{Texas Tuesday // Waxahachie}

Linking up with Amanda and J - two fabulous ladies!

For Texas Tuesday it's only fitting I talk about my home town - Waxahachie, TX.

Love, love, love it.

We moved to Waxahachie 5 years ago this past April and couldn't be happier. You can read a little more about that here. Well, actually we live in Rockett, TX - but we have a Waxahachie address, Ferris ISD, Navarro County CoOP electric (Corsicana), Rockett Water - lol!

We actually live about a mile away from the famous Rockett Cafe. They're originally known for their Chicken Fried Steak, but more-so for the bar. They've built on and made it a busy/happening place.

via

Waxahachie is growing, no doubt, but it's still small enough to have that "small-town-feel". Everyone is so nice here. 

On the weekends I love to visit our downtown area, go to the antique stores, the Feed Store and dine at Oma's Jiffy Burger!

via

Some pictures I've taken around town...

Waxahachie Court House

Downtown - And Chisholm Trail before it burned in 2011

Roger's Hotel

Railroad tracks close to Getzendaner Park

Texas Theatre

Waxahachie Lake

 Family pictures in front of the Feed Store - Circa 2010

Us, my siblings and their families

Us at the Feed Store

Mason in front of the feed store

 I love that Mason is growing up here, and that we're making so many memories in such a great little town!

{We are home!!!}

We are back from the mountains {land of no cell/internet reception}!!

We had a wonderful time, but it was kind of weird being so detached from social media.

I will get posts and pictures up soon from the trip.

Hope you all had a fabulous week!

And welcome to all of my new followers. I am so happy you are here.

I look forward to catching up with each of you and following your blogs!

Happy Monday!!

Cloudcroft, NM

{I've been there too...}

I think everyone has had these kind of days...

{Mason lately}

Here lately Mason has taken a whole new liking to his bedroom...

He plays in there almost every evening and a ton throughout the weekend.

Sometimes he is completely content playing by himself

And sometimes he wants Nathan or I {or both} in there with him. 

His room has always been one of my favorite rooms in the house
and I am so excited that Mason loves it too.

Nate's toy box from when he was little

{Perfect? Lets be real...}

A sweet, sweet friend of mine told me last night that she loved reading my blog

 and seems like we have the perfect little life.

It was the kindest thing ever.

And I appreciate her saying that.

But, it got me thinking...

Our life is far from perfect, but it's perfect for us.

Nathan and I are both people that enjoy life 
and want to explore all it has to offer.

We are happy.

But are we perfect?

No.

Lets be real...

My house is almost never cleaned.

And neither is my car. 

We eat out about 3 out of 5 nights a week.
And all weekend.
When we do cook it's usually a box meal.

My car has been wrecked since December {post here} 

and we just haven't saved up the time or money to have it repaired.

Mason does not get a bath every single night.

Most nights he eats either macaroni-n-cheese or a grilled cheese

because he refuses anything else 

and I refuse to let him starve. 

I give Mason prizes {mostly hot wheels} in the morning if he's on good behavior.

{Yes I am aware that I am probably creating a monster.

 But you have to choose your battles}

We have to drag Mason inside kicking and screaming every single night.
I made the mistake of talking about "boobies" in front of Mason a long time ago and now he points out every pair of "boobies" that he sees.

But you know what?

I am okay with all of that.

I will be turning my blog into a book one day and

I want to read about my sweet boy, his milestones, and

all the adventures we have together.

The memories we make.

The pictures we take.

And how Nathan and I did everything possible to try to make the best life for Mason.

To make and keep him happy.

To make him feel safe.
But most of all to make him feel loved.

{Puppy}

A few weeks ago I wrote a post {here} about Puppy and how important he is to Mason.

I finally got a sweet picture of Mason and Puppy together.

Mason is so kind to him and is always kissing and hugging on him!

{Wordless Wednesday}

{Texas Tuesday - Gruene, TX}

Linking up with J and Amanda for Texas Tuesday!

If you're a Texan you've heard of or been to Gruene Hall!!!  
 Texas oldest dance hall!

 via

Our last name is Hall - so I took this from Gruene Hall!

 Gruene has got to be one of my most favorite places on earth!

Before Mason came along hubby and I would spend many weekends 
during our Summer there.
It's not a bad drive from our place. 

Hubby and I inside of Gruene Hall seeing Rich O'Toole

The Gristmill - oh the Gristmill....
GO and get a Gristburger!
Lord have Mercy!!!

Not gonna lie, there's been times we've dined there twice in the same weekend! 


Floating the Guadalupe...
No explanation needed for that one!


River Road Ice House -


So much to do!

Oh and the San Marcos Outlets are just down the road!


Okay, I'm ready to go back! Like now!

{That's my husband!!!}

When taking a picture with Nathan

You have to go through a couple of these...

To get one of these...

One of the gazillion things I love about him!!

{Adios, TX}

Adios, TX!

We're off to Cloud Croft, NM.

via

via

Can't wait to spend the entire week with my boys...

in the mountains!!!

Lots of pictures to come!

{Big League Dreams}

Nathan occasionally plays softball at a place called Big League Dreams {in Mansfield}

and we love going there.

IMO it's one of the best places to take a toddler to a softball game.

They have an indoor food-court that has windows for the exterior walls. 

You can be inside and watch a game from any of the four fields.

And let me tell ya, that is nice in the 100+ degree weather.

Or if you just need to corral a toddler.

They also have a really great playground for the kids.

Last season Mason was just a little too small for it.

This year?

He rocked it!

It was so much fun to watch him just be a kid and play his heart out.

There were many other much older kids on the playground

but they didn't intimidate him one bit.

I was all balled up with pride.

Just like that.

Just watching him play.

{Friday's Letters}

Dear Mason - you are growing too fast! Stop it! You were so cute this week when you ran up and tackled hugged me and said, "I'm so proud of you Mama". Makes me happy and feels like we're raising you right! PS - I love when you where your cape and run around the house saying, "I'm spiderman" {instead of superman}!!

Dear Husband - I love you! You were so sweet to buy Mason a new big foot school bus after looking for his previous one for over a week. Even if we did find the original one that same evening!


Dear Tonya -{Mason's teacher} thanks so much for your help in the mornings! You are so sweet to always divert Mason's attention and to involve him in something so that it makes it easier on both of us when I have to leave for work. You have such a kind soul and I'm so glad you are in our lives!

Dear Texas Bloggers Group - I am so happy I found all of you! Thank you for accepting this Texan into your group.

Dear cough and sneezing - I was done with you oh, say, last week....

Dear McDonalds - must your blueberry banana nut oatmeal be so good? Dang you!

Dear Cloud Croft, NM - see you and your glorious mountains on Monday!

{Texas Tuesday - V4 // Trains in GlenRose TX}

Linking up with J and Amanda for Texas Tuesday!

One of the things I love most about Texas is the Southern Hospitality and the over all kindness of Texans!

Texans hardly ever meet a stranger!

A couple weekends ago we were shopping in a little town (Glen Rose, TX) and we met an awesome man! He introduced himself and then talked to us like he'd known us forever.
He'd lived in that town for 80 something years. And his 92 year old brother drove a couple hours that morning to visit him.

I just love that!

And Mason loved him, too! He made the most awesome train noises and even let us video it. My father in law has it on his phone, so I'll have to get him to send it to me.

My Father in Law talking with him

He so many great stories to share and had us all captivated.
He had such a gentle soul
...and...
A heart the size of Texas!!!!