Church Camp! I love church camp! Every summer I most look forward to going to Batesburg, SC to the Nazarene Church Camp! This year was unlike no other! We had two wonderful camp speakers- Dr. Dwight Gunter and Dr. Chic Shaver. This year like last I was surrounded by Leviners of all kinds- baby Franklin (who loves to laugh and laugh), 3 year old Silas (who loves to use his imagination to tell make-believe stories), 4 year olds -Christian and Jeffrey (who are always up to something fun), a kindergartener- Anna (who loves to sort all kinds of things), 1st Grader- Samantha- who loves to make sure everyone's doing what she is), 9 year old Ainsley (who loves giving hugs and telling people that she loves them), sister-in-laws Angela and Missi, mother and father-in-laws (Harry and Anna), brother-in-law and preacher Jason, and my wonderful sweet husband Sam. Church camp would not be the same without all these different and fun personalities- all meshed into a tiny cabin where love is shown and given and the Lord is praised. My favorite place in this very special place is the Leviner front porch. We have the perfect view, I think, in all the campground! This is about the only outside place where I don't mind sitting for any length of time in the heat of the day or night and knowing mosquitos, ants, and spiders are lurking someplace nearby while at the same time enjoying the company of family and friends. It's an amazing place and I'm thankful for all the fun memories I have of this very special place on earth!

June 24, 2008

Its my second anniversary and my sister's 16th! Darren, Rhonda, Sam, and I celebrated our anniversaries in our favorite SC city- Charleston. We headed down to Charleston on Friday, June 20th! I couldn't wait to go to the Market and eat at Tommy Condons! We couldn't get out of Orangeburg fast enough but Darren said he just had to stop at the Honda Motorcycle shop- he really needs a motorcycle! This was fun and I saw all kinda of things that would be fun to have recreational wise but I don't do that much stuff outside so oh well!
We got to Charleston and checked into our downtown hotel- Lodge Alley Inn. When I walked into our room I just knew that the upcoming weekend was going to be fun and relaxing- most of all- I got to spend the whole weekend with my BIG sister! This was a first in a long time!!
We unloaded the van put our stuff in our rooms and strolled to the market. We shopped and walked around and then shopped some more. We were getting sorta hungry so we went right onto - you got it- Tommy Condons for some shrimp and grits. We weren't there very long before it started to pour down rain and thunder and lightning. We ended up staying there a very long time because it rained and rained and rained. It did stop; however the streets of the Market were flooded! My brother in law decided it'd be cool to walk in the water with it being up to his knees but shortly after he was in the middle of the road in knee deep water did someone yell "you're standing in sewage". EW, Gross! He didn't care very much- he was already wet and enjoyed having his picture taken by his bride of 16 years so he their two wonderful children could see the fun their daddy was having!! This was pretty adventuresome for one day! We headed to the hotel and took showers then headed back downtown for some shopping and icecream. We found a neat little place for icecream and we won't forget how the lady in the store yelled to passersby "Get your Pralines", "PRALINES", "Get Your Hot Pralines". Of course we went in and tried these awesome HOT PRALINES!
Day 2: Darren and Sam decided that we could conquer bicycling over the the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. We rented bicycles for this excurison and first headed to the battery and then back to the Market to eat at my favorite Deli the Market Street Deli. After filling our tummies we bicycled to the bridge. By this time- Rhonda and I were very hot. Once we got to the bridge she decided that she'd walk her bike for a while. Well I thought that I would do the same. Sam and Darren headed off thinking that crossing this 2.5 mile bridge would be a breeze. They were trying to show off in front of us girls! Well, Rhonda and I did make it- but only to the middle of the bridge. Sam and Darren however made it all the way across- Wohoo for them! As they were coming back across the bridge they found us waiting for them in the middle- oh well, I'll try to make it all the way across next time, next year of course. It was such an experience! We took pictures that somehow looked like Rhonda and I made it all the way across! Afterwards, we went back to the Market and shopped- then it started to pour down rain again- and yes it flooded once more. This was not such a thrill this time and we had to stay in the Market shops for hours- the streets were flooded and we couldn't go anywhere. We did however enjoy the sweet treats at one of the shops! When it finally stopped raining we went back to the Lodge to take showers and then out once again on the town. We ate dinner at Aw, Shucks and then headed to a scrapbook store in Mt. Pleasant- we also found a Dollar Tree- my new favorite store and then of course went to Walmart- funny how you always have to go to Walmart on vacation- even if everyone you go to isn't like the one back home. We eventually traveled back to Charleston and walked around some more! We found the "Parline" store and went in to try all the tasty treats. We stolled on down to the the swings and sat and laughed!

