American Honey

Tagged :)

2012-03-01T18:48:00.002-08:00

So, about 2 months ago, my friend Marley tagged me to answer some questions in my blog. It took me long enough. I enjoyed answering them :)

1. "Saved by the Bell" vs. "Family Matters"--whicht one is better? Why? "Saved by the Bell," because Zach Morris is really attractive. Also, I really love teenage dramas. (Ridiculous, I know.)

2. What is your favorite gift you have ever been given? This is really hard and I have a terrible memory, so it makes it really hard to think about "EVER been given." I’m just going to go with one of my birthday gifts this year. Jason gave me several bottles of wine. I love that he put so much thought into my gift… to give me more of an experience rather than something material. Because, wine is such a wonderful experience… Also, it was a gift that lasted a long time, considering I have not drunk all of the bottles yet.

3. If you could have one talent, what would it be? Something musical. I would love to be able to just play some instrument, even if it was just by ear. I know this could be attained… I have such little motivation, though! If the talent could just be magically bestowed to me, that would be awesome.

4. What song reminds you of your teen years? Any N'Sync or Backstreet Boys music. Those were the good 'ole days :)

5. If you could take a vacation to anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would go to Italy. I would love to see all the beautiful sights there and experience Italian food and wine first-hand!

6. You have a Friday night at home all to yourself...what do you do? I clean and organize and stay absolutely busy until I am dog-tired. Then I fall asleep. I am so lame.

7. If you could choose to be born into another culture, which one would it be? Why? I don’t think I would choose to be born into another culture. I guess if I had to choose, it would be something European… only because their countries and lifestyles seem so elusive, alluring, and leisurely.

8. What is the worst advice you have ever been given? To break up with Jason. That obviously did not last long at all.

9. Whose story from the Bible do you most connect with? Definitely Martha. I am too busy and worried and hustled to take a moment and just visit with the Father sometimes. I want things to look and be perfect… when really I have no control over that… and what I really need is to spend time with the only One who is perfect and can make all things perfect.

10. What is your favorite hymn? "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Morning by morning… so thankful my God is faithful even when I am not.

11. If money were no object, who would you like to give a gift to? What gift? I know that I would gift my sister… I would probably buy her the log cabin about which she daydreams.

I'VE NOT BLOGGED IN 7 MONTHS!!!

2012-02-26T19:53:00.005-08:00

Hello fellow bloggers! I have absolutely no excuse for not blogging. I did start a new job in August... but that's a terrible excuse! I'm back to complete the 30 Day thing I began A LONG TIME AGO in one blog.

So, here goes...
Day 23: Favorite Vacation
Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of this vacation... because it was taken nearly 10 years ago before I had a computer, and I have never scanned the pictures.
Anyways... my favorite vacation ever was in July of 2003 to California with Jason and his family! We were there for 10 days and we visited lots of places in CA. We began in Los Angeles. Swooning over the star-studded town, we visited the Ivy Restaurant, toured Beverly Hills, and gawked at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Packed into a rental car, we made our way to Disneyland in Anaheim. Of course, we had a magical time :) After meeting Woody and Jessie and riding James and the Giant Peach Ferris Wheel, we took a night off in Anaheim to watch "Mamma Mia!" After our fun adventure in Mickey Mouse's territory, we traveled up the coast of CA to stop at Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. We walked on the beach, shopped, and listened to bagpipes that play every afternoon! Our next city to discover was San Fransisco. Listening to the seals bark, we checked out Pier 39. We walked around downtown and ate at the neatest restaurant called "Foreign Cinema." One of the most memorable days of our trip was our last... Allison's Birthday! Wineries and the Redwood Forest are not too shabby activities to do on your 10th (I think!) birthday!
This was, by far, the most unique vacation. I am crossing my fingers for us to head back out west as a family pretty soon in the future!

Day 24: Something you've learned
Oh good heavens... what one thing can I chose to share with you? I certainly learn something every day. Recently, I have learned a lot about how you cannot please everyone. As long as I am seeking Christ, honoring my husband, and doing my best in all I do... then that's really all I CAN DO! Someone is always going to have an opinion... and a criticism. But, my allegiance is to Christ, not to man! Thank goodness.

