Week 6: The City You Live In

When I first stumbled upon this gratitude challenge I kind of had to giggle over this topic, "The City You Live In." Growing up in Nephi it was kind of just the "thing" to hate on it. Indeed it is a tiny, little city with not a whole lot to offer, especially in the entertainment department.  Though it be SO horrible, why is it most of us who have been raised here find ourselves sneaking back to raise our own families? I say sneaking because it's really quite comical when the decision is made to move back to Nephi. Most all of us try to do so without a soul knowing.  When we do have to explain we have moved back, the explanation isn't usually done with pride. So, what is it? Is it the comfort of having family and friends live only blocks away?  Is it the closeness of the small community? Is it the simplicity of only one street light and having everything within walking distance? To be honest, I'm not sure I'll ever quite know what it is about this little place, but in my old age ;) I've learned to appreciate this little city more than I have wanted to let up.
Though I can't quite decide if I necessarily want to raise my children here forever, I really do not mind Nephi.  It was a pretty big decision deciding to move back in the first place.  If it wouldn't have been for our son, I don't believe we would have chose to move back, actually, the idea probably wouldn't have even presented itself.  The ultimate deciding factor came down to family.  With Drayze being so young and not having much luck with daycare(s) it was somewhat of a no brainer to move back so my sister in law could watch him while I work.  This has been an absolute life saver for us!  The majority of our family also lives in Nephi. I didn't realize how much this affected my life growing up until I had a family of my own.  I want my kids to be able to call their cousins to play or "run away" to Grandma and Grandpa's house when they're mad at mom and dad.  I want their aunts and uncles to be able to pop by on the fly just to hang out.  I want them to look forward to the small town traditions with their friends.  The same way I did when I was a kid.
The simplicity of this little city just fits our lifestyle.  I don't need a shopping mall within arms reach, and I don't expect to be wined and dined at the fanciest of restaurants.  I don't need 10 different grocery stores to choose from, nor will I need 3 different schooling options for our kids. Although a Starbucks would be awesome, or any coffee shop for that matter, I'm quite content with this tiny little city for now.  Who knows where the future will take us, but as for now, home sweet home.

Because we live so close to family.....

Having family dinner or simply getting together can be a spur of the moment thing.

 

I am able to spend as much time with my mom and grandma as I please.

 

My brothers {and parents} can rescue my child when I am in need of alone time.

Morning coffee with Grandma can be a regular thing.

I have a close relationship with our neices and nephews!

  

Week 5: Something Someone Gave You

As I pondered the things I have been generously given throughout my lifetime I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for those who have taken the time to think about me and care enough to choose a gift with me in mind. I have been given so many amazing things throughout my life, all of which I have loved and cherished. Items I truly hold dear to my heart. If I am honest though, there isn't a materialistic item or gift that tops the gift my husband and child(ren) have given me. The gift of being a mother. The gift of knowing unconditional love. The gift of loving someone even more than you love yourself.

I've said it before, but if you would have asked me 5-6 years ago how I would picture my life, two kids and a husband probably wouldn't be included in that answer. Although, I never really did know what I wanted to do with my life, I just didn't exactly picture myself as a mother. Oh, how I thank God for unanswered prayers.

Since becoming a mommy I have learned more about life, myself, and love than I ever imagined possible! Now that I have taken on the overwhelming, exhausting, rewarding role of mom, there isn't anything else I would want to do with my life. I owe it to Zacary for making it even possible for me to be a mom. Not only because he gifted me with our beautiful child(ren), but because I truthfully, whole heartedly mean it when I say I could NOT do it without him. He is my patience when I just can't take it anymore. He is the kid at heart our children need. He plays with Drayze from the minute he arrives home from work until the moment we all go to bed. Some nights I just want to be alone, and he never questions why or makes me feel guilty about it. He takes care of our son by feeding, bathing and putting him to bed without me having to ask. He is an unbelievable daddy, which makes my role as mommy that much more enjoyable. 

In my twenty {almost} five years of life the greatest gift of all is the gift of having our own tiny family filled with tiny little humans who fill our hearts with more love than we could have ever imagined! 

 

He wil always be my baby boy.

Baby #2. Couldn't be more excited to meet this little fella.

Terrible quality of photo, but it's our most recent family picture. :)

Week 4: Family Member

If you read my last post, you'll know it wasn't an easy decision to pick just one family member to write about. I love and admire every one of my family members in a different way, but there is one family member I especially look up to, relate to, share an incredibly close relationship with, and who knows me probably better than I know myself. The woman who raised me, stood by my side when others turned their back, picked me up when I didn't have the strength to do so on my own, who joins in on my silliness, and tells me I can when I just know I can't. She is the person who listens to my rants without judgement, who helps point me in the right direction, and the person who rescues my child when all I need is to be alone. Not only my family member, but my best friend, and my mother. 

There won't ever be a combination of words to describe how blessed I am to have the mother I do. I could make this a never ending blog post if I tried to include every reason I chose my mom for this topic, but aint nobody got time for dat. I'll try to keep it short and sweet. 

Mom has always been my best friend, and somehow that friendship only grows stronger with "age." As I am now an adult with my own family, I have an entirely new appreciation for both of my parents, my mother especially. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs, and I definitely didn't make that job a walk in the park for my poor mom. AND she had 4 of us little shits to raise! "How did she do it?" is something I frequently ask myself. 

