Real Life Begins, Yesterday...

So yes, I am Mrs. McDowell. But I'm going to save the wedding post for later. One, I'd like to have my pictures back and Two, I'm still waiting for the words to describe the whole day. All I can come up with now is perfect. And I don't take that word lightly! But Saturday May 9th is the only day that has truly lived up to that word. And I'm not just talking about the seen from a far, view from above, big picture, overall day was perfect. I mean every detail, every second, every emotion, every loved one, every heart felt tear, every moment was perfect!!!! And I was blessed by the presence of every person there who shared that day with me.

Onto the the honeymoon…



Originally, I assumed the honeymoon was designed to help unwind and rest after a year of planning, planning and more planning. Well, we did rest and relax and were extremely lazy, but yet I'm back at work still completely exhausted and worn out! So after going through the experience, I've decided that the real purpose of the honeymoon is to gradually ease you back into reality. Not that being served all week while on the most beautiful beach is reality, but hear me out.

My wedding, as stated above, was perfect. It was the most magical experience of my life and I was floating on air the entire time. If I had gone to bed as a new wife only to wake up to my alarm at 6:00am to quietly get ready in the dark and then drive to work where I would remain for the next 9 hours, only to do the same thing for the next 4 consecutive days, I would have been brought down to earth with a loud thud! It would have been worse then the day after Christmas as a kid! But NO, I was whisked away by my husband to a beautiful tropical resort. But yet, here's where the test of real life kicks in.

Amidst the continuation of my fairytale…

We couldn't get Steven checked in at the airport because his passport said McDowell Jr. and his ticket just said McDowell.
We land in Punta Cana and realize we hadn't confirmed transportation from the airport to the resort.
We make it to the resort but were given the wrong room.
None of the special touches Steven had ordered were there.
We weren't given any info of where to go, how things worked, where to eat, etc. We were greeted with a smile and an "hola!!" And that was it.

Okay, so the rest of the week was absolute heaven! We got in the groove of this new place and had no problem adapting to the slower pace! Having 24/7 to spend with each other is something I'll never forget and reality or not, I plan to make time like that as often as I can!

And the real life lessons continue...

Trying to leave, we waited in the airport line for 3 hours while they hand wrote the boarding passes and crossed off seats on the plane.
We sat on the plane for two hours waiting for confirmation from the tower before we could take off.
Once in the air, the captain informs us that we can no longer make the direct flight to Atlanta and will be stopping in Miami to exchange a crew member.
Once in Miami, we are not allowed to leave the plane due to customs and must continue to wait in our seats before we can take off again.
What should have been a direct flight of 3 1/2 hours turned into 3 hours in standing in a line and 8 hours sitting on a plane.
Also, just a note, when we landed in Atlanta after midnight, the only meal we had been able to eat all day was breakfast that morning, peanuts for 12 hours...

So disregarding the beautiful surroundings, spending every second with each other, having someone to cook and clean, as well as serve you, the honeymoon is definitely an intro to real life. How do we make decisions together? How to we respond to stressful situations? How do we react when things don’t go as planned? In the first week as husband and wife, I already learned new things about my husband that made me fall in love all over again!

We ran into other honeymooners who had the same problem of not being informed very well and didn't receive all of the special extra things for the honeymoon package, but they did nothing about it and so they just never got them. I couldn't believe it! On the first day, Steven told me to lay down and rest while he went and took care of everything. (Definitely married a problem solver!) So I did. About an hour later he came back and had gotten us our correct room and had everything else arranged for us and the romance began! What's even more amazing is that not only did he take care of everything, he did it all while being friendly and gracious. And that is what makes me so proud. And even with all the travel strains, we kept each other calm but let each other vent and we made the best of it.

Now don't get me wrong, (I know you're probably gagging!) in the course of a week there were definitely times when Steven had to be reminded that yes, sometimes I am right and I do have a much better memory then he does. And I shamefully admit and realize that unfortunately I am past the point of reason and level headed thinking when I am deprived of sleep or food. :) But really, when you are with some one you love and who loves to laugh, how can you go wrong?!?!

