Dear God

I woke up this morning at the sight of my two sweet boys sleeping beside me. {Coop snuck into our bed sometime between 5-6 this morning--sneaky lil thing} I watched them sleep and whispered "Thank you God for my family."

I dozed back off until 9am. On a Monday. While most weeks Monday mornings bring about fist fights with my alarm clock and groggy sleepy eyes stumbling around the bathroom, not this week.

You see, today was different. We had to be in Clayton County at the Superior Court by 1:30pm for the dreaded trial.

So instead of putting on my favorite scrubs, I put on a dress, some festive wedges, and my Coopie necklace {for good measure}. Chris put on his best suit. We looked like we were ready for hot date night. But alas, we had bigger fish to fry.

Cooper put on his best onesie and a fresh diaper and we were out the door.

I chanted "Dear God, please be with us, please be with us".

After dropping Cooper off at Lori's for the day, we blazed a trail back down to Clayton County. We stopped at Chickfila on the way {of course} and I prayed "Please have crushed ice, please have crushed ice".

As we passed the "Now entering Clayton County sign" I threw up in my mouth a little at the thought of that cold morning back in December. {Just being honest folks}.

We parked the car, made it through security, and waited outside the judge's chamber for 45 minutes. I held Chris' hand and pleaded "Dear God, please shower Chris with your mercy".

A young scraggly dude sat beside us holding his court order. Being the Nancy Drew I am, I snuck a peek at his charge. Robbery. I squeaked out the prayer "Be near, oh God, be near".

Scraggly dude got nervous and went for a stroll and another young man, wearing a purple hyper-color shirt sat down beside me. I prayed "Dear God, please help me resist the urge to blow on this man's shoulder just to see his shirt change colors".

We waited and waited for Mr. Glock to show up to escort us into the courtroom. We shuffled and waited and paced and waited. No Mr. Glock. 1:30 came and we were ushered into the courtroom with the other guys being tried for various felonies. Theft by taking. Possession of Marijuana. Hit and run. Robbery. I looked around the room and prayed "This which you do for the least of them, you do for me".

Chris was 3rd on the docket. Still no Mr. Glock. The judge called his name and he nervously reassured her {yes, her} that he would be there any minute. And 30 minutes later, he was there. I shouted "Thank you JESUS!"

The short version {because we all know how very LONG WINDED I tend to be}: the judge, the DA, and Mr. Glock began negotiating at the front of the courtroom. Chris and I sat on the pew awaiting the verdict. The first news came: the charge was being reduced to a misdemeanor. PRAISES!

Mr. Glock was not happy with this. We can do better, he said. More negotiating, shaking and nodding heads, sweaty palms, whispering prayers. They wrapped things up and Mr. Glock came over to us. He greeted us with a blunt "How much money do you have?" I reported that I had a Macy's charge card, a gift certificate to Chili's, and approximately $3. 21 cents worth of change in the cupholder of my car. Chris reported our current savings. {So serious, gesh}.

The judge and DA had agreed to send Chris' case into diversion. We were to pay the court $300 dollars {yep, $300, not $3,000...or $30,000 as we had imagined} and the ENTIRE charge will be dropped. No sentence. No probation. No outrageous fines. No shackles. No fear.

I was instructed to go and obtain a money order for the amount stated and Chris was taken off to complete paperwork. I drove in circles looking for a Bank of America and wondered if people in Clayton County even use banking institutions. My darling brother hooked me up with directions (love you bro) to the nearest BOA. As I ran up the stairs to the teller, I noticed an enormous sign on the door reading "Remove sunglasses and hoods before entering the bank". I prayed "Dear God, please do not let me get mugged, please do not let me get mugged".

I got the dough, sped back to the courthouse and met back up with Chris. We sat in the DA's office in absolute awe of God's mercy and grace. We have pretty much been speechless ever since.

It's late and I am watching my two sweet boys sleep. And you better believe, I am whispering "Thank you God, thank you God".

Footie Pajamas and Collard Greens

Glory be, the Blue Willow Inn might be a little slice of heaven here on earth. Yum. Me.

Today was a super special day. Why, you ask? Coopie got to meet his much loved and talked about Aunt Irene and Cousin Michael! Alas! He might have cried the whole way home because he didn't get to meet his Uncle Al :( Sorry Uncle Al. He is just chomping at the bits to meet you and hear your best Donald Duck impression.

We ate candied yams, mashed taters, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collards, country ham, pecan biscuits, chocolate chocolate cake, banana pudding, and cheesecake. Washed it all down with tall glasses of sweet tea. Rocked on the front porch of the old victorian home, told stories, and enjoyed the sweet, simple life. So much fun!

