Thankful for...

Cue the cliche, I'm-a-horrible-blogger speech.  I know I've been slow to get my Thankful Thursdays posts up lately, and I've all but stopped my weekly pregnancy updates.  But the weekly updates seem unnecessary since we've been getting news more frequently than that, and I don't like to have to wait to share things with you guys! 

 

I suppose that I'll be even more unpredictable once Miss Priss gets here, but I promise to do my best to keep you all in the loop.  I feel like you guys have been such a BIG part of this journey, and I can't even tell you how encouraging it has been to be able to share every little milestone with you.  (And I'm currently trying to figure out how I can get labor updates to you all on Wednesday.  I'll let you know what I come up with.)

 

So today's post will be easy.

 

{I'm thankful} for YOU.  My friends who have kept me going throughout these past nine months.  From the nausea to the carpal tunnel to the bed rest, you've been there. And I'm so thankful for you.

 

What are YOU thankful for this week? Link up and tell us!

 

Thankful for...

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There is much to be thankful for today, friends!

{I'm thankful} that I am pre-eclampsia free!  Of course, I won't lie and tell you that the chance of meeting Grace a couple of weeks early wasn't appealing (even though the circumstances obviously weren't optimal), but I know it's best for her to come when she's ready.  And I'm obviously happy that I don't have any health risks to worry about.

{I'm thankful} that my sweet Mamaw is stable.  She was admitted to the ICU yesterday for incredibly low blood pressure, and apparently she's got some sort of blood infection.  It's still very serious, but they're running lots of tests, and her blood pressure is relatively normal again, so that's definitely praiseworthy!

And speaking of grandmas, {I'm thankful} that my other grandmother, Mimi, starts her radiation therapy next week.  I'm ready for her to kick this lung cancer to the curb, y'all!

{I'm thankful} that my work has generously agreed to let me work from home until Grace gets here.  Just another reason that I love my job and will be happy to return once my maternity leave is over (even though I'm already dreading having to leave Grace). 

Last, but definitely not least, {I'm thankful} for Micah.

(us, circa 2003)

This guy.  Oh, this guy.

He makes me better in every way, and I couldn't have dreamed up a more wonderful husband and father for our children.  How in the world did I get so lucky?

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful for...

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There is much to be thankful for this week, so let's jump right in!

{I'm thankful} for a mid-week breakfast with my love today.  We both stayed home this morning so that we could (1) go check out one of the daycares we are considering and (2) keep Lilly in the house while our lawn is being treated.  (Don't ask... my husband is strangely obsessed with weed prevention.  It's so weirdly adorable...)  After we left the daycare and before I headed in to work, we grabbed some pancakes at Denny's and enjoyed a little quality time.  I just love doing life with this guy.

{I'm thankful} to be back in my own car after having it in the shop for a few days.  (I'm not quite so thankful for the $1100 bill for the repairs to the locks and windows, but alas...)  The loaner car they gave me was really nice and new, but it felt strange driving a sedan after being in an SUV for almost three years.  This girl won't be going back to driving a car anytime soon.

{I'm thankful} that my sweet dad and stepmom went and got our carseat and stroller for us yesterday.  They saved us a trip to Buy Buy Baby (and several hundred dollars!), and now we can just focus on getting all the rest of the little things we need for Miss Grace.  When I think about the fact that she'll likely be here in less than a month, I get incredibly excited and freaked out all at once. 

{I'm thankful} for all of your sweet words in response to yesterday's post.  You guys are always so encouraging and uplifting.  I feel very blessed that my blogging experience has been 99.9% positive - I've yet to encounter the hateful comments and interactions I sometimes see on other blogs, and I feel so lucky.  But I'm not.  I just have the best readers/friends a girl could ask for. :)

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful for...

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Dude, you guys.  After Monday's post, things just got insane.  Trial stuff blew up, and I've been writing nonstop for the past three days.  I'm actually here, out of town with the group for the night.  It was unexpected, but the jury didn't come back with a verdict today as expected, so I decided to stay rather than driving back home tonight.  I just couldn't miss the verdict, and there's no way I was making the almost two hour drive home tonight just to have to come right back here in the morning.

