Everyday happenings- February and March

 

Most days my little song-bird is just waiting for an audience. This was "dress like a favorite book character day". She chose Aphrodite, goddess of love. Don't have to worry much about her confidence.

February brough a slew of ailments. This stay-home-from-school-day produced two cough medicine debacles. One on the white couch (which apparently you aren't supposed to spot clean with water):

And one on the white ceiling, when a bossy older sister tried to assist the reluctant infected by shooting the syringe into her mouth...and past her mouth. This might be an indicator that we should go dye-free in the Davis household!

I loved spending time with dear friends at the Girlfriend Revolution women's conference. Mother-daughter pairs joined us for the weekend to learn more of God's design for friendships and to help make luopads for the women of South Sudan.

Proud of my talented friends for putting together a lovely conference

Consulting my younger friends for how to post on Instagram

Searching for lost things sends me on a crazy purging mission. None of these gloves have mates. Our house is a black hole. I think the Little House on the Prairie era idea of tying mittens together with a string was the right way to go.

Speaking of ancient history, back in the 1900's when we were born, we didn't learn coding in elementary school.

Girlfriends of all ages gather to pray, work, consult, and play

MJ rehearsing with her buds for the school talent show

Consulting the manual when our puppy sits down in the middle of the street, phobic of storm drains, refusing to walk; Re-watching Marley and Me with the kids and finding it so much funnier now that we live in dog world. Meeting neighbors on walks with Della that we have never seen before.

Elizabethan collar is code for "cone of shame". Aunt Michelle doctors up Della beautifully, and she makes a speedy recovery.

Will and Natalia head to see Dr. Barry for sinus infections and headaches that just won't give.

Meeting with a nutritionist and trying out more healthy recipes. Most of which we do not like, but we are committed to taking baby steps.

Bowling birthday for the young at heart

Perusing the journals of Thomas Merton, contemplative and writer

 

In February

Thinking up a routine for the talent show audition

Girlfriends of all ages, much-loved

Book Club girl expresses the joy of reading, trailing along behind the family on a nature hike.

 

What goes up must come down

A Saturday at the park, enjoying a picnic. (Note the solitary figure in the background who had enough family togetherness in about five minutes.)

Plugging along on our ever constant pursuit of fitness

The YMCA became even more desirable when MJ realized a friend had a family membership too.

Natalia shadows Aunt Michelle in surgery and explores the idea of becoming a vet tech

Rock'em Sock'em duels

Trying to return to making a special meal on the weekend with all hands on deck.

 

Love looks like this

While we've never turned our noses up at chocolate-dipped strawberries, dinner and dancing, we do recognize that love takes many shapes and forms and can be expressed creatively. Here are the highlights from this Valentine's.

 

My favorite homemade Valentine, made of leftover wood chips

Listening to a friend share of ministry to trafficked women

Dad support: burning the midnight oil trying to solve math problems and build models of Roman colosseums

A soft, cozy blanket of his own

Remembering that our puppy is still a puppy when she shreds things: extending grace (and crate training)

Cards in the mail...even for grand-dogs?

Soaking up the If Gathering conference via web-streaming: hearing of God's love for the world manifested in justice

Being reminded by a friend that our thoughts create pathways in the brain: the more we travel down a certain path, the deeper the impression. Choosing to rein in my thoughts when they start leaning towards negativity.

The love and support of fifty years of marriage

Mimi's loving touch and hand-knit shawls

Making cookies for the neighbors

 

Cheering for one another

Enjoying the company of life-long friends

Heart-shaped waffle night

A kid's favorite after school snacks or cereals at the grocery run

Multiple grocery store runs when we have a man down

A wild display of exotic orchids

The consistency of meeting day after day with the One my soul loves