Her Name

Peri Kathryn Davis

For as long as we have been married, we have tossed future children names around here and there. When we found out we were pregnant this became a topic of discussion daily. Todd would toss and turn over it while I was dealing with morning sickness so I could barely concentrate. 

We took a beach trip during the summer with my family and on the way we made a list of names we liked for boys and for girls. During that trip we even said a few to our family to get reactions and welcomed their input of suggestions. 

Peri was never one of them until the very last day of our trip.

I also want to say at this point in my blog post that I always knew I would be one of those people that just shares the name. I totally get the whole not telling until they are born but we personally together have always known we just wanted to share early. 

Back to the name. On the last day of the trip Todd and I went out to eat lunch before we headed home. While at lunch we decided that by the time we got home from the beach we would have agreed on a name for a boy and a girl. During our lunch date as we were googling names and such, the name Peri was said. Let me rewind for a quick second and let you know that I actually had a new 5th grade student last year named Peri. I do remember mentioning to Todd a year ago about this new girl and how I liked the name. It really helped that she was such a sweet enjoyable student. As a school teacher of almost 800 students, it can be really hard to choose a name. 

So when the name Peri was brought back to our minds we both loved it and the unique spelling. Once Todd looked up the meaning we both just knew it was the one. So what does Peri mean? 

Mountain dweller. 

For two people who met in the mountains, it just fit our story perfectly. 

As far as the middle name goes, we just liked it paired with Peri. We are debating calling her Peri Kate or maybe Peri Kathryn. But who knows, she may just end up as Peri. We like all our options and have decided we will let it flow naturally once she is born.

After we chose the name we went back to the beach house and told my family. They loved it and were so supportive. It has been so fun already to begin calling her by name and even hearing family/friends ask "how is Peri?!"

Also, in case your are curious, we did have a boy name completely chosen too. But that name will remain in our hearts for now and who knows, we may be using it in the future depending on God's plan for our family. 

So there you have it…the reason for the name.

 Peri girl, we can't wait to meet you and LOVE you to pieces!

-Sara

HALFWAY!!!

Today marks 20 weeks pregnant! It is hard to believe that we are already halfway and that our babe will be here before we know it.

Last Monday we had our ultrasound revealing the gender. I want to recap that first for memories sake before I move on to anything else…

My appointment was right after work at 3 and Todd met me at the doctors office. We were very anxious to see if everything was looking healthy and find out the gender. I was real quiet in the waiting room and couldn't concentrate on anything (I tried playing on my phone). Todd actually paced back and forth a few times. The same carried over into the actual ultrasound room which by the way was nothing as to what I expected.

We were in this big room, the lights really dim and a TV on the wall so I could easily see the ultrasound. I guess they know people are anxious because the most beautiful calming music was playing in the background. The ultrasound began right away and immediately we saw our baby on the screen. What an amazing sight!

Our babe was flipping around like crazy which was fun to see. The nurse checked everything…the heart/legs/arms/spine/brain/etc. Again, I was super quiet and Todd was freaking out in excitment. She asked if we wanted to know the gender immediately and we both agreed that we did. Within moments she said, "here we go…

it's a girl!" 

I cried slow tears of happiness and rejoiced internally while holding Todd's hand. Todd was way more vocal with his excitement. We were both thrilled for a healthy baby girl but reacted so differently. He was surprised with my reaction since I'm normally a loud person but it was such a special moment. My heart overflowed with thankfulness. It was so great and by this way this makes the ninth girl between both sets of families (no boys)! Right then and there we knew her name since we had previously carefully chosen and prayed over a name. More to come on the name in another post.

I think that she has Todd's head :)

We couldn't wait to share our news with our friends and family so we called our parents and family first. Then we went to buy our very first piece of baby clothing to mark this milestone in building our family and blasted it all over social media as proud soon to be parents.

Now here we are…halfway at 20 weeks (photo on the right)! Sorry for the blurry photos.

I've had some not so fun things occurring but nothing life threatening to me or the baby so I'm very thankful and feel like I have no room to complain at all. The heartburn did start today for the first time. I've heard people talk about this before while being pregnant and there was no mistaking what it was. Sleeping is a little rough sometimes especially right now as I have a head cold and can barely breath out of my nose. I have yet to feel her move yet so I'm eagerly awaiting that moment. In all, it's all good! Thanks for reading and following along! Keep praying for good health!

-Sara 

First Trimester

Well…I started this blog post at least a month ago but I'm just now getting around to publishing. Oops.

 I'll be 18 weeks tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 28th :)

12 Weeks

As my first trimester comes to a close, there are certainly things I want to forget (speaking to you all day sickness) but there are also many things I want to remember. Here are common questions people ask.