I know I never got my 34 week bumpdate up, and hopefully I'll get to that sometime tomorrow or the next day. 

In any event, this week's post is going to be short and sweet.

{I'm thankful} that I'm officially DONE writing for a few days, and I can go to bed tonight at a decent hour.  My cushy hotel bed is calling my name as we speak, and I have a feeling I'll be out light a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Hope you guys have a fabulous Thursday, and I'll check in (for real) soon.  Our family shower is on Sunday, so I have several house updates and probably the nursery reveal (even though the chair won't be in the pictures, I won't make you guys wait) coming your way soon.

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful for...

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This week has me all out of sorts.  I'm technically in trial, even though I'm not at trial, and working from here has been strange.  But, as a result, I've discovered something what could possibly be the best discovery of 2013.

{I'm thankful} for Downton Abbey.

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Yeah, that's right.  I said it.  I know I'm late to the party, but I finally made it, and I'm here to stay, y'all. 

If you're the only other person who has been living under a rock since the show started in 2011, Downton Abbey is a PBS British period drama (heck, let's call it what it is... it's a British soap opera) about the lives of a wealthy family in the early 1900s. 

When I emptied my DVR a few days ago (working from home requires background noise), I looked and saw that Downtown Abbey was available for free on the Amazon Prime library, and I figured that I should see what all the hype was about.  If you know me at all, you know that I'm in love with all things British.  And anything with Professor McGonagall (otherwise known as Maggie Smith) is excellent. 

I'm now obsessed, and I'm flying through the seasons as fast as I can.  But I know there's some shocker waiting for me at the end of Season 3, and I'll kill you guys if you tell me! :)

So as silly as it seems, I'm thankful for the Granthams this week.  What are you guys thankful for?  Link up and tell us!

And because I couldn't leave you without a bit of Maggie Smith wisdom... "Lawyers are always confident before the verdict.  It's only afterward they share their doubts."  Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham.  How very appropriate this week... :)

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful for...

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Hi, loves!  It's Thursday, and you know what that means...

{I'm thankful} that it's a rainy-ish, dreary Thursday in North Texas, and I'm loving it.  This is definitely my kind of weather.

{I'm thankful} for my big brother.  He turns 30 tomorrow, and I can't even express how crazy it feels to say that.  Wasn't this just yesterday?

Holy cow.  I adore this guy a ridiculous amount and am so thankful for what he's been to me all these years.  Our relationship has definitely changed from the days of red, polka-dot dresses and awkward sweaters, but he will always possess an uncanny ability to make me cry (now in the good way)... or make me laugh until I cry. :)

{I'm thankful} that I was able to scrape together a few outfits for my maternity pictures this weekend.  It's a hard thing finding cute outfits when you're curvy and pregnant, but hopefully what I found will work.  And speaking of my maternity pictures...

{I'm thankful} for my bestie.  After hanging up from a forty-five minute chat session the other night, I was reminded of what a special thing it is to still be best friends with the same girl who loved me through braces, glitter eyeshadow, and the days of chunky highlights.  And it doesn't hurt that she takes gorgeous pictures...

{I'm thankful} for an incredibly smooth pregnancy.  I honestly can't tell you how lucky I feel for how breezy these last eight-ish months have been.  Sure, the non-stop nausea wasn't fun, and I'm not loving the fact that I'm waking up every two hours at night now to pee and switch sides (the darned numb arms and hands are so annoying!).  But I'd go through those things over and over again if I had to to bring our little angel into the world.  We are so ready to meet her!

Have you counted your blessings lately?  What are you thankful for?

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Happy Valentine's Day (and a link-up!)...

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Maybe it's ridiculous, but I kind of love Valentine's Day.  And I think it's because...

... I love love.

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From the time I was a little girl, I've adored all things romantic.  I'm a sucker for a good love story, sappy commercial, or mushy letter.  As I've gotten older, though, I've realized that my perception of love as a young girl was incredibly skewed and that real love isn't always perfectly packaged in pink and red. 

