One Decade AND COUNTING

The Day That Changed My Life FOREVER 

January 27, 2015 

It was my senior year of college and I was pushing through the year to finish my 136 hour, 5 year, degree in just 4 years. I had my blinders on and I was ready to get out into the real world and teach, something I had been DYING to do and could literally not wait to have my own band and classroom.

It was late November/ early December and I was the leader and music director for the 3rd- 6th grade Children's Choir at Bethel Baptist Church in Norman, OK. I had spent the previous 2 years serving an internship with the Music Minister and had played key roles in the church such as Orchestra Director, music Secretary and much more but this was my first "rodeo" with little kids choir. After a few months I told Bro. Jerry Billingsley, the Music Minister, that I needed a "bouncer" so-to-speak to help control some of the rowdiness that is 3rd -6th graders.

Bro. Jerry and his wife had been looking and eventually they found a young single named Chris Davis who sang in the choir and asked him to come and help me on Sunday evenings. I will never forget the day he showed up. He was quite tall and lanky and his height seemed to quite down the kids and maybe even scare them. He helped me keep them under control for several weeks and we started talking more and more before and after each choir session. He began to look for me on Sunday mornings and even come and listen to the orchestra rehearsals to see me. Chris introduced me to all of his friends from the Singles Department and I enjoyed most of them. The singles went out to eat each Sunday afternoon for lunch and Chris invited me to several of these in which I took him up on the offer.

That Christmas of 2004 I remember telling my mom and dad about Chris but I told them that I didn't think the feeling was "mutual". When we arrived back in Norman from our Christmas vacations we picked up right where we left off and I could tell at that point that they could be something there... I just wasn't sure what it was. In mid- January Chris asked me out on a date on Sunday night at church and of course I said yes!

I was so excited for this date that my roommate, Ashley F, and I were screaming as I told her about the upcoming date... not to mention on the actual date night she went back to our sorority and spread the word like crazy. It was so nice to have such a supportive roommate and sisterhood to dream about the upcoming date (and eventually re-live the past 1st date) with. Love you girlies!

Thursday, January 27th came it was the day of our 1st date. Chris picked me up at my Norman apartment in his very nice AND CLEAN SUV. He came to the front door, took my arm and escorted me to the car where he then opened the door for me. We traveled to the other side of Norman to eat at Charleston's Restaurant. He was a true gentleman from beginning to the end of that meal. He pulled out the chair for me, stood up when I went to the restroom, and practically buttered my bread for me (Well, he tried to but I don't like butter... but I remember him trying to and me being swept off my feet by that gesture). After dinner we went to a movie to watch Meet the Fockers, which turned out to be a filthy movie and quite possibly the WORST first-date movie EVER. I can remember the experience like it was yesterday. Both of us were so embarrassed and even more so since we were on a date. Despite the embarrassment we were still holding hands by the middle of the movie and by the end of the movie we were laughing about the whole experience.

He took me back to my apartment where we sat out in in SUV for a few minutes while my roommate, Ashley, watched from the 2nd floor window. We laughed about the movie and reflected on the meal. He told me "I really enjoyed your company tonight and I would love to do it again sometime, just a different movie" and we both started laughing. He escorted me to the door where he give me a simple peck on the cheek and asked when we could go out again. I told him absolutely and we planned it for the following weekend.

I came in and almost immediately fell over from being weak in the knees... I know what you are thinking "Oh good grief" but really, I was head over heels at this point. I ran upstairs and replayed the whole evening to my roommate Ashley who was also giddy with excitement. Chris sent me an email that evening that stated how much he enjoyed our date and how he was looking forward to the following weekend.

The very next Sunday we were sitting in the congregation holding hands and acting like we had been dating for months. We went out the following weekend and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY. We continued to date for another 6 months and on July 31, 2005 Chris Davis asked me to marry him right there at Bethel Baptist Church where we first met and started dating. We got married on March 11, 2006 at Bethel Baptist Church and we have been together and living happily ever since.

Chris outside of Bethel Baptist Church in Norman in June of 2014. 

