the things we do for our 4-legged babies...

Who knew I could love a puppy so much? We always look at him and talk about how awesome he is and the way he completes our little family. The past 4 1/2 years just wouldn't be the same without him. The memories, the comfort, and all the fun times -- Grizz makes them complete! Sappy, I know, but gosh -- we love him!



Today, Grizz officially destroyed one of his favorite toys. There are the toys we buy that he destroys within 24 hours, and those ones come and go like we never even knew they existed. But then there are the toys that have managed to make their way into luggages and travel with us through each move we've made and settle in to become a part of our home. Grizz loves those toys. Think Andy & his Toy Story pals.



This one in particular - it's been with us through moves, vacations, and even boarding days. But now, that toy is a goner! J decided that that one must be thrown out. And well, we treat our boy like a real boy.. we didn't want him to see us throw it out..haha...so we didn't. But then he was running around looking for it like no other. Sad story, huh? We tried throwing other toys for him, but in that moment, he only wanted that one toy. "Sorry buddy, we'll get ya another one later!"



I went to pick up some dinner for us and J reminded me to get him a new toy as promised. I went to head into Pet Smart and they were closed! Grizz was in the backseat and I felt like it was a child going to Toys R Us, but oh no, they're not open! Target was right next door. I took one look at myself and thought, "Oh crap! I'm wearing plaid flannel pajama pants and slippers and my hair is soaking wet. Am I really going into Target looking like this for a dog toy?"

Yup, I did. I walked into Target thinking it'd be one quick trip. Of course, the dog section had to be in the opposite corner of the store. I walked my happy butt back there, got multiple blank stares by men working there, debated about which toy to get pup, and walked back to the front. Crap..only 2 lanes open with long lines. I waited. And of course, there was a problem with the customer in front of me and they had to call for backup. In the meantime, she rang me up. And this lady waiting for help to come for her purchase started staring me up and down. Her eyes glued to my pants, then slowly gazed up to see the rest of my super cool wardrobe, then glanced over at my one dog toy item and looked back at me. I could tell as her eyes rolled a little that all she was thinking was, "Did this girl really come to Target wearing that just to get this one damn dog toy?"



Yup, I did! Just for pup. I knew it was ridiculous the entire time, but it didn't stop me one bit. Oh Grizz, you best thank yo momma. I got home, filled that toy with peanut butter and treats, and we had one happy boy. He loves us :)



Unfortunately, contrary to what I thought in the store, this toy may be one of those 24 hour things. But he puts up with lots of crap from us and keeps me feeling secure while we both miss his daddy. His companionship and protection makes all the things we do for our 4-legged baby so worth it :)

the sad/funny truth

When you're a med student, it's hard to be anything else. But oh, you're supposed to be a husband, puppy daddy, son, brother, AND a friend. Not too many of us get much of my husband's attention -- it's pretty much his books and his school buddies who study around him that get the most of him. But I do think that pup and I get the best of him when he's home and relaxed...and we like it that way! But when he gets the chance to catch up with those that really matter to him, he feels like it's been ages. He probably feels out of the loop. And he doesn't have a Facebook account (because he thinks it's a bunch of crap and doesn't want it to consume his time). That, and he'd rather learn news about people by actually talking to them instead of stalking them. I guess we could all learn a two or thing from him!

He finally caught up with a good friend last weekend when we were in Savannah. He was a happy, happy man with a drink in his hand while catching up with an old friend. A friend who, as a matter of fact, just got a brand new car when they spoke, and was expecting a brand new baby 2 days later. Such exciting news. I then heard J congratulate him and go on to talk about what he's been doing..ya know, a whole lotta library livin' and test takin'...what what! But heckkk, we were in Savannah that weekend. So actually, he was pretty cool that moment. He wasn't in the library, he wasn't taking a test, and he wasn't sleeping. We were sittin' pretty!



So when I ran across this..I couldn't help but laugh. It is oh so true.



And we knew things would be like that. Before we even moved, we expected it. He reminded me about how much we'd hear on that craptastic social networking site about friends buying houses, going on awesome vacations, getting promotions and makin' that money honey. That we'd see everyone else doing big things before us. And that we can't let it get to us. So, we're not!

We're really not. Because I'm happy with where we are. I'm content, and ready for the next phase of our journey. Like I said before, I'm loving all the exciting news I see from others, because everyone deserves to be happy and content with where they are in life. And as much as the sad yet funny truth that he doesn't catch up with friends nearly as much as he wishes stinks, he knows that what he's doing will eventually* pay off in the long run for his little family, and more importantly, he will be happy with what he's doing in life because he'll know how hard he worked for it.