This is Rhonda's point of view about our anniversary trip "Just checking to make sure that you got your pockiebook and earbobs? Don't forget Sam's appt with the physikian on Tues? And when you tell people about our trip tell them "See what had happened was Sam and Darren rode their bikes ahead of us and went 11 miles on the Ravenel bridge and me and you only went 9 miles"!!! --This needs no explanation but it was too funny! After all of this we walked back to the Lodge and called it a night - some of us were still probably pondering the thought of earbobs and pockibooks! On Sunday, we headed back to our homes with tons of fun memories! I can't wait until next year!

Darren and Rhonda!

Melissa and Sam!

Darren in the Market Street Flood- EW Gross!

The Battery!

Darren and Rhonda at The Battery!

Sam- You're so silly!

We made it (well some us)- Arthur Ravenel Bridge!

Are we there yet?

See What had happen was....

Super Star!

Vroom Vroom!

Playing our favorite game- Buzz Word!

So, its summer and the Leviners and Dukes are headed off for a fun week in Gatlinburg, TN! We all pack our duds and are off, but not so much with a great send off.
As we're in tow to Spartanburg- going to meet up with the Dukes, my oldest niece, Courtney, calls to tell me that her dog, Roxie, has died. This was very sad for my nieces as well as my sister, but with Roxie buried we're finally ready for a fun filled week!
After dropping Sterling aka as Sterlie at his brother's house we leave Spartanburg- dog free, somewhat relaxed, and very excited for what's to come!
Most of us were pretty comfortable with our seating arragnements-(well for some of us) Rhonda in the driver's seat (Darren was on a canoeing trip with 8 high school friends and would be joining us in TN a day later), me in the passenger seat, C and K in the middle seats, and Sam- well he volunteered to sit in the very back (with hanging clothes, luggages, coolers, etc. knowing that with the wrong turn (you have to know Rhonda as a driver)- all this "stuff" could end up in his lap (this happened only once)! As soon as we pulled out of the driveway we hear a "Are we there yet", from Kelsey in the back, as she begins to sing the infamous song "99 bottles of pop on the wall"! "No, not quite" we laugh back.
So finally we're off- like most long distance trips you plan an amount of time for your arrival destination. Ours was going to take 2.5 hours of driving but we ended up in TN 6 hours later. We made it to Asheville and Rhonda thought it'd be a good idea to eat at none other then Cracker Barrel! Afterwards, I noticed that there was a Target nearby so we went there. In the Target C and K noticed a Starbucks so we went there and got a double chocolate something. Finally after two hours we're back in the car- we're only in NC mind you!
Now somewhere along this drive we became way to silly or maybe even delirious. Someone found a Mab Lib book and we played way too many in the car- we even strained our eyes to read the stories after all the parts of speech were inserted. We got a lot of laughs and even more so when C read the exit, or which I thought, and assumed the exit number was the price of gas 443. Then as we traveled I got the name of Tacklebait (I still need to ask my sweet husband about this one).
Eventually we arrive in Gatlinburg and our chalet is roomy and nice!
On Sunday we went into the city and even into the next, Pigeon Forge. We went to the aquarium in Gatlinburg and saw lots of funny as well as interesting things! We ate at Hard Rock Cafe (the first for me) and then headed out for some shopping. It was hot and we soon saw an ice cream parlor where we all got our favorite ice cream flavors. Somehow I got hooked on Pineapple Coconut icecream- RHONDA! Later we all walked down to the pool and C, K, and Sam went swimming- the pool looked very dirty to me and Rhonda so we didn't get in. We later found out the pool was converted to a salt water pool- very interesting. Rhonda was too disturbed to swim because this resort hosted fake flowers on the pool's balcony and she was wanting to get this straight right away.
