Love is Action.

Here we go. 

Just another blog post about the four letter word that makes most people gag... L-O-V-E. 

Confession: I used to be one of those people. Before I met Tanner, I was one of those girls that would cry laugh during Nicolas Sparks movies, boycott Valentines day and even pretend that I didn't like chocolate or roses, all because of the nauseating feeling those connotations of "love" gave me. 

But I had it all wrong. 

Love isn't about a feeling. Love is about an action. 

This may be something that all normal people know and comprehend. But because I am not normal (in many ways) and because I have lived my life as a mostly independent, self-reliant and stubborn person, giving into the love-train was not easily accepted in my life full of carefree mantras and strategies to dodge vulnerability like a champ. And I was a champ.

But for some reason, I only saw love as a feeling. And this feeling, was to be accompanied by unnecessary drama, recklessness, heart break, mind games and too many rules on what's appropriate to say/do/wear/act like on a date and what's not (I can't wear sweats on our first date to the movies? But they're my stretchy pants and popcorn makes me bloated...). You catch my drift? (I know it's a miracle I found someone who loves that about me). 

The point is, I missed the mark completely on what the point actually is. 

In order to feel love, you've gotta give love. (go ahead and quote me on that one). 

Let's talk about Jesus.

Did Jesus just say He loved everyone? No. We know He loved everyone because He proved He did. He gave love to everyone around Him. It would be really hard to prove that Jesus literally loved everyone, if we didn't have countless stories of Him healing the whores and adulterers and saving the wicked with his bare hands. Didn't matter who they were, He loved them. 

So why is it so hard for us to love others? 

Sometimes, while married, you can find yourself getting into a mundane routine, day after day. 

But saying "I love you" everyday does not give you the allowance to cross "love my spouse" off on your daily to-do list, although somedays you feel that's the only thing you have time for. 

Loving your spouse requires action. It requires sacrifice. It requires compromise. It requires random acts of kindness. It requires following through with pinky promises. It requires trying to be better every single day. It requires WORK. It requires proving your love, rather than just stating it. 

"Marriage is not a noun; it's a verb. It isn't something you get. It's something you do. Its the way you love your partner every day." 

I'm grateful for a husband who proves every day that he loves God, loves others and loves me. 

I'm grateful for a husband that treats marriage, and other things that involve L-O-V-E, like a verb. 

And I'm grateful that he challenged me and successfully changed the way I viewed love, simply by showing me what true love actually looks like, instead of just telling me what its supposed to feel like. 

And its a good thing for that. 

So bring on the corny chic-flicks, random flower deliveries and all of the excuses in the world to celebrate all kinds of love. 

Because you made me 'like' love. a lot. And I like that. 

P.s..... I love you too. 

A Farewell.

Vacations are my absolute, most favorite thing. Whether it's a big vacation at a luxury resort in Mexico, or just a weekend getaway to a local beach, they are all exciting to me.
But one type of vacation that really tops them all, is a vacation that includes seeing family that you haven't seen for a long time.
There is nothing like the anticipation that leads up to the moment you get to hug a family member you haven't seen in forever (or what seems like forever).
That's why when we got a chance to take a break from our lives in DC for a little trip to Seattle, it felt like Christmas.
We were able to fly to where Tanner is from for his family reunion/his brother Cooper's Farewell.
It was a very quick trip, especially considering travel time across the country, but it was worth it!
This was also the time that Pancake got to experience an airplane for the first time.
Once again, she surprised me with how awesome she can be and she was an absolute gem on the plane! At first the flight attendants told me that she needed to stay in her travel carrier under my seat, but when I took her out before we took off and she just fell asleep right in my lap, they came by and petted her and didn't say a word after that about me having her out. Way to go Pancake. *knucks*.

The trip consisted of a Mariners game, Birch Bay, hike to a waterfall, cliff jumping, tons of food and most importantly- good quality family time.
Tanner and I are lucky to have such amazing families. We really are.
Pancake was a huge hit with all of Tanner's younger cousins and for not ever having human food, she handled the pounds of chips, cheese and candy that they constantly were feeding her, like a champ.

