Me & My Girl

It is crazy to think this girl came into my life 6 and 1/2 yrs ago. We braved the world alone just the two of us. Her birth father has never been reliable. (this is not the hubby I talk about here.) She has not seen him in over 4 years. ANYWAYS!!!!! We seem to have this unspoken language....I know she's got my back. She will pack up and split with me if she s*&t hits the fan. She is an old soul. She has seen a thing or two. I worked like a dog just to keep us afloat for the first year of her life. When I came through the door after working a double at a local clam shack, she was just getting up for her late night bottle. I would light some candles, dim the lights, and put on Norah Jones. I can recall those nights like it was yesterday. She was my strength. So here we are on Christmas together. Two peas in a pod. Love her.......

New Years Resolution

Well the fact is I don't have one. Never have, never will. I am the kinda girl who has no regrets. If I did, I would be balled up in a corner crying my life away. I have had some crazy times. I have done some crazy things. All of which have led me up to this point in time. Too many people say life is too short. I believe life is too long. So my New Years will be snuggled up with the hubby,Chinese food, and catching up on Season 5 of LOST. I know so boring but exactly where I want to be. Never been a sucker for New Years Eve but Valentines Day on the other hand........

Just us....

Christmas Eve was such a dream. We were able to kick it at home all day just the four of us. My husband and I were actually able to sit down and chat over a glass of wine and cheese and crackers. It was a complete delight. Dinner was rack of lamb which we spent way too much money on....but my brother insisted I make it special. The kids totally gobbled it up. My parents and big brother swung by for a quick Christmas Eve dose of the kiddos. Our dear friend stopped by with two perfect gifts for the kids to open. I was always allowed to open one gift Christmas Eve. I try to keep the tradition alive by having the kids open their Christmas pj's. They were definitely not as cool as our friends gift. I think it was an awesome start to a new tradition. We were actually able to see the rest of the family Christmas day and the day after Christmas. I don't think it could have gone any better. My photographs are my attempt of using a digital slr on the manual setting. I love the light it captures instead of being totally blown out with a flash. But some of the pics are a bit shaky, blurry, etc.

A Family Gathering

We were supposed to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins this past Saturday but my aunt was sick so we rescheduled. My mom and brother had prepared tons of food so we decided we would all still get together. I love what transpired as a result. A typical Davis gathering.....good food, good spirits, and good dancing. I let Elizabeth use my camera so you will see a mix of her style in the photographs. However, I can not take credit for the picture of the vodka bottle wearing the santa hat.
So happy my big brother is in town. Now the holidays feel complete. I think my shopping is done or I just think I have bought enough stuff. Tomorrow is my last day of work until January 4th. I am definitely in need of some rest and relaxation.

Christmas Eve Service

I can't even remember the last time I went to Christmas Eve service at Second Congregational. The memory of attending these services are wrapped around my heart. Being the baby of the family, I always felt like I missed out on all the good stuff. My cousins and brothers were thick as thieves. I always watched them head out the door as I was heading to bed. But Christmas Eve Service was the one thing I was allowed to do that was considered 'grown-up.' I don't think it was just the service itself that made a lasting impression. Even though 'our church' at night was truly amazing. Rev. Wright preaching his sermon by candlelight as shadows danced across the walls. I always watched my mother during this service. She loved it. She loved to belt out 'Joy to the World.' I can never listen to that song without hearing her voice singing "and heaven and nature sing..." I loved to nestle up her next to her and hold her hand. Which was a rare occasion. And of course, the end of the service would be just voices and candles singing 'Silent Night.' Low lights would come up and we would all wish each other 'Merry Christmas.' So cool, so miss it....and so I will go this year....sit in the dark.....and be moved by the Christmas Spirit.

Happy Photographs

Asking for what you want

I was recently at a birthday party for a dear friend of ours. Santa Claus was there. My two year old fell in love. Not only did he scream "Santa Claus" about a zillion times, he ran over and held him. Yes, held him. He just wrapped his arms around him and held Santa. It was uncanny to say the least. At that moment, I realized what an impact Christmas had on this little guy. I decided we were going to stay home Christmas Eve. We usually travel Christmas Eve to see family. We get home just in time to eat dinner, leave cookies out for Santa and then off to bed. I knew this was not going to be well received by the family. I am lucky enough to work with a group of amazing women. We have devotions every morning together. So with a heavy heart I headed to our daily devotions. I sobbed as I told them how I felt like I had started trouble with my decision. My brilliant boss told me "asking for what you want is not starting trouble." This year, I am asking for my family to be together in our home for Christmas Eve. I feel like I can take a deep breath. Phew, that being said.....I came home with the kids in tow to find our Christmas tree on the floor. HA! Ornaments shattered everywhere. I have had some of these ornaments for 10 years. It was actually kinda funny. I managed to laugh it off. And, I got to decorate the tree with the salvaged ornaments. The kids wanted nothing to do with it. So I brewed myself a cup of tea, turned on my fav, Ray Lamontagne, and decorated. This Christmas go ask for what you want....you heard me, now go!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

So I have been hiding out for the past couple of weeks. I actually have been looking for my Christmas Spirit. I have checked all the usual places; in between the cushions of the couch, in the dryer, under the bed. Maybe it was delivered to my neighbors house by mistake and now they have a double dose of Christmas Spirit. This would explain why every inch of their house is covered in lights. Bah-Humbag is not my style. So I am accepting my fate this year and giving in to a little grinch-ness. I guess we are all entitled to it once. I did, however, shop for about 6 hours today, ALONE. It was great. I just wandered around stores sipping a latte. People all around me were frantically trying the find the perfect gift. Well I will tell you my perfect gifts were at home patiently waiting to decorate our tree. The one we picked our yesterday that is lopsided and has a big hole. I am a sucker for a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It reminds me of my favorite Christmas growing up. It was the year we decided to go away to Maine and ski for Christmas. My brother hiked through huge snows to cut us down a tree. We made all the ornaments. We listened to music on an 8 track player. It was the best. So this year, I decided to sit back and let the hubby and the kids decorate. Just like my mother always did. I never understood why but now I do.