Page 69

2012/death/loss/suicide awareness/walking

Out of the Darkness

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

A few months ago, a friend posted that she was walking in an Out of the Darkness walk. I knew I wanted to donate to the cause, but beyond that I wasn’t sure what, if any, action I wanted to take.

As I started to deal with our loss more, I knew I wanted to be involved. I knew I wanted to help raise awareness about suicide and depression.

I still didn’t really know what to do about it. I looked for a run, but with our current season, I didn’t look too hard.

When a this photo flashed across my Facebook feed last week, I knew how I could get involved–at least to start.

I quickly checked their site to see if they had any walks in our area. Sure enough, there is one in Austin–the only downside is it’s this week. That’s not much time to spread the word, but donations are accepted even after the walk, so I decided to go for it. I will be walking in memory of my brother-in-law and my cousin.

He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. –Psalm 107:14

Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/toddler

Whatcha Wearin’?

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

While we were out and about this week, Baby Gray donned some of his usual suspects. Oh, the looks this mama got!

He and Thomas made a few MJ-esque appearances this week.

Although, he does put both mi’ins on some of the time, too.

He made out like a bandit with one of the girls’ hats at tailgate. Off he went before I could snap a photo!

Initially, wearing the costume was my idea, but once I had it on him, he didn’t want to take it off. It’ll be a hit for next week.

He even got me in on a little of the crazy at the volleyball game Monday. I didn’t manage to get a photo of his variety of stickers, but trust me, they were everywhere–his head, shoes, face–everywhere!

I love how creative he is with everything he does. I hope he never loses that!

anniversary/love/marriage/Mr. Gray

He Said, She Said

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

My friend SEL did this with her husband, and I loved it. So, I recruited Mr. Gray to do our own version. Such a good sport, that man of mine.

Gotta love scanned in photos. Such quality.

How long have you been dating and/or married?
He said: Uhhh… Since 2000… one. I don’t know; whenever I went to high school.
She said: Since January 4, 2001. We started hanging out before that, and we took off for a brief stint later that year, but that’s the Thursday we made it official–not Facebook official, though; we predate that. We were engaged in July of 2005 and married in June of 2006.

What did you think of each other when you first met? Was it love at first sight?
He said: Probably not for me. I was 15 years old. Probably for her.
She said: Not at first sight. We grew up in a small town and have known each other forever. We were in elementary school, so who knows what my actual first thought was.

When did you know you had found “the one?”
He said: Well, probably when I was a senior in high school.
She said: It didn’t take long. I knew less than six months in.

What have you learned from your relationship?
He said: Maturity and honor.
She said: That I don’t have to be right all the time. (I am, but I don’t have to be; sometimes I let him think he’s right).

Who makes the decisions in your relationship?
He said: I do.
She said: We do.

What is the best advice you have to offer a new couple?
He said: Get ready to change if you want to be together for a long time. You have to be coach-able.
She said: Put your spouse first. Be selfless and altruistic.

What was your first date?
He said: We went to a movie: Dude, Where’s My Car?
She said: We rented The Replacements and watched it at my house.
[Note: both are correct–one is the first time we hung out, and one is the first time we went out.]

What are five words that describe Mrs. Gray?
He said: organized, emotional, mother, forgiving, loving
She said: loving, friendly, honest, organized, trustworthy

What are five words that describe Mr. Gray?
He said: trustworthy, respectful, confident, humble, fast
She said: loving, altruistic, humble, inquisitive, athletic

What’s one thing your spouse does that makes you feel most loved?
He said: There’s a lot of things. When she gives me encouragement in what I do.
She said: When Mr. Gray takes time out of his busy days to go out of his way to do something just for me. Sometimes he leaves me a note, stops to pick up flowers (or baked gods), or grabs my favorite drink. The smallest things show me he was thinking of me amidst all that he has going on each day.

Mr. Gray/Recipes/tea

Tea Totalin’

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

I have people ask me all the time how I make my tea. The funniest part of this is that I don’t drink tea, so I have no base line for a taste test. Regardless, it seems to be a hit, and I’m happy to share.

Before anything else, I fill my kettle and set on the stove to boil.

I scoop three scoops (a little less than 3/4 cup) of sugar into the bottom of the pitcher.

Then I throw tea bags on top of the sugar. I use black tea, and I prefer the tagless tea bags.