Day 25: Put your Ipod on shuffle, share first 10 songs.
1. The Lady is a Tramp - Frank Sinatra
2. Immortality - Celine Dion
3. Home of the Blues - Joaquin Phoenix (from Walk the Line)
4. Jesus Doesn't Care - Point of Grace
5. Seasons of Love - Rent
6. What Makes You Think You're the One - Fleetwood Mac
7. If I'm Not In Love - Faith Hill
8. Prayer - Celine Dion
9. Take it Back - She & Him
10. Then You Look at Me - Celine Dion

Looks like I love Celine Dion...

Day 26: Picture of my Family

My Parents, Dusty and Amanda, me, Jason, and my sister, Bethany at Disneyworld in 2010!

My In-Loves! Emily, Nancy, Allison, Jason, me, Jeffery.

I'm so blessed to have two incredible families!

Day 27: Pets
Jason and I bought a less-than-a-pound Yorkie in May 2009 and our lives have not been the same since! She fills our whole hearts with happiness!
Dixie Doodle

Day 28: Something that stresses me out...
Well, the thing that probably stresses me out the most is not hearing from Jason when I know he could be driving. I get so worried if I've not heard from him! I just need to know that he is safe!
I also get stressed when things aren't picked up and clean... because I'm crazy!

Day 29: 3 wishes
1. I wish that all three of my sisters would find husbands who seek God's heart passionately.
2. I wish that my mom's brain would heal completely.
3. I wish that when people made vows (covenants with God) that they really realized what they were doing. Marriage is a vow... it is for life.

Day 30: a picture
This is our most recent picture... Charity Ball 2012.
Alright friends! That's all for tonight. I will try to start blogging more :) It is therapeutic if I actually take the time to sit down! Love ya'll!

day 22: my favorite city

2011-08-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
i am never more happy than when i am in oxford. just a quick stroll around the square
or driving through campus brings a smile to my face.
so i have compiled a list (certainly not complete because i can't possible think of them all) of the things i LOVE about oxford:
...all the incredible dining. any price range, any taste buds... oxford has something for you! a few of my faves include ravine, rice & spice, and bottletree bakery.
...little to no traffic.
...ole miss football and basketball games.

...beautiful scenery.

...regents school of oxford and my family there :)
...fbc oxford and my 4th grade sunday school kids.

...local businesses who know you and want to take care of you.

Even though I didn't grow up here, I feel more at home here than I do anywhere else. I love it and I never wanna leave!

day 21: picture of yourself

2011-06-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

So.... I like taking pictures ha! This is a collection of pics from 2005 when I graduated to this spring (2011)! Enjoy - I sure had fun looking back through all of them!

2005 - about to go to a play at the BLT

2006 - right after I had gotten engaged!

2007 - at my wedding to Jason Michael!

2008 - at our honeymoon in Paris! oooh la la!

2008 - in Boston, MA inside a church :)

2009 - with the cards I won playing Apples to Apples with sweet friends!

2009 - at Comic Con for the first time!2009 - in New York City trying to figure out how this line is art at MOMA

2009: excited about my Hungry Caterpillar book for Christmas!

2010: at the top of a slope in Beaver Creek, CO ... you can see Jason in my sunglasses!2010 - in New Orleans goofing around for Nancy's Birthday!2010 - in EPCOT posing hehe :)

2011 - enjoying a walk around Ole Miss when we got 10 inches of snow!

2011 - cheesing for Jason on his b-day and supporting my Rebs!

day 20: nicknames

2011-06-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

so i've never had one official nickname. i have lots of different ones and none of them are consistent and some aren't even used anymore.

