Birthday Goodies

Bronx got a few treats for his 3rd birthday. Before I forget - here are some of his goodies.

All time favorite kind of toy - a new tug rope 

All the way from the Outer Banks of NC - a Salty Paws Biscuit

Bronx's Nana Carol brought this back from her recent vacation. 

Giving Daddy a hand shake for his cookie. 

Finally getting his cookie. :) Spoiled little boy.

I am thankful....

Thanksgiving sometimes tends to be over shadowed by Christmas. Its easy to do because they are so close to one another, and tend to be the biggest holidays of the whole year for most families.

So while a lot of hustle and bustle will be going on in order to bake turkeys, pies, and dressing I'm taking the time a few days before the holiday to remember what I'm thankful for, on Thanksgiving, and the whole year round.

I am thankful......
To have a caring man who has found a way to love, the hard-to-love person I am. I don't always deserve the amazingly kind gestures and unconditional love he shows me. I'm the luckiest lady alive, for the never ending reasons he finds to love me more every day. I'm so thankful I can call him my husband.

I am thankful......
This year Bronx is not recovering from surgery. It was a rough time for all of us. We're so glad he's healthy and 100% recovered from his injury. We are very excited Bronx is healthy enough to participate in the holiday gatherings this year.

I am thankful......
For such a large family to spend the holidays with. Sometimes is a struggle getting everyone in the same place and making visits all over town, but its a wonderful struggle and worth it! Family is everything.

 I am thankful......
To have a warm home, clothing on my back, food in my belly, and to be lucky enough to have a job to continue to provide for my family.

I am thankful......
For the many blessings I receive through out the year and for the unanswered prayers that are blessings in disguise. 



What are you thankful for? 

Bronx turns THREE! (11/10/12)

 

Bronx - you are three years old! 

When I begged asked Dave for a dog - a lab was not what I had in mind.

You don't always get what you want out of life, and sometimes, that's a blessing. 

Bronx, 

You are the reason I get up every morning. No, really. You get your Momma up every morning at a time I never saw on the clock before you. 

You are the reason I don't need a therapist. First of all, after paying for you I can't afford a therapist, so I just use you. You don't talk back or tell me that I'm crazy, so I'd say we're both getting the best of both worlds on that. 

You have never met a stranger and are the happiest puppy when you get around new people. "The new people" may beg to differ, but its so sweet to see you so excited about getting to lick new faces and get belly rubs.

You are no longer a puppy...but you'll always be Mommas puppy. Always.

You have not had the easiest life, thus far, but you have never let anything get in your way and you are always so gentle and loving, even when you don't feel well. And yes, I would pay for another 20 surgeries and work 5 jobs, if that's what it takes to make sure you are always healthy and have the best quality of life. 

You (we) never outgrew the whole co-sleeping thing, so you are still wedged in between your Daddy and I all night.....in our queen sized bed. I have no idea how we all three fit in there, let along sleep, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world (and neither would your Daddy, but he wont admit it)

You are the most spoiled dog in the world. Its okay, because I'm partially at fault for this one. I baby you a little too much. I give you more hugs than you care for. I give you cookies just because and take you on extra long walks just because I can. Your Daddy always tells me that I created a monster. Don't you worry about what they say about you - spoiled or not you are a little ham and everyone spoils you rotten (I'm not taking all the blame for this one)

You are one of the best things that ever happened to me. That sounds really corny, but its true. Besides your Dad, you are one of the best things in life that I get to call mine. You can always make my day better or bring a smile to my face. You are the best at giving cuddles, which is just what I need some days. You are seriously my pride and joy and you'll always be my FIRST "baby"

Bronx - The Bad Puppy

Just a few days shy of Bronx's 3rd birthday I bragged to my husband about what a good dog he was. I went on and on about how awesome it was that he didn't inherit the "chew everything" gene, like most labs. 

Just a few days shy of Bronx's 3rd birthday I found him in the living room, being far too quiet...

Meet Bronx, The Bad Puppy 

(yep, that's my dress sock - sans toe) 

Obviously, I wanted to blame Bronx, but being the crazy rational Momma that I am, I decided that it was really more my fault than his. He only did this after I kept putting off his afternoon walk and he hadn't had any exercise all day long - which is NOT an option with a Labrador Retriever.

I didn't let him off the hook completely though - he didn't get a bone after dinner and I made sure to show him his handy work several times before tossing the sock in the trash.

You win some, you lose some. 

