Coming Up Roses

(MATT)

So everyone just to drop in again at the late night hours, I’m glad to be back and regularly contributing to the blog as it once was.

As I’m sure many of you know now at this point, Amber and I have posted up several pictures under the permission of our photographer on Facebook.

I’d like to take this time real quick to throw out a ‘Shout Out’ alert and let everyone know that Amber and I are greatly appreciative of our photographer Shelly Dibble.  She is first and foremost a friend to the both of us and secondly an AMAZINGLY talented photographer with a huge future in the field.

Ya know to be honest, some people wonder how others can get such gratification out of taking pictures and so on and so forth.  Well I will be the first to say that after moving on from the wedding since July 24 of this year and doing so many other things…to see those photos again of our special day brought back misty eyes and good feelings.

I don’t personally know why Shelly is in photography myself, but what I will say is that I hope she does it for the rest of her life.  If she can make any of her clients feel as good as Amber and I when we first saw how our photos turned out, then it would be worth it.  She not only captured a special day for both Amber and I, but captured photos of family member on both sides that are so near and dear to us both.  To have a photo with my mother and brothers and sisters means the world to me.  We can’t see each other that much these days, maybe as a whole, once or twice a year…TOPS.

To have a photo with my grandmother, my mother’s mom, goes beyond words at this point.  To see Amber with her parents and grandparents together and taking in the day is something that is truly special and unforgettable.  One of Amber’s grandparents, her dad’s dad, lives in Florida, which means he can’t be around all too much.

Thank you so much Shelly for not just doing your job, or getting photos of Amber and I, but for TRULY capturing the day and giving Amber and I something we can hold onto forever.  Memories.

God bless you Shelly for not just doing your job but for doing it with pride, love, friendship, and good old fashioned hard work. 

I know Amber and I weren’t the most patient of customers.  I know this.  But after seeing how you made our pictures look, can you blame us?  If either of us would have known the pictures would have turned out this nice, we would have been breathing down your back the day after the wedding.  Now don’t get me wrong.  We knew you were the right lady for the job.  But the difference is, you KNOW Amber and I.  You know what matters to us.  and because of that, your photos were not only breath taking, but better than what any other photographer could have done.

Many don’t know that during the wedding/reception…Shelly was much like Amber and I…without food or water on perhaps one of the hottest days of the year.

So someone tell me that there wasn’t something else going on.  Other photographers could have or might have stopped working as hard.  Taken several breaks and perhaps missed many special moments.  Maybe even leave.  But Shelly, you got better and better as the day went on from what we can see on these photos.

God bless you Shelly Dibble for doing what you do.  You give people memories to take home for a lifetime.  You’re a memory maker who puts smiles on people’s faces for a living.  That’s such a blessed job to have.  One that not just anyone could do.

This post, as you can tell, is dedicated to Shelly and her efforts on July 24th, 2010. 

Now there were two other ladies involved with the photography of the wedding day and their efforts do not go unnoticed either. I just felt it important to clarify a few things first and foremost. 

Truly and from the bottom of my heart.  For all of those involved in the production and flow of the wedding, thank you.  It’s been months now since the day took place, but seeing those photos and looking at everyone come together…people who I never pictured being together, whether it be for the first time or again for that matter, means the world to me.

God bless and goodnight from Evansville.

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Sweet, but sour

(MATT)

There are approximately 3 days until I leave for Evansville again and my goodness is it bittersweet.  I have really enjoyed living with my big bro for the past couple of summers but it’s time for me to move on since I’m well…getting married, lol.  It’s time for me to head on back to Evansville since I do have a new job working in my own field of work, which is television.

I am going to miss everything about my days before marriage, I won’t lie, but life is about moving on and remembering your past for what it was.  My past has made me the person I am today.  No matter what happens to me or my family or my friends, I will always be Matt, and my friends and family will always be first.  But marriage will bring so many more amazing things to my life and Amber’s as well.  So hear me for what it’s worth.

I AM going to miss the old ways of life I used to live, but am VERY excited about marrying the most amazing girl in the world.  To think that I will be married in only 20 days leaves me completely dumbfounded.  For those of you who know me as little Fedda, Baffroom, Mattchu, Balloon Butt, those days are all gone and will never be back, but wow, think of the names I can pass along to my children once they come around.  Considering the fact that Amber and I were big babies, who knows, maybe our kids will be big enough to earn the title of Balloon Butt Jr., but of course there can only be one Fedda, Baffroom and Mattchu, lol.

