Baby Sister to Best Friend

This little girl was the answer to my prayers.

After years of praying and begging my parents to have another baby,

we were blessed with my wonderful little sister.

A gorgeous baby,

{we already covered the 1 tooth wonder in this post and this post,

but feel free to continue with the pity}

with beautiful brown eyes,

with an adorable smile and a cute little dimple,

who could never truly comprehend how thankful and how much her big sister loved her,

a caring heart,

an animal lover,

who preferred stuffed animals over dolls which was total opposite of her sister,

overly sensitive,

people pleaser,

love language is touch,

a people person,

loves to laugh,

complete opposite body than her sister...and everyone else in the family,

blessed with height and skinny genes,

she's fair skinned and dark haired,

a servant heart,

{that I may or may not have used to my advantage numerous times

- it came in handy when I was feeling lazy}

a wonderful roommate,

gives great back massages,

grew up way too fast,

was a beautiful Junior Maid of Honor,

advanced into the teenage "attitude" a bit prematurely,

horrible at making decisions {just like her sister},

became more than just a little sister, she became a true friend,

receiver of hand-me downs and a willing lender of new clothes,

{although we have completely different bodies we are the same size in clothes. score.}

loves to talk,

is sarcastic,

and funny,

a loyal friend,

an awesome daughter,

a wonderful big sister,

a perfect little sister,

and still could never truly comprehend how thankful and how much her big sister loves her.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone from when I was ecstatic to be holding that sweet little babe of a sister in my arms to 13 years later having this sweet big babe of a sister who takes over my whole body because she is taller than me. We are 10 and a half years apart and are becoming closer friends as year goes by. Love, love, love being a big sister.

Happy Birthday, Al!

I can't believe you are now a teenager!

I love you so much and I can't wait to be home and have our girl days again.

I am so proud to be your big sister. You're an amazing girl.

**Sorry for the picture overload, she is was just too cute and beautiful to narrow it down anymore**

Exciting? You be the Judge...

It's New Friend Friday over at The Creative Girl and today's topic is

"The highlight of your week"

The highlight of my week was...

When Mr. B surprised me and took me to Pizza Hut,

even though we had a little guest that was not invited on our date,

I loved that we actually went there and I also enjoyed my lunch.

Not sure what this tells you about my life if this is my highlight.

Actually, I know exactly what it tells you....plain and simple: I have one heck of an exciting life if Pizza Hut is the highlight. No need to deny that I read your mind and that is just what you were thinking.

My other highlight was going grocery shopping for the first time at Super Target. I know, I know, this is a lot of excitement in just one week. This one probably really knocked you off your feet and you're most likely wishing your highlight could've been as amazing as mine.

Target is my by far one of my favorite stores. ever. I had never experienced grocery shopping at a Target and I loved it. The prices were very reasonable and there is something about Target that just makes me happy. Even if I only got to touch the cute little dresses and instead walked out with nothing fun but milk, eggs and other misc food items, I had a smile on my face. I really wish they would out a Super Target in NH!

I'm feeling a little adventurous today {again, note how very exciting my life is if joining two Mcklinkys in one day qualifies for adventurous} so I also decided to participate in

A Girl in Pearls & A Boy with Toys

Favorite Fridays: Guilty Pleasure Snacks

I decided to focus on sweets, but for the record:

diet dr.pepper + fries= happy girl

I couldn't resist when I saw this one because this morning for breakfast

I was eating a few of these while reading her post....

Mr. B and I love these giant Chocolate Nonpareils. {We bought them last night at Target, it would also be a highlight of my week, but I thought this might push it over the top and become too overwhelming to handle} These are addicting and delicious. I like to suck on them and then chew them when they get smaller. I assumed you were dying to know how I ate them, so... you're welcome.

In the summer, I love eating chocolate jimmies {I don't know what they call them in your town, aka sprinkles}. I buy a container and eat it with a spoon. I like the soft kind, not the hard crunchy ones.

Apparently I have more than one guilty pleasure snack....I'm a big fan of Reese's PB cups. I prefer the mini cups, but either will do. I usually only get the minis during Easter.

