Happy Spring

Hello my friends.  I don't find myself on this little corner of the internet often anymore, but today is a quiet Sunday around our house and thought I would sit down and share some updates on what has been going on since my last post in December.  

I love this time of year. The flowers are beginning to bloom, temperatures are getting warmer, and the speed of life is picking up little by little.  We are officially transitioning back into full life again, as it seems like we are getting ahead of COVID-19 more and more each day.  Matt and I have gotten our vaccines; however, we still wear masks at work, going shopping, running errands, etc. Yet, even with the mask wearing I have noticed recently that life seems to be getting back into a new, yet normal rhythm. Which I like a lot.  

I will admit that 2020 did change me.  It changed all of us.  I really enjoyed not being so over committed, and that I can say no to opportunities or invites and be at peace with it. I learned that I thrive working on my own, and I am a disciplined person when it comes to work.  (Still working on other disciplines in my life...ie working out and eating health...HA!)  

I was reminded that the most important thing to me is family and my small close circle of friends.  I learned that I really enjoy attending church service online, but cannot wait to start going to church in person soon. I also learned that even though I have been going to a contemporary church for the past 18 years, that what I really crave is a traditional service.  I learned that God will help make a way when we want something big enough - like getting my MBA (thank you mom and dad!), and I learned that picking up the phone or sending a card is all when need to do to stay connect to those we love most.  I learned that I actually disagree with a lot of my friends on many different topics, but I love them each so much more than what we disagree on.  I was reminded of God's faithfulness and His sweet love for me each and everyday. Last year was hard, and even though the life lessons I learned were so bittersweet, that I can see goodness in the past year.  

With all that was learned from last year, I also began this year with focus and goals for 2021. Here are a few updates on my goals. 

Be in God's Word Everyday

Since January, I have completed 4 Bible Studies - Faith in Practice, the Book of Esther, the Book of Joshua, and the Book of Mark.  I am currently studying 1 & 2 Thessalonians and then will move onto Colossians and Philemon.  I have been starting each day with bible study, gratitude, and prayer which has been a wonderful way to begin each day.  I am also thinking of taking on an in-depth bible study soon, and believe that study is going to be Beth Moore's Now that Faith Has Come.  This study came out last fall, but I decided to wait to jump in this year. 

Read 20 Books this Year

I have been reading some this year too, but I have to be honest that I have started several books and just cannot seem to finish them.  They lose my attention, and I just cannot get back into them.  However, there are a few books that I have enjoyed this year.  Those include: 

• Shipped by Angie Hockman
• That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs
• Laughing Through the Ugly Cry by Dawn Barton 
• Body Love by Kelly Levique
  
• Atomic Habits by James Clear 
• Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allien 
• Share Your Stuff, I'll Go First by Laura Tremaine

I am currently in the middle of Growing Boldly by Emily Ley, and have pre-ordered Michael Hyatt's new book - Win at Work, Succeed at Life.  I cannot wait to read it when its released later this month.

School Days

Going back to graduate school is going well, but I have to admit this semester I am taking all marketing classes so its a little easier than probably any other semester will be.  This summer, I will take an IT class and then another marketing class.  Overall, its going great and I have found that I am actually really disciplined with completing my school work at night too.  I run my life on a tight schedule, and it seems to work for me.  Every day I am reminded how blessed I am to have the opportunity to pursue this goal of mine, and at the rate I am going I will finish in June 2022.

Getting Healthier

Earlier this year, I was really battling a lot of anxiety. This is not something I deal with often, but I knew I needed to pray and ask the Lord how to get control of my emotions and anxious thoughts.  Since the beginning of the year, I have been doing a few things that have helped me a lot. First, I started focusing on my nighttime routine.  Taking time to not only wash my face and brush my teeth, but also to journal at night (I really like the Write the Word Journal) and then use the Calm app to help me sleep.  

Next, in late February I began to really learn about tracking my macros and started working out 5-6 days per week.  I have a program I am following, and I am learning a lot.  Most importantly, I am learning how to appreciate my body, as I am so thankful it can still be active and move whenever I want to move it.  Throughout the past few weeks, I have lost almost all the weight I gained last year during COVID, and I feel so much stronger than I did in January. 

Bringing back our celebrations

We have really been trying to enjoy celebrations this year.  This picture was taken after we celebrated by brother-in-law's birthday.  In addition, we were able to celebrate my Father-in-law's 85th Birthday too, and our family had the best time together.Finally, last weekend, we were able to celebrate Easter.  It was the first time since Christmas Eve 2019 that my parents and in-laws had been together.  It was so nice to catch up and visit, and I am really looking forward to more celebrations this year. 