As I sit here and reminisce about that day and all of the emotions that went with I can not help but be grateful to God for this whole experience. I was and am so lucky to not only have found my one true love but also found him at such an early age. And now here I am 10 years later with the most amazing life a girl could ask for. I have a wonderful, loving husband who not only provides for me financially but emotionally as well. I have THE 2 most beautiful children in the whole world and they are thriving and doing remarkably well. I live in a gorgeous home and have more than what I need on a daily basis. My husband, family and I travel frequently and are truly blessed beyond measure! I could NOT BE HAPPIER at this current time. It is on a day like this that I am reminded how blessed I really am!

Thank You, Lord for these and many more continued blessings! I owe it all to You!

God is good... ALL the time!

The Journey to my Treasure

For the Clueless

March 15, 2014

On Tuesday, March 11th Chris and I celebrated 8 wonderful years of marriage. These 8 years have been full of ups and downs but despite all of that our love has grown stronger and stronger as each year and day have passed. I am happier than I ever have been in my life and I owe it all to God for allowing me to become Mrs. Davis. Chris is such a great husband and I am really lucky to have him in my life. I thank God each and every day for bringing us together.

Tuesday, started out like any other day on Spring Break with late waking, family breakfasts and errands. But as soon as I got home from running around town with Natalie I came home and saw that Chris had posted something on Facebook about an "Anniversary Treasure Hunt". To my knowledge he was still taking a nap in the bedroom so I read the status update and secretly looked around without any luck of finding anything! About 10 minutes later Chris came out of the bedroom and said "Well. what are you waiting for? Start looking." I smiled and gave him a kiss and then STARTED my journey.

Chris's original Facebook post letting me know the fun was to begin! 

He had posted a comment on Facebook called "For the Clueless" last week and told me that it was something for his kids at school. I had some doubts about this last week since I knew he was not friends with his students on Facebook but I figured it was something for his teacher friends and went on. My 1st clue was going back to this post from last week and trying to figure out what it meant.

Chris's "For the Clueless" ...clue #1 

 I read and re-read this clue but nothing... I began to look for the "hint" Chris had hid behind a picture of us on our honeymoon. This hint read "use the first letter or number from each word."

Searching behind the picture for a clue

The hint for clue #1

This hint helped me figure out that the 1st clue used a code and it said "Page 37 of our Prayer Book". We have been going through a Prayer Book together each night and on Page 37 was Clue #2. This clue was probably my favorite because it shows how much Chris and I have grown closer to not only each other in 8 years but also to God. It read as follows "Through God and prayer our marriage has grown stronger. Please take a moment to pray before searching for your next clue. To find your next clue, rearrange the letters on the swing set." I took a quick minute to pray with Chris (and Natalie who was helping me find all of my clues) before stepping outside to figure it out.

Reading clue #2 in our prayer book 

Clue #2

As soon as I stepped outside I was greeted by both Abbey and Oxford to help me look for my hint and location of the next clue. This hint contained 9 letters which I immediately thought read "At Your Car". In fact, I almost just went directly to my car to check. Chris then reminded me that this was not enough letters and I needed to re-think this. He was right... It didn't fit so I decided to go back inside to sit down and try to figure it out. About 15 minutes later I was still without any luck so Chris pulled out something from his pocket that read "For a Kiss"! Seriously, he is such a romantic at heart and I LOVE THIS! This was a hint in trying to figure it out the scrambled letters. The hint was hidden in my saxophone case and said "It starts with C". Since there was a Y in the anagram I figured it had to end in Y... But after another 7-8 minutes I still wasn't having any luck. (If we are ever chosen to go on the Amazing Race, here is where I will lose the $1Million for us... I am NOT good at these things). Chris came up from behind and pulled out another "For a Kiss" hint from his pocket (Which he had just created to help me figure it out). It read "It ends in D". About 3 minutes later I figured out that the letters were supposed to say COURTYARD. So I headed out to our Courtyard to locate Clue #3.

The anagram I had to unscramble... Harder than it looks! 

I need some help... But only for a kiss! Gladly! 

Searching in my saxophone case for a hint to help unscramble. 

Hint #1 for the unscramble... 

Freshly made hint #2 for the unscramble! Haha... I am really bad at these. 

