It's Already Been 5 Years!

My, how time flies! I cannot believe we are celebrating our 5th year wedding anniversary. I've said it before but I'll say it again, our wedding day was the most wonderful day of my life. It was perfect in every way, but of course, mainly because I knew after that day, Clint would be all mine!!

We made the decision when we got married that instead of spending money on "things" for each other, that we wanted to make memories instead...and I'm so glad we did. We found out quickly that we love to travel together and like the idea of not staying in the same place twice. This year for our anniversary, we are going back to South Carolina, not the same place but close by because we adore the low country.

Over the past 5 years, we have been to some beautiful locations and did just what we set out to do, made memories of just the two of us. Some couples decide to have kids right away or after the first few years. But I know for us, our time together without children has no doubt strengthened our marriage and now we are ready to move into the next chapter of our lives with little Anna Ruth.

Over the next few years, I certain our anniversary trips and vacations will slow down a bit and take on a whole different travel agenda. However, I do know that we will continue on our plan to make memories, this time not as a couple of 2, but as a family of 3 (okay, 3 and 1/2-can't forget Chloe!).

I thought I would share some of our travels thus far. These are mostly from our favorite locations or anniversary trips. (They are all out of order because I cannot fix them on my computer right now):

2011- At Serendipity in NYC

2011- DC

2011- Dewey Beach, DE

2010- Savannah & Tybee Island, GA trip

2008- Mt. Pleasant, SC B&B

2008- 1 year anniversary cake topper

2011- Another DC trip

2010- Texas trip to visit Clint's family (with his sweet grandmother)

2007- Our amazing honeymoon in Cancun (don't we look so young!)

2008- Gulf Shores, AL at my favorite B&B- The Beach House

2008- 1 year anniversary weekend back in Murfreesboro

2009- Biltmore visit while staying at our Asheville B&B

2011- Christmas in DC, so fun!

Early Summer

Yesterday, we celebrated Brooke's birthday (Clint's sister). It was the first swim in the lake for me (and Anna Ruth) this year. The weather was so nice that we ate dinner and opened presents out on the deck. I love that it is already warm enough for us to enjoy it outside, but I am cautious that it might mean we are in for one HOT summer. If that is the case, you know where to find me...I'll be the one right next to the air conditioning vent inside! :)

Happy Summer!

Yum!

In an effort to make our dinners a bit more exciting and avoid having the same things each week, I have been trying some new recipes. Most of the time they are either pretty good or just okay. However, what I'm about to share with you was a big hit in the Davis house. So much so that Clint requested to have it the very next night (this has never happened before). We even polished off the remaining leftovers a few days afterwards. I would think this would also be a winner with kids too. Without further ado, I give you the recipe for BBQ Chicken Cheddar Mac:
(*Note- I cut the recipe in half and we were still able to get almost 3 meals out of it. Next time I think I am going to make the full recipe and then just freeze half of it.)

1 lb mini farfalle pasta (use any pasta of choice)
5 Tablespoons butter

5 Tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

4 Cups milk, I used skim
5 Cups shredded cheddar cheese (you could use any I used sharp cheddar)
2 Cups shredded BBQ Chicken (I boiled the chicken, shredded it, then poured BBQ sauce over it and let it simmer in a pot on the stove for an hour or so)
1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

2. Melt butter into a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute stirring. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Increase heat to medium high, stir continuously until liquid thickens and comes to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar cheese until smooth then add cooked pasta. Pour mixture into a large baking dish then top evenly with BBQ chicken. Sprinkle with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
3. Let cool for 5-10 minutes (if you can even stand to let it sit that long!) and serve.

BBQ chicken and homemade mac n' cheese, how could it not be yummy?!

21.5 Weeks

21.5 weeks

At our last ultrasound on Monday, the doctor said Anna Ruth doesn't quite yet weigh a pound, but somehow mommy keeps adding to her pounds! :)

What's in a Name

Clint and I have finally settled on a name:

Anna Ruth Davis

Unlike many other couples, we did not have any names set before we got pregnant. So, it was somewhat of a challenge finding a name we both REALLY liked. However, there were a few things I knew for sure: 1) We both wanted to use a family name, if possible, 2) Being from the South, I have always loved double names, especially for little girls (which is why we are going to call her Anna Ruth). However, it still gives her the option when she gets older to use just Anna if she prefers, and 3) I didn't want to name her something and then call her by another name. I realize nicknames happen (i.e. Missy), but I didn't want to set out using one from the start.

We both liked the name Anna pretty much from the beginning. Also, since my middle name is Anne, we thought that it was a good variation. We played around with a few other family names to attach with it but kept coming back to Ruth, which is my grandmother's middle name. Most everyone knows how close I am to my Nana and I couldn't think of a better woman for our little girl to be named after. In my eyes, she is the definition of what a Godly woman is called to be, she is the glue that holds our family together and we all respect her greatly!

Additionally, both Anna and Ruth are strong biblical names. We love each of their stories in the Bible. I have always been drawn to the strength of Ruth.
This is one of my favorite pictures of my Nana because it reminds me of her fun personality.

Kate is Kicking Cancer!

Many of you received an email I sent not long ago asking for prayers for my sweet friend and sorority sister Katelyn. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer a few weeks ago. She has 2 small children, Avery (almost 3) and Owen (a little over 6 weeks). Her story is one to be inspired by and is a true testament to the power of prayer and extreme faith. Kate has been so strong through her rounds of chemo (3 so far), losing her hair, long periods of not being able to hold her little ones and all pain and emotions that come this disease. But, she is winning this battle! I continue to get encouraging emails that inform us that her hcg markers are decreasing and that the chemo is working. But, we must not stop praying. Even though she is so close to kicking cancer completely, we want to make sure she gives it one, big, mighty send off kick.

I thank each of you that has remembered Katelyn and her family in your prayers and ask that you continue to do so. Many of her friends and sorority sisters have sent care packages and provided meals. If you feel compelled to do more than pray for her and her family, please let me know.

Also, Lena, who is another friend and sorority sister is hosting an online trunk show for Katelyn with her company Stella Dot. You can purchase a piece of jewelry and 100% of her commission will be sent directly to Kate. Love this idea! (And the jewelry is really cute!) To browse and purchase through Katelyn's trunk show, visit this link:

http://www.stelladot.com/style/trunkshow/849e7dda-837e-11e1-ad30-005056b55330

(College Days- New Orleans Trip)

It's a Girl!

Bring on the hair bows and smocked dresses because we found out yesterday that baby Davis is a girl! Neither Clint nor I really cared about the gender. I know some people have their minds set on either wanting a boy or a girl. But truthfully, we have only ever wanted a healthy baby.

With that said, I am a complete girly-girl and am so excited about the thought of having another girl in our family. I love all things pretty and pink. But, Clint is such a good balance and should keep me in check so as not to have a pink overload. However, the nursery will be PINK!

We have done nothing to get ready for this baby so far. We both wanted to wait to discuss names until we knew the gender because, let's face it, there are so many names that having to think of both boy and girl can be a bit overwhelming. Now, we can start bouncing around names and getting ready for our sweet little girl!