Pancake's first flight

Birch Bay

Cliff Jumping

Cliff Jumping

Pancake patiently waiting in LAX at our layover

Mariners Game

Nikelle always insists on holding Pancake's leash

Snuggle Bug:)

Before we left we had to say a last 'goodbye' to Cooper (Tanner's brother). He is leaving to serve in the Madagascar mission for 2 years! We know that he is going to be a great missionary and is going to be able to touch many lives during his time on La'Reunion island off of the coast of Madagascar. And maybe this is the excuse Tanner and I need to go visit this BEAUTIFUL island. (Like we ever need an excuse, right?). 

We had an amazing time and it was so hard to leave to go back to DC. Back to reality. 

But I think Pancake was a little more excited than we were to go back to our quiet home. 

The moment we got on the plane to head home, she was OUT like a light. 

It's exhausting getting so much attention.  Rough life.

Don't you like you?

This topic has been on my mind a lot lately. And because we are practically soul sisters, it is only fitting that it has also been on Colbie Caillat's mind as well.

She recently came out with a new song called "Try" that was inspired by the music industry tugging her in a million directions and photoshopping every picture published of her. She didn't want that, so she did what any awesome, extremely talented and beautiful celebrity (I told you, soul sisters), would do and wrote a song about it practically giving a big middle finger to the industry.
(If you want to read an interview she did with Elle magazine about the song you can do so here: http://www.elle.com/news/beauty-makeup/colbie-caillat-try-video-makeup-transformation)

Do yourself a favor and watch this genius piece of art:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoZLPSw8U8

Watching her music video inspired me to write what I've been thinking about for a long time. And it's about how to like yourself. And although this song is promoting not wearing make-up and being the 'real you', I am not saying that all us women need to throw out our make up and boycott doing our hair. Some people (like me) enjoy that stuff. And to me, there is nothing wrong with that. Some people may enjoy spending an hr a day perfecting their foundation or doing their eyeliner (little extreme, but hey). I'm all for that, just as long as it is something they want to do as opposed to something they feel they have to do. The important thing is that when they take off their make up at night, they can look in the mirror and still like themselves.

While you read this, I hope you can take it with a grain of salt. I am definitely not writing this because I have perfected this, but here are three simple ways to begin the process.

1. Blame Yourself.

I know, I know. I'm tricky. And you're confused and this totally doesn't seem like something that would be on the "To-Do" list in order to like yourself. But let me explain.

Women in this world are ANGRY. We are also very powerful creatures with a lot to say. We protest about our human rights, our salaries, victoria secret models that are too skinny and celebrities that are too pretty. But what baffles me, as powerful as we really are, we decide to blame the 'media' for our eating disorders, our depression, our cellulite and our bushy eyebrows.

No wonder women aren't taken seriously.

We (women) are protesting human rights for a gender that we also act so shameful of.
We are demanding control over our bodies that behind closed doors we spend a lot of time hating and manipulating.
We are blaming everyone in the world for our insecurities, besides ourselves.

If you hate your muffin top, it's not the world's fault, do something about it. Or if you happen to love your muffin top, then own it and rock those low-ride jeans! Just as long as you realize that what you choose to do and how you choose to view it are your own choices.

Granted, I know that media has a h u g e influence in our society. I am not ignorant nor immune to their deceitful ways. But I think we spend waaaaay too much time giving credit to the media for our problems, instead of recognizing that we play a leading role in them.

Blaming yourself is the first step in beginning to truly love yourself. I can blame myself for so many mistakes I have made in my life, and my own, flawed, self-perception is definitely one of them. It's like when I was in 7th grade and it was either I bought Hollister jeans (gag) that were never meant to be forced over my rather curvy beehind (yes, I just used that word), or I was going to be viewed as the poor nerd wearing jeans with no design on the pocket (gasp!). I blame myself for giving in and spending all my birthday money on those jeans even though wearing them felt like I was constantly walking around with a giant weggie up my crack (because I was) and ironically none of it changed the fact that I was still weird and nerdy. I blame myself for thinking my muscular and athletic body in high school meant I had thunder thighs (whoever created that term, go ahead and dig a hole and live in it) or that having a bra size above a 32C meant "I had a lot of fat" (HA). And the list goes on.

