{easiest DIY puppy bed}

Although my fur ball is super duper cute, don't let that cuteness fool you. He can be pretty destructive, especially when we leave him alone too long. Polo has cost us a lot of moola over stupid stuff---tore a hole in the carpet at my in-laws, tore up three dog beds, ate three rugs, and even ate, yes i said ate, holes in our guest room bath tub. Needless to say, I am sick of spending money on dumb stuff. 

When Polo tore up his second and third dog beds I got this awesome idea to save the stuffing and just make him a new one. Originally I planned to buy some fabric, stitch it together and stuff it full. While I was in Knoxville I was shopping at homegoods {best store ever} and found the cutest, softest blanket with dog bones all over it for $12.99. PERFECTION! Scooped that up and came on home. As soon as I got home I measured the correct size I wanted for Polo. I literally folded the blanket in half, sewed a seam across the bottom, and up the side. Then sewed in some velcro {because Polo looovvess to chew zippers}, turned in inside out, stuffed it full and waa-lah! Perfect, fluffly dog bed for my furry best friend!! 

His old dog bed pre-rampage

post rampage {after I removed the fabric}

New blanket

Lovin' his new bed. "Don't turn on the bright lights mom"

{our love story pt. 3: the engagement}

I already posted practically this entire story when I did the marriage link-upp but I thought since I already had it written, I'd do a separate post!

Junior year of college {2010} I got a phone call from Dale. 

"Hey, do you want to go to New York City for Easter with my parents?" 

"YES!!" 

I had never been to NYC before so I was so excited! Thinking of all the wonderful things we would do and see... I was like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning! When it finally arrived, Dale came to Birmingham the night before, I had to take a test in a class, and then we were off to the airport. I remember asking him tons of questions about NYC. We arrived late Friday night and walked around the city. I, of course, was snapping pictures of everything in sight. Again, little kid on Christmas morning. Saturday morning {April 3rd} we woke up and it was a normal day. Dale and his dad went down to get breakfast while the girls got ready for the day. We were going shopping to get Kailey a graduation present. We walked the streets of NYC for a bit until we came to 5th Ave.

We were in a store while K was looking at purses and Dale was casually like, hey, let's go see if we can catch a carriage and take a ride through central park. I love love love carriage rides! We got to central park and it was packed because it was an absolutely beautiful day. Being southerners, I think we moved a little too slow. EVERYONE was jumping in front of us taking the carriage we were waiting on. I was like gee wiz I didn't know we had to be THIS aggressive, let's just take a walk instead through the park. {I'm sure Dale's heart started beating hard at this point}. He agreed but after walking like 15 steps he turned around and said, no I think I want to take a ride NOW. We turned around to go back to the carriages. After trying my best to find a pretty horse and pretty carriage I pretty much said screw it and we hailed the first horse our slow selves could jump on to. 

When we got in to the carriage Dale casually asked our driver if he could take our picture when we got in to central park. {Still thinking nothing of it at this point} We started trotting along. I, again, was snapping pictures of everything in sight. The driver stopped the carriage and said, "ok, hand me your camera I'll take your photo now." I stood up to hand him my camera and when I turned around, my handsome man was down on one knee IN the carriage!! Thank goodness our driver had my camera so he took a ton of pictures for us. Dale told me all of these sweet things which, of course, I cannot remember and asked me to marry him and the first thing I could think of was "did you already ask my dad?" I didn't think my parents would be able to keep it from me. 

Back tracking a little bit. When I told my mom we were going to NYC she told me to go get a manicure. I was like what? no! I'm not spending money to get my nails done.. I'll just do them myself. She knew that when I got engaged I wanted my nails painted {if you know me at all, you know my nails always look terrriibblle}. She was like "oohhh text me a picture when you paint your nails" "what color did you paint them" I should've known right then that something was up. 

I said yes and all I could do was kiss Dale for the rest of the carriage ride. Everyone in central park was probably sick of our PDA but I didn't care! I was happy in love and I was getting married and wanted every one to know about it! 

This was the official beginning of the rest of our lives together! 

{happy almost holidays}

Happy {almost} holidays everyone! My momma bought me a sweater for Christmas that is WAY too small! Oh well, back to the store she goes. 

{sharpe family christmas card}

This afternoon I got the boys and myself dressed up to take our Christmas card pictures. I knew this was going to be impossible difficult with a 7 month old puppy but I had no idea how difficult. 

You see, we do not have a tri pod, therefore, we had to set my camera on a chair and position it just right. Then, I set the self timer and took off running to my destination. 

Here are a few of our "duds"// outtakes! 

at this point, dale was ready to kill Polo

This picture cracks me up! Dale was fed up at this point...I had my camera on the deck trying to find a better view..and polo took off and knocked the chair across the yard!!! I almost peed my pants I laughed so hard!! 

**43 pictures later...we finally found the winner picture!!**