Joy comes from the Lord!

Daniel and I are at new places in life! I am winding down my internship and soon to be graduating after a 5 year stint in college! Wow! That was long enough for me! Looking for a job and even deciding what I want to do has been...well...challenging! I have never been the one to want a persay "career". I have always wanted to be married...check...have kids...one day and stay home! So 1st things 1st we crossed getting married off that list! However, for the sake of my dear husband working is a must for me for now! So I have been praying about what to do and how to go about it and just where in the world God wants me to be! I have tried many avenues of searching and nothing seems to bring peace to my stirring thoughts! So most recently I have decided to finally become certified as a personal trainer and do this part time! I have always said if I must work then I want to start my own business and this is going to be my newest avenue of attempts! I want to train but not in a gym. I want to work with women of all ages and help them acheive a happier, healthier lifestyle! I also decided to look for a part-time job at a private school teaching health, physical education or something like that. Of course, what really happens is all up to the Lord!

Upon my pending graduation I decided it was time to get my creative juices flowing again! While I was taking 1 too many classes I was always eager to decorate, be artistic, scrapbook or try anything that would allow me to be creative! Daniel thought of the genious idea to by me canvas' and make me try to paint! Canvas painting is not really something I am good at but his sake I tried it and miserably failed but that isn't stopping me! So the next idea came! I never know what to buy people for gifts...especially graduation! So I decided for my dear friend Kimmie who was starting her new teaching job to make her a sign that said Miss Tinney's Classroom! Well that was fun! I can paint that! Then it began...I looked for any and every reason...painting all my teacher friends a classroom sign which led to painting bow hanger's for my sister in law who sells custom made hair bows! I love making and designing things and while I may not always be the best at it my husband gently reminded me that God has given me a creative spirit and He takes Joy in the fact that I take Joy in my projects! I have to remember that often because it is so easy to let Satan creep his way in and try to steal that Joy! He finds any and every avenue he can use to do this but I have decided not this time! When you love something and you have fun doing it then it doesn't matter whether you are the best or the worst, or what anyone else says! Your Joy doesn't rest in mere men but it comes from the Lord and whatever avenue He gives you to express this Joy you should take hold of and use it for His Glory!

Year One

Daniel and I just celebrated our 1st year of marriage on August 29! We decided to take a little weekend getaway to Charleston! It was the best trip. We had so much fun spending quality time just the two of us and reflecting over a year of marrige! We went to dinner the first night to a yummy seafood place called AW Shucks and the next night we went to a nicer place for our Anniversary called Carolinas. It was seafood as well...nothing like getting fresh seafood on the coast! We spent all day Saturday walking around and exploring the city! It is such a beautiful city and we loved every moment we were there. We had an incredible 1st year together and we couldn't imagine anything better but know that the years to come are only going to be more rewarding for us! We can't wait to see where God is taking us in our lives and we are excited to watch His vision for us unfold before our eyes!

At dinner for our anniversary - Carolinas

Waiting to go eat at AW Shucks

How did that happen?!

So Daniel is gone for 2 weeks to camps. He will be home one day in between. It is only the 1st day he has been gone and I am already missing his adorable face. However, I actually want to completely brag on my incredible husband! Since I have been in school and taking way too many classes in my attempts to get done and get out, Daniel has taken over many of the household tasks! We made a deal when we got married that I would cook if he did the dishes! Which we still do! What I didn't expect was him taking over the laundry, de cluttering, doggy care, yard work and just about anything you can imagine! I am amazed by him! He completely takes care of me and tries to make my last semesters of school as easy as possible! What I didn't realize is just how much it makes a difference! Before he left he reminded me of all the things that need to be done: put the trash out Monday, give PJ her eye drops, pick the veggies from the garden, etc! Woah...wait a minute! What was all that? How am I suppose to remember to do this plus my daily task! Oh no! How am I going to survive two weeks without him! I have an even greater appreciation for my dear sweet man and everything he does for me! He works harder than any person I know and does it all with a loving and tender heart! I am completely amazed by him and in love with him even more than I have ever been! I know this love will continue to grow the longer we are together! I don't know why God gave me the privilege of being his wife but I am grateful for to take on the role! I feel that God is evident in every aspect of Daniel's life and I am blessed to have such a wonderful man to call my husband! I am so proud of him! God is so good!

