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!

Merry Christmas

We woke up early Christmas morning and opened gifts.  It's always exciting to see what Santa delivered.  After we celebrated as a family of 4 we went to Clifton to visit my Aunt and Uncle.  Hayden rode his motorcycle and Layla just jumped around, as you can see.

We started the day with pancakes.  Gary is our pancake artist and he has taught the kids how to make fun shapes with pancake batter.  He made a birthday cake for Jesus, Santa's sleigh, Daisy's face and of course Hayden had to make the ever so popular turd emoji, picutred on LK's gown.

The dogs got bones from my parents and Santa brought them candy canes too.

I got warm furry blankets for my living room and I couldn't be happier!  Silly Daisy is licking her nose begging for more treats.  We had a very Merry Christmas!

Allergy shots!

This guy started shots today! We’re praying for some relief to his eczema!

He didn’t even flinch as she administered the shots, yes shots...one in each arm.  He’s awesome!

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.

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!

birthday birthday and more birthday

Gary took me to Austin for a little getaway for my birthday.

We started the trip with appetizers and drinks.  I love salsa so I was so happy!

I had a marg-tini or something like that.  I've never met a margarita I didn't like, so I was double happy!

Our buddies celebrated with us and we splurged on a fun hotel in Austin.

While innocently hanging out at the pool, this girl flew in from California to help me celebrate 40.  Oh what a wonderful surprise.  We haven't seen each other in 11 years, but it was like we never were apart!

40 selfie was in order, and look at one of my birthday gifts from Gary and the kids, a gold Texas necklace.  I love it so much!

Our group walked around the 6th street area and met up with some other buddies who live nearby.

It was the most fun and I felt spoiled!

6th street was crazy and I was loving the people watching.

And then  I danced on the bar.

I love that we got to take a selfie.  All of these wonderful folks just let me do it and didn't even try to argue. lol!  I love them all for making me feel so special and for putting up with my month long celebration!

We made our way back to Waco so Audra & Scott could tour the town and see how much Waco has grown.  We had a party at our house and even had the soccer game on a projector.  Oh my!  It was so fun.  I had a wonderful weekend.

I am one blessed lady and I'm so thankful for all the fun memories made!

So far 40 is amazing!!!!

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.

Why Waco?

As you know our family just moved back to Texas after living in Ohio for 2 years, and then Georgia for 1.5 years.  Before our state to state adventure we made our home in a north Fort Worth suburb. We bought our first home in Haslet.  Layla and Hayden were both born in Fort Worth just like their daddy.  I am the only non Fort Worth baby.  I was born in a little town in Texas near Waco.  I attended Clifton schools my entire school career.  Go Cubs!!

Since our recent move I've had several people ask why we decided to move to Waco.

Waco is home for us.  Waco is where our story began.  Gary moved to Waco in 4th grade and he graduated from high school at Midway.  I grew up in Clifton which is located about 30 minutes from Waco.  

I remember as a kid we traveled to Waco for everything.  Groceries, clothes and restaurants were all better in Waco, so essentially I grew up in Waco too.  I remember sitting under the shopping cart when I was a little girl.  I would ride around HEB (the best grocery store ever!) while my mom tossed groceries into the top part before checking out and loading the car to drive back to Clifton.  All the coolest clothes were in Waco.  Clifton had stores, but nothing as cool as Waco.

Gary and I met while he was attending Baylor and I was attending McLennan Community College and working at a local optical shop.  We dated for 4 years and all those years were here in Waco.   We loved Waco, but I have to say it is much cooler today than it was back when we first met.  There are tons of stores and attractions that just weren't here back in 2000.  Waco has blossomed and grown into a beautiful city with so much to offer.  

Now you know ... 

That is why Gary and I picked Waco.  We met and fell in love in Waco.  We got married on a Texas beach, but we made our first home in Waco before we decided to chase the money and move to the DFW area in 2001.  

When we found our rental home (built in the 50's and could totally be a Fixer Upper.) in Waco a few months ago we realized we have been gone from Waco for almost 16 years.  We are so excited to see this town now.  It is amazing!  We have plans to buy a 'forever' home in a year or two.  We are excited to plant roots and the kids are excited to stay in the same schools from now on.

Just so you know, since I am a foodie, my plan is to try every single fun restaurant and maybe open my own. ;)  I'll be able to give you the scoop when you plan your trip to visit our fun booming town!  

We love you MeMaw!

Today we celebrated Gary's mom.  She had a beautiful service and I think she would have loved it so much.  The sun was shining bright and her flowers were beautiful.  She loved flowers as much as she loved champagne and dessert!  

We got to see family we haven't seen in years because we have been gone on our four year state to state adventure.  We had a nice lunch at Chuy's after the service. 

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!