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. 

Stylin' and Profilin' - I did it!

If you knew me in real life...   Nevermind, that's a line for a whole 'nother post.

When it comes to style, I don't always jump right on the band wagon. I'm a little reserved and I tend to stick with what I feel most comfortable in. However, you'll find out quickly that today I was all like, "Hey, everyone's doing it and so am I!"

Sometimes you might catch me rocking 5 inch pumps and a pencil skirt if you bumped into me leaving the office. (It must be noted, however, that on causal Fridays -I'm rocking the hell out of my jeans or sun dress)

Other times, you'll probably catch me in a pair of jeans and a fitted tee or leggings and a tunic and ballet flats or TOMS. Like  I said, I'm a comfort gal.

I've been eyeing everyone's posts and Instagram's lately and I've been dying to try mixing my bright, bold colors together in one outfit. Its hard for me. I'm that "matchy matchy" kind of person. I like everything in my outfit to match. I think it has something to do with the way my Mom dressed me as a child (Hello, Sam and Libby's  AND big hair bows in EVERY COLOR to go with my dresses)

Spoiler Alert - if you follow me on Instagram (@MrsCharleeWise) then you've already seen it :(

I finally grew some freakin' balls and did it! I mixed it up and went totally un-matchy matchy.

 

Its a little out of foucus, but you get the point.

I'm going all Guliana Rancic on you with my opinion of this outfit - Amazeballs!

 

Coral Cardigan - J. Lopez at Kohls

Royal Blue Skinnies - JCPenny's own brand

Black V-neck Tank - Old Navy

 

 

 

Have you taken the plunge yet? 

Weekend Recap - A Weekend Full of Nothing

If it looks like we had a boring weekend - its because we did.

 

For the past 5 weekends we have gone to 3 weddings, 2 showers, 1 Alumni event, 2 birthday parties, and one work event. We were all worn out...completely.

 

We slept in all weekend and even took a few little naps together. We didn't do one single thing (other than pick up a dresser that will be my next DIY project) other than be lazy and it felt so good!

 

Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say "Life - we're dropping into low gear for a few days and that's the end of the story." Its nice to be able to kick back and relax after several weeks of non-stop on the go-ness...even if it doesn't happen often.