Meet our child, Beau.  Well, child with fur that is.  Yes, this almost two year old Golden Retriever is the closest thing to a kid that Frazier and I can happily claim.  We bought him right before Christmas in 2009, and he has been a wonderful addition ever since! 

Of course we have all heard that before you have a baby, you should get a pet in order to hone your parenting skills.  I don't know if that has been the case with us though.  I mean what child can you leave alone for 24 hours straight?!  Plus, Frazier and I are definitely both dog lovers, and we mainly just wanted a dog to love on and possibly train for hunting.  
Yet, Beau has brought out somewhat of a parental side in me perhaps.  Let's see...I love to talk about him and show pictures.  I make sure he take his medication.  I get very protective of him when other dogs are mean.  I punish him when he tears up my socks.  Yeah, yeah I know.  I can hear parents everywhere laughing hysterically right now!  


If you are thinking of getting your own pet, I would say go for it!  A study from the University of Buffalo revealed that pets add enjoyment and happiness to couples' relationships.  It also said they “have closer relationships, are more satisfied in marriage, and respond better to stress than couples who do not.” 

What do y'all think?  Do you think pets add stress or happiness to your relationship?  Are they teaching better parenting skills?  Comment on the Arkansas Bride Blog!

The "Good" Wife

So I ran across a pretty hilarious article about being a good housewife in 1950's.  There is a bit of controversy of whether it came from a textbook or magazine called "Housekeeping Monthly", but either way, I had to share some of these interesting suggestions.

Here are my top five:

• Be happier and a little more interesting for him.  His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.  
• Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.  He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. 
• Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
• Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner.  Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables.  Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order.

Of course, when I read these to my husband, he said, "Man, I wished I lived in the 50's!"  Just kidding right, Frazier?  

With so many women in the working world, I think some of these suggestions are just plain silly and don't stand up to the test of time.  I mean touch up your make-up and be fresh looking for when your husband gets home?  Yeah, right!

It's also interesting to think of how the role of a wife has evolved over the past few decades.  Thankfully, I think most grooms and husbands have a bit more realistic expectations as well!  

What do y'all think makes up "good" wife nowadays?  Comment below!

Changing your last name

I had a co-worker the other day email me about changing her last name, and I sent her all the information and links she needed.  I contemplated about turning it into a blog post and ran the thought by my husband.  He quickly shot it down and said that it would be "the most boring post ever."
However, I think it would be somewhat helpful, and I'm choosing to ignore his comment.  So here is the "most boring post ever."

First step: Social Security Card
To make your last name change legal, you will need to get a different SS card.  You will have to fill out an application on the official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration.  You can find that application here:Social Security Application
Once you fill the application out, you will either have to mail it or drop it off along with your marriage license and birth certificate.  These will have to be originals, NOT COPIES.  If you choose to mail, all your original documents will be mailed back to you.  I chose to drop my documents off at the Social Security building in downtown Little Rock and will say they did not ask for my birth certificate so who knows.
You can find where to take or mail your application here: Take or Mail
Your new social security card will be mailed to your address afterwards.


Second step: Driver's License
You will NOT be able to get a new driver's license until your new social security card comes in.  Once you receive it though, you will need that and your marriage license again and take to your local revenue office.
Click on the link to find your local revenue office: Arkansas local revenue office
The new license will cost $10.00, no more than $20.00.  No forms to print out and take with you either.


Third step: Passport
Well this part gets tricky since there are at least three options.  However, this link will help you figure out which one you fall under: Passport
You will have to once again fill out an application and mail back your old passport.  (If you have never gotten a passport, obviously this wouldn't apply to you.)  It's a bit more of a hassle, and to be honest, I still haven't changed mine!


Really, the first two steps are the most crucial unless you travel internationally frequently.  If so, then you better get on all three!  After you receive your new social security card and driver's license, then you will need to update your name on your bank account, credit and debit cards, insurance, etc.
There are also name changing kits for sale, but to me, it just seems like a waste of money.  All the forms are free online, and all it requires is just a bit more patience to navigate through it all.
Hope this information helps and send me any comments or questions at dedwards@abpg.com!