Painting for Valentine's night

 

Gary and I were gifted a fun evening of painting and beer.

As you can see we painted flamingos!

I had the most fun, but I feel like my flamingo looks like a swan.  I got a little carried away with the feather brush strokes!  We had such a fun time.  We don't typically go out on Valentine's Day  night, but this was a fun time for sure!  I'm glad we did it.

18 years today

Gary surprised me with lunch at work, flowers and a ring pop. 

He's a great husband and I love him so much!!

After work we got the kiddos settled and went out for dinner and a few cold beers.

It was a fun way to celebrate 18 years!

Date night and a new place

I love being able to sneak away for a few hours with Gary to have dinner.

We have been wanting to try this new place in Waco, and Friday nights are perfect for date nights.

 

 

We sat at the bar for a drink and then headed to a table for dinner.  The bar was the best part in my opinion.  The drinks and chips were the highlight of my night.

 

I got some sort of beef fajita tacos drizzled with queso and it was only OK.  I was not impressed.  I usually love Mexican food, but this wasn't my favorite.  I think this is a good spot for drinks and then head to another venue for dinner time!

 

Gary said his food was pretty tasty.  He ordered one of their signature dishes and I think he's on to something.  They spend special time and attention on some things and I think that makes them better!

I've heard so many good things about Hecho and then to be disappointed bums me out.  I think my expectations were high from all the hype.  I will go back, but I just wanted to be blown away!  Haha!

sunrise on the beach

17 years ago at sunrise Gary forgot to bring the ring to the ceremony. He left me standing on the sandy beach while I watched him walk back up the boardwalk & upstairs to the hotel room to get my ring. Oh y'all, it seemed like it took him forever to return and we joke to this day he contemplated calling a cab and running! I'm so thankful for all our adventures. It's never dull and marriage takes work, but I can't imagine doing this life with anyone else.

Happy Happy 43 to this awesome guy!!

I'm so thankful for this man. He's my rock.  He keeps me sane.  He loves me so much and so well.  I just don't know what I'd do without him.  God blessed the kids with an great daddy and he blessed me with a wonderful husband. Happy Birthday to you GS!!

our weekend in fredricksburg

Gary planned a weekend getaway for us and surprised me with it!  

I am not that great at receiving surprises, so he ended up telling me where we were going before we left so I could pack correctly.  I'm super grateful for all he did in planning a fun weekend for us and our buddies.

We stayed at a Bed n Breakfast in Fredricksburg, very very close to Luckenbach. It's called the Full Moon Inn.  It was very quint and perfect.

It was cold and rainy all weekend so we didn't get to enjoy the outdoors, but we still made the best of our kid free weekend.  Every once in awhile it is important to just get away from it all!

Breakfast was served promptly each morning at 9:00am.

Saturday morning we had breakfast with several other couples and one family with children.

We had eggs Luckenbach, pumpkin pancakes and yummy bacon.  We had coffee in our room before breakfast and we also had coffee with breakfast.  I know it sounds odd to comment on the coffee, but it was fabulous.  I should have asked what kind of coffee they served, but I didn't.  It wasn't just your basic Folgers though.

Gary and I chose the Smoke House Cottage.  Our buddies stayed in the Peach room.  Both rooms were very cute and cozy, but the Peach room is more modern and updated.  Gary and I loved the old fashioned and rustic look of our choice. 

After our breakfast we headed to a winery to sample some great wine.  I don't think I've ever tasted port.  I'm not sure how that hasn't been in my life until now.  It was such a wonderful treat and Gary and I ended up buying several bottles of wine and joining the  GrapeCreek wine club. 

The scenery was fabulous and I'm so excited to go back in the spring so I can enjoy a glass of wine on their many patios!!

We left the winery and headed to a brewery to watch some football.

We were freezing cold and had frizzy hair, but that didn't stop us from sampling a few beers at  the Fredrickburg Brewery.  I love trying different beers!