So overall I think the first lesson I've decided to take note of and apply to my marriage is this: If you plan for the unexpected, for things to not always go the way you want, if you know that sometimes there will be chaos, then well, there's really no such thing as unexpected chaos. Right??

So bring it. ;)

My Last Name

In five days I will change my last name. With all the wedding details and planning and honeymoon excitement, it's something I really haven't given much thought too. I know that I'm not really a hyphenated kind of girl, so I will definitely go the route of officially being Lindsey McDowell. And just typing my new name gives me excited, girly butterflies in my stomach :) I think it's beautiful. I think there's nothing more symbolic then taking his last name. Becoming one family, a new family, our own family. I will be his, he will be my leader and protector and provider. I cherish that.

With all that, it's not to say there aren't mixed emotions involved… I am, and find a great since of pride and strength in being, a Dunagan woman. It was instilled early on to know my roots. My father and grandfathers were always telling me stories from the past of my ancestors and the things they stood for and the places they came from. And they are stories of strong, passionate and loving men and women. I've never accomplished anything in my life without feeling an overwhelming sense of connection to my family past and present. Knowing that I'm a part of something bigger because I'm really just a continuation of things begun generations and generations ago.

And yes there are different last names all throughout my family, and it's family that is just as true and strong. But there is something I love about the Dunagan name. I love being identified as the daughter of Brad and Mary Dunagan. And it's such a sense of belonging and pride when people hear my last name and say, "Are you George and Ida Lou's granddaughter?" And knowing that my mother and grandmother took the same journey I am about to, they joined a legacy and took a new last name. But what a name to take! My father and grandfather are men above men. And I am who I am because of them.

But I also know that my parents have been praying for Steven since the day I was born. Praying for this time when I will take a new name and leave my father's. Praying for the man that will love and cherish me for the rest of my life. Which is a remarkable task since my own father loves me more than is humanly possible and dedicated his life to providing for and loving his family.


This all reminds me though of my sister's wedding 5 years ago. I remember feeling a bit of loss knowing that I would no longer have the same last name as my sister. It just didn't really feel right. But I didn't get it at the time! The things we as a family gained were incredible! Her husband is another rock in my life and their child is a joy and blessing that I could have never imagined! So there is definitely too much to be gained to feel any kind of loss. It's like my father had said this past weekend. He said he wouldn't be able to be so excited and joyful about my wedding day if he didn't know this was right. The Lord led me to a man that my father feels peace about giving me away too. And that means all the world to me.

So for this week, even among all the little details left to take care of, I will take time to reflect nostalgically on my life up till now. I will look at old pictures of a perfect childhood, laugh at old memories, and probably cry remembering countless moments spent with my grandfathers and my grandmother who aren't here to see me walk down the aisle and who Steven never got the honor of meeting.

I will also take the time to praise and thank God for,
Bob and Donna Grant, my maternal grandparents who were married for over 50 years,


George and Ida Lou Dunagan, my paternal grandparents who were married for over 60 years,


and Brad and Mary Dunagan, my parents, who will celebrate 31 years of marriage this year.

It is their commitment to each other that has given me the foundation to enter a marriage meant for life. It is their example of unconditional love, hard work, and faithful and prayerful commitments that will be a blessing and guidance for Steven and I.

So I sign off as Lindsey Dunagan and next time I post I will be Mrs. Lindsey McDowell and will begin my journey figuring out what exactly will be The McDowell Way :)

The weekend I had been waiting for!! (one of them anyways)

So even though we're already into the new weekend, I wanted to revisit last weekend. The weekend I had been waiting for!! Okay, so not including May 9th, which I would have to say I have a little bit more since of mounting excitement for! But nonetheless, I had been counting down to Easter weekend. Yes I've always loved Easter, the flowers, the dresses, the baskets, and of course the beautiful story of our arisen Saviour. However, this particular Easter had many extra goodies. I had my last dress fitting and finally got to take home the most beautiful dress in the world! I got to decorate Easter eggs with Maeve. I had a whimsical garden lingerie soiree under blue skies and warm sunshine. I had an incredible bachelorette bash and night out with my best girls, pink boa included!! And I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon on my parents back patio just spending time with my family. Oh, and did I mention that my fiance spent the whole weekend fishing with my brother-in-law?? So really, could there be a better weekend?

