Antiquers?

The last day of July. Can you really believe that it is almost August already? The summer is nearly over...surprisingly, I'm not too upset by it. Fall is right around the corner and that only means my favorite things: Ryan's birthday, my birthday, football, crisp weather, and holidays! Bring it on!!

We had a wedding to go to in Paris today. One of my bridesmaids, Tranisa, was getting married to her sweetheart Andrew. We arrived in Paris an hour and half early because we had to deliver tires as well. Such the multi-taskers, I know. We located the church and as I told Ryan, because we were driving circles around it (on purpose), we really had to quit stalking the church. There was no way we were going to the church an hour early, which the hubs would have been perfectly okay with that. We are working on etiquette to this day! Ha! While waiting, we grabbed some cheesesticks, a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, and a Peach Sweet Tea for me. I also did some more mult-tasking by plucking Ryan's eyebrows. How lucky he is to have me!! After our little snack we cruised around the big town of Paris and ended up here:

Kathie's Korner...aka...the antique store in Paris. As we are approaching the enterance, my hubby asks, "Do you know what we just became today, honey?" Me, "No, what?" Hubby, "Antiquers!" It was true. At 24 and 28 we managed to become antiquers going through 3 different rooms of "treasures" actually admitting that we wanted this or wanted that. It was so entertaining. I love our life and our adventures.

Tranisa was a beautiful bride!

We had a good time being there, sharing this day with them, and eating wedding cake!

My favorite! I am almost convinced that my poor husband wishes I didn't like desserts as much as I did. Oh the spare time we would have if I didn't always have to have desserts! Side note: Last night we tried Pile High Desserts...frozen yogurt...10 different flavors and 40 different toppings...and located next to Pudgy Pig. Amazing! Even though we didn't get Pudgy Pig this time we definitely will the next visit.

This is our family portrait for July. Yes, we are a beautiful little family. In my opinion and that of our parent's!

We had a great late lunch/early dinner with Darren and Kate in Ft. Smith. Being half way to Ft. Smith we decided to have a double date with them since we haven't seen them since the wedding and Kate and I keep saying we need to get together, so we did and had a great time! I love them so much! Hopefully we will be attending their wedding before too long!

One last picture for the month of July: me and my gorgeous hubby!

You've Got Mail

Surprises are NOT my thing. In fact, I cannot stand them. I’m not sure what it is about them, but I feel l as though they are pure torture. However, I do believe that I don’t like surprises simply because I know that I am getting it. That’s when the suspense and the guessing games emerge. Ryan and I are TERRIBLE at surprises. Whenever we have a surprise for each other we end up saying, “I have a surprise for you!” followed by, “What is it?” followed by, “(whatever guesses we have)” followed by, “no guess again.” Until we start giving out hints and then the surprise is no longer a surprise.

Now, surprises that are unexpected are more of my thing. For example, surprises in the mail. Cards from my mom (Yes, she lives in Dardanelle, but she knows that I like mail!), our mortgage statement, water bills, magazines, anything in the mail. I love checking the mailbox everyday and actually get a little upset whenever Ryan checks it before me. He has learned that when he does check it, to place all contents back in, and let me re-check it. He helps me out as best he can with my slight case of OCD. That’s love.

Today, I received a gift that made me feel special. A book, “To Have and To Hold” which is a “newlywed keepsake” from local businesses…a title company, a heating and air company, a hotel, and a pharmacy…that apparently have these books published. It was a great surprise and I love stuff like this! Throughout the book it has places to fill out a family tree, birth records, a synopsis of the Bible and how it relates to marriage. There are 8 pages of what Committed Love is…shared values, fidelity, respect communication, etc. It’s a great little book and something that definitely reminds me that there are still people out there with good morals and values. I knew having faith in people was a good thing.

This was a great little surprise to get in the mail. I think it may be the highlight of my day.

Onions

I have such a cute husband, I know this. But, there are times when he is just beyond precious. Today was one of those days.

