Forever Love

I know all four of you who read my blog have been very sad and depressed that you haven't heard from me in like three months. Have no fear, I'm back!! A lot has happened since the wonderful "snow day". Well, not really, but I like to think that a lot has happened. One thing that has happened and that is very different for me, is I like to shop. I have never really been a shopper and I have never really bought things for myself. However, that has changed. Now, I can't stop. I have a problem and my friend Lindsey is no help because she just encourages my crazy spending. (Love you Linds) Anyway, so tonight Lindsey an I went to see The Lucky One. It was so good. Our plan was to go to dinner at our staple, La Ca, and then see the movie at 8:00. However, the 8:00 movie was sold out so we had a little retail therapy. BAD IDEA!!!! I spent too much money on super cute dresses, bathing suits, and shoes. (Notice all plural) ooopppsss! Anyway, The Lucky One was so good. I read the book and it is by far my favorite Nicolas Sparks book. Like always, the book was better, but the movie was great also. The only bad part, it's a movie and its fantasy and guys like that do not exist. Therefore, girls like me have expectations that clearly will never be met and we feel like we have to settle. Well, I'm not settling! I will find a man who loves me and cherishes me and thinks I hung the moon (even though he clearly knows God did). I also just finished reading Karen Kingsburys, Bailey Flannigan series. It was great! I love her books but this series was my favorite because I closely related to the story. One quote that stood out to me was when the mom in the story was talking to her daughter, Bailey, about knowing when the right guy comes along. She said, "The next time a boy pursues you, he better do it like a dying man looking for water in a desert. When it's the right guy, you'll know, because he'll cherish you." That's what I want!!! I want a guy to pursue me and cherish me. While it may not seem like there are guys out there who will do this, I know there are and I will wait for my time. I spent 7 years waiting to be pursued and cherished. While my "ex" (weird) is a wonderful man and I truly did love him, he never pursued me and think we both took each other for granted. There are many things I would have changed in our relationship but one sticks out in my mind and that is, I want the man I am with to know I cherish and adore him and never take him for granted. Yes, there will be problems and hard times, but I never want those to overshadow our love for each other. Cherishing is something that every woman wants and desires, and is different for every woman. We want special attention and we want to be recognized. We want to know that we are special to you. The love between a man and a woman should be like that of Christ love for the church. Christ cherishes us and loves us with no ending. I want a man who loves me like that. Girls, we got this! God created us to want that and he created man to be that. We will find them! :)

This song is great! Listen and reflect on Christ's love for us and the love we one day will share with that special someone :)

SNOW DAY!

Today was a great day! I woke up to snow falling and I headed to church. After church I went to lunch with Lucas, Erin, the boys, and Lindsey. Us girls then went to the mall and did a little shopping! YAY! I spent the rest of the day watching the snow fall. It was beautiful!!!! We have about 9 inches and it's still falling and I'm still loving it! I was kind of stupid and went outside in a bathing suit in the snow. I was feeling adventurous. Lucas did it... so I did it :) SO FUN!!! This is a lame post but it was a fun relaxing day!

I also decided to buy two new bathing suits!!!!

My body does not look like these girls but I can rock the bathing suits!! I'm so excited to get them!
The snow is wonderful and I'm so excited to see it and play in it tomorrow but I"m ready for the beach and a tan!!!

The Small Things

There is no telling where this blog post will lead. I am literally just writing how I feel and what I am thinking at this moment in time. The last post I wrote about was Valentine's Day. While I made myself push through the day and while I promised myself I would not let the day bother me, the next day I was a complete wreck...go figure! My problem is simple...trust. I have lost a lot of hope and trust. The one person I shared the most intimate parts of my life with, hurt me and betrayed me. While he may not have meant to do those things and while he probably doesn't see the effect he has had on me, I have been devastated. Yes, I am getting better everyday, but I'm ready to be completely better everyday. I know that will not happen over night and I know that it will take time, but it's just hard. I understand ending something that you feel has died, but having no remorse or not checking on the person you said you were going to spend the rest of your life with, is difficult to process. I truly believed the Lord bought us together to learn from each other and grow together. We did that but we also took each other for granted and I refuse to ever do that again. I lost a piece of my heart and my life and it is the hardest thing to get back.

