{Wonderful Weekend}

Saturday I took my Praxis for media specialist (fingers crossed!). In the midst of the test I was thinking, "this is kinda hard" but I think I just had really bad anxiety when I first started. I've always been that way. I never thought I would use the entire time but I worked until the very end, checked over a few answers and before I could even put my pencil down the proctor said "times up!" That was the fastest two hours of my life. Hopefully it is the last time I have to take that test!

Afterwards, I needed to let my brain rest so I met Todd at a local Thai restaurant to unwind. It was delicious. 

Then we headed to Bass Lake in Blowing Rock for some R&R. Our goal was to not leave until we had settled on a dog name. Yes, we have changed it multiple times already. The good news is we left with a confident name but we still aren't ready to share. We are those crazy people who keep saying the dog names in a real sentence pretending she is in the room. Yea, see, CRAZY!

Sunday we (plus our entire fam and previous congregation members) surprised dad for a pastor appreciation day! He totally deserved a day like this, to honor his hard work. I wish I would have recorded his face as tons of us walked in right after the church service started. Because of our own church duties, we never get to be at his church on Sunday so that was a real treat to him. Mom did a great job of keeping it all a secret. Instead of him preaching, the service was full of people speaking about my dad and songs of worship about serving the Lord. My sister, Ronna, represented our family so well with a great speech. I wish I would have recorded that too! So proud of her for doing that. As soon as we all walked in someone pinned a rose on dad and moved his seat so he could view the pulpit.   Not sure my dad has ever been recognized in such a huge way and actually sat back and let others do the talking on a Sunday.

This is a real genuine humbled smile folks.

I love my dad. Fun fact: growing up through elementary school I called him Bubba and we would have "Bubba Days" where he would check me out of school (I was "sick" of course) and go play putt-putt or I would help him make his visits to the elderly.

Here is our family, plus Annlyn. Not sure why the husbands didn't squeeze in (oops). They must have been holding our purses and 283420 baby bags that my sister (love you!) carries everywhere.

What a great weekend! If you have ever been ministered by dad, feel free to write on his Facebook wall a comment of appreciation. All ministers need a day (week, why not!) where they feel the love!

Have a great week friends!

-Sara

{Week in Review}

Here a few instagrams of my week! As a librarian, you get the fun job of hosting a Book Fair. The theme is a Luau and I think we (me + parents) decorated it really well! 

I (and Mrs. Bishop, thanks!) made the pom-poms to hang from the ceiling (just like the ones I did for my sister's baby shower). The students LOVE them. 

I had my LAST ever grad class (a presentation) via our internet classroom on Tuesday night.

And....I PASSED! Praise the Lord! Grad school is officially over. Can't believe it! 

Todd surprised me with this book on Thursday. We have lots of reading to do to get ready for our baby doodle! Aren't they just precious?!

TGIF-bout to relax on the couch with hubby and watch a movie. My kind of night. I take my Praxis for Media Specialist tomorrow and I'm a little nervous. Prayers would be appreciated!!!

Have a GREAT weekend!

-S

{Vance Mr. Romance gets Married!}

Hey friends! So I should have known better than to add anything extra to my life during this hectic period. Therefore, my instagram photo a day is so behind that I've decided to give it another shot some other time. It was fun while it lasted for sure and I have loved seeing so many of you take your fun photos each day. Keep it up, don't be a slacker like me.

This past weekend, Todd's stepbrother Vance got married! We headed to Danville, VA and made it just in time for the rehearsal. The two lovebirds chose to have each of their siblings and spouses to be the groomsmen and bridesmaids. So, we were in the wedding and it was an honor to stand beside Vance during this special time.

I have such a handsome husband!

Katie is really tall (she is wearing flats) and I'm wearing heels but I still can't seem to catch up to her!

Me, Katie & Laura (& baby Piper due to be born in July)

Us with the Newlyweds! See how short I am?!?!

Vance and Carol also did a fun dance together, check it out here:

                 

Bros

These two are SO in love. Seriously it is the cutest thing I've ever seen. They were so relaxed on their wedding day and just enjoyed being in each others presence. 

Good times! Also, Todd and I got some great news last week. We will be the proud owners of a goldendoodle SOON! Our baby girl will be available to take home by the end of July. We are soooooo excited. We can't stop watching youtube videos and reading about caring for our doodle. We do have a name picked out and I'll reveal that later just in case we switch it up in the last minute. We also have more prayers that have been answered in which we are very thankful for. More details to come but great things are happening with the Davis' so stay tuned!!!

