But you hate dogs!

I remember the first time I told my family and friends that I wanted to get a dog.. Every single person had the same reaction.. jaw drop.. bug eyes.. gasp.. "YOU want a DOG?! But you hate dogs!?!"

And it was true.

But it was really more of a fear than anything else. And it wasn't all dogs.. it was the big guys. I was petrified of big dogs.. but small dogs I could always handle. At the time, I was living with a few friends and bringing a pup into the picture wasn't an option. When I moved out and moved into my own apartment, I began my search and started the adoption process. About that time I met Matt. I suddenly found myself spending all of my time with him at his place. He already had a dog so I decided that it wasn't the best time for me to adopt and I backed out. I spent the next few years wishing I had gone ahead with the adoption. Wishing I had adopted my puppy when I had the chance..

Once Matt and I moved in together.. getting another dog was no longer an option. He wanted no part in it and no matter how hard I tried.. I couldn't convince him. Fast forward two years and countless conversations of my begging and pleading and he finally agreed.....but under one condition. I am responsible for all training of my little man. Deal.

For the next few months, while we were on our puppy search, it seemed like every single person we know 'warned' me about how hard it is and how much work it is to have and train a puppy. My mind had been made up for years so there was no deviating from my path.. no changing my mind.

Now that I have my little man.. I understand why they warned me. I've never trained a dog before and yes.. it is a ton of work. I haven't had a good nights sleep since we got him.. I get up 2-3 times each night to take him outside. I have to keep my eyes on him at all times to make sure he isn't chewing on something he shouldn't be.. sniffing for a place to go potty.. etc. It's only the beginning of my journey and I'm tired. But.. as tired as I may be.. I'm so happy to have my puppy. It's definitely worth all the sleepless nights and lack of relaxation.

Shiner

Avery girl and Shiner

I've always been told to wait to have kids until it's all I can think about.. I've never understood that statement more than I do now! 5 year plan.. best idea ever.

Meet Shiner!

After nearly a year of talking about it.. researching options.. spending every weekend for the last 4 months visiting every pound in central texas.. we finally pulled the trigger and added another addition to our little family......

Meet Shiner!

He is a 6 week old Boston Terrier and weighs in at a whopping 4lbs.

We searched and searched for the right dog at all the area shelters hoping to find one there.. but ultimately decided that getting a little puppy was the best choice for us so that we could train him and he wouldn't have picked up bad habits elsewhere. I love our little guy!

Being a new puppy mommy is tiring but so far he's really taken to his training. He goes potty almost instantly when I take him outside and he comes when I call him. He very much looks up to our Avery girl and mimics her every move. Lucky for us she is an amazing dog and if I may say so.. the world's greatest dog. Hopefully Shiner will pick up all of her good habits :)

It's so cute watching them try and play together.. he's only 4lbs and Avery is 60lbs. He seems to like to chase her tail. He has very little coordination and struggles on our tile floors.. every time he sits his butt slides and next thing he knows.. he's laying down! I'm soaking up all this puppy love while I can!

Passport Drama..

Remember my "I swear I'm no terrorist" post?
Oh, are you new here? You haven't read it? It's a doozie!

Now that I'm officially Mrs. Jones.. I have to get a new passport.

I can't lie.. I'm really not looking forward to this. I would assume that because I already have a passport and am merely trying to change my last name, it will be easy. But honestly.. who would've thought I'd be denied the first time I applied and would find myself in a situation where I have to send in 42 documents to prove my birth and my citizenship?

We have a trip planned to Mexico at the end of June to watch our dear friends, Mark and Marzena, walk down the aisle. This means that I have to use my passport again. This means I'm in a time crunch to get my new passport. And to be honest.. I'm afraid to send it in because what happens if we have to go through that whole process again? If it runs smooth, I will get my passport back just in time for our trip.. so what happens if it doesn't run smooth? Should I keep my current passport and just take our marriage license with us? I know I can leave the country.. but it's the whole part about getting back into the country that I'm worried about.. and that is of course the most important part.. *sigh*

The story of my gorgeous Maggie..

Growing up I don't ever remember being the girl who dreamed about her wedding.. I remember having one conversation with my then neighbor (and now step-sister...  long story) about what our 'dream wedding' when I was 8 years old.. but that is the only time I ever remember even so much as thinking about it. Much less talking about it..

I didn't begin thinking about or talking about my wedding until he proposed.. I was plum shocked when he asked me to marry him. We had been dating for 11 months... living together for 6 months.. and I while I had already determined for myself that he was 'the one'.. I didn't anticipate our engagement for at least another 6 months to a year.. but there I was.. my 24th birthday.. surrounded by 50 or so of our family and friends.. and Matthew down on one knee.

I don't think I even took a day or two to let it settle before I started on my research. First with venues.. dresses.. colors.. etc. As some of you know.. I posted a few months back about my dress fiasco and how.. although I had already purchased a wedding dress.. I suddenly found myself dreaming of another. Eventually going in to try it on only to fall more in love with it and ultimately.. decide that I had to change dresses.

It was by Maggie Sottero. The Dallas Marie. It stole my heart. It was everything I loved and nothing I expected.

I loved the elegant simplicity. The drape in the fabric. The soft neckline. The bubblehem. The corset back. The color.

But that damn bow.. it just wasn't working for me..

Now for a girl who has a smaller chest.. I'm sure the placement of this bow is fine. However, I'm not that girl.. and the placement simply didn't work for me. So we had it removed.

But the sash still wasn't going to cut it.. so eventually.. I decided to have it removed as well.

