Houston Happenings

It has been way too long since I have had the pleasure of writing about our lives. It seems like we got to Houston only a couple of weeks ago, although we are nearing the end of five months. We started out this Houston journey with our favorite IM family Josh and Kelly and their sweet girl. As usual we spent the first several weeks working excessive hours and napping nightly. Though Justin could not slip away, I got to sneak away and do a few fun things.

Mom and I checked a Food Network Diners, Drive Inns and Dives restaurant off our bucket list. It is called the Hubcap Grill. It was really good and had a cool atmosphere. All of the seating was outside. You just walk up to a window to order and pickup your food. We also did some "shopping" at IKEA. Later, we drove around and found, The Dessert Gallery, an adorable place for sweets near our hotel.

We made it back to Houston in time for me to join up with our MS 150 team. I love this time of year, and that fundraiser. It does so much to spread information about MS and raise money to find a cure. The weather ended up being pretty bad, so they cancelled day two of the ride. I was rather relieved. I don't think my gimpy arm could have made it another 75 miles on the bike, even though I had taped it according to the directions of my PT. We had a great time, and as usual, we got a ton of compliments on our jerseys! While I know Justin was bummed he couldn't ride with us, he made it after work, just in time to watch us all cross the finish line in La Grange.

One of the guys from Justin's same LRP class, was down in Galveston, only a short drive from us here in downtown. We got to go meet up with Ben and his wife Jennifer for lunch down on the water. It was fun getting to visit with them and hear all about their adventures in the program.They were on the opening team for the new location at the end of Pleasure Pier.

Crawfish season was in full swing upon our arrival home. We spent the afternoon with several of our friends at Clay and Kate's house. We even learned a new fancy way to peel the crawfish. We all ate our weights in crawfish, played corn hole, and laughed at Jinesh pretending to pass out from eating so much!

Galveston Home Tours is a favorite activity of ours, where you get to go through 9-12 historical Galveston homes that have been restored to their former glory. Some of the homes are redone to represent historical times, while other homes are modern on their interior, while maintaining certain historical characteristics. It has become a family tradition for us with my parents.

Justin and I have been taking advantage of the downtown life as much as we can. We are really enjoying all of the beautiful parks and sunshine.

Mother's Day weekend, I went to Alabama to visit my family. It was great getting time to visit my grandparents, uncle, and cousins. We went out for a girls day, had lunch, and did some unnecessary shopping. We also got to sit around and listen to my Pawpaw tell stories about being in the Army and traveling to Italy and Austria. It is fun hearing stories about the old days. Though Justin did not get to go out of town, he got to spend the day with his mom, sister, and nieces.

Our friend Erin came to visit us one weekend. We all went to a comedy show and spent the evening laughing and enjoying each other's company.  The next day, Justin had to go back to work, while Erin and I, pretended to be tourists in our own home town. It is funny how you can grow up in a city, and even though there are a million amazing and interesting things to do, you never do them. We ended the day trying to drive around the flash flood waters. Houston was going through a crazy rain spell where the weather would be perfect, and then pour down rain. The water was so deep we couldn't drive down the road. The water was over the hood of large trucks. So we drove to a nearby parking garage of an apartment building, parked her SUV on hire ground. We then proceed to crash some sweet teens graduation party. We had sat in her SUV so long we both had to go to the bathroom and there was literally nowhere to go. So, we banged on the door of the party rental room of the apartment complex and pleaded with them to have mercy on our bladders. I don't think that they wanted to, but they ultimately let us in. I am not sure if they were just not very friendly, or if it was the sight of us two girls, dripping wet from rain water, barefoot, carrying our sandals, and mascara staining our cheeks that made them so reluctant to let us in.

Two other IMs, Holly and Grace, came to work with Justin and Josh. Those girls were so much fun and were definitely enjoyed. Holly had just been selected to be a new Houston Area Operator. So of course we all felt the need to teach her "How to be a Texan." Those things included, but were not limited to: The love of Whataburger, HEB, Tex-Mex, BBQ, boots, and how to Two-Step. Not positive that she bought into all of it, but I am pretty sure she is going to fit right in here with her bubbly personality and sweet smile.

