Life of a Happy Girl

I have been exceedingly blessed more and more by my God. 

I got married! 

Thats the best thing thats happened so far. Things have been tough the past 8 or so months, but its true that hard times bring good times. 

Matt shows me little ways every day how much he loves me. I recently told him about a dream I had where I saw him riding home from work on his bike, and he stopped in a field and picked me some flowers. When he got home, he woke me up and gave them to me. When I woke up from the dream, I felt all warm and fuzzy. 

Long after I had forgotten my dream, Matt came home from work and presented me with these. It made me all cheesy and I told him he always makes my dreams come true ^_^* 

God reveals to me that he has plans for everything. Two days before my wedding, my dad passed away. 

       This is the only picture I have of my Dad and I.

   I was 12; and I still wore tennis shoes with dresses! 

As if it wasn't bad enough that his heart was too weak to make it to my wedding, this had to happen. On my big day, I told God that I didn't want to be happy and have a day about me when my Dad was gone. I cried at my computer as I tried to take it all in. 

Then a gentle thought entered my mind... My Dad would have a front row seat to my wedding with Jesus Christ at his side. My heart was filled with joy and I couldn't stop smiling. What a cool thing! 

At my ceremony, my dear friend and bridesmaid, Christiana, gave me a beautiful candle for us to light in remembrance of my Dad. 

As I went to light this candle, my hands were shaking so bad I almost couldn't do it. Two close friends of mine, who don't know each other reported to me that once I did get the candle lit, the winds starting picking up in the gardens after it had been still the whole time. 

When I was 13, it was my biggest fear to lose my parents. I had asked my Mom and Dad that when they did die, would they please come show me that they were in Heaven and they were okay. My Dad's response was, "If Jesus will let me of course I will."  

I think with after the thought I had gotten that morning, of Jesus and Dad at my wedding; the winds were a sign or confirmation that he really was there, and he was perfectly fine. 

In recent weeks, massive tornado's hit Hanceville, Alabama where my Dad lived, along with my brother, Cody and his girlfriend, Candice. The power was out for about fourteen days. It just makes me think, what would my Dad have done, being as sick as he was? I heard that he was a lot more sensitive to cold during his last months, and he always had the heat blasting. I am guessing the only thing he did all day was watch tv, since he had a hard time walking because of his stroke. I am just thinking that God didn't want him to have to suffer through all of that. 

I don't know what God's plans or reasons are, but I have to believe this didn't happen to hurt any of us. 

"For I have plans to prosper you, and not to harm you." Jeremiah 29:11

My parents were two in a million. I am thrilled to have so many of their qualities. 

I think every girls wedding is the best day of her life, but mine was seriously the best day ever. I could not decide on one color for my girls to wear. So I picked a color for all three. Sage green, lavender, and pink. 

     Here we have, the celebrated couple of course! Matt and Ally Smith, Maid of Honor, Megan............ Best man, John Clark, and the rest of the party Lisa Santiago, Jedediah "Bubba" Smith, Christiana Clark (coordinator, the one who made everything perfect!) and Justin Smith.

Flower girl, Ava Clark :) 

I expressed the joy and love of my day with dances...and it was so much fun. 

Entrance dance

Ministry dance. 

It was definitely a beautiful day and the beginning of a beautiful life! 


Matt and I have been continuously blessed day by day. He was blessed with a new job at Halifax Hospital that includes a pay increase, bonus's for working nights and weekends and its only 5 minutes from our apartment. That is a definite step up from driving 45 minutes to Palm Coast every night.


As an added bonus, I have been job searching for about a month now with nothing to promising to show for it. I have a very strong recommendation now at Halifax Hospital as a unit clerk full-time, AND they will schedule Matt and I for the same hours. That is just a dream come true for me. We continue to pray and ask God for this wonderful blessing. 

This sweet hound dog will be the newest addition to our family here! His name is Booger, he was originally my dog when I was 14. However as a puppy, he was a baby demon. My Dad took over raising him and they were inseparable. As the years went by, Booger and I did end up getting along again. When I visited for Christmas in 2009, Booger greeted me in jumps, tackles and kisses for about ten minutes. I never saw my Dad laugh so hard.

My Dad did do a very good job of spoiling Booger over the years. He has his own couch, and my Dad's office was Booger's shared bedroom. Since Matt and I do have an extra room (Matt's man-cave/computer room), we decided to go to the thrift shop and check out some cheap couches. And we just so happened to find an old, dated, uglier-than-sin couch for only $30. Booger will be so happy :) 

My family. Me, Kahli, Sadie and Matt :) 

Those are all my recent blessings in a nutshell! I could keep going but this blog would be endless! 


