Saying Goodbye To My Childhood Home - Two Months Of Miracles

After living in the same home for 30 years, my parents are moving.  Within a month, they sold their home (actually in 2 days) and bought a lovely, new home.  In today's market, that is no easy task and so we feel the Lord's tender mercies in all that has occurred.    Last week, my sister flew up from Dallas to help pack up.  It was busy, but fun as we reminisced some of our childhood memories.    We had a 2 day garage sale, packed up 30 years worth of boxes, filled up a dumpster, ate a lot of take-out food and enjoyed being all together for one last time in this house.  I say, "house" purposefully, because although this is the house that I grew up in and I have precious memories, it is my family that made it a "home".    I love my parents, my sister and my brother so much and I am grateful that we are a family.  I am excited for my Mom and Dad to start a new chapter in their lives and look forward to new memories as they make their new house a home where we can all spend time together.    

My Family

The house I grew up in

My Dad selling his snow blower

Can you say, "Garage Sell"?

We were never so happy to see a dumpster!

Two Months of Miracles

• My newest nephew was born, Braxton Bart Davis.  This was a long awaited delivery.
  
• Braxton and his mom regained good health.  We are SO GRATEFUL!
• My dad got a bad eye infection and got the best possible doctors in Utah
• My parents found a new home
• My parents sold their home in 2 days
• My dad saw the eye doctor before he went on a business trip. They found his retina was becoming detached and so they immediately did surgery on him to save his sight.  
• My sister's in-laws came to visit her which allowed her to leave her children to come and help pack.  Due to my dad's eye surgery he can't lift or bend over.  He has been so patient!
• The dumpster came 2 days early!  Hooray!
• Unseasonably warm weather for the entire week.
• My parents had to speak in Sacrament and they wrote their talks the night before.  They were amazing and I know the Spirit guided them. 
• My boys sang and the Bishop said he felt strongly that Elder LeGrand Richards was present.  LeGrand Richards is our children's great, great grandfather.  
• My sister and I were singing in sacrament and we needed a pianist.  After calling around, we found a lady that could play, already knew the music and had a key to the church so we could practice.
• My dad is slowly gaining a little of his eye sight back.

We have been keenly aware of God's presence in our lives.  I'm grateful for his tender mercies.  I am grateful for adversities that help us to become better people and help us to rely on Him.  I am grateful for happy times and I am grateful for families.

Walt Disney World ... Once Upon A Dream

Over Valentine's weekend, Talmage and I went to Walt Disney World ... without the kids.  The funny thing is we were there EXACTLY one year ago with our children and we had SO MUCH FUN!  We fell in love with it and were hooked.  We (joked) how fun it would be to go without the kids ... so we got our chance.  Talmage had a CME course at the Grand Floridian, so I tagged along.  It was heavenly.  Beautiful weather, sleeping in, yummy food, playing like a kid at all the parks and I even painted my toe nails.  Such a blast!  HOWEVER, we both REALLY missed our children!  We were missing the wonder and magic that only children can bring.  Thankfully, they were in good hands with Grandma Kathy.  THANK YOU, GRANDMA!  (Sorry you got snowed in)  ;)

Sunday Afternoon Fun on the Mac!

Way To Go STEELERS!

We are not usually big football people, but after living in Pittsburgh for 5 years, it rubbed off on us.  Pittsburghers are extremely loyal to the Steelers and during football season, you would think that the stores only carried black and gold anything - even chips!  I have to admit, it was exciting.  We lived there when they won the Superbowl a few years ago and the city was celebrating for months!  Well, we no longer live in Pittsburgh, but when we heard they were headed to the Superbowl - AGAIN - we were so excited and had to throw a party in honor of our time in Pittsburgh and all of the wonderful people that we met.  Some of our friends who had lived there also came to help celebrate.  We had so much fun eating, talking, laughing, eating, watching the game, eating, EATing and EATING!   Thanks for helping us celebrate.  We had a blast.

Way to go Steelers.  You are awesome!

Another Week At The Shill's

Caleb happily posing after having been caught with the green marker.  It was everywhere!

A beautiful Amaryllis that we got before Christmas.  It just keeps blooming and coming back better and better each time.  It is a happy part of my day - especially when I see the snow outside! 

This is Braden being Apollo, the Roman God of light.  He had to act like a statue until somebody came and clapped their hands and brought him to "life" and then he told about himself.  It was really fun to watch.  The whole gym was decked out.

Collin and his Pinewood Derby car.  Always such a fun night.

Lila playing with a friend at the Pinewood Derby.  She wasn't too interested in the cars, but sure loved playing with her little neighbor friend.