Justin and I found the coolest movie theater that we have ever been to here in downtown. It is called iPic Theaters. Though it is rather expensive, it should definitely be on your Houston Bucketlist. This place is truly incredible. Each set of seats is in a pod like area. The seats are recliners that are adjustable with a button on the wall next to you. Each seat also has its own pillow and blanket. You are served unlimited free popcorn and everything else that you purchase is served on real dishes and brought out by a server. Not to mention, the bathrooms are super interesting. There is a massive counter top where both the men and women go to wash their hands after exiting their assigned restrooms. We had a great time and look forward to going again!

My birthday quickly approached, and we spent the evening having dinner and hanging out with my parents. We went to Hearsay. Good food in a cool setting. The building is historic and has an incredible chandelier. We ended our night with Crave Cupcakes and presents. It was a great night.

My mom booked an incredible getaway for us to Las Vegas. The whole trip was planned so that we could go see JLo. Her show was AMAZING! We were second row and the entire performance we were awestruck. We literally couldn't take our eyes off her! We also went to go see Boys II Men. We knew the show would be good, but we did not expect that it would be as outstanding as it was. They came down in the isles and danced with all of us in the audience and passed out roses. They were so entertaining. We also went to the Paul Zerdin show. It was very funny!  We ended the trip spending the  morning with my sister-in-law, Dawn. It was so fun getting to spend time with her.

Although Josh had already left to go take over a different CFA, Holly and Grace were still at the same store as Justin. It has been said, "If you ever get the opportunity where you overlap with other IMs, and the store can afford it, take some of your vacation or you might not get another chance." So with the store in good hands with Holly and Grace, Justin and I packed our bags and headed to the Sun Palace in Cancun for a slightly delayed six year anniversary trip. We went back to the same resort where we went on our honeymoon. Our trip was exactly what the doctor ordered. We spent everyday relaxing and enjoying the crystal blue waters.

Shortly after returning, Grace headed off to new CFA adventures in other towns and Holly went  to spend time with her husband before she heads back to take over her store.

The weekend of the fourth of July was a great family filled weekend. We spent the night of the third eating way too much delicious BBQ and all the fixings at my parents' house, followed by a million rounds of the game Heads Up. Our boys had no chance against us girls. We spent so much time laughing and making fun of each other's descriptions and actions. The following day, after Justin got off work, we took all of our nieces and nephews to the pool and splash pad in Justin's sister's neighborhood. We ended the night with hot dogs and watermelon.

Then, it was Cow Appreciation Day! Justin ordered all of his employees cow patterned caps to wear. It was so much fun getting to see the team take pride in their jobs and entertaining the guests. The guests were also entertaining all of us with their crazy costumes! Cow Appreciation Day is not the only day you can see the cow at our store. Justin has the cow out every Friday to spend time with the guests and greet those coming through the drive-thru.

The Houston Market is such an incredible market to be in. They sponsor the Ringling Brothers Circus and all of the employees and their families get to attend a private showing of the circus as well as special interactions with the circus performers. It was great getting to see the circus spend some time with the team outside of work, as well as our nieces and nephew. 

This past Friday, we got to go see an old friend, Trent, play in his band No Dry County. While waiting for their performance, our friend. Jordan, noticed a familiar face in the crowd. It was our friend Erika. It has been so long since I have seen both, Trent and Erika. It was great to catch up with them.

Today was my Mom's birthday! We spent the day hanging out here, in downtown, had brunch at one of our family's favorites, The Avalon Diner. Of course had to get birthday cupcakes from Crave!

While we are glad to be in Houston to see our friend's and family, we are so thankful for Justin's opportunity to have this job. He is doing incredible things here with this team. The change and impact he is making here is so evident. I am so proud of the things he is doing and the things he will continue to do.

Stay tuned for updates and more of our Houston happenings.