being a grown up...

is rough sometimes, so many decisions, so many sacrifices, so many responsibilties and to do lists and running tallies of things I did well or things I crashed and burned at.

Mostly...the adjustment to wife. SO much trickier than I thought. Being the prideful being I am ...oh man. I thought I would be a great wife, wise beyond my years, and um blah blah blah...crash and burn Dana...

I have learned how much sacrifice is in love, and that is what makes it so wonderful. Look at Christ's death on the cross. It was the largest sacrifice on earth. Marriage mirrors that with its every move...

ok so i know this is a bunch of mush but i say all that to interpret...I love my husband. He has the biggest heart and loves me. He is fun and in the midst of the biggest fight, can have me on the ground rolling. He loves me. I never doubt, never question it, and hear it at all hours of the day....he loves me well. So this is a tribute to my sweet husband and his love that I have been greatful for through our first year of marriage and years to come...

Some favs

I have some daily sights that I think everyone needs to know about...and somethings you need to know about me.

I started a company. Its events and designs and all things creative really. Its a blast and something I do more than anything because it brings me joy. Its were my giftings come alive...for that reason the profit side of my biz can be slow coming.

My friend Haley, who is also my partner in crime with our business is SO creative. She is learning the event side- but you would never think that- she is so great at it. So all that to say- check out our events and designs business coming soon at www.philosophyno9.com.

Learn all about why we call it that.

Also you need to check out: www.citycraftonline.com- amazing fabrics if anyone out there is like me and learning how to sow- it totally inspires you~ WOW. They also offer all kinds of sowing classes and fun socials for all sowers alike!

Lastly, check out jenniferbellahphotography.com...she was the photographer of my wedding and featured me getting engaged a few weeks ago. So...go to her blog and check us out and all of her amazing skills...totally worth your time!

DD

The good ole' days

Haha so arent you just loving the new page picture of Jeffe and I?

Spring 2007- please say my junior year of college was not um 3 YEARS ago? I hate how fast time goes, and I hate how different i look just three years ago~

Well so many wonderful things have happened in the mean time but yesterday was one of the those nights that i felt too aware of the reality of life. That has always been a sign of growing up to me. The loudest sign. Mostly because I am aware of pain and hurt, and most of all...change.

Its been a rough year for my very big family. I have been so blessed that in my 23 years on earth, I have only lost two great grandparents. All my granparents are still alive and one great grandmother. No one has divorced, and well its been rough at times but I am quite aware that for whatever reason the Lord has shielded my family from alot of hard times. Yes, every one expieriences it in different ways and at different times, but I cant help but think sometimes, when will our time come? Are we next? With that, I totally see my need to cry out to the Lord for comfort, and come to him to rest in. God has given me a wonderful life and I know to praise him in the success and victory and praise him in the desert in despair.

My pray today as I go about my errands on my day off, that I would praise my God when the storms of life become to much. When I feel as though I cant make it, I will learn from the powerful people he has put around me in my life who have more strength than I can even begin to understand. Lord give me strength that only comes from you. Lord you are my everything and only way to making it when times are tough.

I also thank you for the good things of right now. A healthy husband asleep while I type, a family close by, friends who know me and speak amazing love and truth in my life, a wonderful apartment, and the fact that I know you father and will spend eternity in heaven.

Update on live as a Douthit

It has been awhile for me...mainly because we have been busy traveling, spending time with family, and starting a new chapter in my life...oh and we havent had a computer for 2 months :)

Yes that has a huge part in my lack of blogging, but I am back.

Milestones of 2009:

Jeffery and I got married and have been happily married for a WHOLE year!

We visted:
Les and Ryan Gilmore in Alb New Mexico
Several Lubbock trips
Maui Hawaii
Nebraska -Heather Ann got married (my sweet cousin)
Vegas with our dear friends the Lewis'

We got a minature pincher- Minnie
We moved to a bigger apartment with a GARAGE!!! (i love it!)
Jeffery completed the academy and began life as a police officer
Jeff fought in his first boxing tournament- guns and hoses and the police WON!

Dana ran the WHite Rock Half with her bestie Traxie

We started an amazing small group at Watermark and love our COMMUNITY

Dana completed her first job at MHBT and started a new position as Assistant to Community at Watermark Community Church

Dana launched Philosophy No. 9- an event and design business with her new partner Haley

WHAT A YEAR!!! God is so good!

And to make things more exiting- I got a mac laptop yesterday- been saving for it for 5 months and well ITS HERE and its SOO fun!

More to come now that I can again- hope everyone is feeling blessed in 2010!

