A Season of Change...

Change {for me} is always hard.  

But I will admit, it can also open up the way for new & exciting opportunities.  

Because of that, I try not to fear change so much.

If you've been following me then you'll know that Brian and I have two furry babies who we love so so much.  Unfortunately, our oldest, Phoenix, started to decline after our move to KY and we had to say goodbye a few weeks ago.  It was probably one of the hardest things we have ever had to do.

The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing he is now at peace and not struggling anymore.

Going through this life changing event left Lexi, our little one, a bit lost and sad {us too!}.  She has lived her whole life {except the first 8 weeks} with Phoenix and we knew she would be lonely without him.  In time, we decided we wanted to get another pup to keep her company.

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Well, that day came last week when we brought home Harvey.

 

 He's such a sweet & spunky pup, and reminds us SO much of our Phoenix.  That's the main reason we just had to have him.  

He is getting used to his surroundings and even though it took Lexi and few days to figure out what he was..lol...they are now becoming fast friends.

We will forever miss our "Stinky" {Phoenix}, but we are looking forward to making new memories with Lexi and Harvey.

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Amidst all of this, I have been on the job hunt and just this past Monday I accepted a new position doing something a little different and {I hope} fun.

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If you're going through a hard time or a "season of change" as well, just remember to keep your chin up, think positively and know that there is a rainbow after every storm...even if it's not visible right away.

Day at the Fair...etc.

Brian and I spent a few hours, yesterday, at the State Fair & Cracker Country (my fav!).  I thought I'd share some pictures...sorry there are none of the food...we were too busy eating it.  ;)

 I wanted to take these piglets home!

 

Later, we took the pups to a local dog park where Lexi ran around with the biggest dog there [at warp speed] for an hour straight (I don't know where she gets all that energy, but if I could bottle and sell it, I'd be a rich lady). Phoenix tried to join, but eventually gave up and decided exploring every inch of the park was more to his liking. We ended the day with homemade chicken wings & coleslaw (YUM) and Trading Places on the tube.

I ❤ family time.

Artsy Fartsy // Sketch #1

Anyone remember these gems I picked up at Jo-Ann Fabrics?

Well, I finally sat down the other day and put them to good use!  Okay, so maybe not good use, but use nonetheless...

I've done a handful of fine art projects over the past few years...sketching and acrylic paintings...but my skills are, honestly, quite a bit rusty.  My hope is to use these tiny artist pads to work on my skills and mainly to just be creative.  Because creating, especially through fine art, makes me happy in a way that other things don't.  (I think you crafty, artsy people out there know what I'm talking about...) 

The morale of this story is that I want to hold myself accountable to produce at least one artsy "lovely" (as my wonderful friend, Sara, deemed it) a month (if not more!).  And I will showcase them right here on my blog in a new feature I'm going to respectively call "Artsy, Fartsy".  

Hopefully, by doing this feature, it will effortlessly become a part of world again. 

So here's a look-see at my first sketch (I used 4B graphite and white charcoal pencils), that was inspired by Lexi's irresistible face, under bite and all!  I hope, like me, it makes you smile.