So while I still adore The Notebook* and re-read Pride and Prejudice every few years, I'm learning to be thankful for the many forms love has taken in my life over the past 27-and-a-half years.

{I'm thankful} for parents who loved me enough to do anything and everything they could to ensure that I'd eventually be prepared to face the world on my own, even when that meant allowing me the freedom to make choices they knew would land me on my butt.

{I'm thankful} for a big brother who teased and tormented me enough as a young girl that working in an office (mostly) full of silly, crazy boys doesn't faze me one bit. 

{I'm thankful} for the two girls who have loved and stuck by me since elementary school and middle school.  One is now my sister-in-law, and the other has been a sister to me in more ways than she'll ever know. 

{I'm thankful} for grandparents and aunts and uncles who love the Lord and who have been a beautiful reflection of His love to me over the years.

{I'm thankful} for a man who, I am convinced, is the most wonderful man in existence.  He has never been one to sing me love songs or recite poetry, but I'll be darned if he hasn't loved me better than any person ever could.  He's my dream come true.

Above all, {I'm thankful} for His love.  Everything beautiful and lovely comes from Him, and there could never be a gift greater than the cross.  That's real love, y'all.

So happy Valentine's Day, you guys!  What are you thankful for today?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

* I feel the need to clarify that I actually can't stand Nicholas Sparks books.  I'm definitely talking about the movie because Ryan Gosling + Rachel McAdams = PERFECTION.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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You know what?

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Today, {I'm thankful} for dinners with sweet friends.

{I'm thankful} for a husband who worked late last night, stopped and got groceries, and then made it most of the way home before he realized that he forgot my heartburn medicine.  So he drove right back to the store to pick it up. #whyishesoperfect?

{I'm thankful} to have gotten the Etsy shipment notification for Grace's crib bedding.  I seriously cannot wait to see how it turned out!

{I'm thankful} for my best friend who has spent hours editing photos, trying to send them to me, realizing that they were too big to email, loading them onto Photobucket for me to see, attempting to order canvases, and finally realizing that the Groupon codes I sent her weren't working.  I'm trying to order some large canvases of blown up Paris/London pictures for our game room, and it has been an ordeal.  Lauren's such a trooper, though, and I know they're going to look fabulous once I can call Groupon and give them a piece of my mind...

{I'm thankful} to have already gotten some fun questions for Micah and I to answer.  If you haven't submitted one yet, you totally should - we're looking forward to answering them!  Go here to leave us a comment.

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

January 24, 2013...

My Darling Grace,

There are moments when I feel like I might burst with the anticipation of meeting you.  I imagine what your little eyelids and lips and toes will look like.  I wonder what shade of blue your eyes will be.  I think about the person you'll become and pray with all my might that you will come to adore Him the way your Daddy and I do.

And then I just thank my lucky stars that I get to be your mom.  Because whether you wind up with my chubby hands or your Dad's dazzling smile, you will still be ours; you will be the most beautiful girl in the world to us.  And we will love you to the moon and back.

Only eighty-five more days until I see your face.  I'm counting down the seconds.

Love,

Mommy

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What are you thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!


Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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It's the small things that are filling my heart with thankfulness this week, y'all.

{I'm thankful} that I got to work from home, curled up in a warm blanket, when Texas decided to give us a little more snow on Tuesday.

Those of you who have to deal with real snow on a regular basis probably laugh at us southerners who can't seem to function when the white stuff starts falling.  But after Micah spent 45 minutes trying to go 5 miles on the highway, slipping and sliding multiple times, he turned around and came back home and informed me that I wouldn't be going anywhere that morning.  Who was I to argue?  

 

{I'm thankful} to have come home last night to a kitchen full of freshly chopped veggies, all ready for me to throw them in PW's Summer Stir Fry.  It was delicious, y'all.  