here are some of them throughout the years...
blondie - official nickname from my father from the moment i finally had hair instead of peach fuzz until now
eugenia - occasional nickname from my father... it's complicated
daneeka - what people called me when they wanted to aggravate me :-P
darnika - friends from youth group thought this was humorous
"d" - i only had one childhood friend call me this and he never called me anything else
dannie - my baby sister calls me this to this day
dan dan - my sisters-in-love decided on calling me this and it's stuck. alot of people now use this nickname, which i like
dan - when someone doesn't feel like saying another "dan" ... i'm called this alot too

and my husband calls me a plethora of sickeningly sweet nicknames like baby girl, sweetheart, pookie, baby, blah blah blah he loves me :)

day 19: something you miss

2011-06-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

i miss waking up early on the weekend to go down to my grandparents house to tend the garden.
i miss childlike imagination - playing with toys and having imaginary friends.
i miss dating my husband like when we were in high school... so much mystery, not being able to spend the night together, having to wait and be pursued... so sweet!
i miss living in the country... walking around outside however i want :) quiet, animals roaming around, birds singing louder... peaceful.
i miss forensics speech and debate... being a part of a team, a family of friends.
i miss my great grandma.... who always had a sweet smile, never judged a soul, and made the best cowboy cookies ever.
i miss shopping for school supplies... the smell of brand new pencils and paper... labeling everything with your name... the first day of school.
i miss four wheeler riding with my dad.
i miss helping my paw paw with the chicken houses.
i miss going to the creek and discovering the woods on foot on my own.
i miss having my best friends Kayla and Suzanne to spend the night - baking and watching movies... oh and talking until we can't keep our eyes open anymore.
i miss being a kid... not understanding the intricacies of family and relationships which can sometimes lead to pain and heartache... being innocent and pure... carefree and without anxiety.

most of all...
i miss my mom. i miss the person she used to be. i miss the woman that raised me and became my best friend. i miss talking to her and shopping with her and laughing with her. i miss her more than i miss anything else.
i am grateful for who God has made her to be now, but still miss the mom i knew.

remembering the sweet memories,
danica layne

2011-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

day 18: something you regret

i really just don't like that word! i am just of the mind set that everything happens for a reason and i would not be who i am today if it wasn't for the moments, experiences, mistakes, etc that i have encountered.

so i'm just a sore sport on this blog day... cause i don't regret!

i love my life! i love who God has made me to be and how he is constantly working on me! in fact, one of my favorite songs goes along with my ideals, so i'll just share that with you!

"Change in the Making"
by: Addison Road

There's a better version of me
That I can't quite see
But things are gonna change
Right now I'm a total mess and
Right now I'm completely incomplete
But things are gonna change
'Cause you're not through with me yet

This is a redemption's story
With every step that I'm taking
Every day, you're chipping away
What I don't need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I'm closer to who I'm meant to be
I'm a change in the making

Wish I could live more patiently
Wish I could give a little more of me
Without stopping to think twice
Wish I had faith like a little child
Wish I could walk a single mile
Without tripping on my own feet

I'm living a redemption's story
With every step that I'm taking
Every day, you're chipping away
What I don't need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I'm closer to who I'm meant to be
I'm a change in the making

From the dawn of history
You make new and you redeem
From a broken world to a broken heart
You finish what you start in everything
Like a river rolls into the sea
We're not who we're going to be
But things are going to change

I'm living a redemption's story
With every step that I'm taking
Every day, you're chipping away
What I don't need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I'm closer to who I'm meant to be
I'm a change in the making

I'm a change in the making
I'm not who I'm going to be
I'm moving closer to your glory

under construction as i blog,
danica layne :)

2011-06-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

day 17: something you're looking forward to

hmmm...

Going to San Diego, CA in July for Comic Con!!!

This will be our second time to go and this year we plan on dressing up... If you wanna put your two cents in about who we should impersonate, feel free to do so! We are still planning :)
I love going to this convention so much because it makes Jason so happy!!! I also don't mind seeing celebrities and watching exclusive previews!

Also, I am looking forward to being a teacher next year!!! I will be teaching Pre-K at Regents Classical Christian School in Oxford. I absolutely love the school and the staff and the kids and their mission and everything about it. I cannot wait to finally have my very OWN ROOM and teach.

Lastly... I am ready for fall - Ole Miss Football and cooler temps!!! It'll be here before I know it :)

day 16: my dream house

2011-04-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

Well... I am not sure there is one particular house that is my dream house (unless an option would be the castle at Disney World!!! cause I'd totally live there :-D ). Jason and I are hoping to purchase a home within the next year in Oxford, so I find myself often entertaining thoughts of what my home will look like, elements I want it to have/not have, things I want to put in it, etc etc etc. So I would like to share a few elements of my dream home... probably not the home I'll buy next year, but maybe the home I'll build when I'm much older :)

*A wrap around porch - this is something I have dreamed about since I was a little girl.

