memorial day weekend

Dave and I went to Muncie over the holiday weekend. This is the first time that Dave has missed going to the Indy 500 in past 8 years.  He was bummed out for sure but got to enjoy listening to the race out on the pontoon on the reservoir. It was hot and the water was cold and it was a great time out on the water. Ethan had a few firsts on this weekend and we were happy to be a part of that! His first boat ride and Indy 500, radio style.

You can tell he was really into the race!

Growing up, we would always go to the lake Memorial Day weekend. It was the first weekend of the summer that we could get the boat on the water and go skiing and tubing. My dad would often offer us five dollars to jump in the water without putting our toe in first. The water was always freezing! One of the down sides of the weekend, for us girls, was the need to listen to the 500 on the radio. Its bad enough that the race would cut into valuable ski time, then you couldn't even watch it! Just listen. :) Great memories at the lake!

Monday we had a cook out at Liz and Randy's. Dave got to experience a sweet moment of Ethan falling asleep on him.

You can tell that Ethan can't wait to be able to play with their dog, Dottie.  He gets so excited watching her and often moves his arms like mad trying to get to her! Dottie may not be as excited when he becomes mobile!

Dave has finished his first semester and first summer class. He enjoyed the break from reading and studying this weekend. Next summer class starts mid-July.  What a blessed weekend with family :)

Dave and brother-in-law Randy

My Mommy and Ethan's Grammy

My Daddio

who's who

I was looking around the apartment recently and noticed something odd. Here are some pictures of some of our shared areas.

This is the table between our two chairs. Can you see the imaginary line? Notice the floor as well...overflow space of course.

 Can you guess who's side of the table is who's?

What about which dresser is mine or his?

Well, it turns out I'm the messy one! Dave keeps his side very neat and tidy :) I'm so thankful for a tidy husband! He is rubbing off on me in the best ways! If fact, I think I will go and clean each of my sides of things right now :)

hi my name is jayma...

I've been on a significant journey since January 29th. It started out as a weight loss journey, but it has turned into so much more than that.  I've realized my unhealthy relationship with food and what it has done to me on so many levels.  I'm an emotional eater. Anyone else? I can be having the worst day ever and the answer has been food or the best day ever and the answer is also food.

For the past several years I've used food to satisfy my spirit. Throughout this journey over the past 12 weeks I have done more than lose weight. I've found my satisfaction and comfort in God. I still struggle. Today was a huge battle for me, and I was victorious in the name of Christ. I'm not sure if the battle will ever go away. But, each day I am getting stronger and stronger in this fight.  I stand firm against over eating or eating the wrong foods each day. I have moments of weakness, but I have overcome so much.

Each morning after I finish my devotions, I read a devotional called Made to Crave.  This has been a great daily encouragement to me in fighting against emotional eating. Also, my prayer life has increased so much over the past few months since I read the Power of a Praying Wife. Read about it here.  I recognize the importance of complete surrender and obedience to God.

This journey I'm on is making me realize so many things about myself.  I realized that I am weak. I can't do any of this on my own. Jesus Christ gives me the strength each day. Also, I still have a lot of issues to work out. I'm growing in my faith during this journey which is way better than the weight I've lost. I'm excited to continue on this journey and see the growth that occurs spiritually and physically.

More to come on this topic...I think ;)

happy easter to you

Dave and I got to go to my family's for Easter this past weekend.  We were both really looking forward to going. Dave hadn't seen Ethan since his birth and I haven't seen him in about a month. One of the difficult things about living far away is missing out on one family's get together. This time we missed Dave's family Easter and that was tough.

Uncle Dave and Ethan (11 weeks)

Dave jumped right in with his uncle duties.  Ethan loved to look at Dave when he talked with him and would smile and coo back.

Saturday we went and took some family photos. We were in need of an updated picture with Ethan joining the clan. It was beautiful weather and we had a lot of fun taking the pictures. Ethan was great the whole time as well! Can't wait to see how they turned out!

Sunday we went to church then grilled out at home. Dad manned the grill and the steaks were perfect!

photo courtesy of Dave

Elizabeth and I had a "friendly" Easter egg hunt! You would have though my mom hid those in the back yard for Ethan, but no, they were for us :)

I won technically but Liz stole some eggs out of my basket :)

Overall, a great weekend home. Ethan is growing so much already! Here are a few more because I know you want to see his cute little face!

