[life] I Can't Live Without... the Texas Rangers #3

I'm linking up with Katie at "...for Lauren and Lauren" for another "I Can't Live Without" link up!

 

Now I know I have quite a few Texas readers/subscribers, but I'm not sure of how many other states and countries are represented. Also, I am not sure of how highly you may view your area sports teams... but at our house, we BLEED Jesus and the Texas Rangers! 

Since Nate and I are both native Texans and lived in North Texas (me)/East Texas (him) for the majority of our lives, we have been bred into the Texas Rangers fandom. We both remember attending games as children and that devotion hasn't withered into our adult-age.

If the game is on TV, we are either watching it live or recording it to watch later. I am not a big "sports aficionado", but Nate has been an excellent instructor, teaching me the ins and outs of the game. I have always known the gist, but to know plays and positions... I feel pretty professional! 

My parents live about 10 minutes away from the Ballpark in Arlington (it is now called "Globelife Park", but throwback Rangers fans will ALWAYS know it as the Ballpark), so any time we go to visit my family and the Rangers are in town, we make a point to attend the game. So much fun! Baseball really is America's Pastime and I love the history, class, and nostalgia that goes along with a good ol' baseball game. Plus the food... you MUST indulge in ballpark food when attending a game! My go-to's are always a bag of cotton candy and some garlic Parmesan fries. Delish!

So what about you? Are you as devoted to your hometown team as we are? Where do you live, and what team(s) do you support? We also BIG HEART the Dallas Cowboys (football), and of course we support the Dallas Mavericks (basketball) and Dallas Stars (hockey), but we don't avidly watch those two sports as much as we watch baseball and football. Oh, to be Texan :)

[life] Guys Behind the Blog // May 2015

 Linking up with Betsy for Guys Behind the Blog: May

This is such a fun link-up! I like getting Nate involved in the ol' blog. Every month, Betsy compiles questions for us all to ask the fellas in our lives. See Nate's April responses here!

For the month of May...

1 // What is your favorite family tradition?

 "Like, ours...?"

(He gave me a glare as I typed that... ha!)

"Stop typing!" 

(... Thinking... Scratching the beard... )
 

"My favorite family tradition of ours, daily tradition, is walking the dogs. Year tradition, driving to Dallas and Tyler to see our families for the holidays."

2 // Who's your male celebrity crush? 

"Dave Matthews because he's a ninja on the guitar and all he wears is jeans, boots, and t-shirts."

3 // What song best sums you up?
"Washed by the Water" by Needtobreathe 

(This question took quite a bit of thought because Nathan is an avid music fan... He loves it, loves all different styles for different reasons... I mean, he IS a Music Business major... So music really is his business!)

4 // What three things do you think of the most each day?
"You (as in, me: Chrissy). Theology. Eternity."

 

5 // What is your most embarrassing memory?

"Probably getting pulled over by undercover police because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I happened to be in a parking lot when police were waiting to do a drug bust and they thought I was the guy." (Good thing he proved it wasn't him, ha!)


There you have it! Another glimpse into the mind that is Nate. Betsy's link-up will go live on May 28th, so be sure to follow her so you can read about other blog fellas! How would your guy respond to these questions? Have a great week!

[life] I Can't Live Without... Photography #3

Linking up with Katie at ...for Lauren and Lauren for the "I Can't Live Without" link-up!

I am a HUGE fan of photography! I'm not a professional photographer: I have no idea about light quality, ISOs (?), or how to work those fancy cameras. I'm more of a point-and-shoot gal, knowing how to have "good" light w/no shadows, and how to crop a photo to get the captured moment perfectly.

I love how photos tell a story and help remember a moment in time. Lately, Nate and I have tried to not be as "technology"- dependent and focus more on being IN the moment rather than have a phone or camera attached to our face the entire time... But I just really enjoy going back and looking at photos to see a fun or beautiful moment in time!

Here are a few of my favorite photos and moments in time:

Sunset in Destin, Florida (celebrating our 4-year wedding anniversary)

 The gorgeous landscape of our favorite Caribbean location: Roatan, Honduras

 Sneaking a kiss with Nate in a private, secluded cove in Honduras

Listening and enjoying an awesome Dave Matthews Band concert with Nate (his favorite band)

Family vacation in Cozumel, Mexico

Of course, our wedding day: this is one of my favorite photos from that day. The way we are looking at each other and how we are still so completelyyyy in love. Blessed.