Now, I'm going to "back the truck up" a little. On our arrival Rhonda found a binder in our chalet that listed all the "fun" and "happening" events! She came across a very interesting attraction, "synchronized firefiles", and a "camera" class! Well some of us were wanting to take the camera class while Rhonda wanted all of us to see these never seen before by human eyes fireflies. So from Saturday-Monday we were reminded about these amazing fireflies and how we've never seen fireflies "like this" in our entire lives. However, I do remember as a child collecting them in mason jars at my gradmother's house but okay- these must be some fireflies.
So on Monday, Rhonda wakes up with a lump in her throat and thinks now that she has some plague or even some various type of cancer. I diagnosed her with having a pill dissolve in her throat as she was swallowing it the night before. We tell her she's okay and even I remind her of this when she asks me again about the cancer thing. After playing another round of Mad Libs we go shopping, find a scrapbook store- spend lots of money, shop, venture on over to wal-mart (amazing how you always have to go to walmart on vacation as if there wasn't one from the town in which you came). Then we go eat at this nice restaurant, the Old Mill. It was very nice and tasty and I remember eating way too much food. We left the restaurant and headed on over to the restaurant store. Now I don't know about you, but everytime I go out of town I see somebody from back home. This trip was not any different. As soon as we get into the restaurant store- we see a member of Sam's family and its not a Leviner surprisingly. It's Sam's cousin, Carrol.We chat with Carrol, find some things we want to buy and then we're off to see- you got it- those famous synchronized fireflies. By this time we're all hyped up about these fireflies- thinking we're going to see what no other human being as ever seen before. But really it was an attraction site. We each paid one dollar to ride this trolley which took up deep into the woods. We rode for 15 miles, got off, and walked to where we heard someone say would be the best view to see these, did I tell you, famous fireflies. As we're waiting for it to get dark we began taking pictures of each other as to mark a spot for this adventure in our scrapbooks. We're still waiting for it to get dark when we heard this lady scream "Ian you almost stepped on it". I don't know about you but my instinct tells me theres a snake somewhere close by and famous or not I could do without seeing world famous fireflies in the mountains of TN. Upon hearing these words the men in our group decide to run to the top of where we were to check out this snake- a copperhead in fact. Kelsey and I didn't want any part of it so we ran or maybe flew would be a better word to the nearest trolley. When we reached the beginnings of the woods we were told by park rangers that we could still see the famous fireflies from right where we were. As we tried to view some type of fireflies, our party that wasn't too scared of the snake decided to come find us and join us. As it got darker we did begin to see the fireflies and yes afterall, it was amazing. They would flicker- hundreds of them at once, then stop for six to seven seconds. Then one would begin again and then the rest would join in and then it would start all over again. It was something to see!
On Tuesday, Rhonda still has the lump in her throat and by now she wants to go to the lobby so she can diagnose her problem on the computer. Anyways, we didn't take her to the lobby but instead headed for Pigeon Forge so Sam, Darren, C and K could ride go carts, etc. This was a fun day and we ended it by grilling out ribs, playing Buzz Word, and watching the newly released movie- The Bucket List. The movie was hilarious by the way. We did go to the hotel lobby to get a disgnosis for Rhonda but never google anything- it just gets too compliated and scary.
On Wednesday we went to Dollywood where we rode one thing, did some walking around, ate lunch, and then got rained out. I'm sure we played Buzz Word again- we love this game!
On Thursday night we went to Dixie Stampede, went shopping at Tanger Outlet Mall, and came home to play the now addicted game of Buzz Word. Rhonda now has no lump feeling in her throat so she dissipates the diagnosis of having cancer of the throat.
Friday, was just as fun!
Saturday, we head back to our homes with the warm and fun memories of the week (not before stopping to eat lunch at Cracker Barrel, mind you). Sam and I liked how we laughed so much and how much fun we had being with family. It reminded me of this quote by:
Emma Bombeck
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."

