2008 Recap

2008 has to have been the most life changing year that I have experienced. Here is a quick recap which will not be a surprise for most of you; seeing as you have walked with me through most of it.

• On Jan. 1, 2008 I got a boyfriend. The first one since my senior year of college.


• March my stepfather passed away


• May I moved back to Glencoe and in with my mother. (at the age of 30)


• June I started a new job


• July 4th I got engaged


• October 18th I got married


• October 25th I moved in with a boy


• December 22 we found out that we are having a baby

I really can't believe all of this happened in a year! I was thinking about it while I was driving to work today and just couldn't believe it. The Lord truely is showering me with blessings. It seems like I don't realize just how good He is until I look back. Summer of 2007 was my breaking point with singleness. My heart longed even ached to have a family. I had watched others lives and been part of their family but that just didn't satisfy my ache. Then out of nowhere my world was changed He answered all of my prayers ,even the ones that my heart was secretly praying, all in a year. So many times during big moments in my life I feel like an outsider looking in. I pray that with my marriage and pregnancy that I will dive in to the deep and experience it fully.

The Best Christmas Present Ever!!!

Daniel and I received an early Christmas present this year. We found out on December 22nd that we are pregnant. We will be adding a little one to our family on August 21st. I couldn't think of a better gift. I know it's early on in the pregnancy and I should probably wait to tell but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I have been suspecting that I might be for a couple of weeks and when I was a couple of days late we headed out to Wal-Mart to get a pregnancy test. I took two of them and they were both positive. I still needed confirmation so I went to the doctor and she told me I was definitely pregnant. We already have names picked out. I'll run them by you and see what you think. Of course I will do what I want but I welcome any comments.

If it's a girl right now we are thinking Sophie Banks Smith.
If it's a boy Grady Whitfield Smith and we will call him Whit. Grady is Daniel's Grandfather's name.

10 things I like about Christmas

10. My mother's Christmas Sweater- It harkens back to the time of stirrup pants and long sweaters. Long, Red, Cowel Necked, and Bedazzled. Need I say more.

9. The fact that the Mistletoe Madness parties have continued on without me in two locations.

8. Dirty Santa...it is dirty indeed with my family.

7. Christmas Tree shopping. I love the whole experience bundling up, searching for the perfect tree and tying it to the top of the Rav4.

6. Christmas Tree Decorating. This year we decorated with a nostalgic theme complete with the big lights and old coca cola bottles underneath the tree.

5. Christmas Lights. However, I do not like the icicle lights. 1999 was the year of the cicle lights as like to call them. They were everywhere and they are still lingering. I really like it when people leave them hanging from their house year round. Nice.

4. Christmas Songs...Thank you 96.9 and 96.5 for keeping me in the spirit 24/7.

3. Christmas Carols. One thing I truly miss about Red Mountain Church is singing the Christmas Carols all during Advent.

2. Friendly gatherings full of merriment.

1. Emmanuel-God Came Near!

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel.

O come,
Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call

O come, Desire of nations,
bind In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.


May our Hope be in Him this Season!

Top Ten Photos

We gave all of the kids bubbles after church one Sunday this Summer. A big time was had by all.

My nephew Brendan, in his "Suterman" cape.

One of my favorite gifts from Daniel. He bought this patio furniture without any input from me. It's exactly what I would have picked.

Scenic Railroad shot. My attempt at being a good photographer.

Ok. so this isn't great, but it is our only picture together during the honyemoon.

Meighan and Monroe

I have a vision of this framed in the kitchen. I just like it. It was taken at an apple orchard that we went to in GA.

This is a view from the scenic train ride we took. I liked how the leaves showed up.

If you can't read that sign...look a little closer...it's the Cougar Den. I took this on the honeymoon because, after all, I am a Cougar. I married a man 4 years younger than me!

Naptime

Top Ten Statements made by Daniel

This will be my first installment in the top ten list category. I will do one Top Ten list a week. Or I will attempt to anyways.

