dogs & puppies; happy and sad

Today is a very happy day after several weeks of being sad.
About a month ago, we had to put our dog down to sleep. This dog was pretty much the perfect dog, and I'm still 99.99% sure there will never be another dog as perfect as him. It was a really hard decision for all of us, but he was 14 and suddenly he couldn't walk anymore. As happy as he still seemed, we knew he was in a lot of pain and decided as a family that it was the right thing to do. I know there are much worse things out there that can happen, but losing a dog you've had since you were two and who you're used to having around all the time hurts.
It still hurts sometimes after a month when you come home, already in a bad mood, and there's no one home. You just want to someone to hug who won't talk back to you; someone who's just there.

While we were all trying to get used to our quiet house (the first time ever in my life I've not had a dog; and the first Christmas), we tried to convince ourselves that it would be better to wait a little while before we got a puppy - we'd almost convinced ourselves to wait until spring break. But then...

It was the same day my mom had gone to pick up Levi's ashes from the vet. My parents were waiting for my brother at basketball practice and decided to go by the pet store (the same one we got Levi from) to kill time.

There was a little Springer Spaniel puppy who'd just arrived that day - the first one they had in two years. My parents played with it and fell in love, but decided it was too expensive and it wasn't the right time.

But, they kept thinking about it. Kept wondering if it was a sign from Levi that it happened on that same day. When they went back a few days later, the puppy was still there. They started to consider it a little more seriously.

And finally, this weekend, we decided that on Saturday we were going to go pick her up and bring her home.

We got there, and were told that she couldn't go home for four days because she was sick; we were heartbroken.

But, we waited, and went by to see her yesterday and decided it was time to buy her. SO I'M GETTING A PUPPY TODAY!!



 
we're all praying that this was the right decision after losing Levi so recently; but we just couldn't handle not having a dog anymore. And she's so sweet and soft and it was just too weird a coincidence to ignore - so here we are. PUPPY :)

Midweek Confessions

There are so many things I could, and should, be doing right now... but I miss blogging, and midweek confessions. And, it's my first official day of study hall so why not use it for something completely unproductive :)

• I have to read & review a 600 page book by the 25th. I'm on page 50. I'll probably finish reading it on the 24th around midnight if I'm ahead of things. If not, I'll finish it on the 25th around midnight. This literally happens every month. Why do I never learn?
• Instead of working on this book review during our hour-long bus ride yesterday, I did some online shopping with my iPhone (which I did finally get a couple weeks before Christmas; just realized I never blogged about it. I'm in love.)
• But I did find some cute prom dress ideas, and cute ring ideas since that's what my mom promised for my 17th birthday next month.

  I'm in love with this color all of a sudden... and this watch, even though I just got a watch for Christmas.
 and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress but I'm just afraid it looks too much like a wedding/senior-white prom dress. thoughts?
 And last, I love this ring... and it's my birthstone - amethyst, but it's green and I've never heard of it before. But, I'm afraid it would be painful. Anyone have a ring like this? Does it hurt to wear?

• Maybe back to confessions now?
• I got a pair of Frye boots for Christmas and I am completely 100% in love with them - so much so that except for athletic outfits, and maybe 2 normal outfits since Christmas, I've worn them every.single.day. literally. People probably think I have no other shoes, which is completely untrue since I am the queen of boot "investments" but I feel like I'm cheating on my Fryes when I wear anything else.
• I really don't sleep anymore. I get in bed, and spend at least half an hour on my phone before I can even consider sleeping. Then, in the morning, I have to sleep in way more than necessary which means I've gotten my morning routine down to about 20 mins, 30 if I shower. But that's good right?
• I absolutely hate people in the morning - it's getting bad but I can't help it. If you want to avoid me being a complete bitch, Don't talk to me, don't cut me off in the parking lot (that happened today, even though I had my turn signal on and was in the process of backing into a spot.), and God forbid that you drive slow in front of me. If you drive under the speed limit except in snow, hurricane rain, or excessive fog, I hate you. no exceptions.
• I always used to tell myself I'd be a more patient driver than my mother because she drove me crazy when she'd yell at other drivers, but I'm getting more & more like her every single day.
• I can hear the rain in this classroom and it's making me sleepy.
• I'm so focused on this blog post people might actually think I'm doing school work - ha
• And speaking of that, I really need to start working on my Costa Rica app - I'M SO EXCITED!!

Back to Blogging?