One of our favorite places in the world: The Ballpark in Arlington (it will always be called that to me, although it is now called Globe Life Park)

Another favorite place: WALT DISNEY WORLD #kidsatheart

Enjoying the company of my favorite furry children friends: Chloe and Oliver

 Getting ice cream on an incredibly HOT Texas summer afternoon with our best friends

Graduating college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education: #lifegoals

And us, today: still can't believe he's all mine!

While reminiscing and looking at these photos, I couldn't help but smile. These moments have captured just a second of an amazing day, week, or life event. Looking at these glimpses in time help me look back on what memorable moments they each were and help me remember the event(s) in full.

What are your favorite photos? We all have the obvious: vacations, marriages, babies, etc. Any out of the ordinary?

Have a great week!

[life] Guys Behind the Blog//April 2015

from Betsy's Guys behind the blog series

I found this link-up through Crystal at "Hall Around Texas". Go visit her and say HELLO! Keep this in mind, I asked him these questions while The Masters golf tournament was on TV....

April's questions:

Q // Has Starbucks ever spelled your name wrong on a cup? If yes, what's the craziest way that someone has spelled it?
Nate: "Uh, no."

Q // Who would play your wife/fiance/girlfriend in a movie or TV show about your lives?
Nate: "What, an actress? Are you typing that too? Are you typing THAT too?" X3. "Um, Penelope Cruz."

Q // What is your proudest accomplishment? 
Nate: "I haven't done it yet, but getting my Masters in July."

Q // What is your favorite holiday and why? 
Nate: "Christmas. I like the festivities and the meaning and the family time."

Q // What is your favorite breed of dog?  If you don't have a favorite breed, describe the characteristics of your ideal dog (or cat)!
Nate: "German Shepherd. And Jack Russell. And Shih-Tzu." 
note: Chloe is a Jack Russell and Oliver is a Shih-Tzu. #pupdad 

How fun was this? Nate's excitement probably doesn't match mine... but that's okay! It's always good to know about the fellas in our life... I mean, his name is on the signature with mine, so he has a portion of this blog too! 

Tell me, how would your guy do on questions like this? Participate with gusto, or throw his arms up by your "tomfoolery" like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory below (at minute 1:16)?

 Happy almost weekend!

[life] I Can't Live Without... Small Town TX and its Quirks #2

I'm linking up with Katie at "...for Lauren and Lauren" for another "I Can't Live Without" link up!

This week, I'm sharing about my deep admiration for small town, TX. I'm not talking Dallas, Austin, Houston, or San Antonio (although all those places are lovely as well). I'm talking about the small towns you will have NEVER heard of, even if you're a native Texan, unless you've vacationed there or driven through.

These little gem stones are what make our great state so... well, great! Texas is stereotypically known for horses, cowboys, boots, spurs, and all things western. Yes, many of those things exist. No, they do not exist everywhere nor does every Texan partake in them. For example, I haven't "ridden" (I use that term loosely) a horse since I was 7-8 years old. I have never been to a rodeo. I just bought my first pair of cowboy boots back in August '14 (mainly because we were attending a wedding in a field... in the summertime... and I feared bugs!), and I have never seen someone wear spurs in real life.

These small towns in TX and a few quirks of TX are so near and dear to me. Anytime you visit one or see a quirk, you can't help but smile. The wide skies, the rolling hills... seriously. There can't be another place like it! Check out my favorite gems below:

Galveston, TX: Texas has some pretty okay beaches! Nothing like Mexico or the Bahamas, but our great state has a wide variety of areas (desert, mountain, plains, hills, and beaches).

Warrenton, TX: A teeny tiny town that comes alive during a huge antique show that occurs twice a year. Beautiful skyline, beautiful scenery, tons of JUNK.

 

Round Top, TX: This town has the cutest square! At a population of 90 (yep: 9-0), there isn't a wide variety to do... but stop by the quaint church, eat some yummy Mexican food, or grab a pie at Royer's and you'll be set.

Wineries: Did you know many of the smaller areas in TX have wineries? Small town wineries are amazing because you get to know the owners, they are almost always never crowded, and you create a sense of community and belonging with the people you frequent the establishment with. Plus the landscape is gorgeous!

 

Bluebonnets: Excuse me, but did you know that the Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas? These beauties pop up all over the fields and highways in mid March-April. They are only here for a short time, so snag your Bluebonnet pictures quickly! The red flowers are called Indian Paintbrushes (they tend to grow alongside Bluebonnets).

Hidden architectural gems: Throughout Texas, many beautiful sights are to be had that are off the beaten path. Nate and I were driving to a larger city one afternoon and just so happened to drive through this miniature tunnel. We were fascinated with it! 

