brave” was on its way to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That by sending it to me, she was
brave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By giving Emilie faith, I had
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I love these <a href="http://prz.io/R0aLxQtj">keys </a>for
so many reasons. They almost always start a conversation which then
goes into paying it forward, which is always good. In addition, they
are always given with love and for a very specific reason. These keys
make a difference and
I am so grateful for the gift it enabled me to share with my precious
niece and
goddaughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-45318945697522758942017-01-07T22:02:00.000-06:002017-01-07T22:06:16.962-06:00Love is a risk - that's never a riskI remember a wise woman once telling me that it takes thirty days to make a behavior and thirty days to break a behavior. Gigi Dellaire... I don't know if she remembers saying that and if she does remember... that she helped mold my management style through that one sentence.<br />
<br />
I've adopted this in my every day life too when it's something I want to add into my routine and most recently it's waking up a bit earlier and reading a few devotionals each morning. I committed to reading these each morning and it starts my day out right. It starts my day with a grateful and loving heart. It often gives practical advice that sets my day on the intended path. Each morning a few things jump out at me and I copy them into my notes.<br />
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Thursday morning, I was reading the devotional that is emailed to me each morning and it usually has a variety of authors. Thursday morning's author was Ann Voskamp and it was an excerpt from her book "The Broken Way..."<br />
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The whole reading was about love and how even when we get hurt, what we gain from loving another is far more abundant than the loss or pain or void left when that person is no longer in our lives for whatever the reason.<br />
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Several things jumped out at me and kept biting at my heart...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1">"I am what I love and I will love
you like Jesus, because of Jesus, through the strength of Jesus. I will
love when I’m not loved back. I will love when I’m hurt and disappointed
and betrayed and inconvenienced and rejected. I simply will love, no
expectations, no conditions, no demands. Love is not always agreement
with someone, but it is always sacrifice for someone."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1">"</span></i><i><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1">What matters most is not if our love makes other people change, but that in loving, we change.<span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space"> "</span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">As a single mama who has dated... it's often risky to put yourself back out there on the dating scene. All of the doubts that go running through your mind and your heart. And after a few hurts you begin to doubt whether you want to do it all again. I mean shoot... you thought when you got married it was forever and look at how well <b>that </b>turned out. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">But that is the devil whispering in your ear telling you that you're never going to be enough. You're never going to find the one that makes your heart sing ... the one that you WANT in your life not that you HAVE to have in your life. No, that kind of sustaining love is for other people. The ones that God must love more than He loves you. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">T</span></span></span><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">his isn't something that is whispered all the time. Noooooo.. because you finally decide to get back "out there" and do it again. You might start talking to someone and make plans to go out. You go out and either its meh.. like a warm dishrag or there are sparks or maybe somewhere in between and it's worth investigating further. Every once in a blue moon you might even have a spark that blows you away. The kind that fairy tales are written about, but those are extremely rare and precious. They don't always work out but when THAT happens, you treasure the time you DO get. Any way you slice it though, it involves being vulnerable and trusting enough to even try again. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">It's the passages above though that keep ME going. I can't speak for everyone else but at least for me.. I am a hopeless romantic and I honestly believe that God has a plan for the person he wants me to be with. It might be someone who has already traveled into my life and it might be someone that I have never met yet. It might be the man I cross path's with at Kroger and it might be someone driving down my street that never notices me until ... well until he does. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">The cool thing is that I learn from each and every one of these relationships. The heartbreaks, the laughter, the communication, the things I want to continue and the things I need to NEVER do again. Now, I do see the world through my baggage but I also understand that I am carrying that big ole suitcase of fun and it doesn't dictate the type of relationships I enter into. It only gives me information on what things need to be looked at as a red flag and which ones I can overlook. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">I guess what I am saying is that we all have to get back up and try again. We need to love people unconditionally and not because of what they can give us or because they are "safe" or "what we are used to" but rather for WHO they are. People in our lives make sacrifices to love us and we make sacrifices to love them. It's hard to not have expectations though. It's <i>almost </i>as hard as surrendering to God's plan and knowing that He's working for the better of all. If we can get out of our own way and stop trying to control things then God can do his work in our lives. Damn you FREE WILL! </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326s1"><span class="m_-8817698535097958326Apple-converted-space">Thirty days to make a behavior and thirty days to break a behavior. So I choose to work on loving unconditionally and without demands each and every day. I will choose love and I will change for the better because of it each day. I will choose to be vulnerable because when I am, the risk is not really a risk at all. </span></span></span>Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-41394990188855101182017-01-04T16:57:00.001-06:002017-01-05T10:22:34.351-06:002016... it was a year of spiritual growth!<br />
2016 was a good year. In fact, it was a year of pretty profound personal growth for me. It all started at the end of 2015, last Christmas Eve, when I went to church with Liz. I hadn't been to church since Kristin died...this wasn't really a conscious thing, it just was. There were a million excuses for not going... I hadn't found a church that I wanted to go to in Houston, I was busy, I wanted to work out, I had the kids... there were just other things happening in my life and all were excuses. Looking back upon it, I think that I was a bit in denial. I didn't want to deal with her death and all that brought up. I was dealing with Kristin's death as best as I could, the only way I knew how.... which was burying my head in the sand and moving forward. <br />
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So, when Liz asked me if I wanted to go to First Baptist with her and her family for Christmas Eve, I thought about it and said yes. I didn't have my kids last year for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and the thought of sitting around alone wasn't terribly appealing. In fact, I was in a pretty low place in general because at the time, Jason was (from all appearances) pretty darn happy in his life and here I was still all alone. (Can you hear the violins playing?)<br />
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I had been thinking about going back to church and this was the push that I needed. Liz's ex husband, her aunt, her mom and of course, Liz all met over at her mom's house and we drove together, well in two cars. I walked into all the Christmas decorations and the big pretty tree, loads of people all dressed up and members handing out the candles, Christmas carols being played and people milling around grouped in families, all visiting. We found our seats and I looked around, took it all in and... my heart sighed. It was as if God reached down, hugged me and said.. "Hi! Welcome home... I've missed you."<br />
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After church we went back to her neighbors house for Christmas Eve dinner. I had a chance to meet more of her "family by choice" and the energy was soothing. There was a comfort being wrapped in a family for the evening, even if it wasn't my own. </div>
