2012/Baby Gray/Christmas/decorating/toddler

I’m Dreaming of a Felt Christmas

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Last year, I had every intention of putting a felt tree up for Baby Gray. Once we had the Christmas decor up, though, he didn’t touch any of it. I was surprised, but I decided to leave well enough alone.

I knew we wouldn’t have that kind of luck this year, so I pulled the felt stash out and cut the tree shape. I grabbed a few cookie cutters to trace ornament shapes and called it done (well except for a quick conversation to see if Ella Bella needed one, too).

photo 1
photo 2


It has been a hit. Baby Gray rounds up all the ornaments and makes sure they’re back on the tree each night before he goes to bed. And, don’t even think about putting a circle on the top of that tree!

Felt Tree


2012/Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/toddler

Sticky the Elf

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

I find I’m missing more and more of Baby Gray’s antics these days. The pickin’ is a little slim. 

A special thanks to the 12th Man Foundation for tons of fun. Who needs gift tags? 

Stickers


Dinner with friends? Who needs conversation? 

Ear Muffs


We helped Aunt Carrie and L decorate at Grandmommy’s this week. Aunt Carrie brought tons of cute hats, headbands, and glasses to spread some holiday cheer. Baby Gray wasn’t interested. This hat-wearin’ dude wasn’t havin’ it. It took quite a bit of coaxing. Strange. 

Elf


2012/Baby Gray/Elmo

Sing… Sing a Song

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Many moons ago (well, it was only a few weeks, but I am pretty behind around here), Mal and I took the kiddos to see Elmo Makes Music. 

Elmo1


They had a blast despite the fact that we were the mean moms who wouldn’t buy them over-priced merchandise! 

 
Elmo2 
Elmo3


We weren’t close enough for the characters to come by our seats this year, but I would love to know if Baby Gray is still scared of them like he was last year.

Christmas/generosity/giving/loss

Tis the Season to Give Money

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Fa La La La La La La La La… 

This is a completely and utterly shameless post in which I am going to exploit tax regulations in an effort to play on one’s pocket book. I said it. Shameless. Spend that money before December 31st–just pick some worthwhile places to do so. Don’t worry, I’ve gathered a few for you! Of course, there are many others, but get your heart in a giving mood!

The Christmas Offering. Our church does it every year. It’s a way to truly unleash generosity and ensure your money goes to spreading Christ throughout our community and beyond. We will be working to fund three very specific objectives: personnel, glocal (yeah, we make up words) outreach, and chairs.

Christmas Offering


When I first had the idea to do the Out of the Darkness Walk, I didn’t think I had enough time to raise more than $1000.00. I set my goal way too low. Now, as we approach December 31st (the actual deadline, but also the last day for tax deductions), I know that we can raise $3000.00. We are so close. If you are so inclined, please donate, or at least help spread the word. I’d love to know I had a hand in contributing to this organization in an effort to raise awareness about suicide and mental illness.


Compassion is a great place to sponsor children throughout the world. Children can be sponsored long-term, or there are special needs that can be met through one-time gifts. There are many other organizations that sponsor children as well. This is a great way to be generous as a family and include your children. They can write to the sponsor child and send little gifts. Baby Gray knows who Kassia is and talks about her as he sees her photo.


My good friend Dr. Suz is a missionary at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. We have been grateful to be able to support her in prayer and finances since she left her full-time career in academia (she still works part time in order to help her fund day-to-day expenses) to pursue the prayer movement.

Suz Skates

Just do it. Pick a place, any place (not even one of these necessarily) and be generous. Be a giver.


Just a heads up: I’m in no way affiliated with any of these places, nor will I benefit if you give. I’d just love to see everyone in a giving spirit this holiday season.

2012/Baby Gray/Christ/Christmas/Elf on the Shelf

Who’s on your Shelf?

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

This year, Baby Gray is, as expected,  quite a bit more into Christmas. He still doesn’t quite get it all, but if we let it, it could turn into a consumer holiday very quickly around here. We want to focus on Christ, the real reason for the season.

Early in the Christmas season, Baby Gray was given an Elf on the Shelf. Mr. Gray and I weren’t quite sure how we wanted to proceed with the little guy. Basically, I introduced him, Baby Gray named him, and we called it done. I wasn’t comfortable using him to “watch” Baby Gray for Santa. So I did a little looking. 

As I figured, we’re not the only family who wants Christmas to be fun and Christ-centered (that’s not a dichotomy; it doesn’t require picking one or the other). So for this year, we have Teddy, our elf, and we are doing a few things to teach him–at Baby Gray’s level–about Christ. As a matter of fact, Baby Gray has told several people his name is Jesus since that’s a lot of what we talk about with the elf. Oops! Next year, I’ll be more prepared, and we’ll kick it up a notch.