Mind you.. this decision was made the Thursday before my wedding. My heart could barely contain itself. I was a nervous wreck.. praying that the dress would look the way I imagined it once the bow and sash had been removed.. and given the time frame.. there was no reversing this decision.

The first time I saw my dress and put it on once alterations were complete..

It was more than I ever imagined. It was better than I could have dreamed. I giggled. I cried. I stared. I was completely infatuated with my dress. And on the day of our wedding.. it truly made me feel like a bride. And a smashing bride at that!

I intended to wear a white dress.. and when we went to try this dress on I was determined that although they didn't carry it in white.. I would order it in white. But that color just stole my heart. It was a champagne.. a light gold.. and (if I do say so myself..) looked fabulous with my pale skin and blonde hair. It photographs light.. but is just breathtaking in person. I've always prided myself on being a little left of center.. Making my own path versus trekking through the roads already laid in front of me.. so I guess it only made sense for me to end up with a dress that wasn't the standard white or ivory.. and I couldn't be happier with my decision!

By the way.. if your looking for the best seamstress in town.. Check out Classy Concepts in Round Rock. Sue and Janet are amazing! My dress arrived  a mere 17 days before my wedding. I usually joke and say that.. I'm not short.. I'm fun-sized. But let's face it.. I'm short. At a mere 5ft 2in tall even the 'petite' version of my dress was still a fabulous 3 inches too long (and that's with my boots on). Janet sized and pinned me up.. Sue cut and stitched.. and vuala! Perfection.

So.. Check them out.

Classy Concepts

http://www.classyconceptsdesign.com/

Ste 36, 3000 Joe Dimaggio Boulevard

Round Rock, TX 78665-3994

(512) 276-2045

Holiday Fever

I love holidays. I don't know why.. but I really do. I love the cheesy traditions most. From kissing your husband (or whoever it is you kiss) at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to the smell of fresh roses on Valentine's Day (thank your lucky stars if you have a man who actually celebrates this Hallmark Holiday because mine.. as wonderful as he is.. does not)... Wearing too much green and drinking green beer on the Irish Holiday.. Painting eggs at Easter.. Sparklers and fireworks on the forth of July.. Carving pumpkins and wearing crappy costumes at Halloween.. eating way too much food on Thanksgiving followed by a day of setting up your Christmas tree and pulling out all of those wonderful Christmas decorations.. and birthdays. I've spoke many times of my love of birthdays.

Something about the holidays just puts this big cheesy grin on my face.

What's better than all of that cheesiness? Spending time with my family. I love that 90% of those holidays mean family gatherings.

Growing up my family has been quite the roller coaster. Everyone has their story.. and I sure as heck have quite the novel! But even through the drama there is a certain amount of security found in a family.. it's knowing that regardless of how well you might get along with your sister-in-law or how angry your Mom made you last week.. they will always be there when the tide rolls in.

I spent too long unable to truly appreciate spending time with my family. It's a happy life when you have those who love you and support you by your side.

Whatever you do this Easter, make sure you take a moment to visit with your family. If they're close by.. go have lunch. If they're far away.. give them a call and catch up for a minute. Life is short and you never know what tomorrow will bring.

The other form of puppy love..

Remember what it was like when you had your first boyfriend? Celebrating you 'anniversary' every month.. Scribbling your name out to see what your signature will look when you two get married..

I feel completely silly saying this but.. I feel like that again..

Now that we are married.. I find myself writing my new name just see what it looks like.. I know that today, we have been married for one month! What's worse than that? I really want to go out to dinner to celebrate :) My face lights up when I know he has just gotten home or when I see his picture pop up on my phone because he is calling me.. Don't get me wrong.. I've always been happy about these things.. but it's different now because we are married! Am I completely silly? Yes. That's ok. I'm good with that.

I don't begin to think that I know anything about marriage and I wouldn't dare give anyone marital advice.. but I do think that being married is the best feeling in the world. The best thing I have ever known. When you are dating someone.. no matter how you long you have been together or how secure you are in your relationship.. it is my belief (please note this statement refers to my personal opinion. I'm not asking you to agree. In fact.. I don't really care if you do because this is strictly my opinion!) it is my belief that there is always a certain level of uncertainty. A tiny inkling of wondering.. what is going to happen in this relationship? Where is it going? Is he really Mr. Right? or merely Mr. Right Now?

When you get engaged the feeling begins to disappear as you know now exactly where the relationship is going.. once you are actually married.. it's the most amazing thing in the world. Saying those vows.. kissing your new husband.. being announced as Mr. and Mrs. *sigh*

Being married, for me, adds a completely different dynamic to our relationship. I can't begin to explain that statement.. people told me that 'nothing changes when you get married'. While I agree that is absolutely true.. it does feel different. In the most amazing way.. it feels completely different. I couldn't possibly happier.

I Love You Mr. Jones. Happy One Month ;)

pros and cons to puppy love!

Yesterday I posted about my love of Boston Bulldogs and how we are considering adopting one.. then I was offered a precious red boston terrier!

So how do I decide between the two?? I had my mind made up. We were going with a boston bulldog over a boston terrier.. but now.. I'm torn!

The terrier is already housebroken.. 1.5 years old.. much less expensive adoption fee.. still has the same type of look that I love.. but the bulldog would be a baby puppy.. much more expensive.. but we get to train it and watch him grow up from a wee little tot and I prefer the size and look of the bulldog..

So should I wait and get my perfect little bulldog puppy?

or do I save some money and get this adorable terrier?