 

And relatively healthy.  But don't skimp on the butter because it absolutely makes the dish. :)

{I'm thankful} that Hobby Lobby had all the things I needed to finish up a project I've been wanting to get to for weeks now.  Here's a little sneak peek.

I'll have the details for you in a few days. :)  

{I'm thankful} that Miss Grace has been especially active this week.  In addition to her kicks and jabs, I've felt other kinds of movement (still not sure exactly what's going on down there, but apparently she's having a good time), and I'm loving it.  So, so sweet.

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!       

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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It's Thursday,  y'all.  You know the drill by now... :)

{I'm thankful} for the rain.  The Dallas area has gotten almost two whole days of rain, and I love it.  It feels lame to be thankful for the weather, but I seriously adore sleepy, rainy days... even if I would rather be enjoying them curled up in bed.

{I'm thankful} that, although work has been tough this past week (a few of my favorite people left to start their own firm), He is reminding me that all things work together for His good and glory.

{I'm thankful} that my sweet husband stuck a Golden Grahams Chocolate Marshmallow treat in my purse this morning.  Have you guys tried those things?  Holy goodness, they're scrumptious.

{I'm thankful} for lots and lots of kicks and movement this week.  I just can't get enough...

And {I'm thankful} that tomorrow's Friday!  This is my first full week back at work in awhile, and it's whooping my tail.

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays...

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Want to know what I'm thankful for today?

{I'm thankful} that four years ago today, this handsome man made me his for the rest of forever.

In the past four years, we...

... graduated college (Micah) and law school (me).

... adopted a crazy puppy who has stolen both of our hearts.

... moved across the state, back home to our families.

... started our first, real grown-up jobs.

... bought our first house together.

... became an aunt and uncle.

... found out we were having a baby!

... traveled to Europe to explore a beautiful city.

... fell more in love with one another each and every day.

From the time we started dating ten years ago, I kept wondering how it could get any better.  And then it did.  Again and again.  I can't even fathom how in love I'll be fifty years from now.  All I know is that I'll be somewhere, old and grey-haired, holding the hand of the man who stole my heart with a puppet and never gave it back. 

What are you guys thankful for?  Link up and tell us!



Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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Things I suck at:  getting my crap together ahead of time. 

Maybe that's why I didn't buy my office Christmas presents until yesterday. 

Maybe that's why I STILL have Christmas presents to buy and wrap... for a gift exchange on Sunday.

And maybe that's why I'm throwing together a hastily-typed Thankful Thursdays post from my hotel room.  (I'm a couple of hours from home for a hearing tomorrow.)  I already took my contacts out, and I can barely see the screen, so don't judge if there are significant typos. :)

Needless to say, I haven'been able to devote much time to things I'm thankful for this week, but I can say this...

{I'm thankful} for a husband who loves me despite my (many) faults.  I won't pretend like he's perfect (although I will say that I think he's perfect for me...), but he gets pretty darned close.  Some days, I think my heart might burst from all the love I feel when I look at him.  And when I think of how much he already loves our little girl... I almost can't take it.  

So that's what I'm thankful for.  What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

 

Thankful Thursdays...

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Good morning, y'all!  Hope this week has flown by for you as fast as it has for me. 

{I'm thankful} for a very well-behaved little puppy girl. 

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We picked Lilly up from training on Monday, and we were so pleased with the results!  Before, she was incredibly fearful of other dogs and people.  While she'd usually obey our commands if we were at home, she wouldn't while we were out for a walk, and certainly not when other people/animals were around.  She now sits, lays, stays, comes, and heels without trouble.  We're still working on her jumping when people come through the door, but I'm hoping we can get that down soon. :)  (And isn't her little graduation cap just the cutest?)

 

{I'm thankful} that Micah seems to be feeling a teensy bit better.  This bug is lingering, though, and I'm ready for him to feel 100%.  It's rough seeing my strong man look so pitiful...