I was talking to my friend Lucas last night about this whole situation. He and Erin, and all my friends have been so great through this difficult time and they have supported me and loved me through the hardest of times. He said something to me last night that I really appreciated and that I want to start doing. If you knew Lucas, you would know that he is a very sarcastic and honest person. He is also one of the most genuine and loving guys I have ever met. I trust Lucas and I know he would do absolutely anything for me and anything to make me happy! Anyway, we were talking and he told me I need to start looking forward to the small events or things in my life. All too often we look forward to the big things in life and fail to get excited about the little things. For example, really looking forward to 8:00pm on Wednesdays, to watch One Tree Hill. While this is super small, it can help me get through my day with something to look forward too. Right now I am looking forward to spending next weekend in DC with Erin, Lucas, and the boys. While this may seem simple, I think we all can admit we look at the big picture and big future and not really the here and now. He said, "I look forward to the little things and I pray." That's exactly what I need to do more of. Look and pray. The Lord has a plan for me and I know it is more than I could ever hope for or dream! Until then, I look forward to the small things, in order to build up to the big things.

The Day of Love

Well, today is Valentine's Day. I refuse to be bitter! I have always been a fan of the day of love because I am the textbook romantic. I love the flowers, cards, sappy sayings, and all that lovey dovey stuff. While most single girls sulked around all day feeling sorry for themselves, I told myself I would NOT be like that and for the most part I did a good job if I do say so myself! I took the time to remember all the wonderful Valentine's Days I have had and I took the time to really be thankful that I have been in love. Love is a wonderful feeling. Having someone love you back is even better. For seven years I spent my life with someone who did love me and I know that love was real. I am so thankful for that time I spent with him. Yes, today was hard and I missed him more today, but I also refused to let it get the best of me.

My little man!

I had a great day and spent it with wonderful people! I nanny for a little boy named Fisher, who is 8 weeks old. He is precious and wanted to snuggle all day. There's just something about a child's love that makes me smile and so happy. They love you no matter what! Reminds me of Christ love for us. I also recieved phone calls today from friends I haven't talked to in a while, who just wanted to check on me. It meant the world that they would think of me and want to tell me they love me. I also got a Valentine from my daddy.... I'm going to see WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so incredibly excited and so surprised! I spent the evening with the Kelly family and Ryder was the PERFECT valentine!!! He puts grown men to shame. He ran up to me in his little suspenders and bow tie, with a hand full of balloons and a puppy dog, and said, "Happy Valentine's Day Danielle! I got you a whole whole big bunch of balloons!" I will admit, I teared up just a little. It was just so adorable. His daddy (Lucas) also got me a pack of cokes and oreos. :)

On another note, I went to see The Vow with Lindsey, Heather, and Erin on Sunday night and it was really good. I want a man to pursue me and fight for me no matter what. A man should love a woman with an undying love that beats all and never fails! This was from my devotion this morning: 

"I sense God wants you to know that He delights greatly in you. And with His love, He is there today to quiet your fears, insecurities and doubts. I have a feeling the joy-filled songs He sings over you are written just for you, describing the beautiful woman He’s created you to be, while gently leading your heart to know and rely on His love more and more each day." Such a great reminder! I do not need a guy to fulfill my need of being loved. Christ pursues me daily and loves me with a love that will never fail. That is amazing! It may sound cliche, but it's true and it's all I need. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I do know I deserve to be treated with a love that bears all things and will never fail. Happy Valentine's Day!!

Saturday!!

I am getting the hang of this blog thing I think. My posts are probably boring and I'm pretty sure Lindsey and my dad are the only ones who read it, so they already know half the stuff I say. Oh well, it's therapeutic. So, I had a great Saturday! I spent it with my mom and dad and we did a little shopping and I bought a bed set!! I am so excited about it! I bought a duvet cover and a down comforter and it's beautiful. I post a picture when I get it set up. My granny and popple also came to visit today!

 I just love my granny and popple. I mean, look at them... are they not the cutest two love birds in the world!? My popple is just an adorable bald headed man and my granny is the sweetest person alive. I am very blessed to be super close to both of them and I talk to them often. Many of my childhood memories involve them. They have been married 53 years and love each other more than you could ever imagine loving someone. They brought me some yummy Valentine treats and I was so excited! My granny makes the best rice krispy treats in the world!!!!!! Anyway, they came and stayed for a while and granny scratched my arm for a very long time! (Told you I love it). We talked and laughed and had a great time. 

Tonight I went bowling with my parents and Andrew and Jasmine and Greg and Angie. Today was Andrew's birthday (he is the children's pastor at my dad's church), so we celebrated with bowling and then went to the sellmans for desert. The Sellmans have two little girls who are ADORABLE and have the best playroom I have ever seen in my life! Mia's dad built her a princess castle into the wall of her play room. It is literally every little girls dream room. Shoot, I'd have it for my room now. It's beautiful!

 In other news, Whitney Houston died!!!! I think I was in disbelief for a good 30 minutes and I still am not sure if I really believe it. It makes me sad! She was such a talented woman and singer and had such an impact on the world of music. With that, I will leave with this goody! Happy Saturday!!

Out with the old...

