Update...

Ok...where do i start??

*the weather has been fantastic here in sunny AZ

*we are super blessed to have an in ground pool to survive another HOT summer!

*we met Zoe's teacher ... she starts school in July (BOO!!)

*we met with Zoe's Ortho Surgeon...decided to go ahead with her hip muscle and hamstring surgery (it will be some time in early August) I have struggled with this decision. There is a 75% chance that she will learn to walk with this surgery. I hope it will be worth the stuggle that we are about to embark on.

*Tom's job has been super busy...like 55-60 hour weeks

*Zada is growing up quickly...tonight she asked to learn how to write her name

*Zada lost my debit card somewhere in the house (BOO!!)

*Been taking tons of pictures but have not uploaded any yet...maybe I will do that tonight and then post some tomorrow...

Hope life is good for everyone out there in Blog Land!

Week in Review...

*Took Zada to the Farmer's Market. She pointed at a Pineapple and said "oh mommy I don't like cactus". When i tried to explain to her that it was a pineapple she said "no mommy we have that cactus in yard like that" We do indeed have a cactus in our front yard that looks like a half buried pineapple.

*Picked up papers to register Zoe for school...it is a day I have never wanted to happen but it is time to get her freedom. (atleast that is what i keep telling myself)

*Enjoyed dinner on the grill almost every night.

*My husband endured an injury (closed fracture) on his right wrist while playing softball. He is still able to work but wow he is a big baby when he is hurt or sick!

*Started walking again...it feels so good.

*Went to the pork shop for pig ears and found some "Apple, Maple & Pecan Sausage Links". Zada and I had these this morning for breakfast with eggs and strawberries...SO YUMMY!

*Had a girls night with Lisa (SIL) on wednesday night...watched Bride Wars...it was good!

It hasn't been a very eventful week...but wanted to update the blog quickly.
Tomorrow I will post 7 more budget dinners.

Budget Cooking (week 1)

With the economy the way it is I thought I would share our budget cooking. We still eat good and sometimes even have leftovers. I am only posting our Dinner Menu. But we do budget cooking all 3 meals everyday. Most of these are for 4 servings (2 adults and 2 small children)

(this is not necessarily what we will be eating this week but just 7 days worth of budget dinners)

• Pork Roast, Potatoes, Onions, Carrots and Rolls ($9.93)

Roast 6.05/Potatoes $1.17/Onion .52/Carrots 1.00/Rolls 1.19

• Chicken Fajitas and Refried Beans ($7.53)

Chicken 2.03/Peppers 3 for 1.00/Onion .43/Fajita Seasoning .50/Tortillas 1.79

Sour Cream 1.00/ 1lb. Beans .78

• Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Peas ($3.61)

Chicken(3 Breasts) 2.73/Corn 4 for 1.00/Peas(frozen) .88

• Steak, Baked Potatoes, Salad ($8.36)

Flat Iron Steak 4.02/Lawry's Marinade .60/Potatoes(3) .93/Bag Salad 1.00

Ranch .43/ Cheese 1.00/ Tomato .38

• Chicken Quesadillas and Spanish Rice ($7.09)

Chicken (2 breasts) 2.14/Cheese 1.00/ Tortillas 1.79/Rice 1.00/ Tomatoes (canned) .78

Onion .38

• Pork Chops, Green Beans, Butter and Herb Pasta ($3.81)

Chops(3) 1.93/ Green Beans (Frozen) .88/ Knorrs Butter and Herb Pasta 1.00

• Sloppy Joes, Homemade Fries, Pasta Salad ($7.02)

Buns .88/ Burger 1.78/ Potatoes(4) 1.17/ Seasonings <1.00/pasta>

TOTAL OF: 47.35

We make out our menus based on what is on sale at our local Fry's (Division of Kroger). I also try to match up coupons with what is on sale. We also buy most of our fruit and veggies at the "Ranch Market" due to they are about 1/4 of the cost of grocery stores. My biggest thing is: When meat is on sale...STOCK UP! That is the most expensive part of cooking! When Fry's had hamburger on sale for .88/lb I bought 45 lbs. Chicken is the same way...they will have it for .88/lb and we will buy 30-40lbs. On those weeks I don't buy much of anything else except what we need. This helps balance out the budget. You don't see many fruits on here because that isn't something we work into the menu because we eat them all day long! Also alot of our breakfast "budget" is cereal, fruit, bread and oatmeal...all of which on inexpensive. Our grocery budget is $70 for week for our family. Most weeks I only spend $50-55. I hope this helps everyone out there who reads my blog :)

Zoe update...

