New Hair and Teeth

It was all of a sudden. I had been complaining about my hair for a while, I attempted to cut is short a few months back, but I only trimmed my bangs. It wasn't until my hubby mentioned in conversation how we sometimes hold on to things we had in high school habits, preferences, memories.etc. I said I don't really have anything I'm holding on to from high school and it was pointed out to me that my long hair could be attributed to that time in my life. Its true, for dancing in The La Habra Hawaiian girl company we were to have long hair. Really long hair to give more of the Hawaiian look while dancing. I don't have the complexion or hair color of that of a Hawaiian, but at least I could have the length. I love my hair and the long hair has kept me warm through Utah winters and it grows so fast I got used to it. I kept it long. Letting it grow was more convenient then getting it cut. I am however not so attached to my hair that I couldn't let it go. I don't have an obsession with my hair so much that I wouldn't cut it or change it. I was out to prove this point when i decided to find a hairdresser and get the Pixie cut suggested sometimes from my hubby.  It felt liberating. Seeing my pony tail of hair off was a little weird, but I felt so light and giggly. I showed the hair dresser at J C penny a picture of a pixie cut she had in a magazine saying it was trending for 2015. No one I know has this haircut, but maybe if I went to a big city, I wouldn't be the only one with short hair? It doesn't matter really. It is fun and funky. My hair moves this way and that, has a lot of body, and is ridiculously easy to care for. No more hair in our food, vacuum and sinks being bogged down with too much hair. No pulling my hair every time I get a hug from my kids. No one can sit on my hair and pin me when I lie. You can tell feel freedom. It still takes some getting used to for sure and I still love long hair, but for now it has been a great change and the right choice.

My teeth change has been going on for years now. From third grade I have damaged the area of my front teeth when my permanent tooth was knocked out. An abscess for many year ruined the gum tissue above my teeth. After having the tooth next to my fake front tooth removed and several( I don't dare count)oral surgeries later, I am getting implants( really the crowns on them that show) for a new smile. I got implants a while ago, but the gum structure and shape of them cause my gums to recessed and the implant to not be perfect aesthetically. More surgeries and time later..today is the final step(crosses fingers) to my long tooth journey. Dr Steiner and now Dr. Wilkes have worked on me and done without cost. It is unheard of and bless them for that! I will have permanent nice looking teeth and gums. They are healthy and as nice looking as we can get them under the circumstances. It has been an ordeal, but I'm glad that this my front teeth won't be the issue it has been for most of my life. The future is bright and I feel very blessed. It is only January but for 2015 so far I have new hair and teeth!

Favorite Family Pastimes

I almost set aside this blog and went to journal only. I love my camera and going out in nature so alas this outlet for me has survived. This month has been busy with IEP meetings, dentist appointments and a hurt back( for the first time). There have been many challenges, but even more blessings and tender mercies.  Today, I wanted to get out of the fog and we drove around on a Saturday car ride like we do. We saw the temple, The Palladio shopping center, El Dolrado hills, Folsom and had subway for lunch. We missed Joe, he was on his "snow camp-out" for Boy scouts. The rest of us loved the views and time spent together on our side. I'm grateful for my health and beautiful family.

 We went and found a beautiful modest dress that is long enough for Celia for her Father Daughter Dance tonight at her school. She has been looking forward to this for months. I'm pleased with how Celia has grown socially and expressively. Raising these wonderful and sometimes challenging children really does bring me joy.  Emmy has been receiving acceptance letters for college. I can't believe where to go away to school is on her plate of choices. So far she has the options of  BYUI, Sac State, Utah State and SUU. We are waiting on one more application. I'm glad Emmy is enjoying her senior year and doing well in her classes! I'm going to miss having her around for when I want to take pictures and no one else will be in them for me.:) We sure love Emmy and are excited for her to be growing up into such a lovely young woman.

Celebration Time

December first was a hectic day as Things seemed to be finished with Emmy's BYU application and I edited on the information page and thought I screwed up her priority deadline status. Luckily, the deadline was the end of December first so she indeed receive that priority status. Now we wait. I hope and pray she does well getting ready for university life and loves it as much as Brian and I did.

After relaxing from application stress, I had a Tacky Christmas sweater party to go to. It was a lovely time having dinner at the mall and exchanging gently used gifts from friends. We had a yummy shortbread dessert and loved our Mom's time out party. Later that week Brian and I went to a Christmas party at the Packers. It is nice to talk with friends and see the beautiful decorations and feel of the holiday joys. Next we went to Brian's work party. It was a lovely place. I loved the real candles lite on the table for a lovely dinner. It was prime rib which I haven't had before, too pink for me, but overall the conversation food, and time with Brian and others was a wonderful time. Emmy saved the day as a babysitter and I feel like we've celebrated for Christmas quite a bit already.