Also, I am very excited about my two new Godly friends that have been such a light to me this past week, Angie Smith and Laura Ogrodnik! I'm so excited to share with you ladies and delve into all the great things of our Lord and His Word! It's gonna be awesome!! :) 

Love Songs From God

*Before I get started, I take no credit for any of these pictures. These were all found on google.*


Worshipping is one of my most favorite things to do. I always ask God to play songs I need or songs that speak what he needs to say to me. 

He doesn't do it very often. Actually, He barely does it at all. 


I guess thats for days like today, when I really really need it, he showers me with songs. Normally I put all my music on shuffle, but today I only put on Matthew West. It was random, I didn't even know why I did it. I guess God did though.

Not every song directly applies to me, but parts of every song does. I almost hear like a love letter in them. A love letter from my King to his princess. Or maybe more of a conversation. A singing conversation. Yeah, thats what it is! 

Me:


(Strong enough)

God, You must think I'm strong. 

To give me what I'm going through. 

Well forgive me if I'm wrong, 

but this looks like more than I can do, on my own. 

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be. 

I give up. I'm not strong enough. 

Hands of mercy, won't you cover me?

Lord, right now I'm asking you to be strong enough...

for both of us. 

God:

(To Me)

Princess, it breaks my heart

every time I see the world break yours in two.

You know those lies aren't true. 

But when you let em get to you,

being you is hard to be.

These days, sticks and stones

sound like paradise compared to 

those harsh words. 

They'd rather cut you down than hold you,

but they don't know you like I know you.

If they did, I know they'd see...

Yes they would see.

To me, you are Heaven's finest invention by far.

So much brighter than the brightest star. 

What I'd give to make you see who you are

to me. 

Me:

(Strong Enough) 

Lord, right now I'm asking you to be strong enough...

Cuz I'm broken. Down to nothing.

But I'm still holding on to the one thing...

You are God. 

And you are strong when I am weak. 

God:

(The Healing Has Begun)

Freedom can never be found behind those walls.

So just let them fall. Just let them fall.

The healing has begun.... 

How long has it been since you felt anything but shame?

Child, lift up your eyes because mercy remembers your name. 

And those tears you've been holding back,

let them fall like rain. Because todays the day...

The healing has begun. 

Me:

(Two Houses)

I heard of a love that never leaves. 

So I'm asking you to show me.

I'm talking to you down here on my knees.

Feels like you've always known me. 

God:

(Family Tree)

You didn't ask for this. No one ever would.

Caught in the middle of this dysfunction. 

Its your sad reality. Its your messed up family tree.

But this is not your legacy. This is not your destiny. 

Yesterday does not define you.

No, this is not your meant-to-be.

I can break the chains that bind you.

I have a dream for you. 

Its better than where you've been.

Its bigger than your imagination.

You're my child. You're my chosen.

You are loved. You are loved. 

And I will restore all that was broken.

You are loved. You are loved. 

Just like the seasons change, winter into spring.

You're bringing new life to your family tree.

Me:

(The Reason for the World)

There are no words in times like these.

Tears don't hide the tragedies. 

All I want is a reason for the world.

There's no comfort in a greeting card..

God you're good...but life's still hard. 

My heart just wants a reason for the world. 

God:

(Reason for the World)

The reason for the pain is that you would pray for strength.

And the reason for the strength is so you will not lose hope.

And the reason for the hope is so you could face the world.

And the reason for the world is to make you long for home.

Me:

(Reason for the World)

God, you so loved my broken heart...

that you sent your Son to where I am. 

And He died to give a reason for the world.

So I lift my sorrow to you,

whose plans for me have just begun 

and rest here in the hands that hold the world. 

God:

(Reason for the World)

I know your past the point of broken.

Surrounded by your fear.

I know your feet are tired and weary from the

road that you walk down here. 

But just keep your eyes on Heaven and 

know that you are not alone. 

Remember the reason for the world.

No ear has heard,

no eye has seen,

not even in your wildest dreams,

the beauty that awaits beyond this world.

When you look into the eyes of Grace and

hear the voice of mercy say,

Child welcome to the reason

for the world.

Me:

(Strong Enough)

I can do all things through Christ

who gives me strength.

I don't have to be strong enough.

(Only Grace)

What happened yesterday has disappeared,

the dirt has washed away. Now its clear.

There is only grace. There's only love.

There's only mercy and believe me...

its enough.

 There's nothing left now.

Only grace. 