But would blaming anyone but myself for my stupid clothing purchases or ridiculous diets, in any way help myself love myself?

I get it. It takes guts. Real guts to admit that you're the cause of your own pain. Real guts to admit that blaming the world for your low self-esteem is a cowardly choice while also being completely ineffective. Pointing the finger at yourself is not easy. But the only way to change the perception of yourself is by taking the blame for how you feel about yourself.

2. Impress Yourself.

So after you blame yourself and feel terrible about the way you have treated yourself (sorry not sorry), it is now time to impress yourself. Impressing others is seriously, WAY too easy. Like come on. You want to impress your neighbors so you buy a fancy car? Piece of cake. You want to impress your fellow students so you spend every minute of your life studying so you can raise your hand and answer every question your professor asks? Annoying and also not creative. The real challenge, is focusing on impressing yourself.

Make a list of things you think you could never do. Then here it comes... do them. You think you can't craft or be creative? Get your booty on Pinterest, find someone who has already done it, buy the supplies, follow a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it and bam. You've done something that you thought you couldn't do and whether or not it is "Instagram worthy", you've impressed yourself and it'll give you motivation to try it again. You think you can't run a marathon? Or even just a mile? You think you cannot cook a decent meal or try a new hairstyle? What about holding your breath for a whole minute or cutting an entire onion without one single tear? Do things that make you proud. Do things that are w e i r d and unusual. Or do really normal, every day things that make you happy. Big or small, it doesn't matter because the result is always the same. Nothing feels better than accomplishing something that you thought you couldn't do... and especially when the only reason why you're doing it, is not for the gratification of others, but just simply for your own... which you will find to be a million x's better anyway.

3. Like Yourself.

Now the third step is just coming to terms with the fact that you're awesome. This step also requires you to realize that you are a daughter of God.

Your Heavenly Father has literally designed, sculpted and produced you individually while simultaneously stuffing you full of countless potential.

You think that He would create a beautiful earth and cram it with mediocre, unlikeable, average people? That would seem silly. We all have so much to like about ourselves. And by not choosing to recognize those things, we are not only wasting a bunch of time being upset about something that is actually amazingly beautiful, but we are also denying the divine and perfect hand that so carefully crafted us.

So just STOP being silly.

 Look in the mirror. And finally admit to yourself (out loud) 

"Gosh. I am freaking awesome".

A big worry of most moms (which should be) is for their little girls and what they are exposed to and how it affects their young and fragile self-esteem. But I think something more powerful than boycotting Barbie because she is a triple-zero, is just simply being an example of self-love. And if love is too strong of a word, then even just self-like. Realize that yes, your daughter may love a celebrity and want to be exactly like her, but in reality, you are her biggest idol and she is your biggest fan. So spend less time complaining and more time liking.

Again, I want to reiterate that what I am saying does not flow from my own book of wisdom and experience. In reality, all that I am saying, stems from the root of just common freakin' sense. I can't take credit for that.

But what I can take credit for, is choosing to commit to do more self-liking. And while I do it, it won't hurt to listen to this song on r e p e a t.

So in the words of my girl Colbie: 

"Why, should you care, what they think of you, When you're all alone, by yourself, do you like you?

Do you like you?"

Our Love Story.

how boy met girl.

It was a new semester. School hadn't even begun yet and I just had barely moved everything back into my apartment. I was living with my best friend, Madi. Because we had just spent the entire summer away from each other, it was only appropriate that we celebrated the weekend before school started by having a party in our apartment... by ourselves (or so we thought). 90's music was being blasted through our speakers, naturally, and the dance moves started flowing. After a good hour of dancing (mostly by myself while Madi watched/video'd/laughed), there was a knock at the door. WHAT. Who the heck could that be. This is supposed to be a party of 2. Before I could hide my rather sweaty self, 6 guys came barging in through the door. Some of these guys were Madi's friends before they all left on their missions and now they had all just gotten back and wanted to hang out with Madi. So I did what any out-of-breath, salty smelling, single girl would do when 6 guys enter her apartment randomly.... I kept dancing and hoped that they would join. And they did. Except for one.

