back and lots to tell...

the reunion

the lake with the girls

the reunion

the lake with the girls

the wedding

So I have been on a blogging hiatus and this time it was for a good reason. I have been mucho busy! Jeff was in a wedding then I had my ten year class reunion followed by a girls trip to the lake, three days of no kiddos and to top it off a week long trip to the outer banks! Wow, i am a busy bee. i am soooo excited to finally have something to tell you all about but where to start?

The Wedding. It was beautiful and filled with great friends and fun, just as weddings should be. I had one slight catastrophe and with my wardrobe but all was fixed by the time the bells chimed and I looked OK. The trip was fast and filled with activities but we would not have missed our friends Micheal and Sally's big day.

The reunion- The reunion was a strange and somewhat expected event. There were two nights of planned events but due to the lake night with the girls I only attended one night. Plus how many times can you say, "I live in X and have X kids and work at X"? Anyway, I decided not to make Jeff (husband) go so I ended up going with a girl friend. The first fishy thing that happened was the location. By this I mean I got the info but had never heard of the place and when I started asking around no one else had either. All was well the place was just on the new side so away we went but to our dismay as we walked in the door the air conditioning was OUT! You saw right I said the air in this place was OUT and did I mention that the temp out side was 92 and 100 percent humidity? It was looking like we weren't going to stay long but then they showed us the way to the ice cold beer and we settled down. We went through the normal intros and hellos and then I started to feel bad because I didn't recognize some of the people but the evening went off and a good time was had by all. The one surprise was the new mayor of Vicksburg was there to give a speech and he later went out with us after to the bar. ( First class) As I mentioned we went out to a Friend of mines bar after and the fun and chaos ensued. Lots of old friends were there and I really enjoyed my self. The only downer was babysitting my girl friend who doesn't get out much and drank a lot ! Oh, well it made the night more interesting. (I love you Amanda)

On to the Lake with the girls!!!! Fun Fun and Funny.

I went to the lake with eight girls whom I haven't hung out with in over a year and it was great. I loved hearing about them being single and successful. I could not be more proud of my friends; they have all done so well for themselves. So, after we caught up ate and changed clothes we went looking for a party. We did not find one in fact we decided to become the party. We ended up going to this bar called the LO STO. At the Lo Sto where it was not very lively we decided to play flip cup. This is where the FUN and FUNNY come into play. We were so loud and had the best time playing this silly game that the locals asked to join in. Fun was had by all. But the next morning the fun was done and everyone packed up and went their separate ways. I was trilled to see my friends but sad to see them go. I hope it won't be that long before we get together again.

NO KIDDOS

As a result of being home back to back for the wedding and reunion my mom offered to fly my kids to the beach with her. Who isn't going to take that deal? So, I ended up driving home alone, and having three days with Jeff alone before we had to meet everyone at the beach. It was great but very strange. I felt guilty for almost the whole time and I ended up being busier than I thought. The awesome part was I got to sleep late all three days. also we had an adult dinner with friends and went for ice cream. Very relaxing and we stayed out past bedtime. That is a novelty around here.

OK, I am exhausted so the beach trip will have to wait for another day. This is the most I have typed since my last college paper. Can't wait to tell you about OBX!

I am pumped and i don't know why.( well I kinda know why) I get to go home TOMORROW!!!! I feel like I haven't been home in forever but in actual time it has been a couple of months. The down side is it will be a whorl win visit because we are going for a wedding Jeff is in. We are going to travel by night like the gypsies we are and then be home all day Friday. Also, we won't get to see everyone or do everything we want but just proximity to the things and people I love is good enough for me. I feel like such a baby but I miss my mommy.

Just thought I would share my joy with all of you.

TO Sally and Micheal Best wishes and Congratulations, we love you, happy wedding!

Ryan's School Program Pics and Holden Eating Solids

Finally writing

HELLO, Sorry I haven't been updating you all lately but like has been somewhat dull.

Ryan finished up school with a program and a picnic. Very cute! Holden has started walking and just got his front two top teeth! Jeff just returned from a bachelor's weekend in NOLA. Now to me NOTHING. I repeat nothing happening with me. I have been depressed. Between the two and a half weeks of rain , my moms group is over for the summer and Jeff's weekend away thing have been wearing on momma. Also I had a small cold in the middle somewhere.


