Happy, Happy, Happy!

 

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, because we get to link up with Jamie for WILW! The Geico “Hump Day” commercial also makes me pretty fond of Wednesdays! :)

Well, the most exciting part of my day was going car shopping and getting a car! I am loving our new car! I have owned two cars previously, and they were bought very used from individuals. You could always hear me coming, and it was not because of an awesome radio. I actually went for a while without a radio in my last car. My previous cars have given me the opportunity to learn basic mechanic skills. I can change tires, alternators, oil, oil filters, air filters, batteries, spark plugs, fuses, ya know all of those things that could go wrong. I am also loving this new car because it is bigger, and it makes me feel big.

I am loving that we are getting ready to pack up and visit Mississippi. It’s still weird to say that I’m going to visit Mississippi. Nevertheless, I’m loving that I get to see family and friends soon.

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I’m loving that school is almost ready to start. You guys might have to remind me of that statement come Octoberish. I’m so ready for routine, and I’m ready to feel like I’m contributing to society! I’ve met quite a few of my coworkers, and they’re all awesome. I’m loving that two of the ladies came and took me to dinner last week while Zach was out of town. It was a very fun time.

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I am loving me some Jamba Juice! These are nonexistent in my Mississippi neck of the woods, but I think I might have found my new vice! These smoothies are delicious!

What are you loving this Wednesday, reader friends?

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

Cancer

Cancer sucks. There is no other way to put it. It just does. I have seen awesome stories of remission and tragic stories of death. I have seen long struggles and short struggles. It is no respecter of person. Cancer does not care about age, color, or nationality. I’ve seen it in seven year olds in my former school all the way to people in their 80s. I’ve seen it take mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles. I think what stinks the most is knowing that there is really no for sure cure. There are treatments that take a toll on the body only in hopes of curing it.

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The family got news recently that my grandmother has stage four stomach and liver cancer. She has chosen to not take treatment, and I don’t blame her. It would be selfish to ask her or even want her to take the treatment. For 17 years, she has been battling so many health issues. It was 17 years ago that a miracle came home from the hospital after roughly 5 months of intensive care and physical therapy to relearn the basics such as writing and walking. She is a fighter and made incredible progress. The only thing is that her coming home didn’t end all of the health issues. Although she has been able to function for the most part in the manner that most would consider “normal”, she has had constant battle after battle. They haven’t been painless battles, but she has been strong through it all. When I think of my grandma, I think of several things.

I think of…

love, support, and laughter. My grandparents have been some of my biggest cheerleaders. Aren’t they just precious? :)

Rook card games when we were young and thought we were bidding high. Ha

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root beer floats…

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canned jelly, pickles, okra, cauliflower, on and on. My grandmama can can some delicious goodies. MmMmMmMmMmM

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and naps! Why are naps so wonderful and inevitable at grandma’s? Maybe it’s because they get you so full as soon as you walk in the door.

The doctors gave the “you have this long” spiel, and they said 6 months. I’ve seen this be incorrect so many times. I don’t even know why they do it. I know it’s in attempt to prepare the patient and the family, but I don’t ever want to hear a limit on my life or a loved one’s life. I don’t really know what to think or really even how to pray. I don’t have any comforting words for myself or my family. What I do know though is this:

She is still here, and we have so many wonderful memories with her. We don’t have to mourn her before she is gone. We need to make the most of what we do have, and we have 17 years that only by the grace of God we have been given with her. God is still good.

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Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

WILW: Fort Worth Edition

 

Well, a lot has changed since my last “What I’m Loving Wednesday” post. I am now living in Fort Worth, TX with my honey, so this post will include what I’m loving about this move. It’s time to link up with Jamie for WILW.

First and foremost, I am LOVING our new apartment. I can’t show pictures, because I’m not quite ready yet. A few things had to stay in Mississippi, because they couldn’t fit in the trailer. As soon as I get it “homey” in here, I will post some pictures. We are in seminary housing, and it is brand spanking new. We are the first tenants, and it is nice. We have two bedrooms, and I”m LOVING that we have two bathrooms! All of that, and we’re paying less than what we were for our ghetto one bedroom, 1 bathroom back in Mississippi. The bedrooms are carpeted, and the rest is hardwood floor. The appliances are all modern, and there is so much storage that I don’t know what to do!!! I am LOVING it. Come visit!

 

I’m also LOVING that we got a guest bed from Craig’s List for CHEAP! Then, we went to Ross and got a steal on the bedding, and I actually think it’s quite cute. I’m LOVING me some Ross.

You see that? That’s the bed, my friends, that you will sleep on when you come VISIT! Please. :)

I’m also LOVING that I got to experience small group with Fort Worth City Church tonight. Zach was here during his time in Fort Worth before we got married. The technical term is city group. Anyways, it was a sweet time. I feel loved vicariously through Zach. I can deal with that.

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Also, I am LOVING that I drove to this city group, and I made my way home with only one hint from Zach. This may seem like a small feat, but it’s quite a big deal for me. I’m kinda excited about it. I am the most directionally challenged person in the entire world, AND those big interstates with 6 lanes going one way kinda stress me out.

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I’m also LOVING that we had so much help on both ends of moving. Our move was so easy because of all the wonderful friends and family that we had helping both in Mississippi and in Texas. Have I ever mentioned that I have wonderful in-laws? We couldn’t have made the move without them. They were so wonderfully helpful.

I think my WILW posts are always the longest, because I have so much to love and appreciate. What are you loving this Wednesday, reader friends?

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy