Currently // 007

Thinking - I am so damn lucky to be living this life of mine

Enjoying - All of the house plants I bought this week 

Wearing - My green sweater that is made from sustainable materials therefore it is like 10x’s cuter than it already is 

Needing - The weather to get warmer

Wanting -  It to be time to plant my garden

Listening - The rain outside and Eric playing with the dogs

Drinking - Dirt water a.k.a La Croix 

Reading - V for Vendetta, A Winkle in Time, Cartwheel

Trying - Pull myself out of the dark hole of anxiety that I have been living in the past few weeks

A Kinda Snow Day

This was Moose's first "snow." It was more of icy rain than snow, but who cares we are going to count it. Eric and I went out bought the dogs little bears suits to keep them warm. Of course the first time we let them wear the suits outside they got soaking wet from the snow. But I mean thats life, life would not be nearly as sweet if things were perfect all the time. Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how much I love my life. Even when I’m having my weekly (daily) break down and/or panic attack. I love the person I get to experience life with. I love that I am pretty much constantly running around like a chicken without a head. I love that I get to work with kids everyday. I do what I have always dreamed of doing (helping others) and I’m not even out of school yet. I love that school isn’t my top priority because I am aware there is so much more to life. I love that my days are filled with fur baby love. I love that my house is messing and my sink always has dishes in it. I love that I am broke and have to get creative with money (okay I kind of hate it but I appreciate it for what it is). I love that at the end of the day I know I am loved and I get to love so many awesome people. I am grateful for knowing life is never perfect, but always beautiful. One thing I would like to get into is documenting more of my everyday life. There are just so many wonderful things I don't want to forget about where I am in life right now. When I look back I want to see more than just the big adventures of my life, I want to remember the Harry Potter chess set my siblings gave me for my 21st birthday (featured in the video above), and the way Moose howls (its more like screaming) when I have been gone for more than a hour. Life is just too beautiful to not take notice of these things. As a start to documenting more Eric and I made a little video. I was just messing around with video apps on my phone while we were watching TV, so we decided to go for it. The house is a mess, we were both in our pjs but this is what our lazy nights in look like. Honestly it was so much fun not taking ourselves seriously and were just having fun with the camera. 

I love this picture because even though everything else is blurry Maci's face and tag are in focus

I swear to you guys that Moose sat at the window and watched it snow for over half a hour. It was so freaking cute. He was trying to figure out what was going on and why everything was white.

If you love beagles put your ears in the air

These bear suits are perfection 

Life Right Now

Life right now is...

Nights in the yard after the sun starts to set and the temperature is bearable

Wearing my hair in a bun everyday 

Not putting pressure on myself to be anything other than what I am 

Watching my garden grow

A beer after work 

Reading lots of books

Trying new things like cooking and crafting

"No Moose" being my most used words 

Transition 

Perfecting my ice cream cones at work 

Too many episodes of Friends

Learning to be intentional 

Early mornings with Eric because of our work schedules

Being alone but not lonely 
Wearing no makeup and still feeling at home in my body

Moose is trying to figure out this whole fetch thing by watching his sister

I'm very proud of my little garden

I did not think he could be any cuter, then he started chewing on a stick

yes, I do wear socks with my Adidas

This girl has won my heart forever

Sometimes Your Dog is Actually Your Child (For Me That's All the Time)

If you know anything about me it is probably that I am obsessed with my dog, Maci. She is my best friend, sidekick, and support system. A few months ago my mom went and got her pictures professionally taken which is totally crazy, but absolutely perfect for me! I think she is the cutest in the world! If you are in NC and are looking for a dog photographer (or any photographer) Desilu Photography did a wonderful job!