Our Two Year Anniversary Portraits!

We have so many fun things to look forward to this summer! We recently went to a wedding in a Beaufort for Liz and Tony and now we just found out that our friends, Heather and Travis, are expecting their first baby! These are exciting times!!
We also have some very fun vacations planned- Yippee! In June we're going to Gatlinburg, TN for a week, and to Charleston with my sister and her husband for a weekend to celebrate our anniversaries, and then on to church camp (I love church camp by the way)!! In July my niece, Courtney, and brother-in-law, Darren are going to Mexico for a week on a church mission trip so I'm going to stay with my sister, Rhonda, and my niece, Kelsey while they are away. Rhonda (the trip planner queen) has several trips planned for us during my stay with she and Kelsey. We're going to Myrtle Beach and then on to Charleston. I'm looking forward to these trips and spending time with my sister and niece. They are too much fun!

This weekend was Mother's Day weekend! For this occassion Sam and I went to visit mom and PC in Chester. For my mother's day present, Sam, volunteered to landscape mom's yard. It was truly a few days job but Sam finished it in one day with the help of PC and Keith. By the end of the day mom loved her newly arranged shrubs and freshly planted flowers! After a hard's day work the guys cooked out steaks (yum, yum)! They were delicious, but the dessert was another story. We left out one ingredient in the Key Lime Pie and I let the Peach Cobbler remain to long in the oven! Everyone enjoyed the day. We tried to end it with a family game of Buzz Word but Sam fell asleep in the den floor and other family members arrived so we called it a night!
Mom enjoyed her Mother's Day weekend and it was special for all of her girls!

The sweetest girls! Courtney 14 and Kelsey 11!

Melinda and Kelsey!

Touring Savannah on the Trolley!

What's so funny- Silly girl!

The best most southern South Carolina gals!

Watch out Savannah here comes six of the best most southern South Carolina women around! My oldest sister, Rhonda (who loves to plan trips), planned an awesome family women only trip to Savannah, GA and here's the story- my point of view!
When Rhonda called and mentioned about us women going to Savannah and Paula Deen all in the same sentence, I just knew I was going to be on the Paula Deen show!! After the excitement dwindled, (only a little), I began to search for the perfect outfit for my stardom! It wasn't until the night before our trip that I learned that I would only be going to Paula Deen's famous restaurant, Lady and Sons, and would not be appearing as an overly excited audience member on the Paula Deen Show (she doesn't even film her shows in Savannah- where did I think that I would actually be on the show? Hum!). Oh, well it was just the thought!
We had such a great time in Savannah! On Saturday morning (8:00 mind you) Kelsey and Kay stood in the rain outside the Lady and Sons restaurant trying to get reservations for lunch. In the meantime the rest of the crowd- Rhonda, Mamma, Courtney, Melissa, and Melinda wanted to see what all Savannah had to offer so we could plan for the afternoon. The first thing we had to do or at least Rhonda did was to find a trolley tour. She had to know the price for all the different trolley companies and all the sightseeing places that each trolley company had to offer for their guests. She wanted to go sightseeing, on a tour- why couldn't we just drive around- we could pretend to tell each other what we already knew about the important places in Savannah?
I always wondered why my grandparents wanted to sightsee on vacation- I think its an age thing- so Rhonda you're getting um, well you can fill in the blank here yourself, he, he). I think we spent more time trying to figure out the tour trolley guide thing than actually touring the city. Anyways...
After waiting what seemed like hours for Kay and Kelsey we caught back up with them and they finally got us reservations (even if they stood in the rain it was worth it) and we were thrilled that we'd be eating a very southern lunch!
Now after lunch we did tour the historic city of Savannah- on a trolley- in the rain. We really didn't learn anything about the history of Savannah that day- for one we had to pull over twice because of the rain so our tour guide could put the plastic windows back in place and for two the rain and the wind were too loud to hear anything he had to say! But it was fun being driven around on a trolley and knowing that you weren't responsible for any traffic laws that were being broken (I'm sure we did some speeding, some illegal lane change, etc, etc.!)
We of course shopped and dinned however I dont' remember where except at the Lady and Sons. It must've been that good!
Our trip ended so fast. On the way back to SC Rhonda began to name a host of other places for our next family women only trip. I know its going to be a good one just like this trip- filled with laughs and a many of wrong turns!
Our trip was a blast- now ya'll it don't get no more southern than that!