Life lately is going well, and we are really looking forward to the next few months ahead.  Matt is playing softball this spring, we have a lot of fun things happening at work, and I will complete another class soon. 

I hope the start of your Spring is going well. 

 Hugs, 

 Kim 

 

Hello Friends

I've had this blog 11 years.  Some years I write a post several times a week, while other years I only write a handful of posts throughout the year.  I am finding that 2019 is the latter.   I am not sure if its that I don't have a lot to say, or I am too busy to say it, or if I just not into blogging, but whatever it is has led me to take several months off this platform. 

To show some love to this little blog of mine, I thought I would share my top 5 memories of the past three months.  Enjoy!

Memory #1

I finally made it to Niagara Falls. I had a work trip to Toronto, and we found some time to explore the area.  We rented a car and drove to the Falls.  It was a great experience, and I am excited I got to see that natural wonder.    

Memory #2

My mom and I hosted a party for my Aunt Jackie's 70th birthday. I loved working with my mom on this event, and the smile on my Aunt J's face was worth it all.  

So glad we got to celebrate her and her milestone birthday.  

Memory #3

My parents celebrated their 50th Anniversary this summer, and we celebrated with a small family dinner.  My friend Ryana cooked and it was a lovely evening.  Love my parents so much, and so thankful for both of them.

Memory #4

I have learned how to make bread!!  Yes, the person who cannot cook is an official a baker.  LOL!!

I make three loaves each week, and its soooo good.  

Plus I love giving it away to my family.  

Memory #5

Recently I have had the opportunity to hang out with so many incredible friends.  I love that my schedule has made it possible to spend so much time with several friends.  One friendship I am extremely blessed to have is with this sweet gal.  We had not talked in ages, and last weekend at the last minute we decided to have a day in, where we stayed in our PJs and just gabbed for hours.  No makeup, no fixing our hair, not wearing normal clothes, just chilling and chatting.  

It was so good to catch up, laugh, and just connect.  

Hope your having a good summer friends. 

February, You Ain't Cute

Whew!  This month has been rough, and February has not been kind to me.  I have been dealing with sickness for over three weeks, and since I am not one who enjoys slowing down, its been a tough few weeks.  

To be honest, I haven't felt great in about six weeks, and knew I was fighting "something," but didn't know what.  Then last weekend everything came to a head with a diagnosis of bronchitis and an unrelenting cough that just wouldn't give me relief. 

There is something about not feeling well that always leads me to thinking of ways I can take better care of myself and treat my body better.  Does anyone else think this way when your not feeling well?

So after a few days of couch sleeping and coughing non-stop, I decided it was time to get moving on getting my health back.  Below are 4 easy steps I am taking to beat this sickness and come back stronger than before:

1 Take a Time Out 

As I mentioned above, I have been sick for nearly three (3) weeks and my body just kept feeling worse and worse.  Finally, last Friday I came home from work, changed clothes, and pilled up on the couch to rest.  And, that is when I knew I couldn't do it any longer.  I needed to stop pretending I was feeling okay, and actually take care of myself.  I got up Saturday and went to Urgent Care, got some meds, and headed home to rest.I decided it was also best that I take a few days off work, to allow my body to heal, as well as get some much needed rest.   Its been so helpful and I am so thankful I took the time to slow down, decrease the stress, and focus on getting better.

2. Time with Jesus

On Monday, I opened my bible, which I hadn't done in several days.  I got caught up with my Old Testament reading plan (I am reading through the Old Testament in 2019), wrote in my Write the Word Journal, and spent some much needed time in prayer.  Next, I worked on my Powersheets for March, and planned out my goals for the month ahead. 

 

Finally, I filled our home with Worship Music.  Getting my mind and soul back centered on the Lord and not on me has been the best gift from being sick.  Its so easy to get caught up in the "day-to-day" running around that I forget to stop and truly focus on what truly matters, which is my relationship with Christ.  After that, everything always falls back into place. 

3. Clean It Up 

Next, I knew that I needed to be really particular with the foods I was eating and look at what I was drinking too.  I cleaned up my daily nutrition, and have been drinking water non-stop.  I added more fruits and veggies into my diet,  even added a protein smoothie to my daily routine to add some much needed nutrients.  This step is making me feel stronger, and my body is so thankful. 

4. Positive Vibes

With the three prior steps, its forced me to take time and look for the positive.  The positives I quickly realized were the extra quiet time I got to spend with the Lord each day, to take time and recognize the precious family and friends I have around me. I am also very thankful to have the opportunity to STOP when I am sick and take care of myself.

