Thankful Challenge: Day 16-23

Well, I'm just a little behind on my blogging. Sometimes life just runs away with you, and before you know it, you haven't blogged in almost a week! It's a travesty!

Day 16: I'm thankful for lunches with old friends. Today, I had lunch with my dear friend (and former employer), Ali. We always have the best discussions that leave me thinking about how to improve this ole crazy world!

Day 17: Today, I'm thankful for my sweet sister. I came home from work early with a migraine, took a nap and woke up to a massive box on my doorstep. It was Patrick the pup straight from NYC! My sister knew I had been looking at buying him for Cooper, so she ordered him up and had him delivered. Love it! Cooper is going to love his very large stuffed puppy dog AND his Aunt Kelly!

Day 18: Speaking of pups, today I'm thankful Dolce. I know, I know. I've already been thankful for him once, but today's his birthday, and well, dang it, I'm thankful for him again! He's 4 years old today, and he's been the sweetest, most loyal companion I've ever had (well, as far as furry companions go). I just love my sweet doggy, and I'm thankful for him every day!

Day 19: Well, today I'm thankful that football is just a game. Neither of my teams played well today, but you know what ... it's just a game. Those student athletes are still getting their college paid for. We still wore our orange and blue (and royal blue - Go Cats) and life didn't stop with a loss. I'm still proud to be an Auburn Tiger and a Kentucky Wildcat!

Day 20: Today I'm thankful for time with family. I got to spend some time with my niece, Madison, cousin (and fellow soon-to-be mama), Sheldon, my other cousin (Sheldon's mama), Lisa and my favorite Aunt Betty! I've been blessed with the most wonderful, beautiful  - inside and out - family members! And with Thanksgiving coming up, I get to spend time with almost all of my family. I sure do have a lot to be thankful for!

Day 21: Even though today was definitely a Monday at work, I'm thankful I get to come home and find surprises left for me by my sweet, sweet niece, Madi! Over the weekend, Jared and I had a disagreement about whether or not I need another Christmas tree just for my nutcrackers. As you can imagine, he thinks one tree is plenty. I don't. So, on Sunday, I explained my version of the story to Madi. She laughed and laughed at my drama, and on Monday, she snuck into my house like Santa (only she used a key and not a chimney) and dropped off a brand new Christmas tree. Gah! I love that girl! Was that not the sweetest thing in the whole world?

Day 22: Today I'm thankful that Jared and I were able to agree on nursery furniture for Cooper. We debated for a few minutes (in a very respectful way) and finally we agreed and made the purchase! Our little man has furniture and it will be here some time in January or February! Oh I'm just so excited! I can't wait to get the nursery ready for him!

Day 23: Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, and you know what? I'm thankful for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for delicious food (duh - Cooper has to eat) ... no seriously, I'm thankful for a day set aside with no work to spend time with family. So often, our days pass quickly with all of our responsibilities and to-do lists, and we forget to make time for those we love. Today, I'm thankful that I get to spend time with my siblings and their families (except Wil - dang it ... he should so be coming home), and then we're heading to Al to spend time with Jared's side of the family on Friday. Life is good. And, I'm so blessed that we have somewhere to go and special people to spend quality time with!

Thankful Challenge: Day 13

Today I am thankful for lazy days and my puppy dog! We spent some time playing with Dolce today, and it's amazing how much he loves his mama! He and Jared were playing like only boys do, and every time Jared would run toward me, Dolce would jump in between us as if he was trying to keep Jared from knocking me over. I really think he knows there's a baby in my tummy. He's always been protective of me ... he NEVER jumps on me, he's always very gentle ... it's as if he knew he couldn't hurt my arm ... but now it seems like he's even  more protective. Which I think is wonderful. He wouldn't hurt a flea ... unless it acted like it was going to hurt me. I have no doubt he's going to be this way with our little man too. I can see our little boy pulling and tugging on his ears, and him just laying there looking at him like "I hope you're having fun!". Once we all got tuckered out, I sat down on the patio ... it wasn't long until Dolce was sitting in my lap. I can't tell you how much I love this little doggy!