We had our typical lunch date today and we went to CJ’s. When Ryan picked me up he asked what I wanted and I simply stated, “something with onions.” That would normally be okay if I actually liked onions. I like onions, when very, very small, and in very small amounts. Think, minced in my pasta salad, lightly sprinkled in my fried potatoes, and heavily breaded onion rings from certain places. That’s about the extent of my onion affair. Today, however, I deeply craved onions. I wanted them on my burger and couldn’t wait to taste them. They were beyond satisfying. Now, my husband who loves onions, definitely approved of my behavior. On the way to my parents for dinner (who can pass up fried fish, hush puppies, and French fries? Not us!) we started talking about my craving for onions and I jokingly said I was probably pregnant. He is the cute part: Ryan says, “I think we are pregnant. I just feel it.” I simply laughed because I know we’re not and I asked him how long he thought that and he said a few weeks. Adorable. I told him a few weeks ago I was clearly not and he knew that, but he said a little while after that he thought I was. He FEELS it. So cute. In about 2 more weeks when I prove to him that I’m not and he was just wishfully thinking that I was, I hope he isn’t too devasted. Devastated that I was right again…not that we aren’t pregnant. Ryan and I both know that it’s going to happen when it happens. But, it is entirely too much fun fantasizing and joking about the “what ifs.” I know I married a great person…one that makes me smile and most importantly laugh. Our laugh lines are going to be grand, just you wait and see.

Marley turns 2!

Today, our baby Marley Phoenix turned the big 2!

With mommy and daddy.

Birthday boy!

Ready for those babies!

It’s a little ridiculous how we treat this dog. He is our baby though, so I believe we shall continue to celebrate it as though he is human with party hats and birthday presents! Not to mention cake for mommy and daddy…

Last night we got Marley all ready for his big day. First, we went and bought him new babies. We bought a cow from momma and ice cream cone squeaky from daddy. It’s a competition to see whose baby Marley will like more…last year I was defeated so I am hoping for a victory this time! We gave him a bath so he would feel all fresh and pretty when he woke up. We allowed him to sleep in the bed (a habit we (I) have been trying to break for about a month now) so he knew something was up. When mommy lets the baby sleep in the bed and actually brings him to bed with me, something must be up. So we snuggled up with daddy and went to sleep.

Then, out of nowhere, at 1:30 this morning we heard the doorbell ring. In a sleepy daze I think we both heard it but thought we were dreaming. DING. Nope, this wasn’t a dream…someone was really ringing our doorbell this early in the morning. Ryan, being the man of the household that he is, answers the door. (Truth: He was as paranoid as I was about getting up and going to the door.) To our relief, it’s our dear neighbor relaying the bad news: Laney, our outside dog, has been ran over…he thinks. Terrible, terrible feeling not knowing whether or not for sure your dog has been ran over, but when he tells you that he heard her squealing and she is nowhere to be found you get worried. My poor little Laney. I was instantly sick and when our neighbor and Ryan went looking for her I scrambled to get dressed so that I could help out. With no luck after a little more than 30 minutes we decided to go back to bed. I was extremely upset thinking I would never see poor Laney Marie again. I was even more sick knowing that she was hurt and alone somewhere in the woods. When I woke up the next morning, I expected (and hoped) to see Laney waiting beside her food bowl, ready for breakfast. To my disappointment, she wasn’t. I instantly got Ryan out of bed to go look for her. I just knew that she had gone off to pass. With no luck once again, we left for work, hoping she would show up in a few days.

A little after 10, Ryan received a call from our neighbor saying that Laney had showed up, was under their vehicle, but was bleeding. Ryan and I both left work to go get our baby. I arrived first…bad thing…I was so sad to see little Laney under the vehicle beaten up, but wagging her tail happy to see momma. I talked to her and told her it was going to be okay and she believed me. When Ryan arrived we finally got her over to the house and loaded up into the truck. I know she was in so much pain. While scrambling in the house to get her ready to go, poor Marley was so neglected. He just wanted to be played with, bless his heart. He had no idea that big sister was beaten and banged up from a loser across the street. It’s a rule that if you hit an animal---one that has to be a pet---you stop, check on it, and find an owner or speak to someone so that they are aware of it. If it hadn’t been for our neighbor, we wouldn’t have known and it could have been a lot worse. Luckily, we live by some great people! So, off to the vet we go with Laney in the back seat looking pitiful. Pitiful. We got her to the vet and left her there to get sedated, cleaned up, and vaccinated...yes, we took advantage of the convenience of having her there. $175 later…our Laney is going to be fine…she just needs some major TLC, but that’s what momma is for.

I like to think that she wasn’t being careless, but in fact, was just being a big sister…a typical sibling. You know, the one that has to get a present when it’s the other child’s birthday. Laney just didn’t realize how desperate she was actually being. It’s humorous for me to think this way. Dogs are silly little things. I love them dearly and cannot wait to have about 2 more.

So, Laney came out a survivor today and Marley enters the teenage years. Today ended up being a great day. My babies are going to be fine! Thank you, Lord!