Ethan's Easter hat...it will come in handy on the pontoon this summer!

anniversary get away

This past weekend we went on a one night get away to celebrate our anniversary! At first we didn't think one night away was really going to be that great, but we both ended up really looking forward to it! We were able to take off about noon on Saturday to head up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This was our first time there and we had a great time!

In front of our hotel, Bella Vista Suites

Dave did all the researching and planning. He found this place right on the lake. I was trying to take a selfie of us and the sign in the background. The third attempt I finally got the sign in the photo and a guy walked out of the door at the exact same time! Thankfully he was nice and offered to take our picture!

It was a little overcast on Saturday but that didn't stop us from walking around and seeing the town. Dave made sure to check out all the historical signs around Lake Geneva, and I enjoyed them as well now that I'm in my 30s :)

We ate dinner at a restaurant called Popeye's. Not the chicken wing place. It was tasty and we had a great view!

We had a relaxing evening sitting outside watching the lake and people. We also walked up to an ice cream shop and had a scoop. 

On Sunday morning, Dave had reserved a massage for me. It was so great! I had such a stressful week of work I really needed it! I was so thankful that he did that for me. What a great husband!

We checked out of the hotel and took a walk on a public easement in front of all the mansions on the lake. This one has two basements and a pool on the roof! We learned that this property has put several people into bankruptcy and is now luxury condos.

another summer home

There are boats that give tours on the lake throughout the summer. Before we went we found out that they do not run until late April. While we were out on our walk we saw one going by! We called and found out that this was the first day they were open.  This is the earliest they have ever opened and we were able to take a ride! And to make it even better, it was half price! The tour guide informed us that at this time last year the lake was still frozen. We felt so blessed this entire weekend, and this was the icing on the cake!

We took off shortly after the boat ride to head back home. I was not ready to come back to the reality of grocery shopping and an early morning at work. It was a great night away! What a blessing!

A great night to round out the best first year of marriage! Love you, Dave!

first anniversary

I can't believe we have been married one whole year. Not to mention the longest first year of marriage that you can have! Leap year you know! :)

marahgrant.com

This year has been great. We have been so blessed in this first year of marriage. A friend asked us what that best part of this first year has been. We both said companionship. We have really enjoyed being together.

Yesterday was the official day. We were very busy. I worked all day then went to Bible Study. Dave had an afternoon and evening class. So we met up at home at about 9:30. We got out our wedding cake and had a slice. The cake was sooooooo good! Even a year later! Thanks For Goodness Cakes!

This weekend we have a one night get away planned. We can't wait!

sisters, sisters...

...there were never such devoted sisters! Name that movie!

We grew up in a household of old movies, mostly musicals. I remember my sister and I (on several different occasions) turning bed sheets into beautiful gowns and dancing around the living room (to my sister's choreography of course). It didn't matter what the movie was, the sheets always made the perfect outfits. We had all the songs memorized and would sing and act our hearts out.

I remember one summer we spent many hours writing down all the lyrics of Don McLean's American Pie so we could have the entire song memorized. We listened to it on the record player so "rewinding" every few lines made the task even more difficult ;) Its funny to think how now you can click a couple of times on the internet and have they lyrics right there! Oh well! We got it memorized!

My big sister and I had a lot of fun together growing up. There were the fights like all siblings have, but its easy to forget those and remember all the great times. A lot of our fondest memories are from the lake. One that has come to mind recently is when we would play Little House on the Prairie. I don't really recall ever watching the show, but that was what we named our pretend game. We would set up little houses by using rocks to make the perimeter of our houses and fire pits. We would take our dishes out and make pretend meals. We would sweep the floors and keep the fire going. We could play like that for hours.

aren't we so cute!

Then we grew up and did way cooler things like take a road trip and visit the worlds largest spur and ball of twine!

aren't we cool!?!

As we have grown into our adult lives, we have had ups and downs. We have learned a lot about each other. We have supported each others hobbies. Listened to each other during rough times. Loved each other even when it was hard. We have become such great friends. I miss her so much. I want to be around to see her grow into the role of being a mom and grow our relationship.

My sister was always strong for me. She would always encourage me to be brave and tell me I could do things when I never thought I could. I remember her sacrificing for me so that I would be comfortable. I remember her holding my hand so I wouldn't be scared. I have a great big sister. I'm so thankful for how our relationship has grown. I love her so much these words don't seem to be enough.

I could go on and on with stories and great pictures. But this will do for now. I love you seester!