Top Ten Statements made by Daniel (Some will need qualifiers and I am willing to give you those)

#10 On our first date, keep in mind only the second time I have even been around him, our converstion went as follows:
me: What do you want to do next?
Dan: I don't know, go to Trenton, GA and get married!

Something all you should know is that is where my parents got married. Very romantical, indeed.

#9 I speak Meighanese. (in reference to talking to the dog)

#8 Don't fraternize me...(meaning patronize)

#7 I'm in a fix 20 (meaning Catch 22)

#6 After we had a conversation about not kissing until marriage. It was a couple of weeks later that he did kiss me and then said "I don't feel bad about that"

#5 Round about the 3rd week into dating he says "if we were to get married i wouldn't want any woman but you" ....let's just say I swooned.

#4 You set me free from myself.

#3 Hey, Boo, I saw this dog today...

#2 Check it at the tree. (This just means there are somethings you've got to let go of when you come home)

and the number one statement made by dan is....

Don't study them fools.
(i think all of you can figure that one out but if not, don't worry about what everybody thinks)

I've lost you!

Haven't I? I am saddened by the lack of comments on the suggestion box. Maybe you could tell I was being lazy with that one. If so you are all very intuitive. The question about my career path was included because I was about ready to quit my job that day. I still don't know. I guess I will stick it out here at the good ole Museum of Art.

Sidenote. Daniel brought home,yet another, Dog. We now have Meighan which is a terrier of some sort. He looks like an inflated Yorkie and the newest addition is Monroe, a Jack Russell Terrier. Both are cute and like each other. I've been trying to capture some good pictures so you can see just how cute the brothers from different mothers are. Funny thing about Monroe, love that name by the way, Daniel found him on this farm an old redneck had him and didn't want him because he was bothering his mules. Can't you hear some old country guy yelling for MONROE. Such a distinguished name for a country dog.

E-harmony, Match, Sovereign Grace you better watch out!

I just read this article http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27596308/ and could not help but think that this will make the crimes of picture enhancement on edating even more prevalent. Ok I will admit to it, I was on E-harmony at one point in time in my life. And one thing that happened quite a bit was people putting their best foot forward in the picture area. Many times the pictures did not match the person. Don't get me wrong they were the person but maybe ten years earlier or many pounds lighter if you know what I mean. I always shied away from the profiles that only had a picture of a person that is like ten feet away. Something about that said I'm hiding something.

This article is about a software that makes people gorgeous in photos. It alters the photos so everyone automatically looks great. They are even saying that it will be in digital cameras so you are automatically made beautiful. Something about this scares me. Now, as much as I hate unattractive pictures of myself and like to delete all of them on my camera. I don't want to live in a fantasy world about my appearance either. This just seems like a cheap way to have plastic surgery and i can't help but think that it's all wrong. It says something about our society as a whole. We don't accept flaws; we can't see the beauty in them. To me that's a sad thing.

Suggestion Box

This is my blog's version of the good ole fashion suggestion box. I will give you three options for the suggestion box....

1) Things you, as my readers, would like to hear about.
2) Suggestions for my future...what do you think I should be when I grow up.
3) What do you think would make this blog more interesting.

Help me people. You can make a difference in making this blog more fun and exciting and you can be my career counselors as well.

Mrs. Smith Speaking!

This is my first post as a married woman. I first wanted to say thank you to all of you that came and shared our day with us. Daniel and I have talked about our wedding almost every day since. Our hearts were overjoyed with the outpouring of love from all of you. Daniel, who wanted to elope more than once, was the most encouraged. He has said on numerous occasions that he would do it all over again. My husband as Jessica Wright put it so beautifully is selfless, to a fault at times, most of the his time is spent giving and pouring out his time and resources into others. Rarely, if ever, has he had a day that was focused on him. But, thanks to you, my friends he felt loved and encouraged on that day. As you could tell by how much time we spent at the reception. We didn't want to leave! While I was walking down the aisle, which was a surreal moment, I noticed something, all of my dear friends and family that had been a part of my journey thus far and the ones that will be part mine and Daniel's story now. I saw friends from high school, college, and the years after all there to celebrate our stories being united. It's amazing how in that moment all of the details I had worked so hard on for three months faded away and the focus went to where it needed to go. I worshipped God that day in a way I had not ever before.

letter to Marching Bands

Dear Marching Bands,

Where have all the majorette's gone? Why do you think that flags and dance line are enough?