Sam's taking me to Charleston to celebrate our very first wedding anniversary! I'm so excited. We're leaving on Thursday, June 21, 2007 and returning Sunday, June 24th, the day of our first anniversary! We're both happy to have a wonderful first year together as husband and wife!

Anniversary Trip Update:

Our anniversary trip was so much fun! We shopped, ate at a few of my favorite restaurants- Tommy Condons, Market Street Deli, and 82 Queen, shopped some more, took a carriage ride, and did tons of walking! We have decided that we'd like to spend every anniversary in Charleston. It such a beautiful and fun place to be!

It's almost been a year since we've been married! It's been such a great year! Before we got married we heard other married couples say that if you can just make it through your first year of marriage you'll be set. We took this into consideration- I mean, it was advice from other married couples, but we headed into our first year knowing that if we put God in the center of our marriage we would survive anything and everything!
Its been a great year being the Mr. and Mrs. Sam Leviner! We've decorated our home, landscaped the yard, bought lots of new things and if I say so myself its been a lot of fun going through this first phase of our lives!
For our very first anniversary we're going to Charleston, SC. I love Charleston and all the things it has to offer- the Market, the History, the eateries, the shopping- EVERYTHING! We are very excited about our trip and even more for having a wonderful first year of marriage!

Merry Christmas!

Since we stayed up so late Christmas Eve watching movies we awoke at 9:00! We opened presents. Some of the things that I got were: different kinds of pajamas from Victoria's Secret, paints, stationary (which I love, love, love), the book "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks (my favorite author), and several magazine subscriptions. Some things that I got for Sam were clothes, hair trimmer, tools, etc. After opening our presents we began to cook for our lunch at Miss Anna's. We fixed broccoli casserole and made cookies and cream for dessert. When we got to O'burg we ate with Jason, Angela, Harry, Missi, Lee, Samantha, Christian, Anna, and Silas. Then we opened our gifts! What a fun Christmas! I've most enjoyed sitting on the couch watching movies with Sam and Mr. Kitty. Our Christmas tree was beautiful too!

Getting ready to decorate our first Christmas tree!

Hanging the first ornament!

Even Mr. Kitty likes it!

Wow! It's Christmas Eve and we've been married for six months! Today we went to the early morning church service, where we learned about "Understanding God's Love". A topic I've really come to personally understand. From the service we learned just how unconditional God's love really is for His children. The example Rev. Todd Carnes gave to emphasize this is the story of Dick Hoyt and his son Rick. Rick was born paralyzed. At 15 years of age Rick wanted his father to push him in his wheelchair in a 5K race, in order to raise money for an injured classmate. After the race Rick said that during the race he felt most normal. Since this brought joy to Rick, Dick entered many races with his sone, pulling him in a raft through water, bicycling him through long paths, etc. The love that Dick had for his son, Rick was unconditional! A link to watch this amazing father/son team is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64A_AJjj8M4&feature=related

