family time - part one

June has been and will continue to be the month of family visits. First, Dave's parents came to visit us. Then, my parents the following weekend. And this weekend my sister and her family will be joining us for a long weekend. It has been nice to have people up to show them where we live and do some fun things.

We took Dave's parents to one of our favorite places. It is a hidden treasure off a busy road. We are new to the area so I'm not sure how many people have been there but you wouldn't even know what was behind the small entrance.

This is the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. It is such a beautiful, peaceful place. Dave has enjoyed going to their library to have a different place to study. It is only about 15 minutes away.  Saint Mary's was actually the first institution of higher education offered in the city in 1844 at it's original location.  It opened, here in Mundelein, in 1921 after many years of not being in operation.

Dave's parents, Penny and Stan

We had a nice time walking around the campus a little bit on such a beautiful day with two of our favorite people!

daddy's girl

Today I got to spend time with my dad for Father's Day. My parents came up Friday night and spent the weekend. It was great to have them here. My dad and Dave went to the Indy car race in Milwaukee yesterday and had a great time. They even made it on TV! I think that he enjoyed his Father's Day weekend filled with good food and racing!

cooking out Friday night

I'm so blessed to have such a great dad. I have so many great memories hanging out with my dad including many trips white water rafting and canoeing adventures.  More recently, off road adventures! My dad never let my anxieties get in the way of having fun.  He always reminded me that I could substitute the word "dangerous" for "fun!"

My dad has been a great role model of how to treat people kindly and to put others ahead of himself. He is always lending a helping hand to others making people laugh while he is at it.

I love you Daddy!

friend-zy

We got back from Muncie Monday night. I unpacked and repacked and took off on Tuesday afternoon to head back to Indiana. It was such a great week spending time with so many friends and family too!

First up, my two friends Michela and Beth. I met these great girls in 2009 through a Bible study we were all in. We became fast friends and these girls were a great support to me during a very rough time.  Beth and her husband have been trying for several years to have a baby and I was so excited to meet Ezekiel who was welcomed into their family 3 weeks ago. Here is the wolfpack :)

Next, I was able to see 4 great friends in one location which was very convenient! Kelsey and I have been friends since 2002. She has been a great friend over the past several years and I always enjoy catching up with her. You can read about some of our crafting adventures here.

Wednesday, I was able to have dinner with 3 great friends. I know these ladies from my Huntington College days but they will be life long friends.  Whenever we get together there is a guarantee of great food and even better dessert. Usually more focus on the dessert than the dinner! Here is Joanne, Shannon, and Jodi.

And the ever famous dessert shot :) This homemade hot fudge is only one third of the super rich dessert! YUM!

Then I was off to visit my in-laws on Thursday. We went out to dinner and had a great time. It was nice being able to see them even though it was a quick visit.

Stan and Penny

Friday was especially special because I got to see Stacy. Stacy and her family live in Colorado. The likelihood of us both being in Indiana at the same time is very unlikely since we moved to Illinois. Stacy got to Indiana late Thursday night so I stayed an extra night so that we could hang out. We met for lunch and a drive around Huntington. We always love to reminisce on all the great times we had during college. The bonus was being able to enjoy my favorite Mexican restaurant of all time.

At our favorite, Johnson's Junction

I was able to see 10 people, in 4 days, in 4 different cities. It was good for my soul. There are so many more people that I wish I could have seen. I will save them for another trip...maybe next week :)

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!