Randomness...

Happy post Christmas! I hope everyone is gearing up for the new year! :-)

We had a good one. Went out to James' grandparents house in Sipe Springs, TX. It's in the middle of no where if you were wondering. His mom and step dad were present along with his grandparents and his 2 cousins. It's very quiet out there. We just stayed a couple of days and came home. We kind of like home. For Christmas I gave James Fable 2 on Xbox and we have no Xbox. I also told his grandmother and mom to go ahead and get him GameStop gift cards so he could buy an Xbox. Kind of my way of saying- "Go ahead, I don't mind." James and his mom gave me a sewing machine. Exciting. I asked for one. Kind of nervous about it though. I haven't sewed in some time and we don't really have room for me to set it up and leave it out. I have sewed enough to know that it's not something you can usually start and finish in one sitting without making a massive mess. James doesn't like a mess or any type of pile- organized or not organized. We'll see how this goes... or I just might wait to see if we stay in our apartment or move to a new one later in the spring. I don't want to wait though. Mom is bringing me scrap fabric and getting me some other goodies for my birthday so I can play and get to know the machine. It does all kinds of stuff. Fun. Fun. Fun.

I don't know if you can actually see what this says but these are pictures that say all the things this machine can do. Good Luck- it's the best I got! :-)

Today we went on a little shopping spree and didn't spend a penny from our budget! YIPPIE! how did we do that you might ask? Well, I've been saving some of our wedding returns and gift cards for a rainy day and well- that was today. I think we're down to like 23$ or something, which if you knew what we started with you might be in shock! Here is what we got:

I have Pyrex but no casserole dishes so I got one for tomorrow. Mom & Dad are coming down for lunch.

We have the professional hd mixer and now I can slice my veggies effortlessly- why did we get new knives (also purchased on gift card) a while back? hehe. And we were going to get this 3 set attachment box but James found the next item and I had cut back... what a good compromiser I am...

A Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker... oohh lala... come to our house and we'll make ya something cold... but give us plenty of notice, once we opened it and read the instructions we realized it takes a long time to make everything- it may go back just for that reason! lol. (Then I'll get the other 2 attachments!)

So tomorrow we're spending New Year's with Brenna & Mason! We're excited. A little Dave & Busters and just hanging out! This is all after Mom & Dad leave of course. :-) We'll take some pictures! Yeah!

And for my birthday on Sunday, we're going to go to Blue Mesa's Sunday Brunch with friends. I am looking forward to that one. We got a "Birthday Brunch on Us" coupon in the e-mail. I've never been but I have heard fabulous things.

May God Bless your new year and all to come! :-)

Happy Anniversary & Merry Christmas

Our Christmas Card

Movies with Brenna & Mason on Sunday
James driving

James made me get all bundled up because it is TOO cold.

At the Margarita Bar after our massages

Our dessert... after we ate it. hehe.

Our drnks kissing!

Life size Gingerbread House

After our couple massage

All the beautiful lights

At dinner

My plate. YUMMY!

James still working on his when I was already finished.... he takes his time.

On our way to the Gaylord and dinner!

Pumpkin Curry Soup

My mother-in-law, Beverly made this soup for our Christmas Dinner on the Davis side. It is soooo good. Thank you Bev for sending this to me. I made it today for Brenna for lunch and she approves as well. Here ya go- try it!

Pumpkin Curry Soup (makes 6 servings)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup (small) chopped onion
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1 can (15 oz) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin*
1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk*

MELT butter in large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook, stirring frequentl, 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in curry powder, salt and pepper, cook 1 minute.
ADD broth and pumpkin, bringing to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cook, stirring occasionally, 15-20 minutes. Stir in evaporated milk. Transfer mixture to food processor or blend (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until smooth. Serve warm.

This is really good. I didn't buy the brands it called for because they didn't have them at Whole Foods and what I got worked just fine. I think, if I remember correctly, this is from Martha Stuart and she, I am guessing, would back certain brands. :-) Also, remember when you put your lid on your blender to mix, the steam needs somewhere to go- it can explode. Mine did. :-) I had fun cleaning! haha.