Did you know you were pregnant?
Not really. The day I found out  (June 25) I had been a volunteer on a staff kids outing with our church to the zoo. I remember being REALLY tired in the late afternoon and having frequent bathroom trips along with a few other signs but blamed it on the heat and my monthly was to start. When I got home, I was alone and had a test already stored away in the medicine cabinet. I was shocked at the result. The shock was just because I was surprised it happened but we were trying so it's exciting. I remember not even knowing how to calculate a due date and frantically trying to figure that out. Thanks, Google. Then I fell on my hands and knees and cried out to the Lord in joy and thankfulness. It was a really special moment I'll never forget. Todd found out the big news when he came home from work later that evening. I left the test next to his sink but it took him awhile to see it which drove me crazy. Immediately after a quick celebration we left for eGroup and had to act normal so that was hard. One friend quickly got in the loop along with my sister.

Have you been sick?
Yes. Yes. Yes. All day type of sickness. Thankfully with it being summer time and off work I have just rested each day. More nausea than actually sickness but there has been several times out of the blue that something doesn't settle well. As the first trimester ends, I feel each day is getting better.

Food cravings?
More so food aversions. I can barely open the fridge because I seem to smell everything and it makes me feel sick. I used to love mexican but don't care for it now. The first thing I "lost" was popcorn and that was terrible so I have stayed away from that (which used to be my favorite food). Basically things either sound good or bad. If it sounds good, I go for it (so much for a diet these days other than gluten free). My favorites have been fries, pickles, milk and orange juice. My go to meal on the run would be a bacon, egg and cheese (I'd remove the biscuit) and large seasoned fry from Bojangles. Most days I just do whatever it takes to survive. I used to LOVE cooking but that has not appealed to me during these sick times. The hunger hits fast and it can be equally frustrating when not everything sounds good.

Body Changes? Mood Swings?
Within a few weeks my pants started feeling real tight. Instead of growing outward at first, I felt my hips got wider causing my pants to be way too snug. My sisters and best friend Keara loaned me some maternity wear and I just went ahead and started wearing that stuff pretty early on since it was comfortable. My body has grown in other regions too if you catch my drift and that has been super uncomfortable and has caused many shirts not to fit anymore either. I do feel my stomach stretching as if I've done a million crunches but that is certainly not the case. I had occasional cramps here and there but read that was normal. For weeks I didn't feel "pretty" but that feeling seems to be fading too. As far as mood swings go, I think I've stayed fairly the same with occasional tears. Maybe we should be asking Todd that question but I will say that preggo brain is a real thing. My memory is the worst these days!

Sleeping?
I get up all the time to go to the bathroom. That can be interrupting and I'm trying to train myself to become a side sleeper.

By the way…it is all worth it. We are so grateful!

BIG News

Today is the day. The day we open our hearts and share this exciting news with the world.

It's a little big secret that we have known about since June 25th, my dad's birthday. Along the way we have told a few here and there. We have always known that we would prefer support no matter what happens and will choose to celebrate this miracle. I have leaned on the knowledge of those who have gone before me in this motherhood journey and I'm so thankful for all the support.

We have the best family and friends in the world. Not that I ever wanted to think I have doubted myself as a parent but to hear others say we will be great is so sweet. People believe in us, love us and support us. Thank you all for the kind words and sharing the excitement!

I'll be back soon to share more details of the first trimester but to answer the top two questions:

have you been sick? 
Yes, I've been sick. Spent the majority of the summer nauseous all day long and sick occasionally. The moment we saw the baby in an ultrasound made all the sickness completely worth it. :)

when are you due?
As of now the due date is February 29th….Leap year! ;)

Please keep us in your prayers during this exciting time! Thanks friends!

-Sara

What I've Been Reading

I heard about this book from a friend so I checked it out from the library and it was unlike anything I usually read. Sorry kids, this school librarian takes a break every now and then in the summer to read things for my age so adults only for this one.

This is a thriller that involves several characters and each chapter is from the perspective of one of those characters. They are all woven together through different circumstances. I don't want to give it away but this good thriller has your usual suspense and of course a murder.

The con of this book was that there was some language. Not like every other word or anything but about every ten-fifteen pages they loved to throw down one particular word. The setting is in a small place near London, England so every now and then there would be something of their culture that I wasn't familiar with or their lingo.

In all, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I give it an…

8

No regrets in reading it and it certainly wasn't a waste of time. I enjoyed the suspense which makes me think maybe I would want to read more thrillers.

If you read it, let me know what you think because it is one of those books that after you finish it you just want to dissect it with someone. Thankfully my aunt read it the same time I did so we did just that afterwards.

See ya!

Need a laugh?

Then look at this picture:

We are in a mystery date night group with friends from church. Basically each month one couple plans a date night not to exceed a certain amount and the entire date is a mystery to everyone else. Usually on the week or day of, the couple will email out information of what to bring/wear and where to meet. For the May mystery date night we all went on a Segway tour of the queen city. I never could get quite comfortable on that thing!