*An open kitchen/breakfast/family area. more opportunity for spending quality time together!

*A big ole island in the middle of my kitchen.

*A big ole garden tub - no jets, I don't like those things! I may be the only woman in the world who doesn't.

*A garage!!! No snow built up on your car, no carrying bags inside in the rain, no leather seats smokin' hot from the sun... the list could go on!

*A bigger closet! What every girl needs :)

*A room dedicated to Jason and his collectibles, so I don't have to see them :)

*A bathroom with a toilet room. No explanation needed.

*MORE storage space!

*At least one bay window. I just love those.

*No carpet floors.

*A fire place!

That's all I can think of right now. I don't spend too much time thinking about what I don't have. I try to enjoy and beautify what I do have at the moment! Looking forward to the time in my life when I can buy and build though. It will be a fun adventure.

day 15: bible verse

2011-02-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

There is nothing in this world like God's word! It heals my hurt, directs my steps, consoles my mind, delights my heart, inspires my life, nourishes my soul, and meets my needs! There is nothing material as important to me as my Bible. I couldn't pick just one verse, so I'll leave you with a few of my favorites.

*When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

*And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12: 5-11

*"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ."
Phillipians 1:6

*Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8: 17

Like I said, these are just a few that come to mind. I hope they inspire you.

Loving my Lord and His Word,
Danica

day 14: a picture you love

2011-01-24T19:56:00.001-08:00

this was taken in disneyworld in 2007. it is just such a funny picture to me. it is not posed - it is 100% real emotion. and it represents mine and jason's relationship very well :) we have so much fun together and laugh ALOT! LOVE this pic!

day 13: goals

2011-01-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

i have some goals for this year. i don't like to make "resolutions" because they seem more like commitments that i feel obligated to complete, instead of exciting opportunities to become a better person. so goals are a little easier to have i think. they give me a little more wiggle room :)

goals for 2011.
- read the entire Bible
- learn some spanish
- make exercise a part of my lifestyle
- save enough $$$ to buy a house by 2012

that's all for now. don't wanna dream too big ha!

day 12: what you believe

2011-01-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

well this is a tough topic to put into words... or maybe it can be really simple and i am just complicating things.
first and foremost i believe in JESUS CHRIST. i believe that God sent Jesus to be born of a virgin in a manger. i believe that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life for 33 years on Earth. i believe that He died a cruel death on a cross and then triumphantly rose 3 days after His death, defeating once and for all sin, death, and Satan. i believe in my Savior Jesus Christ more than i believe in ANYTHING else in my life, and that HE is the ONLY way to God.
i believe that God is the creator of all things. i believe that God is love, joy, hope, and freedom, among so much more. i believe that God expects us to have a personal relationship with Him, daily communicating with and seeking Him. I believe that having that personal relationship, committing your life to Jesus Christ, is the ONLY way to Heaven. i believe there is a Heaven and a Hell. i believe in God's Word. i believe that it is pure truth and contains everything we need to know to make it through this life.
i believe in treating others the way you would like to be treated. i believe in loving others above yourself, serving others before yourself. i believe in humbleness, thankfulness, patience, kindness, loyalty, truthfulness, faithfulness, perseverance, peacefulness, forgiveness, goodness, and love (among other things that i cannot think of right now!).
i believe in marriage. i believe that God designed marriage to last forever between one man and one woman - till death do you part. i believe that marriage is hard. it is not always happy. it is not always fun. it is not always easy. i believe that it is designed to make us holier - which is an incredibly tough, strenuous, and at times, a painful task. i believe that marriage is beautiful and it honors God.

i probably could go on all night discussing passionate beliefs that i hold. the most important beliefs i have though are discussed above.

in love with my Savior and my husband,
Danica

day 11: favorite tv shows

2011-01-05T08:58:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness! I am crazy about television! jason and i have way too much recording on our dvr regularly. we connect with our tv shows - we have (almost) the same kind of humor and interests. a few of my favorites are not jason's (which one would probably be able to guess!).

