of pictures and randomness....

I haven't posted in a while because I've been busy. I've been to Michigan and back and Michael was here for his Spring Break. :-D We had a lovely time together and had our premarital counseling as well. The Michigan Engagement Celebration/Shower was just absolutely beautiful and I met many wonderful people. :-) It was also really neat to see Michael's home and spend time with his amazing family again. I love my new family!

Here are some pictures from our engagement session with my friend Brent...

Something for Christ...

~ Something for Christ ~

Something for Thee! Lord, let this be
Thy choice for me from day to day;
The life I live it is not mine,
Thy will, my will, have made it Thine!
Oh let me do in Thine own way,
Something for Thee!

Something for Thee! What shall it be?
Speak, Lord, Thy waiting servant hears,
Is it to do some mighty deed?
Is it some multitude to feed?
Is it to do mid pains and fears,
Something for Thee?

Something for Thee! I do not see
A coming battle for my King,
I only see a little cup -
With water haste to fill it up:
Thy love will own this trivial thing,
Something for Thee!

Something for Thee! From self I flee,
What wilt Thou, Master, from me still?
With eager heart I stand and wait,
Longing for work, or small or great:
Let me be doing as Thy will,
Something for Thee!

Something for Thee! On bended knee,
Unseen, unknown by mortal eye,
My soul for other souls shall plead -
As Thour for me didst intercede.
Thy love can own a tear, a sigh,
Something for Thee!

Something for Thee! Yet if for me
It is a useless, crippled hand,
Let perfect patience mark my way:
Since they who silently obey
Are doing as Thy wisdom planned,
Something for Thee!

~ Elizabeth Payson Prentiss ~

so this is what love does to you....

I ran into a door yesterday and I now have a bruised temple.

I, Stephanie Clayton, will try to watch where I am going from now on. :-P

The Joys of Josi...

My newest little piano student is Josi. She is the sweetest little 10 year old girl and has Down's Syndrome. She is one of my best students, a quick learner and a hilarious sense of humor.

Our conversation today...
Josi: What is that ring for?
Me: It means that a wonderful man asked me to marry him.
Josi: Oh.
Me: Do you like weddings.
Josi: I don't know.
Me: You should come to mine. I am going to wear a beautiful white dress.
Josi: Mama wore a white dress. I am going to wear a white dress when I get married.
Me: Do you want to get married?
Josi: Not today. :-P

Josi: My Nana turned 93 today.
Me: Oh wow. You will be 93 someday too.
Josi: Well, I am only ten so I still have a while.

only 8 more days...

till I see my Michael. :-D I can't wait! It has only been 2 1/2 months but it seems like forever!

So this is the schedule for the next four months...
March:
13 ~ leave for Michigan
14 ~ Arrive in Michigan
15 ~ Engagement Celebration
17 ~ Leave to come back to NC, Michael comes with us
18-20 ~ fit counseling in there somewhere
22 ~ Get engagement pictures taken
23 ~ Easter Sunday... Michael and I sing duet at church
24 ~ Michael leaves

April:
16 ~ Crystal arrives in NC
17 ~ Paint house
19 ~ Church shower
21 ~ Crys goes home *sniff*
23 ~ We leave for Florida
24 ~ Arrive in Florida
26 ~ Florida Shower
29 or 30 ~ Leave to come back to NC

May:
Nothing too much scheduled right now, except for a huge family reunion for my dad's family here in NC on memorial weekend. But there WILL be a lot of last minute wedding stuff, packing, shopping, etc going on.

June:
2 ~ Sarah Breznau comes
10 ~ most of the bridesmaids fly in, bachelorette party that evening
11 ~ Last minute details
12 ~ Decorate church & fellowship hall
13 ~ Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner
14 ~ Our wedding day!!!!!
15-21 ~ Honeymoon
22-28 ~ Getting my stuff from NC and his stuff from Michigan and traveling to Dallas.

Yep. It is going to be crazy but I can't wait!

I love thee...

"I love thee, I love but thee With a love that shall not die

Till the sun grows cold And the stars grow old."

~ by Willam Shakespeare ~