After a delicious German lunch we headed to Luckenbach before heading back to our rooms before dinner.  I was disappointed with Luckenbach, but I won't discount it all together. We must go back in better weather!  I'm sure I'll love it more then.  I thought I had memories of Luckenbach from childhood and seeing it again at age 40...it just wasn't the same.

See the cat on the counter??  It was bizarre and the flies y'all.  There were flies buzzing around everywhere.  I couldn't believe it.  Maybe they were drawn to the wood burning fireplace.  Who knows?!?

Look at that cool little Christmas tree to the right of us. I thought it was perfect!

After our tour of Luckenbach we headed back to the Full Moon Inn.  We watched more football and got ready for dinner.  

The common area was so fun and inviting.  

So cozy and warm!

********

Gary and Jarred chose Cross Roads for dinner and dancing after.

We had happy hour in the bar area while we waited on our table.  Ok, so yes I'm going there....

This table looks like a butt.  What in the world?  LOLOLOLOL! I'm such a child.

I was craving chicken fried steak and this one was amazing.

Gary ordered quail, Jarred ordered a steak and Shelby ordered the flounder special.  All the food was wonderful!  I was hoping to dance off the steak I ordered, but the band wasn't what we expected.  We had hopes of doing some country dancing, but the band wasn't that.  I can't even explain what kind of music they played but it was modern with a side of jazz and the crowd was loving it WAY more than us 40 something old people.  It wasn't what we visualized in Fredricksburg.

All in all we had a great time.  We relaxed and enjoyed our time away!  I'm very thankful for my wonderful husband for planning every last detail of a wonderful weekend away. If you are looking for a Bed n Breakfast in the Texas Hill Country you must visit the Full Moon Inn.  

Now I want to own my own bed and breakfast even more that I did before. 

16 years today

Gary and I met in 1996.  I started working at EyeMasters in fall of 1995 while I was going to MCC.  He applied at EyeMasters in March of '96 while he was going to Baylor.  He needed a part-time job to pay for Baylor and back then selling eyeglasses was decent part-time money.  Can you see him selling eyewear?  If you know Gary he can sell anything to anyone. ;)  Even though we knew each other for months, and were dating other people we really didn't hang out until November of '96. 

 Once we started hanging out we ended up being best friends.  Seriously for years we tried to fool ourselves and our friends by telling everyone we were just friends.  I think everyone else knew better, but heck, aren't you supposed to marry your best friend?

He sent me flowers at work since I have a j.o.b now.  

I love them and they are a perfect fall arrangement.

20 years later we celebrate 16 years of marriage.   2 kids, 5 dogs, lived in 4 different states and in 12 different houses.  We've had good times and bad times... cooked and eaten many good and bad meals.  It's been an amazing adventure and I am blessed to call this man of mine, mine!

I have a built in best friend

I've met so many people in the last 4 years traveling from Texas to Ohio to Georgia and back to Texas.  I have also 'met' people via this blog and other forms of social media. God Bless social media and the way people vent publicly about marriage. Ouchie.  I sometimes feel extremely shocked by the way people treat their spouses.  The lack of respect, the insecurities, and putting the kids first.  You may disagree and that is fine, but in my opinion the marriage should come first and then the children.

Let me start by saying my marriage is not perfect. We have had bumps in the road, um hello we have moved more times in 4 years than I can stand to admit. Packing and moving will strengthen a marriage y'all!  I am not perfect and Gary is not perfect.  There IS no perfect person in this universe.  The way we are together is perfect for us and our situation.  He is a reflection of the way I treat him and I am a reflection of the way he treats me.  I believe that people see us together and think we come together quite nicely.  Our kids see this too because we act the same way at home as we do when we are out with friends and family.

We were friends first and we still are friends.  I would do anything for him and I know he would do anything for me.  It takes work.  It's hard and from what I've noticed some people don't want to put in that kind of work.  It is crazy to me how hard people work at their job and bettering their career, but they don't take the time to get to know their spouse as their best friend.  Mommas work so hard trying to become the perfect mom, but don't take the time to be the perfect wife.  Sadly, the kids leave and then that momma is stuck at home with a man she doesn't know at age 52.  A friend once told me she'd hang in there until the kids graduated from high school and then she'd be gone.  Well, that is another 10 years.  Imagine how wonderful her marriage would be if she started working now and then in 10 years she wouldn't have to leave to find another man to find out he isn't perfect either.