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After that I tried First Baptist a couple of other times and it was nice.. but I was still reaching for something. Jason had old me about Bayou City Fellowship before, telling me how much I would love it, he just KNEW it. I wanted nothing to do with the church that he and his fiance went to. NO SIR! "You don't know me! You don't know what I like!" (crosses arms and HUMPHS). But when he and H broke up, he asked me again to try it. He assured me that I would love it and he said that way whomever had the kids, it wouldn't matter because they would always go to the same church. So Mom and I agreed to try it. We walked in (it's in a high school auditorium) and met up with Jason in the courtyard to have coffee. The first thing that struck me was how young most of the people were. Kids were running around, moms and dads were visiting, people were pouring HEB coffee and Christian rock was playing over some portable speakers. We walked into the auditorium and the worship band was already playing, complete with drums, at least two guitarists, two singers and a keyboardist. There was nothing boring about this church. We stood and sang for a good 30 minutes when the Senior Pastor came up and welcomed everyone. When Curtis, the head pastor came up, I was struck with the fact that this was not my boring Protestant church I grew up in. Curtis was in jeans, Vans and a button down shirt. He's bald, wears glasses and is not above throwing "jazz hands or West coast Hip Hop" into the sermon if it suits him and fits. Everyone is so welcoming and they know who you are, which is something that is missing in these HUGE church's. </div>
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We kept going back and as the month's went on, they started talking about "Overflow" which was a conference in June for women parenting alone. Not just divorced mama's but women with husbands that were deployed, women who were widowed, women who chose to do it alone and women who were forced to. I had little interest in going. In fact, I wasn't going to go. You see, I am not a joiner. I get others to join. I.AM.NOT.A.JOINER DAMMIT! Until... mom introduced me to Natalie one Sunday. Natalie is this vivacious, bubbly, salt of the earth, welcoming soul that doesn't give you the opportunity to say no to her. She oozes Jesus out of every pore yet doesn't ram it down your throat. She started telling me about how when you walked into this conference you'll feel an immediate peace. The white roses, the candles, the music, the decor all set the tone for the weekend. However, the meat of the conference was in the speakers and the attendees. She quite literally, didn't give me a choice of whether or not I wanted to go. She may or may not have had me at white roses and candlelight. I left, looked it up online and signed up and signed my kids up for childcare. My mom even signed up (even though she isn't a woman parenting alone). </div>
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I... joined. </div>
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As June approached, I started to get excited. Liz agreed to come with me and so did Erica. We walked in and there were refreshments and a bunch of tables with information on them. We signed in and they gave us a book and an "overflow" pen. We all wandered around and then went in and got our seats when the worship music began. It's hard to describe the ambiance and the feel in the room. It was welcoming and warm and peaceful and ..... charged. It's hard to explain what the weekend meant to me but it was inspirational and in fact, life changing for me. </div>
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The speakers were engaging, funny, real and even raw at times. Lisa Harper spoke of adopting her Haitian daughter, Missy and how she would go and visit her in Haiti while the process was underway. She relayed stories of learning to parent a 6 year old child when she had lost hope of becoming a mama. She touched the women's hearts in the room because she "gets" it and the struggles we face day to day, because she lives it. It was the fastest two hours I've experienced. I walked out of there bouncing with each step already excited for the next day and honestly, a little sad that it was over. </div>
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The next day was breakfast, Lisa Harper spoke again and turned the stories of the bible into modern day experiences that you and I encounter every day (for example, Jesus at Chick fil a at the mall welcoming all of the children into His arms while Peter is trying play gatekeeper). </div>
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I went to a breakout session on how to raise courageous children... Christa told us that we need to allow our children to try things. There are three levels of danger in her house... Tell them to pick their battles, make the fight FOR someone else and then teach them to take the consequences for their actions. I went to another on how to combat loneliness by dating Jesus rather than serial dating. Melissa went so far as to tell us to get out of our jammies, into some real clothes and go OUT on a date with Jesus. Melissa was raw and funny and easy to relate to. It was such a great weekend. It helped me re-focus on what's important. I need to be the best ME I can be... not only for my kids but for myself too. I needed to get back to the basics, work on the foundation, the very core, of what makes Jess... well Jess. </div>
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I go back to the blog post I posted ages ago about being authentic. I think one of MY bigger challenges is being a people pleaser while still being true to who I am and what's important to me. This year has taught me so many things, but among them, the importance of speaking up when something bothers or hurts me. This may sound so trite and common sense... but when you don't say what is bothering you to someone you care about, you take away <u>their</u> ability to fix it (or choose to get out). Essentially, you end up playing God. In trying to "protect" them from hurting them, you control the outcome and the only one it hurts is you. </div>
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This year has taught me that I have to embrace my feelings, the good, the bad and the ugly. When I am sad, BE sad. When I am mad, BE mad. When I am happy and joyful, live in THAT moment. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes life as a single mom (even one who has a helpful ex that does half) is hard. Often times it's lonely. And not lonely like <i>need </i>company lonely... as I always have people to be around (I am so so blessed). But rather someone to share your life with (those same good bads and ugly's). </div>
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I know that I am far stronger and far smarter than I was when I was married (sorry Jason). I will be a far better partner and companion going forward if I am blessed in that regard. And if I'm not, then that is okay too. I don't <i>need </i>a partner... I just would <i>like </i>someone to grow old with, travel with and share with. </div>
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I am a better mother and co-parent. I think about where I was a year ago in so many things... but one of them is with my ex. He and I were at odds a year ago and throughout his own personal growth this year, I told him that I wanted nothing more than for him to find a woman that was good to him, good to my kids and that I could get along with. Throughout the course of 2016... he has found it and I couldn't be happier. His girlfriend is beautiful (inside and out) and she has two wonderful kids and she loves MY kids. I couldn't ask for more. </div>
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I still have much to learn and thank goodness, and God willing, the time to do so. I never want to stop learning and growing and becoming a better person. 2016 WAS filled with it's share of ups and downs and the downs were tough. I have learned that it is in those valleys is when God is doing His greatest work. In one of my devotionals, I read "In the middle of struggle and suffering, tremendous spiritual growth happens." So, those downs taught me something and one of those things is to appreciate both seasons. Be grateful everyday. </div>
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I look forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for me and updating this post next year. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.alwaysphotogenicphotography.com/">Always Photogenic Photography</a>)</span></div>
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Cheers! </div>
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<br />Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-67939090915390296472016-02-08T15:34:00.001-06:002016-02-08T15:34:28.982-06:00Chinese New Year with Jocelyn<div style="text-align: center;">
So Lj got a date with Grandpa and Tay Tay on Friday night and wandered into Justice. Grandpa gave Tay his credit card and instructions on one outfit... well two outfits later... this is one of the dresses. :) Super cute and Grandpa couldn't resist. (I warned him ahead of time). </div>
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She had to wear it even though it was cold. We packed up and headed to the Chinese community center for the Chinese New Year, Year of the Monkey celebration. It was a beautiful day! We wandered around and saw the sites and had to get our picture taken in the dragon. ;) </div>
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Met some new friends to swing with. </div>
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And got to see the dragon dances. </div>
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And we finished it off with getting her face painted with a rabbit. She was born the year of the rabbit. :) </div>
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We had a great day enjoying the Chinese New Year. :) </div>
Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-50988366389960314942016-02-08T15:24:00.000-06:002016-02-08T15:35:29.873-06:00My Date with Joe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I saw that the Globetrotters were coming to Houston I knew that I had to get tickets. I had a groupon ready but I asked a good friend of mine (who knows people in ticketing) if he could get me tickets and he was happy to oblige. We had great seats with a great view of the show. It was an afternoon show and mom watch Jocelyn. </div>
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The players did not disappoint! Joe loved them! </div>