Well, I obviously can't show you pictures of the dress, so lets start with Saturday morning egg decorating...

Of course, there were some casualties...

Here's some from the hunt..

And I love this one! Mama with her babe...

And onto the Lingerie Soiree!!! Mama, Leah and Amanda did and unbelievable job!! It could not have been any more perfect and was more then I could ask for. Not to mention I got some incredible things!! Most of which would not be appropriate to post on-line... ;)




And into the night...


Here's my loyal, fun-loving gals!


Give a girl a pink boa, some great friends and a Greek restaurant where everyone HAS to dance on the table??? That's one memorable night, haha!!! For more details, visit my sister's blog here.

I can't say thank you enough. I have the most incredible, loyal friends and I love each of them dearly. I am overwhelmed with gratitude! I mean, a whole weekend dedicated and in celebration of me finding my love?!?! Speechless really...

And of course, I am beyond blessed to have a family that from day one has demonstrated nothing but unconditional love. I am aware and grateful for every action and sacrifice made for me. I love you from the bottom of my heart.

Okay, so I can't help myself! I'm going to end with another barrage of photos of my beautiful niece!

Only three weeks to go people!!!

Spring!

Since yesterday was absolutely freezing! And yes, even a smidgen of snow flurries! I thought I would pay homage to Spring in hopes of encouraging it's arrival to settle in for good. After pulling out a turtleneck to wear to work yesterday, it made me thankful for this past weekend. A beautiful sunny and 70 degrees! A good ole working in the yard kind of weekend! Actually Steven worked in the yard, I took my guitar and played outside, then read my book some outside and then walked around taking pictures of the flowers in bloom! But I was ready to help if he needed me :) I know I've talked about how much I love being outside, but I wanted to share some of my favorite wise words that I wish I could say were mine…


This one I absolutely LOVE. I always imagine painting this on my daughter's bedroom wall :)


Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair!
~ Kahlil Gibran


Another one I love reading over and over again.

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for you soul is alive.
~Eleonora Duse

So I put a collage together of some of the pictures I took around the yard. So here's my actual homage to Spring!!





Here's a picture of my one of my favorite trees in our backyard. It only stays like this for a few weeks, but for those weeks, every time I look at I can't stop gasping at how beautiful it is!

And of course, my girls. Enjoying the weekend with us!

So go play in the dirt!!!

No, not Tacoma, not Toyota…it's Toccoa

Oh little Toccoa! Named after the very river Steven and I were standing in when he knelt down on one knee and asked to spend the rest of his life with me. And yes, our family had a little trouble catching on to the name (just wait till you here my baby names, haha!) But the Toccoa River is very special and sacred to Steven and I and we thought it was perfect for this precious, cute new ball of fur we now had! Some of you might be thinking, "What? Two dogs is not enough??" So let me back up and tell you how Toccoa was sent to us…

It was Friday, August 29th, 2 days before my birthday. I had gotten off work at 5 and was heading to meet Steven so that we could pack up and leave to go see my family for the weekend. I got to the house and he met me at the door and said he wanted to show me something that one of the neighbors had. Curious, I said yes and began to follow him. We got to the driveway a few houses down and there she was… racing toward us was this tiny, furry, over sized pawed 7 week old labradoodle! Cutest thing you've ever seen. We all just sat in the grass playing with her which is when I first heard the story. Our neighbor teaches at a private school here in Rome and apparently one of her senior students was given this puppy as a gift, but between school and some part time jobs, she was just too overwhelmed to take car of a dog and sorrowfully brought the pup to school where our neighbor swore she would have no problem finding her a loving home. And, Steven knew all this already! So even though he acts like I'm the one who made us get Toccoa, who in their right mind would take a girl to just go look at a free homeless puppy and not plan on taking it home??!!?? So there we were walking back to the house with our new addition wondering what in the world we just agreed to, lol!! Below is a picture from the first weekend we had her.
Swoon… :)