Lakes, a Canoe and Fish

Daniel and I went to the REI Scratch and Dent sale this past Saturday morning! We woke up at 5:50 am (DP turned the alarm off at 5:15) and started getting ready! Coffee - check, food - check, something to read - check, chairs - check...Heather doesn't feel well - check! Uh oh! I started to head back to bed and decided to tough it out and go because Daniel was so excited! We sit in line...about 50 people back and wait until 10:00am when the store opens! It finally opens and we part ways looking for a few little treasures at rock bottom prices! Once we find each other and sort through our goodies we make one last stop to the "big ticket item" section...and low and behold before us...the perfect canoe! Daniel's eyes light up like stars in the desert! I could just tell...so what happens next?? Yep, we leave with a new canoe! Daniel was so excited he could hardly stand himself! So last night we went out on the lake with our beloved buddies from across the tracks (Lisa and Alex) and went canoeing and kayaking! We had a blast! We went from the dock to the beach to another beach and back!! Phew...what a workout though! So needless to say after that little adventure we will be experiencing many more summer nights on the lake and river!

Daniel and I leaving REI with our new found treasures! My new hiking pack was full with things!

Our Life

Well, I started my last 4 college classes this week! I have mixed emotions becuase they are 4 really tough classes!! While I am pumped it is only 8 weeks I am nervous for that same reason! Tons of studying with not much spare time for anything else! After I finish these grueling 8 weeks I start my internship and then tada...Graduation!! Whoop Whoop! It's about time...

Daniel and very much enjoyed my three week break from school! We spent some much needed time together! We went hiking on Memorial Day and enjoyed the lovely weather and took the dogs to the lake!! They both went swimming but Paisley isn't a big fan! On our little adventure the camera also slipped through the unknown hole in Daniel's shorts and into the lake! But hip hip hooray...a week later it dried out and is completely cured!! Works like new! Thanks to my genius hubs who knew not to turn it on for a while! I would have tried to turn it on immediately and apparently that's no good!! We also had a cookout at the house 2 days in a row! Cookout #1 we had over his North Cobb Bible Study boys...about 15 of them!! Man boys can eat! They played ball for ever and Daniel had an awesome time with them! Cookout #2 we had our friends over!! We love being surrounded by great friends and good food! Then our last big event was planning the trip of a lifetime for my mom and dad!! They are spending their 25th Anniversary in NYC!! Neither of them have ever been and it has always been a dream for my mom!! So we helped good ole' dad out and planned their big trip! The night before they left I had also planned a surprise party...in which my dad was in on!! I never thought I could actually pull one over on my mom but we totally did and it was wonderful! She was completely surprised to see all her friends and family in one place to celebrate with her! It was so much fun to plan and I think I want to do some type of event planning one day!!

So that's about all for now...

Home Renovations

Daniel and I completed (well almost and mainly DP) our first side job!! We installed hardwoods in the downstairs portion of a house! Daniel did most of the work and he did an awesome job! I am so proud of him!
We have also been working away with every spare moment we get on our little Home Makeover! Last weekend we planted our flower bed! Daniel and Alex fixed the front trim of the house and it is now ready to be painted!! Well first scraped and then painted! I can't wait for that to be done! I also built my bookcase the other day...now I just have to paint it! We re-painted the bathroom and love it!! It brightens up that little room!! All that to say slowly but surely our house is becoming our home!! We love putting our own little trademarks on it!!

I have one last final exam tomorrow and then a short 3 week break before beginning my grueling long summer classes!! But after those are over...NO more college classes!! Woo!! This has been one of my best semesters ever!! I attribute that to being married!! I think it just works for me!! Daniel and I have been married 8 months now and it seems like time is flying!! We can't believe it has been that long but I would start all over and do it all again just to marry him! He is the best husband a girl could have!

Time well spent...

Daniel and I went camping together for the 1st time this past weekend!! It was a very interesting trip! We sat in traffic for hours because of all the Spring Breakers leaving town! Once we finally got to Pine Mountain, GA we tried to find a spot to eat! We found the camp site and got our little number and spot to set up camp! We pitched our tent at 9:00 that night!! So needless to say we didn't get to spend much time exploring the area! Which was too bad since there was a beautiful lake right there! It also got pretty cold so about 10:00 we crawled into our tents and into our sleeping bags! I was very excited to use my new bag! Paisley Jane and Tarzan were also with us! So we stuffed 2 people and 2 dogs into a 2 person tent! Tarzan loved sleeping inside my sleeping bag at my feet and PJ made her way right between us to stay warm!!The next day we made our way to Callaway Gardens! We spent the day there looking at all the beautiful flowers blooming!! We walked for miles to all the sites and the dogs loved spending the day in the wonderful weather!! We came back that night and of course...walking all day wasn't enough for my hubby! So we spent the rest of the evening outside working on Paisley's dog house! We build things around here! Daniel won't buy anything he thinks he can build! We are almost done with her dog house and now we just need to put the siding and roofing on it!! The best part is we haven't had to buy anything for it yet!! The only thing we have to buy is the siding! This will be her home away from home this summer!! I will post some pictures once we finish!