Fredericksburg, TX: This town is known for its Main Street, antiques, wineries, and yummy food. It's a bit larger than the other places I have mentioned, but it is such a fun and relaxing place to visit and wind down when wanting to escape the big city life.

Bastrop, TX: Again, another small/big town in Texas, Bastrop is starting to blossom with big-chain stores such as Academy and Hobby Lobby. It is near Austin, but still far enough away to have a small-town feel. This town also has an adorable Main Street with great food and fun shopping (plus, who can resist a Mom/Pop ice cream shop?!).

Did you enjoy your lesson on TX today?! Ha! I am a born and raised Texan, I have never lived in another state. Does your state have as much "pride" as Texans have for TX? I have always wondered! Do share, and if there's a special place(s) or quirk your state has, leave it in the comments below. Nate and I are always up for a road trip!

[life] I Can't Live Without... My Favorite Wine #1

[participating in a link-up over at ...for Lauren and Lauren: join us! building up the blogging community once again]

Now, for starters, let me clarify. I, as a Christian, am not of this world. Material possessions are just that: MATERIALS. They will not last nor will they sustain us for life. Only Christ can do that: if you would like more information on how to build a loving and lasting relationship with our one true God, please PLEASE let me know! I would love to share!

Point two: this series with Katie (and there's another gal doing it too at Pursuit of Pink) is titled "I Can't Live Without...", which is a way to share with fellow bloggers things they currently like or enjoy. So I am going to post in that regards: these are things I can most definitely live without (see paragraph above) but they are things that I truly do enjoy and think are worth their cost.

Clear as mud? Am I being that person? It's okay :) Read on!

Okay, by the looks of these photos, it makes it look like I drink... a lot. But I really don't. I shared these photos to show what I LIKE to drink, which is mainly water. 99% of the time. But I have been known to order a fruity drink on a cruise, a margarita at a Mexican restaurant, or down some hot chocolate when it is BEYOND FREEZING outside.

But this week's post is not about any of these things.

This week, I would like to share the thing I'm enjoying the most (well, besides water: water is THE best)... this wine from... WALMART. I know, high class up in here. It is the Beringer Pink Moscato. Yum!

Its cost: $4.97. Yep! I am not that big of a drinker, like I stated above, but we have some really awesome wineries down in our area of Texas (South TX), so I'm slowly learning to figure out what I like in regards to wine. I am in no way a red wine person... far, farrrr too dry for my taste. So far, I know I like Sweet White and Pink Moscato. This wine was first given to me by a girlfriend at her home. It's great for beginners! And you feel classy/grown up at the same time. Ha!

This will be a weekly series shared by Katie, so head over to her blog to read what everyone else is currently enjoying. Who knows? Maybe next week I'll share a favorite clothing item, book, or restaurant...

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Have a great week!

[life] Currently...

I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade to share my "currently" for this month!

Listening: to the dishwasher. I'm home (again) today, recovering from some sort of a stomach bug and low-grade fever. Nate came home for lunch and put on a load of dishes before heading back to the office, so I am basking in the sound of sweet silence... except for that dishwasher. But it's so refreshing!

Loving: Y'all. Have you been to B&BW lately? The fall scents?! YES PLEASE. They are my favorite scents out of the entire year! I picked up two (because they're $22 each... what?! I had a $10 off coupon... but still, that's CRAY for candles... but, I digress): Spiced Pumpkin Cider and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. They're amazing! Trying not to burn them all at once, but it's really hard!

Thinking: I hate missing school. I feel bad for my kids, for the other teachers who have to help my sub get organized, and for the overall feeling of missing out and missing the structure/routine/instruction that my kiddos so desperately need during this 3rd week of school. There's so much to do upon your arrival back after an absence, but of course it can't be done from home. Everything I need to do is at the school. So... back to resting, I go.

Wanting: See above. Not only do I have school things to do, I'm also responsible for the Children's Wednesday night program at our church, plus I like to help Nate with other church things... AND not to mention my house, whew! We are having a bridal shower here on Sunday and there's about 14.3 million things to do, but of course the minute I try to get up and move around, I get hit with the stomach crud... ugh.

Needing: Does anyone else have this dilemma? No color printing at school, but of course you want your class things to look cute, so you buy your OWN color ink which lasts a week. Again, things I want to be doing for school while I'm at home, but no ink (I've already ran out of both cartridges thanks to the beginning of the school year).

3 Trips:
1. Hawaii: I mean, obviously.
2. Europe: I want to see the architecture, the sights, the accents, the FOOD!
3. Canada: The snow. And the sights.

What are you all currently up to? Link up with Farley and check out others as well!