It Won't be Long

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We had a marvelous week at Casa de Davidson. Things were pretty quiet at work this week and I didn’t get in quite as many hours as I hoped, but I was very grateful for the short week. Monday, Felicity taught our family home evening lesson on gratitude. We played a few games before it was bed time for the kiddos. The car battery died while Jeff was at school on Tuesday. He got it jumped so he could get home, but we were without the car for a few days.

I was very excited for the Thanksgiving holiday; I really enjoy cooking and entertaining. Wednesday night was spent in the kitchen. I prepared all my meals ahead of time so they were ready to just go in the oven at the right time. In fact, it worked out nicely. I timed all the dishes according to when the turkey went in. Everything came to the table hot and ready! We fried our turkey again this year, and I reaffirm that I don’t ever want to prepare it any other way. It was delicious, succulent, flavorful, and moist. The girls helped me pick up the house Thursday morning and my family arrived at about 12pm. We had our family, Gabrielle, my parents and my grandparents. It was a lovely time and I really enjoyed having everyone over. Later in the evening, Jeff picked up his sister Chelsea to visit with us for the weekend.

We actually braved the crowds on Friday and went out to the Tucson Mall. Chelsea had some shopping to do and we haven’t had a weekend together as a family in a long time and were itching to get out. Other than having a difficult time finding a place to park it wasn’t too bad. The girls enjoyed all the sights and people. We even let them play in the very crowded play area. We packed a lunch and stopped at a very nice park on Limberlost and the girls and daddy had a great time playing after our picnic. It was a beautiful day for it! We had a leftover dinner and then all six of us took turns playing Rock Band. The girls had a blast.

Jeff worked on Saturday and it was a long day for him. He didn’t get home until after 7. The girls and I cleaned up the house; I had four loads of dishes and several more loads of laundry. I also made a cake for our friend’s child. It was a lot of fun to do and turned out pretty cute. In the evening we went over to the Bryson’s for games and birthday cake. We had a great time and I think even Chelsea enjoyed herself.

We’ll be taking Chelsea back to St. David this morning and then have church this afternoon. I’m looking forward to having church earlier next year, we got the ten o’clock spot. I’ve felt so much gratitude this week for the many blessings my family enjoys. I’m grateful for my job, for the opportunity Jeff has to go to school. I’m grateful for a wonderful family and for our health; for so many more things.

I think it will probably be a pretty busy week coming up. The semester is almost over for Jeff; he has a full week of classes next week and then begins his finals at the end of the next week. He has been doing very well and I’m excited to see how his grades will come out. I really need to get on top of my Christmas gifts; I have quite a few left to make. It won't be long until Christmas!

You'll Be Mine

It was a long week it seems, but at the same time Friday came and I thought, the weekend is here already? I was off on Monday and spent some good time with the girls. I also had time to complete one of my Christmas presents. I worked long shifts the rest of the week. Since I’m still a contract employee I don’t get holiday pay, so my plan was to work a little extra this week and next so that having next Thursday and Friday off won’t impact my paycheck too much. I’m really looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday, I have almost all my grocery shopping finished.