In case you were wondering how I eat those:

1. I like them cold so they go straight to the fridge.

2. I unwrap them

3. I bite it sideways so my teeth divide the mini cup in such a way that the peanut butter filled part goes onto my tongue and the ridged chocolate top goes on the other side of my teeth, next to the inside of my cheek.

This is serious business.

Last week, I may or may not have told Mr. B how I eat them just in case that question ever occurs if we are playing one of those newlywed games.

What was YOUR highlight of the week and/or YOUR guilty pleasure snack???

** Happy Birthday to my beautiful little sister who becomes a TEENAGER today!! Birthday post with lots of pictures coming tomorrow {wanted to keep you in the loop in case you were all very concerned I wouldn't have a special post for her- no worries you can relax and feel free to make note in your calendar that tomorrow will be the a post especially for her}**

Cheese Pizza Hold the Bug

Mr. B and I are opposite in many ways.

One of these areas being food.

Specifically fast food and cheap restaurants.

Judge if you will- I like fast food and cheap restaurants.

This has resulted in many petty arguments in our ever so blissful marriage.

I think a lot of it has to do with our two different families.

I grew up in a busy household of 10 where it was easier and cheaper to go through the drive thru. With everyone's different schedules, it just worked out the best for us and as a bonus - no dishes.

Somehow we never managed to be obese. What a blessing.

Mr. B's grew up in a household of 4 and his mom enjoyed cooking or they could easily afford a nice meal out. They were less than 1/2 the size of my family!

So fast forward and bring us to our wonderful-we-come-from-two-different-lifestyles-let's-mesh-our-lives-and-see-how-it-works-because-love-is-greater-than-food-newlywed life.

A few days ago I was complaining kindly pointing out that I make many things for dinner that I don't necessarily like, but I eat them for Mr. B because he likes them. Anytime I suggest something I want I get a look of disgust/please don't bring out your WT {white trash} side and a "no way-gross-never".

Well apparently my point was valid.

Mr. B surprised me yesterday and came home during his lunch break and took me to Pizza Hut lunch buffet.

I enjoy the salad, the breadsticks, the pan pizza and the creamy italian dressing.

Again, something I grew up with and find quite tasty-thank you very much.

I was so happy.

I was enjoying my food and soaking in the pure kindness of my wonderful husband realizing that this is most likely one of those romantic things that, in his eyes, are good for about a month or so- thinking he is set until at least the end of May. Ha, crazy boys....

Mr. B was actually kind of enjoying his pizza as I felt the need to defend my dear friend, Pizza Hut, after every bite he took. I may take it a bit personal.

As he was eating his 5th piece of pizza, he somehow noticed something little and black stuck to the bottom.

How or why he was even looking at the back of the pizza, I have no idea.

Looking for something wrong, I am sure.

Well...that little blackness wasn't a burnt piece.

It wasn't pepper.

It wasn't an olive.

It was....

a bug.

Well, babe, you should've told them to hold the bug- you don't need the extra protein.

Except this was a buffet and he didn't order it so that wasn't going to work.

There was nothing I could say to justify this situation.

Thank you, Pizza Hut.

After all I did, all the defending, the complaining, the pleading, this is how I am paid in return.

If this isn't an "I told you so" moment, I don't know what is.

I am so mad I forgot to take a picture, but it was definitely there.

A mosquito/black fly creature. Squished to the bottom of his pizza.

I am not sure what is more disgusting, the fact that there was a dead bug on his pizza or the fact that we continued eating the rest of our food.

The plus side: His meal was then free, I enjoyed my meal and the fact that he took me there.

The negative: I am pretty positive we will not be going there in the near future ever again.

I am thankful we are moving home soon and I can count on lunch dates with Mama Grace- a fellow Pizza Hut lover.

Until then, I will keep my mouth closed about the places I want to eat and allow this romantic gesture to be valid until, at most, the end of April. Compromise?

Is your taste classy like mine or are you more like Mr. B?

Wordless Wednesday

One of the many reasons why I love my littlest brother....

Ry(19) has a nickname of "White Chocolate" and C-Man's (10) became "Chocolate Chip"

this is a clip of their brother dance off at our wedding.