To explain my somewhat dramatic whining I used to be very spoiled and continue to be a needy person, so the fact that this is no longer the situation and not only does no one care I am sick i have to be super mom and wife anyway. I am not happy about this AT ALL! What ever happened to quite time and lazy Saturdays and grocery shopping alone? Enough I sound ridiculous. My family is healthy and I have the privileged of staying at home with my children so no more complaining.- Promise (for now anyway)!

Here is the only fun things I am looking forward to: We are attending a friend of ours wedding at the end of May and My class reunion along with a trip to the Outer Banks is scheduled for June. Also, I love movies and some good ones are coming out. Casey maybe we can catch one while I am home. Date night! I want to see Angels and Demons and My Sisters Keeper. I read my sisters keeper and cried through the entire book. I saw the preview to the movie a couple of weeks ago and cried during it. I hope my period comes when it is out, it will be water works! I love a good hard cry. It is cleansing for my soul.

Alright, I did it I successfully wrote a new post about absolutely nothing. I hope you are happy Casey.

Easter

I was very sad this year because This is the first year I would not be spending Easter with my Family. I was with my boys but not with my mom and sister and grandmother. So, all in all I was not excited. Also the weather was irritating me too. I purchase my boys precious outfits and then it decides to be 50 degrees. The outfits were sleeveless and shorts. Great! Also I didn't want to cook a big meal for just Jeff and I so we ended up at Cracker Barrel. Oh, well all is well that ends well. It was not as bad as I thought. The sermon was great and the kids look fabulous. Ryan was not interested in taking pics but not having to do dishes was a great move as well. The afternoon ended with a family nap and there is nothing better. So, I hope that you Easter was good in spite of your expectations just as mine was.

House update

Basically there is no news. Things did not go as planned. Our bid was not rejected but countered and we hated the counter. So for a week we sat on the counter and considered our options. Them we bid again. This was no help they countered again and again we were not able to agree so two more days have elapsed. Now, Jeff made a new counter and we will see. I never expected things to be super smooth but we haven't even started the real stuff yet and already it is too much. I will let ya'll know what happens next. Please be praying for us.

Bidding on a house

Today was scary for Jeff and I because we bid on what we hope will be our first home. Yay, so exciting but also terrifying. This process is new to Jeff and he is nervous about the particulars and such. That is making being excited harder but I am sure in the end he will be ready to have a party. Please be praying for us as the process moves along and I know it will work out. updates to follow!

Marathon Runner

WOW, I did it!!!! I surprised myself and definitely Jeff by finishing a HALF MARATHON last Sunday! It was hard and long but I made it to the finish line on both feet. Goal Accomplished! I only started training on January 1st so the goal was not to have a supper fast time or even any time expectations the goal was to finish and finish I did. It took me three hours on the nose and I feel great. The finish line was on the UT 50 yard line and they called out your name and put your pic on the jumbo tron. It rocked. My awesome husband met me at the finish line with my beautiful boys and a bouquet of flowers. I felt like a million bucks even though I could barely walk for the two days following the race. No pain, no gain, right.

Get inspired set a goal go for it!

Good Friends / Good Books

Today I am grateful for good friends.

I took the boys to the children's museum in Oak Ridge with a friend of mine and her mother and her two precious girls. Ryan was a little much but over all a great day out and really fun. Knoxville has been an adjustment but with the help of my new friend M things are good. She has been the biggest help to me. She gets me out and shows me where things are and lets me vent about my children. What a blessing friends are!

On a different note my friends Casey and Kati encouraged me to read the Twilight series and WOW! I don't think I have ever read so much so fast. It was great. I am officially on the band wagon. You should read them if you haven't, although I think I am the only person who had not already read them. Thank you to them for staying on me so that I wouldn't miss out. Now, I am counting the hours until the move comes out tomorrow!

