Meet the Shaneyfelts

Archives for 2017

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday, friends!  I am keeping today short and sweet since I didn’t get home until after 10 last night, and I’m writing this blog post early Friday morning.


 This picture popped up on my Facebook memories–can I be that dark and thin again?!  This was taken on our honeymoon and we had just spend a day on the beach and decided to stop at a local ice cream shop.  It was heavenly because I ate whatever I wanted on our honeymoon haha!



Wednesday at school we had club day.  Each teacher sponsors a club and some are based on that teacher’s hobby.  Another teacher and I sponsor the fashion club and we decided to talk about make up at our last meeting.  So Monday I spent my planning period trying to find a make up tutorial that was appropriate for 12 and 13 year old girls.  And when the girls showed up Wednesday morning, some had more make up than I did and they also watched my favorite makeup girl, Jaclyn Hill.  #iworeclearmascarawheniwastheirage



Tonight at my church, our women’s ministry is sponsoring a coffee house night with a guest speaker.  I spent last night helping to set up (check my IG story @saraheshaneyfelt).  Our speaker became a widow suddenly at a very young age with 3 young boys all age 4 and under.  She will be talking about God’s grace and provision through her suffering.


And I enjoyed reading this article on how much women spend to compete on The Bachelor.

Linking up with Erika, April, Heather, and Amanda

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