Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Bella's Blog

Hello, everyone! This is Bella, coming to you live from my mom's computer. Shhh, don't tell!




I'm so excited about my first "Bella's Blog" post. Mom (oh, you know her as Elizabeth) said that we could think about me showing up on the blog every once in a while, but I'm a "make it happen" puppy. So, let's do this!

I thought I'd start off by telling you my "gotcha" story. You know how when babies get adopted their parents do a "Gotcha Day" video or story? Well, I was adopted so I figured I should get one too!

Puppy-claimer: I asked Mom to write down the events of my adoption so that I could always have them as a cherished trinket of becoming a part of this little family. Little did she know, it was all a part of my plan to do this blog post! ::Insert "evil" puppy laugh here::

Elizabeth: I have always loved puppy sales. You can ask my mom. It never fails that I always ask(read: plead) for us to stop and look at the puppies. Well, the weekend of May 4th was no different. M and I were on our way to get dinner and I shrieked "PUPPIES!" as we drove past our local Pet Smart. In the parking lot, there were 4 massive tents full of hundreds of puppies. (I know it was hundreds because later we found out that over 240 puppies were adopted that weekend - bam!) M was so kind and indulged my desire to go window shop. After a few minutes of looking around, we decided that we needed to leave, otherwise we would cave under the pressure and adopt.

Fast forward to the next day - M walked at his undergraduate commencement ceremony (he will officially graduate in December but they only hold May graduations now), and we were on our way to Chick-fil-a to grab a quick bite to eat - I was moving apartments that weekend so we needed to do something fast. After we ate, I looked at M and said, "Let's just go look at the puppies one more time."

We walked around from kennel to kennel, and we even played with a few puppies. Just as we were putting one away, I turned and my eyes met those of a small black puppy and I literally felt my heart begin to melt. "M! M! Look at this one!" Almost as quickly as they unloaded this sweet puppy from the shelter truck, I scooped her up in my arms. M instantly fell in love. After far too many "should we?" and "we can't leave her here" conversations - we said "YES! She's ours!"
Okay, it's Bella again. I just have to tell you that Cinco De Mayo, my official adoption day, was the best day of my life!

- this was my first picture as an adopted puppy -
Mom and dad say that I slept non-stop for 2 days straight and had quite a case of separation anxiety. Mom giggles that she had to make me a puppy baby bjorn because I was whining so bad while they were cleaning her apartment for move-out. As long as I was being held, I was happy.


I also had my first Sonic experience that weekend - Seriously, mom and dad take pictures of me non-stop.


 Can you tell I'm a spoiled puppy? I have a lot of toys. My dodo bird is definitely my favorite though!


Dad took me to visit mom at work and introduced me to everyone at the office. They sure did say I was cute, but I'm not letting it go to my head!


Apparently, mom and dad thought it would be an appropriate time to take a family picture while we waited for the vet - clearly, I did not agree. I was a very sick puppy at this time. I had kennel cough from being at the shelter, but after our second trip to the vet, and a breathing treatment, I was all better!


Happy first puppy Mother's Day!


We've been working on potty training lately. Mom snapped this pic of me the other day when she found me waiting at the door to be let out. I sure did hear a lot of "Good Girl, Bella!" after I went outside. I like that.

 

This picture was from last night - it was my first hail storm. I was entranced by what was happening outside. Mom told dad I was scared. Dad told mom she was just saying I was scared because she was.


 I started puppy school last week. Homework is hard. Mom and dad keep telling me to do this thing called sitting. But, I'll do whatever they tell me to do. I get a treat and lots of kisses when I do it!

I have class tonight, so we'll see if I show off what I've learned or if I'm going to be shy. I have 2 other "kids" in my class. Apparently I've already been labeled the class clown. We had to have a long talk in the car after class last week. Hopefully I will be the teacher's pet (pun intended) tonight!


Well, that's all for now, it's raining here and I think it's time for a nap.


If you like Bella's Blog and want to see more entries, leave a comment and let my mom know it's a good idea!

xoxo, B

Monday, May 28, 2012

London 2012

United Airlines is hosting a giveaway to cheer on Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London! You better believe that I have a reminder on my phone everyday so that I don't forget to enter. If you are as obsessed with the Olympics as I am, you can enter the contest here.



It would be so amazing to go to the Olympics in person - but one thing I love about watching it on TV is that we get a close up view of all the events - and we can press pause for necessary snack or bathroom breaks!

You better believe I'll be recording my favorite events... or staying home from work to watch it live! Shhhhh, don't tell anyone.

