2013/discipline/grocery store/independent/love/shopping/terrific twos/toddler

To the Good People of the Grocery Store, With Love

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 8 Comments

Dearest people of the grocery store aisles:

Thank you, yes all of you, for your help as I carted my crying toddler around the store while I shopped. I’m sure that was unpleasant for you. I know it was unpleasant for me. And for him as well. Oh, yes, he was alright. Thank you for asking. No, that is not the norm. Thank you for your age-based speculation. No, I didn’t need to “take him to the restroom.” I just needed to be consistent while I shopped, which is not easy as it is, much less with so much help from a store full of strangers.

Why, yes, I could have just left the store, but then who would have won the battle? I could also have let him have what he was asking for, but again, then what would he have learned?

And, you there, in the floral department, the one who screamed, “Who’s that making all that noise?” at my already upset child, thank you, especially, because raising your voice at him sure helped to quiet him down.

For as bad off as I may have appeared pushing the basket full of crying around yesterday, you all made me feel so much worse than it was. I stuck to my convictions. I did what was right by my child. You didn’t make it any easier. But I thank you–I thank you for pushing me, for allowing me to know that I can stand my ground even when it’s tough.

HEB

Oh, good people of the grocery store, you might be wondering how I know I did the right thing. You see, when we got out of the store, no squeezie or donut to be had, this little boy of mine, the one you were all so concerned about said, “Mom, I’m sorry for hitting. I will make good choices.”

And that’s what it’s all about.

Much love,
Mrs. Gray

2013/faith/family/love/mom/Mother's Day/scripture

Rockin’ Mother’s Day

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a long, delicious lunch with most of the women in our combined family. It is such a blessing to have such loving ladies pour into us and invest in our family.

Family

More than ever this year, I was aware of the women in my life who are longing to bring home children of their own, and I am so grateful for each of them and the love the offer to Baby Gray. I have learned a lot about being a mother from watching them aspire to such.

Thank you to each of the women in my life who have shaped me and offered wisdom and encouragement along the way!

To top it all off, I got my first hand-made gift from Baby Gray. He might have spilled the beans when he got home last week, but it was still a nice surprise!

Rock
“My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.” –Proverbs 6:20-21

2013/Annie/Christmas/gifts/mom/Mother's Day/rockstar

Signs Your Mom is a Rockstar

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Find out if your mom is a rockstar–in just a few quick steps!

1. Pin something you want to Pinterest. Any ol’ thing will do.

2. Forget you pinned it.

3. Receive the coolest item ever for Christmas.

4. Wonder how she knew you’d love it.

5. Finally log into Pinterest for something else and see the coolest item ever on your boards. 

6. Realize (again) your mom is a stinkin’ rockstar.

cousins/nephews/Ranch/senior/shooting/tractor

Just Short of Pinchin’ his Cheeks

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

In last week’s mail, I got a graduation invitation from my oldest nephew. I might have cried a little.

Invitation

Then this weekend, he went to his senior prom. Senior.

 Prom

I’m just going to hope he doesn’t read this (who am I kidding?) while I dote on him for a bit.

Shooting

I was in fourth grade, sitting in Mrs. Laster’s class when the secretary called over the intercom for me to get my things and come to the office. I could see our car out the classroom window, so I knew it was time to go to the hospital. All my friends made fun and called me Aunt Jemimah, but I didn’t care–I was excited. We got there, and I remember holding him before he had even had a bath or anything. My sister-in-law is a rock star, so she was up, walking around, and had her make up on. It was such a fun day for our family.

Hogs

This kid is the first time I remember really learning how to love someone beyond myself (granted, I was only 10, but still). As he’s grown, he’s kept me in the loop. I get text messages in the middle of the night with that night’s kill or an invitation to come see it if we’re close. He takes time to acknowledge Baby Gray and let him climb all over his new truck–while he really has other places to be, I might add. He’s just a good kid.

Hog

He’s a great role model for his younger brother (who isn’t too far behind) and all the cousins anyone can imagine (my sister-in-law is one of ten, so they have a huge family). I’m so proud of him; I can’t believe it’s already time for him to go off to school!

2013/confessions/secret

Sharing is Caring

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Last week, I had a confession–that I couldn’t remember. As I drove down the highway yesterday, it came back to me.

Highway

It’s not as funny now as I originally thought it was. Maybe I won’t share after all.

Okay, I will. I’ll share the forgotten confession. Drum roll, please.

I check the mail for money before I leave the house. Every time. (See? It’s not that funny anymore.) If I’m leaving the house and the mail carrier has already come, I’m checking. A big thanks to Rooster for notifying me of his arrival. NOT!