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Afterwards, we went over to the auto show to thank my friend, Matt, for the tickets and to check out all of the cool cars. Joe loves the Lamborghini's. </div>
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Momma loves the Audi SUV. :) </div>
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Lamborgini still wins. ;) </div>
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We wish we could have sat in some of them, but it was still super cool. </div>
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We had such a great date... he held my hand and gave me lots of kisses, just like normal. I love the one on one time I get with each of them. I made sure and took LJ to get her nails done too. :) My dates with the princess are definitely different but equally as wonderful. </div>
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My little people are growing up so fast, I remind myself to savor each and every moment. </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-34603939560377123002015-09-27T21:44:00.001-05:002015-09-27T22:03:49.616-05:00Phone pics from Port Aransas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Liz, Erica, Jennifer and I decided to do a beach trip right before the kids went back to school. We rented a house in Port Aransas, Texas and loaded up on Friday morning and headed South. The house was about four blocks from the beach and was beautiful... didn't have the amenities we thought it would (like a wine opener and sufficient glasses)... but it worked for four mama's and six kids. </div>
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Our first morning we made breakfast and took a pre-beach selfie. </div>
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Me and my monkeys </div>
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Jennifer and I after the beach and before we went to dinner. We might have had a few cocktails and she may or may not have refused to get actual dressed. There may or may not have been a lot of laughter involved in this afternoon. </div>
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Goofy dinner selfie</div>
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Day two at the beach... our sand people. </div>
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Everyone else decided to go ahead and pack up Sunday afternoon... I decided to stay one more night with my two. I had a great time with the girls but this one night with my two is very very precious to me. We had ice cream... </div>
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saw the shark... </div>
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and took a long walk on the beach together. </div>
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And Monday morning we woke up and gathered our stuff and headed back home via the ferry to Aransas Pass. </div>
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It was chaotic at times but this one weekend the summer before school started with three of my besties... I will treasure forever. These are memories that you carry with you and remind you how much a good group of women can sustain you when times are tough. I've been blessed with many many women I can call friends and mentors... and ultimately... family. </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-15022498760894359152015-07-23T12:33:00.001-05:002015-07-23T12:33:58.029-05:00Dear Joe<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Joe, </div>
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I am way late on this birthday letter and for that, I apologize. I needed the right words to express what "Eight" means to me. You are eight years old. I don't know how this keeps happening because I distinctly remember you being an infant and a toddler and a big boy and now my little man... but HOW is it possible that it was almost 9 years ago that I was pregnant with you. Wondering who you would look like and how you would turn out and what traits you would get from your daddy and which ones from me. Would you be left handed or right handed? Would you be more interested in sports or the arts. All of those things that new mom's daydream about when they feel you kick and move inside them. We dream FOR you and we dream OF you. We learn what it's like to truly stop thinking about ourselves and think for this little miracle happening inside us. </div>
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I've watched you develop each year a little bit more and a little bit more... each step showing me who you are and the man you will become. Each of your life experiences shaping you and turning you into who you will always be. </div>
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You have always looked like your daddy. Of course, there is a bit of me in you too... but you look so much like your daddy. You have his eyes and his smile and a bit of his stubbornness too. When you set your mind to doing something you set your chin and there is no changing your mind... at least not without a fight. </div>
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You are definitely your mama's boy and there is nothing wrong with loving your mama. I hope that in loving your mom you learn a bit of the soft side. You learn that cherishing and being cherished are as important as being strong. That hugging someone can make the biggest worries not as burdensome and can also be a way to share the greatest joys. You love to cuddle, always have and I adore it. I won't get those cuddles forever and I will savor each and every one of them. </div>
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You love lego men.... not the actual lego's... but the little men. Your imagination is fantastic and something to celebrate. You have always been able to take your trains and your cars and sit on the floor and play for hours in whatever make believe world you have going on. Whether it be a fake vacuum, train cars, matchbox cars or lego men. </div>
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Sports... it started with baseball (which didn't go well the first year... think pirouettes on the field lol). Then we moved home to Houston and got you involved with Coach Randy's team. Now... you play anything with a ball. Baseball, Soccer, basketball, kickball, dodgeball and football. It seems that basketball is your current favorite though. </div>
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You are such an amazing young man. I love to watch you learn and grow. You are figuring out what works for you and what doesn't. You make mistakes and you learn from them. You care, you cry, you laugh and you get angry... and each of those emotions are plainly written on your handsome face. Joy shines in your eyes and your giggles are contagious. </div>
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Since you have started Kindergarten, we have taken a selfie whenever I drive you to school. We get into the drop off line, you undo your seatbelt and we do a selfie. :) </div>
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You are my handsome little man. You are my heart. You are my miracle and I love you more than words can ever express. Joseph Bruce Davis, you are my love and I can't believe you are EIGHT. </div>
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I love you, </div>
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Mommy</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IAy7l4OCu4/VbAR1YanOhI/AAAAAAAAUSo/cB9xyFCkL_I/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IAy7l4OCu4/VbAR1YanOhI/AAAAAAAAUSo/cB9xyFCkL_I/s320/IMG_1522.jpg" width="240" /></a>Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-7505892028604049872015-06-01T13:53:00.003-05:002015-06-01T13:53:46.606-05:00Grateful<br />
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Gosh, it has to be probably fifteen years since I've had a gratitude journal. And I think even then I wasn't very diligent about writing in it. But I was recently having a discussion with a friend about his routine in the morning. He said that every morning he writes down either 3 or 5 things he's grateful for. He also sets up 6 achievable goals for the day and then does them. <br />
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It sounds so simple, right? But by achieving small goals you feel accomplished and like you are working towards something. As for the gratitude... if we stop and actually think of the things we are grateful for, you will appreciate them so much more and thus live a happier life. You know what happens with happy people? They attract good things. Good people, good things... a good life. <br />
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So I made the commitment this weekend to start, for thirty days, writing down three things I am grateful for every day. It will probably be done in the evening when I am putting my kids to bed. <br />
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My grateful journal will not include them, because they are a given. They are magic. They are what's good in this world. They are my miracle. It will include things WITH friends and family but they will also not be the main focus. Because... again... they are my core. They are my foundation. They are what make me... me. (remember my dad always telling me that I am a product of my environment). <br />
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It can always include more than 3 but never less. It can be simple things in life or bigger things. But... for the month of June... I will be grateful for the life that I have been given. <br />
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-1710620245569839012015-05-27T11:10:00.000-05:002015-05-27T11:15:08.927-05:00Dearest Jocelyn... Happy 4th<div style="text-align: center;">