It feels like forever since I've last blogged, and I guess it's partially by choice. I just haven't been able to think of anything worthwhile to write, and honestly haven't had the motivation either. That's pretty much been the theme of this school year. I've lost my motivation and I don't know how to get it back. I mean, it comes in little bursts but it goes away so fast that I can't be sure it was ever actually there.
Everyone says junior year is the hardest year of high school, so how am I making A's while honestly not even trying (or cheating, I swear). I think it's something about that that's turned me off to school this year and really gotten me unmotivated; it feels like there's no point.
I'm registering for my SENIOR YEAR tomorrow and hopefully next year will be better. As undecided as I am about college and my future, I'm ready to get the decision out of the way so I can stop worrying about it.
One thing I think I'm pretty sure about is Spanish - I kind of hate the class right now (we're doing skits and I lose points if I don't bring in a prop that makes me look like Beast from Beauty and the Beast; how is this related?), but I love the language. And, because of my score on the National Spanish Exam I was invited to apply to go to Costa Rica for free this summer. Only 12 are chosen in the country, but it's still incredible to think I have the chance. I'm really hoping that will help motivate me.
And a few other things that are motivating me:
My aunt, cousin, and her absolutely adorable baby (toddler, but still baby to me) are coming this weekend.
  Just look at him, I swear he's the cutest kid ever
I'm also going to see Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley this weekend with my best friend and our boyfriends.
And, for spring break, my best friend and I are going to the beach. And it's much needed. I'm having beach withdrawals; I need free time and mostly a tan. Oh, and shopping.
And hopefully this summer means Costa Rica. (fingers crossed and lots of prayers)
 

Maybe a version of New Years Resolutions to come soon... maybe

Last Minute Concerts

I've been pretty disappointed for a while now since I realized that I missed my chance to buy Eric Church tickets with good seats; I figured it wasn't worth it to go if I had bad seats so I just gave up. But... the day before the concert, Wednesday, I jokingly tweeted a friend who was going to take me with her and she replied that one of her friends was actually selling his tickets, and they were great seats! I couldn't believe how lucky I was.  So last night, two days after thinking I wasn't going to be at the concert, my boyfriend and I were seeing Kip Moore, Justin Moore, and Eric Church, and in close seats too!

 My boyfriend and I (:

 

I think it's a good sign when you're close enough that he actually shows up in pictures... and notice the beer. Not mine, but I'm pretty sure everyone over 21 was drunk. Oh, and someone did leave a giant puddle of beer under my seat, before the concert even started...

 

Justin Moore singing... I LOVE LOVE LOVE him; I saw him with Blake Shelton, too and I'd definitely see him again.  For his song "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" he got everyone to stand up and turn the flashlight app on their phones on and he dedicated it to his grandpa whom he wrote the song for.  It was really beautiful in there (I wanted a picture but my phone was on the verge of dying all night, so my boyfriend got one on his phone)

And can I just ask why all guys can't wear jeans like Justin Moore's? They were tight, like I think his can of dip must be permanently imprinted in his butt tight.

And his accent, oh my.

I just love him.

And of course, Eric Church, who is surprisingly tall. And not once did he take off his sunglasses. It was a great show, and he has a lot of good songs (but we did leave before he encored since we were tired, and we got in the car and realized he didn't sing "Springsteen" or "Drink a Little Drink, Smoke a Little Smoke" so he must've done those at the very end)

 

But one of the best things about our seats was how close we were to the floor - which means people watching.  You can't really read it, but this guy's shirt said "Back to back World War Champs," and there was no shortage of American flag button-downs. The little things like that are why I love country concerts, oh and all the cowboy boots we saw <3 (of course I wore mine, with shorts, what else)

 All in all, it was a great night. And I think that finding out so last minute made it even better. 

But, one of the best parts of my night was finding out that Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley will be here in January. I LOVE them both and I can promise I will be attending that concert.

Currently

reading blogs, Great Gatsby, mostly wishing I had more time to read. But, I did reserve the new JK Rowling book at the library yesterday, yay yay yay!
writing a bunch of weird projects for online health.
listening country music, what else?  I'm still not sure what Pandora station I've been listening to for the past few days, but whatever it is, it's right on point.
thinking about college; why is it all anyone ever talks about?
smelling fall smells... mmmmmm
wishing we could just randomly get a few weeks off of school to relax...
hoping my school work will decide to do itself this week...
wearing my long sleeve tee, what else do you wear on a rainy day?  and, I've noticed that leggings are becoming my pants of choice more and more frequently...
loving my boyfriend :), and the new seasons of New Girl and Glee; they're both amazing this year.
wanting pumpkin ice cream and taco bell, all the time
needing more sleeeep and more cuddle time
feeling tired but excited because it's a short week for me this week; I get to miss Friday and next monday for my cousin's wedding, I'M SO EXCITED!!!
clicking online shopping... anyone know a really good website for expensive looking boots that aren't actually that expensive?