My Dad and I

It is going to be hard for a lot of people to swallow the fact that their Matthew is going to be married and living on his own away from family in the town of Evansville.  My parents didn’t raise no fool though, I’ll tell you this much.  Raised in a Christian environment that showed me the way and the truth has taught me so much and how no matter what comes my way, I keep my head up towards the sky and leave all the mess behind.  God has plans for me and Amber and we will both do what we can in order to live up to our potential.

I’m destined to be the best husband I can be.

The best dad I can be

The best friend I can be.

The best brother I can be.

The best uncle I can be.

The best grandson I can be.

The best son I can be.

All of this while living through God’s word.

Okay so let’s dig deeper into those previous statements.

I’m destined for one thing here…But this ONE thing is the stepping stone to other parts of my life if it really is in my heart, which is living by God’s word.  I’m destined to live a life that God has laid out for me to grow and learn in.  One that provides me with a child OR two, a wife and a wide range of family and friends that love me for who I am.  Notice how I don’t say that anything is GIVEN, considering the fact that nothing is a GIVEN.

My Mom

For all I know, I could die tonight.  Anything in my life could be taken away at any moment and I would need to keep truckin.  That’s one thing I have learned and though it has been hard to truly dig into it, I must remember that God is ALWAYS in control.

Now I know I have thrown out a lot of random thoughts in this blog post, but just realize this…

I’m blessed with so many things in my life.  Count your blessings everyone.

I read a great quote from a good guy on the USI baseball team, a team I commented for during my time in school, that went something like this:

“If you were to have everything you wouldn’t appreciate anything.”

Now whether or not this was his own personal quote doesn’t matter, but what it does show is one major flaw in the human nature.

Count your blessings every single day before you go crying about what you don’t have.

I fail at this on a consistent basis, but try my hardest every day to remind myself of these blessings that get overlooked.

Thanks to Amber however, in just 20 days, I will have another amazing family to add to my own.

Now that I’m moving out and leaving behind an old life, I want to thank two major people who don’t get the thanks they deserve for my success.

My mom and dad.

My Mom and I

I love them to death and no matter what the past holds or what the future presents, those two raised me from the ground up.  People say I have the best of both worlds and I couldn’t agree more.  I’m ready for marriage because of these two people.  If it weren’t for their advice and life lectures, I would surely be doubting my upcoming marriage or perhaps not even be in position to get hitched, but mom and dad, you two deserve all my love.  You two are the best and have always had my back.  Tears come to my eyes as I finish this extended blog post because I feel like I’m leaving my parents behind as I move up and out, but it’s quite the opposite.  My marriage to Amber will be a constant ‘thank you’ for what they taught me and gave me…love.

Just count your blessings people.  It sounds so easy, yet we don’t do it.  Take 5-10 minutes out of your day and just realize what you have.

God bless you all and goodnight.

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Haven’t done this in WEEKS! Muh bad!

(MATT)

So I got some serious shouting out to do so I better utilize my voice to the best of my abilities so I don’t lose it.

I gotta shout out to the radio station I’m done with @ USI.  At least, to specific people anyway.  I wanna thank the morning show hosts, Gavin and Michelle, and also our program director and my good friend, Andrew Bolin.  Good folks right there people, so get to know them.

I wanna thank Chris Chaudoin, our minister, for all of the wedding prep he has put us through, including our last meeting on Wednesday!  You’re one the best people Chris and we wouldn’t want anyone else marrying us on our special day! Holla!

I wanna shout out to Zach and Samantha for feeding me last night since I have nothing do with Amber being back home and all unpacked and stuff:( It was mighty tasty food you two, and it is always good hanging out with the both of ya…Well sometimes @ least, haha! JK

Shout out to all of the coaches and players I have had the opportunity to report on and interview since I started doing work here at school.  They have all helped make this a memorable ride for me through school as I hope to get back into the field as I head out into the real world.

Shouts go out to my brother Nick for taking me back in again this summer as I will be all over the place I’m sure.  A lot will be going on this summer and Nick, as last year, will let me stay with him and just have a good time in the process.

Thank you all for what you do and hopefully things are looking up for each of you as well.  God bless you and be easy as time goes on.  I love all you people!

This list is compiled of some good gooooood people.  I’m glad to be associated with each and every one of them.

PEACE!!!

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Yeah, shout outs have made a comeback!

(MATT)

So I looked over into the side of the page and noticed that there were only 15 or so shoutouts recorded up to this point for our blog, which I find to be QUITE ridiculous!