Zoe is out of surgery and of course pulled thru like a trooper! We will update more later...

Thank you for all the kind words and prayers!

Easter weekend...

I am going to be honest...sometimes I question God's way of testing people. Just yesterday Zada and I boarded the Light Rail for Phoenix for an afternoon of fun that included Disney On Ice! She loved it! I loved it! It was worth the $50 spent on JUNK! It was worth the $2.50 round trip ticket for the rail! It was worth the $60 for tickets! Her face was just a huge smile from the time we boarded the rail and the driver let her blow the horn. Here are a few pics... or maybe not. It seems as if the Sprint Wireless card doesn't have enough signal to load pics. :( I will post them once I am back home.

And now...I sit in the hospital with Zoe on Easter Day waiting on her pending surgery tomorrow. We came in for a high fever (104) and were admitted. They feel it is in her best interest to have tubes in her ears, removal of both her tonsils and adnoids, and going to top it off with clipping her tounge. She has been tounge tied since birth and they feel that is part of the reason she doesn't want to eat because...well it is hard for her. But despite spending the holiday in "The Clink" as we call it :) It has been a pretty good holiday. The Easter Bunny came in this morning and brought her a basket full of goodies. Child Life (a volunteer group) brought her in a Cow Beanie Baby and a new blanket. Her doctors are all great and answer all of our questions...like always :). We are not sure on the time of her surgery tomorrow quite yet but when we know I will update this post. I know it is just a small surgery but with everything she has already been thru in her short 4 1/2 years...I hate thinking about putting her under again...but it must be done to make her better.

It is 5:45 our time, her tests are all ran, she is sleeping very sound, Tom is laying on the "couch" watching cartoons and I am awaiting the arrival of our Easter Dinner. Zada is with Jaye and Lisa which of course means she is being spoiled ROTTEN!! With Mackenzie there it seems to be a good distraction and hopefully she won't notice we are gone until we get back home! HA! She was very excited that the Easter Bunny came to our house and to TT Wee's! She must have been extra good this year to get 2 baskets!

I will update more later...

2nd part of house...

Well here is the second part of the house...I have not taken pictures of the master bedroom/bath but those will come. Tom has been working on computers and I have been sorting out all of the girls winter clothing so it is not really camera ready ;)

playroom...futon...kinda dark...sorry :)

playroom


Mercedes room...


what used to be Mercedes bed...it will now become Tom's office


the girls' bathroom...about ready for a redo...so sick of the FISH!



The girls' room...we have tried their own rooms and with a 4 bedroom house i would love to use the space that we have...but they REFUSE!!


Zoe's bed


Zada's bed


a view of the pool from the 2nd floor...



and then on a side note...i was typing this and Zada was sitting beside me in her pj's.



She looked up at me and this is how our convo went:

Zada: Mommy you are my bestest friend.

Me: Oh really and why is that.

Zada: Because you make me cookies and cup cakes and hotdogs and puffs and you are taking me to see cind-a-lela (Cinderella).

Me: I love you Zada

Zada: I love you too mommy. Can you buy me something when we go see cind-a-lela?

Me: Well what do you want to buy?

Zada: Rootbeer, popcorn, hotdog, candy, chips, and you a snack.

Me: Well we are going to Paradise Bakery before we go are you sure you are going to be that hungry? and what about buying a shirt or something?

Zada: Oh Momma I will share of the food with cind-a-lela and I don't need a shirt cause daddy says we have too much clothes...

and then she was off to play...

Our house...

Here are a few pictures of our house...some have been asking about it so here it is for all little eyes to see:

The whole house...and my pretty orange (VERY DIRTY) car!

Up-close of the front door

Picture wall in play/2nd living room

"LOVE" wall in play/2nd living room

Wall dedicated to Tom's dad...the flag was surprise on Tom's 30th birthday! His brother pretty much ROCKS!! (and more toys and books)

Front window of play/2nd living room

Kitchen...I LOVE IT!

Dining area

Entertainment area...

the beloved's DVD and PS3 game collection...sliding glass door to back patio and pool

1st picture of Tom's TV room furniture

2nd of Tom's TV room furniture

...and tomorrow i will post the upstairs...

Tom's Party

We had Tom's 30th birthday party this weekend. It was a great time! We did an 80's theme. Only a handful of people dressed up for the party but it was still fun. Here are a few pictures...cause the birthday boy doesn't remember much :)

TT Wee and Cupcake ;)

The Band "Lestra" played mostly 80's rock for us!