Rooster

Do I receive money in the mail often, you might be wondering; no, no I don’t. But I won’t miss it if I do!

When I was in college, Granddaddy would send me a check every month. (I hope he did that for the rest of you, or I just spilled the beans!) I loved when those checks came! Papa would send a me check every now and then, too. So I still check for money. Daily. These days it’s mostly Lego Club Junior (it’s free; get it for the kids) and Highlights High Five that fill the mailbox, but I’m ready when the money starts rolling in!

Christ/clothes/faith/love/scripture

Rebel at Heart (Stop Laughing)

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

While at Target, I often frequent the clearance rack. Sometimes things are first-markdown worthy (as in, I would be sad if they got away). Other times, I wait it out to see how cheap they’ll get. Several weeks ago, I spotted this sweatshirt-type shirt with a screen print on it that I couldn’t get out of my mind. I didn’t buy it because it’s nothing like anything I usually wear. Well, that, and it says, Rebel at Heart. If you know me at all, you understand the irony. I’m a rule-follower to a fault.

Rebel at Heart

A week or so later, it had been marked down to $6.00, and I was still thinking about it, so I went for it.

It’s been at my house now for a couple of weeks. I wasn’t able to bring myself to wear it. I mean, really? Rebel at Heart? Right.

So, early Saturday morning, while I was wide awake, I opted for a little Bible reading instead of finishing up The Great Gatsby (anyone else super excited about that movie?) during my spell of 3:00 to 4:00 am insomnia. I came across this scripture as I read:

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. –Psalm 51:10-14

Did you catch that? Rebels: sinners, transgressors. Yes. I am a rebel at heart. Try as I may, I fall short of the glory of God. Only through Christ am I able to get to The Kingdom. As a Christ follower, I am called to reach out to fellow rebels and share Christ. I am called to use my words, my actions, my attitudes, my parenting, my whole life as a reflection of Christ’s love.

So, I have no idea if I’ll wear the shirt or not, but I’ll certainly use it as a reminder of my call. (If I do wear it, now I’ve got a great conversation starter, too!)

Baby Gray/faith/Fashion Friday/growing up/independent/love/prayer/toddler

Mushy Gushy Friday

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

I am grateful each day for this little boy. He is growing up all too fast, but I love seeing his creativity and personality blossom.

Fedora

I am so proud of the boy he is becoming and the man he will become.

Headband

He says things each day that astonish me; I honestly forget he is only two sometimes.

Helmet

We laugh, play, and have lots of fun, all while learning and exploring this big new world God has given him to roam.

Pony

I love that he is so much like his daddy–already holding doors and using his manners without prompting.

SHOES

His heart is so sweet and pure. I pray he will continue to love that way as he grows. 

Helmets

I pray he will find a wife that loves the Lord and loves him (she doesn’t have to let him wear her shoes).

Heels

I know he will grow up and begin to explore his independence, but I am so grateful for our mom and son relationship. It gives me a bit of an edge, you know? 

Glasses

Words can’t even express my gratitude that this sweet boy has been entrusted to us.

2013/Aggie/Baby Gray/confessions/food/football/late/Mr. Gray/secret/truth

I Had Something to Write About, But I Forgot

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

I’ve been meaning to confess something goofy I do all the time, but I keep forgetting to write about it. Now that I’m siting here to write, I’ve got nothing even remotely close rattling around in my brain.

Instead, I’ll share a few different ones. Maybe I’ll think of it in the meantime.

1. I hate to get the oil changed in my car. Hate. Like, 1500+ miles overdue hate.
(The only possible exception here is if someone can pick me up so I don’t have to wait on it.)

2. I think it is super rude and inconsiderate when people are late. I have gotten so much worse about this since Baby Gray came on the scene, and it is embarrassing when I am late places. I am trying to do better.

3. I still eat cold or room temperature SpaghettiOs on a regular basis. Yes, I’m serious.

4. I have a mild fear of the dark. I turn on lights from right outside the threshold–just in case!

5. I plan our trips around food and where we can stop along the way (even if it’s just a trip 30 miles up the road to our hometown).

Case in point:

Baby Gray on a large armadillo named Barbadilla because I realized it was only a few minutes out of the way to go to Perini Ranch Steakhouse on our trip to the panhandle.

Barbadilla

6. I like the volume on the TV to be set to a multiple of five–even when 20 is too quiet and 25 is too loud.

7. To my knowledge, I have never experienced a runner’s high.

Wide-2998

8. I  am unreasonably optimistic about our football team this year. Optimism rarely ends well for an Aggie.

9. It’s making me a little crazy that I still don’t remember what I originally wanted to confess. I’m sure it’s food related. It’s always food related with me.