C-man has one of the funniest personalities- love that little guy to pieces.

This video makes me laugh every time.

Clearly,

if you remember my father/daughter dance,

amazing dance moves run in the family.

It's a gift.

Hope you got a little laugh for your day!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Top 2 Tuesday: Beauty Secrets

Is it already Tuesday?! Time is flying!

Today's Top 2 at the undomestic momma is Beauty Secrets.

This is a tough one for me, I really don't have any.

I don't wear much make-up and the make-up I do wear is cheap faux bare minerals {love the real stuff, but it doesn't fit in my budget right now}.

I don't wash my face so I don't have any special face wash or secret for that.

I have a cheap straightener so there is no one asking about my hair secrets. I love when I am visiting my family and can use my mom's Chi- that is by far the most amazing straightener.

My favorite look is in the summer time when no make-up is needed but chapstick. Freedom.

I could probably have that look now if I didn't waste my day away blogging and watching TV. I am determined to lay out today though.

Which brings me to my number 1 beauty "secret":

Baby Oil/Body Oil/Gel

I usually just have the generic cheap baby oil, but we had company one weekend and they had this cocoa butter Vaseline one and couldn't take it back on the plain so they left it for me. Love this stuff.

I use it right after the shower {on days that I shave my legs- no need to admit how often (or not so often) that is, use your imagination} to moisturize my legs, arms and everything in between. It works wonders and also adds the perfect shine.

This is also ideal if you are looking to fry in the sun. Literally.

2. I have pretty sensitive skin so I am a big fan of baby products. Baby lotion is my best friend, if I don't use the oil I will use this. I use it on my face everyday. Apparently it has caught on because now Johnson and Johnson has a body care line and it gets the job done just the same.

Does anybody have tips on making make-up last all day?? I feel like my make-up disappears just a few hours later. So annoying. Yes, I mentioned I use the cheap make-up so it is very likely this has something to do with it.

Please tell me your beauty secrets!

PS. I knew Adam Sandler grew up in NH close to where I lived, but this morning on Regis and Kelly I just found out Seth Meyers is from Bedford, NH. That is the town right next to my hometown. Umm cool.

Not So Little Brother

My "little" brother turned 20 yesterday.

I am so thankful for...

Our memories and friendship when we were young,

our sometimes clashing personalities,

our ability to read each others mind and keep each other company

during awkward family gatherings,

the memory of our one and only big fight {a result of me not wanting him to watch a Walk to Remember with me and my girl cousins- this was about 7 years ago & to this day he still holds a grudge},

his leadership qualities,

his witty personality,

his self-confidence,

his "amazing" dance skills,

his fearlessness,

his willingness to help me when needed,

his friendship with Mr. B,

his desire to be a great big brother to our little brother,

watching him transform and grow into a solid man of God his first year of college.

I am so proud to be his big sister.

Happy Birthday, Ry!

Love you and miss you!

** A taste of his personality {he is 100% straight, although I am aware this video may make me you think otherwise}. He made this for our little brother's birthday in January**

Puppy Tips

We're Having a Puppy!!

Super creative title for a book huh?

First there was nesting and now it's time to highlight in

What to Expect When You're Expecting...

Puppy edition of course-no there's really no such thing , that I know of anyway, but these books are close enough. We are doing our research for the next 20 days so Roxie will be the best trained puppy in the world our house {don't want to set my expectations too high, but anything beyond our house would be a bonus}. We stalked up with a bunch of stuff from the library, we got our Dog Whisperer DVDs for the drive to and from Naples and plenty of books to keep me busy.

This is a totally new experience for us and we want to be as prepared as possible.

Some of you have already given me some helpful tips and they are so appreciated!

Today I dedicate this post to puppy/dog tips...

Any training techniques?

Did you find puppy school beneficial?

Did you crate train?

Best toys?

Best leash?

Has anyone used the Easy Walk harness?

Does your dog ring a bell to go outside?

What did you use when they chewed everything to teach them not to?

Best food?

Anything!

Any do's and don'ts would be helpful!

Thanks & Enjoy our weekend!!