This one, of course, caught my eye... He was wearing a stripped t-shirt and jeans and was still standing in the doorway, almost like he was thinking "K. This girl is crazy... how can I leave without being rude?" (he was actually thinking that). I suddenly didn't care about any of the other guys that were now challenging me to a dance battle. I wanted to know THAT guy. So after a couple songs of Destiny's Child and Shaggy, I made my way over to this mystery man still standing in my doorway, looking lost & scared. 

And then it happened. 

Our first conversation. 

Me: "Hey I'm Kayley!! What's your name?!" (probably said in a way too high of pitch voice) 

Him: "Tanner." (that's it. no expression, no follow up question, no eye contact.) 

Me: (nervous and awkward) "okaaayy... weeeellll nice to meet you Tanner" and I forced him into giving me a high five. Yup. A high five. Because I obviously wanted to seem mature.

And that was it. Our first 'conversation'. That pretty much sums up the next couple interactions we had with other. But I was not going to give up. He would notice me... eventually... Right??

Luckily we 'ran into' each other a LOT. A.K.A: I begged Madi to hang out at their apartment with me and I became good friends with his roommates. B i n g o.

I actually went on a date with one of Tanner's roommates, I had Tanner come hear me sing at a show on campus, and I made sure I always looked good when I was around him. And still, I could not get more than 2 words out of him! 

One night, I texted one of his roommates and asked for Tanner's number. I had no intention of using it. No, but really. I didn't. But I figured boys are boys and he was bound to find out that I asked for his number and that might spark an interest and would make him start anxiously awaiting a text from me, that would never come... (strategy people, strategy).

One night we went to Lava Hot Springs as a group. I was DETERMINED to get him to talk to me, even if it meant cornering him in a hot tub and talking to myself until he gets sick of it and caves and talks to me back. I swam up reeeaaal casually (I probably was doing the classic doggy paddle) and said:

Me: "Heeeeeyyyy Tannneeeerrr.... Tell me something interesting about yourself!" (He would HAVE to say something back to that)

Him: "Um. I'm not that interesting." (while making zero eye contact)

Great. Fail.

So after that last interaction, I was done! I kinda gave up and although I love a good challenge, he was just too hard to crack. And that's saying a lot.  

Then, one glorious and magical night, completely out of the blue, I get THIS message on Facebook (word for word):

Tanner: "Hey! SICK cover photo.. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I know you have my number... And I think you should use it. What do ya say???" 

My. Heart. Dropped. 

First, I thought it was a joke. Because who in their right mind uses that kind of icebreaker, "sick cover photo"... like that can't be real. And then second, this kid DOESN'T TALK. How in the world does he all of the sudden have this weirdly attractive confidence that is practically slapping me in the face through a Facebook message?

But of course within 30 seconds I all of the sudden didn't care if it was a joke or not, I barged into Madi's room right next to mine and read her the message. Although she was half asleep (it was like 12:30am), she was as much stunned as I was. But the one thing she told me was that I HAD to wait until at least tomorrow to text him. I nodded my head like, "Oh yeah, totally". Then I went back to my room and the first thing I did was sit on my bed and send him a brief text right away (if anyone knows me, they know I am not one to wait patiently). He responded right away. And I can literally say from the point forward, there was no turning back.

A couple days later he met me in the library where he found me essentially crying over my homework load (he was going to get used to that). We each had out our assignments but I don't think either of us got through question 1. We talked for about 4 hours until I realized that I had an exam that was about to close and I had to go take it before it was too late.

This is when he asked me on our first date. 

He told me (didn't ask, he told. h o t.) he would pick me up after my test was done and take me to dinner. Needlesstosay I have never taken an exam so quickly in my life. We went to the Taco Bus, which is for those who don't know, a school bus parked in an empty lot that has been transformed into a tiny mexican joint and you sit and eat the greasiest and most delicious burritos, on the actual bus.