It was a fun experience and certainly not something I would have chosen to do but I survived. Now I can add and cross that off my bucket list. We are fortunate to have such great community and I'm so thankful for such an adventuresome group of friends that get ol' granny like me to do cool stuff.

-Sara

Career News

I consider this blog my journal and today is worthy of a post. A career milestone happened today that is such a high honor and I don't want to ever forget the details.

I was named Teacher of the Year at my school.

I am completely in shock that I get to represent my school which is full of the most amazing teachers ever. A little celebration was held after school for the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year. I consider myself a very outgoing person but when all eyes are on me, I get really shy. It was and will continue to be a humbling experience for the year ahead.

Mr. Finch received Support Staff Member of the Year

Me with the current Teacher of the Year, Ms. Wiggins

I've wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. When I got my first real job in 2009 I was thrown into a crazy situation. I'll spare all the details but I almost quit teaching for good.

Instead I found myself in graduate school getting my MLS degree in public and school libraries. Right before I graduated, I got a job as an elementary school media specialist. I was more than ready to step into this new career with full force which still included teaching. My first year was hard. Looking back I clearly see why. I cared so much. I know that may sound like a great thing but I was also neglecting my own health because I cared so much. If a lesson plan went sour, I stayed super late to make it perfect. I would lay awake at night worrying about my students and trying to figure out all the best methods for success with them.

None of that is bad and I still do that every now and then but I eventually learned how to balance the demands of teaching differently. Mostly I learned to just take some pressure off myself. Things are going to go wrong and that is okay. It is how I react that matters. I've learned that every child needs encouragement and love above all else. If I ever lose the desire to care, encourage or love, then I will know something is very wrong.

Now…just for fun here is a little backstory leading up to today.

I actually found out a few weeks ago that I was nominated and this is the (blurry) picture I sent Todd after school that day.

That is my "isn't this news crazy yet awesome" face. I was just so honored to be nominated. Complete shock. That night we went out to celebrate by getting milkshakes.  

This man y'all…he has been with me through all my teaching ups and downs. So thankful I've had him beside me to help in so many ways. Thanks babe!

-Sara

Be Jesus with Skin On

I teach approximately 700 students each week in a public school. Since I can't openly share my faith in Christ, I often pray that the students just see something different in me. Every hug, smile, encouragement and high-five that I give is freely given out of my love for Christ. It's not about me. This job isn't just a job. It's my own calling and mission field. It's about taking seriously what He has given me.

Today, a student handed me the sweetest note…

Just by my actions, she felt a connection of a higher calling within us both. I was humbled. I was moved. I felt Jesus in that exact moment. I cried joyful tears. But more than that it was a beautiful reminder to myself "to be Jesus with skin on." 

Hope this encourages you wherever you are or whatever you are doing with what has been given to you. Everything you do does not go unnoticed. God sees it all. And others do too. And sometimes the two collide and both tell you in a special way.

Be faithful in all you do.

-S

Got My Fix On

Just before 2015 got here, I decided I wanted to simplify yet expand my wardrobe.

 Sounds like an oxymoron right? 

Let me explain.

Simplify - I want less. I read a blog that talked about a capsule wardrobe. Basically you pare down your clothes to 37 items per season (this doesn't include undergarments or tanks/sleepwear). A season is considered 3 months. At the end of those 3 months, you look back over your wardrobe and plan for the next season. Some items you may keep. Others you may box up/push to the back of the closet until next year. The blog author (here is a link to the blog post) says she typically only gets about 4-8 new pieces of clothing each season. After I read that post, I emptied out my entire closet (so glad Todd wasn't home…he would have thought I was going crazy). I tried on just about everything to double check if I loved it, liked it or should donate it. It was during this time I realized I still had clothing pieces from at least 5 years ago! I guess that isn't a bad thing necessarily but I felt this urge that if I'm going to go simple, I need to get pieces that were great and versatile. This is where the expand part comes into play.

Expand - I want great. I want durable. I want versatile. I want pieces that I will love. I went out shopping for this season (Dec-Feb is how I'm tracking mine..) and I was either too cheap to pull the trigger on some items or I couldn't find anything at all. Maybe I panicked. But in the moment I felt like I had no fashion style. Then I discovered Stitch Fix. I debated for a few months of whether I should do it or not but after three attempts at the mall trying on clothes I began to feel like I was wasting my time. I also felt that for some reason my late twenties has brought about clothing insecurities. I just don't know what to wear anymore. So, I came home during that third mall trip and signed up for Stitch Fix.

Stitch Fix - It's an online personal shopping subscription. $20 each time you get a box of 5 items (you can do this biweekly, monthly or every other month). When you sign up you answer lots and lots of questions about your body/style and you can also link a Pinterest board to it. The company pairs you up with a stylist who then does all the work for you. AND it gets better…you can write your stylist a note each time you send for a box detailing anything important about your style. My first box came today and I was super giddy when it arrived. 