I searched and searched and finally found it underneath one of our patio chairs. This clue was extra special because it really represented me. It included a short description of the next clue location but more importantly it used a MUSIC hint for me to de-code to figure out where Clue #4 was. Clue #3 read "Since moving down here, you have started selling two products. One of these is linked to your next clue location. Determine the code provided by the musical staff below to help you discover the location of your next clue." I knew it would either be about Thirty-One or Plexus since those were the 2 products I have started selling. However, the sad thing was that Chris made the music code in BASS CLEF... Sadly, since being out of band I have rarely used bass clef so I had to go inside and figure it out. The music Code spelled out "A FAB BAG". (I was HIGHLY impressed with this one not only because it really represented me but the wording is so NOT Chris! I was impressed he came up with this wording. Way to go Chris... Very Cool!)  I knew this meant a Thirty-One bag so I started searching my large inventory in the bedroom closet.

Searching for Clue #3 in the courtyard. 

Haha... This is me trying to remember bass clef under pressure! 

Clue #3

I practically looked in every Thirty-One bag I owned when Chris timidly said "It may not be a bag per say". I then knew it was one of my Thirty-One Organizing Cubes. Inside one of these Cubes was Clue #4. It read "Our love has grown stronger each year. Our first year down here was difficult as we waited for our house in Oklahoma to sell. We survived it though and are better off for it. you will find you next clue in the room we lived in for a year, while waiting for our house to sell." I knew that this was at Dan and Jackie's house but Chris said that I had to stop and get ready for the evening. At this point I was not sure what to expect. In fact, during the time of me getting ready Chris reminded me that we were on a time schedule. My mind was exploding with possibilities but I continued to get ready so we could remain on time.

Clue #4

When we got to Dan and Jackie's I dropped off the kids (literally) and ran upstairs to look in our old room for the clue. I looked in the closet, under the bed and finally found it under some old pictures on the bookshelf. This clue was very special because it led us to the most memorable location in our 3 years down here... The Hospital where Luke was born. Clue #5 read "Since we moved down here, the biggest event of our lives has been the birth of our son. Find your next clue at the place where our son was born." 

Clue #5

Next Stop... St. Luke's for clue #6! 

 I smiled and was giddy inside thinking of what could be next in this adventure. We kissed the kids goodbye and headed to St. Luke's. This was very interesting because I was not sure where inside of St. Luke's we would be going. To the Labor and Delivery floor? To Dr. Markos office? I was not sure... I felt a little weird. We headed to the front desk and Chris told the receptionist "This is Kellie Davis and she is on a treasure hunt. She has been searching all day for clues... do you have anything for her?" At this point I didn't know what to think or say. There were flower shop delivery men all over so I was not sure if the treasure was flowers or a visit around the hospital or what. I really felt like I was on Amazing Race at this point asking "Do you have a clue for me?". Marilyn, the receptionist, looked over the front desk and sure enough found a clue that said "Kellie Davis" on the front. I took the clue and said thank you. I began to open it and noticed it was leading us to one of our favorite Date Night restaurants, Benihana. Clue #6 read "One of our favorite pastimes together is eating at a restaurant. The dining options in Shawnee were scant. We have found many places to eat down here that we have loved, but there is one we agree is our favorite. Let's go eat there tonight."

Reading Clue #6 with excitement. 

Clue #6

I knew we had a reservation for 6pm but it was still before 5 so I was not sure what we were going to do... Never fear, Chris Davis had a plan! We headed to Happy Hour for Sushi and drinks. I am not a HUGE sushi person but we tried 2 new styles and I loved them. This was special because it allowed me to share something that Chris loves with HIM on our anniversary.

Happy Hour Sushi. 

The California Roll

The Las Vegas roll... A new one for both of us and it was FANTASTIC! 

After this we headed to our special dinner table where we enjoyed one of a kind eating of Japanese cuisine. We have been really watching what we eat for the past few months but this was a celebration so we decided to splurge a little bit. The chef came to our table and cooked our meal specifically for us and even helped celebrate our anniversary with a special CLUE from the restaurant manager himself halfway through the meal. This was so special because I was able to read this clue and figure out that it led me to my real gift at home after the meal! Clue #7 read "As I lay beside you every night, I consider how fortunate I am to be married to such a wonderful wife and mother. You gift is lying underneath your pillow". (Seriously... SO ROMANTIC! I was tearing up with emotions at this point. He is the best!) We continued our special meal and even was treated to a special Anniversary dessert afterwards and a commemorative picture from Benihana!

Getting my clue from the manager! 

The fantastic meal prepared for us by a special chef. 