The shopping is pretty much done and the Christmas cards will be sent out soon, so now we focus on the Savior and trying to do good will to all men and being kind to others. I really have been thinking about Charity lately and I know the Lord loves us so much, all of us and would have us help others feel of his love. Service can be difficult, but it brings lasting joy. I love to see my children content and cozy and feeling loved. I'm sure Heavenly Father would love to see all of his children so taken care by each other. On Thursday we are having the Relief Society Progressive dinner start at our house then move to other houses in the court. We are going to carol and have a thought about Christmas, it should be great. Emmy, Celia, and Joseph are participating in the ward musical Christmas fireside next Sunday, I cant wait for that. Our children truly are a blessing and I'm so glad we have them at home to enjoy the Holiday Season together.

So Thankful

We had a great visit with my folks for Thanksgiving. Brian had most of the week off of work and I felt supported in my care of the children and preparation of the festivities. My dad stuffed the turkey with stuffing, a first for our little Davis family. It was nice and grandma decorated the table and we had a lovely time together. We were happy to see Rah Rah on her birthday as well. I love having the family around. I've been hearing more about how gratitude as an attitude is a great way to be. Brian gave a wonderful talk in church about how being grateful helps us to be holy. It is a commandment to be grateful, but it helps us to be more like Christ and be refined. I felt the spirit very strong and felt filled with happiness as Brian expressed his love for me over the pulpit and as we had our family here to watch him. Spencer did great sitting through the entire meeting. More meals and family time shopping and working together, even comforting Grandpa as he was sick made for great family bonding time. I got some gift wishes come true for me and we were able to see Santa on Black Friday with no lines.Things have been going well.  Storms have coming bringing a lot of rain lately. It is an answer to prayers one in particular I heard in the temple and I welcome the storms. It was a great weekend, after dinner, we set up all the chase chairs in the backyard and snuggled in with blankets and pillows that Joseph brought to each of us. We were smiley and Spencer joined in on most activities, Happy Times.

Autumn Leaves

Tanya challenged me to take pictures of the fall in my area. I love a chance to go out in nature and take photos!I'm so pleased that it has rained and am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place. I went walking with Laurie today and snapped a few photos. I feel one with nature as i notice the changing seasons and the blessing of color that the rain and the mists bring. This is the first day this week that I don;t have my children with me during the day. I'm glad for both times with them and with out them. It is therapeutic.

Thankful for November

I think Emmy's Birthday has been sufficiently celebrated. On her birthday I took Emmy, Joseph and two of Emmy's friends Alex and Aylssa to sizzler to celebrate. Emmy also had a party at our house and we recently got back from a concert in San Francisco. I loved seeing Emmy's many smiles. I'm excited for a lull in activities before Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for m y family especially my supportive and loving husband, Brian. I love our dat4 nights, time talking and raising these wild Indians together. I'm grateful for a bed as Emmy and I saw homeless sleeping on the sidewalk after the concert. I'm grateful for my voice. spencer has been vocalizing a little more lately and it is exciting. Celia can talk and I'm so grateful she has learned as much as she has. There was a misunderstanding at school and she didn't talk about it to the principal so we here we are at home because she was suspended. It is a lovely day though and Celia and I got to go for a nature walk after the much needed rain. I'm grateful for fall with it's colors and coziness. I can now use my many jackets and hats and scarves to stay warm and cozy. I went to Big Lots today too and the thanksgiving décor was on 90 percent off clearance. All the stores and malls are pushing Christmas purchasing. I'm still holding on for Thanksgiving and not rushing past Fall into winter.  I'm grateful for a fulfilling with life. There are always challenges, but the beauty of the world, the love, and the positive points in life make me happy and grateful.

Little Get Away

Time to get away is unusual, few and far between. 'm glad Brian and I have date night sometimes with a few of our children to catch up on each other's lives. Otherwise I fear we might grow apart because of our daily tasks that are so different from each other. Our children bring us together and also take time from us as a couple. Needless to say I was pretty happy going to a wedding reception with just Brian in a beautiful place such as Calistoga, California. I was surprised by the beauty of the Napa valley. The vineyards, shops bed and breakfast we passed wall so beautiful. The leaves were starting to turn and the feeling was Autumn cozy which is one of  my favorite feelings. There was however a smell of fermenting fruit as we came closer to our destination. We toured a cave at the winery when they store all their fancy wines in barrel and wait for just the right time to bottle. It was interesting to hear from a winemaker of the chemistry timing and allure of the business. There is definitely a prestige of the Napa valley for wine I wasn't fully aware of since I am not a consumer of wine.

The salmon and salad were my favorites, but all the food was excellent.The view at sunset was beautiful and the tram ride up the hill was delightful. The castle winery across the way was impressive and others said it was as authentic as they could make it as a England castle, materials being imported from there. Maybe I can get a feel for England by visiting there and I wont need to travel so far. I miss my family when I'm not with  them. I feel tried to them and my great duties for them. They are so much fun. As they grow older I've noticed their personalities and likes and favorite things and I begin to appreciate them too. I cant believe Emmy will technically be all grown up at Eighteen years old tomorrow. I remember thinking I'd be pregnant forever as the doctors and I expected her to come for Halloween. We all are so blessed to have  her in our family. She keeps me young and I love doing things with and for her.