Amy & Steven

Well I'm running out the door for church...LATE again! I will come back and write more about these two this afternoon (trust me I have MUCH to say.... HAHAHA!). I just wanted to have a few up before church so they would have something to look forward to when they got home! Check back to read all about them!

Goodbye sweet Patience

How do you say goodbye to someone who has meant so much? You rammble on and on!

Tuesday October 16th our beautiful babygirl left us for greener pastures. We are very sad to see her go but we know that she is running with Permagard around heaven on new legs. Having the time of her life!!!

More than 12 years ago Daniel began the search for the "perfect" dog and he found her. Patience McGirck as he so lovingly called her. After reading up about a number of breeds and then finding out about Greyhounds the idea of rescuing a dog in desperate need of love sounded wonderful to him. After 6 months of filing paperwork and a home visit he finally was blessed with the presence of the mangy looking 9 month old. She was scared out of her wits... and so was he. As they sat on the front porch together she walked up to him and put her head to his chest and a 12 year love story was born.

I met Patience and Permagard 5 and 1/2 years ago when Daniel and I began dating. I had never seen a Greyhound in person and thought that they look a bit funny. I wasn't use to the arrow dynamic build made for running. It didnt take long for me to fall madly in love with all three of them (Daniel and the babies). I think it took Patience just a little longer to decide she loved me. Ya see he was HERS... hahaha! The first time I ever took her and Perm to the vet alone the receptionist and I talked about how much she adored Daniel. The woman said "ya know there are lots of people who walk in here proud of their dogs ready to show them off, but Patience is the only dog I have ever seen who walks in here showing her human off. Its like she thinks, look at Him, aint he great." And she was right. i have never watched a dog and human love the way these two loved. When he walked into the room you could see it in her eyes.

A couple of years ago heartache taught me to love her the same way Daniel did. When we lost Permagard she and I mourned together. She understood feelings and was very intuned to what was happening. As we would lay together on her pillow she would let me cry into her neck and never got annoyed with me. She knew that I was hurting and she was hurting as well. From then on she was my baby and I was her mommy.

Patience had the strongest determination. Even though her legs were stiff from Arthritis she would run after the boys and let them have it. She had to let them know who was boss every once and a while. She knew anything they could do she could do better. Never for a minute did she release the title "Queen of everything".
She was so Patient when I decided that we should foster Greys. She let them know she was boss, but she also sheltered, loved and protected each one of them. She put up with her rambucious brothers and having to share the pillows and only because slightly iriatated about it. She has been the reason for many greyhounds finding forever homes. Because of her many more greys will call this house home. There had never been a more perfect girl. Heaven is lucky to have her.

Patience Marie (McGirk) Spray May 1995 - Oct. 16, 2007









If you are considering adopting a dog please think about Greyhounds. If you have any questions please let me know. There are many dogs in need of a loving home. And www.greytalk.com is a great resource for any questions you may have!

A special thanks to Kristin Bednarz for the photos of Daniel , I , Patience and Permagard 2 years ago. Now that I can look at them with out crying they mean the world to me! Love ya friend!

I was tagged by Marla...

...To tell about my man.

OK I normally am not a TAG type gal. But the wonderful Marla Barnard tagged me and she tagged me about my fav subject... my totally AWESOME hubby!!!!! So enjoy all the fabulous details that I know you all are dying to know!




1. Who is your man? Daniel Bruce Spray (A.K.A Scoot Daddy...HA! He's gonna kill me!)

2. How long have you been together? 5.5 years!!!!! Married 4 yrs October 11th!

3. How long dated? 1 year 7 months

4. How old is your man? 39

5. Who eats more? HAHA we will say him... and he better back me up on that!!!! ;)

6. Who said "I love you" first? He did. It took me a little longer to admit it but I loved him very early on.

7. Who is taller? He is @ 5'11" and 7/8

8. Who sings better? Depends what is being sung... if its Bob Dylan HIM or Natural Woman ...still him!!!!

9. Who is smarter? Daniel... he's like a freakin wikipedia...SERIOUSLY!

10. Whose temper is worse? HMMMM... mine! He's good at remaining calm... MOST of the time.

11. Who does the laundry? ME... well HIM... OK neither!!! HAHA!

12. Who takes out the garbage? He does. He has ALWAYS been great about it. I have never had to ask him to do it!!!! My hero!