When I buy the regular sized ones, they come with two “stuck” together; the family sized bags are one bag with the same amount of tea. I use five family sized bags or ten regular sized bags per pitcher (five sets of the ones pictured).

Once the water is boiling, I pour it into the pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar.

I let it steep until it is almost back to room temperature. Then I use a slotted wooden spoon to squeeze excess liquid out of the tea bags before throwing them away. I stir again and fill the pitcher the rest of the way with water. Super simple, and from what I’m told, good.

Recap:

Fill kettle and boil water on stove top
Pour just shy of 3/4 cup sugar into pitcher
Add 10 small or 5 large tea bags to pitcher
Pour boiling water into pitcher
Stir
Allow to steep until almost cool
Add water to pitcher to fill
Stir
Refrigerate and enjoy!

2012/Aggies/Baby Gray/date/football/Midnight Yell/Mr. Gray/tailgate

Geaux-ing to the Chapel

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Our game weekends have been a little rushed lately, with this crazy season we’re in. This weekend, though, we got to slow down a little.

Mr. Gray had a fraternity event Friday night, so we went to College Station earlier than we usually do. Plus, Mr. Gray was cooking brisket for Saturday’s supper, so we needed plenty of time for the meat.

After the event, we headed out for a dessert date, and about the time my dessert made it to the table, I remembered Von Miller was going to be at Yell. We had just enough time to eat and run in order to make it. It was packed when we got there, but I spotted Von and did a few ninja moves to make it down to snap a photo.

I can’t even remember the last time Mr. Gray and I were at Yell at Kyle. I love it–and this time, we spotted a Corps guys proposing. Wow!

With our game starting at 11:00 this week, the pumpkin muffins I made were perfect for our brunch-type tailgate. It was Baby Gray’s first real tailgate experience (he doesn’t remember last year, and it was raining at the only other game he’d been to this year), and I have to say, he loved it.

What he didn’t realize was that all he did was tailgate this week. He stayed with Aunt Charlie and played while we went to the game.

Baby Gray found all sorts of friends to play football with, bounced in the bounce house, ate, and watched the game on TV. He was lovin’ life.

I’m pretty sure he never even noticed we were gone.

It was an exciting game with great stats, but the Ags just couldn’t pull it off in the end. We did witness another proposal at half-time, though, so that was kind of fun. It was the whole big Corps production-type proposal. I had never seen one in real life. Not my style, but super cool nonetheless.

Lots of Aggies in love this weekend!

We tailgated a while and then headed back to the house in time for supper, but this little boy just couldn’t hang on any longer. He was worn smooth out.

Game days are just too much fun for little boys.

baking/muffins/pumpkin/Recipes

Good Enough for Me!

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Long ago, in a land called Panera, I fell in love with pumpkin muffins. I fell hard–making every excuse I could think of to drive the 30+ miles to get one ~~or four~~.

Someone suggested I make them at home–blasphemy! Why would I do that? They’d never be the same. But, they might be good enough, right? So I did. Last year. They were good, great even. However, I failed to make a note–any note–of what I used or what I did. So this year, when time rolled around for pumpkin muffins, I was back at square one.

I scoured the interwebs and came up with a combination of what I remembered from last year and what I had in my pantry.

I mixed a few things up

sprinkled with a little bit of goodness

and hoped for the best.

Pumpkin muffins aren’t pumpkin muffins without powdered sugar, so I did a bit of rolling, and voila!

These were great. Definitely good enough to save myself a drive. Now I’ll just have to refrain from baking pumpkin muffins daily. Mr. Gray and Baby Gray both approved.

What you’ll need:
15 ounce can of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil (applesauce will work–I was out)
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon
Granulated sugar, for topping
Powdered sugar, for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line muffin tin with baking cups
Mix pumpkin, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil (or applesauce) with electric mixer
Shake in a bit of cinnamon
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
Once wet ingredients are mixed well, gradually add in dry ingredients
Mix until all ingredients are combined, using a spatula to drag the edges if needed
In a separate bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon for muffin topping
Scoop batter into muffin tins, filling about 3/4 of the way
Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of each muffin
Bake 15 to 18 minutes for regular muffins (12-15 for minis), or until a toothpick comes out clean
Allow to cool for a few minutes, and then roll the tops in powdered sugar to coat (I spread powdered sugar on a plate and dip the tops in; you can also wait until you’re ready to serve to cover in powdered sugar)
Enjoy!

Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/jammers/toddler

A Little Snazz

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

There is a bit of a back story to some of this crazy-jammer-wearing, and I promise it’s coming soon. For now, just think it’s as funny as I do.

Yes, they are backwards, and yes, the feet are cut out. I promise. Soon. Also, yes, those are my shoes. We won’t tell him when he’s a teenager.

This kid and his frog shoes. Oh, how he loves them–even half a pair at a time.

What? You don’t wear your Home Depot shirt three sizes too large with mismatched shorts and your boots? Why wouldn’t you? And why, under any circumstances would you stand still enough for a photo of such a great combination?

And, of course, you must top it all off with a cap.

He does clean up nicely, though, when it’s time to get a little snazzy for a ninety-first birthday party.

2012/Baby Gray/doctor/vaccinations

Doctor Love

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Our little guy had his two year well-check yesterday. He did fabulous! He talked the doctor’s ear off, rearranged the office, and pretty much thought he ran the appointment.

Somewhere in the midst, Dr. Miller and her fabulous nurse were actually able to get his vitals, height, weight, head measurement, and do his developmental testing. Everything was great–he’s exactly 36 inches, which is the 84th-percentile. Wow! The three-foot mark! He weighs 32 pounds, 3 ounces, which is the 87th-percentile.

He got a flu shot with a Taz band-aid, but he pulled that sucker off long before I could catch my usual photo.

He did awesome on his developmental stuff, and Dr. Miller suggested piano lessons as soon as he was ready. He loves the pi-hippo, so I’m sure we can pull that off one of these days.

The only downside was his scrape on his nose was starting to look as though it might get infected, so she gave him an antibiotic to be on the safe side. At least we were already headed to the doctor when that happened!

Baby Gray/love/memories/Mr. Gray/scar

Chicks Dig Scars

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

Monday evening, we took a little walk. Baby Gray rode his bike, Mr. Gray and I walked Rooster. It was nice.

Anytime we’re out, Baby Gray wants to go see fou-tain wa-wa (the fountain water), and Monday evening was no different. We usually let him run around a bit before heading home. Lately, we have been practicing jumping with two feet and landing on his feet. I encourage him to jump off pretty much anything I think he can stick. He doesn’t usually take too many liberties with this–he’s more cautious than I’d like sometimes.

He jumps up and down stairs a lot. Usually, though, he jumps from the bottom step to the ground or he’s holding someone’s hand. I watched from across the gazebo as he set him self up to jump on the step. “Only from the bottom!” I called out to no avail. He tried to jump from the second step to the first step, but he overshot it. He toppled right onto his face on the sidewalk.

We had nothing with us, so after we dusted him off a little, we loaded him back onto his bike to head home. He wasn’t bothered by it at all. It looked much worse than it was. I posted a photo on Instagram, and the responses came rolling in, “Chicks dig scars.”

I loved that that’s what people wrote. It flashed me back to December 2000, when Mr. Gray and I were first hanging out. He used to say that all the time. He meant it. Still does. I love how much of those first conversations I can remember. I’m glad at 16 my brain took an impression of something I’d treasure forever.

Baby Gray is totally fine. We’ll head to his two year well-check this morning with a banged up face, but it’s not bothering him at all.

He’ll love that he has a story to tell Dr. Miller.

2012/Baby Gray/running/stroller

Own It

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

This is over-due, both in print and in my mind. When I set my mind to do things, I have a hard time letting go of that. This summer, I decided I’d try my hand at another half marathon. I honestly didn’t know after the last one if I’d ever run another. I just needed that first one to prove to myself that I could. So, deciding I’d run another was a big deal.

I set up my training calendar and started out. I wasn’t feeling it. I felt like I was taking time away from Baby Gray by having him in the stroller. It wasn’t a foreign feeling, I remember it from my last training session, but it was different. He is older now; he knows what we’re doing. He enjoys going, but not for as long as my training runs take me.

On top of that, we’re in a crazy season of life. Seasons of life are sometimes unpredictable. We might plan for things, but we definitely are not in control. Such is life in our house right now. So, when I’m taking Baby Gray’s time for other things, I’m just not lovin’ the idea of taking it for running as well.

Bottom line: when life got crazy, I didn’t feel the need to continue to be disciplined and try to train. I have run, walked, ridden my bike, and tried to get back on track with working out to be fit and healthy, but training for a half marathon just isn’t in the cards for our family right now. I have to own that and be okay with it. I have to remember that doing what’s best for our family isn’t necessarily failing.