and honestly there are a few that i'm embarrassed to share :) so yeah, i watch too much tv.

day 10: something you're afraid of

2011-01-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

on a not-so-serious level: spiders. i really hate those 8 legs. totally creeps me out. i've gotten much better over the years, but in the past i have literally jumped on top of a washing machine to keep away from a small spider. silly, i know.

on a more emotional level: i am afraid of losing people i love. especially jason. i think this has a lot to do with, or is certainly further fueled by, my mom's near-death car accident in 2005. also, i have been with jason since i was 16 and really could not imagine life without him. i know God has a wonderful plan for us and i work daily to trust Him 100% with my husband :)

day 9: a picture of your friends

2011-01-03T18:57:00.001-08:00

sisters make the greatest FRIENDS :)
from left: emily boyd, bethany boyd, allison boyd

clockwise from the top: kayla emfinger (best friends since first grade), suzanne sereduck (best friends since 9th grade), aleshia cox (friends since summer 2010), liz taylor (friends since summer 2008).

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down his friend can help him up..." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Thankful to God for my friends. I love you all dearly.

day 8: a place you've traveled to

2011-01-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

my favorite place i've traveled in america: california
this is a picture of me and jason in 2006 at balboa park, san diego

we have visited california 3 times, and definitely want to go back soon. we have been to l.a., anaheim/disneyland, san fransisco, san diego, carmel by the sea, and a few places in napa valley.

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the only place we have visited outside of america is paris, france for our honeymoon! it was incredible, new, fun, stressful, and exciting - among many other things!
that's us in front of the eiffel tower :)

Day 7: Favorite Movies

2010-12-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

I have so many favorite movies! Jason and I love movies. We are so compatible - we like the same kind of movies and watch most any genre (except horror and documentary-type stuff). We love love love going to the movie theater together - sometimes we even do back-to-back shows and stay in the theater for like 4 hours! We are a little ridiculous :) but it's something we love, enjoy doing together, and connect through.

So here are a few of my favorites!

My favorite movie of all time - THE LITTLE MERMAID!

2010-12-19T15:39:00.001-08:00

Day 6

2010-12-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Day 6: A Picture of Something that Makes You Happppppy!

I think I will have to put more than one picture :)

Things:

People:

2010-12-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

Pure Imagination!!!

Jason and I decided to make truffles tonight and I wanted to share them on my BLOG!
The first ones are cookies and cream, the second are peanut butter pecan, and the last ones are mocha truffles.
I must say - they are super yummy! I may just post the recipes later!
Enjoy our short video :)

Siblings

2010-12-15T07:29:00.001-08:00

Day 5: Your Siblings

Bethany Rayne Boyd is my sister. She's 3 and a half years younger than me. I have had her in my life for 20 life-changing years. We grew up not liking each other much. We definitely fought. I was a little too bossy. We were sisters! Once I FINALLY got my own bedroom at the ancient age of 16, things got a little better between us. After my mom had her accident, I sort of had to mother my little sister. Our relationship changed alot then. It grew and strengthened. We had to lean on each other at times when we had no one else. Finally, when she moved up to Ole Miss for college, I believe we became best friends. No matter what... we have a bond that cannot be broken. Nothing can shake our love and friendship and loyalty to one another. I LOVE HER more than I could ever say and would give my life for her. I love you Bethany!

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I also have 2 sisters-in-law who I adore. I'd rather not even use the whole "in-law" part because I consider them my real sisters.

Emily and Allison Boyd

I love each of them sooooo much! It is more than I could have ever asked for to join a family and gain two best friends. God is so good to me! Each of them are so unique and add so much joy to my life. They both are fun and good listeners (that's important cause I love to talk!). No matter where we are or what we are doing, we always have a good time together!
I love you Em and I love you Al!

Day 4: Your Parents

2010-12-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

My parents are Dusty (Eugene) and Amanda Boyd.

This picture was taken 4 years after my mom's accident!