We got Felicity’s school pictures back on Tuesday and they really turned out cute, I can’t believe how fast my baby is growing up, alas. Gabrielle’s mom came for a visit on Wednesday. She picked Gabrielle up in the evening and has been keeping her. I think we’ll be watching her Monday and Tuesday of next week while she works in the Tucson, and then she has to be back in California to work on Thanksgiving. Gabrielle will only be with through the first week of December and then her mom will come home permanently. It has been a good experience I believe. I’ve learned a lot about my girls and their willingness to share and adapt, especially Felicity. I noticed that when Gabrielle, who is an only child, plays with other children who are the first born in their families there tends to be a power struggle and much more bickering and fighting; Felicity however, does not seem to display those first born tendencies. Maybe it’s because Gabrielle has been coming over since Felicity was two, but I think it’s just not in Felicity’s nature to be the dominant personality. She is much more like Jeff in that way and I don’t think it’s an entirely bad thing. It’s not that she allows other kids to boss her around, she’s just happy to go play by herself if Gabrielle becomes too domineering. I also love that Felicity includes Helen in almost everything she’s doing and encourages other to include Helen as well. I really hope we’ve fostered a home where they will also have a great friendship and love between them. As you’ll see below Helen is still refusing to wear clothes all day. Here she is pictured riding her bike in her favorite outfit!
Friday was a day of great frustration for me. As has been the story for the past several months our van needs to be replaced. We didn’t pay very much for it and it has been a good vehicle for the most part, I love that I can cart around a ton of people and stuff. The time has come that I would rather get something newer than to sink money into repairing the van. What we really want to get is a suburban. I’ve been looking on Craigslist, an online classified page if you will, for such a vehicle. I found two on Thursday night that were in our price range and emailed the individual’s selling for more detail. Both responded that the vehicles were in great working order; in fact neither had any scratches or dents, but were in fact perfect. Oh, and the mileage on both was good as well. Long story short they were both scams, the same scam to be exact. Both wanted to arrange the sale online, claiming to not be in Arizona. I would send them a secure payment and they would send me the vehicle. If I didn’t like it I could send it back at their cost, and receive my money back. I was so angry. Mostly I was embarrassed that I had gotten my hopes up, I really should have known it was too good to be true. At least I was smart enough not to send them any money, obviously some people fall for it, or they wouldn’t continue using the scam. So now, in the past two weeks, I’ve had a swing set I wanted sold out from under me and got my hopes up over vehicles that probably don’t even exist. Yeah, I think I’m going to swear off Craigslist; maybe we’ll start getting the paper! I think more likely than not we’ll have to go through a dealer to get a newer vehicle. But hopefully we’ll have a new suburban before February/March when it will start to get hot again here.
Helen went to spend the night at Nana and Papa’s house on Friday night. She was excited, but made sure that Nana wasn’t going to take her to the car wash! We had our Relief Society Be of Service dinner and auction. It was a good time with a yummy soup buffet. Jeff took Felicity out for a daddy daughter date while I was gone.
Jeff didn’t have to work on Saturday so we met Helen and Mom and Dad at the Sahuarita Pecan Festival. Helen rode the pony; the kids pet the animals in the petting zoo. Felicity enjoyed jumping in the jumping castle, Helen would not go in. Both girls tried to ride a little barrel train pulled by a tractor, Felicity enjoyed it, Helen cried and wanted off. We had a nice time and swapped kids. Felicity went home with Nana and Papa and Helen came home with Jeff and me.
We drove into Tucson to take Helen to the mall. We did some good walking and she played in the play area. We had a nice lunch and went to the pet store to look at fish. We took Helen back to look at the cats and dogs for adoption from FAIR, a no-kill shelter. There was an adorable dog that was literally a chow/Chihuahua mix, if you can believe that, the representative there said he probably wasn’t good with little kids but drew our attention to a very large cattle dog below which he said loved kids; in fact a two year old was his rescuer. Evidently he had been hit by a car and crawled under this family’s trailer to die. Their two-year old coaxed him out with a cupcake and he and she shared the cupcake. He healed from his wounds and since they couldn’t keep him turned him over to FAIR who placed him with a foster family, the gentleman who was at PetsMart with him. He got him out of the kennel and he just covered Helen’s face with kisses and she put her arms around his neck and they were friends. We just fell in love. Here’s the part of the blog where my mother rolls her eyes, sighs, and says, “oh, Heather”… we adopted him. The man who’s been keeping him said he’s house broken, which seems to be the case. He said he doesn’t dig and he’s good with other dogs and kids. He slept under our bed last night and got me up to take him out to potty this morning. He’s not very good on a leash, but is learning. He’s very obedient and knows how to sit and stay. He’s fixed and licensed, has all his shots and also has a microchip. The little girl who found he named him Moe, we're going to call him Beau. I’m sure he’ll make a wonderful addition to the Davidson Family menagerie. Speaking of our menagerie that cats are a little weary of him but I think they’ll adjust nicely.

We got together with the Bryson’s on Saturday night as well and played Risk, I probably became a little too competitive towards the end, but I think we had a nice time; we always enjoy getting together with them for games. I’m hoping that the coming work will go by quickly and we’ll enjoy a nice holiday. Happy Thanksgiving all!

We Can Work it Out

It was a lovely and busy week. Monday the girls and I met Jeff at Richard and Beth’s house to have dinner and visit with Vance before he needed to go back to Tennessee. The kids had fun playing and it was a nice visit. Jeff and I wish we had more time to spend with Vance, but we hope other opportunities will present themselves. Gabrielle came home on Monday night as well. The week was sort of business as usual. I put in my usual hours at work and Jeff had school.

