Hello July in Texas

Sunday we checked out Grace Covenant Church in North Austin.  Our friends go there so we thought we would give it a try.  It seems like a great church to be apart of and we will definitely go back. And check out the view by the church!!  WE LOVE AUSTIN! (I had to include Adam and his bowl of Watermelon...literally his favorite thing about summer)

After church we went to brunch at Kerbey Lane Cafe and it was delicious.  I got the pancake special, which was apples and caramel cooked into my pancakes!!  I love this place because you can get a single pancake, a short stack or a full stack.  Literally the BEST pancake I have ever had!  We will definitely go back!

We made it, one week in Austin, and we are still alive!  We finally got Adams truck inspected, Texas tags, and we both have Texas licenses.  Getting close to being Texans (well for Adam, I'm already a Texan).  After running errands in the Texas heat, we stopped for some AMAZING shaved ice at Shaved Ice Island.  One of the fabulous food you can get from a food truck in Austin!!  

This week Adam had orientation for the Police department.  I went too and met some of the other police spouses/family.  It was great to be included and involved in this process this time around.  Winston didn't really have anything like this.  APD has a "family academy" which involves the family in events and fun stuff so you can see what your officer is doing.  Most of the other officers are from other states and some are from other cities in Texas.  Many of them have 5-20 years of law enforcement experience.  I know this will be difficult on both Adam and myself over the next 16 weeks but God will help us get through it.  Adam WILL graduate the academy on October 28th (because I have faith he will excel and make it through).

We finally got boxes unpacked and pictures on the walls!  I will be posting some pictures of our place soon.  We still have a lot to do but we have done a lot to make it look like a home.  We are going to Maypearl, Texas to visit my Mimi Darline for July 4th.  Hoping to get some rest and relaxation before Adam starts the academy.  I hope everyone has a fun and safe July 4th!

Our Saturday Adventure

After finally getting boxes unpacked, we ventured out for groceries.  H-E-B is a grocery store like no other.  We checked out a local H-E-B Plus and just like the sayin "Everything is Bigger in Texas" and that includes the grocery stores.    This H-E-B had a boutique in the middle..I had to refrain from going in because I saw a lot of really cute stuff.  We grilled out and ate on our patio the past 2 nights and it was amazing.  Nice weather, good company, and amazing food.

On Saturday, we drove to North Austin to check out Round Rock.  We had to check out the hype of the World Famous Round Rock Donuts.  Stand aside Krispy Kreme, these donuts are outstanding.  Love supporting local, small businesses.  We got 2 of their regular donuts, an apple fritter, and an eclair, all for like $3.50.  All I gotta say is, I'm glad it's a little drive to get these because they are that good.  They also have a Texas sized donut that is literally the size of your head.  Maybe we will get it next time and I will post a picture of it. 

 

 BTW if you haven't had Starbucks Cold Brew with sweet cream, you should get it because it is a must during this summer heat (especially in Texas).  So all you coffee addicts...go get this ASAP! Also my hair does better in Texas,,,just saying!!

 We checked out our apartment pool while Mitch was still here.  We didn't put sunscreen on because SOMEBODY said we would be fine.  Literally out there for 30 minutes and I look like a crab.  Trust me, no picture needed.  Also we had to introduce Mitch to an Austin food truck and get some Gourdough's Doughnuts to go.  These cops sure do love their doughnuts!!  And they are amazing!!

 

Sunday we are going to check out a local church to see where we want to find a church family.  Hopefully we can get some pictures on the wall and make it a little more homey.  Standby for more pictures!

We Made it to Austin

We made it to the apartment on Wednesday and started to unload and unpack.  On Friday, we finally got our Wifi plugged in and set up.

After 2 days of driving through 7 states, 2 nights in a hotel, and almost 1,300 miles we finally made it to Austin.  I put together a collage of the trip down, filled with lots of snapchat filters (of course).

Day 1 we traveled from NC to Gulfport, Mississippi.  We stopped for dinner and stayed at a Clarion Inn, which was very nice.  As you can see Molly wasn't excited about the car ride.  She wouldn't sit in her car seat and basically rode in my lap the whole way.

Day 2 we drove from Mississippi to Austin, Texas and didn't have any trouble until we hit Houston and was stuck in traffic for like 2 hours in the rain (it was awful).  We didn't get to Austin until after our apartment office closed, so that caused us to have to stay the night Tuesday night in a hotel, So Wednesday we spent all day unpacking the truck and it was HOT.  No seriously it was HOT, like Texas, surface of the Sun HOT.  Especially in that moving truck.  The rest of the week has been hot but breezy and not so hot. 

Thanks to this guy for taking vacation from work to drive Adam's truck down here and helping us unload all our stuff.  He is more than our friend, he is like family to us.  We can't thank him enough for all the hard work he put in to help us.  Mitch, you are a lifesaver!!

Wednesday night we went to dinner with some friends at the Hula Hut, which is on Lake Austin.  I could get use to this view.  It was a nice evening with some great friends.  Since we already know a couple that live in Austin, it is making the transition to living here much easier.  I am so grateful for Chad Honaker, who helped Adam with the application process and really talked to him about how great it is here.  After only been living here for 4 days, we would agree with him.  

Once I get pictures on the wall and all the boxes out, I will post some pictures of our place.  We are loving our place and the area so far.  Traffic still sucks around here but the pros definitely out way the cons.   

June 1st Already??

