Who Will You Tell?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'd say our first two weeks of March have had plenty of "Irish" blessing!

We enjoyed an evening out with Mom & Dad....

They then had some Penny & Nate time afterwards.....

Nate lost a tooth at my house (Penny- PLEASE take your first step at my house!!!), and Mom and Dad played tooth fairy ;)

Last weekend, I dressed in blue and headed to Ann's shower to celebrate her baby BOY to be!

Warning:  I took 5,363 photos of Ann's shower....   and narrowed it down to 5,362.

Sorry.

She's too sweet and beautiful to cut even one!!!

Cooper & Cameron (twins!)- soon to be big brothers!

Some of Ann's nieces .....

Zoe is crazy about her Aunt Ann....

Ann's Mom, Vicki and her sister, Amy....

Grandma and all but one of her grand babies!

                             

                         Can't wait to meet baby boy #3.......   hope he's ready for this crew :)

A few days before her shower, Ann and I were able to sneak in an unexpected lunch date and some baby furniture browsing.  I enjoyed it so much!

Ann, 

I couldn't be any prouder of you!  You have created the sweetest family, and have a life that anyone would be proud to call their own.  

Thank you for sharing it all with me.

And here is your 7 month belly shot ;-)

Cheryl S and I got together again and made homemade pizzas and sat for several hours and just talked.  It was a wonderful afternoon as always.

We also had a lunch date with Mom, Eric & Sarah. 

Troy and I had a movie date with "Safe Haven," and wore our green this weekend....

Today we're enjoying a cold, dark, rainy St. Patrick's Day.  We've got the lights turned low, and the candles burning.  Troy's studying and I'm doing laundry and cleaning,....it's very exciting around here.

I read about St. Patrick this morning.  The poor guy......shamrocks, leprechauns, and a pot of gold is what we think of on March 17th....  and yet his story is so much more.

Though much of his life is unknown....  what we do know is that he had a passion to shed light on God's word throughout Ireland.  Though he faced death threats for doing so, he spread the Gospel and changed the hearts of both kings and servants, introducing them to Jesus.  He was a pioneer of Christianity.

I love the shamrocks......  I love the green food coloring added to our drinks....  I love telling Troy to kiss his fake-Irish wife all day.  My friends have sent me text of what they've done with their little ones to celebrate all things green today.  And I love it.  I can't wait to do the same.

But I guess if I truly want to honor St. Patrick today....  I have to pray that I have the same courage that he had.

That when a patient (who I feel doesn't know the Lord) talks to me in depth about her husband drinking himself into a mess every evening......  that I have the courage to tell her that I'm praying for her husband.  And that I know of something ......  of someone....  that can help her.  Or more importantly....  that even though she looked at me like I had two heads when I told her I would pray (still nothing compared to the persecution that St.Patrick must have received) that I am brave enough to tell her that I'm still praying when I see her next.

It's easy to talk about Jesus with the ones we love.....  or the ones we feel believe the same.  But
saying what you feel or believe to someone that you know believes differently ...  isn't as comfortable.

It's funny....   if I find a new pair of shoes, a new handbag, a new restaurant, or TV show that I like....  I tell everyone I know that they HAVE to have it.  I'm not subtle about it....   if you don't buy this pair of shoes, you're nuts...   and if you don't crave this restaurant every day of your life, there's something wrong with you.

I get a little passionate about the things I like.

And the interesting thing is- a few months later, I'm over that pair of shoes, or burnt out on that restaurant.

Imagine the work we could do if we raved about Jesus (who we never bore or tire of)  like we did our new favorite clothing line.....  or our favorite basketball team.

If He doesn't define you....  if He isn't what makes up every fiber of your being..... if you don't fall asleep at night while talking to Him...  then yes....

you are probably like my patient was (and a lot of people I come across) and are thinking I'm a little nuts...  or maybe just young, naive and confused.

But if Jesus is your everything ....   then maybe honor St. Patrick and think about sharing Him with someone.  I'm not insinuating that you go all Billy Graham or Joel Osteen on them (though for the record- I think it would be lovely.... ;-) ....but if He fills you with love and hope in a way only He can...  why not share?

St. Patrick told all of Ireland.

Who will you tell?