I must say that I let my house work go second to Christmas projects this week. I’ve finished a cute patch-work tummy time mat for Jeff’s niece and the quilt top for his other niece. I bought some material to make curtains for the girls’ room. I finally decided that we will be redecorating the girl’s room as their Christmas gift. We are going to paint the walls, paint their toy buckets, put up new curtains, and I’m going to make them quilts. It will be great, and it won’t cost us very much.
So Tuesday was my birthday, my 30th birthday. I worked all day and then the Jeff took the girls and me out for dinner. I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anyone else to watch Gabrielle so we haven’t had any date time in the last three months, so we all went out. The girls made me cards and Jeff made cookies for dessert. It was a very nice day, not my most exciting birthday, but good just the same. I was overwhelmed by all the birthday wishes I received through the day. My goals for the next ten years include: getting to and maintaining my goal weight, finishing our family, getting out of debt, and being more patient. I thought that in honor of the passing of my twenties I would write a few random top five lists…perhaps on my 40th birthday I can look back and see where I am.
Ideal Jobs
1. Mom
2. Photographer for National Geographic
3. Curator of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
4. Research Anthropologist
5. High School Science teacher
If I had any more kids I would name them:
1. Billie Jo (girl)
2. Norma Jean
3. Jonas Alan
4. Jude Arlo
5. Clara Mae
If I went back to college I would get a degree in:
1. MA Education
2. BA Classics
3. BA History
4. BS Animal Science
5. BS Agriculture
Favorite Bands
1. MxPx
2. Green Day
3. Alkaline Trio
4. Weezer
5. Whatever Band Jeff’s playing in that year
Things I want to do before I die
1. Learn to play the piano well
2. Visit Rome
3. Learn to speak Spanish well
4. Visit every temple in the US
5. Serve a mission
Well, that’s enough about me. This week, in order to get a little more exercise, Helen and I walked to the pre-school to pick up Felicity. It took us about 40 minutes one way. I left an hour early so we got to spend about 20 minutes with her class. Helen enjoyed playing on the play ground with the big kids and also singing time. She followed directions very well.

Thursday Gabrielle was home from school for the Veteran’s Day holiday and the three girls were home alone with Jeff all day while I was at work. Luckily he didn’t go mad! We had Family Home Evening on Thursday night. Friday was Jeff and I’s 5th wedding anniversary. It went uncelebrated only because it was the middle of the week, we have three kids and no money! Even though it wasn’t recognized with a romantic dinner or weekend get-away, it was an important milestone. It has truly been the best year of marriage we’ve had. There has been a lot of growth and maturation. I’m grateful for our marriage, for Jeff my eternal companion.
Jeff was doubly lucky this week. The estate sale was in Rancho Sahuarita so it was 15 minutes away, and they’ve started their winter hours which means the sale doesn’t start until 8 am…long story short, he got to sleep in. He also had a delivery so he made a little extra money…the delivery was a block away, so he dollied a piece of furniture up the street! I tackled a project that I’ve been meaning to get to for awhile. I drained the large salt water tank; cleaned all the parts, took the filter apart and cleaned it, and cleaned all the sand. I stained the cabinet it sits on to match my other furniture. We set it back up in the living room as a freshwater tank. All the saltwater fish had died and I was having a really hard time keeping it clean. As a freshwater tank I can get a couple of plecostomus fish to keep it clean and we can afford to get several new fish for it. I’m happy to have it done! It was a very nice week, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming holidays, and the weather as of late has made it easier to feel winter coming. It’s been quite chilly in the evening/early morning.

Jeff and I sat down today and have made plans to save money for two large expenditures. We are going to try and get a new vehicle at the beginning of the year and are planning a vacation to California toward the end of the summer. I’m hoping we can stick with our budget and make it happen. I’m happy, we’re happy, I’m so grateful for all that we have and enjoy.

No Reply

I can hardly believe its Sunday already! We had a very nice week, although it seems we are really going at a feverish pace. Monday while I was walking Gabrielle home from the bus stop she said she would like teach the Family Home Evening lesson. After dinner Jeff helped her prepare her lesson, which was about loving one another. She did a great job and Felicity chose the activity, we played a couple of card games. It seems that Monday night was the only night we were together. Tuesday night Jeff played with his band, Wednesday night he had a meeting, Thursday night I had softball, and Friday night he played a show at The Rock with his band. It was a busy week.
I stayed busy at work this week and managed to come up with my Christmas list and Thanksgiving menu. I have finished a few of the gifts I’m going to make, but still have several to go. I worked on some quilts, and want to get those finished this coming week. I think I can get it all done by Christmas.
As I mentioned earlier Jeff played a show with his new band at a club downtown on Friday night. I didn’t go since I had all three girls with me, I did, however, get to hear them from the van parked on the street. The car broke down while Jeff was in Tucson, so he called me to come get him after the gig. He’s really enjoying playing again, even if it’s not really the type of music he normally enjoys playing. Richard and Beth came to his show, and I know he appreciate that.