 

2012/Christmas/Revolution

Christmas, Ninja-Style

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

We officially have our first holiday party under our belts helmets! 

Ninja


It was a ninja costume party. 

No, we all got together to rob a bank.

Nah, it was our staff Christmas party for church. Yep, you read that right. We raced go carts–supercharged, sixty-five-mile per hour go carts–and it was a blast.


2012/Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/toddler

Hot Hat

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

These Friday posts crack me up. Each week there is some semblance of a theme; maybe he’s more fashionable than I thought and he just wants the looks to be coordinated each week. Maybe I’m just reading into it a little. Either. Both. Neither. 

This particular week, we’ve got a lot of blurs: this kid doesn’t stop! Ever. We’ve also got a pretty regular mix of headwear–although this is the first appearance of a stolen hat. Yep. Mr. Gray and I have a klepto on our hands. So sad; such an early age for such a bad habit.

If there’s anything he does now, it’s how to pick a wardrobe staple. Common, everyday diaper? I think not. It’s the base for numerous options. 

Gloves

Boots
Cape


And, if a shoulder strap for a suitcase hasn’t made its way to the closet yet, get to shopping! Plus, mi‘ins and boots on the wrong feet? Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Dressed


The stolen hat. Our very own tailgate thief. Aggies don’t lie, cheat, or steal, son. We know who it belongs to, and they were totally okay with him having it; he did steal it initially, though. 

He had a blast with this thing. On and off. Head. Hands. Someone else’s head. On and on it went. He loved it.

W6
Game

Peek-a-boo! 


2012/Baby Gray/Christmas/Christmasday/Thanksgiving

I’ve Been Everywhere, Man

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Four days is a lot of weekend! Wow. We covered a lot of miles and enjoyed every minute of it! 

We kicked off the cooking and baking with a little mishap where I keep my serving pieces. Follow that up with four days sans light in the guest bathroom and laundry room, and I’ll just be grateful we were gone the majority of those days. 

W1

We had a blast at Aunt Cookie’s house with a house full of people and way too much food! 

W2

Somehow during dinner conversation, we ended up with tickets to the t.u. game. Good news for us, though; Mr. Gray and I are now 3-0 at DKR. We’ll take it. 

W3

Then it was off to Dallas to catch up with Dr. Suz and do a little ice skating! Maybe Baby Gray’s got a future in hockey. 

W4
W5

Saturday marked our last home game, and we finally had football weather. It was perfect! Plus, we got a big win over Mizzou, so that helped. (HeisManziel, anyone?) 

W6
W7
W8
W9

A little night driving got us home in time to be back for Rev! 

W10


Finally, finally, it was time for Christmasday! We headed to get our tree after church and lunch at one of our favorites; the boy had a blast once he woke up. 

W11

W12


We found the perfect tree and headed home. 

W13

Unfortunately, our tree stand was MIA when we dug everything out of the attic. 

W14

We did a little decorating redneck style in the interim. Even more unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo (even after Mr. Gray reminded me) of our Christmas tree in our sweet little vintage ice chest in our living room. The rest of the house looked great, though. 

I always love unwrapping each piece that belonged to Grammie and picturing her doing the same many years ago. This time of year always makes me a little nostalgic remembering my sweet grandparents. 

W15

Mr. Gray and Baby Gray did a little bulb-fixin’ Monday to get everything in tip-top shape!

W16


The Grays are ready for Christmas!

2012/Christmas/faith/relax/rest

The Ultimate Gift

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

I love this time of year! The hustle, the bustle, the lights, the trees, homemade goodies, giving, and all the fun that comes with the season. 

photo(76)


It’s the time of year when cream becomes a staple, the oven is always on, and the smell of Christmas is in the air. Our home and our hearts are ready for the coming Christ child, and generosity overflows.

If we let it, though, this can become a time of busy-ness, rather than quality time. Hustle, rather than resting with family and friends. We can feel over-tired, over-worked, and over-whelmed. Sit back, take a deep breath and prioritize now, not later. I’ve made the mistake before of waiting until I’m already burnt out and tired to try to get back on track. It’s much harder than the years I’ve been intentional about our plans and choices. Think about what is important. Think about who is important. Breathe in this season. Enjoy it. Love on your family and friends. Be grateful for the Father who sent his Son for us–the ultimate gift. The highest act of generosity. 


“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.” 
–1 John 4:14

2012/birthday

Birthday Day

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

Many times, my birthday is enveloped by Thanksgiving and football and traveling–oh, my! We’ve already gotten all that out of the way, and now it’s birthday time! 

Mizzou


I’ll enjoy my little family and some time with friends (I got a surprise call to set up a lunch date–woohoo!) instead of a lot of rushing around. If this is what getting old is all about, then I’m in!