*10+ years

the sad/funny truth of going to a private med school

savannah on my mind!

Horses trotting along cobblestone streets became a sound we quickly grew accustomed to this weekend. Exploring the historic streets and squares of Savannah had us oohing and ahhing with every turn we made.



Being that J had an off* weekend, we decided to take the trip to Savannah, Georgia - somewhere I've been longing to visit just to explore the beautiful sights I somehow knew it had to offer.
*I use the word 'off' very loosely, because he certainly had much to study for (boards!) but it was a weekend in between terms where he was willing to spend time with meee :)

We arrived just in time to view a beautiful sunset outside our window. A sunset that immediately followed a quick rain shower, and we enjoyed some delicious Blue Moon beers before heading out for a stroll around town (and then brought a couple beers for the road - because in Savannah, you can get drinks TO GO wherever you'd like!) A walking town with drinks on the go - you really can't go wrong!

Oh, and -- while walking with a drink, we turned a corner to hear our wedding song playing throughout the streets and we were happy...vacation happy...and you can't beat that!

The drinks came in abundance, and the food was just as tasty as you'd expect southern comfort food to be. I had the best grits I've ever eaten in my whole life so far while sipping on a bloody mary (which might not be saying very much seeing as though I didn't eat grits for the first time until I moved to Tallahassee at 18, but would you expect grits to get any better than in Savannah?)

Live Oaks draped Spanish moss and created the most majestic backdrop everywhere we walked. And what did I do about that? Pretty much walked with my neck tilted upwards and took pictures every couple feet. I couldn't really get over them - nor the way each either intertwined like they were meant to be, or almost perfectly lined pathways for us to walk along in pure awe of those beauties!



Mama always said, "Life is like a box of chocolates..never know whatcha gonna get!"

The storefronts, churches, and mansions lining the historic streets are full of architecture that emanates southern charm. It was beautiful.



Oh, hey yall, it's Paula Deen's restaurant!

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District and loved it. It was an amazing location within walking distance to everything. We didn't move our car once :)

City Market was on one side of our hotel, and River Street on the other side. Both beautiful areas to walk around, grab a drink, and take in the views.

Oh yeah, and East Jones Street - we yearn to own a home on you one day! We looked like young children as we passed through E. Jones St. with our jaws dropped and sounded even more like children speaking about them. We would looove to live on that street someday - period!

Until next time, I'm keeping Savannah on my mind!

patiently awaiting spring

Flowers are in bloom -- slightly too early -- but who's complaining? We reached a pleasant 75 degrees today and that sun - oh, that beautiful sun - has become quite the talented artist. It's been painting landscapes that no human artist could ever produce. From glistening skies throughout the day, which sneak sun through every window at work painting golden hues on my desk, to sunsets producing awe-inspiring spectrums of color. It's been both calming and uplifting to know that spring is on it's way!


Oh yeah, and remember Mr. Punxsutawney Phil, the one whom I was begging to let spring come early? Well, he failed me. BUT, little did I know that here in Atlanta, we have our own groundhog - one whom I am currently partial to - and Mr. General Beau Lee delivered the kind of news we like to hear around here. Thank ya, pal!


So we've been getting out and about more and more.

And we've been searching for signs that prove spring is surely on it's way, as well as pretending it's already here by doing things like....

Going to the river at sunset...


Watching our boy swim in freezing waters and enjoy every moment of it...




Getting the pup out to go for car rides..(just don't say "car" if you don't plan on taking him..we need to spell words around here like c-a-r or o-u-t-s-i-d-e..he's a smart one!)

Getting out more, walking, and climbing nature's stairs...

Laughing at our Grizz, who resembles a grizzly bear searching for salmon...


but coming back with anything but salmon... (we're proud boy.. we are!)


Driving with the windows down and spotting deer running free...



Pulling over to snap some shots of the sky that the sun artist painted so beautifully...





And enjoying walks outside, burgers on the grill, and that amazing windows-open kinda weather.

Oh yeah, and Robin Eggs -- you know that just screams spring! haha :)


We may have 3 1/2 weeks until the official start of spring, but we are eagerly waiting to kiss winter's butt goodbye to say hello to daily sunny skies and beautiful flowers in full-bloom. And more importantly, I'm waiting for the day I can wear my flip-flops 24/7 and put my 'real' shoes into hibernation until the end of the year.