There are fingers linked together and my head resting on Mr. M’s shoulder. Two puppies walk in front us, one with childish abandon and the other still unsure on his feet.

We stop at a flowerbed ripe for sniffing. The ...]]> “Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.” ~ Brian Andreas

Our neighborhood is cookie cutter, quiet. Home.
Perfect for an evening stroll.
The sun is setting, casting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and pink.

There are fingers linked together and my head resting on Mr. M’s shoulder. Two puppies walk in front us, one with childish abandon and the other still unsure on his feet.

We stop at a flowerbed ripe for sniffing. The fluffy one explores with caution. His big brother dives in head first, nose buried in soil.

A firm hand comes to rest on my neck. I sigh and lean into Mr. M’s touch. He puts his lips to my temple and smiles. We share cherished words in between stolen kisses.

“Look at our little family,” I say and kiss his chin.
“They’re already pals,” he says as Rigby pounces on Oliver.
I laugh and give him another kiss. “Glad we’re lovebirds.”

And this. This is a good moment. The best moment.

Us.
Living our ordinary life.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 3 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Pets

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But there are many ways in which we are different, especially in regards to how we communicate and deal with arguments.

He’s patient and kind and caring and collected and reserved. I’m loud and vocal ...]]> In many ways, Mr. Mojito and I are very much alike. We love math, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, delicious food, lazy Sundays, our old cars, living in suburbia, and Cowboys football. We’re OCD neat freaks, simpletons, and nerds to our core.

But there are many ways in which we are different, especially in regards to how we communicate and deal with arguments.

He’s patient and kind and caring and collected and reserved. I’m loud and vocal and sarcastic and passionate and succumb to verbal diarrhea.

Yet we balance each other out.

We have an incredibly blessed, strong, and happy marriage. Mr. Mojito is my best friend, Uno competitor, running buddy, nightly dinner date, Sunday night movie companion, study partner, and biggest fan.

But like any couple, our marriage is not without faults, disagreements, and hiccups. Not every day is unicorns and chocolate frosting and rainbows. We argue.  About the little things. About the important things. About the mundane things. About the stupid things. Things like taking out the trash and organizing the garage and taking Oliver for a walk and what movie we should watch after dinner.

There are times when I’m snippy and hormonal and on edge. There are times when Mr. Mojito is exhausted and wants to be left alone.  But at the end of the day, we’re in this crazy thing called marriage together.

Then there are times when I don’t fight fair {this is not an everyday or every disagreement occurrence, but it DOES happen occasionally}. It can be over something as inconsequential as where we should go on our next vacation or something bigger like graduate school, finances, and our careers.

I name call or make below-the-belt character attacks (i.e. “You’re acting like an idiot!”). I use global statements such as “always” or “never” (i.e. “You never listen to me!”). I go off topic to a long list of prior examples of the current issue. I tend to act like a four-year-old child by either shutting down, giving the silent treatment, or slamming our bedroom door.

I hate it, especially because Mr. Mojito is an incredibly fair fighter. He doesn’t raise his voice or name call or use past actions against me. He looks at each situation independently and as unbiased as possible. He is always loving in our exchanges. I am constantly humbled by him.

Me? Fighting fair is something I have to actively work to avoid every day.  And one day I am determined to overcome it completely. For me. For Mr. Mojito. And for our marriage.

If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear if anyone else struggles with this and how you handle it.

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Posted in: Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

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Saturday was Oliver Pancake’s first birthday {Happy birthday, my snuggly ball of fur!}.

I think Charles Schulz had it right. Happiness IS a warm puppy.

And life with Oliver Pancake is happy.

The way he licks my tears away when I’m having a craptastic day because he knows that puppy kisses are the best form of medicine. How he can destroy my favorite sweatshirt and then look at me like I’m the crazy one. When he rolls over on command and then jumps ...]]>

Saturday was Oliver Pancake’s first birthday {Happy birthday, my snuggly ball of fur!}.

I think Charles Schulz had it right. Happiness IS a warm puppy.

And life with Oliver Pancake is happy.

The way he licks my tears away when I’m having a craptastic day because he knows that puppy kisses are the best form of medicine. How he can destroy my favorite sweatshirt and then look at me like I’m the crazy one. When he rolls over on command and then jumps on my leg looking for praise.

He shows us what’s important in life: good company, yummy food, and boundless love {and the ability to give and receive it all day long}. Living in the moment. Loving without judgment. Finding joy in the smallest things like a new chew toy and an after-dinner treat. Belly rubs and long walks. Soapy baths and fluffy towels. Games of fetch and unlimited energy.

And when I start to come down with a serious case of spoiled-brat syndrome or missing-my-husband-so-much-my-chest-hurts fever, Oliver Pancake and his naptime smell curl up on my lap and sleep for hours, reminding me just how good I have it.

Now if only he would stop leering over the edge of my laptop, begging me with his I’m-the-cutest-puppy-on-the-planet eyes to please give him a taste of my butternut squash ravioli.

He knows I can never say no to those eyes. Dang it.

I love you, little man! So much!

photo c/o Nicole Mlakar-Livingston Photography

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 5 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Just for Fun, Life, Pets

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Thankfully the insurance gods smiled down at you and accepted your claim. Now you have a pocket full of money and a shit ton of options as to what to do with it.

Would you…

A. Create an exact replica of your lost ring? Why?

B. Create an entirely different ring ? Why?

C. Take a combination of choices A and B and create the ...]]> Let’s say, hypothetically speaking of course (cough, cough), that you were a complete idiot and lost your engagement ring.

Thankfully the insurance gods smiled down at you and accepted your claim. Now you have a pocket full of money and a shit ton of options as to what to do with it.

