I’m kind of a cookie dough junkie. It’s a good thing I’ve figured out how to make it good without the eggs, or I’d definitely be suffering from salmonella or something by now.
Just a Junkie
The Recap
We had the absolute best weekend! I got home from C3 late, late Friday night (it was actually Saturday morning if we’re being technical) and then we hit the ground running Saturday morning.
Sweet Baby E made her arrival Friday evening while I was still away, so I went over to visit Aunt B and Uncleby first thing Saturday morning (more on that to come).
Then it was time to head to our hometown for Mr. Gray’s alumni baseball game. I can’t begin to describe the memories that come back watching him on that mound where I watched him pitch so many innings so many years ago. (Annie took some great photos; I forgot my camera. Lovely.)
We headed home and just hung out. We didn’t do anything special, we were all showered and ready to lounge around by about 5:00. It was amazing. It’s rare we have time to do that. All three of us. At once.
Sunday was church and Baby Gray’s first rodeo! Oh good gracious did he have a blast! I am so glad we had an opportunity to take him.
We wanted him to milk the “cow,” but she scared him when she moo-ed, and that was that. For a kid that’s around cattle, it was pretty strange that a fake cow noise scared him. Pops and T-Paw might have to work on that–or, we’ll just start sending him to work with Mr. Gray!
He left saying he needed a black helmet, a vest, and a sheep so he could get ready to do the Mutton Bustin’ sometime. Eeek! I can’t wait!
Dizzy Baby
Is it any wonder he loves Home Depot so much? (I don’t mean Mr. Gray.)
The One In Which I Appear to Watch Many Movies
Since I’m not home for Valentine’s Day with Mr. Gray, I thought I’d relive one of my favorites from our past.
I’d like to claim I’m not a grand gesture kind of girl, but I’d be lying. I’ve watched one-too-many romantic comedies, and I’m pretty sure that skews my ideas about how real life should play out sometimes. Take, for instance, Valentine’s Day in high school while living at home with your parents (who are actual parents and not some non-existent role in a movie). That is quite the opportunity for a grand gesture, no?
Mr. Gray did it, though. I don’t remember if he picked me up or if I drove out to his house (does that mean it was a dream a la that Leonardo DiCaprio dream movie?), but when I got there, he had a card table in the living room, set for two. Candles were lit all over the room, including the fireplace. The kitchen was his staging area, but the lights were still low. The TV was on a music station rockin’ some love tunes, and he had all my favorite foods (even some that didn’t quite go with the dinner) prepared. He made it all himself. He paid such attention to detail. We had appetizers, dinner, and dessert. They were all delicious.
It was impressive. Not that I needed impressing at that point since I knew at sixteen I was going to marry him, but I more-than-appreciated the thought and detail that went into the dinner. It was one of my favorite evenings. It is one of those times that reminds me I don’t need Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram for life to be true. I don’t have a single photo from that evening, but I remember tons of details (not one of which is what I wore, which, if you know me is strange, strange, strange). Twelve years later, and he still picks up on the details.
Not My First Rodeo
We’ve been running around the last couple of weeks for stock shows, shoot outs, and calf scrambles.
Mal made the trip to the rodeo with me to watch L scramble since Mr. Gray had class. She was so disappointed she had to go. It was also unfortunate we had to see Reba. Terrible time. Please note the sarcasm.
We’re on the jumbotron!
We’ve still got a stock show or two to go, but it’s been fun so far.
Not to mention, they’re a bunch of rock stars: Mr. Mischief won Junior Showmanship; WBT made the sale; L caught at the scramble; and Miss A won a buckle at the shoot out (clearly, she’s not a nephew, but she counts).
Back to Center
Sometimes I start to feel like we’re always running, running, running.
I have to “come back to center,” so to speak and get focused on the scriptures that are so much a part of who I want to be in Christ. This morning, as I browsed things I had written when I was feeling similarly in the past, I couldn’t help but notice how much they still reflect my heart. I strive to be more like the Proverbs 31 woman as a wife, mother, and Christ-follower. I want my heart to reflect that attitude and for it to be visible from the outside as well. I want it to be so far in my core that it is who I am.
Earlier this week, I was reading about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), and I have really been praying and focusing on being Mary. I want to be at the feet of Jesus–or my husband or son–rather than being so caught up in the details. This is tough for me. This is also new; it’s something God has been revealing in the last seven days or so. I have been in prayer that I can be caught up in Jesus.
For a little more on how I’m feeling today; from the archives:
Why Ask Why?
Proverbs 31 Woman
Chronic
Hi, I’m Mrs. Gray, and I’m a chronic race-runner.
What?
What I’m trying to say here is that I’m terrible at working out unless I’m training for something. I like to work out. I have fun. I like to lift. I’m good at it. It’s just not always highest on my priority list.
I had the chance to work with a personal trainer last week, and it was a blast. I learned some new things, did some things I’d done before, and left feeling energized. Too bad he can’t train me at 4:30 am, which is when I’d prefer to be doing it.
For now, I’m only meeting with him once a month for a couple of months. It takes time out of our family time since I have to do it in the evenings, and I don’t love that. I’m going to get more consistent, though. I’m going to start working out more regularly. I’ll just have to start putting it on my calendar–along with anything else that actually needs to happen around here.
Plannin’ on Friday
Sometimes when a plan is made, a plan falls through.
Like the times the plan is to include funny outfits picked out by a two year old. Those times are just not working out.
Except when said two year old wears high heels that belong to his best pal Ella Bella all morning. That works. Plan executed.
Other times, it’s necessary to do a little stretching. Take, for instance, this King Ranch shirt.
It’s only noteworthy because I had one when I was little. Not that particular one, but the same one. King Ranch keeps it consistent. Baby Gray loves this shirt. I loved mine. Annie has one, too. They like to match; it doesn’t get any cooler than that.
He Leads
If someone had told me on that morning six months ago in booth eleven where we’d be today, I don’t know that I would have believed it. I can’t say where we’d be if that call hadn’t come as the waitress rounded the corner with our burgers, but I can say that we have grown and changed in the past six months.
We have learned, loved, and lived a little better. We have leaned in and relied on faith and faith alone. We have fallen down, but more importantly, we have gotten back up. We have had hard days and really good days. We have talked more and listened better. We have come together as a couple and as a family.
In the midst of circumstances that many would have taken with defeat, my husband led us. He led our family. I watched as he lived out 2 Samuel for his brother. Not only did he live it out, but it was instinctive; it was his first resort. As I was crashing and burning and worrying for him, he was living, breathing, sleeping his faith. I didn’t need to worry. I needed to follow suit. Days later, he stood at the pulpit of our hometown church and let God use him for good. He’s leading others as well.
I’m so proud of the man he is, the husband he is, the father he is. I’m grateful he’s here to lead us and help us grow–even when the going gets rough.
To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory. –Isaiah 61:3
Yeah, Fun
Wanna know what’s fun?
Road trippin’ with my boy to see the nephews, play in the dirt, and eat some of my favorite college foods.
Yeah, that’s fun.
Also fun? I saw both brothers last week (on two separate occasions), wearing equally brother-teasing-worthy (read: fabulous) outfits, and didn’t get made fun of once. They’re coming around. I don’t even think they asked me when we were going to cut Baby Gray’s hair. Yeah, they’re coming around.