Learning about Love

Daniel and I have now been married for 7 months!! It is hard for us to beleive it! It feels like just yesterday we were getting married! Man, I wish I could do it all over again!! We had the most perfect wedding and it was so much fun! It is hard to fathom that in years to come we will be in love even more than the day we met but it has already began! We wonder sometimes how we could love each other more and without realizing it our love has grown deeper! God could not have given me and better man to call my husband! I am very blessed! He is the most patient person I have ever met!! A perfect balance to be married to the most impatient person!

We are still slowly working on the house and making our perfect little nest! Daniel has been tending so lovingly to our yards to make them just as wonderful as the he did the interior! We begin working on the exterior when this crazy weather decides to become stable and warm!! He has done such an awesome job so far and it only continues to get better! He has already started growing our vegetables and will soon transport them into the garden! I love that he knows how to do this!! Since veggies are his favorite food...it saves lots of money to just pick them out of our backyard! Fresh is even better! My flowers are all slowly peeking their way out of the ground and bringing those beautiful colors of Spring to the front of the house! What better way to admire the beauty of God's creations!

This past weekend was DNOW at church and Daniel was in charge of recreation and did a great job! The students always seem to have a great time! We finished off the weekend with some of the students and college people coming over to the house! We grilled out and attempted to make a bonfire on hopefully the last frigid night of the season! It presented to be a challenge with wet wood but we had fun trying! We love having the students over to hang out and have fun! They are such a great group and always make life interesting!

That's it for now!

Living, Laughing and Loving

Daniel and I took probably the only vacation we will get this year to Florida! It was wonderful! We started our trip driving to Northwest Alabama to visit his grandparents and then drove from there to Florida! We managed to cross 3 state borders in one day! Alabama, Georgia and Florida! We spent a week visiting my memaw and pawpaw in sunny Port Charlotte, Florida! It is so beautiful down there! They have their winter house right on the waterway coming off the harbor! We had an awesome time visiting beaches, watching the sunset, fishing, reading and picking fresh fruits from the trees in the yard! I wish I could live there!

My favorite place to go while we are there is Gasparilla Island. It is like a little paradise! That is my dream place to live! The beaches are beautiful and the water is crystal clear! I never want to leave...but life calls!

We came back home for my sisters junior prom on Saturday! She looked so beautiful!! I can't believe how old she is getting! Soon to be a senior! She is doing awesome in school! She is playing Lacrosse and hopefully cheering her last year of high school! We will see after try-outs! She surpassed her big sister with her skills and is an incredible cheerleader!

Kristi and our cousin Lee

Kristi and Mike! Her date!

Kristi before leaving from prom! She is so beautiful!

Life as we know it...

Us at The Burfitt's Wedding!
Our little man Tarzan
Princess Paisley taking her beauty nap
Hiking for Daniel's 25th birthday
At Tullulah Gorge for Daniels' 25th birthday

August 29, 2008

Leaving for the Honeymoon!
Our 1st Dance

Daniel and his buds!

Me with my beautiful best friends!

Officially, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Poe!!

My husband!

Let's do this!

Married Life...

What can I say! Life is wonderful being married!! I have the most incredible husband and God really did give me the perfect man for me!! Daniel and I have almost been married now for 7 months! It is hard to believe it has been that long! The time has passed by really fast! Two weeks after we got married we decided we wanted another puppy! Because one just wasn't enough! So we found a breeder with one last boxer puppy on a Sunday! I didn't want that little puppy to get away so we left about 5:00pm and drove to Alabama to get our new puppy who is now our Paisley Jane! Tarzan our poodle wasn't to fond of her at first but now they are the best of buddies! They eat together, sleep together and play together! We spent our third Christmas together but first being married!! It was so much fun and we really loved getting each other fun little cray gifts! New Years we went to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl game with my family and then down to Atlanta to see the Peach! Once you have done...that's all you need!

Daniel started a new job not too long after we married with FCA! He is a Campus Director for West Cobb and works with male athletes and coaches! I am still trucking right through college and praying to be done soon!! School is not my friend! We have been keeping busy taking weekend trips to Alabama to visit his family, going to Florida to see my grandparents and whatever other adventures we decide to find! Our next trip to take is camping since Daniel just bought me new sleeping bag! At the REI scratch and dent sale of course!

We recently started picking up on our running! We decided or more so I decided to have a goal of a half marathon next year in Disney! We shall see! We are starting small with short races and then going big!

We are still working on the renovations in our house and have so little left to do! However, we are now looking into a new project of redoing our kitchen floors and tiling my moms bathroom! We are getting pretty good at handy task and have thought about doing it on the side for friends!

France is still a possibility in the future for us! We love the idea of moving across the world and experiencing a new culture and a new way of life!!

So I am done for now!