Saturday, Jeff didn't work. He attended his aunt’s memorial service. We were very sad to hear that she passed away the week earlier from cancer; for us it seemed quite sudden as we hadn’t known for very long that she was ill. Jeff enjoyed seeing his family and cousins and especially visiting with Grandma Ruth. He was also surprised that his brother Vance came as well. The girls and I spent some time at the Foothills Mall. They had a blast playing at the play area! Gabrielle’s mother made a surprise trip to visit. Gabrielle will stay with her through Monday.
Sunday was a little more quiet then last week. We enjoyed a cinnamon roll breakfast and after church my parents came over for dinner. We had tacos and chips and the highlight of the meal seemed to be the homemade goat cheese that Jeff got from an estate sale patron. It was very nice having them over, we really should do it more often. After dinner my mom asked if the girls wanted to go get the car washed. The last time they drove through the car wash they seemed to really enjoy it, Helen talked about the car wash for days after; however, when asked, Helen said she didn’t want to go to the car wash. She went anyway, not wanting to be left out, but as I understand it, she and Nana stood outside of the carwash while Felicity and Papa went through. She became very frightened and wouldn’t go through. Alas! We have another busy week ahead of us. We hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and has a wonderful week!

Helter Skelter

It was just another really hectic week this week, which is why, in part, I’m so late getting my blog updated. Monday kicked off a “Spirit Week” at the pre-school. Monday was crazy hair day and Jeff did a great job making Felicity’s hair pretty crazy. We had a very nice family home evening that night as well. Felicity volunteered to give the lesson, and she wanted to speak about gratitude. Jeff and I have been talking a lot about being grateful with the girls as of late and have related parts of President Monson’s conference talk on having an attitude of gratitude. For her object lesson we found an empty shoe box and each wrote down two things we are grateful for on some index cards. The plan is to repeat this at each family home evening until Thanksgiving and then we can share them at dinner. Gabrielle chose to play Pretty, Pretty Princess as our activity and the girls had a blast, Helen ended up winning.
Tuesday was a long day at work for me, but I’m happy to be getting good hours and getting things taken care of. Felicity had “Mismatch” day on Wednesday and she and Daddy got quite creative. She had two non-matching shirts, striped tights under her shorts, and a different sock and a different shoe on each foot. She thought it was great. She really is enjoying school a lot and I’ve been surprised at how much she is learning. The other day she recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and pretty well I might add. I’m glad that they are still teaching that, I quite honestly was surprised, and am very proud that the school district thinks it deserves a place in even a pre-school classroom, which it does; although, it’s sparked some interesting vocabulary conversations over the dinner table-- the United States of America is not “under-visible”.
Thursday Felicity had a Halloween party at school and she and Helen went in their PJs, because it was also pajama day. They both had a lot of fun. Helen really enjoys spending time in Felicity’s classroom. Often, I go several minutes early to pick Felicity up so that I can interact with her teachers and see what she’s up to; Helen is welcome to join in and most of the time does readily. We also had our ward trunk-or-treat. I got home from work at about 3pm and worked feverishly on the last bit of Gabrielle’s costume I had left to do, I did get it finished in time. There were a lot of people there that I didn’t know and ran out of candy relatively quickly. The girls enjoyed it. I really wish they would do it earlier in the evening while it’s still light out. It was pretty dark.
Friday was costume day at school and both Felicity and Gabrielle got dressed up to go to school. We didn’t do a game night, but instead were invited to a dinner/party at a friend’s home. There were several families there and some girlfriends and I stayed late talking and visiting. Jeff worked on Saturday and I spent my day off trying to catch up on all the housework I missed throughout the week. Saturday evening some of the families in our neighborhood got together for trick-or-treating and a BBQ. It was a lot of fun. I spoke in church on Sunday and we enjoyed quite a nice day. We didn’t go out for anymore trick-or-treating since it was Sunday. The kids didn’t even notice seeing as they had lots of activities throughout the week, and it felt good to be consistent in our observance of the Sabbath. It’ll be another long week in front of us. Jeff has exams coming up this week, and I’ll be working quite a bit. We can’t wait for Thanksgiving, I’m fixing at my house this year for my family. I love to cook the big holiday meals. It will be great. I love the holidays and we are really enjoying the cooler weather.