Marley Bug checking up on Laney when we got her home.

Happy birthday, Marley! We shall let this one go down in the books!

Simple Saturday Night

Saturday nights are probably my favorite night of the week.

After a fun day of floating Piney, we settled for a good night in. I'm not too sure why I say a good night "in." Every night for us is considered in, unless it is that rare occasion of a birthday or we are feeling like really socializing and getting crazy. I use crazy loosely...by crazy, I simply mean we are going to make it to midnight with friends. That's about the extent of our crazy.

I noticed my life (my Saturday nights) were that of a married lady when I got a message from a friend saying I should be out with her and another friend, instead of being an old married lady. My reply: I'm in PJ's and watching Animal Planet. I honestly feel like an old married couple! It's so entertaining that it is exactly what I want to be doing. I'm enjoying myself sitting at home with the hubs. In fact, it's the best.

Last night was even better than most Saturdays. Why? Surprise foot rubs from my love. He definitely knows how to spoil me!

I'm currently in the process of finding our dream home. I have looked at so many house plans that my brain actually hurts. I'm constantly telling Ryan to look at this house, look at that one. He is such a trooper about it. I know, without a doubt, that whatever I want will be okay with him. He just wants to see me happy. But, my goal is to pick the perfect home for us. We won't get to start building it for 2 years or so, but we have the land already and I already have the vision. This is the house that we are going to raise our babies in. The house we have sleepovers in. The house we have graduation parties in. The house we raise grandbabies in. The house that will always be home. How can I not obsess about it being THE ONE. I was so confident about my hubby... I know I will make the right choice about our house. So, I shall continue to search for that perfect house. I really think I'm about there. Until then, it's many more Saturday nights with foot rubs, Animal Planet, house plans, and the hubby!

Potty Mouth

It is true. I, Sarah Davis, loving, sweet, caring, darling wife of Ryan Davis, have a terrible potty mouth.

I’m not sure where this little habit developed really. (Truth: I do know where it developed…frustration from people, getting with my girls and having a few drinks, this list really does go on.) I think it’s amusing really. Who decided that certain four letter words were so wrong? And why are they so tempting for me at times?

Truth number one: When I get mad, it is almost expected that I am going to develop a monstrous potty mouth. Every other word may as well be bad. Somehow, it makes me feel better. I don’t really know why , and would one day really like to find out, but until then…it Is what it is.

Truth number two: My husband gets it the worse. And by gets, I mean hears. It’s not directed at him. (Usually.) He knows that without a doubt when I am pissy in the evenings because I am hungry, tired, anything but fine, that usually one “bad” word is going to slip through my lips. Not really on purpose, but accidently.

Truth number three: I have never cared what people think of me or been afraid to speak my mind. Yes, I am without a doubt going to be that little old lady that my grandkids are embarrassed of because I know what I believe, know what I will stand for, and will never be ashamed to say it.

Truth number four: I love singing a song and they say a little bad word. Isn’t that weird? Three Six Mafia, I love. It’s terrible music, I know this. But, I can help it…it’s funny to me. Or even something similar…some beach….somewhere. You can’t help but enjoy it right?

Truth number five: My husband has just as bad as a potty mouth as I do.

Truth number six: I try really hard not to have a potty mouth in public. I try to keep it for the house or vehicle. However, sometimes it just slips out, but never loud enough for someone else to hear it.

Truth number seven: Typing this out makes it seem like every other word in my vocabulary is dirty…it isn’t…and even if it were…refer to number three.

Truth number eight: I work even harder not to have a potty mouth in front of my parents. I don’t think I ever said a bad one until after I moved out. I’m a moody person. My mother realizes this and understands it. She gets it and doesn’t say a word to me whenever I let one slip. Thanks mom…thanks for overlooking my minor flaw.

Truth number nine: Sometimes, it’s just funny to have a potty mouth. At home, when I am bs’ing (dirty word shortened) with my husband, one of us will throw it out there.

Truth number ten: We all know the king of the bad words. I hate to admit it, but it is my favorite. Eek! I know. It’s TERRIBLE. Yet, for my own sake, I know that I don’t say it as much as I used to. In fact, I can almost promise you that I used it about 80% less than what I used to. I think I used to use it on a daily basis and now I can honestly say it has dwindled to about twice a week, if that.

Truth number eleven: I am working to fix this so called “issue.”

Truth number twelve: Ryan and I know that a baby is a possibility in our near future. In fact, it could happen any day now. That alone has had us (me) working at containing our urge to not be so careless with words. It’s going to work and we are going to be successful.