Dog Toys Every Dog Parent Should Own

When you have a dog, dog toys are a necessity. Your dog needs to have something to keep him or her busy when you cannot. Dog toys help your pup get out energy, work out their brain, and helps with their instinct to hunt. And as a added bonus it is good for their teeth, which if you are like me and forget to brush your pups teeth from time to time this is a great thing. Now that I have told you a few things that are good about toys let me tell you what drives me nuts. Dog toys do not last forever so I am constantly buying new one and they are not cheap. Shredded dog toys are a mess. Maci will cry over a ball forever. Regardless of all the negative things about dog toys they are needed, and a happy dog makes a happy dog mom! Here are a few of mine and Maci favorite dog toys. Maci is totally obsessed with tennis balls so a lot of these toys are balls. 

• Dog Bone - This is great for playing on her own. She can just lay on the ground and chew for hours. It is also good for her teeth. 

• Treat Toy - This is a great brain work out for Maci and she can play with it on her own. My only complaint is it is very loud on hardwood floors, so it is best to be played with on carpet.

• Squirrel Brain Toy - Both Maci and I love this toy because it works out her brain trying to get the squirrels out. Each of the squirrels have a squeaker in them with is super fun but also means I have to watch her to make sure she doesn't tear them up. 

• Kong Squeakair Balls - Maci LOVES these. I have found if you order the happy birthday one from Amazon it is a lot cheaper than the regular ones. They also come in fun colors which is a bonus for me.

• Multi Squeaker Toy - I like these types of toys because it takes Maci a little while to get all the squeakers out, which means it lasts a little bit longer. 

• Goodwill Stuffed Animals - This honestly the best deal on toys, you get quality stuffed animals for 99 cents. One thing to do is make sure that the stuffed animals don't have plastic eyes or noses, I haven't had a problem with this though. They also sell baby toys that normally have squeaker or rattles in them, Maci loves that.

• Chuckit - Like I said before Maci loves balls so this is like a given. I can throw the ball three times as far with the Chuckit and I don't have to touch the slobbery ball when she brings it back.

• Tennis Balls - There are never enough. These one last a while and do not crack open like other dog tennis balls.

• Night Ball - This is my favorite toy for Maci. We play ball so much and this helps Maci see the ball at night. When we played night ball with just a normal tennis ball Mae would sometimes lose it. This one is so cool because it changes colors constantly! 

Things No One Tells You About Owning a Dog

As of this week I have officially been a dog owner for one year. I simultaneously feel like I brought Maci home yesterday and there was never a time before her being in my life. Being a dog mom has been one of the best experiences of my life (yes there is a magnet on my car that says "my child has four paws), but certainly not the easiest. The fact that I am a college student only makes things harder, Maci makes it all worth it though. She loves me unconditionally and  gives me support without ever knowing it. I have always had dogs growing but it is a totally different game when they are your own dog. I am so thankful for the attitude my parents taught me about having a pet, they are more than just pets they are family. So here are a few of the many things I have learned this past year of being a dog mom.

• How much money your actually going to spend. Vet visits, medicines, toys, treats, and food. It adds up very quickly. 

• The amount of love you feel every time you look at them. 

• How many times a day they make you smile. It’s countless.

• All of the things they are going to tear up. You think you are ready you really do, but you are never completely ready for all the destruction a puppy brings. Shoes, books, walls, floors, furniture, remotes, phone chargers, pens, literally you name they may chew it up. Here I would like to say thank you to my parents house for taking the worst of it.

• How overwhelmed you feel when you first bring them home. You are very excited but also so scared. You don’t know what you have gotten yourself into, all you know is theres no going back. They are in a new place and scared too. Give it time you are both still learning. 

• Half the time your boyfriend (or girlfriend) won’t know whether you are taking to them or the dog.

• Whenever you aren’t with them you are always, thinking, worrying, or wondering about them.

• 6 am wake up calls. Yeah, get used to them. When you gotta go you gotta go fast. 

• It’s okay to be upset with them when they do something wrong. Just remember they don’t speak english. Patiences will save you a lot of grief. 

• You say things like “no don’t eat that” or “thats not your poop” way too often.

• The only way your dog sees the world world outside your home is through you. Let them see as much of it as possible.

• Buy the puppy training! Yes it is expensive, but it is so worth it. You and your dog will grow closer together. Not to mention the things your dog will learn could be life saving.

• The size of your heart will grow exponentially.