Cool Giveaway

Well, I was going through the blogs that I follow that had new posts and I found this exciting giveaway! It is really cool because she gives you 10 chances... which I think is wonderful! One of the entries is to tell her my favorite thing about being a pet parent. Well, I'd have to say this got me thinking. It's so hard to name one thing I like the most about being a pet parent... So, I'm making a list of all the reasons I love being a MilShelb Mom. :)

1. Their sweet faces... they always look like they understand exactly what you're going through.

2. Their warm little bodies... they are my own personal heaters at night all cuddled up in the bed with me.

3. The sense of accomplishment they give me. I feel like I (with Jake's help, of course) have raised some pretty amazing girls.

4. Their kisses. I love coming home after a long day and falling to my knees in the kitchen to get tons of MilShelb kisses!

5. Their mischievous side. They crack me up because it shows on their faces when they know they have done something bad... and then it takes me about 3 days to find out what they did. haha!

6. Their company.... it's so nice to have someone to hang out with at home. No lonely times here!

7. Their silly side. They do some of the silliest stuff and it always brightens my day by making me laugh.

I'm thinking this could go on for days... So, I'm going to sum it up. My favorite thing about being MilShelb's Mom is MilShelb. They make every thing worth it. They have changed my life for the better.

Weeds, Blooms, and Faith

I'll admit it, I'd seen this weed growing for a few weeks, but I just hadn't gotten out to the front yard to "deal with it"... until today. When I went out there and got closer to it I, literally, laughed out loud! I am ashamed to admit that it was HUGE. Here's my proof...

It was above my knee in height... and, yes, I was the tacky lady outside in my yard at 1pm in my pajama pants. lol Gotta love laziness. (In my defense, I have already been out of the house today and changed into something comfortable when I got home so I could write lesson plans.)

I was THRILLED to see this plant has a blossom (almost a bloom) on it! I was so excited I was yelling for Jake to come outside and look. I think he thought it was something important and promptly told me I was crazy when he saw what I was so excited about.

I found a job to apply for today that requires a "statement of faith". Though certainly not an odd request, it was something that stretched my brain a bit. I am a strong believer in God and I do share my faith with others. I know what I believe and I live my life on a mission to be positive and have a positive impact on others... to "let my light shine" so to speak so that others can just tell that I have God in my heart. I'm not a person who goes around telling everyone abut God (not that there is anything wrong with that at all) but I believe strongly in not pushing my faith on others. However, if someone asks me what gets me through the day or how I have been able to stay so positive with all the negative things going on right now, I can honestly say (and with a smile on my face) that God and prayer have gotten me through it. I just can't figure out how to state my beliefs on paper... how to tell people what I believe and why I believe what I believe and all of that. I am having a hard time writing this statement. I suppose instead of writing this blog I should be working on my statement... so that is what I shall do for now. Wish me luck!

Hail? In South Carolina? In April? Yes.

Three Generations

These are pictures of my Mom, Grandmother, and me... Three Generations. I love these ladies so much! They have guided me, given advice, and allowed me to make my own mistakes. They are amazing women and I am blessed to call them my family!

Love... a funny thing...

Do you know what love is? Is it something you can describe? Is it the same for everyone?

I have friends who are married. I have friends who are dating people. I have friends who are single. Some are good relationships while others aren't so great. Some have been together for a long time while others just met. Some are deeply in love and others, I wonder how and why they're still together. The point is, I have friends in all sorts of relationship situations... and each is entirely unique. I truly believe that relationships are as unique as the people in them.

I think marriage is a funny thing. It's easy for some and tough for others. It's not really something you can understand until you are married. Some people find out all too late exactly who they married, while others are thrilled with their new spouse.

I think it's easy to judge other people's relationships from the outside. It all really depends on how well you know the people and what you think of the spouse. No one will ever be truly good enough for those that you love most and no one will understand why that guy married that awful woman. lol It's just how it is... but the fact of the matter remains that it is not your marriage. You, obviously, do not see that person the way their spouse does. Good thing, since you're not married to them.

People have preconceived notions about marriage and what a marriage should look like. They think people should act a certain way and do certain things and be certain people. I cannot speak for anyone else (since I have already said that I truly believe a marriage is as unique as the people in it) but I truly think that people are as happy as they make up their mind to be. I believe that judging a person's marriage is not right. I believe that a marriage requires an adjustment and involves the two people in the marriage remaining true to one another.

Do I have the perfect marriage? No. Does anyone? Not that I know of. We have disagreements and, to be honest, are still getting to truly know each other because this is our first year of marriage. We're young and we're still growing and changing and learning as we go. Do I love him less than I did when we were dating or engaged? No. I love him more. I love him more every single day.

I think people think that marriage either ruins a great love or that you will always be deeply head over heels like a school girl in love with your spouse. As far as I know, neither are true... at least not for us. We are very in love. I do not think that will ever change. Is it the same gushy love that we had at first? No. That wears off... and is replaced (thankfully) by something better. Otherwise, people would walk through their entire life unable to think clearly or even breath properly when the guy walks in the room! lol

Sometimes I have conversations with my single or unmarried (but in relationships) friends about marriage. Though I haven't been married long and certainly cannot tell you what makes a marriage work and last for a lifetime, I can tell them (and you) what gets us through... Jake and I are best friends. We can tell each other anything and everything. We do not judge. We are slow to anger with one another. We are quick to stand up for each other. We are one another's biggest fans. I admire him. I respect him. I listen to him. He values my opinion and I love his smile. Most of all, we trust each other entirely.

It's funny... the relationship we have is like no other relationship I have ever experienced. We are rarely serious. We're both very sarcastic and, really, it helps us to communicate because we can say what we think in a somewhat sarcastic tone. It doesn't hurt each other's feelings... but it gets the point across. We laugh a lot. We laugh with each other and, sometimes even, at each other. We love love love Milly and Shelby. We have their best interests at heart in every decision we make that can have any effect on them what so ever. We have common goals and we work towards those together.

I know people who met, got engaged, and married within a year. I know people who dated for years before getting married. Jake and I did not rush into marriage and we took our time making this decision because we know what a big deal it is. We are in it for the long haul. That being said, I knew I would marry him the night I met him. A bold statement, I know. But from the day we met we became inseparable. He stole my heart with his ugly shoes and fleece sweatshirt (in June). He stole my heart that first time I met him... and I have never tried to take it back. :)

I never knew I could love someone as much as I love Jake. Yet, I love him more and more each day. I never knew I could love someone more than I love myself... be willing to do anything for that person. I never really knew what true love was until I met Jake. Love you, Jake Cake!

A Few Pictures and Stuff

Well, today has been busy but good. I helped my mom out at her school and also got to enjoy a dinner with my parents, younger sister, and her boyfriend. It was great to get to see everyone. :)

I've been preparing for the next long-term substitute position that I'm doing. It will start by May 5th but could really start at any time. I am really excited to get back to teaching!

I really hope I will be able to find a teaching job next year, but I am being realistic and realize that that will most likely not happen due to the fact that many teachers in our area are (unfortunately) being laid off. It makes me sad that education is not held as a top priority for so many. It should be close to number one... but it's not. I just feel like there are soooo many things that could change and/or be fixed if we had a better educated society. So many people put their all into their jobs as educators, but there is only so much that can be done with little resources, etc. It makes me sad. I feel like it is a great disadvantage to the students... I won't go on with the rambling because it gets me nowhere but frustrated! :)

Here are a few pictures I wanted to share with you!

Here's me... :)

Here's the "H" (I call him the H... short for "husband", of course!)

Milly, my love

Shelby... my heart!

Soap Box

You know, every now and again I have to step up on to my soap box and say things that I think are common sense, but obviously (and sadly) are not. I stumbled across a website today. One that made me sad... and happy. It's called "Dogs Deserve Better". You can visit it by clicking here. I have been raised that an animal, a pet, is a part of your family. You are to love and care for that pet to the best of your ability. I realize I may be "preaching to the choir" so to speak, but I have to say it. If you have your pet on a chain in your yard all day- you do not DESERVE that pet. I would no more leave Milly or Shelby on a chain in my yard than I would walk around my neighborhood naked. It's stupid. It's silly. It's mean. It's embarrassing.

It makes me sad... sad and ANGRY that people treat their animals like this. It makes me happy that people are taking the time to do something about it. I always feel so badly for dogs I see outside and alone. A dog is a social creature. It needs a pack. You are it's pack. To Milly and Shelby, Jake and I are their pack members. They understand that they are to love and protect us... and we are to love, protect, and provide for them. It's a basic thing. Granted, sleeping in the bed is not really a necessity... but would I have it any other way? No. I'm not saying that everyone should allow their dogs to sleep in their beds and stay in sleeping on the couch while they're at work... what I'm saying is that people need to do what is BEST for their animals. Get 'em a fence, for crying out loud! Would you want a chain stuck around your neck and only a small place to run? Like you could even run with a chain around your neck! Ha!

The fact of the matter is that dogs deserve better. They give you their all and they deserve your best.

My aim will always be a simple one when it comes to Milly and Shelby... and yet not so easy at the same time. My goal is (as they say) "to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am." I'll be honest, I will never be that person... I will give it my all, though. Why? Well, because Milly and Shelby are my heart... and they deserve the best. They deserve better than the best. So do other dogs. All dogs deserve better... but especially those who are chained up, forgotten, and neglected.

To Milly and Shelby- I love you more than life itself. You are the glue that keeps my life together. You are the light in my dark days. I love you. I'll love you until all the stars fall from the sky. I've said it before and I'll say it again and again, I would sell every last thing I own to keep you happy and healthy. I'd beg, steal, or borrow to keep you by my side... and you will never see a day when you are stuck outside, unwanted and unloved. NEVER.