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2012/Baby Gray/bible/faith/Revolution/scripture/toddler

From Memory

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

A couple of weeks ago, we added Baby Gray’s Rev Kids Bible verse to our meal routines. Even though he picked up on the “newness” of it right away, I wasn’t sure if his interest would continue. In reality, I’d say he’s more interested in his Bible verse than almost anything else. He doesn’t always want to recite it, but he always asks me to read it to him. He’s picked up on it quite well.

This is from a week or so ago–he’s even gotten better since then.

He shared with his teachers yesterday before bringing home a new verse for us to learn.

He even says Deuteronomy–seriously?

2012/Baby Gray/Fashion Friday/independent/toddler

Apparel Antics

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Since I was gone last week, I missed out on most of Baby Gray’s apparel antics. This week, he wasn’t up to much besides wearing mi’ins and building a house. I can only do so much.

Me: What are you doing?

Baby Gray: Build house.

Baby Gray usually helps me do the laundry, and it’s rare a pair of socks makes it past him without being turned into mi’ins. Sometimes they don’t even make it to the laundry and we have to open them in the store!

I managed to make it home from Revolution with a welcome badge this Sunday; Baby Gray couldn’t have been more thrilled. He wore his nametag all the way home.

As usual, I missed several shots of goofy looks, but in an effort to not be glued to my phone, it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’d rather be engaged in our play and have the memory than be engrossed in my phone and have the photo.

2012/Aggie/Aggies/football/tailgate

Inauguration

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

There was lots of anticipation leading up to Saturday’s game. Mr. Gray and I watched the Gators play the previous week, and I was feeling cautiously optimistic.

When we arrived in College Station, the energy was high, the weather was gorgeous–it was a great day for football. We ate, tailgated, and visited friends before heading to check out the new MSC.

We walked through the sea of maroon and into Kyle Field.

I knew it was really football season when Mr. Gray procured my kettle corn.

We headed to our seats. We were even early enough to watch March In (I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve seen it). We said our hellos to seat-mates and section-mates that we hadn’t seen since the t.u. game. It was good to be back.

Game time inched closer, and finally, it was time for my favorite part–the drums! They changed it up a little this season, and it’ll take some getting used to, but there is no better way to get pumped up than to hear that cadence.

We know how the rest of the game went. It was another double-digit lead blown in the second half. I’d have liked for it to have ended better, but it helped that Mizzou lost their inaugural game as well. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve read countless blogs and articles this week about A&M being a good fit for the SEC and Aggie hospitality–we’re still the Aggies.

We knew coming into this season that it would be a time of major rebuilding. I can’t wait to see Manziel get in a good groove and get going.

Baby Gray/color/mess/paint/scribble

Artistic Impressions

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Baby Gray loves to color. With crayons. On paper.

We have been very careful to make sure he knows he can only color on paper. Unfortunately, much to his pleasure, he found out he could use his puzzle pieces to transfer paint to the walls and cabinets.

Lovely. Just lovely. I was able to get the white off the cabinets, but the blue on the wall was a little tougher. I got about 98.5% off. It’s better than nothing.

Baby Gray/exploring/faith/growing up/learning/life/Type A

Something Beautiful

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

People ask me all the time what we do all day. For as Type A as I am, we don’t actually have a set routine. Hard to believe, I know.

I do ensure we have time to read and play each day as well as a solid afternoon nap time (that might be more for me than him). Baby Gray never ceases to amaze me with his creativity and new uses for his toys.

He also loves to color and do puzzles.

I can’t imagine not having this time with him. I love watching him learn and meet new milestones each day. I am so grateful God knew so much better than I about how this would all work out. I don’t think I’ve ever shared the story behind this song and its meaning for us, but it’s been such a testimony to the promise God offered when Baby Gray arrived.

2012/dealing/death/loss/memories

Beauty through Fire

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments

The last month has been tough. Friday was another landmark day, not a recurring one, but the one-month mark. The signal that we have made it through one month of our “new normal.” Our life after the phone call in the hamburger joint. It’s the first moment I can remember vividly and explicitly knowing in the moment that it was one of those moments that will change everything. It was one of those moments I’d never forget.