When I think of how you have changed me as a person and as a mother, I sometimes shake my head. I have told the story many times of when I found out that I was having a boy... I cringed as I didn't know what to do with a boy. Well, I quickly learned. </div>
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When I learned I was having a girl... I secretly jumped up and down... I would finally get to buy bows and dresses and do your hair and makeup. I would get to do girly things with you like have tea parties and play dolls. </div>
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Your Bebe used to always tell the story about Jason coming out and saying "have I got a deal for you!" All of us parents go into this crazy parenting role with preconceived notions of what we will get you to do and what you won't do. And each of you have your own little personalities that tell us we are crazy for EVER thinking we can dictate to you what you will and won't be. </div>
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In four years you have taught me the definition of patience. You are extremely headstrong and this is going to take you places. You want to DO everything and NEVER have it DONE for you. And saying NO to you is not an option. I have had to learn to let it go and let you do it. It may not be the way I want it done but you are learning. </div>
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You have taught me the value of telling those you love that you love them. Not a day goes by that you don't come up to me at random times and places and say "Mommy! I love you!" </div>
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it's less important to choose prints that go together and more important to wear it with attitude. <br />
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You have reaffirmed the value of loyalty. You may pick on your older brother but, even at 4, you defend him and won't let anyone hurt him. You get VERY upset when you think he's being mistreated in any way. <br />
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Putting on makeup is fun. You love to put on makeup. You love to paint your nails. You love to paint your toes. You are such a girly tomboy. No one will ever put a label on you... you will break those labels and do it with a laugh on your face. </div>
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The importance of accessorizing!</div>
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and of course... "letting it go" Frozen style. </div>
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I once said that if I had to sum you up in one word it would be "Joy". Everything you do... you do with enthusiasm. You love joyously and you even cry joyously. I adore the fact that you bring joy wherever you go and I know that as you grow, that will remain steadfast. You are my angel girl... and I couldn't be more proud that you are MY daughter. I get to call you MINE! </div>
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Happy 4th Birthday Jocelyn Anne Davis. </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-76578452367228892862015-04-20T12:44:00.003-05:002015-04-20T12:44:58.279-05:00StoriesDid you know that every single person you meet has a story? Of course you <u>know</u> that... duh... but many people don't really stop to think about it... EVERY person you meet has a story. <br />
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It might be a happy story. It might be a sad story. Most likely it is a real story with both weighing heavily into it... one with adventure, hard decisions, disappointments and great joy. At least I can hope so. </div>
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I remember sitting to have a drink with many a passenger on ships and listening to their stories. The clientele, as you know, can be quite a bit older... which means the depth of their stories were even greater. It never ceased to amaze me the things the human spirit can endure and even better, persevere through. <br />
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I used to do the "Renewal of Vows" ceremony on board with the captains. I always asked the couples renewing what their secret to a long and happy marriage was. Many of you know that my favorite three answers were: <br />
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1. Fight naked. </div>
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If when you feel a fight coming on you get naked... you are more likely to get to the makeup portion of the show and you're less likely to say something really hurtful when you are standing there in your all together and lovely. </div>
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2. Say only half of what you want to. </div>
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How many times have you gotten into a fight and said one thing to many? </div>
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So if you only say half of what you want... then you hopefully you won't hurt your partner. <br />
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3. Give 80... expect 20. </div>
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If both parties are always giving 80 and expecting 20 then both are always pleasantly surprised. I go so far as to say both parties give 100 and expect 0. :-) </div>
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I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful memories in my short 40 years. Each memory is a snapshot in my brain with a story to go along with it. Sometimes I need to remind myself to stop taking ACTUAL pictures and take the mental ones instead. Those are the ones we carry with us during our darkest moments. It's those memories you can call on that make us who and what we are. </div>
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That's why when you look at that woman in the grocery store that is lugging three children, two of which are screaming, you should give her a little grace... she may just be trying to get it all done. Or that person that just cut you off in the left hand lane, speeding in and out of traffic... they may just be having a moment where they want to feel in control of something and the car is <u>it</u> at that time. It might just be someone who has completely zoned out and isn't thinking. Or it might be that they are self involved and not thinking of anyone else but themselves at that moment. But even they have their story. </div>
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EVERY single person you meet has a story and you can learn something from each and every one of them.... how cool is that? :-)</div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-33164330991237548292015-04-06T15:38:00.001-05:002015-04-06T15:38:27.338-05:00Early April Phone Pics and randomness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About four month's ago I made the very heated statement that "I... am NOT a CAT person!!!" </div>
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Then this little creature came into my life about a month ago. </div>
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Meet Simba... "whassup!" </div>
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Simba and I hang out. He literally lets me do Anything to him... and he flops over, he hangs upside down, he plays, he chases his mothers tail. He is the shiznit. </div>
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He has just started playing with one of the smaller kittens. </div>
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So I am NOT a cat person... but I think I may be a "simba" person. </div>
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March 22 Shannon, Erica and I went to the Luke Bryan Concert which was the last show for the Rodeo. We had a BLAST! What a great concert it was and to share with great friends. </div>
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He put on a great show even if our seats were pretty high up. :-)</div>
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I went to crossfit a week ago Saturday and we jokingly did this picture. My friend Jennifer and I... everyone needs to work on their superhero. LOL</div>
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I've had the chance to go out with Erica and Liz a couple of times. My pretty ladies. :-)</div>
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And... just because I love the quotes. :-)</div>
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We did a bit of Saturday night budgeting... well they did. I had already done mine. </div>
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I didn't have the kids this year for Easter. :( And because of that it didn't feel like much of a holiday. But luckily, Erica and her family included me in their celebration. </div>
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Mom has been going through some old pictures lately and the one of Kiki really struck me. How much my dear niece Emilie really looks like her mother. I see a lot of her dad too, but man... she embodies the beauty that was my sister. I love looking into that face and seeing Kristin.<br />
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-18271274334116304532015-04-06T14:42:00.001-05:002015-04-06T14:42:52.412-05:00Goodness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes its hard to do what you know is right. It's hard to be the bigger person, especially when you know that you'll probably end up hurt.</div>
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I honestly believe that most people are good. People don't intend to be hurtful or cruel. I think a lot of it comes from self absorption... never stopping to see the other side of the coin or think about another's feelings. </div>
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I.... am a people pleaser. There! I said it. I know this surprises ALL of you. lol</div>