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? hmmm which side is the right. if You are standing at the foot of the bed I sleep on the right!

14. Who pays the bills? (God) Me...

15. Who is better with the computer? Daniel knows more of the technical stuff like IP addresses and configurations, but I think I know my way around them a tad better because I am trapped in front of one ALL DAY!

16. Who mows the lawn? Daniel, I am a self proclaimed wimp... I hate the heat!

17. Who cooks dinner? Rosa's!!!!

18. Who drives when you are together? He does. I actually drove for the first time from on a roadtrip from Sweetwater to Dallas the other day bc he was zonked... most of the time I sleep!

19. Who pays when you go out? One of us! It doesn't matter... I always say I'll get this one but then I can't find my debit card... he claims I do it on purpose, but I would NEVER do that...heeheee!

20. Who is most stubborn? OK I know Daniel would say I am...but there is NO way! We both are mules but he is a tad more stubborn.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Daniel but I think I am pretty good about it too. Actually what is sick is Daniel is NEVER wrong. I married the one man who doesnt "think" hes right all the time... he is!

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. My mother in law is 2 hrs away and my dad lives here!

23. Who kissed who first? Daniel kissed me first. On the forehead and my heart skipped... literally! a few minutes later we planted a doosie of one on eachother!

24. Who asked who out? HA! Daniel.... funny story... you should ask me sometime I LOVE to tell it! Involves a Pickle!

25. Who proposed? He did and big surprise I was a balling idiot. Then he asked me to wait to tell anyone until after my brother's wedding so as not to still their thunder which was 2 weeks away... YEAH RIGHT! I lasted until the next morning!

26. Who is more sensitive? I show it more and am too tender hearted, but Daniel is very sensitive to other people's needs. Good uses his mild manor to comfort people who are hurting, it is one of the things I admire most about him.

27. Who has more friends? DANIEL!

28. Who has more siblings? I do! 2 to 1

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Daniel does but he never bullies me. We make decisions together and he always considers me before he makes a decision. But God has given him wisdom that I do not possess so most the time he has the better course of action.

And I'm gonna step outside the box. I am tagging some of you bloggers that I may barely know or not know at all. IF you are reading this and wanna share about your fantastic hubby/wifey do so. Consider yourself tagged and then post a comment so I can check it out... !

Kenley King

Miss Kenley emailed me this week to order some of her bridals. As I was going through them I realized I had never blogged this beautiful session. We got together last November for her session. The poor thing was going to Cabo to get married and wanted some portraits to take with her. I had so much fun with Kenley and her mom Shanna. They let me take them whereever I wanted and her mom kept saying "oh Im gonna want to order that one".... music to a photogs ears...hahahaha. I call Kenley my "look away" bride because her away look was so stunning and I kept saying "OK look away"... And just in case you are wondering they had a MARVELOUS time in CABO. (sidenote: just incase you were unsure, if you are planning a wedding to Cabo... or any other tropical climate for that matter....do nto hesitate to call. I am ALL about it!)
Thanks Kenley for being so amazing to work with. Sorry I didnt show these babies off sooner!!!!

This was part of my bible study today. This is what I want to always remember. It doesn't matter how much WE accomplish only what God has accomplished for us. We are so previledged to be children of the KING.

FIGHT SONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click HERE TO PRE-ORDER

Lubbock's own Justin Barnard's newsest album will release October 2nd! Justin wrote and performs the song on my website... www.tonidaniel.com I myself have not heard the CD but I have been excited about it for a while. Justin and his wife Marla have praising spirits and to me it is never more evident that when I here them sing. Go pre-order Fight Songs, I know that it will bless your soul!

LOOKING FOR PICS?

If you are looking for photos and dont see them scroll down. If you cant find them there then look in the archives... I have gotten alot better about this blogging thing, and on occasion blog twice the same day! I know who'd a thought!!! So that means your photos may have been posted and moved down already! Also dont be afraid to comment... I'd love to hear some feedback! I have had so much fun these past few months and I am proud of the blog... well when I actually do it! Have some wonderful peeps to show off! Enjoy!

Gabe's photos!

A few months ago I shot Gabes Bar mitzvah! If you have seen the post than you know if was an AMAZING party. If you are back looking for those photos click here..

For those family and friends that would like to see all the photos from the weekend please contact Eileen or Gabe and they can email you the link.

Ofcourse let me know if you have any questions!
toni@tonidaniel.com