The One with the View from here

The One with Dreams to Reality

The one with where I stop worrying

The One with Autumn Lovin

So no, I'm still here, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth lol. Summer is always such a busy time, it seemed like I blinked and it was gone. But Autumn is here. It is my absolute favorite season. I love the leaves changing and the trees looking like they are on fire. I love all the colors, and the cool crisp fall air. I love apple picking, cider, doughnuts, and the smell of apple pie baking in the oven. I love a cup of hot tea next to the fireplace. I love raking the leaves and jumping in them  the little ones jumping in them. (okay so maybe I jump in them too ). I love the time with family. Autumn reminds me that change comes whether you want it to or not. The times will change, people change, situations change, it happens, its life. But Autumn helps me remember to stop and see the beauty in the change. That before you know it the next season will be here so enjoy every moment. Enjoy your life, no everything isn't perfect, it probably won't ever be perfect so enjoy all that you have to be thankful for today. There is so very much. So I'm going to go enjoy it.

~Danni

The One with Our Wedding

So 3 years ago today, I got married to my best friend. It feels like yesterday, time sure does fly. Well I thought I would take this time to tell you about our wedding. My parents threw us an amazing wedding. I'm so thankful to all our family and friends who made the day as amazing as it was. It truly was a fairytale, sometimes I still can't believe how wonderful it was.
 The night before our wedding, we had the rehearsal in my parents backyard on their pond. It was a great time because we had so many family and friends around that we hadn't seen in a very long time. We then went to a local restaurant and had dinner. It was surreal, and I remember thinking that I couldnt' believe the day had finally come.
I got ready that morning at my parents house with the girls. I remember getting into my dress and I suddenly felt so excited to be getting married. I couldn't wait to get there.

We had our wedding on the beautiful beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. I remember driving up in our limo and seeing the beach, the arch, the flowers, and people and it was breathtaking.

As we got ready to make our way down the aisle I couldn't contain my excitement.

 As I took those steps with my dad, barefoot in the sand, toward my groom, I saw his eyes well up and a tear go down his cheek. I will never forget that moment.

Looking into my grooms eyes we said our vows, I meant them with every fiber of my being, and I still do. There is something powerful about saying those vows in front of your family and friends.

 When Pastor John asked for the rings, We turned to the best man who dropped the ring box in the sand, they all pulled out colorful shovels and started digging in the sand for it.

 I started laughing hysterically, it was quite a site.

Well when we finally got the rings, and said the vows we were husband and wife. You know its funny I knew he was the one, before we even started dating, and finally it had become official.

We then took tons of pictures which was actually so much fun! That whole day was a party with our best friends, it was so fun.

Then we headed to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. If you have never been there, it is absolutely stunning 5 star hotel. I absolutely felt like a princess in every way. The food was outstanding, and we got to visit with our closets friends and family. We spent the night dancing away and it was wonderful.

That day truly was the happiest day of my life.

We have spent 3 wonderful years together, and I couldn't be happier. Its amazing how God can put two people together, and they can become one. Families merge, and somehow you can't imagine it any other way. I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband. We had a fairytale wedding and I felt like a princess. He has treated me like a princess every day for 3 years and counting =)
Happy Anniversary my Music Mann!


~Danni

                                                                                       ( photos by Modern Photographics)

The One With Niagara Falls

So I haven't written in waaaayyyy to long. I have been crazy busy lately. I have been working a ton  and exhausted becuase of it. I completely slept through a tornado the other night literally. So that may be an indication of how crazy its been. But anyways, we also got back from vacation over a week ago already. So I thought I would post some pictures of our trip.
We went to Niagara Falls with some friends camping. It was so much fun and I got to catch up with some of my best friends that I haven't seen in way to long. It was absolutley wonderful, and exactly what I needed.