 

{I'm thankful} that I finally broke down and called the doctor so she could confirm that I don't, in fact, have listeriosis.  :) 

 

{I'm thankful} that, although the jet lag is still going strong (I fell asleep at 7:30 last night and woke up at 4:30 this morning), I've made myself get up and just go to work so that I can leave early.  I'm bound and determined, though, to make myself stay up until at least 9:00 tonight.  Fingers crossed...

 

{I'm thankful} that I finally started Christmas shopping.  Although I bet most of you are done or almost done already. :)

 

Alright, y'all, what are you thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

 

 

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays... (Hi from Paris!)

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Bonjour, friends!

We're still here in Paris, having a blast and eating tons of bread, cheese and French onion soup (although here they just call it onion soup... ;)).  I promise I'll be posting TONS of pictures when we get home, but for now I just wanted to drop in and say hello!  I hope your weeks are going wonderfully, and I'm so looking forward to catching up when we get back.  Until then, link up and tell us what you're thankful for this week!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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{I'm thankful} to have fallen asleep at 8:30 last night... and stayed asleep until 6:30 this morning.  Hallelujah, y'all!

{I'm thankful} that, while my doctor didn't have a definitive answer as to the cause of my late-night stomach and back pain, she did confirm that (1) it had absolutely nothing to do with the baby (amen!), (2) it wasn't pancreatitis or gallstones, and (3) based upon an elevated white blood cell count, I likely had some sort of infection, likely a GI bug that has been going around lately. 

{I'm thankful} that Lilly is settling into her training at the pet resort.  We decided that, rather than just boarding her while we'd be in France, we'd go ahead and send her for a two-week training program, and we dropped her off on Sunday.  We were hoping that the training would help with her anxious/fearful nature and get her better at following commands under distraction.  (She can sit, stay, come, lay, shake, and high-five all day long inside the house for Micah and me, but when she's somewhere else or other people are around, all bets are off.)  Unfortunately, the first couple of days of her training were rough.  She was so scared, that she wouldn't let anyone come into her kennel without growling at them.  But the trainer called on Tuesday and said that they made a LOT of progress.  They posted this picture on Facebook:

I may or may not have cried of happiness when I saw it. :)

And last, but definitely not least, {I'm thankful} that we leave for PARIS tomorrow!  I'll be Instagramming everything (you can follow along at @MrsHargrave), and I'll definitely try and check in for a post or two. :)

What are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.

Thankful Thursdays (Link Up!)...

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There is so, so much to be thankful for this week.

First, {I'm thankful} that we got the results from our quad screen on Tuesday, and everything is normal.  For anyone who, like me, had no idea what this was was until my doctor told me about it, a quad screen tests for elevated hormone levels related to certain genetic disorders, such as Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18.  We had no real reason to worry, but I was definitely relieved when my doctor's office called with the good news.  And then I realized that my life was going to be filled with moments like these, hoping and praying that our little one is safe, healthy, and happy.  Heaven help us when we hit the teenage years...

{I'm thankful} for this GORGEOUS weather we've got here in the Dallas area.  You will never ever hear me complain when the temperatures drop.  Bring on the peacoats and scarves, y'all! 

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{I'm thankful} to have snuck in another sushi lunch this week, this time with my mom.  (And lest any of you judge me, I promise I'm only eating the cooked stuff, and I'm staying within the weekly allotment for shrimp, etc.)  It's wonderful that she works just down the street from me because it means I get a little more one-on-one time with her every now and then.

{I'm thankful} that we're finding out the sex of the baby next week because I really need a push to get my butt in gear and start checking things off our to-do list.  I've basically done nothing so far, reasoning that we can't very well pick anything out until we know what we're having.  Now I'll have nursery colors to pick out, and all kinds of baby gear to ponder.  And speaking of baby gear, I'm thinking of doing a series on Tuesdays where I ask you guys to chime in on your suggestions for strollers, carseats, bassinets, bottles, etc.  I figure you guys are probably my best resource for tried and true suggestions, and I fully intend on taking advantage of you!

Alright, gals, what are you guys thankful for this week?  Link up and tell us!

Also linking up with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, First Day of my Life, kate says stuff, and  a punk a pumpkin and a peanut.