Joe & Teresa (2 of the greatest neighbor's ever!!)

Zada...she should have been an 80's child! She totally pulled off the outfit!

Liz, TT Wee & Me...as you can tell it was crazy fun!! TT Wee looked like a white Tina Turner!

TT Wee & Jaye (aka: Tina Turner & Vanilla Ice)

Mackenzie dancing the night away...love this girl! Her and Zada will be BF for life!


Tom's boss and co-worker decided to mess with him...it was way too funny!!

Tom the princess with his little doggie!

Tom & Ken...notice the sign above our bed. I thought it was too funny that it made it in the picture!

and this was the end to my weekend...s'mores and southern sweet tea

The Big 30!!

Yesterday was Tom's 30th birthday! We went to get couple massages and then out to dinner at our favorite steak house/saloon. After dinner I told him that we had to hurry home because Lisa needed to get home and get to bed. When we walked in he saw something that he was not expecting...a shelf that his brother had built in memory of his dad! It had a few pictures of his dad, a grave marker, a dogtag, and most importantly...it had his dad's service memorial flag in a cherry case! Seriously it brings tears to your eyes just to look at the display. Andy (Tom's dad) was a huge part of Tom's life. I would have to say that was the first time that Tom really felt pain and showed it. Andy served in Vietnam and was proudly honored at his funeral for his service. The flag of course went to the oldest son...Jaye knew that Tom had always wanted the flag. We decided that his 30th birthday would be the best day to pass it on...and it was! This flag has caused drama just like it does in most families but it is finally put in it's place where we can show it PROUD!

Now let me see if I can think of 30 reason why my husband is such a great guy :)...

1.He loves me to no end
2.He is the best father I could ask for my daughters
3.He is a hard worker
4.He is fun to be around
5.He can grill up some steaks like no other
6.He is handy and can fix almost anything
7.He keeps his promises
8.He is my best friend
9.He loves to act goofy
10.His love for NASCAR
11.His patience
12.His faithfulness
13.His ability to keep fighting for our daughter for what she needs
14.His love for animals
15.His computer abilities (no repair bills for me!)
16.He understands that i have to get a pedi to feel good
17.The way he plays with the kids
18.The way he puts everyone else before himself
19.The fact that he lets me stay home to raise our girls!
20.His love for his family
21.The respect he gives elders
22.The way he makes french toast ;)
23.The fact that he works fulltime plus is starting up a business
24.His love for softball
25.HE IS NOT A SLOB!
26.His personality
27.His craftiness
28.He never complains when I go shopping
29.His willingness to keep the girls while I go shopping
30.well....he is HOT!

Swimming in March!!

Here is a little video of Zada swimming when Nana came to stay with us for a few days while Papaw went back to Indiana. She sure misses her Papaw...if you couldn't already tell from the video!

The weather here in central Arizona is one of the best things about the area. How many other places are you in the pool in mid-March :).

Random...

*Zoe started back to therapy!

*Mercedes finished a full week of Girl Scout camp...she loved it!

*Got our pool light fixed

*Missing my sister-in-law/best friend...she will be home soon

*Preparing for Tom's 30th!

*Been planting flowers

*About to turn on the A/C

*Kids have been playing outside from the time they wake up...until bedtime.

*Got the sprinkler out for the kids!

*Took pictures and got them printed of the girls.


Been alot going on...picture post to come later :)

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy st. patty's day! We will once again enjoy a day filled with sunshine, fun, laughter and great food! We hope that everyone has a great day.

We will leave you with a few pictures of the girls!

Zada is her pretty new outfit that TT Wee got her for St. Patty's Day...she accented it with shiny red shoes and a pink cup...:)

Mercedes about to leave on her first day of Girl Scout camp

Zoe playing in the park last week at a birthday party!

Our treat for the day...

Update

Hmm...I guess this will be list style again...sorry!