Right before we ate, I was thinking in my head "man, I really want to take a picture, but I don't want to be one of those girls that takes a picture with a dude on their first date". Luckily, I didn't have to. Right before the first bite Tanner says "Man, my dad would LOVE this place! Let's take a picture so I can send it to him". That is when I knew. Tanner Clark was most likely going to be my husband someday. (Ok, so, I didn't really know yet, but I did know this boy was something special).

The picture from our first date.

After our first date, we never looked back. We had the best time dating each other (seriously. so fun.), until the moment that we both knew dating was just not enough.

I remember one night we were star gazing (gag, I know), and Tanner all of the sudden looks at me and says "You know, call me crazy, but sometimes I look at you and I see my future wife". And for the first time in my life, the title of 'wife' didn't scare me at all. So I just nodded my head and said "Yup. I can see it too".

Then came the L- Word. 

Once while visiting family in Washington, it was a late night and we were watching a movie (the Biography of Biggy Smalls of course) and Tanner randomly grabs my face and says: "I think I'm in love with you". I could tell he had been wanting to say that all night and had finally just got the nerve to randomly blurt it out (Biggy is obviously inspirational). But without hesitation I looked back at him and said "Well I know I'm in love with you!".
Then you would think at this point we would have a super romantic kiss, but instead Tanner lets out a h u g e sigh of relief, shoots back into the couch, closes his eyes and starts silently fist-pumping in the air while mouthing "YES. YES." like he had just won a championship. Seriously though, like what? He's the cutest human being. So I laid down next to him and started doing the exact same thing. It was definitely a moment I will never forget.

So then shortly after that there was an engagement and then a wedding and well, now there's a blog.

And two really cool people that happen to have a pretty awesome love story.  

Roadtrip USA.

Since Tanner accepted a job as a Team Leader for the company he worked for last summer, right after I graduated, we packed everything we could in our car and left the rest in a storage unit in Idaho, and trekked across the country to Virginia in a suburb of DC. Since our apartment in DC is graciously furnished by Tanner's company, we didn't need to bring a U-Haul or anything.

Once we literally couldn't fit ANYTHING else in our car.... really though, I married a master packer, we started our drive across the entire country! I had planned out our route ahead of time and we planned out enough time to be able to stop and see places we had never been before.

Pancake ready to help drive

I dare you to try to fit anything else in that car. I dare you. But really, you can't. 

Side note: Tanner & I love road-trips, especially with each other. I have never had so much fun on a road-trip than with him. We always talk about the weirdest stuff, encounter the weirdest people and have the weirdest things happen to us. But that's what makes them great. This road trip was no exception. The first day we wanted to make it to Denver, Colorado to visit my brother, sis-in-law and niece Naomi. Unfortunately somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming there was a HUGE storm and it was so bad that they literally closed the only highway we could take to get to Denver. Of course. So now we were stuck in the most hick town I have ever seen in my life, for the night. Since everyone else headed the same way as us were stuck in that town too, it was a race to find a hotel room that didn't charge by the hour. Luckily we found a classy "La Quinta Inn" and settled down for the night.

Then the next day when the highway opened, we were back on the road to Denver. It was so fun to spend a couple nights there with family. Naomi and Pancake become instant BFF's. It was great to see them play. I am so grateful to have a puppy that is so good with kids. Good thing she's patient, loves to be chased, and doesn't mind little kid's fingers and faces in her face. She just likes to lick. A lot. Thank you Ryan and Makayla for letting us come and stay with you guys!! It was a blast :)

Then after a couple well spent days in Denver, we were headed to our third stop, Chicago! I had gotten us a hotel in downtown Chicago for two nights. This is where we would spend my birthday and we wanted to be able to explore the city a little. We loved it! Pancake could've done without all the noisy cars rushing by her on our walk, but she secretly loved the city as well ;) Tanner was nice enough to take me out to breakfast, & take me shopping in the city. We also tried true Chicago pizza. It was a fantastic birthday with two of my favorite people... (things?).

Since Pancake was too scared to walk next to the noisy cars, we resorted to walking around like this. 