That's all for me today...... due to my lack of St. Patrick's Day dinner planning (and lack of groceries in the house!)... I've got to quickly figure out what fast food or take out place can produce something Irish... -ish.

McDonald's Filet-o-Fish and fries maybe can pass for Irish Fish and Chips?

Arby's sandwich for Corn beef?

Wish me LUCK!

Love,

Kristin

Finishing February & Proud Wife....Again!

Once again, I'm behind on blogging.....  which means you get three weeks worth of randomness all in one post.  These photos will finish out February!

I last blogged about my surprise birthday party, but also wanted to post a few other images from my birthday week. It's always fun to look back and remember.

I came home from work on my birthday to a husband holding my favorite arrangement of flowers...

I enjoyed all of the cards, flowers and messages so much.....

Even the Facebook post (I copied and saved a few) were precious to me.....

 It was a memorable birthday week!

I took a few photos on Valentine's Day.  We always celebrate Valentine's on a weekend near the date, so that we're not rushed to go out on a work night (if it falls on one). 

This year was no different as we celebrated in Nashville a couple of weeks before the date, (http://troyandkristindavis.blogspot.com/2013/02/weekend-getaway.html) ..... and then spent the evening of the 14th at home....

.... with heart shaped pizza, the DVR, and our pajamas.

 

 

Valentine's Day also had a touch of Disney this year...

Our Valentine gift to one another was our weekend getaway, and we weren't supposed to do gifts on the actual date. But Troy surprised me anyway with this beautiful throw blanket.

Back in 2009 we visited Disney in December, and it was the first time I had ever seen the castle decorated in lights.  I fell in love with it.  The parks had this blanket in their gift shops that year, and though I thought about doing so the entire trip- I never purchased it.  I have regretted it ever since.  I've looked for the blanket for several years now.  I check the parks every time we visit (in hopes they've made it again), I've checked Disney's website, called them....  you name it, I've done it.  But no such luck.

Until now.  Thank you husband.  I love it so much!

Valentine's Day turns a lot of people off.  They say it's a money making holiday.....nothing but a marketing scheme....  a bunch of hoopla for nothing.  I couldn't disagree more.  I love that there's one day a year set aside to celebrate L-O-V-E!  A day to honor the one thing that brings us together.  But if I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times,  "I don't need a date on a calendar to show my loved ones how I feel."  ???  Well I hope not!?  I feel people sometimes use that as an excuse to not have to do anything.... an excuse to be lazy and not have to let their actions speak louder than words.  And in no way do I mean monetarily ..  it doesn't take money.  It can be the very small things that make Valentine's Day a special one.   

It's just a fun, sweet day to me..... no matter you're relationship status, the amount of money you have,  or how big or small of a deal you make it.  

There's always someone to love.

Plus....it gives me an excuse to dress in hearts all month!

We spent the weekend after Valentine's Day with my Grandfather and his wife, Clara Mae.  Mom, Dad, Troy and I drove to their town to spend a Saturday with them.  They live in "the country" as I call it.....   though they tell me I haven't seen what true "country" is.


I love everything about their small town.

 Though it sounds like a set of lyrics from a country song....I swear that the sky really is bigger .....

The front porches really are wider.....

And the people really are warmer.

I love "the country."  Or at least my version of it.

I still say I was meant to live there.

Troy says that my version of "the country" is not realistic.  In my version ....  I live in a big white house with with a wrap around porch....  where I sit with a glass of sweat tea....  wear sun dresses and cowgirl boots on a daily basis... run in fields of wild flowers... shop in the town square.....  we have biscuits and gravy with every meal.

And we walk to church on Sundays.

Because it's just over yonder...  and people do that there.

 On a dirt road.

Unless it's below 65 degrees or above 80 degrees ....and then I need my temperature controlled vehicle ....and the road better be paved.  Because I'll be irritable and in no mood for primitive ways.

:)

So maybe my version of "the country" is a little specific.

But I've always wanted to live a part of it.


So obviously, I loved being in the country that day.....

We all went to lunch and then took a ride in my Grandfather's truck.  As hard as this is to believe, I think this was my first time ever in a pick up truck.

It felt very country to me :)

We drove down the back roads of the country side......

Which I am now obsessed with....

I loved the wide open spaces and how quiet and simple it all felt...

And playing with my camera....

We found this old house that used to be in Clara Mae's family......

which I now want.

Even though it's falling apart, and in shambles..... there's something so sweet about it to me.

It's like something out of a Miranda Lambert song. : )

We ended the day with a show at the Lincoln Jamboree....

It was a wonderful trip and a great way for this city girl to get her country girl fix.

And a Grandpa fix :)

February also brought a birthday celebration at my friend Cheryl S's home.

I know. It appears as though my birthday never ends.


She absolutely spoiled me rotten during our lunch date.

She made me lunch (teaching me a new recipe!), a birthday cake, and gave me a BEAUTIFUL bracelet from Pandora!

I was (and still am) overwhelmed!

Cheryl- these pictures of your fur children are for you  ;-)....

Cheryl- thank you for another wonderful day, and for being so good to me!  I loved our time together so much.....

and my bracelet is just perfect!

February also brought dinner dates with friends.

We met Sam and Jason for Mexican food one Friday night...   it just so happened to be "National Margarita Day"  :)....

After Mexican, we went for ice cream.  I love an easy/relaxing night out with our best friends.....  especially when Sam and I make a "sweat pants and hoodie pact," before leaving the house.  

We also had lunch with Troy's group of Residents this month....

I love getting together with this group.  These are the people that Troy works with daily.  I hear the run down on each of them every evening.  They are good people....SMART people...and a great group of Residents for Troy.

And as always.....  being a physician always comes first.  I snapped this photo of Martin (who we adore!) "taking call" from the table.  In between bites of his meal....he discussed pacemaker issues regarding one of his patients.  Never a dull moment when you have lunch with eight physicians....  some of whom are on call :)

Our February ended with a slumber party with Abby....

I love seeing her pull this suitcase through my house.  We bought her this bag for her birthday, in hopes that she would use it when coming to our house for several years.  We love that it has already made several visits :)

Sam's grandmother passed away, so we kept Abby for a night and I took her to the funeral home for Sam and Jason the next day.

I took a few photos of her before we left.....   how sweet is she?  I can't get enough.....

I may or may not have let her sit and eat a half dozen mini Cadbury eggs to keep her still while taking her picture....

Abby was the sweetest ending to our month!

And now my proud wife moment....and the best news of February....

I'd love to call Wave 3....  shout it from the roof tops...  and stamp it on my forehead.  

I am that proud of him.

Nominations and voting for the new Chief Resident took place this month.  

We received the results on my birthday, of all days.

You're now looking at the most handsome, sweetest, most BRILLIANT..

CHIEF OF RESIDENTS 

I've ever seen.....

Oh my word.

I can hardly stand it.  I am so proud.

He of course continues to say that it's "no big deal...."

Yes.....he has lost it.

He's the Chief of Residents for heaven's sake!?  

And he's mine.

There are many days that I still can't believe it.

*goosebumps!*

Want to hear something awful (and honest)?  I've been thinking lately that February had been kind of an off month.  I have been very stressed at work (I love you Cheryl C!  I would have been lost without you the last few weeks), Troy's grandmother passed.....there's been disappointing and hurtful events that have occurred...our hearts have been heavy in more ways than one this month .

...

....my family and dearest friends have traded prayer request practically on an hourly basis. It has almost become comical.

But then I look at this.....

and my heart is light.  Refreshed.  Renewed.

If these pictures, faces, moments....  memories .... are what an "off" month looks like.... then I'd say we're blessed in more ways than we sometimes remember.  Because in perspective ...this month was a beautiful one.

 I think when life is as good as we feel ours is......a stress or problem in life (that we all have), is magnified in your mind.  And I guess that's not a bad thing.  To live a life that you love, enjoy, cherish....and want to protect...  to have something "off" occur....   well it shouldn't feel good.  I'm almost grateful that it doesn't sit well with us.  It means we desire, expect... and will always work for the good.

And looking at this collage... that shows only a fraction of the goodness that came in just 28 days.... I am reminded that family, faith, friends and love....  will always prevail.   No matter the stress.  Love and good....  always triumph.

I hope your February brought love....goodness....  something sweet for you!  And if it brought any stress or unwanted events...... I hope you were....and always will be... surrounded by enough love to remind you of your biggest blessings.

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Love,

Kristin

AKA:  the wife of the new Chief of Residents!   HA!  Love it!

Sorry honey.  Last time, I swear.

;)