*cleaned out the garage...i can now park in it! :)
*Tom is working TONS of hours and got a promotion at his "daytime" job
*Tom's computer business is starting to pick up
*Zada is almost completely potty trained...it is the #2 that is giving us a problem (sorry TMI)
*Garage sale this weekend :)
*Getting new living room furniture
*Bought a deep freeze so I only have to go "BIG TIME" grocery shopping once a month
*Zoe got approved for her therapy and respite care!!
*Tom is on a small break from softball but it will start up again soon
*We have been going to the gym again. (it feels so good)
*The weather has been so nice here...about time to put the long pants away until November!
*David Stremme is back in NASCAR!! <3 hometown boys!
*My momma turns 50 this week! (we got her a new computer!)
*We didn't send out a christmas letter or picture this year...with the death of Tom's dad I just didn't find the time...we are making up by sending out Easter pictures and an update letter!
*I have started taking Zada to the public library...it makes her feel big and she loves to get new books!
*We continue to have dinner with Jaye and Lisa every night and it seems to save all of us $$$
*Zoe now has all of her shots to start school :(

I think that is about all for now...pictures will come soon!

Lots of love until next time :)

It is late...

on a Friday night. Usually I would be standing in Lisa's kitchen talking about everyday life or what we were going to do with the kids tomorrow but she is back home for Jaye's appointment. They have only lived out here for 5 months but now i hate when she isn't here. We spend lots of time together...cooking, laughing, crying, talking, planning...while the guys work on the computer business they are starting. I miss her...I know it sounds corny but it has became our way of life. When we go to the store...we go together...when we go to the library...we go together...you could say we are like 2 peas in a pod.

So...on a happier note:

The other day I kept bringing Zoe inside from the back patio because I knew she was tired. Well every time i brought her in she would booty bump the door back open and go outside and lay down on the patio. Finally I gave up chasing her. After about 5 minutes I didn't hear her so i went outside and this is what i found...

YEP! She was sound asleep in front of the pool gate. I don't know if this was her peaceful stance at saying "let's get in the pool or I will stay here" (Cause the girl loves the water!) or if she really enjoys sleeping in the warm sunshine. It was too cute and totally made my day.

Now on to the other little blonde in the house...

Zada...what can we say?? she is Zada. Tonight she was up about 2 hours past her bedtime so she was edgy but I wanted her to stay up in hopes that she will sleep in until at least 8am tomorrow. I told her "Zada it is time for bed cause you are driving me nuts." And her response to me was "Mommy get off my nuts!" Tom and I could not help but laugh. It is amazing what will come out of the mouth of our cute little 3 year old. With all that said here is a cute picture of her...

Now to the "biggest of the little blondes" in the house...

Mercedes has been doing good in school, doing tons of homework, reading every night for at least 40 minutes, helping out and being the good kid that she is. She loves entertaining the little ones in her room for "after school parties". I make them treats, she sings for them and they play games. She had some dental work done this week and was a total trooper. They sedated her but she was still conscious but doesn't remember anything. She kept asking the dentist if he was the one that welded her mouth shut...it was too funny (and no she has never had her mouth welded!). And now here is a cute everyday picture that shows the real "Sades"...

Another Beautiful Day...

WOW...so why did we move our family 1800 miles away from everything we have ever known?

*Today it was 72 degrees and sunny outside. The girls were outside most of the morning/afternoon (Zoe in only a diaper and t-shirt).

*MUCH LESS drama

*We are 1800 miles closer to Hawaii :)

*Have you seen the stars from Arizona soil? STUNNING!

*Day trips into the mountains that only cost you gas because you pack a lunch and enjoy the peace and quiet.

*A fresh start for us and our little growing family.

I honestly don't think that anything could make me move back to 0 degree winter weather and snow! We have been a bit spoiled and I plan to keep on getting spoiled. It is nice for Tom to work and not have to put on 4 layers of clothing to walk out the door. Now you are lucky to see him with long sleeves on! He plays softball all winter...couldn't do that in Indiana. So for real...now does anyone see why we left hell for heaven??

Goodbye 2008!

Goodbye 2008...it is the best way to say how i feel about this past year as i sit here and think about what i am going to put in the post. It was not the greatest year. We lost too many people. We had too much bad news. Some good things came out of the year. But i would have to say that the bad out weighed the good. A very good friend of mine contacted me again after many years of not talking, we had more family join us in sunny Arizona, we had many good times together as a family...lots of learning and living.

Bad things in 2008...

lost Ali

lost Tom's dad, uncle, aunt & cousin

sucky economy

work is slow

flu bug that hung out at our house for 2 months

just to name a few

We hope that this coming year is full of happiness and health. We are trying hard to fight off any flu bug that might want to join our family...no happening so keep out! We hope to pay off lots of bills and start working towards renewing our wedding vows in a year or two. I want to walk down the isle to the man of my dreams since I was not able to when we got married.