Daddy, Grandada, and Uncle Stevie hit up the G-Braves game tonight while Mommy, Nana, Aunt Dori, Cousin Ludi Mae, and I had ourselves a playdate. We had so much fun!

The babies drooled, tootied, cooed, gooed, giggled, and had themselves a big time.

Coop got his very first football this week. He says he's ready for it to be fall so he can cheer on the Dawgs and eat football Food. You know what I'm talking about. Mmm.

He is pouting because I told him it was time for night-night. Sorry Coop.

Now he's tucked in, snug as a bug in his bed wearing footie pajamas. Yes, pajamas. For the 2nd night in a row. Can you believe it? The swaddle monster lies untouched on the changing table. Milestone!

I could just gobble him up!

Fraidy Cat

I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't tell you that I have been one big ol' fraidy-cat this week.

I don't know what started it really...maybe it was the random episode of "Deliver Me-Home Edition" that featured a young mommy-to-be who lost her husband to Hodgkins. Maybe it is the fact that Chris goes to trial on Monday. (Heave. Hurl. Yuck.) Maybe it is the fact that a dear friend lost his Daddy to cancer this week. Maybe it is the fact that I tried to cook pork chops for supper tonight.

Maybe it's the fact that Cooper bites.

Just kiddin sillies. Coopie doesn't even have teeth yet.

Sigh. I just don't know, but my fear has snowballed and I am so thankful that tonight I was reminded to:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think on these things..........and the God of peace will be with you." Phillipians 4: 6-8. (Thanks so very much Melanie--you are an absolute inspiration!!)

When I'm not being a fraidy-cat, we are rejoicing and praising God that Chris only has 3 more kudzu treatments left! Yes, yes, only 3 more! The treatments have seemed to have gotten progressively more difficult, so we are holding our breath and whispering prayers that the aftermath of this one will be mild. With God's grace, Chris will be cancer free by the end of October.

Heavens to Betsy, that's just right around the corner.

So tell me, do you ever have fraidy-cat moments?


Update: Totally have been meaning to post this little morsel of awesomeness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqWLFeUF1qg Tell me that isn't just AWESOME!? Coach Richt telling Chris to "finish the drill". Priceless! Thank you a million times over Abby!! Now can someone please teach me how to upload videos on Blogspot??

Baby D

Chris has had a little pep in his step for 5 days straight now. And boy howdy are we enjoyin' it :)

My big man, my little man. Two peas in a pod!

We set a new Davis Family Record this past week. Completely demolished a Molten Lava Cake in 3 minutes flat. (Thank you, thank you, thank you sweet Kim!)

Coop discovered his feet this week. He also discovered his, well, ahem, wobbly bits. Lord help us.

Sunday brought with it lots of laughter, smiles, pancakes, and balloons.

We celebrated Cooper's Baby Dedication with Breakfast for Supper at Mimi's Cafe. Complete with Cupcakes ala Loulu's Bake Shop and a festive Balloon Release. I might have gotten choked up as we all let our balloons go while saying little prayers and making little wishes for Super Coop. So touching. So humbling. Cooper is one loved pumpkin doodle.

The best place to be is in Daddy's arms.

Would ya just look at these darlin' cupcakes!? They were simply divine.
The service was precious. Kevin Queen prayed over each baby and shared the meaning of each one's name.

One sweet baby's name meant "Strong and faithful". Another sweet baby's name meant "Meadow".

Super Coop's name means "Maker of Containers". Fabulous. We were those parents. It didn't stop me from giggling and apologizing to Coop for not naming him after something brave or or strong or mighty.

Thankfully "Wyatt" means "Warrior". After my Mama Potts. And a mighty warrior she was.

Whew, redemption. So we have our very own "Warrior who makes containers".

Our prayer warriors. So incredibly special. So touching. "That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. He who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine." Ephesians 3

We love you all very very much! Thanks a million for being a part of Cooper's special day. He would like to thank you himself, but he is in the bath tub, being told to stop examining his wobbly bits. Shesh.

Update: PICC line placement tomorrow morning. Please whisper a tiny prayer that everything goes smoothly. We are famous for turning "routine procedures" into "mini catastrophic events". Ha.

Love and hugs!

Why Us?

We are smiling because...

our sweet Daddy/Hubby is over the half way hump of this whole Kudzu business! Woo! Hoo!

I won't lie. This time around was rough. Bleh. Yuck. Eww. Sigh.

Regardless, we are celebrating his progress and pushing on toward the finish line!

We have SO much to be thankful for. We are constantly amazed at God's goodness and Grace. Someone asked me recently if I ever ask "why us?" Although I am a pro at laying in the floor crying like a baby, I chuckled, and answered "Absolutely." I ask God every day why He trusts us so much and why He allows us to get to know Him better through every curve ball He throws our way. I know that He isn't going to bring us to anything that His Grace can't see us through. The rest just doesn't matter. It really doesn't.