Truth number thirteen: There will be a day whenever I don’t have a potty mouth. I’m almost sure of it…until then, (beep) happens.

Truth number fourteen: Because I said (beep) happens, I am officially cast down and not considered wholesome I’m sure. Again, refer to number three.

Truth number fifteen: I never try to be all around perfect. Try to be a perfect wife? Absolutely. I thrived daily to be a better wife than I was the day before. I don’t always succeed, but I can tell you that I have a husband who appreciates my effort and loves me unconditionally. That...that is something that I am blessed to have. My husband and I are perfect for each other. I know his buttons, he knows mine. Sometimes those buttons are so tempting to press…usually when I am grumpy…and I do press them. Yet, my husband doesn’t mind. I don’t mind when he presses mine because, and only because, I know that there is no one person in the world that either one of us would love to annoy more. That is our marriage… one in which I adore… potty mouth and all.

The Law of the Garbage Truck

I love when you get an email and it hits the spot. Yesterday was a less than stellar day and I got this email mid-morning. It was very fitting for my emotions...I love how God works in little ways like that, letting you know it's going to be okay...


One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.' Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.

Well-Rested?

Whirlwind of a weekend, yet again.
Friday night we had a movie date with Haley and Jay. What else would we see, but Eclipse of course. It was a great movie, even Ryan would agree. He is totally “Team Jacob,” and will definitely be sporting the shirt (thanks to Jay) at our movie date with them again at Breaking Dawn. After the movie we ventured over to Wal-Mart to buy our American flag that Ryan has been practically begging to have for days now. I don’t think he could have gotten up earlier enough Saturday morning to get them on the mailbox. I promised him when we get our house built that he can have a FLAG POLE. I am such a nice and patriotic wife.

Saturday morning we cleaned the house, tag-teaming it like usual. We headed off to mom and dad’s mid-afternoon to swim with friends and to eat. It wouldn’t be July 4th without tons and tons of food, right? We all stuffed our little bellies until we were beyond miserable. Later that night we ended up going to watch the UFC fight. I honestly tolerate this stuff simply because I don’t understand it. I can’t fathom why someone would want to be beat to a bloody mess? However, Ryan likes it and I get to chit-chat it up with the girls so I don’t really complain.

Sunday, we got up, headed to church and then ate lunch. After getting home from that we crashed. Crashed hard. Almost a 2.5 nap. It was superb, there was no denying that. We then headed to Ryan’s mom and Jackie’s house for even more food. Unfortunately, we didn’t really didn’t get to stay long because we had made plans to go out on the lake with friends. So we loaded up and headed out. There, my lovely husband showed some mad knee-boarding skills. I was sad that there wasn’t a wakeboard, but I can’t have it all as my husband tries to remind me. Ha! I did settle for some tubing with Ryan. He promised not to let me perish and he held true to his word. We stayed out and watched the fireworks, which we pretty. I love, love the crackling ones and luckily I got to hear them. Aww, happy fourth! So thankful for our freedom, as we all should be. We got a little sad though, simply because we didn’t have our baby. To be honest, we’ve never had our baby on the fourth. Mimi and Papaw always want the baby on weekends so we tend to let him go…therefore, he misses some stuff we us, but we always know that he is in good hands. We all decided to go eat Waffle House. Actually, to be honest, I should say they…I just tagged along knowing that it was going to make me sick later. And, in fact, it did. Yuck---Waffle House is only good after a loooong night. End of story. Poor Ryan had to work Monday, so that stunk that we got in so late. I was secretly very happy that I would be getting to sleep in and have a productive day. THAT was the plan.

It hardly turned out that way. I set my alarm clock for 9:30 because I didn’t want to get too much sleep and have trouble getting to sleep that night. I didn’t even make it to my alarm. I was up and out of bed by 9, ready to conquer the day. I had a massive to do list: laundry, grocery store, catch up on my reading, picking up the house again, picking up the baby, making a fabulous lunch for the hubs, cooking a fabulous dinner, and making a yummy dessert. This was all part of the master plan. Well, I did one load of laundry, got groceries, made Ryan what he wanted for lunch, made mom meet me with the baby in Russellville, made cupcakes, and Mexican Chicken for dinner. Not quite the day I had hoped for. I did have a major epiphany though: I’m not sure I have it in me to be a full blown housewife. I actually know I couldn’t. I would be morbidly obese thanks to my inability to not eat all day. I eat out of boredom. Terrible, I know. But that seems to be all I did was munch on stuff and lay on the couch and watch True Life. Even Marley was bored out of his mind!! He just snoozed away next to me. Poor thing. The only positive was that I took him out twice in about a 4 hour span. I’m not sure he knew what was going on or why this day was so special. (It must have really blown his mind when mommy was the one who took him out to potty at night. In the Davis household, we solve problems by means of Rock, Paper, Scissors. I almost always win. However, tonight I was off. Way off. I lost and I am convinced the only reason was because I stayed at home all day and lost my rhythm. Dang me.) Anyway, my Mexican Chicken and Confetti cupcakes we delicious. So much so, Bunney told me twice supper was really, really good and he ate 4 cupcakes. Oh, and the sandwich I made him at lunch with fresh tomatoes, you know…the one made with love, was the best sandwich he has ever ate. Beat that!