BAD blogger

OK, so I am possibly the worst blogger of all time. In my defence I have been out of town for two weeks but I did have Internet access. Anyway, HI to all of you that are interested. We are great. Holden had an ear infection while we were out of town but everything else was great. We spent tons of time with the entire family and really enjoyed it all. The only sad thing is I have this good friend named KC and she was unable to spend any length of time with me. (HA HA i love you Case)

Now that we are home we are starting to house hunt! Yeah, sounds like fun but let me assure you it is not. We don't have a ton to spend but it is time to settle in here. Tuesday after Jeff got off work we looked at a house and no not so much for us. Today I went with the realtor to look at three more and it was way better but I am not in love. One had a great kitchen, and when I say great I mean will do, the other had a fenced yard but no garage-deal breaker- so on and so forth. Help. We are going Saturday to look some more. Please be praying for us.

snow days

I was soooo excited when we moved from MS to TN. I was pumped that I would still be in the south but I would get to experience seasons! This is huge to me. But people are never happy when they get what they want, right. I wanted snow and I got it. I has snowed several times this year and almost every time I have been thrilled but somewhat dissappointed that it did not stick. Now it is stuck and it won't go away. Again, we are never pleased. It snowed so much Monday that I had to pick up my child early from school. This was also thrilling because it meant we could play in the snow! YEAH! But we are at day three and the excitement is over and the cabin fever is setting in. We have run out of fun activities and it is too cold now (16) to play outside. Go figure. The pics are cute. Ryan had a ton of fun in the snow. He knocked over my snowman but it was great fun. By the way the way the high on Saturday is 60. Why not?

update and more fun facts

21. I love that my kids are growing up in a place that has sweet tea and snow days!

22. I have the best friends ever.

23. I am actually excited to go home in two weeks.

24. I need to become more versed in the grocery game so I can save some money.

25. I have always been a christian but in the last two years I feel closer to God than ever before.

26. I am constantly asking God for guidance and forgiveness.

27. I love the way my babies breath smells, it is actually sweet.

28. I cherish every school project Ryan brings home, I realize that after number 400 they will not quite be so special; but for now it is awesome.

29. Ryan loves the letter T. ttttttttttttttt And is helping me now!

30. I desperately want a new adventurous hair style but am too chicken. My hair is always the same.

31. I am mad because I am finally running and working out and I can't tell that by my waist line.

32. I am proud of my self for running 6 miles on Saturday. Its the farthest I have ever been.

33. I REALLY want to buy a house, ASAP!

34. The walls in my apartment are lined with junk! again we need a house.

35. I want a maid even though I don't work. Its not that I won't clean I just don't do a great job.

100 things about me

My friend on another blog has inspired me to let you know more about my self by filling out 100 things about me. However I think I will do 25 at a time so that you keep wanting more!

1. I LOVE MY FAMILY even the annoying members I love them all!

2. My children are the greatest thing in my life and I can't imagine not being a mother.

3. I live far away from the people I love the most and it constantly makes me sad.

4. My husband and I talk and are honest with each other to a fault and it makes me feel very proud and sometimes scared.

5. I have wonderful and supportive friends and I am not sure if I am a good of a friend in return.

6. My mother is my best friend.

7. My sister and I have a difficult relationship but her opinion matters to me the most.

8. I attend a moms group on Fridays and it is the highlight of my week every week. Those women are amazing and they bring me closer to God every week.

9. I went to college everywhere but i ended up at the Savannah College of Art and Design and it was the best thing and the hardest thing I have done for my self.

10. I have traveled a lot and want to go to a ton more places!

11. I am an aunt to 5 nephews and 5 nieces. Being an aunt is a special joy.

12. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is special without all the stress of Christmas and fall is my favorite season.

13. Ole Miss football makes me giddy. Hotty Toddy!!

14. When I am at a game I could cry every time they play the school song and hear my father sing it.

15. I am not a animal person. They are cute but I can't do the poop!

16. My grandfather makes me want to try harder in everything i do. He is amazing.

17. I am training for a half marathon and I am nervous I won't finish.

18. I am short and I really don't mind it.

19. I am hoping I will get to have more children someday.

20. I want a girl but am worried I will fight with her or treat her differently than my boys-possibly resent her.

I lied 20 is all I have in me now. Sorry more to come!