Weather

So I am a big fan of Texas weather: the ups and downs, hot and cold, cold being in the 50s, not the 30s, ect... This past week has been awful though. 30 is too cold! I am tired of it! This is what the last week or so has looked like:
12.14 76
12.15 35
12.16 33
12.17 46
12.18 69
12.19 70
12.20 69
12.21 36
12.22 33

Okay, so that range is too big. I'm thinking December should be in the 40-50 degree range. And maybe it can, maybe, dip into the 30s at night. My allergies suck when it's up and down and it's just plain cold right now. Blah. :-) If it is going to be this cold, I wish it would just snow.

How long till summer? That's my true calling- summer year round- the water (pool or lake I don't really have a preference), a book, my iphone(pod), and the sun. What else is needed???

PS

This is story is funny and sad at the same time. I choose to see the funny side of it because we are already addressing the sad side of it.

So today, a little girl came up to me just barely holding the end of her eraser with a look on her face like I don't know how to explain without making it myself. (This little girl is really cute- she could be my daughter easy- looks and everything. lol.) And she says, "Mrs. Davis, Edward (name changed to protect the innocent) touched my pencil with the hand he sticks in his pants." LOL. I about fell over. I had her to sanitize it and get on with her work. hehe. So funny. This little boy's hands live in his pants. It a habit we are frantically trying to break. It's gross and the other kids are really starting to take notice.

The Light of a New Day

Today was definitely much better. Woke up... after sleeping in with James. Not too long though- just like 40 minutes which basically means we didn't go work out. lol. James dropped me off at work. That was a nice surprise. Got a kiss goodbye at work and not at home. That was a blessed send off for me day. Denise was back at work. That was nice too. I enjoy the people I work with so I miss them when they are gone. :-) We went to Richardson HS this morning to watch a student play. The kids did wonderfully on the bus. This was their first field trip. We didn't take any parents either. Props to my kiddies. The bus was on time, if not early and heated! I was a bit nervous about the cold. We watched "Charlotte's Web". Last year we saw a version of The Big Bad Wolf's version of what happened in the 3 Little Pigs. That was much better. Shhh... don't tell anyone I said that. Since we didn't get back to the school till around 11, we missed lunch and had to eat in our classroom. Again, my kids did pretty good. They didn't destroy my floor or the tables. I was pleasantly surprised and I'll put money on it the janitor appreciates it... but I don't think she appreciated snack time... ooops. Then we had a much needed computer lab time. :-D 45 minutes of peace and quiet! Then back to class to learn for the first time today. We read The Gingerbread Boy, The Cookie Girl, and The Gingerbread Man. After all 3 stories, we talked about the order and the kids did an sequencing activity while eating a gingerbread cookie. :-) The middle school came over for a choir performance to end our day early and it was all over. I am in much need of a break. I always come back so refreshed, and not to mention running full force in January. Alexis and I stood around talking for a bit and she brought me home. James heard from the shop today about the truck. They said it wasn't shaking anymore and the light when off by the time they got to it... they are going to drive it again tomorrow and double check but that's some good news. That can only come from Jesus. I guess we both needed some humbling and a little shaking. Life can't be good all the time can it?!? lol. Then I took a long nap till James got home. :-) What a nice day of nothings. No excitement in either direction. ;-)

God bless you all!

Torturous Tuesday

Is this week really still just beginning? Is it really only just Tuesday? I hope today was not an indicator for our last 3 days before Christmas break.

This morning James and I got in a fight at 6am... let me tell you, fights are no fun anyway but at 6am and on less sleep then normal... HORRID!

Then I was running late in getting ready for the above reason, so my hair is in a knot, I have the least amount of make up on then I've gone in with all year, and I am in jeans and a sweatshirt. There isn't anything cute about me today.

