just so sweet

We've had two amazing weekends in a row!  Two weeks ago ...  My precious friend Jamie got married and we love her and her man TC so much.  The wedding was amazingly beautiful ... every detail was just perfect!  It was such a blessing to be a part of their special day:)  Jamie is very loved by my whole family, including my Gram and Gramps ... who SuRprIsED us in Dallas the night before the wedding!  They're amazing and a 24hour road trip won't stop them from seeing their girls.  I'm so excited to have them in Texas and have some Gram and Gramp time the next couple of weeks:) 

Jamie & TC

the beautiful bride

I love you Mom

I love my Gram

My handsome hubby and our Gracen bump

 Our road trip went from Dallas to San Antonio.  We have another Airman in the family now and went to celebrate Derek's graduation from BMT .. yah!!  The whole brotherhood thing in the military is so cool and when 3 real brothers, a brother-in-law and Dad have it going on, its so special and neat to see.  So proud of all these guys:)

Josiah, uncle Derek and Caroline:)

Ryan and I were excited to have a weekend away and share sweet moments with family and friends.  We continue to grow more understanding of the importance of sharing those sweet moments as we learn from our baby girl.  It blows us away at how a tiny little life can touch so many ... letters, emails, blog followers and phone calls pour in and all continue to be blessed by Gracen.  Each person walking beside us in this journey means so much and we will forever be grateful for your love. 

I can't wait to post pictures of how much she's grown in there.  Our sweet friend Lyssa took some pictures of our little bump and I'll get them up sometime soon.  God's thoughts of this sweet baby are precious and He loves her so, so, so much.  Her life is worth much, and as we soak up each moment we have with Gracen, God fills us with joy as we prepare for her.  She's worth it all.  We love this girl.

this is just one collection of encouraging notes we've received,
they also completely cover the whiteboard in our kitchen

Gracen's hospital bag

sweet little outfit and matching knit hat from Nana

Ryan picked out this sweet teddy bear hat:)

sweet little outfit from Grandy

Gracen's lovey,
our sweet friend Maggie monogrammed her name

packed and ready:)

a little catch up:)

I actually have a blog post list in my head and need to get started sharing!!  So hopefully the next few days I can get caught up ...

A few awesome things that have happened ....
Our really great friends triplets are doing wonderful and just so, so, so adorable!  We love you Hank & Katie and love those bAbiEs!! 

I made an earlier post of our family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains where we celebrated my gram & gramps 60th wedding anniversary.  Here are some more pictures ... I'm just so thankful for my family and can't wait to do something like this again, lOvE yOu all!

xoxoxo, I love this girl!

 probably relaxing after some Just Dance ... we danced like crazy all week!

lots of adventures this week

poor thing fell in & it was COLD!

me & mom :)

super cool kiddos! :)

easter egg hunt

giant b-day party for everyone and some major face plants in cake ... a VERY fun tradition!

on our way home we stopped in lynchburg, TN

very cute little town and where Jack Daniels is made

whiskey made from this water right here

glad to see Jack supports our troops!

The last catch up for now ... military WiVeS!!  One of my absolute favorite parts of this military journey are the people, the forever friends we make along the way.  Specifically for me, I am most thankful for the amazing military wives I'm surrounded with.  These girls mean a lot to Ryan though too, because we are each others support when our husbands are gone.  He knows when he leaves I have the girls and we take care of each other.  Our small group is just such a God thing and we love each couple so much!  The first husband is deploying in just a few short weeks and pretty much all our husbands will be deployed by the fall.  Pray for these amazing men as they serve so bravely and pray for their wives and kids as they serve so bravely at home.  Here's a few pictures of these beautiful ladies and the military wives I admire and love SO much!

military wives = creative, resourceful, amazing & beautiful!

 I hardly took any pictures of our awesome recipe exchange ... we all had such a fun girly evening and left with lots of yummy new recipes. 

 parking lot picnic at grace bible:) with great friends!

 the guys ...