I cannot tell you how much this week has meant to me.  Do I still feel sick?  Yes.  Am I still coughing like crazy? Oh yes.  Am I sleeping well at night?  Not really.  But, my mind, attitude, and outlook have been refreshed, renewed, and I know its exactly what I needed heading into this next month. 

 

Happy Wednesday my friends.  

 

 

20 Year High School Reunion

Sullivan East High School

Class of 1998

Last weekend, I celebrated my 20th High School Reunion.  It was fun seeing so many of my old friends, and it just reminded me how special each of them still are to me.  Our group was a lot smaller than it was for our 10 Year Reunion, but we had a great time.  Here are a few pictures of the dinner.

 Class of 1998

 Some of my closest friends in High School 

 One of my closest High School Friends - Josh 

This girl has been one of my best friends since Middle School. 

Looking forward to planning our 30th!! 

Fall Recap

This season has been amazing.  After a crazy summer and an insane September, I was ready to slow down and enjoy the fall season.  The last couple of months have been all about resting, restoration, and simply relaxing.  I have had very few plans on weekends, and honestly, I have LOVED it!! 

Here are a few recap pics of the past couple of months.

 Dustin and I headed to the ETSU Homecoming Game 

Neither of us attended ETSU; however, we had a great time.
Checked this off my bucket list. 

 Little Bit Davis had the cutest pumpkin photo shoot.

We headed to the corn maze with the Montgomery's. 

Also, checked this off my fall bucket list too. 

 Celebrated Halloween with the little mouse!! 

Headed to a fall festival in Rogersville!  

This event was amazing, and I will definitely go back next year. 

Checked this off my bucket list too. 

 Planned my 20th High School Reunion!!  

 Headed to Richmond for a fun tourism conference. 

This past weekend, we did a weekday getaway to the Smoky Mountains and stayed at the new Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg.  We had an incredible time, and I can't wait to go back soon! 

As for the other items on my bucket list:

I Baked A Pie

I Cooked Homemade Soup 

All and all it was an incredible fall.  Now I am ready for the holidays!  

Kim 

What a Summer

Somehow summer flew by faster than I ever expected.  The days were filled with lots of time spent with family, catching up with some of my favorite friends, lots of work projects, and so much more.  Below is a short photo recap of the past two months. 

 At the first of August we welcomed these two sweet kittens into our home. 

Meet Lili Cane and Isabel "Izzy" Cane Davis

Cane = Hurricane 

 We got to spend a lot of time with this cutie!!

I cannot believe she is almost 10 months old.   

In early September we headed to the United Kingdom for a work trip. 

Here is a pic of Kennington Palace I took from the gardens

 Couldn't resist taking a few fun pictures at Buckingham Palace 

And, this one with the Royal Family! 

 My travel partners!  We had a blast!

I had one day "off" and headed on a Downton Abbey Tour, which was amazing. 

 We spent a day doing media interviews in London before heading north. 

Next we headed to Lutterworth for a music festival called The Long Road. 

 Made it back to town a few days before Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunon. 

The crowds were AMAZING!!

Definitely my favorite festival since I've been home. 

Photo: Loch and Key

This pic was taken late Sunday night, after the event was over. 

 I love being back home with these two sweeties. 

And, of course, I love being home to spend time with this cutie too. 

Its been an awesome summer, and I am really looking forward to fall.  My calendar is not as full, and I just want to soak up lots of time at home with my family and closest friends. 

Kim

A little life update

Summer days are the best, aren't they?  Life moves a little slower, we find time to be outside and visit with close family and friends.  The hot sunshine brings lots of time in the pool, and cookouts bring on more food than we can eat.  

This summer is no exception.  These past few weeks have been so sweet. I've been spending a lot of extra time with friends and family, and life is just really good right now.  

Here are are few things that have been filling my days.

 We celebrated Matt's 40th and had many of our close friends and family join us for a fun
"Chesseburger and Paradise" Party!

 

A few days a week, I am listening to motivation/meditations 

and this one is by far one of my favorites.  

If you have a minute go listen:

I have gotten the opportunity to spend alots of time with this little bit.  

She brings so much joy, love, and energy to our family. 

Love her so much!! 

On Friday, several of my Leadership Kingsport friends got together to attend a fun event.  

 It was so great to see everyone!!

Love these two!  Some of the smartest and hard working people I know! 

Who knew that two years ago, when we sat down next to each other at a Leadership retreat we would become such close friends. 

I've also had the chance to spend some time with my close friends Tiffany and Ryana lately, but alas  I took no photos.  LOL!!!  

Hope your having a great summer.  Here's to the next six weeks!!