This example helped me to more understand God's love for me and Sam.
After the service we came home to eat leftovers from D's Wings (my favorite restuarant. Afterward lunch we watched "Shanghi Noon" and then it was off to church again for the Christmas Eve service. Sam's parents drove from Orangeburg to join us at the church service.
After church we came home and cooked dinner for Sam's parents. We cooked porked chops, corn, peas, mashed potatoes, blueberry muffins, sugar cookies, and drank lots of sweet tea! When they left Sam and I fixed Starbucks coffee and watched "The Lion King 1.5" and "Trading Spaces".
This was such a fun Christmas Eve!

We had a very nice honeymoon in Naples, Florida! Here's Sam taking me over the threshold of our new home! I can't wait to see the kind of home we get to build!

Our Wedding Day!
THE BIG DAY! We have looked forward to this day for a very long time. We have everything planned and we're looking forward to all the things that this very special day will be for us! We are so thankful for our parents, our attendants- who are our family and some even our very best friends, and our guests for making this day for us very memorable!
I began the day with a bridal luncheon at my parents house. This was a lot of fun and the food was delicious- Thank you Ms. Kathy and mamma! We took pictures and shared special memories over the years!
Afterwards we headed over to the reception to see how things were progressing- some minor glitches, but with help from my family and friends- it was taken care of!! Then after the cake was delivered- I headed on over to the church! This was relaxing- believe it or not! After we all got dressed- it was picture time! This was so much fun!! Our photographer, Patty Hallman took photos of the bridal party indoors and outdoors. It was June and very hot according to dad but I didn't mind at all- afterall I was marrying the best and it was worth it!
When it was almost time for daddy and I to make it to the front of the church I received a special gift from Sam! It was 9 pink roses and 1 single white rose! We'd been dating for 9 years at the time and the card with the roses read-
Melissa,
The nine pink roses represent the nine years we have been together. The single white rose represents our future together. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.
With all my heart,
Sam

After reading this through tears- I was ready to walk down the aisle! Our ceremony was so wonderful and special. Throughout the wedding I kept thinking that in this very room are all the people that love us and want to share with us our special day! It was so exciting!
We had our reception, at The Cinema in the Palmetto Room, where we had our first dance as Mr. and Mrs.- to the song Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts! We danced, ate cake, ate some more and greeted our guests that came to share our moment in time.
All to quickly the night came to an end and as we said our good-byes we were off and ready for a week of honeymooning in Naples, Florida. So, Florida, here some the Leviners!

Wedding plans are coming along nicely! Yesterday, I went to Heather's house! She spent eight hours on our wedding slide show. It took a long time, but its' so wonderful. The time was well spent. Thank you Heather!! It's nice to look back at all the important events in your life. I can't wait for our guests to see it.

This is my first blog ever! So I'll start with the big event that's happening in my life. In two weeks I'm getting married to my beau, Sam, of nine years. I'm very excited about the wedding. We've been planning for the past eleven months and now we're ready. I'm looking forward to my big day!

The Proposal

Sam took me to Edisto Beach on July 2, 2005! His whole family met us there, so we could all enjoy the day together. We arrived at the beach at 10:30. I spent most of the morning laying out and talking with my to be sister-in-law, Angela. Sam spent most of the morning playing in the water with his four small nieces and nephews. After lunch, he told me that he had to go to the car to get his camera. When he came back he told me that on the other side of the rocks there was a huge horseshoe crab that he wanted me to see. I grabbed my camera, and we walked toward the rocks. His whole family followed us to see what I thought was going to be a really big crab. After crossing the rocks, Sam led me down to the water, and in the sand he'd written with seashells, "Will You Marry Me?" As I was reading what was written in the sand, I looked over and Sam was on one knee asking me to marry him! Of course I said, "YES"! The crowd on the beach that watched Sam make his proposal message to me cheered as I said yes. It was a great proposal!