Davis Family Gathering - January 2,2011

Well, I'm finally getting around to blogging about our Davis Family Gathering last Sunday.  It was the first time that all five of us siblings have been together in one place since Chuck and I got married in June of 1992.  Chandler and Gary came to SC/NC for Happy's graduation from nursing school, so it was the perfect opportunity to  reconnect with each other after oh-so-many years.

Here are a few pictures of the lunch and our time of visiting. 

Chandler, Evans, Kathy, and Gary

My beautiful great-niece Victoria and me



My middle brother Frank

My oldest brother Larry and his wonderful wife, Gayle

Charles and his Uncle John

My beautiful niece, Kit Scott



My nephew Evans, a senior at Clemson

Not only my niece, my friend.....Mary

Jeff and his sweet son, Law

Great-nephew John, and his daddy Douglas

Mary and Jeff, and little Law

Kit, John, Mary, Jeff, and Law





My brother John and my husband Chuck

Sweet Victoria

My smart and handsome great-nephews John and Harvey

Mary Jo

Lawren

Charles

After lunch was over, we all went outside to take family and a group picture.  These pictures are truly a treasure to me!

Larry's family:  John, Harvey, Gayle, Victoria, Larry, Jeff,
Law, Mary, and Douglas

My sister Chandler and her husband Gary

Brother Frank and Teresa

John's family: Kit, John, Kathy, and Evans

My family:  Chuck, Lawren, Mary Jo, me, and Charles

The five Davis children:  Larry, Jo, Frank, Chandler, and John

Our children....

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 
                             ~Desmond Tutu

Saturday 9: Closer to Home

Saturday 9: Closer to Home
1. Where did you grow up? Where do you consider home?  I grew up in the "Prettiest Town in Dixie," Cheraw, SC.  I still like to say that I'm from Cheraw, but I guess I now consider Bennettsville home.

2. If you could paint your car any color with no loss in value, what color would it be?  It would be multi-colored, like tie-dyed...that would be sooooo cool!!

3. What do you think comes after death?  I know that Jesus is waiting for me in heaven and I will live for eternity with Him.

4. Name a TV show that should NOT be renewed for another season.  Hawaii 5-0....and the reason for this answer is because it's just another police show that Chuck will spend his time on...

5. If you could have a free subscription to any online service, which would you like to have?  Weight Watchers online....

6. Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?  I thought that I'd be right where I am now...married with children, and happy!

7. What did you want to be when you grew up?  I always wanted to be a special ed teacher, and that's what I've been doing for 27 years....it's my calling...

8. If you were to suddenly become famous, and were forced to change names,
what would you choose as your stage name?  What a tough question....I'd be "Dorothy VonTrapp"...one name from each of my favorite movies... :)

9. What is the first book that you can remember reading by yourself as a child?  I cannot remember the name of it, but I can see it in my mind's eye....it was a small, yellow-covered book about a little girl who walks outside and looks at nature....

Filll in the Blank Friday

1.   Winter is      cold and it seems the older I get, the colder I get....I am hating the cold weather....  .

2.  Summer is    warm and happy....I love hot weather!  I love being out of school and watching the girls play softball! :)   .

3.  If it were summer instead of winter right now I'd       not be so cold right now!   In an effort to save the school district money, we are now conserving energy and all of the school thermostats are set at 70 degrees....I'm sure I'll be cold everyday now!

4.  My favorite thing to do in winter is   cover up with a blanket on the couch and watch TV, read, or play on the internet    .

5.  My favorite thing to do in summer is       enjoy fresh summer vegs, watch the girls play softball, and go to the beach...  .

6.  The ideal outfit for a sunny summer day is        shorts, a 100% cotton t-shirt and Birkenstocks!

7.  The ideal outfit for a frigid winter day is       layers....t-shirts, sweatshirt or sweater, wool socks, jeans, and suede Birks....        .

Miscellany Monday

[one]

Sorry y'all....once again I'm a day late....

I know it's Tuesday and not Monday....

but, here we go with Miscellany Monday.

