2014/30 Before 30/goals/half marathon/run/running

Run Rant: What You See

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

When you run 13.1 miles with 1000+ people, you’re bound to see a thing or two to talk about. I’m not the runner who goes out dressed up and fancy free, but I love seeing what others come up with.

Run
  • Davy Crockett costume or two (hey, it was the Alamo 13.1)
  • A barefoot runner (literally) 
  • A guy in hot pink shoes 
  • A guy running with a girl on his shoulders 
  • Tutus of all colors and sizes
  • A super cool iPad mount for the stroller (where do I get that?) 

Not to mention all the sights you see around the city when you’re on foot instead of in the car. By the way, Texas State, Trinity University might be giving you a run for your money on the hill situation. 

 

#SheReadsTruth/#SheSharesTruth/2014/faith/Jonah/Lent/scripture

#SheSharesTruth | Jonah 1-2

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

Friday brings another chance to share with #SheReadsTruth. Up this week, we’ve got Jonah 1-2.

Can you imagine? Can you even imagine–being thrown overboard, sinking, sinking, sinking, and then being swallowed up by a fish? I can’t. I certainly don’t think the first place my mind would go would be to thanking God. I’d be a terrified, doubting wreck.

But we’ve all been in the belly of a fish, haven’t we? It might have looked like cancer, a bad car accident, the loss of a loved one, or some other rock bottom, but we’ve all been there.

Thankfully, there’s good news! With our God, there’s always good news! He pulls us up from the pit! The grabs us from the mouth of the fish, scoops us into His loving arms, and rescues us. Every. Single. Time.

photo(2)

As we’re sinking through the ocean and being swallowed up by a fish, we may not see God’s bigger plan. It’s there. Spoiler alert: He always wins in the end.

 

2014/bed/crib/memories/sleep

Let It Lie

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

Ever since Baby Gray was actually a baby, I have been known to climb into his crib with him for a few snuggles. Even after we converted his bed to a toddler bed, I would still climb in, curl up, and hug my boy. I wouldn’t dream of turning down a time when he is still enough to snuggle with me–it’s rare!

Lately, though, he’s been pulling a play from my own book and asking to sleep on the floor.

Let It Lie

I love it! When I was younger, I rarely slept in my bed–unless it had a tent on top or a sleeping bag turned upside down over the covers. It was much more likely you would find me tucked tightly into a corner with a fort or tent and a little nest of blankets so small I could barely fit. I’d sleep under desks and dressers, just about anywhere, really.

It’s so fun to hang out on the floor with Baby Gray, read a book, and see him do a little silly sleeping of his own.

#SheReadsTruth/2014/blog/Facebook/faith/motherhood/writing

In the Boat

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

I started this blog almost four years ago with zero intentionality. I didn’t know if I would keep up with it. I had no idea if anyone would read it. Somehow though, I just kept writing.

Over time, I’ve grown in my writing. Some days it doesn’t look like it, but I can feel it. While I want there to be some element of a “memory book” here, I do also want it, above all else, to be a place to seek encouragement as moms, women, friends, and more. Someone else is in the same boat. We might be up the river a little further or slowly drifting up behind, but there is a whole lot of us in the same water, doing the best with what we have to keep on keepin’ on each day. Some days are easy; some are hard; some just make your heart sing.

I got this little note yesterday, and it was definitely one that made my heart sing:

It’s just a little something, but it is a great reminder. This is what it’s about for me. encouraging others and sharing the love Christ has for each and every one of us. Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing and responding. Thanks for being in my boat.

2014/Baby Gray/baking/cupcakes/race/Recipes/run/St. Patrick's Day

Let’s Go Plant Some Rainbows!

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

Somehow St. Patrick’s Day keeps turning into kind of a big deal around here. Last year, we made St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. (Be sure you click back to find an egg-free, kid-friendly recipe; we had so much fun with it!)

Cupcakes

This year, we went for a little green run on Saturday, complete with a bow tie and mustache of Baby Gray’s choosing.

Mustache

I’m not so sure he liked what he chose.

He did like the race, though–mine and his.

Green Out

When he came and finished with me, it melted my heart. They took photos from the finish line, and I can’t wait to see them.

Finish Line
Tot Trot Finisher

(If you haven’t yet, go check out the video of him finishing–hilarious! “I don’t want to do that.”)

Now he’s off to school with “rainbow seeds” to share–in his green shirt and bow tie. He even asked to try the mustache again, “I cried last time,” he said. (At least he’s self-aware–and uncertain the location of a mustache.) He asked for green pants, but I was unable to accommodate that request. Next year I’ll be more prepared.