In the short time that’s passed since that phone call, I’ve seen God speak incredibly clearly to me. It hasn’t been an audible, booming voice from heaven, but there has been no misunderstanding in what’s He is telling me.

Last week was emotional. Not in a way that is sad, but in a way that is absolutely exhausting–dealing, processing, putting words to feelings–and I’m no where near the finish line on the process. God is definitely refining me in this season.

I was privileged enough to experience a leadership conference in South Carolina last week in an auditorium filled with thousands of people, but the majority of the speakers spoke straight to me. Directly. To our situation and what our family is going through. God gave me that time to begin to process a little deeper with His words and His anointed leaders speaking into my life–right where I am. He is refining me. Refinement is not fun, but it’s what brings the beauty. Cut away the dead; fire up the kiln–neither of those sound fun, but they bring the beauty.

I hope to bring God’s glory through this. I pray I can honor His heart and keep my emotions at bay. I want to take full advantage of this learning experience, lest it be in vain.

Baby Gray/bible/faith/Revolution/scripture/verses

Routine Re-Do

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Each Sunday, Baby Gray brings home an activity page that tells us what Bible Story they discussed, and what verse they are focusing on that week (no photo because this week’s is destroyed–thanks, Baby Gray). Parents also have a reminder on the RevKids door with a discussion question and the focus verse.

I love being able to ask him about what he learned and help further his understanding. We had some leftover chalkboard paint from a previous project, so I grabbed a canvas (also a leftover–read: free chalkboard) and made a spot for us to put his verse each week and discuss it at meal times.

I made it one night when Baby Gray was asleep, and the first thing he said when we came in for breakfast was, “Look, Mommy!” as he pointed to the verse. It was the perfect segue into what the board was and our first run through with the verse.

In less than four hours with it in the kitchen (and less time than that for Baby Gray to be in the kitchen), he already knows bits and pieces of the verse and reminds me it’s there to read to him. We talk about what each word means and what it means for him in real life.

I’m loving this new addition to our routine.

Baby Gray/beach/family/family day/Mr. Gray/trip

Life’s a Beach

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Baby Gray and I got to tag along on a business trip of Mr. Gray’s a couple of weeks ago. We took the boy to the beach for the first time. He loved it! We loved it! It was a great little family trip.

Considering the self-timer took this, despite the centering, it’s a pretty great little family photo.

It wasn’t crowded, so he was able to explore. The sand wasn’t super sticky, and it wasn’t too humid, so that helped make it nice for Mr. Gray and me.

We even gave Baby Gray a little redneck bath when it was time to go. Oh, the looks we got.

We had a couple of ~~hilarious~~ run-ins with hermit crabs, but that was the only part Baby Gray didn’t enjoy.

It was similar to his run-in with the snail in our backyard a while back. Funny to say the least.

age/Baby Gray/older/reading/TV

Paradigm Shift

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments

Friday made it official–I’m old. Well, I’m only as old as I feel and all that jazz, but, you know. Old.

Friday, Friday, what was so special?

I cleaned the carseat Thursday evening due to an unfortunate explosion, and it no longer smelled like death Friday morning. (A quick PSA here: if you do not have to clean the carseat, don’t. Ever. Ignorance is bliss. Bliss, I tell you.)
I washed a few loads of clothes to get ready for this week’s travel. I love clean clothes!
Baby Gray read to me–a favorite part of any day!

I cleaned the refrigerator. Like, the shelves. They’re sparkly and see-through. All of them. At once. Drawers, too.

I finally got all the spots and stuff scrubbed off our glass shower door. Also see-through.
I read a tweet that pretty much made my afternoon.

I watched Friends for the first time in years. It’s still funny. So funny.

It’s definitely different than what I would have called a great day a few years ago, but I’ll take it. Gladly.

death/faith/loss/love/memories

Landmarks

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

It’s no surprise that today is here. I’ve been watching it approach over the passing weeks. It didn’t shock me or sneak up on me, but I’m still not quite sure what to do with it now that it’s arrived. It brings what’s been humming in the background to front and center, loud and clear. It’s a landmark day, one that will most certainly have this effect as it rolls around each year.

Today is a day to remember and be happy as well as to be sad. It’s a day to reach out and love a little better. Most of all, it’s a day to remember God’s promises and trust in Him.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. –Psalm 147:3