My Dearest Gary Britt,
So we've been married for 2 years now, and I can't say that I've passed the point of saying to myself "Oh my goodness, I am really married to this man!" I still can't imagine living life without you, and though I'm fond of reminding you that if anything happens I am high tailing it off to Alabama I don't want to be anywhere but by your side.
I thought last year was something - going from single to married and pregnant, but this year has been even more changing. Just when I thought I couldn't love you more, we became parents. I have to say watching you with Britt the way you babble to him and make up ridiculous stories about how mean Momma is, the way you make silly faces to make him laugh, and bend over backwards to keep him from crying; all of these things make me love you even more. It's like that song that's just come out on the radio "And I Thought I Loved You Then."
Even when so many things have changed, I hope some things never change. There are the every day things. You always want a kiss before you leave for work, and as soon as you come in the door at night. You still want to come home for lunch. There are the big things. You try to send me home to see my family as much as possible. You take time to take me out once a week. There are the little surprises. Like when you bring home Reese's Cups and a Dr. Pepper after a rotten day. The way you help by washing dishes when they start piling up.
I really appreciate how even when life is going crazy and with the new challenge of a little one, that you still make going to Church meetings a priority. We don't go to as many or stay all weekend often times now, but even though it's hard to all get ready on time, and when we get there we may miss half the sermon - despite all of this, you make the effort, and I am so appreciative that even when it would be easier to just not go, that you put the Lord first.
There is so much about you that I love and respect, and even though we tease one another and for the most part don't act mushy in front of people I know that you love me too. And I would be perfectly happy to spend another 73 years with you, even though you think living to be 103 is way too long to be on this earth. I love you!
~Your dani~
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Happy 2nd Anniversary
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Thankful Heart on this Independence Day
Today the 4th of July is the day in which we celebrate our Independence from Britain. We thank God for the blessings of a free country where each person is free to lead their own life. There are many things that I am thankful for, but top of my list today is a thankful heart for the Amazing Grace of our Heavenly Father and the freedom that we have here in this country to worship Him for that Amazing Grace that He has shown us.
At singing school this year we had 252 in attendance and to close out services together we all sang Amazing Grace. The preschool class sang the first verse soprano only, the second verse the middle schoolers came in and sang alto also, the third verse the high school students came in and added the tenor, then the adult class came in singing all four parts on the 6th verse, and finally the entire congregation sung the unwritten verse. The final song is Mungo Ni Pendo, a Swahili song that Bro. Obey first taught some of the brethren. This song remind me that there are other Primitive Baptist just like us in Tanzania who have not been blessed materially like we have and we should be more grateful. There are three verses: 1) God is love, He loves His people, and He loves me too! 2) Jesus came to set me free that's why I serve Him! 3) I will serve Him for all my life because He set me free! Chorus) Now listen carefully to me, God is love, He loves His people.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The smallest ones among us...
One of the things that amazes me each year at singing school, is how much the preschool class is able to learn. This year there was the preschool class of 1 to 4 year olds, and there was a second class with the 5 to 7 year olds. Most of these kids can't read, but they have learned in the course of a week how to read the shape notes. They also learn several simple songs some from our hymn books and some relating Bible stories. Some learn these songs very young and they stay with them for years. Even us "big kids" enjoy singing them.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Britt and Grits
We stopped at Cracker Barrell on our way up to Alabama to have lunch with the Abernathys and Taylors. While we were there Britt kept grabbing at and putting his hands in my grits. So we decided to let him have a taste. Needless to say he's not tried going for my grits since.
Just a Glimpse of the Fun We've Had...
This past week was the Harmony Highlands Singing School. We learn alot about how to better lead and follow, and how to better use the gift that God gave us (our voice) to sing His praises. We learn alot about pitching songs, and picking apropriate songs for the situation and place. We learn about service to our God and one another. We work and play together, and swap stories. We often sit around and listen to older members tell us about their times in the Church and how God has blessed them.