My favorite events of the summer Olympics include:

Gymnastics




Swimming



Diving - more specifically, Synchronized Diving!



I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be one of the lucky United winners, with the hope that they will #FlyMeToLondon!


xoxo, E


P.S. I am far too sad that I'm heading back to OKC today, after a wonderful weekend at home, to address it. So, let it be known that I am a very sad daughter today to be leaving my Mommacita.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

My Soul Feels Whole

To say that there's no place like home feels like an understatement right now. My soul feels completely whole and I have joy overflowing.

Lately, I've been pondering my "next big move." For so much of my life, things seemed to be planned out, and I just had to make the "small" choices.

My parents picked where I would go to school K - 12, I made the grades and picked my activities. I knew I'd go to college, but I had to decide which school. I wasn't happy with my major, so I changed it. And then came graduation.

My first "big kid" job was offered to me by my boss from when I was a student employee at the University. It was a term contract and I knew I would be needing a new job in 4 months. By this time, I was 6 months into a relationship that I didn't want to take long distance. So, I concentrated my job search in the OKC area. God opened the door and I was offered my next big kid job 4 days before the University job ended.

After a few months of working in the advertising world, I knew that this wasn't what God was calling me to do. I wanted to find work that ignited a fire within me - work that I loved - work that challenged me creatively. It's been a long road, but I think I might have stumbled upon it.

With any big discovery, comes other big changes. I got lost somewhere along the line and I'm starting to find my way again. Choices that I will be making in the next few years will determine the course of my life. Some of the choices will be painful and some with provide peace. But I think I'm finally ready to start living the life I was born to live!

In a time when a lot of my friends are getting married and "settling down," I feel the pull to travel and learn and try new things. I have the rest of my life to planted and dependable - right now, I want to go on an adventure and have a beautiful story to tell.

Do I sound totally crazy? I don't feel it! I just hope I'm able to hold on to this feeling as I prepare for the next big adventure. In order to fly, first I need to kneel. Lord, use me as a servant in this world, and show me how to best use the talents you've bestowed upon me.

And because every post needs a little eye candy - enjoy the dressing room from yesterday's Lily outing - I'd say it goes along with this post quite well! "Always wear your imaginary crown."



xoxo, E

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Back to Blogging

What better time to make a blog comeback than almost 3 months to the day of the last post? Oof, apologies.

I can't tell you how many times I have taken a seat in front of my laptop and tried to craft the first "I'm back" post. Every time has been a complete and utter fail.

Why?

To be completely honest, everything I wrote didn't live up to what I was reading on my favorite blogs. Now before you think I compare myself to these amazing women who are successful professionals, creative masterminds or mom's who write about their adorable kids, allow me to explain.

I am drawn to blogs with beautiful pictures, funny stories, great fashion and decor finds, etc - with the occasional "let's be real" post that shed light on some of the negative things that we all deal with in life.

For the last 3 months I have been going through some serious "let's be real" times. Nothing major, but enough that I didn't feel like I could write authentic posts without being the "downer blogger" - and I'd prefer to lose readers due to my absence, rather than my content.

I think I'm at a place in life right now that I can be funny and positive - with the occasional "let's be real" day, and maybe you'll forgive me for it!

So, now that I'm back, let me share a few new things in my life!

1. I have a new job! I'm the Special Events Coordinator at the botanical gardens in OKC. What a beautiful place that I get to call my "office." It's such a blessing that I'm able to be creative, and I absolutely love the people I work with!




I can't tell you the excitement of going to work one day and finding out there are FOURTEEN ducklings now in the lake!


2. In March, I went to Breckenridge with the bf's family.


I "learned" to ski - and absolutely hated it. Lol. But at least I have a couple cute pictures from the experience! Annnnd I had to promise M and my parents that I would try again - let's hope that day isn't coming too soon.


We also went on a sleigh ride, snow tubing, snowmobiling and dog sledding! SO fun!







3. I turned 24... moving on...

4. Mere's Bridal Shower was a success! I seriously could not have done it without Mommacita. It's quite a feat to prepare enough food for 20 people and transport all food and decor 3 hours south to the Big D!

 




5. I moved to a new apartment.

6. We got a puppy!

Meet Bella, our sweet boxer lab mix. We rescued her, and she has been such a blessing to us. I'm so in love with that sweet puppy! ... and I take FAR too many pictures of her. #ProudPuppyParent




She's been asking to do a few blog posts, so I'll have to see what I can do about that.

I have to say, it feels really good to be back! Thank you for joining me (once again) on this journey to live a glamorous life post-college!

xoxo, E