Sincerely,
Ginny Conner

The Sweetest Day

Well there is only nine days until the blessed event! What will i write about then? hmmm, maybe something interesting will happen. One can only hope. This week has been anxiety laden. I have had very vivid dreams all week. Monday I dreamed that Jessica, the photographer, didn't show up to the wedding, Tuesday I dreamed that Daniel broke up with me, probably some fear left from the past engagment, and last night I dreamed that I lost my job. Can someone say anxiety much. I am one of these people that doesn't know i'm worried or fearful until it's right up on me. I've been fairly calm until this week. I'm not worried about mine and Daniel's life together, although I'm sure it will have it's hard times along with it's happy ones. I have been more worried about all of the details before October 18.

We are getting married on an official holiday "The Sweetest Day" along with it being National "eat a cupcake day", which I think is a marvelous idea. I did some research on the sweetest day the story behind it is this. This is a holiday where you give a gift to someone in need. Daniel and I have decided instead of giving one another the usual wedding gifts that the thursday before we get married we would do something for a person less fortunate. Maybe some of you can think of ways to celebrate as well. Let me know if you come up with anything good!

Bountiful Harvest

I have heard that quote and said it many times in my life, but never has it been more true than it is now. I was out for a walk around the block to warm up today and thought about the change of the season that is coming upon us. Today, probably due to Ike, Alabama is having a preview of fall. It's nice and cool outside. I love fall and that is why I am getting married in October. Not only do I love the weather, the festivities and the colors (they are so autumnal) I love the symbolism of the harvest. That you work, toil and then reep. I like to think that on October 18th that will be a reeping for mine and Daniel's relationship. Maybe I'm making this up but I do believe that when the harvest came in there was a celebration/banquet for the bounty. That's what I see when I picture our wedding day a celebration for the time put in to one another and for the one's that have been along this journey with us.

Beacon...to guide thy path

I have enlisted the help from sweet fiance to recreate this sign. So, for all of you that are coming, be on the lookout for this to point you in the right direction. Only it will have our names on it....duh.

you decide...the cake

I'm having a little trouble deciding on the cake. I thought I would get some votes from you guys. Tell me which is your favorite....

#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6

the flowers

Charlene wanted a vote on the flowers and cake. The cake hasn't been decided on so I might give you a say, but the flowers have already been ordered. Here is a preview. The maids bouquets will have all of the color. Mine will look similar but will have the antique hydrangeas and the stephanotis. My bouquet will have more of the antique white and greens in it.

Orange Unique
Stephanotis
Antique Hydrangea
Hypercum Berry
Black Magic Rose
Jade Rose.

There is one missing and that is the Chocolate Rose. I think it has a different name, but it is beautiful. The girls bouquets will be tied with chocolate and taupe ribbon.

You decide...08

In honor of election season I thought I would let you cast your vote on my hair for the wedding. I have decided that I want an up do, but nothing too fussy. You know I still want to look like myself. So just cast your vote for #1, #2, or #3!

51 days....and counting

The wedding is only 51 days away! I started looking at the calendar yesterday, I mean really looking at it, and began to get overwhelmed. Most of you that know me well know that I am fairly laid back. I think I have shocked most people by how I have not been stressed throughout the process so far. I do believe the tempest may unfold in the month to come. There are so many things that aren't done or haven't even been started yet. Daniel was good for me yesterday he said "just look at it one day at a time and what you can get done that day". Very wise.