My mother married my father at the wee age of 17 in 1963 and they've been together ever since.
My dad has worked offshore 7/7 for Chevron for years. He loves the outdoors and playing his electric guitar. I often fell asleep to BLARING AC/DC as opposed to lullabies as a child. He made sure we were in God's house every time the doors were open and for that I am thankful.
My mom was a homemaker until my little sister started school. In her spare time she loved to do crafts, garden, cook, be the head party mom for my school classrooms, teach Sunday school and GA's at church, and just be with her girls. She was the best mom ever! Once my sister started kindergarten she decided to go back to work. She worked as a teacher's assistant, pre-K teacher, and then head bank teller until July 7, 2005.
On that day, my mom nearly lost her life in a car accident. She had a severe brain injury and a broken vertebrae. The fact that she walks, talks, and functions today is an incredible MIRACLE made possible by THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. She was unconscious in University Medical Center for 2 months and then in rehab for 1 month before she finally came home. It has been 5 years since then and my mom is not the same. People see her and are astonished, which delights me. However, things are still not "fixed" and she has a really tough time with emotions and memory daily. Although at times I get discouraged - 1)I am SO GRATEFUL to simply have her here with us and 2)I will never lose hope in my Savior to continue healing my mother.

This was my mom 4 months after her accident.

Nothing has affected, changed, inspired my life as much as my mom's accident.
Today my mom is again a homemaker and enjoys cooking even more than she used to, I think!
The thing I am most grateful for regarding my parents, is that they raised me Christian. Thank you for teaching me about Jesus Christ, Mom and Dad!

I would also like to make a shout out to my incredible in-laws, who are also like parents to me! They welcomed me into their family a long time before it was ever legal. They treat me like one of their own and give me so much love and warmth! I would not be the same without their influence on my life. Thank you for accepting me and for sharing your son with me!

2010-12-09T14:40:00.001-08:00

Day 3 - Your First Love

There is no doubt that Jason Michael Boyd was my first love, is my first love, and will always be my first love. We have been together for 8 years now, about to celebrate our 8th Christmas together. It has been the best journey of my life and will continue to be! I love him more everyday. He strengthens me, changes me, encourages me. He knows me better than I know myself, accepts me for everything I am, and is always looking to the person he knows I can be through our Heavenly Father. I really could go on and on about him and I know it would make you sick to your stomach ha! I LOVE JASON MICHAEL BOYD and I THANK GOD FOR HIM EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

Day 2: Meaning Behind my Blog Name

2010-12-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

I just recently changed my blog name to "American Honey."
It's one of my very favorite songs by Lady Antebellum. The first time I heard it, I just felt like it described me and the strong connection I will always have to the country. I grew up 14 miles from the city... and a small city at that, in Mississippi. As much as I've always thought I wanted to get away from the country, I never feel more at home than I do around the woods! It's comfort. I added the lyrics below for your enjoyment :)

"She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring and strong love grows
She grew up good
She grew up slow
Like American honey

Steady as a preacher
Free as a weed
Couldn't wait to get going
But wasn't quite ready to leave
So innocent, pure and sweet
American honey

There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summertime
And American honey

Get caught in the race
Of this crazy life
Trying to be everything can make you lose your mind
I just wanna go back in time
To American honey

There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summertime
And American honey

Gone for so long now
I gotta get back to her somehow
To American honey

Ooh There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summertime
And American honey
And American honey"

Day 1: Introduce, Recent Picture, Interesting Facts

2010-12-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

Introduce:
My name is Danica Layne Boyd. I am married to Jason Michael Boyd. We have been married for 3 years and together for a total of 8 years. He is my best friend! We have a sweet little Yorkie named Dixie! She warms our hearts and no one is ever as excited to see us as she is! We live in Oxford, MS and I love it so much, I never wanna move! I graduated from Ole Miss in 2009 with an Elementary Education major. Right now I am working as an assistant/secretary at Regents Classical Christian School of Oxford and hoping to be a teacher there next year! It is an incredible, sweet institution and it blesses me daily! I attend First Baptist Church Oxford and teach 4th grade Sunday School and it is one of my passions in life! Teaching God's Word to children... there's nothing better. I am full of joy and energy (most of the time!). I am always busy doing something... planning, cleaning, shopping, these are a few of my favorite things! This blog is an attempt at me chronicling some of my life. Hope you enjoy it!