But in the middle of all that we learn we also have a whole lot of good fun. The above is some singing the combined adult and highschool class did before lunch on Friday, just for fun. (Included is How Happy's Every Child of Grace, How Strange is the Course, and Blow Ye the Trumpet Blow.) Below is a song that we sung a year or two back, that we are working. It should give you a little idea of how we try to learn something that we are unfamiliar with. (The Countless Multitude on High.)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Britt's New Toy...
So Britt has a new toy, or rather Daddy has a new toy. We got a new car 2 weeks ago, but I have waited about posting this, because I wanted to surprise my parents today, when I arrived with Britt. Needless to say they were surprised.
We really needed a bigger car. In my old 2 door Sunfire it was incredibly difficult to get the car seat in and out, and almost impossible for me to squeeze back there with him when we needed. However, we really thought it was completely out of our reach right now. However, we kept hearing about people getting really good deals not only on new cars from bail-out companies, but used cars too. We decided we would go looking for newer used car, we decided what our maximum price was, and what we wanted. Ok, more like what I wanted because I said no more low to the ground cars, and definitely NO mini-vans.
To our surprise we found the for very little more we could get a brand new Kia Sportage and have a great warranty so Gary started bargaining. Several VERY long days later he had them talked down to our price range, and so I said good bye to my little car. We now have a car payment that we didn't have, but at least our insurance is going to be significantly less. 
I hated to say good-bye to Beatrice as she has been a great little car, but as I told her the night we parted, she was just too little. This was the car that got me through college and on several road trips to varies Church meetings, seeing Gary, and always carried me back home. She was a gift from my grandparents so that I would have reliable transportation. Just a week later, I found out that she had been sold to a single 19 year old gal (for almost twice what we got for trade in I might add). I hated to see her go, but oh my goodness how much stuff we were able to pack and how much room we had coming up here to Alabama this time!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Growing like a weed...
Britt is getting stronger by the day. He spends more and more time on his belly each day. He is able to lift almost his whole belly up off the floor when he really tries. He can also see his dog on the floor and scoot backwards till he gets to it. He is officially 5 months today and I can't believe it. Last week we started letting him sit in the highchair while we eat supper, he watched Gary's fork so intently going from his plate to his mouth and back again. So, we gave him a spoon on Friday. He picked it up, played with it, and chewed on it. We plan to try him on solids when we get home. He also squealing now when he gets excited. I love it, but Gary not so much. Enjoy...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
My First Father's Day
Hey Britt,
This Sunday you will be 5 months old, and alot of things have changed since we found out that your mother was pregnant last year. We put alot into planning for you before you ever got here: the bedroom set up, clothes for you to wear, toys for you to play with as you got older, not to mention all the Bradley classes and health stuff so that you would be as healthy as possible.
It has definitely been different for me to hold someone so fragile who only weighed 7 lb. 12 oz, but who now weighs over 14 lbs, and to watch you grow not only physically but to see your expressions and personality develop. Actually I'm very thankful that so far, we have been blessed with a strong and healthy baby boy. Though at times you have been difficult, you have (for the most part) been an easy going baby. You have a good routine for us in the morning, you wake up in the morning and I change you before I carry you to Momma for breakfast. You seem to have a very calm and happy demeanor. I enjoy it so very much when you stand up in my lap. You have grown so strong that you stand for long periods of time and only need my hands for balance. 
One thing that I hope I am able to teach you is honesty, because honesty is more than just doing the right thing, than being responsible. It's an action yes, but it's also a way of thinking. Also, being an honest man means that when you say something you mean it and if you don't mean it you don't say it. There are things in the world that you can't change, but the way that you act and think, and to treat other people with respect is your responsibility, what you do is no ones fault but your own. Your word should mean something; you can have a positive, if not a constructive example for others. I hope and pray that I can be a strong example of an honest man for you.
I am thankful for the Lord's blessing - a loving wife and a healthy boy. Sometimes I can't even begin to comprehend or explain how the Lord has blessed me, and not just the big things but the little things. The time we spend together each night and early in the morning. Singing you to sleep with "Amazing Grace." I just want you to know that I love you very much.
Daddy