Then I go to get in the truck and it's freaking starts vibrating WAY more then it should. And about half way out of the parking garage I see engine light flashing... again HORRID. This is when I pulled over and called James, not in a very good mood mind you. He requested that I not drive it to work and park it back in the garage. I of course was like how am I going to get to work and sarcastically I responded, "I am not in the mood for sarcasm, please do not use it with me." This should tell you exactly what kind of place I was in. :-/ He offered to leave work (in Uptown) and come pick me up. I asked him not to leave yet. I called 4 people and no one answered- including the school office. Finally Alexis called me back but we were thinking it probably was not a good idea for her to come get me- that would mean all 3 kinder classes would be without a teacher. Then Mackie (my principal) beeped in- she was to the school already but graciously turned around and came to pick me up. [Side note: This is very common of anyone at my school- drop exactly what they are doing and helping someone else. I mean who can call their boss to come pick them up last minute?!? I am so blessed!] So we roll up after the 7:50 bell and as we are walking in, Mackie slips on the ice. It looked like she hit hard but she said she was okay. I wish I could have caught her but I am much too slow. She said she was okay. I hope she isn't hurting now. I feel bad, like if I hadn't of called her to come get me, she might now have fallen. So after she got up in good spirits and okay, I pick up my broken purse. :-( Not a big deal, it cost me a whole 10 bucks, but bummer. I guess I get to go buy a new one now. That is the only good thing that came out of pre-10am. We walk by some parents drinking their coffee in the freezing cold... burr... and I go to class. Alexis is doing her best (which is dang good) to hold down all 3 forts! hehe. I try to talk to her to tell her about all that had happened so far just to say it all out loud but the kids were to crazy. :-( Then a parent comes to have a serious chat in the hall (20 students running a muck unsupervised in the class) about what had happened the day before. Those conversations are always hard to have but man, when you're in a mood like I was in... awful! hehe. But all was squared away and good to go. Then I get to chat with 2 students about stealing and lying. This took a bit because I really wanted to get my point across. One of the kiddos shocked me. I couldn't believe it. Then my computer lab time had been jacked... with my permission but I really could have used those 45 minutes of peace & quiet. I am not a fan of SRI week. I have to get my times too--- also required by the district.


.....anything else? I'm sure there was more I just don't remember. So that is why my Tuesday was so bad. It did get a bit better. James got off work to look at the truck and ended up taking it in to get professionally looked up. This also meant we got to spend some time together that usually doesn't happen. And I got a little time with Brenna & Allison! Secrets Secrets there. Shhh!! ;-)


Tomorrow has to be better. Prayers were much needed and I thank those of you that did pray today and those of you that pray often for us. :-)

365 Soon and Counting

So, it's been a while... wow, I think I have started too many blogs that way. :-)

I have so down time tonight and I've been checking out different websites and I honestly think I have forgotten about this one but only when I am actually on the Internet. hehe. :-) As I looked at my blog, I notice it says James and I have been together for 11 months and 3 weeks. Wow- one more week and it's been a year. It's been a roller coaster of a year but worth each and every twist and turn. James is sweet and planned a nice weekend at the Gaylord Hotel next weekend. He got us a couples massage, we're going to eat and to ICE, and have breakfast planned for the morning. What a wonderful way to spend out time together.

Anyway, to sum up my very short blog- I am blessed to have been lucky enough to marry James Aaron Davis. He is challenging and I know God did that on purpose... Iron sharpens Iron. :-) And man do we get some frictions going... lol.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and not Happy Holidays! ;-)

Test Results and more Information

I heard from the doctor on Tuesday. Here is a copy of the email I sent to some close friends and family:
Hey Everyone, After 3 days of phone tag with the nurse at my doctors office (**very frustrating**) I finally talked to my nurse. As many of you know already, my well woman pap came back abnormal- nothing new. This is why I've gone in like 4 times in the last year. Each time they have pinched off my insides and tested them further, which always came back negative. Until now. It came back positive for pre-cancer cells and I have to go in for out patient surgery. We don't have a date yet, I now have to wait on the surgery scheduler to call me. The surgery takes an hour and I can choose to be awake or be put out. If Insurance covers it, you can assure yourself I will be asleep for this. The surgery clears out all the areas that have showed up positive (which is all the ones tested). It does not assure that this will not happen again but hopefully, and God willing, my immune system will fight it and it won't happen again. Only time can tell us. I will update y'all as I get information. Love you all!

Well, I got more information so here it is:

First, I must say thank you from the depths of my heart for all the encouragement and support each and every one of you has already extended to me. Love, prayers, encouraging words, foot massages, food... you name it! :-) Thank you! The Lord has reminded me how loved and cared for I really am and I thankful for this and for each of you.