I long for another vacation day…but only if Ryan gets to have one with me.

Donut Allowance

My husband, the considerate one. Ryan knows that I have a bit of a weakness when it comes to a certain unnecessary food item. Behold my friend, the donut(s). I try really, really hard to swing by West Main Donuts only once in a two week span. I am usually very successful at this too. However, I got some last week and this week. I like to think that because my hunger is out of control, as is my craving for pure sweetness in the A.M., that letting it slide this time is okay. I act like this is a huge problem. That eating donuts is absurd and something I should be ashamed of. Maybe if I was overweight and completely unhealthy, then yes. I should be ashamed. But, since I am “an insurance underwriter’s dream,” a couple donuts a week won’t hurt. Not yet at least. (For the record, I purchased life insurance last week and had my physical done yesterday. After answering questions, weighing me, asking questions about my health and physical activity, I was dubbed the dream. Yes, of course I told my husband he has a true gem for a wife.) The part where Ryan is really looking out for momma is this: I never have cash. Never. So, whenever I wake up in the morning (okay, in reality, it’s planned the night before) intending to get donuts, I get into Ryan’s wallet and take $2. Just enough to cover my habit. I always tell him I am taking it and actually get upset when he has only five, tens, or twenties. I just need those 2 measly dollars. Why don’t you just use your debit card you may ask? Simple. I hate using a debit card for such small purchases. Oh and, as the checkbook balancer of the family, I hate seeing my addiction written down. Ha! Well, last week we had just left somewhere and he handed me three dollars, smiled and said, for your donuts next week. How sweet is that? Always looking out for me, trying to be a couple steps ahead. I have taught him well!

YUMMM

We visited some family at my father-in-law’s last night. It was good eating! Even though I don’t like steaks, Ryan did a really good job cooking them! And, I’m not just saying that because I was forced to take a bite of his. If the texture of steak wasn’t so unbearable for me, I would actually eat it and probably enjoy it. Well, tonight was a big night for Marley. He was meeting Miller. Miller is a poodle that was rescued by Ryan’s cousins. Marley is known for never meeting a stranger. Be a German Sheppard or a Chihuahua, Marley wants to instantly become their bff. We adore his carefree spirit and his ability to capture anyone’s heart. Within in minutes of pulling up, getting out, walking to the porch, and Ryan going inside to start prepping the steaks, we had already had an accident. Not that Marley and Miller didn’t like each other or anything like that. They had just taken their friendship to a whole new level. Both being boys, they were marking their territories together. Marley decided to go poop and Miller couldn’t resist bumping into him. I like to think they were “boys being boys” horsing around, playing. Well, I guess Marley came out the victor, because before we knew it, Miller was covered in poop. What we thought was oil from my car, since that’s where the accident happened, turned out to be so much more. At first, we didn’t know whether to laugh or not, but then how could you not. All of us were dying laughing. It was truly a sight to see. There really is a first time for everything. First time Marley pottied on another dog, success. Hopefully there won’t be another time though. I am just thankful, that Marley wasn’t the one on the other end of the stick. I’d hate to be cleaning poo off him, the day after he got a bath! We can’t imagine life without that baby, wouldn’t want to even try.

Here the babies are...Marley and Miller...post poop accident.

Today, my parents are celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary to them!! We are very lucky to have a shining example of what we aspire to be. I can’t wait until we cross that one year, 10th year, 25th year, and 50th year mark. I can’t wait to look back and see how far we’ve come. We are chugging right along though, quickly approaching the 4 months of marital bliss ourselves. How in the world did those 4 months sneak past us is beyond me. I remember when four months prior to the wedding it seemed light years away. Time flies when you’re married and in love.