He's still the sweetest "Bad Puppy" I've ever seen (I'm a little biased, I know)

Eleven Years Ago

It doesn't seem like a big number. Its one plus ten. Its one more than the number of fingers and toes. It never seemed like a special number, until now.

Eleven years ago, almost to the day, I met a young blue eyed boy through a mutual friend. I was a freshman in high school. I was freckle faced and metal mouthed. I was shy and unsure. I was ready for new life and ready to jump into life full force. I was fourteen! Three weeks later I went on a group outing with that blue eyed boy, to Hooters of all places.

We're not perfect and neither is our relationship, but its ours and we work hard to have it and we love each other unconditionally for the time, effort, sweat and tears that have gone into US. For 13 months out of that eleven years I didn't have Dave by my side. I lived a completely different life and learned a lot during those 13 months. I learned that you don't know what you have until its gone. I learned that you don't always get second chances, so when you do be VERY grateful for them. I learned that true love never dies and can't be hidden or tossed away. I learned that forgiveness is one of the most precious things God allowed us to do and I'm thankful beyond words for that. Not everyone knows that part of my marriage/relationship, because I don't share it often. But sometimes life seems perfect when looking in from the outside and I want to make sure that I'm real and I'm not perfect and neither is my life.

Its been a wild ride and though there have been some trials and tribulations we have loved every minute of it. We were young, we were dumb, but oh my, we were in love! I thank God daily for making that shy blue eyed boy my husband.

We've been through cancer, surgeries, broken hearts, failed classes, losing loved ones, English homework, driver's license exams, college baseball games, bar fights, proms, fishing trips, graduations, new cars, building houses, engagements, new puppies, and tying the knot. I couldn't think of anyone else in this entire world I would have rather shared those memories with, the good and the bad.

Eleven years ago I was taking daily and extremely long bathroom breaks from Mrs. Cable's English class to meet my sweetheart in the hall for a kiss.

Eleven years ago I was crying in my room because my Dad wasn't going to let me go to prom with a 'senior' boy!

Eleven years ago I was smitten and hooked on the boy who gave me butterflies in my stomach by just glancing my way.

Eleven years ago I told my Mom I had met the man I would marry, but ensured her it would be many many years before I did so.

Eleven years later, I'm sitting here, in OUR home, with OUR puppy, totally loving and enjoying every minute of OUR life that WE made TOGETHER. And I can't wait for what is yet to come.

Its funny how things work out in the end. Its funny that my Mom got to tell me, "You were right" on my wedding day. I love her for being protective over me and I love her even more for trusting me at such a young age to learn to love and grow in love with the man I now call my husband.

I hear often that teenagers are not capable of finding true love. I have a lot to say about that, but I wont. I don't have to. I know the truth, because I've lived it and I get to live it every day.

So, now that I've been insanely mushy and completely lovey dovey with this post there is only one thing left to say.
Happy Friday! :)

Happy Pinning

I jumped on the Pinterest band wagon long ago, but it wasn't until recently that I made my first Pinterest inspired DIY project, or one that wasn't a fail. Sigh.

 

Because I purchased the frame (hello coupon) it wasn't a cheap project....but I fell in love with the frame at Hobby Lobby and just knew it would be perfect for this! Sign up for the email - those 40% coupons are game changers for Pinterest projects!

Without further rambling....

 

Our Love Map

I didn't start on this project until I had the frame. I knew I wanted my hearts to be in "a row" and when I found this frame I knew it was meant to be (I saw a version using an 8x10 and square maps).

 

After you have your frame its time to get down to business;

 

1. Pick your places - I chose engagement site, honeymoon site, and our wedding site which doubles as our home site since we were married in our home town.

2. Hunt down your maps - I had the most luck online but my co-worker did this project and she was able to use some old car maps and atlas' she had at home (can you say, FREE?)

3. Set your shape - Choose a shape and cut yourself a template. This will make sure your "maps" are all uniform.

4. Glue, Glue, Glue - I used a TON of glue and mod podge to make sure there were no edges lifting up and everything held in place good through the framing process.

5. Frame it and Hang it! Done!

Halloween 2012

We were so boring for Halloween this year. It probably stems from the 20,000 events/parties/showers/wedding and such we've had going on lately. 

I painted a pumpkin - or attempted to paint it :) We just relaxed together at home watching a little TV and staying warm with home made tomato basil soup! 

I was able to snag one semi-decent photo of Bronx with my painted pumpkin before it got too dark.