Second, I have more information:

James and I go in for our Pre-Op appointment with the doctor Thursday, October 16th at 3:40. This was wonderful because it was basically their last open appointment for the week and it does not require me to leave work early enough to make a difference to the kids, if early at all. So praise Him in that. I stress out some when I have to miss work. I feel like it takes more work to miss work then just being there myself. The actual surgery will be Tuesday, October 21 at 9:15 in the morning. At first I was thinking- 9:15, not bad. I can sleep in a little... like a whole 2-2 1/2 hours- SWEET! No such luck :-/ I have to be there 1 1/2 before surgery time. I obviously don't go in for surgery very often, bc I was like why in the heckola do I have to be there that early?!?! But whatever the reason, I am sure it is important and we will be there at 7:45 in the morning. There are 2 parts to the surgery from my understanding (please keep in mind the only time I have talked to anyone is during class while I am trying to listen and maintain the calmness of 22 hyperactive 5 year olds. lol.) One part is cauterization and the other part is CO2. It should take an hour, maybe a little longer. If I choose to go under anesthesia, I then have to stay until I wake and use the restroom or something. I feel like I missed something when the scheduler talked about this part... I did hear another hour to hour and a half. Whichever, I'd be there longer. I've heard that this doesn't hurt but I am not really wanting to be awake for this. We're looking into if the anesthesiologist is in network or out and how much it cost if he/she is out. I have already met the insurance deductible for the year so if he/she is in network we're using it!

Third, many of you have asked how I am feeling about this. I left the emotion out of the first email on purpose. In a lot of ways, I am such a transparent person and others I am so reserved it's scary. I don't really know what brings out what but for some reason in the first email, I chose to not show any. I like to present a strong face but I am weak. If I recall, I was teary eyed when I wrote the other email. :-) Welcome to the wonderful world of Casey Davis. I am scared. James asked of what exactly (him and his logical thinking- he sure does keep my feet on the ground). I am scared of all of it, the procedure, the pain, healing, bleeding. It's a complex feeling though. At the exact same time, I KNOW God has me in His hands and pressed up against HIS heart keeping me safe, whatever it is that safe looks like for me. His will and plan are better then any idea I could ever create in my head. So, I am thankful for my salvation and that I have Truth to hold dear and near to my heart to get me through this. He keeps James strong and grounded for me. He is here supporting me and loving me through this. He encourages and reminds me that the result of my past do not effect his feelings towards me or his love for me. I am thankful each and every day for the husband God has blessed me with... as well as all of you!

Thank you so much again for everything. Please keep praying. I will never pretend that I don't need them.

I love all of you,

Casey

Northwood Hills Elementary

I love my job.

I love my kids.

I have great parents.

I love my team (new & old).

I love my entire staff.

I love my boss.

I love my district.

How did I get so blessed?

Doctors are STUPID... no really, they are!

Don't get me wrong. They are smart. I couldn't make it through medical school but I have something very typical right now and I was even good and went to the doctor sooner rather then later like normally. I was totally trying to PREVENT bronchitis, was give FOUR types of medicine and my cough has progressed to worse and is probably bronchitis now. HORRID. The day I went in, I didn't get to actually see MY Doctor. I was sick, couldn't talk, and my throat was really hurting and I was told they had NOTHING that day but the earliest was at 2:15 the next day. Freaking no way was what I was thinking.... well honestly.... I was probably thinking something is many many curse words I really wanted to yell at the woman on the phone, but since I was standing in front of 22 kindergartners I felt it would be better not to- and I had no voice and couldn't. haha. Anyway, I questioned her and basically was like "You seriously don't have ANYTHING before 2:15 tomorrow? How do y'all not leave "last minute" spots open in the day for emergency visits? And so on... She then all of a sudden was like, "Oh, I have one for 9am tomorrow?" Okay, now I am really not a happy camper... I have an IT person in my room telling me I have to remove stuff to get Microsoft 07, I can't teach my kids because I can't talk (which by the way, they were really good for being out of routine and me not being able to talk), and I couldn't get an appointment for the day and I already called a sub to come in early... SERIOUSLY?!? And I asked the receptionist now, if someone cancels can I please be on a list to get moved up?!?! And I she acted as if that was a silly question or something. WTF!?!? She asked if I want the 9am appointment and I say yes and me being in probably one of the worst moods of the year, asked AGAIN... can you please call me if anyone cancels..... she said I yes... I had little hope with that happening. 30 minutes later I got a phone call and was at the doctors within the house. Praise His name... again, I did not see my doctor. I saw the nurse practitioner or something. She prescribed me an inhaler, a nasal spray, an allergy medicine, and an antibiotic... THEY ALL SUCKS. My cough is just as bad and worse. I am going to have to go back again.... STUPID DOCTORS. I hope this time I get to see MY doctor and he can give me some real medicine. :-)