Well, my day started off super early (5:00) with a very happy 2 year old jumping on my bed telling me to "wake up". It was cute, but too early. The morning continued with getting the munchkins dressed and ready for school. My friend Jacob texted me told me I should go to Chick-fil-a for breakfast. I quickly took his advice and made a trip before I drove home to visit with my mom and dad. Stopping at Chick-fil-a was a fantastic choice! I had my big fatty coke and rocked out to Adele all the way home....WONDERFUL! When I got home I received a magnificent 90 minute massage and it was a little piece of heaven. I always say this, but, when I grow up and become rich, I am going to pay someone to either play with my hair for an hour each day or just scratch my back. My massage was beyond amazing and so needed! I ended the evening by going to a birthday party. It was a fun Friday. When I got home I proceeded to pack up a bin of memories. I spent 7 wonderful years with someone I love deeply and tonight I put those memories in box and put them away. I cried... a lot, but it needed to happen. One step closer to "moving on" as people say. However, not sure moving on is an option any time soon, but we shall see! You never know what the Lord has planned. It was very sad to put away things that have meant everything to me, but it's also unfair for me to just keep them out, hurting myself even more. So I end by saying, "Out with the old... but not sure about the new yet." :) Looking forward to a great weekend at home! This song is off Mandisa's album "What if We Were Real". The song is called, "Just Cry". It is a great reminder that there is nothing wrong with our tears and the Lord sees our tears and knows our pain. My favorite line in the song says, "Life is hard, and days get long- you gotta know God can handle honesty, so feel the things you're feeling, name your fears and doubts. Don't stuff your shame and sadness, loneliness and anger. Let it out, let it out, let it out. It doesn't mean you don't trust him." All too often crying is a sign of weakness. From someone who cries... a lot... crying is a place where we are vulnerable and in need for healing. Sometimes you just have to cry!

My VIP List

In order to make this blog amazing you are going to have to meet some amazing, or should I say, Very Important People, in my life. I will talk about these people often and it's only fair that you know who they are.

My Amazing Family

First and foremost I would like you to meet my family! My momma and my "diddy" live in Cary, NC, where my dad is a pastor and my mom is a nurse. My bother is 23 years old and lives in Knoxville, TN. I am pretty sure I have the best parents ever. I know a lot of people say that about their own parents, but mine ROCK!

My BEST Friend and I sporting our Nathan Scott One Tree Hill shirts

 

 

Next, I would like to meet my best friend and roommate, Heather. Heather and I have known each other for six years and lived together for five. She is amazing and the best best friend anyone could ever ask for. We have been through a lot together and have stuck by each other through thick and thin. She is the most loving, compassionate, and honest person I know. I am blessed to have her in my life and to have her as my best friend! She would do absolutely anything for me and to make me happy. I just love her!!!! She knows everything there is to know about me!

Ryder and Max

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two cuties are Ryder and Maxwell. You will meet their mommy and daddy next. Ryder is two years old and is the cutest two year old in the world. He makes me heart happy and says the sweetest things! I just love him and he loves his Danielle! Max is five months old and is a ray of sunshine.His smile will melt your heart. They are such a blessing to me!

Lucas and Erin are two of my best friends. I don't take pictures with Lucas, so that's the best I have. We have known each other for almost eight years and we lived together for a year on a traveling team we were a part of. Lucas and Erin were married five years ago and they are Ryder and Max's parents. I spend a lot of my time with these two and they are wonderful. You will hear lots about them!

Me, Lindsey, and Christy at graduation

 

 

These two lovely ladies are two of my good friends and they make me so happy! We met each other my sophomore year at Liberty and have been close ever since! Lindsey lives here in Lynchburg with me and we spend a lot of our time together. She's the one who got me to start my blog. She's amazing and she has been such a wonderful friend through the past few months. Christy lives in RI with her husband, Chris. We miss her so much, but we are still super close!

Tanya, Candace, and I 

 

These ladies are very special to me. I worked with them for a year at a group home and we became very close. They are know just what to say to make me laugh and we have the best time together!! 

Me, Addyson, and Rebecca at Rebecca's brother's wedding.

Finally, I would like you to meet my best friend from Knoxville, Rebecca. I met Rebecca 12 years ago when my family moved to Knoxville and we have been best friends ever since. I do not get to see her nearly as much as I would like but we talk often and she knows everything going on in my life. We have been through the best of times and the worst of times and have supported and loved each other through it all. She is an amazing woman and friend and I am so thankful for her. The beautiful little girl in the picture is Rebecca's 5 year old daughter, Addyson and she is the spitting image of her momma. Rebecca also has a 3 year old named Corbin and she is married to an amazing man named. Matt. Her family is adorable and I miss them every day!

I think that's about it. Clearly I can't put every person that is important in my life, but these are the ones I will probably talk about most. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and amazing friends!!!