Chicago Pizza! 

From Chicago, it was the homestretch to Virginia! By this point, we were ready to be out of the car and finally sleep in our own bed. Everyone asked me how Pancake did on the road-trip. I can honestly say that she was a DREAM. Seriously. Granted she was only 2.5 months old, but she did SO WELL. She pretty much just slept on our laps the entire time, and occasionally woke up to chew on a bone every once in a while. One thing though, she refused to pee in a parking lot. I know right? Only my puppy would be too big of a princess to pee in a parking lot. This resulted in having to pull out a puppy pad and lay it down on the parking lot ground to get her to go pee. The funniest thing I saw during the trip was Tanner holding Pancake's puppy pad in the middle of a truck stop. A truck stop full of huge, burley men that would pass by and laugh at them. It was so freaking funny. But what a stud to do that for her :)

Tanner holding down Pancake's pee pad in a truck stop parking lot ;) 

Asleep in the car. She would get irritated by too much sun so we had to put the blanket above the window so she could sleep in the shade. Freaking Princess. 

"Really? The car, again? It's too early.. Come back to bed!"

I didn't mind at all sharing my portion of the drive, with this view :)

But eventually we made it safely to Virginia! I am grateful for the chance we had to do this road-trip! And that I am blessed with such an awesome driving partner. It will be a memory that we will never forget :)  (add that to the list). 

365 Days.

That's right. We made it. Marriage. One year.

So I'm not going to lie, I feel like we have been totally and completely spoiled by life during our first year of marriage. We were able to have the most perfect wedding & honeymoon in Mexico. Then we were able to move across the country to a place that neither of us had been before (Washington DC), and live there for the summer for Tanner's work. He was able to be successful, we were able to save a lot of money, Tanner was offered a 'promotion' to become a team leader for his company, we were able to move back to school and finally use our wedding gifts & buy all new furniture, decorate our first home, buy a new car, watch our team win the superbowl, spend the holidays with family, go to Mexico again on a cruise with Tanner's company, go bungee jumping, get a new puppy and move back out to DC where we are now!

A lot of people say that marriage is an adjustment. I agree. It is. But is it bad that I still feel like we are in our 'honeymoon' stage? Everyone told me that the honeymoon stage would last for the first 3 months of marriage and then after that reality would set in. Reality. Reality? I still feel like I haven't come to terms with reality. I still haven't come to terms with the fact that I will literally be able to spend eternity with my best friend. I still haven't come to terms with the fact that the man that I love more than anything in this world- chose me to be his wife and to spend every day of his life with. Like, what? Every time I think about it, I realize how far away I am from exiting the honeymoon stage. Gag all you want, but really, it's true.

Anyways, for our one year anniversary Tanner was in charge. Tanner knows that I HATE surprises. Like, HATE them... If I know that they are coming. For example: Christmas. I can't remember a Christmas where I didn't know at least half, if not all of my gifts beforehand. The best part of Christmas, to me, is finding out what new place the gifts are hidden each year. I know, I'm messed up. Well Tanner over the year we have been married, has become increasingly better at keeping secrets from me. But that's okay. I love a good challenge. This surprise though, I did not see coming.

Tanner found a great deal at the Ritz Carlton. THE RITZ CARLTON. I feel like for a moment when I heard, I wanted to say "That hotel is real?" I thought it was only a real place in movies. And disclaimer: We are SO NOT fancy people. So this was going to be an experience.

We got a babysitter for Pancake (thanks Brandon) because the hotel wanted to charge $250 a night just for a puppy... (Um what?).

On the way to the hotel we were STARVING. So we did what anyone would do on their anniversary and stop at Taco Bell of course! But really though, sometimes all you need is a good, properly put together, Crunch Wrap. So we grabbed it to go, and headed to the hotel.

