Life in the Dub Lane: April 2010

The 8X8

I was tagged in the 8x8 by my blogging friend, "I'm a Full Time Mummy". I always consider it a wonderful compliment when I am thought of to participate in such a fun tag.

Here are the Rules:

1]. Go to your photos files and select the 8th photo folder.

2]. Select the 8th photo in that folder.

3]. Post that photo along with the story behind it.

4]. Then challenge 8 blogging friends to do the same.

So here is my 8th photo in my 8th folder:

This photo was taken at my wedding rehearsal by B Dub's good friend Armando Tapia. Armando traveled from Mexico to attend our wedding. While he was there, he also filled in as a wonderful photographer. He was able to capture many moments and shots that the paid photographer did not.

This picture is of the location between the ceremony and the reception. It is also the same location that B proposed to me in 2003. Mr. Dubs and I were married at the Dallas Arboretum on August 21st, 2004. In the background you can see White Rock Lake. It was a GORGEOUS wedding!

The 8 Blogger Friends that I am tagging are:

Melissa @ Hanging with Mr. Cooper

Carrisa @ lowercase letters by carrisa

Katie @ Cleared for Takeoff

Aimee @ The Beach Barn

Lauren @ The Power of the Pink Lines

Mrs. Hesson @ Meet the Hessons

Juliana @ A blonde walks into a blog

Katrina @ The Sevin Family

Love Journal

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to start sharing family traditions. Traditions are a huge part of my life and they impact decisions I make on a daily basis. I have the type of personality that will view everything I do as having the potential to become a Tradition.

My hope is that you too will be able to establish traditions that your family will treasure for years to come.

Traditions make us spend time together.

Traditions provide opportunities to show how much you care.

Traditions provide optimal settings for teaching family values.

Traditions give us many reasons to celebrate life together.

Traditions help us stay close to family and friends far away.

Traditions help us build a family identity.

Traditions make it possible to create family history.

Traditions bring together the generations.

Traditions help us organize our busy lives.

This particular tradition is named, The Love Journal. This tradition falls into the "Show how much you care" category.

I want to first start off by saying that it's never too late to start your Love Journal. It will be special regardless of when you start writing.

The Purpose:

The Love Journal is a special tradition that is particularly for you and your spouse. It's something that will be cherished for many many years. It's purpose is to be passed back and forth from one spouse to the other as they write special messages to one another.

It will contain special photos, memories, special qualities, talents, traits, etc listed.

How to Create your Love Journal:

It's fairly simple really.

Choose your journal. I picked up a journal at Ross for $2.99 that I know will last for years. You could choose to make one (this is totally up to you).
You begin the journal by placing about 10 photos of your and your significant other in the front of the book.
Begin your first entry with a special note to your beloved.
Pass it along and keep it going.

Now obviously, life can get busy. This Love journal does not have to be written in all of the time, but enough that you can create memories.

Times to write in your Love Journal:

Special Celebrations in Life (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays)
After Vacations
A job promotion
When you encounter a new milestone in life (When you become pregnant, have a baby, kids go to college, you buy a new home, move to a new city, etc

Things to Remember:

Sometimes you may need to encourage the other to write in it. That's Ok. We get busy and will both forget. Leaving it in a place that the other will see it is a nice reminder. If they still don't get the hint, speak up. Tell them that it's their turn to write and that you would love to hear their thoughts.
DO NOT WRITE IN THE JOURNAL UNTIL THE OTHER WRITES.
Your journal entries do not need to be long. Just a sweet message will do.
When you need a good "pick-me-up" pull out the Love Journal and read it. It will remind you just how special your spouse is to you.

An Award for ALL of my followers!

Here is your Award! This is created by me for ALL of my followers!

I posted this a few days ago, but I wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to grab it. Now don't go saying that you don't want an award on your blog. Everyone loves getting awards. Don't lie... we won't believe you.

As for the design... I was in the mood for summer and well, a nice southern treat is Watermelon. The bottom line... I wanted to say thanks to everyone that has joined me in my blogging journey and has supported me. So please accept this award as a BIG THANK YOU!

"My Blog is a Southern Charm!"

Now it wouldn't be an award without rules so I guess I should list em' out for you.

"My Blog is a Southern Charm!" Rules:

List your Current City/State (or country).
Tell us where you would love to visit or vacation SOUTH of your current location. You can be creative or realistic!
Share a photo of your dream "Southern Charm!"
Tag 5 people

That's it folks!

Now Copy and Paste your award (along with the rules) and wear it proud!