Toccoa is now 8 months old, but still full blown pup!! She is definitely our baby. I'm sitting here trying to think of the right words to describe her but I can't! If you could see my face right now, you'd see a huge grin while trying to stifle some chuckles while sitting here at work. But just thinking about her makes me laugh! It's impossible to take her serious, and when you see that face you'll understand. Being very much still a puppy and all that implies, we seem to have to scold her the most. Except, she doesn't get it! When we use our stern voice to call her, she drops down on her belly and then literally does an army crawl all the way to us and then gets to our feet, and rolls over on her back so we can scratch her belly. So by the time she gets to us and we're supposed to be scolding her for something, we're cracking up! (I know, we'll need to work on those parenting skills)

Sometimes she thinks she's tougher then she is, especially at night. She'll bark at noises and shadows and then run behind Shelby for protection! And she is still working on the whole personal space thing. We'll be on the couch and all of a sudden she'll walk by and then jump in your lap and very calmly get right in your face and just gaze at you. This being because, one, she really is a sweet heart and wants to make sure you're okay. And two, as pictures below will show, she can't really see through her plethora of fur!!

Again, it's hard to describe Toccoa with words. Her enthusiasm for life is so contagious! She will play with us or the girls all day long, but be just as thrilled to entertain herself with pine cones and sticks. But when she's not playing, like in the early mornings and late evenings, she cuddles like no other! More than anything though, she makes us laugh. And who isn't blessed by laughter? :)

You will be seeing lots more pictures of Shelby the Protector, Callie the Gentle Spirit, and Toccoa the Comedian in my future posts. Because well, they go everywhere with us and they are just so fun to photograph! Below are some of my favorites :)

My sweet, sweet girls.

Shelby...Wayne???

When Steven and I started dating, he had already had Shelby for a year. So when I met this wonderful, handsome man and then found out he had this beautiful female black lab and saw how much he loved her and how much fun he had with her, what girl isn't a softy for that??? And so he introduced me to Shelby Wayne McDowell. Oh whoops, I'm sorry I thought you said she was a girl! Oh, she is a girl?

Yes, Steven wanted to pass along his middle name to his first born regardless of gender, hence Shelby Wayne. And if you know Shelby, I'm sure that her masculine middle name explains so much about her personality! Sometimes she forgets whether she's a boy or a girl. Again, if you know her, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about, no need for further explanation :)

First, I had to post the picture below. It is one of my favorites ever!! Man and his dog. And if you really want to know about Shelby, you should ask Steven. He can't help but light up when he talks about his girl. Of course they both welcome all of us new additions, but the year of Shelby and Steven will always be special to them :)



Shelby is as first born as they come. She invented the term Alpha female. She typically sets the mood, the energy, and the level of obedience that she and the other girls will follow. Shelby is by far the most vocal dog I have ever seen! When she greets you or needs something she makes noises that I have yet to hear recreated by anyone or anything. (I should try to post an audio clip sometime, it is hilarious!)

At the slightest stir of movement in the mornings, Shelby will make sure to wake everyone up and beg to be let out and once we all respond and I get up and let them out, Callie and Toccoa sleepily make their way outside to go potty and begin their morning routines while Shelby stops at the door and looks at you like you're crazy if you think she's going outside this early, and then tilts her head to the side as if to say, "Thanks, I just wanted to make sure you heard me" And then she turns around satisfied that SHE decided when the day would start and goes back to curl up on her bed and go back to sleep. And this is every morning!

Another difference, is while Callie and Toccoa will soak up any attention they can possibly get, Shelby prefers to control it. She will find her spot to lay in, usually out of the way and likes to be undisturbed. Well when she decides she needs some love she will come and stand over you until you start to scratch her chest and if you stop before she's tells you she's done, she will take her bear claw of a paw and poke your arm, chest, head, or the closest available body part until you continue! (and if you've never been prodded by a bear claw, it's very persuasive!!)

