2013/aquarium/Baby Gray/family/family day/fish/fun/love/Mr. Gray

Aqua-family

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

Wednesday, Mr. Gray took the afternoon off so we could head to Houston and spend a little time as a family before he headed out early Thursday morning. We took Baby Gray to the Downtown Aquarium, and we had an absolute blast!

We checked out the animal exhibits first.

Jelly
Fish
Ship
Love
Tiger

Then we headed outside for some rides. Baby Gray’s favorite was by far the train through the shark tunnel. I lost count of how many times we rode it! He wasn’t sure about the carousel before it got going, but once it was on the move, he was in love. We had such a fun time.

Swinging
Sharks!

Photo Bomb
Baby Gray with the photo bomb!
Ferris Wheel
Riding
Carousel
Up We Go

Baby Gray has been talking about this trip for days.

Family
Aquarium

Waterfall

I’m so glad we were able to enjoy this time as a family.

2013/anniversary/family/love/Mr. Gray/relationships/wedding

Lucky Number Seven

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

Seven years ago today, Mr. Gray and I said “I do.” It was the best and most powerful statement I’ve ever made.

Engagement copy
JJWED0250
JJWED0637
JJWED0606

This is the first anniversary we’ve ever spent apart, although it is with good reason. We’ve come a long way since 2006, and I wouldn’t trade a second of it. We have completed degrees, celebrated first jobs, bought our first home, brought home our first child, and so, so much more. I can’t wait to see what is in store for our future!

Jolie 147A

Since we knew Mr. Gray would be gone, we celebrated early. Wink has been on our radar for quite some while, but we’d never made it to dinner. We headed that way for a dinner date and were met with a personalized menu to boot!

Anniversary Dinner

It was such a fun evening together to recharge and reconnect before Mr. Gray left.

2013/Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/Mr. Gray/terrific twos/toddler/Ukraine

Pack it Up!

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

As I’ve mentioned, this was a week of preparing and packing as we got ready for Mr. Gray to head out yesterday. Baby Gray didn’t mind that this required a few trips to Academy!

Academy

(We actually stopped by Academy after we dropped Mr. Gray off as well, and much to Baby Gray’s surprise, they had maroon helmets! It wasn’t 100 percent satisfaction, though, because the maroon helmets didn’t have masks.) 

Helmet

While we were out gathering gear, we found a perfect stool for Baby Gray’s bathroom, too! I think he likes it.

Stool

You wouldn’t buy something before you tried it, would you?

Shorts

While we packed for the Ukraine, we discovered Mr. Gray’s safety goggles from Moore. Baby Gray was lovin’ ’em!

Safety Goggles

Plus, there were the fun hats Aunt Carrie brought for the photo booth last Friday!

Grad Party
Celebrate

2013/Aunt Carrie/Baby Gray/graduation/high school/nephews/ten years

Ten Years

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Friday evening, I sat in the stands of our hometown football field and watched my oldest nephew graduate. I’m so proud of him and the young man he has become.

Recessional

I couldn’t help but think how cool it is for so many of us in our family to have walked that same field–with me being the last until now. I don’t feel like it’s been ten years since it was me. I’m pretty sure I’m not old enough for that. I remember where I sat, what I wore, who I sat by (how could I forget that? It was so much drama). I don’t for a second want to go back, nor do I by any means think high school was the best time of my life. I love the things I’ve learned and grown through since that time. I love where I am now. That’s all I can pray for T (and the rest of those kids, too–I’ve watched them grow up as well): that they will be able to look back in ten years and be proud of where they are and where they came from.

GM

We headed to celebrate afterward, and had a great time. Baby Gray ate his weight in sugary junk food and tried on every prop in the photo booth (Aunt Carrie is always prepared with the props).

Celebrate
Tinsley
TLT & A

By the way, I’ve always been told it’s weird that we graduate on our football field. Where did you graduate?

2013/Baby Gray/books/library/reading/Spanish

Uno Pig

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

Our second trip to the library was not nearly as happy as our first. See, on the second trip to the library, books are returned. This wasn’t exactly what Baby Gray had in mind.

