Trip to Magnolia Market

Happy Birthday to my little sis.  Marcie is pretty much obsessed with Chip and Joanna Gaines and because we live like an hour away from Magnolia Market, I had to find her a little gift to send her. 

This place was ridiculous!!!  When I say ridiculous I mean everything is CRAZY expensive and really a waste of time.  Yea there was some pretty stuff and their little shop "area" was cute but I can find the same stuff at Hobby Lobby or other boutiques for cheaper than what Joanna is selling them for.  The only thing worth visiting is their bakery!!  It was pretty amazing.

I had a chocolate espresso cupcake and it was to die for and Adam got the cinnamon roll which was heavenly.  I wanted to try one of each!! 

It was a gorgeous day in Waco, but there isn't much in this town to see besides Magnolia Market and the Dr, Pepper plant!

Update on Adam: He had his testing done for the Leander Police Department and did pretty well.  He also had his board interview and impressed the board.  We are hoping and praying everything works out and he will have a job by October 1st.

September Already??

Wow, I can't believe it is September already!!  We've been in Austin for almost 3 months and time is flying by.  I am loving my job at the restaurant and are making new friends with coworkers and customers.  It's nice to be in a job that is more positive and fun.  The medical field is full of drama and sadness.  Everyone at Kerbey Lane Café loves my sweet southern charm.  There aren't many Carolina accents around here so especially the customers love to hear me talk. 


Every Saturday Adam and I, along with a friend we met in the academy, try and go on adventures to touristy places in Austin.  We went and visited the little town of Fredericksburg, which is filled with little boutiques and cute stores.  We had a lot of fun people watching and shopping. 

We also had dinner with some other people from the academy.  We were looking for something fun to do in the area and we decided to race go carts.  The place we went to was outside on a legit race car track.  The go carts go up to 60mph, you had to wear a helmet, neck brace and gloves, and also sign a release form.  It was soooooo much fun.  We were all terrified at first but it was soooo much fun and worth the money.

Life Throws Ya Curveballs Sometimes

Adam started the academy July 11th and had a difficult first day.  It was brutal and it broke my heart to see him so beat up.  It was definitely worse than the last academy he went through.  After the second day they forced him to resign.  It really was devastating for both of us and it was hard for me to see him so upset and discouraged.


Our plans started to change.  I started applying for jobs in the area and to my luck I had several interviews set up.  I got hired at Kerbey Lane Café as a server (remember it was the place with the amazing brunch?) I started working there the end of July and I love it.  I also got an interview at a local hospital for a phlebotomy PRN position. I went ahead and accepted it too because it couldn't hurt to get my foot in the door until Adam can find another job in another department. 


Adam started applying at other local police departments which pay significantly more than WSPD did.  Everything happens for a reason and God brought us to Austin for a reason and He will show us where He wants us to be.  We are trying our best to stay positive and not let this discourage us.  We are still loving Austin, even though it is hot as Satan's kitchen. Here are a few photos of us staying busy and enjoying this beautiful city.

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!!