:X

If you've known me for longer than 5 minutes, you'll know I do dumb stuff all the time. 

Oh yeah. 

Here I am, trying to avoid the word "lucky" at all costs, because I just don't believe in luck. I believe God blesses us immeasurably more. I always try NOT to say "I'm so lucky to be with Matt". Luck had nothing to do with it. I prayed for a man like Matt, and God answered my prayer... I am *blessed* to have Matt. 

I am not lucky to have two awesome camera's, photo-shop and video editing software. I am *blessed* to have it. 

I am not lucky to have found awesome apartments over in Ormond that I am going to be able to decorate all awesome with the help of wedding gifts and some good ideas...I am *blessed*.

You get the idea. 

So while I'm right in the middle of learning about abundant blessings and lack of luck, I open up my blog...and the title I gave it smacks me right in the face. What was I thinking?? 

I guess I wasn't. 

Haha. 

On another point, most people know that I am one of those people who don't particularly watch what they say. After becoming a Christian, I found this a very hard trait to overcome, and I don't like when people tell me what I can and can't say.

At all. 

I get it...don't cuss. Keep your words pure. Thats fine. Control your temper. Use your words wisely.

Watching everything I say was a hard lesson to learn. I don't think I'm alone when I say I hate walking on eggshells all the time. 

But God taught me, slowly but surely...all your words are a form of ministry. 

I'm just thinking, "Really God. Don't make me have to let go of my pride here. My pride and I are pretty tight you know." 

I wasn't happy. 

Not that I'm judging, cuz I have said some pretty, down-right terrible stuff when I'm mad. But even though I do it, when I see another Christian do it, it always takes me by surprise. I'm not sure why but it does.

So that got me thinking...how many people have I thrown off by the stuff I say? 

Ugh. Darnit....

Makes me wanna keep my mouth shut all the time. 

Matthew 12:36

But I tell you, that men will give account on the day of judgement to every careless word they have spoken.

Uh oh...  

How many people have YOU thrown off by what you say? Sometimes the words you speak are the only Scripture people will hear. Lets all keep that in mind :) 

In Need of a Make-Over

So, in June, Matt and I will be moving to some new apartments over in Ormond. And they are a lot nicer than Wedgewood apartments; in a much nicer area too. Though I have been sososososo blessed with the furniture I have gotten for cheap over the past two years, I would really like to decorate this new apartment with some new (cheap) stuff. 

I definitely take after my Mom when it comes to decorating. Growing up, my mom was always re-arranging, re-decorating, etc. Well, my mom couldn't afford to buy new sofa's all the time...and neither can I.

So I have this couch and chair.

They aren't too pretty. But, hey when you don't have a couch...life sucks. I was ecstatic to get these things. 

There are two things that bug me though. The pillows on the back of the couch...push you off when you are trying to lay down. I'm not kidding! It's like they grow hands and shove you off. 

The other thing I don't like is the color. Nice and boring :) 

So I was thinking. For summer time, vibrant red or orange is a good color. And for fall maybe a burgundy or brown...Winter time we could do white, and spring time; a sage green. 

No I am not buying four couches :) 

A great alternative to buying new couches are sofa covers. 

You can find discount sofa covers for about $40 each. And you basically have a new sofa for every season! How cool is that? I think its pretty stinkin awesome. And as far as my problem with the pillows on that back...I am thinking about buying a bunch of accent/throw pillows and lining the back of the couch with them. I saw a picture of this somewhere and it was perfect, but I can't find it now. I looked for twenty minutes. :( 

Now that I have found my alternative, I am even more excited to move into this new apartment. Now I just need to find something to with these coffee tables that are falling apart... Oh and did I mention Matt laid the iron flat down on the table with it on? Nice little accent I suppose :) 

 

Two Years Later

Just recently, Matt and I celebrated our two year anniversary. I can't believe all we have been through together. He is the man I thought didn't exist anymore! And I was lucky---well, I'm gonna go with blessed enough to have him all to myself!

Here we are when we first started out. 

And here are just *some* of the things I love about you. (This is also why I was taking random pictures of you baby. Haha!) 

You're a man of God. 

You're a family man.

You're a handy man :) 

(I made him pose for this one. I gave him a socket wrench and told him to look handy. Haha! He really is a handy man though. He can figure almost anything out.) 

You crack me up all the time. 

(For all the youngin's, he is imitating The Price is Right.)

I love how when you sleep, you turn into a giant snuggle ball. <3 

I love that you're not a pig, and you never look at me as anything else than the girl you love :) 

I love you cuz you're you. And cuz you're mine :) forever. <3