[two]

We had a wonderful time yesterday at the Davis family gathering.  All five of us siblings were there and also quite a few nieces, nephews, and cousins.  I cannot wait to see Chandler, Larry, and Frank again on Wednesday when we go to Chapel Hill to see our half-sister Nancy and our dear Aunt Mary.

Sorry this pic is small and blurry....
I'll post a better one in the near future..

[three]

MJ and I finally got the Christmas decorations down today.  Charles helped get the boxes, bags, etc. into the attic.  Thank goodness this is finished for this holiday season!  It was fun while it lasted.

[four]

Lawren was asked to move up to the varsity basketball team, but she had rather stay on the JV team.  I cannot say I blame her for her decision.  She said that she'd rather play JV than sit the bench on varsity.....smart girl....

[five]

A group L and MJ's friends and I went to Taki last night for Japanese....YUM!!  I love the rice and veggies.  Of course I love the company of teenagers too!  We had so much fun!  Thanks for allowing me to make memories with y'all Lawren, MJ, Josh, Ariel, and Matt!  I love you all!

Happy Monday...err, Tuesday everybody!!

<3

Jo

Meet Me on Monday

Questions: 

1.  Do you have any New Year's resolutions?  Yes, I made three....1.) lose more weight; 2.) unclutter and dejunk my house; 3.) improve my prayer life

2.  What food item are you craving right now?  Japanese food....rice and vegetables, no meat!

3.  When is your birthday?  November 3

4.  What were you doing an hour ago?  Sitting on the loveseat watching a houseful of kids playing the Wii

5.  Last thing you cooked?  Yesterday I cooked several soups and broccoli cornbread for the Davis family gathering

Saturday 9: Do Ya

Do Ya

Saturday 9: Do Ya
1. Do ya love New Year's Eve? What did you do? (Or if you arrived here early, what are your plans?)  Nope, don't love it....just another day....

2. What’s something nice you did for someone else this year?  I prayed for a lot of different people at random times, not just on Sundays, at night, or in crisis situations....

3. Who do you wish could find their inner spirit to become more comfortable in their life?  A friend who works at my school who appears to have a lot of inner turmoil.....bless you friend!

4. What’s the best thing to inherit other than money?  Family memories and a strong family heritage.

5. How many members of your family not living with you did you see on Christmas Day?  My side of the family = 0.... Chuck's side of the family = 35+

6. When spending time with family, how long after you arrive do you begin to feel "antsy" about being there too long?  Depends on who I'm visiting,,,,but usually about 30 minutes or so....

7. Is your family more likely to have pleasant discussions or heated arguments during a big meal? Do you join in or quietly listen in?  Pleasant discussions, and sometimes I join in.....

8. Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? What one thing that you didn’t get would you like to have received?  I really didn't want too much this Christmas, so I guess I got more than I anticipated.  I would have really liked to receive a super smooth set of king size sheets....I think I'll purchase them myself with a gift card!!

9. What’s one area of your life you really improved this year?  I improved my health by losing weight, but still have a long, long way to go....

Fill in the Blank Friday

Today's [yesterday's] blanks are obviously going to be New Year's themed.

 

1.   New Year's is (awesome/lame/other)       just another day....Chuck and I don't usually do anything extra special, just kinda hang out here at home... .

2.  Last New Year's Eve I   stayed at home, just like I did this year....

3.  My New Year's resolution is       1) to lose some more weight (gotta get myself in gear!) and 2)to get this junky, cluttered house more organized!!

4.  The best way to spend New Year's Eve is   with family members that you love...   .

5.  My prediction for an up-and-coming trend in 2011 is       hopefully more natural fibers and comfy clothing....and wrinkles!  I am not an ironer, so maybe wrinkles will be all the rage in 2011!!

6.  This New Year's Eve I will        be browsing at a bookstore and drinking yummy vanilla coffee with my sweet husband, then coming home to close out 2010 and begin 2011!   .

7.  A fresh start is       nice to have, but I think it's a little silly to wait for the first of the year to give yourself permission to do the things you want to do....

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend

and a fun New Years!

<3

Jo