Dallas White Rock 12.13.09

Well I just completed my first half folks. After three years of talking about it. I finally did it. Through Christ who stregthens me, I finished strong and healthy with my textie traxie. What an amazing expierience to see how far the Lord can take you and stretch you mentally and physically. I am so grateful and I seriously got the fever for some more.

Along the way I became friends with Heather...traxie. We became trixe and traxie and God blessed our friendship. She is my neighbor, my pal, my accountability, and fun. I needed a friend who lived by, and God gave me Heath- to train with, and accomplish something huge together. I am so grateful for this expierience with you Heath!

Sweet Jenn also got to come in town and it was a blast to have her here, since I have looked up to her long list for years. Jenn so fun to join you and have you here for the weekend. What a treasure you are and always have been!

Heather Ann Spain becomes Mrs. Doyle

Well my sweet Heather Ann is married...what a great event it was!

She was the most beautiful bride. She looked just like Bride Barbie.

I got to be her number two behind her sister and my sweet cousin Sami. Heather and I have grown up best friends when we see eachother. We live three states apart, yet every time we see eachother we picked right up. It was the greatest upbrings.I grew up knowing family was more important and powerful than anything. I looked forward to seeing them every summmer and Christmas and I wouldnt change a thing. I look forward for my kids and heathers to grow close...just as we were...even three states apart.

I just love you sweet cousin heather, :)

Do not be anxious

This week God has brought a verse to mind that I do not think about enough....Phil. 4:6-7. We have heard it time and time again but its thinking about what it actually means that keeps me thinking about it.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus."

First of all...WOW! Powerful! Second of all I think we forget the thanksgiving part...we should always be thankful for our blessings because they are always there.

But the part I love is how the Lord's peace will over come us....and it isnt a postive attitude folks. Its a peace that only God can give us.

Lord I pray for your peace as I enter decisions. Big decisons that Jeffery and I are about to make. I pray for clarity and YOUR peace. Not the peace of the world...peace from you Jesus.

Ruts

Lately...Life has felt like a rut. I have had such a great year of marriage but the year for myself, has left me dissappointed. It's almost been a year since I graduated from college. In this year, I got married, started my first job, got a puppy, moved, started training for a marathon, and learned ALOT about being a wife. Jeff and I have taken some amazing trips, seen friends in different states, made amazing new friends, and really established some great traditions in the Douthit house.

I am so grateful for all of those things, but dissappointed that I have grown luke warm in my time with the Lord and my dedication to it. It has shown in my friendships, my marriage, and even my life. I am normally this organized person, full of systems, lists, clean clean everything, and lately I can find any of that. I think God took me through this for such a great reason, and I love learning all that he has for me in this rough season of my life. Its starting to unfold, and I am so excited to share this when it all pans out but until I am praying for the Lord to give me strength to get out of this rut. Blessings are all around me, my husband being the biggest one of all. He has the biggest heart and leads me to desire the Lord. He has such a passion for discovering God's plan for us and I cant believe I get to spend my life with him.

I am finding joy in this struggle because for the first time in a year almost I am truly seeking the Lord's plan for me, Dana, wife, and child of Him.

Guns and Hoses

Well Police won Guns and Hoses Boxing 2009 and I am so proud of him! Of the discipline, the strength and the will. He is so inspiring and just makes me smile to think about.

It was just such a great weekend. God really revealed so many blessings to me this weekend. I had one of those wierd, "is this really my life" moments at the fight. We were surrounded by our amazing family, but also our new friends and community group. I prayed so hard for friends, real true God-given friends as we entered married life, and God showed up in ways I couldnt have imagined. Not only did our friends come, but they stayed for the whole event, and talked late into dinner in the middle of the night. Time is such a precious thing, especially when you are married and learning to balance it. It meant so much to me.

Thank you to our friends who came...you are our biggest blessings!

My Husband teaches me so much...

So I have been so discouraged lately about things in my personal life. Its been a hard season for Dana Douthit. I have been trying to acquire some skills to do some things I really love. I am so in to creative things and have been needing a creative outlet....well my friend at work and I have been setting some goals to make these things happen and the money it would cost....alot lets just say.

So I tell my husband about it and find out he has been saving his own money for me.

So I know that is all very fague but basically Jeff has such a giving heart.He isnt material and doesnt get caught up in stuff- SO GOOD for me. Someone who can build my life in stuff....thats unfortunately me. and he is just so giving- he had plans for that money and saw importance in it for me so he gave it to me- just like that. Life is short- dont store up treasure on earth- that is jeff in a nut shell- and he reminds me of that importance every day! I am so glad I married you Jeffery Charles! 10 whole months ago! Wow the time flies!