Here's my "award" post:

Current City/State: Dallas, Texas

Since I am currently as south as south could be here in the Great U.S. I will just have to settle for a country that is south of the U.S (as there are no dream vacations located in cities south of me). It just so happens that I consider the Bahamas a southern country. {haha}. Seriously, my dream vacation is anywhere there is a beach, sun, pools & great food. Mr. Dubs and I have talked many times about moving to the Beach in a far off land and opening a dive shop. Although there is about a 1 in a Trazillion chance this will every happen it's still fun to dream...

This my friends is my dream vacation {Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas}:

OH WAIT... I'm going there in a few weeks! Isn't life great!

If you don't mind, leave me a comment letting me know you grabbed it! I'd love to see it posted on your blog. I would feel very very special!

Be sure to visit me @ Spit Happens {my mom blog}

Day at the Zoo!

Yesterday we took K Baby to the Ft. Worth Zoo! Mr. Dubs works during the week so he wasn't able to make it. I did however invite my parents, brother, aunt and cousin. In the end it was just my parents, my aunt and us that got to go. We stayed all day long {11am-5pm} and had the bestest time ever!

Out of the 189 pictures that I took, these are the ones I chose to share. ENJOY!

K has Sohpie in tow and we are heading into the Zoo!

That would be ME!

Can you guess?

And we just thought that Mr. Dubs couldn't be there... SURPRISE!

Me and my little man!

He just LOVED the little Meerkats!

I think I know what I am getting him for his Birthday.

While the ladies went tinkle, Poppy sat with K.

Normal Giraffes...

And a "Who knows what's going on" Giraffe.

Smiling at the Giraffes

Clapping for the Hippos...

Wondering why that little boy gets to come up and take his Monkeys.

Lunch time~

Chilling with the Statue

No Zoom on this picture... he was really that close.

Scared the living tar out of me.

And yes, this 16 ft. saltwater gator was this close as well...

There was however a perfectly clean piece of 5 in. glass between us.

Simba grew up.

We even got a 30 second video of him Roaring!

Checking out the Tortuous Statue

Not sure what's going on here....

Checking out the Light Pink Flamingos while mommy

is being attacked by the coral colored ones behind him.

His favorite thing of all... The turtles under water.

He Crashed!

Coming Soon!

Because today is Saturday and I have lots to do (and people to see) I decided that today's post will only consist of a few things that are "Coming Soon" and a little something extra for all of my followers!

You will see a few Product Reviews & Giveaways. Although my blog is not about to change to this topic 100% I did feel that it would be fun to introduce you to a few of my favorite unique products & Companies that are fun for the family! I know that my readers enjoy my blog for what it is and I don't plan to make a drastic change. But who doesn't like a giveaway every now and then!!! In addition you will see my sponsors listed to the left hand side of my blog as I complete the reviews and then they will be moved to my Sponsors Page {above} indefinitely. -Some of which you can check out now-.
You will start seeing more crafts. Why? Because I love them, I am always working on something, and because I have received way too many emails from readers asking about crafts not to share them with you all. After I post about them on the main blog, they will be stored in my Crafts & How-To Archives on the "Crafts Tab" above.
One of my favorite "Coming Soon" topics is going to be TRADITIONS! If you know me, then you know my middle name is Traditions. It's like I am a Tradition Junkie. I just HAVE to have them. Growing up we created many family traditions. Some of which were unintentional I'm sure, while others were created with much thought and planning. Because I feel that traditions are important I am going to begin sharing some of them with you. Quite a few of them will also incorporate a Craft (which is just an extra bonus). No need to worry... I have traditions that are for individuals, traditions for couples, and traditions for families and even some just for kids! {squeal}... this makes me excited just thinking about it!!!
{Beginning May 1st} "What Makes Me Happy"... Since I am one that always walks around with my camera in my hands I decided to try and capture these Happy moments on camera once a day. The thing/photo that makes me the most happy each day will then be stored on my computer in a file labeled "HAPPY". This will be a challenge because it can't be the same thing each day. It will have to be a new picture. At the end of the month I will create a collage to share with everyone! I know it sounds small, but it's going to be something that I do for myself. If you are interested in joining me just let me know and I might create a button for it or something.
Mentioning Buttons... I wanted to save this one for last! Here is an Award! This is created by me for ALL of my followers!

Now it wouldn't be an award without rules so I guess I should list em' out for you.

"My Blog is a Southern Charm!" Rules:

List your Current City/State (or country).
Tell us where you would love to visit or vacation SOUTH of your current location. You can be creative or realistic!
Share a photo of your dream "Southern Charm!"
Tag 5 people

That's it folks!

Now Copy and Paste your award (along with the rules) and wear it proud! If you don't mind, leave me a comment letting me know you grabbed it! I'd love to see it posted on your blog. I would feel very very special!

Enjoy your weekend and I'll see y'all Monday!!!