Recent Picture:

The picture of Dixie is one of my favorites. She looks like a mess! She's so funny!
The one of me and Jason is from November when we went on a weekend trip to Branson for a marriage conference. It was very fun and the foliage in the area was beautiful!

15 Interesting Facts:

1. I lived in the same house from the time I was born until I moved to Ole Miss for college. My parents still live in that house.
2. I shared a bedroom AND BED with my baby sister for the first 16 years of my life.
3. My husband believes I have a super immune system because I rarely get sick.
4. Pain medicine has little to no effect on me = incredibly painful wisdom teeth experience.
5. I am addicted to biting my fingernails and absolutely nothing else.
6. I have been to the San Diego Comic Convention and I loved it! For those of you not familiar- this is a nerdfest. I'm a nerd.
7. I hate hate hate Gone with the Wind.
8. My parents fell in love when my mom was in high school, Jason's parents are "high school sweethearts," and Jason and I are "high school sweethearts!"
9. My favorite song is "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Cass Elliot.
10. I love love love to sing.
11. I have believed in and followed Jesus Christ since I was 11 years old. He just gets better and better. With His help, I hope I do too! He is the lover of my soul.
12. My favorite magazine is Entertainment Weekly. Especially the Bulls-eye on the last page of every issue!
13. I do not like light. I do not like noise. I do not like hot weather. If I had it my way, I suppose that I'd just live in a cave.
14. I have not been in a tanning bed in 6 years and I do not ever plan to get into one again! Fair skin is the way to go :)
15. I adore Beth Moore and aspire to go through every one of her Bible studies.

2010-11-30T19:14:00.000-08:00

Seeing how I haven't posted anything since January, I thought I'd end my year of NOT blogging with this idea I found on my friend Liz's blog. I may not do it every day but I will complete it by January, I hope!

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite TV shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture

2010-01-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

So, I posted a widget. I've never done that before. I spend a lot of my time singing the music to "In the Heights" right now. It's a hard musical to learn lyrics to, because it's a lot of rap and fast paced music, but I LOVE IT. I love musicals, I love singing - it's a happy place for me. Just to sing along to music in my car and get caught up in the moments that I remember from the actual performance. So incredible.
Anyway....
This week has been going well so far. This was my first week to have lesson plans prepared and it's actually been nice because I've been very.... prepared! I don't have to stress in the morning during my planning period about what I'm going to do that day - I just look on my lesson plans and GO! Not such a bad deal in the end - just not fun having that to do on top of my heaping mound of paperwork! ah well.
I have started a new Bible study. It's called "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer. I am loving it so far. I am sure I'll just fall more in love as it continues. It is about our journey as Christians to our own promised lands - the place that God wants to meet us and enrich our lives far more than we could ever imagine. Oh, how I want to find that place. Sometimes I get so caught up (well alot of the time) in this world... in my life... in just going through each day - that I forget why I'm really here. I forget what my focus should be. The study has asked questions about things that hold me back from God, things that seem good - but are really just "perks" of the sinful choices I may be making. I am repeatedly convicted of one thing that I can't seem to shake. I fear this thing and yet I invite it in my life often. This "purple worm" (what a former youth minister called a sin or problem that is keeping you from growing closer to God) is materialism. There I said it. I don't have many followers, so it's not like I'm sharing it with many people - but I'm putting it out there. I am materialistic. I place too much value on the things of this world. Things that mean nothing. That cannot get me anywhere - especially anywhere with my SAVIOR - the Father who LOVES me and WANTS me and ROMANCES me. Gosh I'm silly. I'm glad that at least I realize that I need to work on this cause that'd be pretty sad if I had no idea. So yeah.... I'm working through this and hoping that with God's help I can overcome this ridiculous problem.
I think that's enough for tonight, plus I need to get to sleep - school starts bright and early.

I'm going to leave my precious readers with an interesting quote from my bible study:
"We can be sure that any good things the Enemy gives us are only intended to keep us nourished enough to continue under the yoke of his bondage."