There are countless stories I could tell of Shelby's quirks and attitude. She definitely has the ability to communicate more then any other four legged creature. Her facial expressions, her noises and her body language leave no room for self interpretation of what she wants, she is clear as the day is long!!

But all in all, Shelby is the quint essential dog. She always sleeps between us and the door. On walks she moves herself between Steven, Callie, Toccoa and I upon any approaching visitors. She can boss and rough house with the other girls, but when they were both new puppies, she transformed into a gentle patient mother and taught them everything. She is lab through and through and will play and have fun for as long as you let her, but she also isn't scared of anything and is a true, loyal protector. Even Steven says that she wasn't near as protective before the girls and I came along but she knows now there is more to protect, and I fully trust and believe she will do the same when we choose to extend our family. It is clear that she knows and takes very serious her job to protect and warn her family, and I am so thankful for that. And yes, classic first born, she will always have a unique place in my heart and set the standard for any that will follow after her.

Let Me Introduce You...

I've realized that I have not introduced you to three very important pieces of my life, Shelby, Callie, and Toccoa. Steven and mine's first dose of parenthood! I'm sure those of you with children are rolling your eyes and mumbling, not even close!! But in our lives right now, children are exactly what they are.

They bring us so much joy and laughter, yet just as much irritation and frustration. They completely rely on us for everything necessary for life. All plans made have to first take in consideration their needs. They add on an extra 30 + minutes to packing and trying to get out the door, whether it's for a day trip or for a week. They immediately know what kind of mood you're in and do all that's in their power to make you feel better or celebrate your joy along with you. No matter how mature and trained they are, there are always times when you seem to be constantly cleaning up food, pee, poop and puke. They are always so happy to see you and you get the same reaction if you've been gone for 10 minutes or all day. The only thing they long for is to spend time with you and be loved by you. And at the end of the day my love for them is so strong I can't imagine the hole that would be left if they weren't here.

Sounds kind of like children, right?!?

But I think I'll introduce them one at a time, and today I will start with Callie Marie…

I'm starting with Callie because she is our middle child, and being a middle child myself, I relate to her lot in life. We do not have the prestige and seniority of being the first born and our brief stint of enjoying the attention of being the new addition is cut short by the even newer, younger, cuter addition. Which means you have to work on fine tuning your special and unique qualities, which Callie definitely has! Steven actually laughs because he really does see similarities in Callie and me. Which I see as well in him and Shelby, but that's for another post.

Callie is the least vocal of the three, but very loyal. She doesn't really crave attention, but she by far needs the most affection!! She is also very sensitive at the slightest raised voice, it does not take much effort to convey to Callie that we are not happy with her behavior. Our disapproval of anything she does devastates her! And then she looks so pitiful and you have to just love on her and make it up to her for the rest of the evening! (Usually it's Steven that hurts her feelings, lol!) But because of that, she minds very well. And then she's also our free spirit and a true athlete. When we take the girls hiking or out to a field or pond she comes alive! She'll run 10 miles and back before we notice she was even gone! But she always checks in. She's very observant and will notice any new wild animal friends and try to go "greet" them, long before the other two catch on. Back home, she very easily clears our 4 foot fence, which is a daily routine of hers. Yet, it's just to stretch her legs and maybe greet the neighbors but never to run off. She just simply lets herself back in and waits for us to get home.

Another unique part of Callie's story, is that we kind of rescued her. She was a farm puppy who from what we were told was picked on by her brothers. They would lay on top of any food put out for them and not let her eat anything. So when we got Callie, she was this scared, skinny, 6 month old pup (we had to guess her age). It was so heartbreaking at first because we had to completely isolate her when she ate because she would go after any speck of food with such speed and force like it would be the last meal she would get. She was scared of Shelby, the sound of Steven's voice, a leash, you name it! It took us quite a few months for her to build that trust with us and believe that we will feed her every morning and every evening and she was home to stay and that we will love and protect her. Because of all that, Callie now has an attitude of gratefulness and thankfulness. And I believe she knows she was rescued. So if you come meet Callie, you'll be introduced to what a 70 pound lap dog full of love looks like :)