27

Another year has passed and it is once again my birthday:) I was so blessed to have my parents come to visit this weekend to celebrate Easter and my birthday with us. They arrived on Good Friday and immediately started spoiling me. They showed up with a huge box with Lyla's name all over it:) The box contained about 8 packs of diapers, 2 adorable stuffed animals, 2 books, wipes, and 3 teething toys. I love seeing how excited they are about Lyla. We spent a good part of the weekend just cleaning up the nursery. Her crib won't be here until Monday, so it isn't quite as put together as I would like, but it is MUCH better than when they first got here.

We have a rocking chair that was given to his family by his grandparents and all 3 Graves boys were rocked in it when they were babies. Now I get to rock our precious baby in that same chair. I LOVE THAT! Dad and Jeff worked to sand it down and stain it so it will match her other furniture. It looks amazing!!!

We each took turns rocking in it...even Diggs got a turn!

Mom and Dad helped us so much. I hadn't really realized how much we needed them! It was such a blessing to have them come and be with us a a few days!
Of course, after we cleaned and worked on the nursery, Mom and I decided to get our nails done and then we all went out to eat!

They were able to stay with us through part of Easter Sunday and then they had to head back.  I'll be honest-I cried when they left. Sometimes (most of the time) it is so hard being away from our families. I truly cherrish every second we get to spend with them. I know that they will be back soon for Ms. Lyla's arrival, but it is never easy to say goodbye!

Monday was my actual birthday! Jeff and I started a tradition where we post signs around the house when it is the other's birthday. It is always fun to see what he comes up with. Here are a couple of the signs he made this year (ps. yes, that is really his handwriting-now you see why I don't ask him to help with thank you cards:))

He is so sweet though! He got me a full spa day (mani, pedi, full massage) and had doughnuts and coffee waiting for me that morning (he knows the way to my heart!)He also came up and surprised me at work with a cake. My 5th period class liked that, because he cut each of them a slice to enjoy while they worked. Later that night, he took me out to eat and took me to the shoe store (thanks to my wonderful father in law for the gift card!) :) Jeff is such a thoughtful husband and he really made my day special! He is going to be the best dadddy! He is already the best husband!

Thanks to all my friends who called, texted or wrote! You have no idea how much that meant to me. I miss you all so very much and seriously cannot wait to see many of you soon!!!

Hello Third Trimester!

How far along? 28 weeks!! I am officially in my third trimester! Home stretch:)

Total weight gain/loss: I am proud to admit that according to the doctor this week, I have gained a total of 14 lbs thus far! Not too bad. 

Maternity clothes? Yes, and I cannot wait to break out my spring/summer dresses which are the most  comfortable thing I can put on right now!

Stretch marks? None yet:)

Sleep: Not good at all. I even had to take the day off work today so I could catch my body up on some much needed rest. It is just very hard to get comfortable these days!

What I miss: Bending down to pick up things, shave my legs, etc. and good sleep. 

What I am looking forward to: My parents and sister visiting next weekend for my birthday/Easter. I cannot wait for them to see Lyla's room! Then, a few short weeks after that, we are flying to Texas to see Johnathon graduate and I will get to see my Graves family!!! SO much to look forward to! OH, and there is only a few short weeks of school left before summertime!!! YAY! 

Best moment this week: Getting to see Lyla in a 4D sonogram! She is so beautiful and is weighing in at 2lbs and 11 oz. 

 (Isn't she absolutely perfect!!??)

Movement: YES! She is extremely active when I get still. I love feeling her move!

Belly Button in or out? a barely innie...but  I am sure that I will wake up one of these days I will wake up and it will be an outtie!

Wedding rings on or off?  ON-Though I have taken the advice of my cousin Amy and have started taking them off at night which is when I typically tend to get hot. I would hate to have to cut them off because my fingers swelled. Better safe than sorry!

Weekly Wisdom: We have recently started child birth classes and we are gaining so much wisdom from it. This week we had to watch an actual birth and we talked about relaxation techniques! I know that I have no clue what to expect, but it does help having a little more knowledge to calm the fears. 

Milestones: Made it to the third trimester! It is so crazy to think that in a few short months, Lyla will be here!!! 

26 Weeks....(Almost!)

How far along? Tomorrow will mark week 26 for me:) yay!! Getting closer to meeting our precious Lyla!