Just Maui'd and life is good

Last day in Maui..tanned.cultured.and blissful
A Maui Sunset makes everything beautiful

Our last dinner. Fancy. By a cliff dive ceremony

Just looking at this picture of the westin lobby makes me smell the white tea...

Jackie and Aaron's last night in town at Moose's

Jeff's birthday present- a 3 hour horse back ride down the mountain to the coast and back up

Jeff's 24th birthday and our HUGE dinner at the Ono Bar and Grill

First full day in Maui enjoying the beach with Jackie and Aaron

I dont know why, i just love this picture- pale and on the plan to our honeymoon just so excited to be together after a long few weeks with little time alone....we embarked on our honeymoon.

So I made this entry from the bottom up...mainly because I am still a little unclear about the whole uploading process- but blogging is expanding my computer tech skills.

Maui was perfect. Beautiful and just the best time of my life. Not because we were in Maui, although it was beautiful and I am a blessed lady to get a trip like this at such a young age. but really it was because I was with my husband, my best friend, and the man who surprises me every day by loving me more. I really fell more in love with Jeff on this trip. We laughed so much and really learned alot about each other. We woke up and slept the same time and cuddled and got tired at the same time and it was well...normal. This may seem strange but being a police officer's wife makes those things and those moments priceless. God has grown me so much in the past 10 months but no matter how independent God makes me- I still love the man I married and its so fun to get a whole week to cultivate it and season our relationship. It was priceless- ill remember every second for ever. We made some big dreams, and some great plans. Jeff brings a great adventure to my life and isnt ever afraid to make things happen that he deems important. I learn so much from him, I am so proud he leads me.

Our week: horse back riding.a bad time share shpeal expierience but we got $125 cash.dinner at bubba gumps.run.awesome breakfast every morning.jeff scubaed.dana layed out on the beach for 3 hours unmoving.great lunch. choclate monkeys and pinas when ever.kayaked and saw a sea turtle that almost killed me.spa.spa.spa.massage.lavender biscotti.white tea smells every where.dinner by the harbor.tree park.candles.LOTS OF LOVIN.beach beach beach...perfection

Being married isnt easy...but God is cultivating a wife in me. And not the wife I was trying to be. You know the proverbs 31 woman who got up before dawn, made her clothes, constantly had perfect patience and respect...that one. No I am not her. But God is showing me my strengths in my support for Jeff and how I love him and also my weaknesses. But most importantly he is making me a better disciple of him. I love that being married is helping me follow Christ. So all in all a trip to Maui is a must for everyone!

Lubbock always feels like home..

Kimmy, me and megs- college besties doing meg's famous, "buzz face"
Kelli got engaged and we love it!

Minnie and I having a girls day...she is kinda like my child

I loved getting to take care of sissy Gu when she got her touncils out and had several malfunctions! She is all good now!

Fun date night with officer husband!

Family photo!

Jackie and Abe's wedding!

Oh man...i have had a really great first summer as an adult and in a real job. It hasnt been easy, and this has been one of the most challenging seasons of my life. It has been a time I hope to look back on and see so much growth, but right now i just see a very tired, worn out me. Its very frustrating to look in the mirror and see a very tired version of yourself....but i am learning and jeffy and i have gotten to do some really fun things. So as I am packing for our first move into a bigger, better apartment, i am taking a moment to point out some of the highlights of my summer, and my daily life. What a great summer! Now we look forward to Tech football, moving into our apartment, and of course- our honeymoon to HAWAII!

the power of prayer

Today my aunt had brain surgery to rumor a tumor. She made it through flawlessly. I was just realizing how God allows the success of a surgery and how often we just assume a surgery will go flawlessly just because.

Prayer is powerful and I am so thankful God is showing me how important it is. So many things have been going on that need prayer. Prayer is the only thing I can count on, talking to God revealing my heart, and my hopes, and my fears. Things might not go how I planned, but sharing it with my savior means giving it over to him, finding rest, finding a road to understanding, and learning to live faithfully not fearfully.

Jeff and I decided we are going write a bopok together about our life as a cop and a regular ole'civilian like myself. It is something that is going to take years, i am sure will have a roller coaster of emotion in it, but it has also made me think about my bucket list for our life. I used to have this huge list before i would be even a little ready for kids, but now, besides a few big spots, its about living my life, long or short with my wonderful husband.

I want to:

Run the 1/2 marathon at White Rock
Run the New York City Marathon
Go back packing in Colorado
Travel to Greece and France
Buy a house
Being in a job that i am happy

=bE MERRY THIS WEEK AND PRAY!

the life with the badge

Jeffery has now been a cop, out of training for over a month. We have developed a schedule of getting things done and getting to seeing eachother that has worked out really good. I think we are the biggest planners now, which may annoy people, but it comes a point where you realize its just the way things are for you!