Feels so personal and I LOVED the ideas. 

Item #1: Just Black Dean Ankle Zip Skinny Jean

These were some of the softest jeans I have ever put on and my stylist fitted me perfectly! It is hard to tell from this picture but it is a very dark dark blue (not black) and has a zipper on each leg on the side. I liked the jean but I didn't love it. Jeans are hard for me because I feel they always buckle weird in my knee. But for my first fix, I was impressed! Returned

Item #2: RD Style Braddon Airy Knit V-Neck Sweater

This was love at first sight when I saw it in the box. It reminded me more of a late Winter, early Spring sweater. I liked that it was lower in the back but wished it was the same in the front. I couldn't quite come to terms with buying it. Maybe it was the price, $68 for something I feel like I could find at Marshalls cheaper. Returned

 Item 3: Bajee Collection Barton Graphic Knit Drape Front Cardigan

Cameo by Maggie our goldendoodle

At first I wasn't impressed as I began to put it on. The sleeves were so long and I felt huge in it. However, I don't own anything like this and I always admire cardigans like this on my friends. I rolled the sleeves up a bit and it worked better especially if I add some bracelets and bangles. I regret not taking a picture of the back because the pattern is different. Speaking of pattern, one of my goals this year is to add more pattern. I decided that this piece hit another goal of mine which is versatile and I feel I can get longer wear out of this (if I'm ever preggo). Kept

Item #4: 41Hawthorn Jace Chevron Print Dress

I wasn't thrilled with this when I saw it in the box. My feelings changed as I put it on but I just couldn't imagine myself wearing this anywhere on a normal occasion. As a teacher, I rarely wear dresses and none are really ever like this. I did love the shape. My stylist did great with that! The pattern was cute and it felt so comfortable. In the end, I still felt too dressed up in it so I decided it was a no. Returned

Item 5: Zad Denmark Hammered Abstract Shapes Necklace

I asked for more necklaces in my fixes because I hardly ever wear them. This silver abstract necklace was cute but so far from what I normally wear. It did go well with this dress and cardigan I added but I felt like it was something I could find again locally or from some of my friends that sell jewelry if I really really want to go the silver abstract route. Returned

LOVED that the fix came with ideas of the exact pieces and how to wear them with other items.

So there you have it. My first fix. I certainly recommend it! What do I do now, you may ask? Stitch Fix sends a prepaid postage bag that I put all the items I don't want in. I simply drop it off to be shipped in the next 3 business days. The item(s) that I do keep, I go online to my account and pay for. The best part is that the $20 you spend each time on your fix gets to be applied as store credit. So you technically are still paying retail for what you are getting but at least you don't lose your $20 on top of the retail price. Hope that all makes sense. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. I'm going to try it out again next month and see how it goes. I doubt this will be something I do long term but for now it is helping me expand. If you want to give it a try, use me as a referral by clicking this link (which helps me get some store credit). 

Have a great week!

-S

Cheers

Happy New Year!

2015…where did you come from?! I'll never forget my senior year of high school (2005) and briefly discussing with friends about a ten year reunion. I remember thinking how far away 2015 sounded. But here it is. Feels like in a blink of an eye ten years have passed. I also remember thinking that I would hopefully be married, be a teacher and even a babe or two. Marriage happened. Teaching happened. Babes have not. However, that is not something we have had a strong desire for just yet. The time isn't too far away that we will pray for babes but for now we are embracing this time alone with each other. I trust in God's perfect timing. 

But to think how fast the past ten have come and gone. Makes me really want to embrace today and soak in each and every moment. The next ten will be in another blink. I'll leave all the details of the in between to the Lord.

On a way smaller scale here is what I have a desire for in 2015:

• Share more. I've done a poor job of documenting the Davis daily. I've lost my blog voice along the way these past two years. So many of my dearest friends live far away and being a person that loves self-reflection, I want to share more this year. Prepare for much of it to be scattered thoughts about home renos, relationships, spirituality, fashion and well basically anything is up for discussion.
• Love deeper. With friends. Family. And Todd. I want to feel what other people feel. I want to discover new ways to invest in these relationships and hold tight to the memories made.
• Study hard. Rather than only listening to sermon podcasts and doing small devos, I want to really really study God's word too. So far these past 4 days of January, I have began doing so in a new fresh way and it's great. 
• React differently. I'm so realistic and it can be annoying. Sometimes it leaves no room for spontaneoity or I am too quick to judge/freak out/make 83209482390 plan Bs. 
• Random stuff. Stick to gluten free diet. Take more photos. Increase my weights in Bodypump.

So theres that. We shall see. 

-S