Clue #7

Such a wonderful and memorable meal! 

We ended our meal and headed home for me to find my 8th and Final Clue. This was the most special not only because it contained the gift but because it contained heart felt romantic expressions of love from Chris. My gifts were 2 special charms and multiple spacers for my charm bracelet that Chris got me for my 29th birthday. These charms signified the beginning of our journey with an "Underground London" since that is where we honeymooned and a "treasure box" charm since this 8th anniversary was spent looking for my treasure. I also added some color to my bracelet with some specially picked Ruby spacers and a special "Mom" spacer as well. This really made my bracelet even more complete with hand picked charms from my honey.

My 8th and final clue 

"My Flat in London" charm to remember when and where our journey started 8 years ago! 

My "Treasure Box" to remember tonight's treasure! Absolutely perfect! 

The night ended with us picking up our kids and then going back home and showing Natalie my bracelet and explaining what each charm stood for and describing to her how happy each of us was. This was the best part of the whole day and I thank God that we are able to demonstrate Godly love to each other and be an example of this for our kids.

After explaining the bracelet and it's significance to Natalie. 

The BEST 8 Years of my life... I cannot wait to see what the next 88 hold for us! 

Chris's itinerary.... This is why I love him so much! 

This was one of the best and most romantic days of my life, not to mention most exciting times of looking for my clues. My husband is such an amazing man and I could not have asked for a better anniversary gift or man! Ladies, be jealous... I have a fantastic guy! Chris Davis, you are the best! Thank you for choosing me to be your wife! I love you so much!

God is good... All the Time.

7-7-7 years (and counting)

Monday, March 11, 2013

7 years I ago I bet on Chris and it has paid off BIG-TIME!

 

Today is Chris and my 7 year Wedding Anniversary! It is hard to believe that we have been married for 7 years! There are days where it seems like only yesterday! Then again, there are days I have a hard time remembering what it was like to NOT have kids! I have been blessed so much by Chris and I thank God for him each and EVERY single day! I do not deserve him and I he is such a gift from God. Thank you, Lord for my honey!

 

We decided this year we would go for an Anniversary trip. We originally wanted to go to Las Vegas but trying to find and nail down a babysitter for our two kiddos and then that match up with the traveling days available for REASONABLE travel prices were nearly impossible. We looked at other destinations but I kept thinking about how young my kids were and I just wanted to be near by. We were able to get my brother-in-law, John, and sister-in-law, Leeanna to keep our kids for 2 nights while we escaped across the State Line to Lake Charles, LA. This allowed us to visit L'auberge du lac Casino and Resort. This was AMAZING and such a rejuvenation from our busy teacher schedules followed by parent schedules. We were able to get away and just relax.

 

L'auberge du lac- Lake Charles, LA

 

 

L'aubrege is ABSOLUTELY amazing and I reccommend it for anyone looking for a nearby get-away and relaxation destination. We started off the trip by eating at the small cafe within the Casino called Cafe L'auberge. They were having an "All-you-can-Eat" Prime Rib special so we opted for that. I am not really a Red-meat eater... well I wasn't 7 years ago. That, along with many other things, I have changed since March 11, 2006. I even ordered this special and I completely finished one portion and tried to eat a 2nd! We gambled a little this night too and Chris was actually up after that night was finished. I on the other hand was in the RED! We did however, each win a free Buffet Coupon good for Monday.

 

On Monday, we slept late and then went out to get a few things like a bathing suit for me so we could relax at the pool. The temperatures were in the high 60s so we thought we would try to get in the pool or at least the hot-tub! We ate lunch at Jack Daniels Bar and Grill and we each had a burger (A VERY LARGE burger). I got the full-loaded Man's burger which had all types of fixins and even an onion ring it it! It was might tasty! After lunch we hit the hot-tub and pool area and stayed there (drink in hand) for a while. We finally came in around 5 pm to get ready for another evening of eating and entertainment.

 

My Burger... IT WAS HUGE!

 

The pool and Hot tub area... there was even a "Lazy River" area! So cool!

 

 

 

After cleaning up from the pool I wen to shop at all the small shops within the concourse of L'auberge. These shops were so cool but EXPENSIVE! I knew I would have to win BIG on the casino floor to even be able to buy something small from one of the stores. I saw a purse that looked just like some of the "Bedazzled" purses from Sam Moon with a Cross on it that was listed at $1450! REALLY?