So lemme start by shouting out to Shanda Martin and Ryan Hale for getting married and becoming one flesh in God’s eyes.  I am so proud of the both of them and only wish them the best.

Now I just need to go about getting Amber and I married, and then we can go about life just fine, lol.

Shout outs go to Josh Moser for agreeing to help out Amber and I for our wedding day music when we go walking down the aisle.  Josh will play I’m Yours by Jason Mraz and then Somewhere Over The Rainbow when her and I leave the wedding area and move our way over to the reception.  Thanks a lot again Josh.  You’re a great friend with a strong talent in the musical field.  Keep it up playa!

Shout out to the other groomsmen for all of their good times during Ryan’s wedding week.  I had a chance to hang out with Woody, Nick, Adam and Cody and all of these guys were a handful of laughter, lol.

I can’t recall how many times these guys whipped out the ol that’s what she said routine, LOL!

But anyways, these guys were great to get to know and now it all comes to an end with the wedding finally over.

Hope to see these guys again sometime down the road and in the future perhaps.

Shout out to everyone really at the reception for the wedding.  Everyone there really helped make it a good day for both Ryan and Shanda and so shout outs have to go to all of you for giving Ryan and Shanda such a solid foundation of faith and Godliness in their lives.

That is all for tonight as I now must hop into the journal and write up some more insightful bits of information about myself and such for Amber to read in 97 days.

Oh yeah…97 days until Amber Davis becomes my wife!

OOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! What’s up with that?! What’s up with that?!

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Yelling down an empty tunnel

(MATT)

So I wanna give some mondo shout outs to some folks after I failed to do so the passed few days now in the wake of my absence

I wanna give a shout out and thanks to Gary McGinnis for sitting down with me on Friday night to get me on the right track for my impending career in the media.

Shout out to Amber’s dad, Dave, who took time out of his shortened night on Friday to TAKE ME to Gary in the first place.  It was so late and I KNOW he was tired, but it mattered enough to him to take me out and get something done, so I REALLY appreciate it Dave! Thanks!

Shout out to Amber’s mom, Amanda and grandmother, Minnie Pearl, for making a very delicious Easter dinner! It’s good every year and today was no exception 🙂

Shout out to my family on Easter, since I couldn’t make it to see them! I love all of you guys very much and will be seeing you all very soon with my graduation coming up in May, but happy Easter! I miss all of you guys and hope everything is going well back home while I’m away @ school!

PEACE!!! and God bless to everyone!

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Out of shouts

(MATT)

So I wanna give a warm shout out to Samantha Hooyer for allowing me to make her my subject for a paper I have to do.  Thanks Samantha! Now you better give me the information I need or else I’m gonna get a bad grade!

Sarcastic shout outs go out to my phone for being a jank piece of crap that doesn’t wanna charge anymore.  I go and pay 120 bucks or something on this phone a couple of years ago and there it goes.  Stupid thing.  Realy stupid, LOL.

Shout out to Amber for being so beautiful 🙂 Hey boo I see you there! I got to see her today, so anytime I get to see her I need to give a big shout out because I don’t get to see her enough right now.

Shout out to my mother for standing up to Amber’s mom after Amanda said that I didn’t wanna see her angry, LOL!

Oh it’s all in good fun everybody! Our moms aren’t mad at each other geez!

And hmmmm… that seems to be it for tonight peoples!

Goodnight and a pleasant tomorrow!

God bless you folks 🙂

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Shoot! It’s time for a shout out!

(MATT)

So how’s about I give a shout out to God for allowing Amber and I to hang out ALL DAY today:)  Amber and I really love being in each other’s presence and laughing out loud, while watching NCAA basketball games.  It was perfect though when I think about it.  It was rainy out all day today and cold and just down right messy.  There was nothing that needed to be done and plenty of free time to be with my girl.  so I grabbed the bull by the horns and took advantage of the situation!  I love you baby boo!

Shout out to being alive and being able to enjoy each day of living.  I mean think about how we all wake up each day and just overlook everything that happens.  Nothing is guaranteed in this life and to be able to wake up each day with another chance to make something of yourself and to spend it with the people you care about most…priceless.  No this isn’t Mastercard, but it makes a lot of sense.  We need to appreciate what we have and notice the little things that maybe aren’t quite so little.

But that seems to be all my shout ou….NOPE!

