Sprinkled with love

Happy Sprinkles

On Friday, something magical and crazy happened. We picked up a lost dog that had been running around our neighborhood for almost a week. At first I thought she was a bit too little and barked a little too much. But once we gave her some food, water and a belly rub, she was a happy little lady.

I was able to track down (through her microchip) some information about her.
1. Her name is Sprinkles. Yes, sprinkles.
2. She's a 3 year old Aussie/ Chihuahua mix and despite the second of those breeds, she's quite cute. 3. She was adopted out through a non-profit rescue shelter and, unfortunately, her owner has made no effort to find her and bring her home (which makes me really mad).

Since we already have a crazy dog, who is also a very jealous dog right now, we can't keep lil Sprinkles. But the rescue is working hard to find her a new home. We'll keep her another couple days until they can take her.   

Her first dog park trip!

Even though it's only been a few days, I feel like this experience has taught me a lot.

1. Compassion is a very strong virtue. I have always been a dog person. I love dogs, I used to think I wanted a whole house full of them, and I rarely meet a dog I don't like. But knowing Sprinkles was outside in 105+ degree heat for a week (or more?) with so many people walking past her everyday was heart breaking. She is the sweetest, cutest little thing and to imagine her owner being totally ok with losing her is so sad. I definitely don't want a house full of dogs, and being responsible for her on top of our already crazy life has been really stressful, but knowing we might have saved this little dog's life makes it worth it.

2. Lucy is a genius. I always knew Lucy was smart. She's a combination of 2 very stubborn, bossy, sassy and smart breeds. But having Sprinkles around makes her seem like Einstein. Don't get me wrong, Sprinkles isn't dumb. She just has no training and lots of energy. She's fallen off chairs, run into walls and watching her try to untangle herself from a tree on our walks is hilarious.

Her and Lucy- BFF's (almost)

Belly rubs make everything better

3. There are good and bad people. Finding a stray dog is a great way to gauge the people you interact with. The neighbors whose house Sprinkles was hiding near for a week didn't make any attempt to feed her, give her water or report her to the humane society. This is terrible. The woman who chose to let Sprinkles run off should never be responsible for life. But, in this, I met some very wonderful people. First, the vet that scanned her for the microchip- they spent almost 45 minutes trying to track down ever bit of info they could on Sprinkles. Second, the rescue shelter. The woman I spoke to remembered Sprinkles, thanked me a million times for saving her and has been working diligently to find her a forever home. It's because of people like this that make up for the crummy ones.

Sparkles might not be ours, but she sure has brought love and happiness into our home. (Just don't ask Mark and Lucy what they think of her). And if you're interested in giving this little lady a good home, visit the rescue's website:  http://azpawsandclaws.com

Wedded Bliss

Do you hear that? That right there? That's silence. That's called peace. I am no longer talking to myself, frantically scribbling notes on the back of Hobby Lobby receipts and I'm not cursing at my computer screen.  That can really only mean one thing.


I. GOT. MARRIED.

 

Yes, it's true. The big day has come and gone and now that the dust has settled, I'll try to recap the highs, lows, tears, laughs, and everything in between. 

From a bride's (incredibly biased, still basking in the after glow) perspective:

1. Family. I cannot even begin to explain the love you feel for/from your family when you get married. Maybe it's because I'm the only girl on my mom's side, or because it was just because our families are so awesome (maybe both) but I felt nothing but love from my and Mark's family. My aunts worked for hours and hours on my bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and on the day of the wedding to make sure it was perfect. My cousin Weston hand carved the center pieces out of downed aspens. My Dad and brother hand made yard games for the reception. It was incredible how everyone came together and made our wedding so incredible. I don't even know how to thank them enough.



Weston made this!

2. Friends. Even now, I get goose-bumps thinking about how amazing our friends are. Only 3 out of our enormous 14-person wedding party was actually living in Colorado. Our friends loved us enough to travel from: Thailand (!), Maine, New York, Portland, New Mexico, Ohio, Montana, Reno, Cali... The list goes on. And not only did they come to the wedding, but they were in it. They dealt with anal emails from me, goofy socks, staying in my parent's camper, and even brought their spouses with them. I cannot express how much it meant to us that our friends would do all that for us. 



Our enormous(ly awesome) wedding party.

I was ugly crying into Dad's shirt

Ugly crying. At our rehearsal dinner we introduced all our wedding party, which was really special and amazing and yes, Mark told me 10 minutes before it happened so I had no time to actually prepare anything to say. But it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Mark talked about his brother/ best man and started crying, then the waterworks started. I cried, Mark cried, everyone cried. So, naturally, I was terrified that it would be 10x worse on the actual wedding day. Plus, the girl who did my makeup informed to AFTER it was done that it was not waterproof. Excuse me? But, I was able to lock it up and hold my sh*t together. Well, for the most part. But if I learned anything it was that crying is actually really appropriate and endearing at your own wedding. So future brides, cry away!

It truly was an amazing day. I wouldn't have changed a thing!