When we got the hotel we were greeted by men who looked like they were a part of the mafia dressed in tuxes. As they approached the car Tanner says "What's happening..." and I say "It's valet parking" (i'm telling you. we are NOT fancy). A man opened each of our doors and with hands full of Taco Bell, we struggle a bit to get out of the car. They get out our suitcase and welcome us to 'the Ritz'. One of the men went to grab Tanner's T-bell bag and said "can I take care of that for you sir?" and Tanner replies "Oh, no it's ok. I'm not done yet." and the man just kind of gave us a look of confusion. Ha. Oh and let me also mention that when we pulled in, we pulled in next to cars that were probably worth more than my life. Like ya know, just casually driving my Rolls Royce to 'the Ritz'! 

So here we are, both in sweats (we were going to get ready for the evening later on), walking into the nicest hotel I've ever seen, with my beat up suitcase and hands full of Taco Bell, where people around us are wearing Jimmy Choo's and Valentino like it's their job. We stood out. To say the least. Then another mafia member approaches us in the lobby as we are standing there just staring at the beauty of this place and the man goes "can I offer you a complimentary glass of champaign?", Tanner & I look at each other, and I almost want to say yes even just to hold it and look cool, but tanner quickly replies "Oh, Nah I'm good.... but y'all got Mountain Dew???" HAHA. I lost it. Everything about where we were and how we looked, caught up to me and tears literally started running down my face. Only my husband. Only my husband. 

So then it was check-in time. We were personally escorted to a desk where a man with a European accent (of course), heavy but refreshing cologne and expensive tie was waiting for us. As he was checking us in he looks at us with a smirk and says "First time here?" and we both reply "Yup!" (I mean how could you possibly tell??). He says "Are you celebrating anything special?" and Tanner explains how we are celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. His face lights up. The man is a romantic I tell ya. The man at the counter then says "Oh my goodness congratulations! I wish I would've known and I could've made your stay extra special by having some things waiting for you in your room!" (Okay, you're the sweetest!). We said it was okay and he gave us his card for if we ever come back and he said he would take care of us. We felt like celebrities.

Then we went up to our room. It was beautiful. There was a giant tub (my favorite part), the comfiest bed I had ever been on and a gorgeous view of the city. Tanner opens the closet and says "ROBES! YES!". Obviously you can tell what he was excited about. Simple mind, simple pleasures right?
So while we were still just checking out the room, there was a knock at the door. When I open it, there is a woman there, with a rolling tray. She doesn't speak english but she gestures for me to let her in. So I hesitantly let her, thinking in my head (I really hope all this stuff doesn't end up costing us $5000). She sets up a large tray of chocolate covered strawberries and a bucket with what looked like an expensive bottle of champaign inside of it. Then she says "from downstairs". The man at the check-in desk had this sent up to us, on the house. Adorable. And YUMMY.

Then we got ready for the night and went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Yum. And then went to see a movie and do some shopping. I am blessed with a husband that would walk around the mall for hours with me, just because even if he doesn't get anything for himself, we just like walking around, laughing at people (judge us) and more importantly laughing at each other. It was a great night.

The flowers Tanner had delivered to me the morning of our anniversary when he was at work. 

Thank you kind, kind front desk man :) 

I tried to get a picture of all the fancy cars at the Valet.... 

Tanner's improvised room service menu for Breakfast. I had mentioned that I wanted French Toast, which wasn't listed on the menu. So he wrote it in inside. HAHA. Funny thing is, they actually did whip them up and bring them to me! :) 

Massive breakfast. 

In the morning we had breakfast in bed. Our room service was included in the package deal that Tanner got, otherwise we probably would've just left and found an I-Hop. I mean, on the menu a small glass of orange juice was $8! $8! And a small stack of pancakes $16! Whoever these people are that actually pay this much, I applaud you. And your back account. But Tanner, even if he had the money, would rather die than spend that much on 3 pancakes. Haha. Luckily, it was all included so we could order whatever we wanted. And it was DELICIOUS.

We agreed not to get each other any presents, so instead I made Tanner a little somethin'. I have seen this whole 'playing card' craft all over Pinterest but I did a little twist to it. Instead of "50 things I love about you" I did "50 most memorable events in the past 365 days". Each card had a different memory from the past year. It was really fun to be able to reflect and think back on it all. It was also fun making small pictures for each one. Tanner also enjoyed reading through it. I plan to make one every year and keep them all together to be able to scan and look through each year. Ya. We'll see how that goes. But hey, it could happen!

