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Category: crafts

crafts/create/journal/me time/mom/reading/spa

Making Time for Me

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

I make it a point to do some things just for me on a regular basis. I don’t want to be rundown, tired, and not at my best when trying to be the best mom a...

2014/crafts/diy/gifts/Happy House/kid-made/teacher appreciation

You Rock!

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

One of Baby Gray’s favorite things to do is decorate rocks. Why not oblige and let him create what he loves while giving a great big thank you to his teac...

2014/Baby Gray/crafts/Easter/friends/Happy House/Printables/treats

kas-ka-ron-ez

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

Baby Gray has been all about cascarones this Easter season. So, naturally, we had to figure out a little treat for his class so he could share some. I have had ...

2014/Baby Gray/crafts/kid-made/Valentine's Day

Won’t You Be My Valentine?

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

A few weeks ago at Target, Baby Gray picked out supplies to make valentines for his class. I found blank red cards and let him choose the rest (stickers, foam s...

2014/crafts/create/decorating/diy/do/make/Valentine's Day/winter

A Banner Year

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Last spring, I found a cute felt bunting at Target that graced our mirror on the living room wall until it was time to change decor. I loved having it there. I&...

2013/Aggies/art/Baby Gray/baking/Christmas/crafts/Elf on the Shelf/Halloween/Johnny Football/preschool/Teddy/tips/tricks/writing

She Thinks She’s All That Because She’s So Popular

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Actual words spoken by one of the girls I used to babysit. Words to live by. Really, though, check out what was most popular for The Gray Matters in 2013. ...

2013/activities/Baby Gray/crafts/Halloween/how to/projects

Halloween How-To

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Usually, when September 1st rolls around, I have Mr. Gray dig my fall boxes out of the attic so I can get a little decor going around here. Unfortunately, this ...

2012/Baby Gray/Christmas/crafts/paint

Crafting, and Baking, and Wrapping, Oh My!

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Wow! I don’t know if it was Vegas or illness, or what, but I am so behind (or I feel behind, anyway).  We finally got our Christmas crafts done, but ...

applique/books/crafts/gifts

Just for You

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

What started as a cute idea or two has quickly turned into my own personal creative challenge. I have always tried to give theme-y, thoughtful gifts, but lately...

2012/Baby Gray/crafts/gratitude/growing up/Revolution/thank you

Planting the Seeds

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Two Sundays ago was Baby Gray’s last Sunday in the nursery. We have such wonderful ladies in the nursery who love and care for our children when we are at...

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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

purpose-box

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If you saw my post yesterday, you know our endo ap If you saw my post yesterday, you know our endo appointment Thursday threw me for a loop. 

The best way I can describe it is feeling like the rug was pulled out from under me. I no longer knew which data was good. I had two data points on polar ends of the spectrum. 

My heart of hearts was telling me my large sample (the Dexcom data) was right. I know what we do day in and day out. I know what the math looks like for that size sample of information and the risk of error that large. 

My reading yesterday morning was about lamenting—crying out to God. As I journaled, I prayed, “Show me which data is good. Show me how to go forward in the best, healthiest way for the boy.” 

I had already shopped in-home A1C tests online. I called around and checked locally. One of our local pharmacies had one and pulled it back for me. Based on price and location, I was expecting a store-brand version—which still works. Instead, I was met with the better brand with good reviews all over the internet. 

All I needed was a set of numbers to match the info I had—or at least be in the middle to bring some light to the subject. I needed to be back on a solid foundation. I needed to know which data to use to drive decisions for the boy’s care. 

After school, we came right in and took the test. It matched our initial information from the Dexcom. Back on solid ground. Back to firm footing. Back to solid data-driven decisions. 

Mamas, trust your gut.

I’ll tell you, our doctor already knew I was leery before we left the office. She ran a second test for me (same machine) to verify. I am not upset or angry or even disappointed. We just needed more information. I’m grateful for the resources and opportunity to have it.
Yesterday the boy had his regular endo check up. I Yesterday the boy had his regular endo check up. I sort of left feeling a little bit like each one of our faces here. 

👨🏻 The face-value smile: On paper, what we are doing is working well. (Paper for us is our Dexcom info.) 

👦🏼 The hiding face: But—for some reason it did not translate to his A1C this round. 

💁🏼‍♀️ The absolute adoration for our boy: YES! He rocked his lab work yesterday. He asked good questions. He is growing and learning how to manage this condition on his own. 

Honestly, I left pretty disappointed and disheartened because our work on paper didn’t match what his lab info showed.

An A1C is not the only measure of what we’re looking for, but if that’s off it makes me doubt our readings, time in range, etc that we are always striving to improve and do our best with. If the data we are working with isn’t accurate, it’s not driving us to good decisions. 

I don’t say any of this for sympathy or a mom shout out or a hug or a pity party, but merely to encourage you if you’re walking through something similar. 

Today I’m going to shake it off, make a plan for double-checking our data and keep on trucking. Diabetes doesn’t stop for me to regroup and rethink. It’s all on the fly.

So, fly we will!
“If I wait on the world to tell me when to stop, “If I wait on the world to tell me when to stop, I never will.” — @handsfreerevolution 

As a family, we have made some choices that allow us time to be home more, time to be together more, time to be in our kitchen more, at our table more, you get the picture. 

I recently had someone tell me that I wouldn’t have all the time I had to get things done if I had their schedule. And they’re right. And it’s intentional. 

Each family has to find their fit. And for us, this is ours. We are over half-way done with the boy’s time at home. Soon he’ll have extra curricular obligations that we’ll have less control over the when and how of. So, for now, we’ll take the time to stop because it’s our time to take.
Rhythm. Once again, I came into the week of the Rhythm. 

Once again, I came into the week of the new year with no words or expectations. 

Lately, God has been showing me more about rhythm. Routine. Seasons. Cycles. 

2020 allowed us to take a step back. To focus on the important. To major on the majors. As things begin to return to “normal,” there are some things I don’t want to shift in my heart. I want to hold on to the rhythm of rest. The rhythm of grace. The rhythm of ministry and love and fulfillment. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30
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