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And as much as I don't want to be, because the key to failure is always trying to please other people... I also think that it's important to make others feel good. So I often put myself out there and say Happy Birthday even though they would never say it to me. I invite people because if they weren't their feelings might be hurt. I offer because if I don't,... maybe no one will. The voices in my head (and those attached to some very vocal people in my life... lol) tell me that I shouldn't care what others think about me. To a degree that is true. But I also have to look at myself in the mirror and like and respect what I see. I know that when I do... for the most part... I see someone who cares about others and wants them to know it. Someone who has made mistakes and has learned from them. </div>
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I just read an article about loving your neighbor as you would love yourself. It was in regards to a Christian woman not judging a same sex couple... and certainly not saying which rights that couple should be able to possess. Separation of Church and State etc etc. It's not <u>my</u> job to judge or make those decisions on who is worthy... the only job I have (well aside from my real job) is to be a good person, think of others and love them for who they are and oh... to be a good mother. As good of a mother as I can be with the tools that I have available to me right now. Teach <u>my</u> tiny humans what acceptance and empathy is. Teach them to laugh, to learn, to jump in puddles and to love their neighbor...even if they're different than we are.</div>
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I hope that one day when all is said and done, people will look back on my life... shoot... Hopefully I will look back on my life and know that I did the best that I could. That I cared as much as I could. That I gave as much as I could. Then... I will have been successful. </div>
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<br />Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-27373174660780992302015-03-23T14:16:00.003-05:002015-03-23T14:27:04.167-05:00What traffic taught me... <br />
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What time I leave my house completely dictates the traffic patterns that I will encounter on my way to work. Work is 9.9 miles away and it can take me ten minutes or it can take me 45. I hate traffic..... now rarely do you EVER hear that people love traffic. BUT... having a stick shift car and usually being late makes me hate traffic even more than the next guy. Especially because of the stick shift car. </div>
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But... lately, I have tried to look at it as a bit of a test. A forced test of patience for me. I am stuck there and I choose how I can react to the traffic and the waste of time that it sucks out of my day... Getting angry isn't going to do any good. Getting frustrated is not going to make that car in front of me move faster. SOOOO I have been working on taking a deep breath and telling myself that it's the universe's way of making me slow down. It's forcing me to be patient. </div>
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Patience has never been a real strong quality of mine. </div>
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They say that good things come to those that wait. But this is in direct contradiction to go out and make things happen. LOL. I don't *sit* well nor do I wait well. So anytime that I'm forced to let things happen on their own time it's hard. I want to force it. I want to jump ahead. I honestly think that this is why I got married the first time... and probably even the second time too. :-/ I wanted to *be* ten years down the road... established and an adult (now THAT is overrated) that could have nice things and a family and a dog etc. But I had to realize that I had to go through each of the steps to get there. Now... I'm there, well partially... I have the house, the kids and the dog! And I don't feel 40, (thank goodness) and I still have steps to go through. God willing, I will always have new steps to go through to better myself. </div>
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I trust that with patience great things WILL happen. Patience forces you to stop and smell the roses. It makes you have faith in the universe and whatever God you talk to (if you talk to one). It can slow us long enough to weigh options, make right choices and let prayers be answered or even unanswered if it's the way it is supposed to be. It can make you appreciate small things, big things and no things at all. </div>
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But it's also frustrating and it's scary. I don't know about you... but I have been taught to control my own destiny. So being patient makes me vulnerable. It's kind of like learning to follow when dancing. I have always tried to anticipate other people's next move.. Daddy taught me that. And when you're dancing you can't anticipate AND be a follower. You have to trust that your partner is going to lead you and then just sit back and enjoy and FOLLOW. </div>
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So traffic taught me to be patient. Be patient with the process and just sit back and be led. </div>
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Are you patient? What do YOU do to work on your patience? </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-76121347625081366602015-03-20T11:49:00.000-05:002015-03-20T11:49:04.201-05:00Change is uncomfortable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone wise told me recently, (I'm looking at you, Chris Sullivan), that Change is Uncomfortable. Which is very true but also ironic because life is all about changes. We change and grow every day. Sometimes the changes are so small you don't see them until someone points it out to you month's or even years down the road. And others are huge straight away and then smaller changes happen as a result. </div>
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I work in an office of very young women and a few old men. (ha!). But with the girls I have talked about how much I changed through my years. </div>
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From the age of 21 to 25. Shoot... I graduated college and got married (mistake #1), started a career, got divorce #1 and moved to Texas. </div>
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From 25 - 30 I followed my dream and went to work at sea. I started with the kids and within 2.5 years I was Cruise Director. Not something I ever thought I could do. I saw things that will forever change my view of the world. </div>
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Rio de Janeiro</div>
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I got to see the "dude with the big hat" ie the Pope in Venice. </div>
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this one speaks to my heart! This is in the Vatican. Amazing, huh? </div>
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Cap Ferrat</div>
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Just one of the "Cruise staff" shots on formal night. </div>
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But I think about how much change there was during THAT time and wow! I grew up. I learned obvious lessons like... there's a whole big world out there full of adventures and challenges and people that have their own changes going on. </div>
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I learned that every single person has a story. </div>
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I learned that people really like to be heard. </div>
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I learned that I can do gangway with a hangover. whomp whomp </div>
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Standing atop Corcovado in Rio with your arms outstretched by the big Jesus statue is breathtaking. </div>
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I learned that people are the best and worst thing about traveling. </div>
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I was taught to stop and breath and recognize where you are (IN China and not Texas at the time) and really to BE present is the greatest gift to yourself. </div>
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I learned that you can always learn new dining etiquette and a new way to tie a scarf...And a sarong. </div>
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I learned that grown men DO fight over a game of shuffleboard and that stella will get Sol a cup of coffee when he yells at her across the showroom. </div>
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I learned what it was like to have a date in Hong Kong and Shanghai... and Rio... and Buenos Aires. </div>
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And...to kiss under a what felt like a million stars. </div>
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I grew up and into the woman I am today. What a blessing. </div>
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From 30-40... in case you missed it... </div>
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I bought a house<br /> I got married<br /> I got pregnant<br /> I went to work with my family<br /> I had an amazing little boy<br /> I sold a house<br /> I bought another house<br /> I moved to Fort Worth<br /> And bought yet another house<br /> Learned more about decorative concrete<br /> Watched my sister get married again. <br /> Got pregnant again. <br /> Ran a half marathon <br /> Had my beautiful baby girl<br /> Moved back to houston<br /> Lost my sister<br /> Took over administration of family business<br /> Watched my son start kindergarten<br /><span>Got separated and later divorced.</span><br /> Began the process of learning how to be a single parent of two amazing, smart, strong willed, happy and well adjusted children. </div>