Would you…

A. Create an exact replica of your lost ring? Why?

B. Create an entirely different ring ? Why?

C. Take a combination of choices A and B and create the same setting with a little more flair? Why?

D. Upgrade your center stone in either size, clarity, or shape? Why?

Thoughts?

All images c/o the Art of Platinum.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 9 comments · StumbleUpon It!
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But in order for that to happen I need a camera…a good one that will grow with me.

That is where you come in…

I am in the market for a new Digital SLR Camera. I am debating ...]]> I want to look back on my life through photos. I want to remember what it was like to win that hot dog eating contest, or swim with Olympians, or ride in a helicopter in Kaua’i, or cross the finish line of my first half-marathon.

But in order for that to happen I need a camera…a good one that will grow with me.

That is where you come in…

I am in the market for a new Digital SLR Camera. I am debating between purchasing a Canon or Nikon.

image c/o Canon.com

image c/o Nikon.com

I have read reviews about both cameras and both sound fabulous so which one do I choose?

I was hoping those of you who own either of these cameras could tell me your experience with it, why you chose it, and what you like about it.

Help, please?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 15 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Photography

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Specifically in regards to the in-laws.

Although things have gotten better since our wedding, there was a time when every conversation I had with my mother in law ended with me in tears. It was very early on in our engagement when Mr. Mojito and I made firm boundaries with our in-laws. We are a team and we needed to act as such. In the end, those boundaries saved us.

When things would get really bad and I wanted to cave into ...]]>

Specifically in regards to the in-laws.

Although things have gotten better since our wedding, there was a time when every conversation I had with my mother in law ended with me in tears. It was very early on in our engagement when Mr. Mojito and I made firm boundaries with our in-laws. We are a team and we needed to act as such. In the end, those boundaries saved us.

When things would get really bad and I wanted to cave into my mother in law’s ridiculous demands, we would always remind ourselves of the all too common phrase, “When you give a mouse a cookie…”

I understand not everyone has a poor or even strained relationship with their in-laws. If you are one of those people, count your blessings. I wish I was as fortunate to have such a great relationship with my mother in law. Because of the hurt I felt during my own wedding planning process, I no longer want a close relationship with her. I wish it could be different, but I chose my own self-worth in the end. My feelings and my heart come first. It took me a long time to be fine with this decision, but now, I know it was a good decision for me to make.

Now, my mother in law no longer feels like she has the right to lecture, pass judgment, or offer her opinion unless it is specifically asked for.

I do hope one day I can look at her as a friend and not someone who caused me months of pain and heartache.

So…

How do you all deal with in-law issues. Do you set up boundaries? If yes, what kind of boundaries? How does your spouse or significant other deal with the issues?

If this post is too personal, please do not feel obligated to answer. I just wanted to hear how other people handled difficult family situations in the hopes that it may help my own.

{image c/o www.time.com}

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 12 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

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Wellllllllllll, the time for our first puppy to arrive is quickly approaching (as in, late August to be exact).

These cute little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies were born over Memorial Day Weekend this past May. These are the most recent pictures I have of them. We are still not ...]]> For those of you that read my personal blog, Make Mine a Mojito, I have stated several times before that Mr. Mojito and I only plan on having furbabies in our family.

Wellllllllllll, the time for our first puppy to arrive is quickly approaching (as in, late August to be exact).

These cute little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies were born over Memorial Day Weekend this past May. These are the most recent pictures I have of them. We are still not sure if we are getting a boy or a girl. If we get a girl we plan on naming her Ginger. If we get a boy his name will be Oliver, but we will call him Oli for short.

How cute are these puppies?!?

So, on to my question dear readers and advice givers, for those of you with puppies running around your house, what types of things do you do to prevent your house from getting completely demolished and dirty?

Do you prevent your puppy from going in certain areas of the house? Do you clean your floors daily?

Help!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 14 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Around the House, Children, Good Things, Just for Fun, Life, Newlywed Life, Pets

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I have had this conversation with several people and wanted to know your thoughts. I find that people are VERY divided on this topic…

Would you upgrade/change your engagement ring (either in size, shape, clarity, or all of the above) assuming you could pay for the upgrade with cash (i.e. no credit cards or debt) and both parties were O.K. with the decision?

Ponder and discuss.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 8 comments · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Beautiful Things, Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships Follow ...]]>

I have had this conversation with several people and wanted to know your thoughts. I find that people are VERY divided on this topic…

Would you upgrade/change your engagement ring (either in size, shape, clarity, or all of the above) assuming you could pay for the upgrade with cash (i.e. no credit cards or debt) and both parties were O.K. with the decision?

Ponder and discuss.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 8 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Beautiful Things, Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

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This is a weekly tradition I look forward to. It has even become a fun game between us. He never gives me the flowers on the same day so I am still surprised every time I receive them, and he always makes me ...]]> Every week since we started dating, Mr. Mojito has given me a bouquet of flowers. Sometimes it is orange tulips, raspberry colored peonies, calla lilies, or cymbidium orchids, but this week he gave me beautiful two-toned roses, berries, and hydrangeas.

This is a weekly tradition I look forward to. It has even become a fun game between us. He never gives me the flowers on the same day so I am still surprised every time I receive them, and he always makes me guess what flowers are in the bouquet. Sometimes I am right, but most of the time he tricks me because he tends to create bouquets with very unique flowers (think dahlias, freesia, berries, and hiasynth). But the aspect I love most about this tradition is that it is special and sacred to just us.

So, this got me thinking….what special traditions do you are your loved one have? Is it going to weekly movies or dinners? Brunch on Sundays? Game night? Nightly walks? Cooking classes?

I thought it would be fun to hear what other couples do and maybe even get some ideas of fun, new traditions we could start.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Beautiful Things, Good Things, Just for Fun, Newlywed Life, Relationships

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