weekend adventures: Houston

 Since we just bought a house we decided that vacation was a no-go this year and that we wanted to spend our extra money on things for the house... so we decided it would be fun to take a trip to Houston for an over night getaway/buy things for the house/buy things for Malary weekend(the mister refused to buy anything for himself)!!! I am in love with Living Social and saw a deal for an over-night stay in Houston at a really nice hotel that included a $40 credit and valet parking for half off and knew we couldn't pass it up!!! So Saturday morning we woke up super early and started on the four hour journey to the Lonestar State. The drive itself wasn't bad at all, we had so much fun just talking about random things and singing songs to each other(insert a big LOSER sign here). When we got there we decided to go ahead and eat our sandwiches(I packed an ice chest of food, drinks, snacks, and left over chips and salsa from Chili's to save money) and then go take on IKEA and all it had to offer. Let me just say that place was totally mind blowing. I am not sure what I expected but surely not what I saw. It was so cool the way everything was set up so you can see and choose what you like. We spent about four and a half hours walking around shopping and getting ideas for our house. We ended up getting quite a few things for the house beings as the prices are so reasonable. 

After we left IKEA we decided to head to the hotel and check in and just relax for a little while before getting dressed for dinner. Well after a nice long relaxing nap we decided getting dressed up for dinner was not happening and used our $40 credit towards our dinner and just ordered room service from the restaurant downstairs. The food was really tasty and we didn't have to get dressed up or go anywhere. We had also bought a bottle of wine with us and cracked that thing open and had a glass with our dinner. After we ate we thought it would be fun to walk to the mall (one block away) and shop around for a little bit. James had never been to the Galleria and was so mind blown with the fact that there was a ice-skating rink inside the mall!! We had fun and ended up grabbing a couple pieces of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory on our way out to eat when we got back to our room. 

The next morning we slept in (9:30am sooo late I know ;) ) and then got up and headed to the Katy Mills outlet mall. I had to do a little begging for this stop but the hubby gave in pretty quickly. Once we got there I saw they had a Rainforest Cafe and knew James would LOVE it (He had never been) so we split a lunch there and spent the morning shopping and just enjoying each others company. 

This little mini-trip was so nice and relaxing for us. Having a long distance marriage is so hard on a couple and we just missed each other so much. I am so grateful for the time we do get to spend together and I am so glad that this separation has just strengthened our marriage but I am really looking forward to the day he is home for good. It is so funny how much people take for granted having their spouse home every night.