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Category: books

books/Type 1 Diabetes

Hays’ Type One-Derful Journey

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Jolie / 0 Comment

Shortly after the boy left the hospital with a diagnosis of Type One Diabetes, he began writing a book. (Remember, he was five at that time.) He wanted to share...

2017/Adoption/baseball/be still/books/Jeep Life/summer

Currently…

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Jolie / 0 Comment

Currently, I am winding down my first year back in the classroom full-time. I forgot what a whirlwind that can be. Currently, I am thinking of things I want to ...

#teddyelf/books/Christ/Christmas/Elf on the Shelf/Teddy/wrapping

Christmastime is Here Again

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

+ So, Teddy Elf is doing minimal work this year. Maybe he has a lot going on. Maybe he moved recently and is still out of sorts. Maybe it’s just a lot of ...

#buildingthegrayhouse/#mailthatmatters/Baby Gray/books/football/George Strait/Legos/Purpose Box/subscriptions/Tuesday 10/Tuesday ten/Type 1 Diabetes

Tuesday Ten: Lots of New Edition

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

1. We’ll start with the big new: the boy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last Tuesday. I’ll share the story soon, but for now, we are settling in...

#26bookswithbringingupburns/Aggie/Amazon/books/football/Happy House/Purpose Box/Tuesday 10/Tuesday ten

Tuesday Ten: Random Edition

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

I find that when I’m missing big chunks around here I just slap it all in a Tuesday Ten. It seems to work. Sometimes I just have random thoughts to throw ...

books/movies/never/running/travel/WalMart

I Have Never…

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

… watched Downton Abbey (as a matter of fact, I actually thought it was Downtown Abbey for quite some time). … run a full marathon. As I explained t...

books/reading

Get Your Read On

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

Lots of folks are talking about books these days. Seems like everywhere I look there’s a book challenge, a friend looking for a recommendation, or a Faceb...

books/currently/Netflix

Currently…

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

This is a judgment-free zone. I repeat, this is a judgment-free zone.

#fridayintroductions/Aggie/books/football/reading

So Many Thoughts, A Lot Less Time

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

+ I feel like I have a bunch of ideas rattling around in my head. I don’t really know what to do with them all just yet. I’ll just keep shaking them...

2014/books/reading

My Book Stack

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

It’s virtual, of course, but the content is the same. How do you choose what to read? Do you choose the book by its cover? (I do.) Do you choose articles ...

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Hi, I’m Jolie…

jolie-gray
Wife to Josh, mama to Hays (7), hopeful adoptive mama, and Jesus lover. I founded Purpose Box in July of 2014. I'm all about open sunroofs and coffee dates. Welcome to my space; have a click around. I hope you feel loved, encouraged, and empowered.

Texas forever.

Purpose Box

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As I woke to the calendar flipped to March this mo As I woke to the calendar flipped to March this morning, it really made me think about this past year. 

I wrote and prayed with a bit of a different perspective. I thanked God for the lessons in empathy and love. I thanked Him for the slowdown and family time, just as our years with the boy begin their downhill slide. I thanked Him for safety and health that we so often take for granted. 

How can you reframe your focus as we step back into March? How can a year that has seemed to be full of differences and inconveniences turn into blessings in your life?
Little Sunday afternoon baseball—good for the so Little Sunday afternoon baseball—good for the soul.
This morning, mid-workout, I walked out and said, This morning, mid-workout, I walked out and said, “Do you know we’ll be married 15 years this year?” 

Y’all. The fives and tens get me. How am I old enough to have been married that long? 

Sometimes I think back to the 16 year-old girl who knew she would marry this guy. She had no idea what she was signing up for—she couldn’t have dreamt how great he would be as a husband, a father, a leader, a friend, a confidant. 

So, while we’re a few months off, I’m still here. In awe of my calculation. Wondering how it could have flown by and been a lifetime all at once—but, you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!
Turns out, I like it a lot better when we travel t Turns out, I like it a lot better when we travel to the snow and not vice versa. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

Couple of thoughts: 
• offer heaps of grace and patience in the return to regularly scheduled programming
• choose to believe people are doing the best they can with what they have
• offer what you’re able
• check in on those around you

This week’s experience was different for every single person I have spoken to, even those very close in proximity.

Teacher friends, jumping to you for a second here, remember that each of your kiddos will have experienced this week differently, too, when they get back to you Monday (or whenever they are able). Some will have spent the time cuddled up, playing games, enjoying the snow with hot cocoa. Others will have been freezing, alone, and scared. Meet them where they are. Academic needs may not be the forefront upon return, and that’s okay. A hug and a smile goes a long way.
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