All in all, the past 365 days have been thee best 365 days of my life. And I can't wait for all of the many, many, many, many, many, many x eternity, more to come. 

Pancake the Puppy.

Ever since 7th grade, I had this goal. Someday I was going to get a light colored, cute, cuddly, perfect puppy and her name was going to be "Pancake". I really don't know how I came up with that name. Maybe I saw it in a movie? Maybe I heard it from someone else? Maybe I came up with in a dream? All I know is that I had to make a "Bucket List" powerpoint to present to my 7th grade class and one of my goals was "To have a puppy named Pancake" (dream big!). Well to my 7th grade self I'd like to say cross that off the ol' bucket list missy because it is now a reality!.... Puppy named Pancake 

 

Literally, picking out a puppy is HARD. I knew I wanted a mini doxie and I knew I wanted her to be light colored. Tanner also agreed and told me that we couldn't get one unless it was this color. So I began the HUNT! Seriously. I can't even begin to explain the amount of research I did online to find breeders. Good breeders. That actually care about their puppies. That had recent litters born. That weren't already all taken by people on waiting lists. It's tough! I found out that the specific dog we were looking for was an English Creme Miniature Dachshund. Turns out, there's not many breeders in America that breed English Creme's and the ones that do.... know that they can charge a fortune for them because they are so rare and SO ADORABLE. 

One day I was doing my daily 5 hours of research (but really though... goodbye focus on homework) and I came across this breeder in Colorado. She had a great website and this new litter had just been born. Perfect. I contacted her and after many emails back and forth of pictures and videos and information, we KNEW that Pancake was this little pup right here! We had to wait until she was 8 weeks old so she could be old enough to fly on a plane to us. 

yes.

She got here by plane. 

Crazy right?

When the day came to pick her up from the airport, I can't even tell you how excited I was. I don't think I've ever been that excited for something in my entire life. No joke. (sorry babe, our wedding was exciting too.. but come on..). 

When I very first saw her come off the plane in a tiny kennel, my first thought was "OMG! SHE IS SO TINY!" Which she is. She is soooo tiny. But SO cute and SO precious. 

I thought she was going to be so scared but the breeder had told us that she was pretty confident and I didn't believe her until I pulled her out of her kennel and saw that she was just so happy. She started kissing all over my face and I knew that we had made a great choice :) 

Pancake sleeps for 4 hours and wakes up to pee and poo and play and eat for about an hour and then she will pass out in a little cuddly ball on your lap for another 4 hours. Puppies sleep SO much. But she is SO cute when she sleeps and SO cute when she very first wakes up from sleeping with her little wrinkely face. 

What kind of dog sleeps like this.... seriously! Such a weirdo.

Tell me this doesn't make your heart melt like mine....

Here are some facts about Pancake: 

1. She loves to sleep and cuddle. 

2. She hates her crate and barks at her play pen. 

3. She loves being on her back. 

4. She loves little mini bones and her mini tennis balls. 

5. She can slide about 5 feet on the tile if she gets a good enough running start 

6. She sleeps in our bed..... but she will only sleep on tanner's pillow. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and see Pancake literally sleeping on top of Tanner's head. Straight up. On his head.

It is so cute. 

7. She is doing pretty good with potty training (for only being 9 weeks old). She will whine when she needs to go potty, but if don't catch the whine then she will just go wherever she is. 

8. She loves to have her belly rubbed

9. She loves cuddling up by your neck

10. She has a STRONG bite. She definitely has her sharp puppy teeth that Tanner and I both can't wait for her to lose. She loves fingers. Enough said. 

It is crazy how much joy and happiness can come into your life when you get a puppy. 

For all of you that don't call yourself a 'dog person'... I don't understand you. I mean... look at her face?? 

Dear Pancake,

Even though you're sometimes the weirdest creature I have ever seen, we love you so much. 

Thanks for joining our family and fitting in so perfectly. 

xoxo

-Mr. & Mrs. Clark