I started this post really because I was thinking on how lucky I am to have my extended "family" of friends. I am so happy to be sharing this day with all of you. That you, who have been there to listen and laugh with, will be there for one of the most important days of my life. It just reminds me that Daniel and I are not entering into this covenant alone. You all will be along in the journey with us (I hope). And for that I am grateful. That is why I have enlisted most of my talented friends to help with various needs in the wedding. I wanted that day and the days leading up to it to feel like a family working together; not a group of strangers trying to get more money out of me. To those who have helped and will help with that day I want to say "thank you". Amy McClure has designed my invitations and they are just what I would have picked out. Can I really send you a thank you note? Will it be strange to receive it after you designed it? Jessica Wright has taken the engagement photos (i think you really captured who we are as a couple) and will take the Wedding pictures as well. I'm so glad that you will be there behind the lens that day and not a stranger. Other friends are helping as well but I will thank them later.

Things I think I should like...

1. Hot Tea...it sounds appealing on a day like today. There is something cozy and comforting about the thought of a whistling tea kettle.

2. Artsy movies...like Donnie Darko, sorry Jason, but I've tried. I'm just shallow. I would prefer to watch a Gidget or Tammye movie. Now, don't get me wrong I do like movies that make me think but there are some that are just weird.

3. Mountain Bikes...I want to like them but as per my discovery this summer I prefer my wide seat cruiser. I have big plans for a basket to put on the back.

4. Six Flags(amusement parks in general)...many of you have heard my thoughts on this, but I will share one more time. Number one...they stink. Number two....teenage skank love. It never fails there will be some girl in her cut off jean shorts and her boyfriend who is wearing something equally as redneck will have his hand in her back pocket. Number three...the waiting oh how i hate the waiting in the lines for a ride that is 30 seconds long.

My Favorite Day

Besides getting engaged...My favorite day this summer was spent at Little River Canyon. After helping my stepbrother paint his house. We decided to take an adventure. (I love that Dan is spontaneous) We left Josh's house and I said "let's go to little river canyon" and off we went. No bathing suits and definitely not the right shoes (daniel had on boots) nonetheless we went. On our drive out we reminisced about growing up in that area and how pretty it really is. Daniel talked about how he and his family would go camping there and how his mother always made them wear their life jackets (she's a worrier). After our arrival we did wish we had thought it through just a bit more, but that did not deter us. Some of the things we saw were funny...for one thing our latin american friends do not mind swimming in their underwear. For that reason we opted out of swimming in the mouth of the canyon. We took off with fishing poles in hand to hopefully catch something (we have had absolutely no luck this summer). But gave up quickly and decided to brave the water. First we were a little apprehensive...it was ice cold...but we decided to go further up and further in as we made our way to the other side balancing on rocks trying to not fall Daniel finally succumbed and took me down with him. In we went. We didn't care, we climbed rocks and tried our best to swim against stream and thought for just a minute about riding the rapids back, but then thought better of it. The day was spent talking about family and laughing a lot. I didn't have my camera, but I wish I had.

Engaged!

On Saturday Daniel and I had engagment pictures taken. We had a great time and here are some of the pictures to prove it. My sweet friend Jessica Wright took them. I think they turned out great!

I know almost everyone that reads this, if anyone reads it anymore, knows that I got engaged. I thought that I would do a post anyway. Humor me, okay! Daniel asked me to marry him on July 4, the anniversary of the day we met. We went down to the beach with my mother for the weekend and had a blast. On the fourth he took me out on a date. We went to the Bayside Grill and had by far the best meal we had all weekend. It was perfect there was absolutely no wait and we were able to sit, relax and enjoy the view of the bay. Later that night Daniel, who cannot keep a secret, kept dropping hints about feeling poetic but wanted to wait until we were on the beach. After a customary trip to Wal-Mart Dan was ready to get to the beach. He could barely get all the way on the sand before he turned me around and pulled out a sheet of paper. He finished the poem I had started earlier and posted about us. And at the end he got down on one knee and said "will you be my love for life?" After I chased down the piece of paper with the poem written on it I said yes. He gave me a beautiful ring which I love.

The wedding is set for October 18, 2008! That day can't get hear soon enough either.