Kiddos

James is going to be a good dad. He was never around kids growing up. He's an only child. Has 1 cousin that is much older and he wasn't around him much, 1 cousin his age, and 1 cousin that is like 11 or something- so way younger then him. He is in the business world so no kids there. Then he met me. I worked in the Preschool at church, taught kindergarten, worked as a day camp counselor, and babysit some- oh and my best friend and roommate prior to marriage has a son who is 5 1/2 now. Over the last couple of years, as he has been exposed more and more- he grows softer and softer, in a wonderful way. He came to my classroom 2 weeks ago and he did such a great job. He "learned" how to do calendar- the kids taught him, he did marker boards with them and read a story. They were so excited and so engaged. When he got up to leave, he told them "how proud he was of them for their hard work" and gave then high 5's. I of course raced across the room to be ready with the antibacterial lotion because I figured he'd be grossed out by the germs but he hadn't even thought of it. He still put some on since I had it out. :-) We have also been babysitting a couple of little girls 4 & 6... he does so well with them too. I am just excited for when the Lord does put it in our hearts to start the next stage of family! We're not ready yet and we are both very happy where we are but 3 instead of 2 will be good too! :-) (Maybe we'll jump from 2 to 4- I ask God for twins in prayers from time to time when I think about... When we do decide to have kids... NOT NOW!!! LOL)

Insurance, Deductible, HSA Spending Accounts and unGodly amounts of money

So, I went to the doctor today, upon the advice of many. I wasn't told anything new... all viral, nothing can be done.... blah blah blah. :-) The nurse practitioner was really nice though. She gave me drugs that would make me feel better and not like crap so that I can function at work. Praise the Lord for her! :-) Let's pray it all actually works and I get my voice back, my throat stops hurting, and I can go a night without coughing! :-)
So anyway- to the subject. I am on James' insurance. Sometimes I wonder if this was a good decision. We decided to take me off RISD's BlueCross/BlueShield plan because I had co pays and had bills being sent to me because they didn't cover this or cover that... whatever. James' company pays 100%. Or at least this is what we thought. James doesn't go to the doctor and when he does it is always just preventative. So, yes, 100% of that IS covered. Then there is me. I go to the doctor multiple times a year because I work in a germ infested building with kiddos (I still love my job!), I get sick anyway, regardless of those germs I am exposed to, I wear glasses/contacts, I like my teeth so I get them cleaned, and I go to the OB/GYN regularly... and now 4x a year regular. I get stupid amounts of test run on various body parts. They usually come back negative but in the mean time cost us horrible amounts of money. We have an HSA Account so it doesn't feel like it take a part of our budget. It's money that is taken out of James' paycheck pretax. But it's still our money. Today, I went to pick up my 2 prescriptions and it cost me $0. I was like wow, we met our deductible. SWEET! No more out of pocket... at least not till January. :-) But this means we've spent at least $2500 so far on MY health. (James hasn't been to the doc.) I got on our HSA website and looked it up... it shows, year to date, that we've actually spent more then $3000 ....I don't know a lot about health insurance but it looks as if we're getting screwed... so now, I have to add to my list of things to do- Call BCBS! AHHHHH!!!! And they probably have some explanation for me that means something where they are right and we're not owed any money back... BLAH BLAH BLAH... I know "whatever" isn't an intelligent word but WHATEVER. It's money we save solely for the purpose of our health. If our deductible IS met, then this is a good thing. I go in on Wednesday for EXPENSIVE test and if we don't have to pay for any of it... GREAT! That is wonderful news. Anyway... health care is too expensive. No wonder a lot people don't go to the doctor, or if they do, they have to go into debt to pay it off... Or we pay for it twice... in taxes for those who get it for free... not very Godly of me, I know we are to provide for the less fortunate... and I we do that... but it's just frustrating. :-) So, anyway- unGodly amounts of money is spent on Doctors by the Davis'. :-)

It's been a while....