Time slow down...The count down is on.  18 days until we are Austin bound.  I cannot believe it.  Thankful I have had a few days off work to get some things packed up.  I am not going to let the busyness of life keep me from working out and eating healthy.  This morning I did a high intensity workout on the elliptical for about 25 minutes and then did some push ups and squats.  After my workout I made an amazing protein shake.

Attention all coffee lovers!!  You will love this combo.  Try this almond milk, chocolate protein powder, coffee greek yogurt, and lots of ice.  I love this shake and it kept me full for several hours.  

Just wanted to post some recent pictures of us from the past few months.  I love this man and can't wait to see what the next chapter of our lives will hold!

Bring on the TEXAS heat!!

Wooooooooaahhhhh....Pause Button Please

So yeahhhhhhh I've been slacking in the blogging world lately.  Life has been chaos over the past 3 months.  Lots to update everyone on....

In March, Adam took a trip to Austin, TX for his first phase interviews and testing for the Austin Police Department.  In April, we went on our last little relaxing getaway to Pigeon Forge, TN with some of our Police family.  We had a great time playing games, eating good food, moonshine tasting and shopping (shooting guns for the guys).  These people aren't just coworkers, they are our family!!  

So in May we took a family vacay to see Marcie and Brad and to visit Atlanta.  It was an interesting trip to say the least.  Definitely a trip we won't forget anytime soon.  But we made some memories, ate some good food and enjoyed celebrating Dad's birthday.

Next big news is I graduated....FINALLY!!  Excited to be done with school...for now anyway.  Hopefully my bachelor's degree will be next on my list.  May has been a busy, busy month.  Adam just got back from his second trip to Austin.  Everything went great and we are about to begin the next chapter in our lives.  

June is going to be INSANE.  We leave NC and head to Austin on June 20th so between now and then we have to pack everything up, clean out our storage unit and move to TEXAS!  Lots to do in the next 20 days.  Ahhhhhh can't believe this is happening so soon.  It's gonna be hard but I know we are embarking on a great adventure.  I will try and keep everyone updated on my blog. 

Happy Memorial Day!!

March Already???

Whoops....It's been since November 1st since my last entry...I haven't been slacking.  The holidays were a busy time, but I think that's the case for everyone!!  So just an update on what has happened over the past FOUR months: (i'm gonna post lots of photos so you can see for yourself)

Photos from The Caffey wedding!  Look at that beautiful bride and handsome groomsman

Post Thanksgiving Pigeon Forge trip with Dan and Candise (which was much needed and loads of fun)

Just a few photos from Christmas...short sleeves in December, yep we live in NC

Valentine's Day/Birthday trip to Nashville with Josh and Kayla  (We had  blast with this sweet couple)




Between weddings, breakups, babies, and vacations we are a big dysfunctional family.  I love being apart of this LEO family it is such a gift.  We go through a lot together.  I could not thank these people enough for the love and support the past few months.  Adam was involved in a shooting in January and the outpouring of love from our blue family was incredible.  A lot of people don't understand the life of a LEO!  It's not easy but when you have a support system and other police wives to talk to and vent to, really makes the lifestyle easier.
Candise Widener, Kayla Caffey, Danielle Hill, and Sarah Claffee are really the strength behind the badge.  I don't know what I would do without these ladies.  Our husbands work side by side day and night protecting each other and the city.  They really are brothers and we really are like a BIG family.  In about a month we will be having a much needed getaway with our spouses to a cabin in Pigeon Forge.  I know we all can't wait for some much needed R & R,





I have been working my booty off to get fit and tone up.  It definitely hasn't been easy.  Meal prepping, working out, eating healthy on vacation, lack of sleep, and avoiding temptation.  I haven't been perfect but this is the best I have felt in a long time.  Probably since high school!!!  I have never been this active or healthy in my entire life.  Thanks to Advocare, Pinterest, and friends for motivating me and helping me get to where I am.  I am definitely not stopping.

Hopefully I will get back into blogging regularly and posting more often.  There are so many exciting things going on in the next couple of months and I can't wait to share them with you all!!  Keep checking back for some new recipes and tips that have helped me on my journey so far. 

Hello November

How can it be that it is November already???  So October and November are my FAVORITE months of the whole year and I look forward to it all year long.  

I have been like the worst blogger EVER!!  I know it's been like a month since I've posted but life has been cray cray!!  

We are finally getting settled into our apartment and I am loving this view from our porch.  Pumpkin coffee cake + bacon + vanilla latte = AMAZING breakfast with my Love.  I am loving fall but I am NOT ready for Christmas...UGH...Bahhhhh Humbug. 

Celebrated another birthday with the loves of my life.  My sweet hubby turned 30 again this year.  I had a great weekend relaxing with my little fam.  Adam wanted a coffee bar in our apartment so we spent the weekend creating a coffee bar.  So I had to post a picture of our masterpiece.  As you can tell, I love me some RED!  

 

I got the cutest earrings in the mail today!!  A friend recommended this small business online.  These earrings are just adorbs!!  They have plastic backings so my ears won't break out.  Plus she sent a little personalized note to go along with it.  She accidentally sent the acorn instead of the leaves and was really sweet and offered to send me the right pair.  I love buying local and from small business owners.  They are always so amazing!

Friday night I have the night off from work and the hubs is working so I am having a craft/movie/wine night and I am super excited.  I have some empty wine bottles I am going to paint and decorate, along with some wine bottles.  Pictures to follow this weekend! 

Hope everyone has a GREAT rest of the week!  Don't go crazy with Christmas decorations and getting in the spirit already...enjoy NOVEMBER and be Thankful and Grateful!