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So change, although uncomfortable at times, is necessary. It's cathartic. It's what makes us grow into new people.. no! Not new... but better people. People that understand that sometimes you have to hurt to move on. Sometimes the greatest joys are born out of despair. And each person that we come across ... they have something to teach us. No matter the age... no matter the gender... no matter the race. We can learn something from everyone even if its what NOT to do. And just because we were a certain type of way in the past... it does not dictate who we will be in the future. </div>
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Going forward, I want to remember to be present. To enjoy and savor my now and recognize that even if it's uncomfortable NOW I will get used to it and I will be better for it. I like who I am and I love who I will be. Change... is fantastically uncomfortable. </div>
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The weather has been CRAPPY here lately... but we had a break in all the rain for the weekend. And we didn't have baseball and we didn't have soccer so we wanted to enjoy the weather. The kids had gone over to my parents in the morning so that I could do my crossfit workout.</div>
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The workout was a deck of cards. For each card you flipped... you had to follow suit. </div>
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My "team"... and the girl in the back left was 22 weeks along! What a champ!</div>
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The kids had a great time playing with the neighborhood kids. Joe will play ball with anyone and anything for hours and hours and hours. Seriously... if it's a sport that involves a ball... he's IN! </div>
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But that afternoon we wanted to do something different so Erica and my parents and I packed the kids up and headed to Discovery Green for the afternoon. As I mentioned, the weather was perfect!!! We got down there and the flowers were blooming and there was even a dance troop performing. </div>
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Daddy and Joe kinda bored with the dancing... lol. </div>
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LJ is quite a good picture taker. </div>
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The girls and the "purple flowers"</div>
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After that, we went back to my parents and grilled out. A perfect Saturday. </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-54831962167362061802015-03-18T09:35:00.002-05:002015-03-18T09:35:22.574-05:00Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last Friday was Joe's last day of Spring Break so I took off early and took the kids to the Houston rodeo. We spent most of our time at the carnival but the kids had a blast. And we even got to meet up with friends for the latter part. :) </div>
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The kids rode this little tilta whirl type thing and as you can see, LJ had a blast. </div>
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Some bumper cars</div>
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A carnival isn't complete without a merry go round and LJ got to ride ALL by herself!</div>
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We rode the ferris wheel. </div>
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I need longer arms. :-)</div>
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The kids and me & Gabby and LJ</div>
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This is the Kite Flyer</div>
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Chris has a sheep named after him... hahahahah</div>
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and no rodeo can be complete without a little mutton bustin.... This is Joe's second year doing this and he did so well. </div>
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The rodeo is definitely not a cheap day's entertainment but the kids and I had a great time. Next year I will get the "1/2 price rodeo" package that the school offered in the beginning. I would also go see all of the animals first before going out to the rides. :-) </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-15578738720054438532015-02-26T13:38:00.002-06:002015-02-26T13:38:48.317-06:00Phone Pics from December, January and February. Whew<div style="text-align: center;">
So used to be a day when I would use my really expensive camera and take pictures... but as technology has grown... I now use my phone for 99% of my pictures. So sad that my beautiful Nikon sits there unused and lonely. :'(</div>
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I'll start with December. Many of these pictures have no captions... they are just cute. :) </div>
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Daddy and Jocelyn. </div>
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Erica and I at Crossfit Equality for a Saturday workout. </div>
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On January 1st something momentous happened. Richard and Lyndia, who had been with ChemSystems for 20 years retired. They were, quite literally, fixtures at the office and I couldn't imagine walking through the doors and not seeing him and then her there. :) </div>
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We had a big going away part but this was the actual night before... celebrating with the office staff. </div>
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Erica & I</div>
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A little bit of Joe. :) </div>
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Joe got the Star Student award. </div>
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We went to Cameron's 7th Birthday party </div>
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And he got to do the Pledge of Allegience</div>
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I made a commitment to Joe that 2-3 times per week I would pick him up early from daycare. We would get his homework done and then he could play football with the neighbor kids. He and I both so enjoy this. </div>
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Dropping him off at school. </div>
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A little bit of Jocelyn. </div>
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She's gotten into choosing her own outfits. She has quite the fashion sense. </div>
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She loves dance class and to try on different ballallet outfits. </div>
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We went bowling... who doesn't bowl in a tutu? And she was wearing Great Grandpapa's hat. </div>
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A little bit of Tay and the kids. </div>
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We closed on our buildings the end of January. :) </div>
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We now own the space where we've been renting for years.</div>
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World of Concrete in Vegas. This is a vertical piece that Chris designed. </div>
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These are some of the other pieces that were on display. </div>
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This is an Anthropologie window... but I love their windows on color. :) </div>
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One of our cat's had kittens. </div>
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Lastly.. a little Jocelyn love. </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-90782259954190963502015-02-26T11:10:00.001-06:002015-03-06T10:42:41.460-06:00Rules for Dating This Single Mom <br />
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<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don't usually talk about my dating life. Some
things I like to keep private out of respect for everyone involved.<br />
But I thought I'd run down some rules for dating this single mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this goes in conjunction with Joe’s rules
for dating mom… “hold her hand and give her lots of kisses…”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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1. <span style="color: blue;">My kids come first.</span><br />
Period, end of story.<br />
If they don't like you, you must be some kind of shitty person. Come on,
they're 3 and 7. It's not hard to get in good with my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also- know that if you've met them, that's
a HUGE deal for me. I will not bring just anyone around my kids.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The most difficult part of dating as a
single mom is deciding how much </span></div>
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<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">r</span><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">isk your own child’s heart is worth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan Pearce<br />
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2. <span style="color: blue;">I'm not expecting you to take the role of their father.</span><br />
My kids have a dad. I want you to be a friendly figure to them. </span></div>
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want you to teach them things that me or their dad can't.<br />
But never think I want you to step in as their father.<br />
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3. <span style="color: blue;">No jealousy allowed.</span><br />
My kids are loud, rowdy, opinionated and they love their mama.<br />
Don't be jealous of their need or love for me. Those kids are everything to me.