I don't even know what to write about, it's been such a long time. :-) I am actually opening up my blog to see what was last.... WOW... lots has happened and I guess not happened. I'll do a quick update...
We bought a boat. We went to Arkansas for our summer vacation for a week. I didn't get into my classroom untill our first official staff development day back to work... talk about some stress and an 80 hour work week. We had about 3 weeks of total work- no play, no time together. Praise the Lord that is OVER! I have a wonderful class! YEA. One the first day of school, I was told by a student I looked like Barbie. :-) She obviously wanted to be my favorite from day 1. lol. My team is amazing, my kids and parents are amazing, my school is amazing, and my boss is amazing as always. So no work complaints obviously. haha. I've been sick on and off. I don't think I've gotten back to 100% at all- I just have really good days and really bad days. :-) My principal made me team leader (disclaimer- in our school we're all leaders, it's just a go to person on each team basically!), I am the PTA Teacher rep which means I not only go to all the PTA Meetings, which we're required to go to anyway, but I go to the Board meetings. It's fun and a wonderful opportunity to really see what these women and men put into our school and how much they do and want to support the teachers and students. I also get to know more kids. I've been praised at work for my work with such depth and meaning that I feel really good about what I am doing. I've also been told I am seen as a leader and it would be good for me to work in other grades at some point so that I can move into roles such as IS or Counselor so that I can reach more then 22 each year. It all feels good and so scary at the same time. wow. That was a wonderful conversation but so heavy at the same time. I like babies. I've never been one to Ooooo over babies. I've always prefered 4 or 5 year olds to babies. Like within the last month, I've really just gone google when I see a baby. LOL. No, it's not baby fever yet. I do feel a bit closer though. I am really enjoying time with my husband and we would like to keep it that way for a while. I had yet another gyno appointment with bad news. I have to go in next week again, for the 3rd time to have bits and pieces of my insides pinched out for testing... which I might just point out cost us an arm and a leg each and every time.... all past test have shown negative results. Part of me kind of wishes it would so positive results so that we can cut it out and get it over with.... if thats how it even works.... whatever... So we're praying for Gods will in it and my friend Kate, whom I am very thankful for is taking me to my appointment so I don't have to go alone. James would go but I told him he didn't have to go. I am very comfortable with Kate taking me. :-) At home group, we have been sharing our testimonies. James and I are this week. I've been working on it a bit this weekend. I am excited and nervous to share. I am also thinking of posting it... but not sure if I will because family and friends read my blog. It gets dirty and honest and I am not sure I am ready to share ALL that with EVERYONE. lol. :-) Maybe an edited version... I don't know.
James and I have both been sick on and off all weekend. I'm in bed now. It's nice but it's the last thing I wanted to do today. I am really wanting to move our bedroom furniture around. I can't stand the way we have it now. It stinks. Not like smelly but like just sucks. Oh yeah- with James deciding not to go back to school (at the point anyway, it could always change) we are saving for a house. :-D www.ebby.com is fun. We will not seriously even begin looking until we have 30% of what we want to spend saved. :-) So, there's us in a nutshell. Maybe more exciting things will come soon. :-)

My School Website Bio

Our school has a website and the teachers get to write a bio about themselves... Last year I never did it because I didn't know what to write- that isn't going to happen this year... So, here is what I have so far... Please tell me what you think... I don't want to sound dumb! Potential & current parents read this thing! hehe.

Casey Davis
Kindergarten

Good day!
My name is Casey Davis and it is a pleasure and blessing to begin my third year of teaching kindergarten and second to be here at Northwood Hills. The loving, supportive family like atmosphere here at NHE comes from the teachers, parents and children. I just love it and look forward to each day of work!

I was born in Denton, TX and moved to Wichita Falls, TX in elementary school. I graduated December 2005 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood Education), certified general studies EC-4th grade and recently became certified in English as a Second Language. I also plan to become certified in a Gifted Talented program.

Last December (2007), I married my most fabulous husband, James Davis. He is a Texas A&M graduate and works as an IT Consultant. Together, we live here in north Dallas living life to the fullest child and pet free for a while! J

When we’re not working, we enjoy hanging out with friends, going to and serving at The Village Church, short traveling to visit family as well as long distance traveling (China, Jamaica, Mexico, and Las Vegas so far!), working out, Wii, watching movies, reading, and just living life serving our Lord, as He pleases.

I am looking forward to the 2008-2009 school year, my coworkers, the parents and most of all my new students! I have full faith and confidence that this will be the best year yet!

God Bless!!

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

So, I've been writing a different blog, it's taking me a few days to finish and of course I am still pondering and praying about it all. So, in the mean time, I am going to write on another topic. I've done it before. I think it was for a college class but here and now, I am going to do it again because it is important to me.