All my life, mom has been an example of hard work. She has always, always {and still does} bust her chops to provide for our family. Not often did we go without. We definitely weren't the 'go to Disneyland once a year' kind of family, but my mom made it possible for us to always be involved in every single activity we wanted to be involved in. We always had the new school clothes we wanted, bikes to ride and change to buy pockets full of penny candies. Even now as an adult if mom suspects one of her children are struggling she is offering her last $10 to help.  This has taught me more than she will ever realize. I now appreciate the things a lot more than I think I would have if I didn't see how hard she had to work to provide.  I now know how important it is to work hard for our family. The list goes on..  

I strive to be more like my mother in many other ways as well. One of my mom's most admirable traits is the sincerely loving person she is.  She is constantly thinking of others before herself. I find those who have been dealt a harder life than most are attracted to my mom. I've watched this my entire life. From the lady with a very young daughter battling cancer whom mom met in the Primary Children's waiting room to the sweet lady who also lost an older daughter to cancer and eventually lost her own battle to ALS. {Just to name a couple}  My mom had a passion for these friendships and finding any way possible to help and comfort these friends.  People facing such devastating trials seem to find comfort in my loving mom. There is no doubt it's because they too can feel her sincerity radiating in her ways.

I too find this comfort in my mom, and how lucky am I to be able to call her just that? Mom. We truly have an incredible relationship. Closer than any friend, more loving than any mother/daughter relationship. Even if I wasn't able to call her mom, I know we would have still come together as best friends. 

If you're reading this mom, I hope you always remember just how much I love and admire you. Thanks for being my rock and never once judging me or turning your back. I can't imagine a life without you. Your love is something I promise to never take for granted. Love you most. {And i'm sorry for being a shit head when I was younger}



If you think she is an awesome mom, you should see her as a grandma!

 

Week 3: Family

Family; God's promise we won't have to face our trials alone.

 

I have a giant family, consisting of 4 great-grandparents whom I knew and had a relationship with, 3 in-law grandparents, 2 grandmothers, 1 grandfather, 9 uncles, 7 aunts, 25 cousins, 12 nieces and nephews, 8 sister in-laws, 5 brother in-laws, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 2 mother in-laws, 2 father in-laws, 1 father, 1 mother, soon to be 2 beautiful children, and 1 amazing husband. Whew! {That took some serious brain power} Despite the numbers, quality of a family is what truly matters. I am fortunate enough to have a family who loves and cares from the bottom of their hearts. A family I'm comfortable enough around to turn to in times of need and share both my troubles and happiness with. In my lifetime I've witnessed not everyone is blessed with such families.

When I married in to another family I didn't realize just how different families could be, each possessing different qualities, values, and relationships between one another. No one family is "better" than another by any means, they are all just so unique in their own special ways. I do have to admit it took a little time getting used to being part of two new, unique families. 

In the family I grew up in, we have always been extremely close. The kind of family who just swings by to say hey, not giving any heads up beforehand, most times not even a knock on the door. We are that family who has every. single. person. present during any given event or celebration. The kind who go for "drink runs" on a random Tuesday evening. I think it's safe to speak for Zac when I say this was a little bit much for him at first, but I do think he is growing to enjoy it more. 

The Davidson Family <3

My beautiful family
Sister- Deveny, Mom- Michelle, Uncle- Ryan, Brother- Dedric, Brother- Tyler, Dad- Jeff

Grandma Barb (she deserves a post all her own, coming soon)

 

Uncle- Ryan

SIL legally, SISTER by choice- Jenilee, Brother - Tyler

The Diamond side of the family, although still very close, is definitely more of a "plan it out" kind of family. When we all get together it's usually over a fancy meal Randy and Karen have slaved over all day. Karen will have everything perfectly planned and never fails to entertain us with a creative activity she has put together. I feel like every time after having spent time with our Diamond family I take home a new motivational message, whether it come from a planned lesson, conversation, or simply something hanging in the house. Regardless of the occasion bringing us together, we are always sure to have a fun time and bring home many great memories.

SIL- Jennika BIL- Rocky

SIL- Amberly MIL- Karen

Randy {Zac's dad} is one of those people who you wonder how you went so long without knowing. I got seriously lucky with my father in law!

Finally, there is Zac's mom's side of the family. Everyone in this family is so loving and accepting. They're the kind of family you can be 110% yourself around and never once feel judged. When together, you can count on numerous hugs and "I love you's" exchanged. Although we don't see everyone on this side of the family as often as we would like, we never miss a beat when we do finally get together. To me, that's an irreplaceable quality. 



We need an updated picture of Grandma Teresa with all the grandkids, but this is a priceless picture!
How did I get an amazing father AND mother in law? Teresa has accepted me since day one and has always made me feel like one of her own children.

The majority of our neices and nephews

Of all my amazing families who I love so dearly, I have to say there isn't anything quite like the family Zacary and I are creating ourselves.  Though tough at times, it's an unexplainable feeling to have a family to call our own. Our own home with our own rules and routines. Our own little family traditions and silly little moments only we share within the walls of our home. Our very own future plans and goals we look forward to achieving. 

Being just like daddy, hanging pictures for mom!

"All because two people fell in love." Choosing Zac as my partner in life and creating a family together has been the absolute best decision of my life. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else!

Find your tribe, love them hard.