Brothers

Here are the circus pics and a couple more random ones. Ry had fun but got restless. Jeff and I just got broke!!! The circus is definitly an expensive night on the town. The babysitter turned out to be great so we had a good time.

Today I skipped church and am feeling a little low. We are all sick. Holden got his first tooth! Yeah, but it has put him in an ultra cranky mood and with the rest of us with colds the weekend has been no fun. So i am going to pass along a bible verse that I got at my moms group that I hope will help renew me and maybe speak to some of you.

Don' worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all that he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7

I hope everyone has a great week.

P.S. The circus pictures are comimg.

OK, does this happen to anyone else? I finally found a babysitter! It took almost two years of living in Knoxville to ask a friend and trust someone who is not family to watch my child. So, all this works out and now I am busting my butt to clean the house for this sixteen year old girl. What am I doing? This is crazy; but it feels like the house has to be perfect for her to come over and do nothing. This girl probably could care less but I want to make a good impression so she will want to sit for us again. It is weird to have anxiety over a sixteen year old opinion. This girl doesn't really need the money considering she drives a better car than I do but what the hell. However bad I sound I am very grateful she is coming we are taking our oldest Ryan to the Barnum and Bailey Circus tonight. At the moment he is very into animals and since it is too cold for the zoo and we have been twice we decided this was a great plan. I think that really I am the one who is most excited because I have never been to the circus and well, Ryan is two and really is not sure what the circus is. When we get back I will post some pics of the family at the BIG TOP! By the way I have decided I earned the babysitter by cleaning the house so well and I should stop complaining and be glad that it is done. It really needed it.

My niece Addison and Ry in a race!Ry's new tent form Nana and Pappy. We all love it.

My sis Amy and I after gift opening.

O and all the great grandchildren!

Christmas

Hi, sorry I have been neglectful. I promise to do better. Today I am feeling some serious cabin fever. The boys and I have been indoors since Sunday after church and it is getting to us all. It has snowed the last two days and I thought we would venture outside today but then they both woke up with runny noses. Wonderful! Now what? We have painted and baked and done every puzzle three times. Any suggestions would be great. Also, a little up date on my running- well it is taking a serious pause. I am very down about it at the moment. The tread mill is broken and I don't think I can run in 14 degree weather. I sound weak but I REALLY want to go run. Maybe Thursday the treadmill will be back in commission and I can run while Ry is at school. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

P.S. I am going to post some more pics of the family too. Hope you enjoy them.
My uncle Steve (Whom we NEVER see) is coming to town in Feb and it has me thinking more and more about what family means. I love mine!

I just wanted ya'll to see some cute pics of the kids. These are from xmas and Thanksgiving. Kindda random but cute just the same.

It is so cold!!! Burrrrr. Today the high is 25 but right now it is 7 with a wind chill of -2! I am trying to get the kids ready to head out to my regular Friday Moms and More meeting at Cokesbury United Methodist Church but wow is it cold. They each are looking like snowmen. And I am questioning my decision. Let me ask y'all something. I am originally from Vicksburg, Ms and it is nothing but hot there so this has never been an issue, but in Knoxville they are closing schools and opening schools late today. I am confused. There is no ice or rain or snow. It is just crazy cold. What is the deal? If you know clue me in please.

So, I am training for a half marathon at the end of march. This is my first time doing anything like this and I am very excited. Or at least I was excited. The training started off with a bang and now not so much. Example, I had to skip my scheduled run Monday because of a doctors appointment and today I go to the gym and the treadmill is what?-BROKEN! Great. So I try to make the best of the situation and get on the elliptical. Ten minutes in to that Holden starts to wail and the exercise has stopped. Way to go Ash! I am getting behind and now I am worried. I need new motivation. Any suggestions?

Virgin

OK, here goes. I just only recently started to read blogs and now look at me. I am unsure how it works but I think I can figure it out. I wanted to share my family with ya'll and this is the best way to ask for advice and to keep in touch with everyone. So, HELLO bloggers! The Davidson's have arrived. It might take me a while to post picks of the kids because well, I stay at home with them and someone always needs something. Blogging will be hard while potty training Ryan (our two year old) and feeding Holden (our six month old), but I will prevail. Until then...