Tomorrow all of the christmas decor will come down and be boxed away until next year. We will start our spring cleaning and prepare for a wonderful year ahead. Honestly i don't know how it can be any worse than 2008 and i hope that it isn't.

Happy New Year!

The Davis Family

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from our crazy home to yours! Santa will be filling our tree in about 6 hours and the girls can hardly contain themselves. This year has been full of sadness and joy equally. The loss of Tom's father and my diagonosis came just a little to close to the holidays for my liking. I know that everything happens for a reason and that everyone has a plan. Tom's dad fought a hard fight and I will do the same . I can't wait to see the joy in the girls' eyes as they open the presents that Santa brought to them. Tom and I are having a very low key holiday. We will be purchasing something but nothing out of this world...it will be a new oak dining set.

I love this view of our tree from the masterbed room entrance in our home...just yummy!

Hope this holiday season finds everyone healthy and happy.

Til' next year...

Life...

Where do we begin...? I guess we will do the last 2 months in list form!

*Zada will be 3 tomorrow! How can my baby be that big already :(
*Jaye & Lisa finally found a house that they love. They have been jumping thru hoops and will hopfully have a closing date soon.
*Tom is working his tail off and the computer business is starting to take off.
*Lisa and I are opening a daycare...so fun!
*Halloween was awesome! Our new neighborhood is very close knit so you weren't worried about the candy (yes we still checked it) and the kids could just have a good time. One neighbor even put up a jump house for all the kids to play in. Zada was a lil scarecrow, Zoe was a bat witch, and Mercedes was Hannah Montana.
*Our new house rocks! It is about 1,000SF bigger than our last house and has an in ground pool with a waterfall! LOVE IT!!
*Mercedes seems to be adjusting well to life in Arizona. It was a tough ordeal for all of us but it seems to be the right choice.
*Tom is playing softball and that is a great weekly activity to take to kids to.
*It has been 3 months since Ali went...it seems like just yesterday...
*Dad (Grandpa Gary) will be here in 19 days to cooks us on delish Thanksgiving Dinner!! Can't wait to spend time with him! I love Lisa so much for sharing the most important man in her life with me.
*I cut all of Zoe's hair off...short...really short. She looks super cute and it was worth her daddy not talking to me for about 6 hours :). He was asleep when i cut it ... oops!

On a little heavier note...Tom & Jaye's father is not doing well. It has been a crazy wild goose chase getting him back to where he needs to be. It seems that the hospital kicked him about and sent him to a nursing home...across state lines...without the families consent. The poor man doesn't want to be anywhere but home and he isn't capable of that yet. Tom, Jaye, Lisa, and their kids will be making another trip back home to see if we can MEDVAC him to Phoenix. He really needs to be where we can take care of him. He needs different doctors, different nurses, he needs the care that he deserves! I hope that everyone keeps Tom & his family in your prayers.

I will update pictures later :)

Whirlwind called life...

WOW...these past weeks have been nothing but relaxing. Tom's went back home to help his brother and family move out here to Arizona. The trip was totally uneventful (thank god!). Eight days is a long time to have daddy away from his girls but we all survived and enjoy the little bittersweet moments a little more. It has been totally crazy with 4 more people living with us and two more dogs but i know it will totally be worth it in the end. Jaye and Lisa have put in a few offers and one of them seems to be going in their favor. I know they can not wait to get their house and get settled. All of us need to get back into routine and i know that will all be done by the holidays so we can just relax and enjoy eachother.

Just wanted to update on us...not much time...will update more later with pictures.

Alison Frances Kline 1981-2008

Alison was one of the strongest women i ever knew. Her husband is one of the strongest men i never got to know. He is a soldier, a husband, a lover, a son, a friend...and more than anything a fighter. Alison went home to be with her maker at 7:00pm EST on August 5, 2008. She is no longer is pain. Her downward spiral went quick. It has taken me some time to process all of this...that is why there are unanswered e-mails, unreturned phone calls...i just needed time. She was so young, she never got the chance to be a mother (and she would have been THE BEST MOMMY!), she never got to enjoy the new house that her and Tom bought. She went surrounded by family and friends. There was more love in that room than many could ever imagine. I tried to go home for the service but it wasn't possible...it still hurts. I will be donating blood and making a yearly donation to the American Cancer Society in her name. Check out her site if you would like to ready about her journey...it should be and inspiration to everyone who reads it. http://www.mrsladystaroftheseabreezes.blogspot.com/