The right guy (or girl, if I so choose to swing that way ;P) will not see them
as "threats", but instead as a blessing, for they have made me into
the woman I am.<br />
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4. <span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: blue;">My ex will always be around</span>.</span><br />
We co-parent the best we can. Expect it.<br />
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5. <span style="color: blue;">I like to workout</span>.<br />
I like to go to the gym and I like to live a healthy lifestyle. <br />
I want you to want to do these things with me.<br />
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6.<span style="color: blue;"> I'm</span><span style="color: blue;"> emotionally damaged</span>.<br />
That's from years of life circumstances. I am not perfect nor do I expect you
to be. <br />
But I promise to try my hardest not to be bitter and not to associate any of
the past with any of the present. Just know that I'm constantly a work in
progress.<br />
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8.<span style="color: blue;"> I <i>try </i>not to stress over things</span>.<br />
I'm a pretty laid back person. If you stress over every single thing, your
energy will just bring me down and begin to affect my mood.<br />
Some things are not worth getting so worked up over.<br />
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9. <span style="color: blue;">Laughing is my favorite</span>.<br />
YOU MUST MAKE ME LAUGH. This is a deal breaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>End of fairy tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I am like 98% sure I'm done having kids</span>.<br />
I'm not ruling it out ENTIRELY, but it will take a lot of convincing and
talking to open this baby shop back up.<br />
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11. <span style="color: blue;">I want you to WANT to do things with the kids and me</span>.<br />
No, going to fucking LegoLand or kids birthday parties is NOT fun, but I'm a
parent, and that's what you do; shit you don't want to do so you can see those
precious smiles on their faces.<br />
You suggesting to take them places and actually want to help me out (another
set of hands is always nice to have as a single mother) will earn you more
bonus points than the biggest bouquet of roses ever will.<br />
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12. <span style="color: blue;">I can be a little rough around the edges, be extremely sarcastic and
sometimes find humor in inappropriate things</span>.<br />
But take me to meet your mom and I'm the sweetest ‘used to be’ northern gal ever.<br />
I promise not to say "fucking LegoLand" in front of your parents. I'm
a lady, dammit. ;P</span></div>
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<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">Must love to travel!</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bonus points for
picking up on a “kid free weekend” and running away with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold my hand and give me lots of kisses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14. <span style="color: blue;">Don't fall in <i>love</i> too quickly. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The quickest way to get me to head for the hills is to get serious right away. I mean *I* know I'm awesome (duh)... but let's take time and get to know each other before we start planning the monogram.</span> </div>
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</span><b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What are your rules for dating as a single mother??</span></b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "Noto Serif"; font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-53208433193488848652015-02-02T22:29:00.003-06:002015-02-02T22:29:22.722-06:002014 Panamanian Cruise. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Back in October, my parents and I along with Chris and his wife Vicki went on a Panama Canal cruise. There are so many more pictures... but this tells a good story. :) </div>
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Right before we left, Julie, my sister came into Houston for an interview. So we all rode to the airport together. </div>
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Sailaway</div>
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Half Moon Cay</div>
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Breakfast on the balcony </div>
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Workouts at Sea</div>
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Curacao</div>
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Cartegena </div>
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Chris with THREE desserts. QUICK someone tell the ZONE police. ;) </div>
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Panama Canal</div>
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A workout in the canal</div>
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Cartegena Zip Lining (well all but mom) </div>
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Mom went on a nature hike. </div>
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Followed up by pedicures. </div>
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Ladies dressed up for the night. </div>
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Chris and I can do handstands anywhere. </div>
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Dad and I on 2nd Formal night. </div>
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Mom and I on 2nd Formal Night </div>
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First Formal night. </div>
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We can also plank anywhere. </div>
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We played shanghai rum with Wang Wangs. </div>
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Chris and Vicki out for formal night. </div>
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Our last morning </div>
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And one last bloody mary. </div>
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picnic and my name sticker said "Jessica D" and I remember thinking ...
was this an omen? We had just started dating and this was a big step.