Total weight gain/loss: Overall, I have gained about 10 pounds total. Right now, the weight is mostly in my stomach, which is great, but makes for horrible backaches:(

Maternity clothes? Maternity shirts! My friend Hannah gave me a bunch of her shirts, so I have been sporting those this week. So far, I can still fit into my regular pants with the help of the maternity belly band:)

Stretch marks? So far, I do not! 

Sleep: The past two nights have been restless! I have read that I am supposed to sleep on my left side, but I end up switching between the right and left sides!

What I miss: GOOD sleep and my family (Georgia family and Texas family!)

What I am looking forward to: My parents and sister visiting at the end of April and then getting to see my Graves family in May for Johnathon's graduation! I miss our families so very much!! 

Best moment this week: Buying paint for Lyla's room....I love that we are getting closer to finishing her nursery! 

Movement: Oh yeah! I think that I have figured out the difference between the hiccups and her actually moving! As I am typing this, Jeff has his hand on my side and she is kicking away! I love it when she will kick for her daddy! 

Belly Button in or out? a barely innie...but  I am sure that I will wake up one of these days I will wake up and it will be an outtie!

Wedding rings on or off?  ON!

Weekly Wisdom: Keep up with the extra fiber when you are pregnant!

Milestones: Finished the week! It's been a tough one! I also finished my last assignment for my online class! Praise the Lord...one less thing to worry about!

A wedding and a funeral

This weekend was full of celebration. It started Friday when we had the funeral service for our friend Zac Taylor. It was incredibly hard and so much of me still wonders why this had to happen. There are a lot of things I don't know, but I DO know two things: God is still in control and Zac is in Heaven with Him. If anyone reading this does not know Jesus as your Savior, I pray that you will ask him to take control of your life TODAY! Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Jesus loves all of us so much and wants us to spend eternity with HIm. My friend Zac was 22 years old. So many of us think that we have plenty of time, but the truth is, we are not promised the next breath. We HAVE to be ready and we HAVE to make sure our loved ones are ready! It is our responsibility as Christ followers to GO AND TELL! I am so glad that we have the hope that we WILL see Zac again! I am so excited to see the lives that are already being changed because of his death. I miss him and my heart still breaks for his family and sweet wife Hannah, but I know that God is using this for HIS glory!


As soon as the service ended, we drove to Atlanta for my friend Whitney's wedding. Whitney and I have been friends forever it seems like. In high school, we started calling each other twins, because we had so much in common. Sometimes it's unbelievable the things we have the same. For instance, a few years ago we discovered that we both had a scar on our right leg due to a dog leash...seriously? It is so random sometimes, but I love it! Anyways, Whitney asked me to read a scripture in her wedding and I was overjoyed to do so. While it was pouring rain during the ceremony, it was absolutely stunning. 

                                         

(Exchanging vows by the fireplace)

(so glad mom and dad got to come-I love hanging out with them!)

(My very best friends from High School...such a fun reunion!)

(And I can't forget my hot date:))

We ended up having to get a room last night on the way home because the weather was so bad-so, today has been spent in bed. I am completely worn out physically and emotionally! But so happy to have gotten to celebrate with friends this weekend.

ps. I also got to see my grand dad for a split second this weekend. He called me jenjen as soon as I walked in and told me he loved me. He also starting laughing hysterically when I told him that Jeff was taking a nap. Haha. He's so funny. He makes me smile so big every time I see him. 

We you can't see His hand-Trust His heart!

I have debated on whether or not to even write something about the past 24 hours, but my heart is so heavy and broken that I don't see how I could not.

Yesterday around 4pm, Jeff and I lost a dear friend. We came to know the Taylor's (Joey and Vanessa) when we moved to Mississippi and quickly discovered that they are the some of the kindest people we would ever meet. Not long after meeting them, we met their son Zac and daughter in law Hannah. Hannah and Zac were newly married and started coming regularly to our new young married sunday school class. Immediately, we feel in love with them. They had a little boy in January and I loved following Hannah's pregnancy because she was due the same day my best friend Lindsey was. Zac died yesterday. My heart aches so bad for My precious friend Hannah and her 2 month old baby boy Jax. I cannot imagine the pain she is going through and there honestly are no words.

I am writing this in hopes that many those who follow my blog are also prayer warriors and will lift this precious family up during this painful time. I know that God has a plan and a purpose for everything and we are all surely turning to Him when we really just can't understand. My pastor Frank Cox always said "when you can't see His hand, trust His heart" and until we are able to be with Zac again, that's what we will do......

