Davis Academy resumes

This year, I typed out a school supply list for each of our students. With homeschooling, communal supplies is really all that's necessary, but I wanted to give each of them their own list so they could shop and have their own school boxes of supplies. (And give them some accountability to taking care of their things, like putting lids on markers).  It was fun watching our 3rd Grader, 2nd Grader, and Pre-Ker in the aisles  with Daddy, picking out their things and checking them off their lists.   

Here they stand last night after we got home and everyone got their things organized into their own bags to be labeled today.  They are so excited to get back into "schoolwork", even though learning happens at the Davis home year round.

FYI:
DID YOU KNOW WATERCOLORS COME IN 16 COLORS NOW? Where were the geniuses when I was in school, back when there were only 8 to a little white case?

Sweet tea afterthoughts

Today I fixed a big 'White Castle' cup full of sweet tea to drink on as we headed over to check on a friend's chickens and cat.  Tasted as refreshing as I thought it would until Louis asked what was in the bottom of the cup.  Upon my investigation, I realized it was the cup we used last week to rinse paint brushes in.  The dried white paint blended right in with the white cup bottom!  It must have gotten loaded into the dishwasher and put into the cabinet (thanks to my sweet helpers around here).  Sorry Dollar General for using your parking lot to dispose of the liquid.

Last week, Anna so sweetly fixed Louis a big cup of sweet tea with lots of ice.  He politely brought it to me as he's been trying to stick with water only.  It was refreshing.  I got up from the table and headed to the kitchen where I discovered red dirt all over the handles of the freezer and refrigerator.  Anna was being so thoughtful, she didn't remember to wash her hands BEFORE fixing the tea.

New baby background and the countdown begins!

I'm 34 weeks today.  There's 6 weeks left of this hot summer (because I'm sure that once I deliver, I will feel 20 degrees cooler and it won't feel like summer anymore) and we will celebrate our newest addition.  We can hardly wait!  It's been so special having each of our daughters connect with their sister-in-the-works in their own ways. 

Aliza seems to have had a special longing to be with her so she can hold her.  She's always asking me, "How's Alivia today, Mama?".  Many times she's just passing by me and asking on her way to some other place.  Or she'll ask us how much longer til she can come out.  At times, she's been genuinely upset and in tears that she's not with us right now.

Adalyn is quite funny.  She can be sweet with tummy pats and kisses, and the next moment just belt me a good one.  After delivery, she may be a little confused that "Baby" will have features of a real baby and will no longer mean my poked out belly button. 

Anna has this Human Body book and her favorite thing to do is to go to the Reproduction Pages where there's a little spinner diagram showing what a baby in the womb looks like at different stages in pregnancy.  She's also been the one who has prodded about how the baby comes out.  She's not accepting the "She's just born" answer like the others.  Ahh, our little science girl. 

Abigail has been a huge help to me...she's always looking out for me.  "I'll get it Mom" have become the sweetest words to hear.  She's processing alot. Like..."If you eat peanut butter, will it hurt the baby?".  Girls squeal and scream.  It's like part of what makes them a girl...ya know- sugar and spice, and everything nice.  Squeals and screams and all in between.  So then Abigail will ask, "Can Alivia hear us?"  She's been concerned with me eating,  "Does Alivia need to eat?" 

One of Louis' rules is that he ALWAYS lets me choose where we go out to eat when I'm pregnant.   Abigail and Anna even say it now, "Pregnant Mommy gets to decide".  Well, the other day we were trying to decide on a place in Lebanon.  It needed to be quick because we were anxious to get home during a huge lightning show.  It needed to be fairly inexpensive because we had already eaten lunch out in Lebanon earlier.  Anna kept pleading to go to Chinese, and we kept telling her we wouldn't go this time.  Finally, she throws her last card in, "ALIVIA WANTS CHINESE".  We all laughed pretty hard.  She was still moping a little as we pulled through the drive-thru at White Castle.

Slumber party

...with no slumbering. 

Telling it like it is

Of all the things strangers have said to me while I've ever been pregnant, I heard a new one today.  A lady said I'm 'adequately blossoming'  or maybe she said 'blossoming adequately'.  Either way, it kind of sounded nicer than, "It looks like you're ready to pop" or "How much longer do you have?" (with surprised eyes that convey they thought I should be due any day).

Parting gifts

We told the girls yesterday morning that I would be going on a short trip. I would be heading with a friend from church to a Women's Christian Mission Study in Murfreesboro for two nights.  There were wimpers, pleads for me not to go, and lots of hugs. That SURE does a momma's heart mighty good to be loved on so much all at once!

    They all gathered things to "remember them by" and brought them to me last night for my suitcase.  The notes say "Rember all of us" and "I love you Mama", which was Adalyn's message to that Anna wrote out for me to take along too. 

Anna ran off to gather my slippers.  Abigail brought me her glass candle holder she made.  I hated to tell her I shouldn't take it because it might get broken. 

Then Aliza asked me if I would be eating there and offered to pack my "handitizer" for me. 

Got a long hug from Aliza, whose tears just broke my heart, as everyone was getting ready for bed.  Times like these make you really feel loved!!!