I love that I have a built in best friend.  We don't always see eye to eye.  We have different views on lots of things.  We get into heated discussions.  Our kids hear us sometimes and we let them listen in to some of our conversations.  They know we disagree at times and by listening to us they understand that marriage isn't perfect but we all learn how to communicate.  We learn to compromise.  We learn to be respectful and gracious.

I try to keep Just Shy of a Y a happy place.  It is a place for family fun, food and memories.  That being said, I don't want my kids to think life is all roses and rainbows, but I want them to know that their mom and dad work to build a solid foundation.  We work to be a good example of what marriage should look like. In every area of life our kids watch us.  They mimic us.  I want our babies to know what marriage is about and how it should work.  Mostly I want Layla to know how she should be treated and I want Hayden to know how to treat his future wife.  As parents we want them to have a best friend to grow old with some day.  

"Always strive to give your spouse the very best of yourself; not whats left over after you have given your best to everyone else."  found on pint-er-est.

driving range date

While I do get bummed out on some Saturdays when Gary is working, I do appreciate our Mondays together.  If he works on Saturday he will take off on Monday.  Monday the kiddos are at school so this is date day for Gary and I.

We weren't able to get in a full round of golf, so the driving range was a great alternative!  The weather was perfect and just look at those puffy clouds.  

I'm loving golf lately and I'm hoping to master my swing.  I feel like golf is a workout and working out is my therapy, so I loved my golf day date with Gary!

date night to celebrate 15

Gary and I celebrated our anniversary last night with a fun night out!

We went to 4 or 5 different places around town.  We ate appetizers and had beverages and great conversation.  It's been 15 years since we said 'I DO' on the beach at sunrise.

Time flies when you're having fun!  I wouldn't trade my friendship with my husband for anything!

las vegas vacay

I tagged along with Gary on a work trip.  I was on vacation while he worked!  We had tons of time together though and I even went to a few meetings with him.

We stayed at the Palazzo.  I was in picture taking heaven.

You can kinda see the reflection on the glass, but this was the view from our room.  It was awesome!

We went to fun dinners every night and had to take selfies to document!

When I was in Vegas last we went to the Venetian but the Palazzo wasn't there yet.  I still love the ceiling now as I did then!  It's so cool!

This picture looks yucky, but this breakfast was probably my favorite meal.  I ate it twice!  It's little tiny somewhat crunchy biscuits with sausage gravy, fingerling potatoes and two over medium eggs.  It was great comfort food for be being jet lagged and exhausted because Vegas never quits hopping.  Sheesh.  I'm too old for Vegas!

Our room was perfect and spacious.  The view was great and the bed was comfy.  Gary and I had a big time playing with the remote control curtains.  

The pool area was extremely HOT.  Goodness gracious.  I had a feeling when I jumped into the pool that it would be hot as a hot tub, but it was FREEZING.  It was shocking at first, but then truly refreshing.  Gary and I enjoyed talking to his co-workers, but we also had a fun time meeting new friends.  We met a few ladies from Colorado and Nebraska.  They were there on a girl trip and they were so fun to talk to.  Gary and I can make friends anywhere.  We always meet new folks while on vacay!

Another pre-dinner selfie. I'm so thankful I get to be married to my best friend.  We have some super fun times together and I'm so blessed to have an awesome life partner.

I had to take some scenic pictures for the kids.  I knew they would love seeing the hotel and all the fun shops and decorations.  Gosh, I can't imagine what Las Vegas will look like when they are old enough to go.  It'll be so very different!

We couldn't have gone without help from my parents. Thanks Netsie for hanging out here at home with the kiddos!  Thank you DeDe for staying in Texas with your fur babies so mom could make the trip!