Once he figured out it was like a mail drop, though. he was perfectly fine with it. In fact, I’m surprised books were all that he dropped. 

Drop

And, just like with the mail, he had to make sure the books were secure down there.

Where Did It Go

We headed back to the children’s room, and once again, he was in awe. He seems to be drawn to the Spanish books for some reason.

Spanish

He brought me one about pigs, and when I told him I couldn’t read it because it was in Spanish, he said, “I can!” He opened it up, pointed to a pig and said, “Uno pig,” pointed to another and said, “uno pig.” Closed it up and looked pleased. And that, my friends, is how you read in Spanish.

Baby Gray/diapers/independent/potty training/toddler/underwear

Gettin’ There

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

We are right in the throes of potty training (rest assured, it isn’t as bad as throes implies–I just really like that word). Hence, all the naked photos of my child lately.

Naked

A few things I never really thought about until these last few days:

  • It is easier to let him be sans clothes than to forget he doesn’t have on a diaper until there is a mess to clean up
  • A cold shower teaches more than I ever could
  • It requires more gear to have a potty training child than a kid in diapers (extra clothes, a mini-potty in the back of the car for those times getting to a restroom isn’t possible, M&Ms for rewards, hand sanitizer, etc, etc, etc)
  • It takes a lot longer to get a kid of out of the house when he’s not in diapers
  • Car trips take much longer with toddler-bladder-timed stops
  • I’ve been in more public bathrooms in the past three days than the past three years (no, really)
  • Little explorers want to touch all the new, cool things in every public bathroom

Baby Gray/faith/love/mission/Mr. Gray/parenting/Ukraine

Hunting & Gathering

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After relishing in a full weekend of family time before Mr. Gray heads out this week, Baby Gray and I hit the ground running this morning. We were off bright and early, and we’ve picked up stuff for Mr. Gray’s trip at every stop. 

Gathering


I’m pretty sure Baby Gray is enjoying our little outings to gather supplies. It has been a great way for us to bring the love of Christ to life for him. We talk about where Mr. Gray is going, and what he’ll be doing. We are able to talk about being generous and being a blessing because we are blessed. While he may not fully understand the actual impact of the trip, but Baby Gray is still internalizing enough to make an impression on his future.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. –Matthew 28:19”


2013/Baby Gray/fashion/Fashion Friday/independent/Mr. Gray/toddler/Ukraine

Safety First

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Oh, this child of ours. I cleaned out toys last night, and the majority of what he has is stuff he can wear (or stuff he wears anyway). He loves dressing up and pretending! I love his imagination and how it’s developing. So much fun!

Safety First

“Are you ready, Super Spy Mom? Put your glasses on; we’re going on a mission.” 

Spy Kid

He has been lovin’ all the extra soccer balls we have around the house for Mr. Gray’s trip! 

Soccer Head

We have been in the water almost every day for the past couple of weeks–swimming requires lots of gear! 

Goggles
Backpack
Bucket Head

2013/faith/love/marriage/mission/Montreal/Mr. Gray/Oklahoma/Ukraine

While He’s Away

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

One of my biggest concerns about Mr. Gray’s trip to the Ukraine is being home without him for ten days. I don’t do well when he is not home. He is our protector, provider, and leader (note: not Protector, Provider, Leader). Our home is off balance without him. While I was making plans and trying not to dwell on it, God just took it from me.

Oklahoma

Mr. Gray went with a team from Revolution to work in Moore Sunday through Tuesday–Annie got to go, too. While he was gone, I was able to sleep (albeit, I had the lights on, but I was out). This is unusual for me without him. I usually toss and turn, wake at noises, and am generally more tentative without him. Not this trip. We went about our days, had plenty of things to do to keep it from being monotonous, and got good rest. I have no other reservations.

Flag

I love seeing God bring about good from worldly situations. And, while it in no way minimizes the terrible results of the tornado that tore through Moore last week, it does help hearts. God completely prepared my heart for the great work He is going to do through Mr. Gray’s trip. Even though I will not actually be traveling (this time–I will be a go-er soon! Oh hey, Montreal, what comfort zone?) with Mr. Gray, his trip will change our family. We have been praying for God to use this trip to make an impact. I know He will.