He was so cute and we were so young.<br />
<br />
This was a big
birthday. I was turning 30! Oh my GOD! 30... 30 means responsibility
and adult. 30 means grown up. 30 means marriage and family. 30 meant
so much.<br />
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<br />
We
celebrated at the melting pot with all of my friends and my family. My
sister had just had E and she made an appearance at my birthday
celebration. J sat next to me and I remember thinking my whole world
was before me.<br />
<br />
And it was. <br />
<br />
In my thirties:<br />
<br />
I bought a house<br />
I got married<br />
I got pregnant<br />
I went to work with my family<br />
I had an amazing little boy<br />
I sold a house<br />
I bought another house<br />
I moved to Fort Worth<br />
And bought yet another house<br />
Learned more about decorative concrete<br />
Watched my sister get married again. <br />
Got pregnant again. <br />
Ran a half marathon <br />
Had my beautiful baby girl<br />
Moved back to houston<br />
Lost my sister<br />
Took over administration of family business<br />
Watched my son start kindergarten<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Got separated and later divorced.</span><br />
Began the process of learning how to be a single parent of two amazing, smart, strong willed, happy and well adjusted children. <br />
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Sooooo
as I turn 40... I look back nostalgically at my 30's and wonder what's
in front of me... but on my actual birthday... I'm not happy to be
here. I didn't think I would be doing it alone. I didn't think I would
be *here* as I start the next chapter of my life. Soooooo I think
I'll celebrate 40 when I am in a different place... When I finally have a
handle on this single parenting thing and I've fully got the hang of my
new normal. <br />
<br />
I know that my future is bright. I know, without a doubt, that the best is yet to come. But I also know that this is my <u>journey</u>. And I know that this journey is teaching me things that I will need in the future. I am blessed beyond measure with the things that I have and in about six month's, I will love celebrating my 40th birthday. <br />
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<br />Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-19911335800203430672014-06-01T10:26:00.001-05:002014-06-01T10:26:14.860-05:00Follow Up... Tucker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So the previous owner was late to bring him over but we kept texting and around 9:30 she let me know she was on her way. The kids were so eager that we were waiting in the driveway. When Tucker rounded the corner he started pulling on his leash. He literally drug Betty the rest of the way. </div>
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The kids were ecstatic. Betty was crying. I felt bad for her. We talked a bit about him and how she could come and visit him anytime. She signed the contract that released him from her ownership</div>
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and I gave her the check. </div>
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He quickly found his way to my bed. </div>
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and woke Joe up this morning with lots of kisses and snuggles. </div>
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still thinks he's a lap dog. </div>
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So, I think he is happy happy happy to be home. :) </div>
Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-89328768379697608592014-05-31T19:54:00.002-05:002014-05-31T19:56:07.954-05:00Tucker Davis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About six weeks ago I had a knock on my door at 10:00 pm. It was my neighbors, Larry and Angie. I opened the door to this face. He was found wandering the streets and Anna, my other neighbor had found him. She had walked around for two hours trying to find his owner. Then Larry wandered for another two hours to find the owner. There was no one looking for him. </div>
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They didn't know what to do with him... so I offered to keep him in my backyard until the next day. I had a kennel in my garage leftover from Murphey and so I brought it out for him. He immediately went into the kennel with no problems. I thought he would cry but he didn't. </div>
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I went up to bed and checked on him a couple of times. The next morning I let him out of his kennel and he came inside. He immediately laid down. </div>
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It was like he fit. </div>
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Joe and Jocelyn were taken with him right away. I took him to the vet the next day to see if he was chipped. He was not. He did not have any tag on his collar. She estimated him to be around 2 years old and well taken care of. </div>
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I looked for signs and scoured websites to see if anyone was looking for him. Nothing. I was going to post signs but I figured if anyone really wanted him back.... there would be signs. </div>
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My kids got more attached. He jumps on on their bed when they are trying to go to bed. He plays with them when they are in the backyard. He thinks he's a lap dog. </div>
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He starts off with one paw... and then the other paw... and then he's on your lap. With a smile. </div>
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I bought him a furminator and some toys. I checked on good food for him and his coat and well being. We bought him toys for the backyard and gave him his heartworm medicine and his flea and tick meds. </div>
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Six weeks go by and it's Memorial day weekend. Larry has gotten used to getting home and coming to visit him. He walks him several times a day. And on Memorial Day Sunday he was walking Tucker (what we named him).... when he made his way down the street next to mine and someone called out to him... "Flash! where've you been?" People ran out and were scratching his head.... Larry didn't know what to do. He asked them why they hadn't been looking for him. </div>
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The owners said... "well... we figured that he'd been picked up by the pound or someone had him." Larry was flabbergasted. He asked them about him... and they said he was five years old and had had all of his shots. They asked him who had been keeping him and Larry said... a young mom with two young kids. He said.. "they must be attached to him so they can keep him!" Larry was so relieved. So was I when I heard. </div>
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FOUR DAYS go by and the doorbell rings. It's the woman. She says "you ready for us to take him back?" </div>
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I just looked at her. I said... no, we were told that he was ours since my kids and I were attached. She said... yeah... well we talked about it and decided it wasn't a good idea. She hemmed and hawed for awhile and admitted they had a lot of money tied up in him. I offered to buy him from her. She hemmed and hawed a bit more. Finally I had to get his old collar and was putting it on him with tears streaming down my face I told her that if she loved him to get him micro chipped and get him a collar with his name on it and to fix her damn fence! I slammed the door in her face. </div>
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The next morning I left this note on her door</div>
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And Larry left a note too. </div>
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I heard nothing so I had to assume that I wasn't getting him back. I had to tell my kids. I didn't want to tell my kids. I told them after Joe's baseball game and they cried. Oh did they cry. Broke my heart! I drove by their house several times and he would always jump up on the fence and just look at me. </div>
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Today... Saturday... almost a week after they knew where he was... she called me and she's willing to let me adopt him if my offer still stands. I said absolutely. So I will pay her $200 (which I think it was about money the whole time)... and I get my tucker back. My kids get their tucker back. </div>
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I am sitting here waiting.. waiting on my kids and waiting on their dog. I am so excited! </div>
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Welcome to the family officially... Tucker Davis! </div>
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Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-54966268595303797282014-03-05T08:14:00.000-06:002014-03-05T08:41:25.602-06:00Hope <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>I am flying to Wisconsin. I am flying to Wisconsin in March..... When it is a balmy 13 degrees... Which is 8 degrees warmer than it was yesterday. Lol. But this has nothing to do with hope..... Ha! <br><br>I just read an article on hope. It says that we have a shortage of hope. Hope is not to be mistaken for optimism which is the general feeling that things will work out well. Hope is a game plan. It is a plan for good things to come your way and for how you are going to get there. <br><br>We can't just dream about good things happening.... We have to learn ways to MAKE good things happen. And then have confidence in your ability to make it happen. Whether it's make a new friend out of that new girl at the gym, find that new job that makes your days worthwhile or get over that person who brings you nothing but pain and heartache. <br><br>Is hope directly tied to self esteem and believing in yourself? And if it is.... How do we work on our own self esteem? Because really.... People can tell you that you are capable but if YOU don't believe it.... It won't happen. <br><br>I think I have always been optimistic but I'm not sure I've been hopeful. I hold onto things for too long which hinders my ability to set up my game plan for tomorrow. I keep talking about doing a vision board for things I want in my life in one year, five years and so on. I suppose my lack of hope has prevented me from doing it. That and what if I do it and then none of things on it come true? So if I just don't do it.... Then I won't have things to not come true.... Follow me? <br><br>Boy is that self defeatist. 😱. <br><br>My past does not dictate who I am or who I am going to be! My New Years resolution was to be authentic to me and what I want. I am doing ok with that. I have had to stop myself though and say.... No! That's NOT what you really want or think. Say what you really think. I don't do it all the time though as it's not natural to me and my people pleasing. <br><br>So.... I am hopeful for the future... And now I am going to put together my game plan. :). Anyone wanna be hopeful with me? </p>Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795421725312470355.post-72099655236462694122014-02-25T22:04:00.004-06:002014-02-25T22:04:37.896-06:00Early Wordless Wednesday<br />
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<br />Jessica Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301569897736086417noreply@blogger.com0