The Cancer Answer did not prove to be on the Vein Train this week. They blew vein after vein on Chris' poor little arms and ended up scheduling him for surgery to get PICC line. Yay.

We are dedicating Super Coop on Sunday. One of the "homework" assignments was to come up with one thing we would want Coopie to know. One thing we hope for him. One thing we are committed to seeing him through on. We decided that we want him to know that while you may not be able to control what happens to you in life, you may absolutely control how you respond to things. What better way to share God's goodness and love than through maintaining your faith during those white knuckle moments? We pray that Coopie always knows that he is stronger than he thinks he is. That he has a God who loves Him and who will never leave him. That His grace is enough. That he is loved and adored.

Since Chris' D day (Diagnosis Day), I have:

-Rocked Cooper to sleep even though all of the books say not to.

-Gone back for seconds instead of counting calories.

-Allowed my house to go completely unkept. Completely.

-Watched my sweet husband sleep instead of watching my trashy TV shows.

-Been late to work because I just couldn't stop kissing Coop and Chris goodbye. Just one more kiss, just one more ;)

-Flossed my teeth religiously.

-Soaked in the bathtub instead of taking power showers.

-Let our laundry pile up so badly that I contemplated running to Macys to buy us all new outfits so I wouldn't have to spend my day washing clothes.

And it has been absolutely glorious.

Pefectly Imperfect

Four years ago today I married the most incredible man in all the world.

We traded electricity for candlelight.
A romantic photo shoot on the beach for priceless candids in the rain.
Air conditioning for puddles of sweat.

Carefully selected music playlists for acapalla Michael Jackson.
Perfectly planned toasts with clinking champagne glasses for unexpected visits from firemen and firetrucks. A fancy pants limo ride for a forever memorable ride in the trusty ol' Jeep.

And I wouldn't trade any of those precious memories for ANYTHING in the world.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, the other can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." ~Esslesiastes 4:9-12

Here's to you sweet darlin'!

Swaddle, Bottle, Rock-a-Bye G'night!

Swaddle debacle settled. Our logic: The lovely makers of the Swaddle Me Wrap wouldn't make it in a larger size (up to 28 lbs, friends!) if they didn't intend for toddler sized three month olds to use them, right!?

We took a spin around Babies R Us tonight and Super Coop would like for you to know that he is the proud owner of 2 new big boy swaddles (whaddya think, is the old one too small?), 48 linkydoos, a bubble blowing machine, an Elmo faucet cover (they are the best of buddies already), and 2 new rattles. We had to stop Daddy before he put the geriatric tub stool/padded stoop in the buggy.

Speaking of all things geriatric...I can't feel my legs. Or my abs. Or my biceps. Or my triceps. BodyPump:1 Post-Mommy Jiggle: 0.

7 Smiles

7 things that made me smile today:

1. My child is going to be the only 4 year old who still requires to be swaddled in order to sleep at night. Seriously. Chris and I are debating whether it's acceptable to cut the bottom of Cooper's swaddle off since he has now outgrown it.
2. Taking a 5 minute "cat nap" in your car sometimes becomes an hour long snooze session in which you a) drool on your seat belt strap, b) have to go in to work with sleepy creases on your cheeks, c) drain your car battery by turning the key forward slightly in order to have AC and tunes, and d) require the assistance of nearby security officers in order to jump start your car just so you can go home.
3. Juice session Numero Tres is behind us! Wooot! It wasn't quite cartwheels and rainbows and puppy dogs like Numero Dos, but it also wasn't death, doom, and gloom like Numero Uno. Have I mentioned that I have the most amazing and strong husband in all the world!? He just keeps on keepin' on no matter what comes his way.
4. Juice Numero Quatro is scheduled for August 12th, our 4th Anniversary. Each year we take a trip to someplace exciting. Someplace beachy. Someplace relaxing. This year's destination; the Cancer Answer. Passport not necessary.
5. It seems that I crashed into something in the garage. Again. There are pieces of black plastic scattered about and our recycling bin somehow managed to get wedged in between the bumper and the trash can. Mysteries.
6. Speaking of trash, attempting to take it out in your underwear without realizing it leads to all sorts of silliness.
7. I tried really hard to break my ice chomping habit. I did good for about 30 minutes. Then I went screeching into the CFA drive thru on 2 wheels for a cup of those crunchy little ice pellets. This extreme behavior led me to Google "ice eating addiction". The first article said, and I quote, "Some people are so extrememly addicted to eating ice that they become quite cranky when unable to obtain it". Me, cranky? No way.

So tell me, what made YOU smile today?