Our Babymoon

We have finally returned home after an incredible week off. We left Tuesday morning to head down to Gulf Shores Alabama for a few days of rest and relaxation. The week was just perfect!

We laid out in the sun during the day....(I got too much sun even though I coated myself in sunscreen!)

And went out to eat at night....
Our favorite place was Lambert's. I had been once before, but Jeff had never been! It is always such a fun experience no matter how many times you have eaten there. Their claim to fame is their "roll throwing"

You simply raise your hand for a roll and they throw you one-even if it's from clear across the room!

We also ate at LuLu's which is a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister Lucy. The food was good and the atmosphere was fun, but the best part of LuLu's was their krispy kreme doughnut bread pudding!!!

It was incredible and you can actually get the recipe online. Beware: I am almost positive that this dessert contains at least 2,000 calories since they make it with 2 dozen doughnuts.

The rest of our trip was literally us just relaxing (which was MUCH needed) We spent a lot of time by the beach and by the pool. Jeff downloaded a march madness app on his phone so he was totally occupied while I read my magazine! :) (Usually, he gets bored quickly when I want to lay out-so I was actually thankful for the "MADNESS":)

After we left Gulf Shores on Friday, we headed over Pascagoula, Ms. to help with his old youth pastor's disciple now weekend. It was so great to see many of the students that I have worked with for 4 years now and to see our friends Shawn and Rachel Mahannah who live in Tampa. I miss them so much and always have the best talks with Rachel. We have so much in common and just really get each other:) It was so encouraging to catch up with her and of course to be challenged throughout the week to "Just Obey". We are commanded to go-we must have permission to stay! I am so excited to see what doors God will open for me to serve Him and the people in our community!

We were so blessed to be able to get away for a few days and just enjoy friends and each other. It was the perfect get away before our sweet little angel gets here!:)

Pillow Talk

We made it down to Gulf Shores yesterday afternoon. I am so relaxed already! This is definitely what we BOTH needed! Our condo is absolutely gorgeous and we have an incredible view of the beach! I love staying right on the beach...nothing compares to it!

Anyways, the reason I am blogging today is because I wanted to document something that happens frequently in the Graves' home-pillow talk. Most couples would say that some of the best conversations can happen when its just the two of you and your head hits the pillow. However, that isn't exactly the same kind of pillow talk I am referring to, although we have had some great late night talks that way too.  You see, Jeff frequently talks in his sleep. I mean this happens quite often. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I can understand what he is saying, other times it is like we are having a conversation wide awake. You may think I am crazy, but I never miss an opportunity to talk to him when he is asleep. You never know what he might say...so I always talk right back to him. I remember one night right after his Grandfather (Gran) died, Jeff started talking about him in his sleep and so I started asking questions to keep him talking. Most nights aren't serious talks, like that one. Last night, however, the "pillow talk" happened TWICE! I have been racking my brain to try and remember our first conversation but I can't for the life of me...who knows, maybe I was asleep too. But our second conversation went something like this:

I rolled over (as I frequently do now to try and get comfortable) and I saw Jeff's eyes wide awake. Normally this might scare me, but for some reason it didn't. I asked him what he was doing awake and he just started laughing. I knew then he was really asleep. He has this distinct laugh that he does when he sleeps. I guess his dreams are really funny. Anyways, he muttered a few things and I asked him what he was laughing about (see, I could have gone back to bed at this point, but I LOVE talking to him when he's asleep...it's fun!) He told me that we weren't going to be able to go anymore. Of course, I wanted to know where we weren't going now. He said that our group wasn't going to be able to go now. (At his point he starts counting on his fingers) He said "Me and him and the others" He held up two fingers on one hand and another finger on the other hand (pretty good for a sleeping person) I asked him why we weren't going to be able to go and he said "because everyone is failing" haha. This part cracked me up....I guess I talk about school too much!!! He said "Everyone is failing" about 10 more times and then said "It's stupid" a couple of times and then went right back to sleep. I laughed to myself for a little while and then went back to sleep myself.

Today marks day two in Gulf Shores for our "babymoon" as some are calling it (the honeymoon before the baby comes) We have plans to lay out (Jeff installed a march madness app on his phone so he can watch while we lay out and I have a magazine screaming my name) We are mainly relaxing and then planning to hit the town tonight for dinner and the outlets nearby. :) So so so happy to be here for this much needed break!