Another new address for the Edwards!

Well, it's official ... we've moved into our new house! Are we excited? Well, let's see ... We've been living in an apartment with a whopping 1,000 square feet for over a year ... with an 80lb dog! So, that's a big fat YES filled with loads of excitement! We may not have all the boxes unpacked or all the furniture we need, but we're in. The bed is made. The dishes are washed and put away. The fridge, freezer, extra freezer and pantry are full. We can live there comfortably and easily. All is well in the Edwards new casa. (And, don't worry, next spring we're planning on giving our shrubbery and flowers a facelift. They aren't very attractive right now.)

I have a feeling this house is going to be extra special to us. After all, this is the home where Baby E will come after he or she gets here. The room is picked out for the nursery. We've been looking at nursery furniture, and we know exactly where it will all be placed. I've opened the closet doors and imagined all the sweet little clothes that will hang there. Oh it's just so exciting! We are tickled pink ... or maybe blue ... over our new house and all the exciting things we have going on! God is good AMAZING!

And since we got a new house, Dolce did too! He's not sure if he loves it or not yet, but I'm pretty sure he will learn to. How could he not? It's a beautiful cedar cabin!

Right now, Dolce is protesting a little. See, he's been living inside for the last year. But when we lived in Alabama, he lived outside. BUT, before that, he lived inside with me in Knoxville. Since he's experienced both the indoors and outdoors, I think he's decided he likes indoors best. What he doesn't realize is that he sheds a full coat every day. Did you hear that? A. Full. Coat. Every. Day. That may be a little bit of an exaggeration, but it doesn't feel like it. And, with the new house and Baby E on the way, I just don't want all that hair floating around. Who knows. Maybe we'll get him a friend to keep him company so he'll like living outside. Because, unless it's snowing, my sweet Dolce is staying outside.

Well, that's all for now. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Dolce's home!

I'm one happy mama! It's hard to believe that I've been away from my little man for 3 months. He may have fur and walk on 4 legs, but he's my kid! And, trust me, I love him as such!

Dolce is the reason Jared and I are married ... Here's how that went down ... Jared's grandparents used to raise boxer pups, and Dolce is one of the last puppies from Bowser and Annie's last litter. When I decided to get Dolce, Jared and I hadn't even started dating yet. In fact, it was the weekend that I went to Alabama to pick him up that we started "noticing" each other.I'll blog more about how we ended up dating, got engaged and got married later. We had a whirlwind romance! It was perfect in every way!

Back to Dolce ... Jared's oldest brother, John, is married to my best friend from middle/high school, Eeron. We met in the 6th grade when I moved to Alabama and have been friends ever since (if you're doing the math, that's about 20 years). John and Eeron got married in 2002. I was in college. Jared had just graduated high school. Fast forward 6 years, and it's December 31, 2007. I traveled down to Alabama to spend New Years with Eeron and pick up my sweet puppy ...

Dolce had a rough beginning. The whole littler did, actually. They all got worms AND the mange. It was rough. The day I went to pick up him, I remember thinking, "what in the world am I doing"? We put him in a cardboard box and took him straight to the vet and the groomers. In no time he was cleaned up and healthy ... and all boy!

Here are some pictures of him as he's grown up:
 

Dolce's first night with his mama!

Feeling a little tired after his first shots :(

He's all puppy!

And now he's learned how to get my attention!

He sure loved that crazy monkey!

Starting to be a big boy!

Sunbathing with his daddy!

Taking a break and hiding under our deck. I guess he'd had enough sun!

Happy boy on his way home after Thanksgiving! Look at that sweet smile!

Needless to say, Dolce may have gotten his start in a cardboard box, but now he's pretty spoiled. He gets anything and everything he wants. When I used to take him to my in-laws, he had a diaper bag with all of his "stuff." Yes, I got made fun of a lot for that, but my sweet lil man was taken care of ... well!

So, you see, Dolce isn't just my dog. He's part of our family. Literally. And, we are beyond thrilled to have him home with us again!