Mustache
Beard

Off to do some rainbow planting!

Rainbow Seeds

Rainbow Seeds

Hope you find your pot of gold today!

#SheSharesTruth/faith/Lent/Psalm 38/scripture/She Reads Truth

#SheSharesTruth | Psalm 38

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 12 Comments

Last week, She Reads Truth started writing together on Fridays our response to a piece of scripture. This week, we read Psalm 38.

I’ll admit, this one took a lot more for me. Nothing jumped out at first. The more I read, though, and the more I picked apart, the more I saw how much we need a Savior.

As David is crying out, he is in physical and emotional pain. He is aching for a Savior. He is praying that no one will be boastful when he slips.

We are no different from David: we slip and fall, then we cry out to the Lord. Our hope has to be in Him. 

SheSharesTruth Psalm 38

When I was growing up, Grammie had a magnet on her refrigerator that had Romans 6:23 on it: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It was a visual trick, similar to this, where life and death were the same word depending on which way you turned the magnet. Our hope–our only hope–is in Him. We can’t do it alone. We don’t have to, though, unlike David, we’re not waiting on a Savior. He has already come. He has conquered death for us so that we may have hope. We have eternal life when our hope is in Him.

It is finished.

affiliate post/beauty/how to/Made by Munchie's Mama/manicure/Nailed It Decals/tips/tutorials

Nailed It!

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a nail gal. I had acrylic (gel, something) nails for most of high school and part of college, but now I’m mostly the girl who asks to have her nails buffed when she gets a manicure. Every now and then, though, I love something fun on my nails. It’s fun to branch out a little and do something different.

I bought several sets of Nailed It Decals for friends and family members for Christmas, and when Summer invited me to be part of her affiliate program, I thought it would be just the perfect fit!
As part of the Nailed It affiliate program I just mentioned, I did get to try these out compliments of Made By Munchie’s Mama. All opinions are my own, and all links support this blog. Over and out.  

Nailed It Decal Package

They’re as easy as 1, 2, 3!
(Unless you count queuing up your Netflix before you start, that takes it to four, I guess.)

Netflix

1. Apply your nail color and let it dry. (Can anyone else only do their nails right before bed or else risk ruining the polish?)

Polish

2. Apply decals and trim sides, if needed.

Apply & Trim

3. Apply two coats of clear top coat.

Add Top Coat

Voila!

Voila! Nailed It!

Want some of your own? Use code GRAY20 to get 20% off your Nailed It Decals (cannot be combined with other coupons or offers).

GRAY20
What are you waiting for? 

Baby Gray/baseball/football/movies/party/Pinterest/sick/Tuesday 10

Take Ten

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

1. We added a new baby to the Heart Group clan yesterday. She’s so precious. I just love new babies! Welcome, Baby Sister!

2. My heart breaks when my little guy is sick. He takes it in stride, but oh, I hate it.

Sick Day

3. Baby Gray’s football birthday party has been pinned over 500 times on Pinterest. That’s hardly viral or anything, but it just blows my mind. It’s my favorite party we’ve thrown (not just for him) by far, but I can’t believe that even with the photos that did get taken it’s generated that much interest. (By the way, feel free to pin or share–with credit, of course–anything you see around here. I’m all about sharing.)

4. I have two race weekends in a row coming up; I’m not sure it was wise of me to register back-to-back, but we’ll see. One’s only a 10K, so hopefully I will survive. The last time I did two in a row was the duathlon disaster. I’m going to go ahead and block that out now.

5. I realized yesterday that I have gotten away from the thoughtful little things I used to do for people. I want to get back to that. It’s not about me.

6. On the way home yesterday, Baby Gray asked Mr. Gray and I how long until football season. We helped him count the months, and he quickly replied, “No! That’s too long.” We have created a monster.

7. I entered Mr. Gray in this contest, and I can’t tell you how cool I think it would be if he won. I don’t even have words. (Don’t go enter, you’re ruining his chances! HA!)

8. I have a trip itch. Where’s your favorite beach destination?

9. Alamo Drafthouse is hosting a Bring It On quote-along. I mean, not that I want to go. If you want to go with me, I won’t tell if you won’t.

10. I decided on Sunday that I have the answer to the time change issue. We move the clocks back thirty minutes from our current time and call it good. No more time change. A little light in the morning, a little light in the evening, and we’re good to go. (Side note: except for the part where I can’t fall asleep the first night, I really don’t even care about the time change at all.)