Meet the Shaneyfelts

Archives for February 2017

Girl Chat: Valentine’s Day Plans

Happy Thursday, y’all!  I’m excited to be linking up with my friend Emily and a bunch of her friends for Girl Chat today!

Since Valentine’s Day is next week, we’re talking about our Valentine’s Day plans.  And if you missed yesterday, I shared how Dustin and I make our marriage work.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day.  I feel like it’s a commercialized holiday, and really aimed at selling a whole bunch of candy–which I definitely don’t need!


This year our Valentine’s plans will be little different since V-day is on a school night and a day that Dustin works.  (If he works, then he doesn’t get home until after 6.)  On Valentine’s Day I’ll cook us a nice (healthy) supper, and maybe we’ll watch a movie later that night.  We always exchange small gifts that day, too.

We had thought about going away this weekend for a short trip, but we’ve decided to push it back to my spring break week in hopes that weather is a little nicer.


Then on the 15th, we’ll go out to eat somewhere nice and that will be our “Valentine’s” fancy dinner out.


What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?


Also linking up with Annie

Keeping Your Marriage Strong

When I was younger, I remember hearing people say that relationships take work.  And I always wondered what they meant by that.  Surely when you’re with the right person, everything is easy, right?  



After 2.5 years of marriage, I finally understand what everyone meant by having to work at your relationship.  Even if your spouse is the greatest person in the world, you’re both two broken people coming together in a marriage that’s going to be imperfect.

I thought about writing this post from my point of view on how Dustin and I keep our marriage strong, but I also wanted his point of view on marriage since Dustin and I think differently.  So my answers are first and his answers are second, and we answered the same questions.



How do we work on our marriage?
I believe that our marriage is at its best when we love Jesus more that we love each other.  When I am consistent with my quiet time and prayer time and time in the Word, I’m able to love Dustin better because I’m kinder, more patient, and I want to put his needs before my own.

Right before we got married, my grandfather gave me advice about marriage.  I remember interviewing my Gran when I was in the 6th grade about their marriage for a school project and learning that my grandparents met, dated, and got married all within one month and 17 days.  My grandparents stayed married until my Gran passed away the summer after 6th grade, so I greatly valued the advice my Popo told me about marriage.  He said that marriage is about compromise and you need to give more than you take.

What has been the easiest thing about marriage?
I know this probably sounds so cliche but I think just being married is pretty much easy.  Yes it takes work but mostly it’s just easy.  We just fit together really well.

What has been the hardest thing about marriage?
Realizing that everything can’t be the way I’ve always done something.  We didn’t start dating until I was 24 and got married when I was 26, so I had pretty much already established a routine and a way I did things.  Plus I’m pretty Type A about certain things.  Then marrying Dustin threw a kink in some of the ways I do things or take care of things because he’s basically like a bull in a china shop.  So I work a lot on not micro-managing and just letting go.  Like folding towels.  If he randomly folds the towels, then I have to let it go that it’s not the way I fold them or even put them away.

What advice would you give to an engaged couple about marriage?
Love Jesus first and everything else falls into place


How do we work on our marriage?
We try to figure out how we’re both built and what makes us drive.  But really church and our faith being first.

What has been the easiest thing about marriage?
The extra security from a financial standpoint with both of our salaries

What has been the hardest thing about marriage?
Two alpha-dominant individuals–knowing that everything can’t always be my way and to give in.

What advice would you give to an engaged couple about marriage?
To love unconditionally, to be able to work things out.  You’re never going to be perfect and you’re going to have disagreements but to do it in love.  And to be in God’s Word.


Linking up with Shay, Erika, and Jenn

Weekend Recap: Super Bowl Weekend!

How do weekends go by so fast?  Seriously, as I write this Sunday night during the big game, I’m wondering how in the world did time fly by.  I guess when your weekend is jam-packed with errands and chores, then that makes time go by fast.  Or getting older ha!

I was so good with pictures until Saturday afternoon, and then I pretty much forgot.  So here’s a look into half of my weekend 😊

It was Dustin’s turn to work this weekend, so as soon as he got off Friday we headed to our high school (we graduated from the same high school) to watch the basketball games.

 It was senior night, and the girls who were on my first cheer squad at 7th graders (and my first year to teach!) are now SENIORS!!!  I have such great memories with these girls including a fun spend the night party AND the fact that they were on my squad when Dustin and I first started dating.  



 Saturday morning I got up and had my Spark while I meal planned and wrote out my grocery list.



 Then I got ready to meet my sister at the gym.  I wore my new leggings and I LOVE THEM! Seriously, I was telling Rachel how much I hate to sweat while working out (counter productive, I know) and these leggings don’t make me get over-heated while working out.



 We had a great full-body workout together.  When I ran a lot, I used to run alone and it didn’t bother me.  But now that I’m doing more weights with cardio, I really enjoy having a workout partner!  Also, #needtogetmyrootsdone  #appointmentin2weeks



 Then I changed into warmer and dry workout clothes for my errands for the day.



I ran to the mall to get a few candles since my candle supply is low.  And then I forgot to take pictures of everything else this weekend.  I grocery shopped, took food to someone in my church, and then when Dustin got home that night, we watched Girl on the Train since I had read the book but never got to see  the movie.  Dustin enjoyed it so much that he stayed awake the entire time!  #notwhereDustinsleeps ha!


Sunday was laundry, cooking, and visiting my grandfather in the hospital.  I didn’t make it to church, so I listened to this Tim Keller sermon on John 1: 1-14.  It’s meant as a sermon before Christmas, but I enjoyed it even in February and learned so much!  Whenever Dustin and I visit NYC, visiting Redeemer Church on a Sunday is a must!

Then like the rest of America, we watched the Super Bowl that night.  I’ll be honest, I was dreading Lady Gaga’s halftime performance because I was afraid she would get political and all I want to watch during a halftime show is singing and dancing.  Like, entertain me because that’s what everyone is wanting you to do.  But she blew me away and exceeded every expectation I had!  I was proud of her opening and really impressed by the entire show.  So much that I may have to buy her latest single on iTunes.

And for laughs….here’s my favorite commercial from last night.  As in, I literally LOL’d.



How was your weekend?!

Linking up with Biana