-Sara

{Weekend Wrap-up}

We had a super busy weekend as we attended all the festivities for our dear friends, Josiah and Heather's wedding. Josiah and Todd were in Philmont together and have been friends for years. Heather is just an added bonus. I love that gal. We had a blast making new friends and catching up with old. The event was held in a barn and Heather has spent the past year collecting vintage items for the decor. The two left in a carriage and the guests all took home mason jars and tea lights. The best part of the story is that the two have been dating for years...since high school. I'm excited to see where God takes them in life and I'm very thankful we are friends.

While in Charlotte, we took our bikes and explored the greenway early Saturday morning. We actually made it a morning "date" complete with Starbucks, yard sales, Trader Joes and lunch. The greenway was awesome and hope to take advantage of it more. It was also day 14 of April photo a day which was how do you feel? Well, I was a HAPPY gal. 

Today's photo is sunset. This is the view tonight from our bedroom balcony. Beautiful. 

  

I'm sure you are sick of my countdowns but I can't help it. Only 10 more days of grad school left for me! I just can't believe it. All that remains is for me to present my semester long research paper. What a fast two years this has been!

I seriously better get some sleep. I'm still teaching and we are just finishing spring break. 6 a.m. is going to be rough...

Thanks for reading,

Sara

{Blabber}

Anybody else feel like the days are going by super fast? I call it turbo mode. We have a lot going on around here so I blame the hustle and bustle. We have been doing lots of traveling (and more to come) and I'm not thrilled with the gas prices. Can't say I've met anyone who is. Also, where did spring go? Around here we have had several mornings that have been really cold. Like in the 30s cold. Burrrr. 

In other news, I passed my public library comps! Praise the good Lord! This was a four question essay take home exam where each question required 1000-1500 words. That is a lot of words people. I was a total baby during those comps. I'm so thankful I married such a patient and encouraging man. Now I just have to pass the Praxis for my school media specialist certification. This test means the most to me and is what ultimately will secure me a job in what I want to do. The test is on April 28th so send those prayers up!

Enough of my blabber. Here is Day 12 & 13 of April photo a day! 

Day 12: Stairs

These are our stairs. Nothing too exciting.

Day 13: Something you found

Coral rocks from the Cayman Islands on our honeymoon

Have a great weekend! 

-S

{Days 8-11}

In case you are confused at all these random pictures, let me just remind you that I'm linking up with thousands of others (and friends!) to do April photo a day. Each day has a different subject that you take a picture of.

Day 8: Inside your wallet.

So messy. This is real life. Although there usually isn't any cash in it!

Day 9: Younger you.

Day 10: Cold.

35 degrees is not acceptable for the month of April! BTW, this was a GREAT day! More details to come later.

Day 11: Where you ate breakfast.

Lazy morning. Breakfast in bed. Spring break #2 is good for the soul.

I'm enjoying my week off of work but it is going by crazy fast. This has been a great break and it's about to get even better. Our friends Josiah and Heather get married this weekend, officially kicking off wedding season 2012 for us. Todd and I have 3, yes THREE, weeks of school left! I have actually completed two out of three classes already so I'm just holding my breath a little longer but I cannot wait to be finished! Yippppppeeeee, lots to be excited about and thankful for. Excuse my enthusiasm, I just can't contain myself sometimes.

-S

{House Crashing}

Literally. Seriously. In fact looking back this was not our smartest moment.

You see, Todd's grandparents have both passed and since then their home has been sold to the airport and is now vacant. Todd had many great memories at that house. I hear about the stories all the time so randomly on our way to Charlotte one day we made the spontaneous decision to "drive by" before it gets demolished. I had never been there so naturally I was curious about matching his childhood stories with a real setting.

We pulled in the side drive just to take in the view. Then we got out. Then we walked around. All the doors have been bolted shut but when I turned the corner to the side of the house, one door was wide open AND the hall light was on along with ceiling fans (which is so weird, who is paying for that!?!)

This is where we should have got the clue to leave. But you see there is something you should all know about me. I love abandon places. I'm that girl that youtubes abandon places frequently. Yea, so weird. Anyways, what did we do? We went in! Looking back this is the not so smart part.

Todd filmed. It's really shaky because he was just holding the camera out while he looked around for nostalgic sake. The renters who lived here had taken all the light fixtures and doorknobs. They also left some trash, clothes and mattresses that were slung all in the house/yard.

From some reason in the moment we were never really scared. Okay, maybe just a little but only because the wood floors were creaking and well, it was just sad. I could sense that the place used to be filled with laughter and joy. But now the place will never be loved the way it was before. Such a shame. Here a few more pictures:

This was the family room where they would mostly all hang out. It's the same room with the gorgeous fireplace.