Its hard sometimes though, like this weekend, working so much but I have a husband who loves his job. I really couldnt ask for more in that. He loves working hard, and helping people. He is as considerate as he can be, and always makes time with me a priority, but that doesnt always mean it happens. Times can be lonely, even surrounded by family and friends. Spending weekend afternoons running errands for the house, packing (moving in two weeks), and watching tv with minnie trying not to wake him before he leaves again for work is hard. Sometimes I get so annoyed but I know we are just paying our dues like the rest of of us.

God is showing me a very testing side of marriage, and i completely understand why the divorce rate for cops is 75%...it can be so hard and require so much selflessness. But i am finding joy in these trials because we are getting down and dirty with the tough stuff now.

I love Jeff so much and love his heart for the public and for the people he works with. But sometimes, its hard to understand, but i pray that i do or that i let love conquer it all. I know marriage is hard no matter what job people have.

funny...

I think its so funny that everyone posts every thought they have...facebook, twitter,blogs,whatever outlet we post it. I think all the time- how would I ever keep up with people.

I have had so many friends get married lately- it makes me so happy to see people so excited to be marrying their best friend and embarking on the journey of marriage. I love being married to Jeff through all the hard times and everything. Marriage is hard too, its soo HARD. But thats what makes it so great at the end of the day, month and hopefully years and years to come.

Divorce happens way to often today- not because people are too young, or havent lived together, or slept together or lived in the same town...its because people give up. I completely understand how easy it would be too. But i pray everyday that I am a fighter. I pray that I have friends to spur me on and remind me of my vowes on my wedding day. And man, has God blessed us with GREAT friends. Next door, down the street! Omg I have been so spoiled by a very rich community.

So to my community of friends- thank you! I love you and am SOOO greatful!

Teaching classes start tomorrow- so excited to add some new knowledge under my belt. haha

Life at almost 7 months of being mrs. DOUTHIT!

This is Jeffy and I a year ago- taking engagement pictures feeling like my wedding would never get here! Now I have been married 7 months. I have learned so much about myself and about really loving someone. Taking on their struggles and fighting through things with them- learning that the problem is me...and admitting that...i hate how hard this is for me. But mostly, in this 7th month I have been learning how to be a family with Jeff first and foremost- it has taken a little while to truly understand how to stand by him, and make decisions for him and I- but its wonderful. We are a team and he is my best friend that I laugh with more than anyone. Which says ALOT becauser I laugh with so many wonderful people in my life. I couldnt be more blessed to have someone who loves me enough to clean out the bins and organize our stuff for moving, or to write a blog just to me when i feel far apart, or leave me cards to let me know he is thinking of me, or to make this crazy schedule we have so special and put me first above all his feelings. I am so blessed to be married to Jeff.

My bestie Emily Gets MARRIED!

Allison, Rachel and I at the end of the night...so fun.

Omg...she was beautiful. I was so honored and proud to stand by her at her wedding. We have so much history, and I love that about the friendships I have. I love with all my heart when I have friends. Emily James! What a friend you are to me!

I cant believe how fast time has gone...I have been married 6 months today. HALF A YEAR! The Lord has taught me so much about loving Jeff and supporting him first. It is not easy. I have always struggled with the fact that I am not a gentle spirit- I in fact, think I am the farthest thing from it. Its something that has made me discouraged for years really, but God has been teaching me alot. Within my outspoken, lous, spunky (i would really like to think at least!) can be gentleness- very largely played out in my love and support to Jeff. I can be a strong personality yet possess gentleness in the way I show compassion, and love, and serve. I have in no way mastered them, but I am certainly learning!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND!!

Our trip with the Gilmores!

Dion's pizza!!! So yummy

Les and I at the penny slots right before my camera almost got taken!

Poor baby after his 15 mile hike- precious!

Waiting for the boys and sick of the bugs!

I love my husband!

This how they appeared from the trees after there 7.5 hour hike together!

Just a pretty ALBQ sky!

New Mexican thrift store lesley helped me score some hot items from!

Ready to conquer!

The famous frontier sweet roll-sooooooo good!

Isotopes gamE! gREAT seats!

At El Pinto before the game!

The whole gang at dinner! We love the Gilmores!

Hello blog world meet my hubby and best friend jeffery...this is him doing his fav about 6 yrs ago!!

And this is my baby minnie...presh right.

This is my Douthit family and this our life!