My Granny: George Ann Haswell

She has been in my life since before the day I was born. As many of you know, my parents did not get married before I came along. They dated for a while and stuff (you can determine the stuff for yourself). So, somewhere in the beginning of my life, they, my parents decided to live together to raise me. They picked out a house and bought it together in Corinth, TX. It was close to their work and close enough to my granny and other family members. So, through the years I many hours, days, and weeks at Granny & Gramps' house. In the 4th grade we moved to Wichita Falls, TX. Hard move for me but I would like to say I got through it alright. It brought me to where I am now and I am pretty dang happy with that. My parents would take lots of time driving my sister and I down to Duncanville to see my granny- spend the day, a weekend, a week or more- however long she would put up with us. In the 7th grade Gramps went on home to be with Jesus. So, it was just Granny and Hope (her little dog that thought she was human!). We still continued to visit all the same.

Through my life, Granny and I have always had this special connection. She's always gotten me. She's been there for me, encouraged me, supported me, and disciplined me... and she took me to church while in town. Even living 2 hours away, I could get a phone call from Granny and she'd ask me, "Casey, is everything okay? I just had this feeling..." and most of the time, I was upset about something. She always just knew.

By the way, my Granny's Chocolate Chip Cookies trump your granny's chochips! I just had to throw that one in there- I know anyone in my family will stand behind me if you wanna take it outside. hehe. :-)

She is the center of our family. No one dare mess with her, or you're going to hear about it from someone if not everyone... not that she needs anyone to stand up for her- she's been around over a quarter of a century, has seen 2 husbands go to Jesus, raised 3 sons and help with 2 step daughters, be there for 4 grandsons, and 9 granddaughters... there is more, I guess I shall continue- 2 double step grandsons their wives and their kids, 1 great granddaughter with 2 more on the way (not from me- remember I'm EPT -). :-) My point- she can stand up for herself and she does.

At some point in college, I got caught up with myself. I didn't call her or go see her as much. As you will see in another blog I am working on, I'm selfish. Shortly after I moved down this way, I moved into an apt in Lewisville. My friend was over one morning, I decided not to take a subjob that day- praise His name- because my mom called. I answered, not wanting to for only the Lord knows why, and my mom told me dad was leaving work, stopping by the house only to get a sandwich to eat on the way to the hospital... Hospital?!!? WHY!?! Granny had a heart attack. She was in pain that morning and had called her friend Virgina to come get her and take her to the hospital because she was scared that if she called an ambulance they would let Hope out and she didn't want to have to worry about her dog while she was laying in the hospital bed. So, I left and turned a 45 minute drive probably into a 25 minute drive- I dared any officer to pull me over and see what happens. Virgina had Grannys cell phone and called my uncle Randy, who in turn called a few of the family members, my dad and their brother Lin. Everyone was on their way from Houston, Marshall, & Wichita Falls. Once I arrived at the hospital I got her phone called my 2 aunts Muriel and her family in Norman,OK- they're on their way now, and my cousin Lindsey who lives right there in Duncanville- I couldn't get a hold of her mom bc she was at work but I knew Lindsey would know how and did. Within a few hours, we were all there. Just waiting. I think Dad got there before anyone- he of course was talking to doctors and finding out everything he could. He can be pretty good at taking charge- and I think he feels pretty comfortable in hospital situations (prob not his favorite when he's there for his own mom though!) Anyway, she came through surgery fine, sore, but fine and recovered. That was about 3 years ago. For a really long time she wasn't herself fully. She seemed weak and in pain, and sick a lot. This year she had another surgery, not on her heart, and is much better. I think she feels better then she has in a long time. Anyway, when she had her heart attack I promised myself I would be more intentional. I wasn't though. Even for the year that I lived with her, I wasn't intentional. I feel like I kind of took it for granted. Granny is close to ALL of her grandkids, blood and step. But the Lord put me in her home for a year. How lucky am I? And I wasted a lot of that time with her. I love her. I love her a lot. Last week, I went down there, Andrew and all, and spent part of the day with her. It was wonderful. And yesterday, she came up to see our apartment, hang out on the couch and do nothing but take and sit. James came home and we had dinner and hung out. Granny doesn't feel safe driving in the dark, so she left a little before 7- after most of the traffic and home before dark- this is when she would have liked to see me home while I was living with her- but I am not sure if that happened even once. lol- Home before dark- that was difficult. James and I watched a movie. It made me cry because an older woman died and it made me think of Granny. I am not ready to miss her yet. I haven't had my time with her. I am ready to not take her for granted. I love her and I want to be the granddaughter she has helped raise. Not a selfish one but one that is loving and kind and giving. Did you know that without even looking she can tell you anyones birthday/anniversary from memory. She may go check herself but I've never seen her get it wrong... and she remembers to send a card. She is smart. She is beautiful. She has lived life. We don't always see eye to eye on religion but she loves Jesus. She has supported me in all my endeavours. And I want to be there for her. I want to love her and support her. I want to spend more time. Gas and time are NO excuse for me not to get in the car and drive my butt down there. So, this is my promise to my Granny- I will be the granddaughter you have raised. I want to be better at my job. I love you.