Shout out to finally getting a cruise picked out for the honeymoon in August! YES! We’re rolling now.  It’s a matter of just getting everything else done behind the scenes and talking some things over before we go through with it and make it official.

all right, so NOW that’s all of them.

So God bless you all again and so long for the night folks!

God love ya!

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More Shouty Outies!

(MATT)

So I wanna give a HUGE shout out to In-n-Out Burger for having a magnificent concept of a burger and what it should really be along with having this draw to it that makes me only want it more.  Big shouts out to you people @ In-N-Out!

Shout out to my boo Amber, because she is of course one of the most amazing women I know.  She is so good to me and to her friends.  She really makes me smile and makes me miss her so much more when I speak with her on the phone and I hear the boredom or sadness in her voice.  Baby you and I will be great together.  School is just rough right now.  But boo, you’re my girl for life and no matter what, we will get through life together, and living life the way it should be…happy and together.

Shout out to the production staff, guests, host and fans of the All-Nighter with Gavin Eddings.  This show tore it up tonight on SETV12 on USI’s television channel here on campus.  Great job tonight guys and way to go.  This show is really headed in the right direction.  I like what I see and I see something I like.

Shout out to Ben Baker, the musical guest for Gavin’s show tonight.  I did mention guests up above, but wow, I really like your music man.  I have a great passion for independent artists like your self and your lyrics and rhythms are really something special.  Good work tonight man.  Good work.

Well that’s the bell folks and so you know what that means.

You don’t…?

Well it means that tonight’s shout outs are done for tonight!!!!

UGH, I know 😦

But tune in again tomorrow my people and see how mine and Amber’s day goes tomorrow.  HAHA! PEACE!!!

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Bartender! Double Shot of Shout Outs Please!

(MATT)

So as I promised I wanna give a double dose of shout-outs as I did with my nyquil…double dose…eehhh okay so I didn’t quite do that.  Just one.

Anyways I wanna give a shout out to Amber for being so friggin incredible.  I gotta give her a shout out everyday for what she does for me.  She cares so deeply for me even though I grab her feet and tickle her causing her to freak out and kick me in the face.  Hmmm…maybe that last part wasn’t necessary…

How about this…

Anyways I wanna give a shout out to Amber for being so friggin incredible.  I gotta give her a shout out everyday for what she does for me.  She cares so deeply for me even though I grab her feet and tickle her causing her to freak out and kick me in the face.

There we go!

Now I also wanna give a shout to my Mom and brothers for getting measured up today in sunny Florida for their tuxes…not my Mom…she doesn’t wear tuxes.  I should probably mention that my brothers Nick (30), Brennon (16) and Jordan (16) are going to be my groomsmen.  Along with my friend from church, Ryan Hale.  Why did I put the ages on each of my brothers…well good question, I don’t know either.

So shouts out to all of them of course.

Imma holla @ my friend/coworker David DeLong for texting me the game cancellation before I drove 3 hours to St. Louis.  You’re lucky this time David…this time.  But shouts out to you for getting to me JUST in time.

Oh and I have noticed that I’ve yet to shout out to God for some reason.  I without a doubt believe that regardless of me being sick, God has a plan for me.  I have been working my butt off with school and work and have forgotten how to relax and let him take control of the uncontrollable.  I put so much of my focus on earthly things sometimes that…I’ll admit it…I forget to put him first.  I care more about meeting a deadline than anything else sometimes, EVEN though it is my job, I need to keep important things first.  I worry about tomorrow, and for those of you who know anything about what God tells us, he says for us to not worry about tomorrow, that he’s in control.  Of course I’m paraphrasing but what I’m saying is that I need to take care of things as they come and can’t get wrapped up on things months or years down the road.  Think about how much can change within that time period and what might come your way.

Shout outs to my coworker Ben Vogel too.  He did his FIRST commentating on Friday and didn’t do too bad.  Of course I’m nowhere close to perfect, or great for that matter, but I was very pleased.  I love my sports crew @ the station and wish them all the best in the future.  You guys have bright futures, @ least I’d hope to think!

hmmm…

That may be it for the night.  the nyquil is kicking in folks! Goodnight and God bless!

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Shouting!

(MATT)

World’s fastest shout outs!

Ben Trockman for being such a great sport for all of these students, including myself.  Ben is a great guy if you get to know him and talk to him on a regular basis.

No other real shout out’s than that, which I feel bad for, but there just isnt enough time to go through everything.

Bye everybody!

Sorry for the short blog posts tonight!

I’m just sooooo tired! ugh!

See you all and God bless you all!!!

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