Family Gifts

Oh, don’t you just love decorating for Christmas?!? It’s my most favorite time of the year. Amber Marie told me about the link-up she was doing for December. It is 25 days of Christmas ornaments in which you share and tell about 25 ornaments that are meaningful to you. At first, I said that I didn’t have enough ornaments to do this, but then we did the tree today. I think I might surely have enough to complete this link-up.

Last year we spent our first married Thanksgiving with North Carolina family. They were so gracious to have us, and a good time was had by all.

In order to provide some entertainment and family bonding with the sweet girls above, Zach and I went to get the necessary items to make our own ornaments with them. We made our ornaments. When we got home, we got a package in the mail with the ornaments these girls had spent their time to make. They said that they know this will be our first married Christmas, and they wanted to make sure we had ornaments for our tree. Now, isn’t that precious?

You should join the link-up with Amber  and share about your 25 most meaningful Christmas ornaments. Don’t have a blog? Just leave a comment below. We’d love to hear and see!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

Your Love is Deep

Hello, reader friends. It’s my favorite time of the week where we get to link up with Jamie for WILW!

All week I have had the song “Your Love is Deep” in my head. I love that song. I used to sing it over the girls when I worked at Camp Garaywa. Sometimes at  night we would sing songs as the girls were waiting to be dismissed to go to their cabins. I loved to hear the girls sing that song. It was such a sweet, sweet sound. God is constantly reminding me of His unconditional and sacrificial love and the constant impact that should have on even the mundane things in my life. Here are the words to that song:

Your love is deep, Your love is high
Your love is long, Your love is wide
Your love is deep, Your love is high
Your love is long, Your love is wide

Your love is deeper than my view of grace
Higher than this worldly place
Longer than this road I've traveled
Wider than the gap You've filled

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I’m loving that Zach’s parents came to DFW this past weekend. I’ve had a hard last couple of weeks missing the people closest to me. I’ve missed not only my Mississippi people, but my friends and family scattered all over the U.S. So, I was really glad to have them come in town. We had a large amount of fun. This weekend Zach and I are going to our college town in Mississippi, so I will get to catch up with some of my Cleveland buddies as well. I’m very much loving that!

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Did I mention that Zach’s parents came in with gifts? We have a washer and dryer now!!! I am loving that I have no more laundry mat trips, and I can do laundry at my own pace.

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heh heh heh

Like always, I am really loving my husband. He’s pretty marvelous, and I don’t know what I would do without him. He is so servant-hearted and very passionate. Just being around him makes me want more of Jesus. I have a significant prayer time increase when he’s driving.

What are you loving this Wednesday, reader friends?

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

Grandparents

I have been planning on writing a blog about grandparents for a little while now. How convenient that it’s Grandparents Day today!

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Grandparents, in a sense, set the tone for families. They are the tradition setters. My grandparents on both sides have been some pretty awesome tradition setters. I hope that one day Zach and I have the stories and experiences to give our grandchildren that ours have given us.

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I have had the privilege of being around many grandparents as a teacher. I get to interact with the students’ grandparents, and some of my coworkers are grandparents. Grandchildren, you are the pride and joy of your grandparents! You are all that they ever talk about. They inflate even your smallest accomplishments, because they just love you so much. Grandchildren, get on the phone and call your grandparents! Go see them! Make sure you tell them that you love them and, goodness, give them something to be proud of in you!

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My “Mammaw” died on August 19, 2013. She left behind SO many incredible memories, and she led a ridiculously full life. She went on safaris in Africa, she was in the homemaker’s club and could put anybody to shame in sewing, canning, baking, you name it! Her nickname was “Trigger” because she could outhunt anyone! She was a softball player and coach. She would have celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary this next April. Think of how many stories she has in that alone! She rode horses, four wheelers, all of the southern girl things. She was on a bowling league. They’ve had a pet raccoon, pigeons, and probably other animals I’m not aware of. We will probably all lose weight without her delicious sweet treats! When you walked into her home though, you knew you were loved and accepted. She was one of those grandmas that when she hugged you, she patted your bottom. Ha Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Your grandma probably does it, too!

My grandmother’s funeral was beautiful. She did something I have never seen or heard of being done at a funeral. She had a dove releasing ceremony. There were three baskets of doves. One basket held three doves, representing the trinity. My mother opened that basket. The next basket held twelve doves, representing the loved ones that had gone before us. My Aunt Becky opened that basket. The final dove represented her spirit ascending into heaven. My grandfather got to release that dove. I am SO thankful for my friend, Angela Waller for being there for support. I am also so thankful that she thought to get pictures of the ceremony when that was the last thing on my mind.

The last one is my grandfather releasing his dove. Thank you SO MUCH for these pictures, Angela! You’re the best.

Reader friends, if you still have your grandparents please visit/call them regularly. Give them something to be proud of in you. If your grandparents are gone, reminisce. Cherish the memories you do have. Happy Grandparents Day, friends.

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

It’s September Already?!?

 

It’s Wednesday! I love linking up with Jamie for WILW! No matter what is going on, there is always something in which you can rejoice. Wednesdays leave me with a fresher, more thankful mindset.

First of all, I am LOVING that we had a three-day weekend! It is exactly what this teacher needed. I was LOVING that Zach and I had nowhere to go and really nowhere to be. It’s good to just be sometimes. I was so productive with schoolwork and housework. It was quite wonderful.

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I’m LOVING that we had a date night to Chile’s, and we rented the movie “42”. I LOVED that movie. I recommend renting it.

 

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I know I’ve said this before, but I am LOVING my new school! Their vision for the students is awesome, and it’s so great to see the effect of what the staff has been doing with the students. The staff is super supportive of not only what goes on in the classroom, but also supportive of what goes on in the life of the students and other staff members. It has just been a great experience since I have been at the school.

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I am also VERY MUCH LOVING my handsome husband. He has helped me every day to clean up and straighten up my classroom after school. (We work at the same school.) He does it without me even asking. He teaches middle school and high school, and I teach 2nd grade. Elementary school teachers know that lunchtime is a SHORT time for you, and you can’t really go far from your kiddos. He has gone to microwave some of my lunches and brought them to me because he knows I can’t leave my kids. That might not sound like a big deal, but you think about cold roast. My man has served and loved me well, and I pray that I can serve, love, and encourage him in the same way. I hope you’re having a great Wednesday, reader friends.

 

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Hardy

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