We went to the falls which is absolutely beautiful

We also stopped by a town called Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is this little town that is like traveling back in time, all nestled against the beautiful lake

So we headed back to our campsite, and startled a raccoon. Well the raccoon also startled us. and yes I know thats silly, but we were tired, and it was dark. Here he is, vicious I know lol. We may have tried to scare it off with a flashlight, barking, hatchet and water bottle lol. But at last he was to remain our vistor just staring at us

We also went to the Hard Rock Cafe while we were there, the food was good, the atmosphere was great and the music was awesome =)

And we accidentally got  to watch fireworks over the falls which was amazing

It was relaxing, fun, and rejuvenating trip. All in all it was a great time

~Danni

The One with God's Victory

Have you ever noticed how God's ways don't always look like the smart way. Sometimes they look crazy, weird, or even down right stupid, but somehow they always turn out more wonderful than anything we could think up. Remember Moses when he had the entire nation of Israel behind him, and the Egyptian army was closing in on them, and God simply asked him to stick his staff over the waters. Now, you can imagine what was going on in Moses head, "why on earth would I do that, I'm going to look stupid, and we are all about to die". Then Moses sucked up his pride and just obeyed, and the seas parted and God showed his wonder through Moses and his faith. Or even when David went up against the giant Goliath with nothing but a sling and some stones. He could have died, but instead God was glorified. I want my life to be an example of how great my God is, and his splendor and might. If that means that sometimes I have to stick my neck out and look kind of stupid, I'm ok with that. In fact its exciting, because I know I'm about to see God's victory.

~Danni

The One with the Talented People

So I have come to realize that there are many people in this world, who do not like people who are extremely talented. I never really noticed this until after I got married. You see my husband is an extremely talented musician. You might think I'm bias, but I'm not. Way back when I first met him, he was trying very hard to impress me, and I in turn was trying very hard to not be impressed lol. But anyways, I still remember sitting there and him telling me he can sing. Now I was thinking, sure yeah you can sing, whatever. Well then he started to sing, and I think that my jaw hit the floor, he really could sing. Then as I got to know him, I also found out he can play just about any instrument, and he can do it very well, and write beautiful music. The type of music, where everyone falls silent in order to listen. Anyways, back to my original point, people don't always like this. They try to put people down who are greatly talented. Why you might ask, for lots of reasons, but  jealousy or poor self esteem are probably the two biggest. You can see this with the popularity of reality shows, and paparazzi. The reason they are so popular is people want to know that these talented people are real, and that they aren't perfect, so in turn they feel better about themselves. Its pretty sad actually, but its the truth.
Well, here is the thing, everyone is talented, in their own way. Maybe you wish you could sing, or take be an amazing photographer, but take a good look at yourself and see what your talents are. You may be thinking, I have no talents. Well maybe they just are not quite as visible to people as some other talents. You might be awesome at doing hair, calming down someone when they are hurt or upset, or maybe you can read a story to a child better than anyone. All of these things are talents that are important. God made us all individuals, and with different talents. If we take the time to find the talents in others, and utilize them and praise them instead of tearing them down, we can see the many wonders of God. We can find our own talents, and put them to work. If we were all good at the same things, that would be pretty lame. Variety is the spice of life. So the next time you see someone with an extreme talent, and that little bit of jealousy starts to rise up, remember to praise them for it, God put them here to bless the world with that gift, take it as a gift, and remember you have gifts to bring to the table too.


~Danni

The One with the American Soldiers

Lately,I have been thinking about my brother a lot. You see he is a soldier in the army. He is deployed right now in Afghanistan, with many other soldiers, fighting to keep us free and safe.
My brother is brave, he is strong, and I believe he was born a warrior, he always wanted me to play war with him when we were little. He was always the one when we played capture the flag, and were to cold, or wanted to go inside, we would have to yell to, and tell him we were done playing because we couldn't every find him. He of course would think we were pansys, but he was just too stinking good at it. My neice calls him a proffessional sneaker. Now that is what he does. Its not a game anymore.
 Now, until my brother went in to the military and went oversees, I didn't much think about it. Being in a war nowadays is much different then in times past. It doesn't effect our every day lives, its not in our face all the time. When my brother shipped out this year, everything changed for me and my family in that sense. We think about my brother, and the war a lot. When ever we hear anything about Afghanistan our ears are glued in order to catch every detail to know whats going on. You see I used to be one of those that selfishly goes about my life without giving second thought to those that gave up their life, or those that are fighting at this moment so that we can maintain that life. In one sense that is why they are fighting so we can maintain our freedom, and safety and not have to worry about it. But in another sense, I would challenge you to put yourself in the shoes of those whose family members are oversees fighting.I know in my family, every phone call, email, contact of any kind, everyone drops what they are doing and runs like the house is on fire to talk to my brother. We pray constantly, wondering if while we are sitting on the couch, he is cold and wet on the ground waiting and watching, doing God knows what, and all we can do is pray, and give it to God. Its hard. I have such a admiration for those family's of those in the military. And I am so proud of our men and women in uniform. They give up so much of their freedom to fight for ours. So this week, when you are eating dinner with your family, think about the soldiers that are fighting so that you can do just that, and say a pray for them.
 
 

   

~Danni

The One with 3 Years

      So I have officially lived in Michigan for 3 years. This is crazy to me, it seems like just the other day, I was pulling away from my house with all our stuff jammed in my VW Beetle, embarking on a new chapter in our lives. Let me tell you, never did I know your life can change so much in the matter of 3 years.
  I loved growing up in New York, it was the place everyone new my name. Every birthday, someone would tell me how they remember when I was “this big” . Every place we went, I already had some memory attached to it.
When I moved to Michigan it was kind of scary, new, and exciting all at the same time. I knew next to nobody, except through the hubby of course, he knows everyone almost everyone. But it has turned out pretty amazing. I have my family here with me, we have a beautiful home, the best puppy, I have a new little niece, and all around great life.
  I will always love New York. I miss certain specific things and memories, like eating as much Stewart's ice cream as we can till we burst on St. Patty's day, I miss girls nights with my girls, I miss Super Walmart being 10 min away, I miss being only 3 hrs from NYC, but most of all I miss my friends and family in NY. I wish I could see them more, that is one of my goals to see them more. To all my family in friends in NY, I love you all tons, and miss you =).
But Michigan is different. The atmosphere here, is more relaxed, it has so many beautiful places to see, and they are all only about 2 hrs away. It is a friendly place, and one that I have learned to call home. Its weird for the first 2 years, when people asked me where I was from I would say NY, well somewhere over time I began to say Michigan, because well thats were my home is now. Now when I go to lots of places here, I have memories as well. Its fun to be able to say, remember the last time we were here and we..enter memory here... that was great. It has been so much fun making new memories and creating my home here. I'm proud to say I was born and raised in upstate New York, but now I'm from Michigan.

~Danni

The One with all the busyness

Have you ever felt like you were so busy, but yet never seemed to get anything done that you needed to. That has been the past week for me. I have been running around so busy, yet I have this big to do list that doesn't get touched. Oh well, there is always tomorrow I suppose. Heres to a productive tomorrow and start of the week...

Although sometimes I would rather just hide

~ Danni

The One With My Birthday

I have wanted to start this blog for a while, and today is my birthday, so I thought it would be a great day to start. 
It has been an awesome day in so many ways, and to be honest I wasn't sure it was going to be.
It all started  when my hubby woke me up by singing me Happy Birthday with 2 candles in 2 frozen ding dongs (on a side note if you haven't tried frozen ding dongs you should, they are great amazing).  Then I went to the dining room, and there were flowers, a card, and presents. I then had to get ready for work as he made me breakfast. As I left for work, I opened my car door, and he had completely cleaned it YAY, and there was another present sitting on my seat, (yes we are that cute couple that makes you want to puke, lol). It was a wonderful start to my day.
At work, it was a pretty good day, got some good news, that I had been waiting for. Then I got another surprise when in walked my hubby with one of my favorite coffee drinks. It was a very fun surprise. I didn't work to long today, and went home to a great lunch, and watching Rachel Ray (which I love). After that, I went to get my hair cut, which I was soo excited about because I haven't had it cut for almost a year, it has been to long. I loved my hairstylist she was fun, and she did a great job =). Then was dinner at my parents and both sides of my family were there. We had a very yummy dinner and one of my very favorite desserts Blackberry Cobbler.  I got a lot of great gifts. Although its funny as you get older, the cards were what got to me this year. I have a great family and I love them very much. This birthday was great low key, but yet I felt extremely special. It goes to show you, you don't have to spend a lot just letting someone know you love them, and you are important to them is such a great gift to give =). So thank you to all my family and friends who made this day especially great! Well, I'm off to relax before bed. The birthday celebration continues tomorrow with a day of just me and the hubby, and maybe some shopping too, we shall see.
Nighty Night


~Danni