In the Heights Music Widget

2010-01-26T18:58:00.001-08:00

something, something, something danica

2010-01-23T21:15:00.000-08:00

my title is in honor of "something, something, something dark side" since i'm watching that right now with jason. family guy never fails. always funny :)
well i went shopping today (big surprise) - it's my favorite thing to do on a day off. i got some cute stuff! i even got some lingerie ;-P any one who knows me, knows that i find that kind of stuff very important and fun! i think that wives should make "the bedroom" a place of "joyful noise" and celebration! we can't do that if we come to bed in stuff covering us from head to toe every night :) i've been reading the book "captivating" and it's really made me want to use the beauty that God has given me, the beauty that our husbands so desperately long for. ok, i'll get off that little sermon.
so this week we(interventionists) found out that we were responsible for writing lesson plans starting this past friday. beforehand, we did not have to - mainly because we have so much paperwork already and because it's hard to write down plans for all the different levels/grades we see. but that all changed this week. and it has been extremely stressful. i have 45 students who are on TST (for those non-education majors - this is a process we use for students who are struggling and need more help than just a regular classroom can give). TST students require a good bit of paperwork. i used to only have 32 tst students - but now i have 45 AND lesson plans. when i write lesson plans i have to do it for 6 grades, 2 days a week. that's 12 different plans. sometimes i feel like i am not sure how i'm supposed to keep up with all of it. but... each week ends up just fine and i make it. i always make it through :)
we just found out last week that we are for sure going snow skiing for spring break. i'm pretty excited because we are going to beaver creek and that's a resort we've never been to before. i don't love skiing though.... here's the reason. it's scares me. every moment i'm up there, i'm afraid i'm going to fall and break something, or hit someone or something. it's ridiculous and i should be comfortable after three trips. maybe the fourth times a charm...???
well i'm going to say goodbye for now. maybe i'll post again sooner rather than later :)

my new year resolutions, just cause i like being traditional (not because I believe I will accomplish all of these)

2010-01-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

1. I want to read a little everyday - at least a chapter of a book every 3 days. I really love to read once I sit down and do it. I miss it and hate that I still buy books even though I seem to have stopped reading them! So... I'm going to read more.
2. Exercise at least 3 times a week... I've got to get to the Turner Center to actually do that - maybe next week considering I've not been able to pull myself from my warm house to go up there and exercise :)
3. Begin and complete the scrapbook for our Paris Honeymoon. I have all the pics and materials, just haven't sat down and played with it yet.
4. I want to find more ways to serve in the community. Not sure how I am going to accomplish this yet, but I want to do it.
5. Put all of my pictures - even the old ones at my parent's house - in photo albums in chronological order. This will be a complicated task, but one that I will be very happy with in the long run. Gotta get on ordering some nice big albums!
6. I want to enjoy that swing on my front porch more... so warm weather, HURRY UP!
7. Talk to my grandparents more. They are so precious to me and I don't want to waste any time I have with them. God has blessed me incredibly by keeping all 4 of my grandparents here.
8. STOP BITING MY FINGERNAILS!!! and grow a beautiful set of natural nails.
9. Email, call, contact those people close to me more often - such as... my mother and MIL, sisters, Kayla, Suzanne, Liz, Nonni, etc... These people are SPECIAL to me and sometimes I feel like I don't pay enough attention to them or their lives.
10. Write more thank you notes - just cause I like to!

I think that's all. It's a big list but guess what???? I've already finished one book this year! So excited. On that subject, I need to go read a chapter before I go to bed. Night night!

well, i'm blogging now, i suppose

2009-12-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

So... Kayla made me get a blog. I am not sure how good I am going to be at blogging. Who knows, I may run to the computer every time I get excited or aggravated and share what is going on! We will just have to see.
Tomorrow I am headed to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl = mixed feelings about that. I am sooooo excited to see the Rebels play because I love them. I am also excited to be with my family and hopefully get some shopping time in! However... I really wanna just sit at my house and enjoy time resting - watching tv, reading, cleaning my house, maybe playing a video game with Jason... just chilling. Ooooooh well... I have no doubt that Dallas will be very fun!
Tonight we went to see "It's Complicated." And... it was hilarious! BUT - it didn't end like I wanted it to. I won't say any more since it hasn't been out for very long. Overall I liked it, although I created a separate ending in my head :)
Alright - I need to go pack. Hope this was satisfactory for a first blog!