Such a beautiful home

This was his grandfathers barn that once held a horse. It overlooked a large pasture and garden which is now mostly weeds.

Now, see that last picture? Well Todd ran towards the woods to take the photo and we heard an usual noise from the woods. The noise never trailed off, as if it froze. We both assumed it was an animal at the time but later after leaving I told Todd that I saw something white (notice I'm facing the woods). We aren't sure what animal would be white and both are pretty positive it was most likely a person. It is common for many homeless people to live in abandon homes. The side door was most likely open because someone snuck out (because we scared the poor soul) and was just keeping an eye on us. Of course we don't know all of this for sure but it is highly likely. 

Now you see why looking back we realize that this was not a smart move on our part. We could have really found ourselves in trouble but honestly while I was there, I was never afraid. I'm glad we went though. I loved the house. I was thinking about how fun it would be to decorate that place (plus it has a huge basement but we didn't go down there). It reminded me of the older homes that YHL buys and fixes up. Plus I grew up in an old ranch style home so I guess my heart is just closely fond of them.

So there you have it. We house crashed. Will I ever do it again? No way. Not there, not anywhere else. I'll continue to youtube places if I fill the urge to explore abandoned places ;)

By the way we did try to find something to take with us as a keepsake (like his grandfathers tool box or a horseshoe) but everything was so overgrown with spiders and termites we just decided to keep the memories in the heart instead. 

-S

{Insta Catch Up!}

Sometimes life gets crazy. This past week has been that time. If you follow me on instagram then you were able to see my pictures for April photo a day. If not, I'm about to catch you up!

Day 4: Someone who makes you HAPPY!

Day 5: Tiny

We had small group that night and this is Baby Ruby's tiny toes.

Day 6: Lunch

We had school on Good Friday and I was late so this is what I grabbed to take with me.

Day 7: Shadow

Day 8 and 9 will be posted soon so stay tuned! ;)

Happy Spring Break (# 2) to me! I will be doing lots of homework this week to catch up with grad school, cleaning and of course blogging!

-S

{Day 3!}

Here's the mail it never fails it makes me wanna wag my tail and when it comes I wanna wail...MAILLLLLL!

Sorry, couldn't help it. I did lots of babysitting in high school and Blue's Clues was always on. Should I be embarrassed that I know that song?

Today is Day 3 of April photo a day and yup you guessed it, the subject is mail!

Nothing too exciting today. A few coupons and a few bills. Too bad there were no checks, payday always makes getting the mail fun.

I'm off to shake it at Hip Hop. Too bad that wasn't the subject for today because it is way cooler.

-S

Day 2: Aprilphotoaday

I'm linking up this month and doing the April photo a day challenge. Today is Day 2: Colours

This is my favorite teacher bag and Vera pattern. All the colors make me SMILE.

:)

Also I promised I would fill you in with whatever happens with my future brother in laws father. I'm sad to say that Mr. Jones passed away in the early morning hours today. Please continue to pray for the family for the days to come. Thanks!

-S

{A is for APRIL!}

It is SO tempting to pull an April fools joke on you all. However, my brain is in overload with many distractions right now and I'm not in much of a jokester mood. But I am glad that it is finally APRIL! Back when the semester started, I remembered telling a classmate that I wished I could go to sleep and once I awoke it would be April. I felt that way because I had 8394839022 to do before April. Well, the time has come folks and I'm finally on the home stretch. In fact I finally have my public library comps behind me (they were a beast!) in order for me to gain certification and the huge research paper I've been working on is due in nine days. Wooohooo, I'm starting to breath again.

I've now successfully completed two weeks of teaching library and running a media center. I luuuurrve it. It is such a good feeling to want to go to work everyday. The best part about working in a school library is that you are busy the majority of the day doing all sorts of different things. I've also discovered that organizing the books or finding missing books is fun to me. I know, everyones dream right? Okay maybe not, but it is mine.

Last month my friend, Ashley (check out her blog, they are adopting from Ethiopia), did the March photo a day challenge. I loved seeing all her random pics so I thought I'd give it a shot this month. Here is the outline:

I'll be sharing my photo a day journey right here on the blog AND via my instagram so look me up, saradavis528.

Day 1: Your Reflection 

   And you know I have to comment on this. 

1. I've never taken an iPhone mirror pic before, so much harder than I imagined. 

2. I couldn't help but to sing that Reflection song from the movie Mulan.

3. The hubs says I look startled. No fear, I'm okay.

Who wants to do it with me? It's not too late to start...you can always play catch up! :)

-S