“The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend.” -Chuck Palahniuk

Our weekend was fun and continuous. Here are some pictorial updates:

I had Friday off so my weekend began early. I started with the gym of course and then hung some things on the walls. Well, to tell the truth, I hung some things on Thursday but my opinionated husband didn't like my work, so I was re-hanging things. :-) This is what it takes sometimes to make sure things are straight on the wall. Then I met up with my friend Amy at Northpark for some light shopping and a chat but before I got there, I had to sit in traffic. Dallasites don't know how to drive. At least in Houston traffic everyone is trying to drive fast and no one is just going slow because they suck at driving...

Friday night we went to see Hancock and then to dinner at BJ's in Addison. We don't have any pictures of those activities.

Saturday we went to transform and I'm trying to get a friend that was there taking pictures for the church to send me a couple that he took of us! So, hopefully I'll be able to post that soon! :-)

Then on the way home, James had the boat bug and so we stopped at West Marine. Here's our purchase:

James pretending to be behind a boat on the water. Next summer baby, I promise!

I put it to good use and took a quick nap, I really did fall asleep!
Saturday night James and I babysat for a family, 2 little girls to be exact. They are smart, cute, and full of spunk! :-) It was fun!

On Sunday we tried to sleep in. This is a difficult task though because a couple of weeks ago our curtains started to fall down so we just took them down and haven't put them back up. It's bright in the AM. We went to Wally World and for some reason J was just super tired so he rested while I worked out and stuff. Then it was church time. It was an excellent sermon. I'll be blogging about that itself later on. Afshin is such a good speaker. The Lord uses him in wonderful ways. After church we went to dinner with Brent, Dan, Jordan, and D. Here's what dinner produced:

If I get WiiFit, will I be able to move like that Brent???

Moldy Garlic

YEEEEEEEAAAAH!!!!!!!

For the past month or so there has been this smell in my kitchen, which if you've been here means a nasty smell in my kitchen, dining room, and living room! Ugh! And I feel this smell was causing gnats to sworm our home. We have tried EVERYTHING to get rid of the smell and the soon to be dead stupid annoying flying things. I took every single thing off the counter scrubbed it, windexed it, and then used a lysol wipe to disinfect it. Put ALL the fruit away, so that non of it out in the open. I would run HOT water down the disposal with a lemon cleaner. We bought a gnat killer thingy from Lowes and burned about a million candles trying to mask the small. Anyway, finally Sara was over yesterday and I used my sniffer to sniff around again and it wasn't from the sink, the dishwasher, oven, stove, but finally I felt like I knew it was coming from a certain cabinet so I began pulling out spice after spice. A plastic ziploc back with 2 garlic cloves sealed shut but with an awful stinch. Apparently you shouldn't seal a bag with garlic in it. It holds moisture and creats mold that smells! It now has been trashed and the smell is gone! The gnats are diminishing!

YEEEEEEEAAAAH!!!!!!!

We're Ready... or at least we look like it!

The DAVIS DUET

BRING IT!

Since I've never played a day of soccer in my life and James hasn't played since elementary school we had NO soccer equiptment. So, here we are 100 bucks later ready for practice! As you can see we don't have our team shirts yet so we just threw on some black ones... oh and my tennis shoes look STUPID (I know super trivial but that's what flex spending is for in our budget!) so I am going to get some black and white ones. :-) That way if I totally make a fool of myself, I'll look good doing it! haha. Hope we have a photographer! :-P

James dressing for his close up.

He's falling as I am taking the picture.

The business-professional soccer player.

He's ready for INDOOR soccer!

I think I look like a soccer player...
Not really. lol.
Shin guards and everything... go ahead try and kick me!

Random 4th of July Weekend Pictures

These first ones are from a wedding on Friday, July 4th! :-)

















James with the groom, Kent!














These are from July 3- watching the Addison fireworks from the roof of our apartment parking garage with most of our home group!