Oh Texas!
Just before the holidays, my brother in law got really, really sick. My sister, Heather, called me and I just knew I needed to be in Texas with her. So I booked my ticket for Christmastime and invaded their home and life for 9 whole days. My initial flight was delayed by an hour, which meant I would miss my connection flight. I actually landed as my connecting flight was taking off. My luggage actually beat me to Dallas. I was put on standby for one flight and booked for another "just in case". Thank goodness for that "just in case" flight because all flights to Dallas were booked solid and I got the last seat on that "just in case" flight. When I landed the sweet, older lady and gentleman sitting next to me wouldn't get off the plane. They just sat and sat discussing the benefits of buying their grandchildren American Girl dolls. Meanwhile, in my head, I'm screaming "Come on people....move" After finally finding my sister and niece, she took me to In and Out Burger (yeah buddy) and I dropped my soda all over my new boots. haha! I was starting to feel cursed. Luckily, my brother-in-law got good news the day I arrived and he was feeling much better. I say "luckily" for two reasons. First and foremost, I was so relieved that he was going to be okay. Secondly, I ended up with a fever of 102.5 which after two ER visits that resulted in a bronchial infection I am still fighting today AND I gave it to my niece and my sister (who also visited the ER - pretty sad when you know the doctors at the ER and they know you). MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME TO THEM! haha!
Despite all of that drama, I had an amazing visit with my sister who I really just want to live next door to and her beautiful family that I adore. She showed me an amazing time in Texas, as she always does. Even if that meant the majority of our time together was lying in her bed watching "Call the Midwife" episodes that we had both already seen. However, there were a couple days where we thought we felt relatively normal, so we took it upon ourselves to venture out.
One of the days that we were feeling less like death, we got brave and took the two hour drive to Waco. Why Waco you ask? Magnolia Market, of course! I was so excited I could hardly stand it. I bundled up in my hoodie and jeans and snow boots only to arrive in Waco to a 78 degree day. It was gorgeous!!! Magnolia Market was AMAZING!
Heather and I started at Magnolia Silos Bakery. With a line growing outside we knew we had to hurry. Heather was after a specialty muffin with bacon and such called "The Prize Pig" and I wanted to try their Lemon Lavender cupcake. For the line being as long as it was, it went quick and we were in and out in no time. Oh and that cupcake...HEAVENLY! But are you at all surprised??? I surely wasn't.
So after finishing the bakery experience, we headed into Magnolia Market. It's overwhelming at first. People were everywhere, even the day after Christmas, but it wasn't at all crowded. Like I anticipated, I found myself wanting to buy all of the things. However, most importantly and quickly a t-shirt proudly hosting "#shiplap" because well you go, you experience and you buy the t-shirt but also because my fever was seeping back in and it was near 80 degrees and I was in a hoodie and snow boots. I was determined not to let a little fever bother me. I bought a hat and some really adorable retro photography posters for my office (sorry no pictures of those yet).
Then we headed outside. Y'all...it's stunning. The silos were filled with Christmas trees to be sold for the holidays. The yard was full of families playing with the awesome toys they provide and laying in the sun. The food trucks lined the outskirts of the property. The sweet little garden shop was so cute and fun to look around. Best of all was just spending the day there with Heather. It was way more than I ever thought it would be.
On the way out of town, we stopped for lunch and then to this great shop called Spice, which oddly had no spices at all. It was full of awesome antiques, crafts, clothes, etc. Then it dawned on both of us, the fevers were back and we needed to get back to home and to bed. We had a blast. We didn't even care that we were sick just wanted to lay down after a great day in Waco.
On some of our other adventures, I got to see the Dallas Cowboys Training Center and was actually impressed. That's saying something considering I'm not a Cowboys fan. The fact that they have opened the training center for local high schools to use is very impressive to me. That the players including that Dak guy...frequent the area and visit with fans with a smile. As a matter of fact, my nieces friend took pictures with him for Instagram while she was working at Sonic while I was there. I saw some cool restaurants that are decorated so fun and rustically that photographers shoot there all of the time.
What I loved most about this trip was that I got to see my niece and nephews, my sister and her hubby and spend time with them, which just doesn't happen near enough. I got to meet my nieces' pet pig, Oakely, who is just as cute as she can be and so sweet. I got to laugh when I embarrassed my nephew and irritated my brother-in-law by saying inappropriate things. At the end of the day, my family is what matters most to me and, as dysfunctional as we can be, we love each other immensely. I got to get to know small pieces of them and their lives that I have missed by being so far away. That was the very best part of this trip!!!
Here are some pictures of our adventures! Enjoy!
Sweet little fairy gardens at the Garden Shop
Heather and I at Magnolia Market
My big (little) sister is better than yours
The Dallas Training Center was pretty impressive!
How is my niece cute when she's sick?? Look at my handsome nephew playing board games with us!
Meet Oakley
My sisters beautiful family!