 

After window shopping, I met up with Chris to got to the buffet for the Craw fish boil. This was really cool because I have eaten Craw fish before but not at a boil/ buffet type of setting. I learned really quickly that I REALLY like to eat Craw fish BUT I don't like all the work that is involved in getting to that small bite of meat. I also learned that these CAJUNS really go after getting to that piece of meat. There were people on each side of our table that were sucking out the heads and beating the body of the fish on their table. It was quite an ordeal! I had several Craw fish but then I headed to sample the many different desserts! These were really good and worth the time I spent cracking the Craw fish.

 

My buffet of DESSERTS! These were YUMMY!
(Notice the Craw fish Chris threw on my plate!)

 

 

After dinner we hit the Blackjack table again and Chris played for several hours... I just watched. I was not seeming to be able to win at anything so instead of making the typical gambler mistake of continuing to lose money... I QUIT. This is where I believe gambling is OK if and when you know when to walk away! I seriously did not play anymore the rest of the day/ night. Chris on the other hand won big and despite my terrible losses ($380), he was able to bring us out of the RED hole and into a winning amount. Thanks honey!

 

The key is KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY!

 

ON Tuesday, we got up and checked out of the hotel and then went over to Isle of Capri to see what it was like. It was definitely a LOCAL casino. You could tell the clientele was different and less-class than that of L'auberge. But oddly enough that is where I came up out of my RED hole. I won $275 at Isle of Capri. I don't know what it is but I seem to do better at the "trashy" casinos than at the fancy ones. While we were in Vegas, I lost big at Bellagio, Cesear's and Mandalay Bay but WON lots as Harrah's and Boulder Station! Same thing while living in Shawnee and Oklahoma. I would win tons at Thunder Bird but then lose it all at River wind in Norman! I guess I belong with the Cajuns and locals when it comes to casinos!

 

We stopped around noon and headed towards Houston to go home to our babies! We stopped in Beaumont to eat lunch and then it was a race to get to hold and love on our kids! We got home around 430 where John, Leeanna, Jackie and our kids met us at the door (I don't know if this was a sign of tired-ness or excitement or both). We had an AMAZING trip and I would like to make L'auberge an ANNUAL thing! It was amazing!

 

A big thanks go out to John, Leeanna, Jackie and Dan for helping watch and take care of our kids to make this trip possible! We literally could not have done this without y'all! We love and thank y'all!

 

I am so lucky to have Chris in my life and as not only my husband but also my best friend! Words cannot describe my love and affection for him! I love you Chris and I cannot wait to spend 7 (no wait... 77! Inside joke! :) ) years with you!

 

 

 

God is good... ALL the time!

Always makes me smile

December 14, 2012

 

My hubby, Chris, is quite the character and he is continuously the goofball and life of the party. Ever since I have known him he has had a wonderful sense of humor and always finds a way to make me smile. Now of course, he would say I don't appreciate it sometimes, but in the end he does make me smile even when I am feeling down. This is one of the many, many reasons I love him and why he is the love of my life.

 

A few weekends ago, a friend of ours from Sunday School offered to take our family pictures for our Christmas Cards and the Christmas Season. This was going to be done outdoors in the natural sunlight in Mid-Afternoon. Well this just happened to be on the same day as the SEC Championship game between Alabama (BOO!) and Georgia! Chris had been working Saturday School in the morning and was very tired but knew we had to go and take pictures. He was not very happy with me or with the fact we had to take these pictures during the SEC game. HOWEVER, when we got to the location, he threw all his frustrations out the window and as usual was the life of the party. In the midst of me trying to get both kids looking good in the pictures, he was posing for crazy shots and just having fun! Sometimes I forget to have fun... But Chris reminds me! Thank you Honey!  

 

I love you honey!

Always a "jokster"!

 

This is one of my favorites... I am worried about kids and he is just having fun! Love it!

My funny guy!

 

Haha!

 

Enough of this already... Whats the score?

 

Daddy's partner in "laughter"... Natalie Grace!
I can tell she will be just like Daddy in that category!

 

Thank you Lord for giving me Chris to show me to LAUGH and have FUN!

 

God is good... ALL THE TIME!