Currently

I got this idea from michabella which is quickly becoming one of my new favorite blogs; link up everyone!

reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - the final book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series... I wish he could write more; I'm really upset that there won't be anymore; The Great Gatsby for English class; I'm actually enjoying it much more than I thought I would.
writing reviews for RT Book Reviews ; I most recently reviewed The Damnation Affair by Lilith Saintcrow... although the Sci-Fi books I'm assigned to read are cheesy, most of them are pretty interesting and who can complain about extra payments and something to add to your college apps?
listening country music, country music, country music, and the really weird mix playing on my iPod right now. If we're being honest, I'm not completely sure where it's coming from but I'm too lazy to change it.
thinking too much.
smelling stink bugs; if these things don't go away soon, I might take it upon myself to burn them all. I HATE THEM.
wishing it could go back to summer
hoping someone will tell me where I want to go to college and what I want to do with my life, because I really don't want to decide just yet.
wearing sweatshirts and sweaters.. YAY FALL!
loving my boyfriend of course (:  oh and pumpkin ice cream, my new favorite part of fall
wanting some beautiful riding boots for fall... at the moment I'm obsessed with these Frye boots but unfortunately I can't justify spending $328 on a pair of boots when I've already got three pairs of expensive boots.  being a girl is so difficult :(
 
needing football practices to be much shorter and less frequent so I can actually see my boyfriend more than once a week.
feeling excited because my wonderful cousin is getting married in TWO WEEKS! YAYAYAYAY!
clicking eBay; don't ask me why... all of a sudden I'm addicted and it's bad.  It's not even an addiction to buying, I think I just like searching for new things and obsessively watching until it gets down to  few hours and I decide I actually don't need this thing I thought I wanted.
also please excuse the weird highlighting... I was playing around with it and now I can't figure out how to get rid of it!

Summer

I know I promised a summer post, and since this is the last official day of summer, I figured today was a good day. (And I may or may not be putting off the last of my homework for the night...) But anyways, overall it was a great summer; it was just a bit too short....
After my first beach trip, I had a few weeks at home to work and babysit before the second beach trip, and monster-trip to Texas.  Nothing too exciting there, just hanging out with the boyfriend and friends, and tanning at the pool.
The second beach trip was to Hilton Head Island with my mom, brother, grandma, great-aunt, aunt, cousin, and her baby... it was so relaxing and I wish I could stay at the beach forever... and I think I read four or five books. Ha

(This was when I went down one night with a beach chair and a book after dinner and just enjoyed listening to the waves... it was heaven)

And this is my baby cousin, who's two so not exactly a baby, but still... he is adorable. I am 100% sure there isn't a kid out there who's cuter than he is.

Literally the day after we got back, my dad, brother and I left for Texas to go see his parents. (And if you're wondering why both of my parents didn't go, it's because we spoil our baby excessively and can't bear to leave him alone...)





But anyways, we made a real road trip out of it and stopped plenty along the way, mostly for food... and a little sight-seeing.
We got to try real Memphis barbeque on the way, and it was so worth it. I wish we could take road trips more often just for the food...
Before we got to my grandparents, we stopped at my dad's friend's house in Dallas for a couple of days and got to eat and shop and whatnot... and I got a pair of real cowgirl boots (:

(every trip has to invovle Steak 'n Shake..)

(this was one of the Tex-Mex restaurants near by... and oh, my.  If you've never had fresh tex-mex, namely fresh tortillas, you are truly missing out. There is literally nothing better.)

(if you look close, you can see the Texas lonestars on the bridge.. we just thought those were neat. they were everywhere)

We had fun at my grandparents' too, but they live in the middle of nowhere (literally. population 207, and nope, I didn't miss any zeros) so it was mostly just laid-back and lazy. But, it's always good to see them.

On the way back, we made a few more stops for food... we were in Monroe, Louisiana and I decided to use google to find a restaurant.  This one Mexican restaurant got really good reviews, so we decided we'd try it... turns out it was in the middle of the ghetto.  But, we went for it anyways and it was amazing.  They had these Mexican barbeque (barbacoa) tacos that were heaven. I would love to go there again...

And then somewhere in Alabama, we saw this... just thought it had to be posted.

Please look closely... haha

 

Finally, on the last night, we stopped to spend the night with my aunt and uncle in Georgia.  For dinner, we had Pappasitos which is another Tex-Mex chain, and the only restaurant they have outside of Texas is in Atlanta. It's always been one of our favorites, and since it was our last chance for fresh tortillas, we went for it... soo good.



Once we got back, summer completely flew by.  I worked and babysat a little more, and started getting ready for school. 
Somehow my boyfriend and I only managed to go to the lake once all summer; I guess because neither of us were home for much of it. But, we had fun anways when we actually found time to hang out.

He made french toast...I looove him.. (:
And then, on the last week of summer my youth group went on a short hiking trip to the Cascades, which are beautiful.

 Overall, it was a fun summer that just went by way too fast. Like, literally the blink of an eye. Hopefully the school year will be the same way...

Hope everyone else had good summers too!