Celebrate with a cupcake (or three), some dirt,
and some pyrotechnics!
If you want to make something cute to eat, that works too.
‘Merica
One Thing
While browsing Target yesterday for a new soap dispenser, I noticed their new slogan in their home decor section is Change One Thing. I identified. That’s how we generally update around here. We paint something, repurpose a piece, or change the knobs on a cabinet. We don’t do total home makeovers.
Then, as we were praying last night, it hit me. Change One Thing. Yes, we should strive to change one thing at a time, one day at a time to be more like Christ–to be who we are called to be.
We don’t have to do a total overhaul. He created us for a purpose–His purpose–and we are just right for the part. All we have to do is accept it and work toward it. We can start by changing one thing.
Twenty-Ten
This weekend, we headed out for a little surprise trip for Bean’s 20-10th birthday.
It look a lot of coordination, planning, and secret keeping, but we pulled it off! Bean had no idea. We were able to eat some fabulous food, rest, relax, shop, and enjoy each other’s company.
We talked and laughed late into the night and made memories we’ll never forget.
Mr. Gray and I are so blessed to have this group of friends.
Does Everybody Know What Time it Is?
It’s time for Fashion Friday!
Baby Gray has been lovin’ the water. Every time we go swim, he calls his floatie his fwim foo. It’s the cutest thing. I haven’t been able to get him to understand that the float part isn’t his swim suit.
Ha! He loves his daddy’s boots and my hat. This is a pretty common outfit.
Let me set the stage for this last one a little. Baby Gray does not like to wear his ear muffs, well his hemet as he calls them, when I actually need him to wear them. They were in the car earlier this week, though, and he asked to put them on. I helped him and then got it and off we went.
A block or so later, I caught him in my rear view mirror.
I was doing my best to drive and take photos all while laughing hysterically before he noticed me.
A Good Habit to Break
I have a bit of a confession to make: I think I’m addicted to Netflix streaming. Well, specifically, I’m addicted to television series(es?) on Netflix. I started off slow with a few gateway shows that I could take or leave, but in the twenty-one months Baby Gray has been alive, two shows in particular have made my heart go pitter-patter.
Initially, I fell in love with Friday Night Lights. Baby Gray was still a tiny thing, and he napped his day away, so I occupied my time with Tim, Matt, Julie, Coach Taylor, and the rest of my good pals from the show. To this day, it’s not surprising if I cry when I talk about that show. It only ran five seasons, and Mr. Gray wasn’t really watching it (he’d catch an episode here and there, but mostly I watched during nap time–which was often), so I finished it pretty quickly. Then I missed them. I felt like I knew them and then I didn’t. Then they were gone.
Recently, we started watching One Tree Hill. Well, I started watching it, but Mr. Gray joined me a few episodes in. Then we were hooked. We watched a few episodes when we were home in the evening after Baby Gray’s bed time. It was a show I liked along with one of Mr. Gray’s favorite ways to wind down, so it worked. Nine seasons later, it was over. Gone. Done.
I made a connection then. I felt like I feel when I finish a good book. You see, television shows are meant to be watched over time. The depth of the character development is so much more than a movie; it’s much closer to the character development one would find in a book. Don’t hear me wrong–I love a good book. In fact, it’s rare that I like a show or movie even half as much as the book, but when you cram a television space into a smaller space than it was intended, you get that book-esque feeling that goes along with it. You’re not meant to spend all your free time getting to know them; you’re supposed to spend an hour a week with them. You know the characters. You laugh with them, cry with them, and befriend them. This sounds like a lot of thinking for some television.
It is.
I’m absolutely appalled at how much time and energy I have focused on these shows. As I was whining about the loss of One Tree Hill earlier this week, I read a blog post by a mother who didn’t get to bring her sweet babies home from the hospital; they were born early and didn’t make it. And here I am upset over fictitious television. Seriously? Something in this scenario has got to change. It starts with me.
It’s Easy Being Green
I’m a big fan of an organized pantry. I’m also a big fan of cool glass jars. The problem (for me) with re-using glass jars is that the manufacturers know the label can be pulled right off, so they put their product information all over the lid.
Solution: spray paint. Spray paint is the answer to the world’s aesthetic problems.
Barring impatience, this can be done very well. I, however, did not want to wait on this particular project, so you can see through some of my paint a little.
I love the pop of color these add to my pantry, and they keep it organized simply and cheaply!
Having trouble getting the labels off? WD-40.
Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
There is a man who attends Revolution who has reminded me of Papa since I first laid eyes on him. I can never remember his name (I’ve asked on multiple occasions) because my brain just signals memories of my sweet grandfather–he drives a truck quite similar to the last one my grandfather owned; he dresses similarly; he teases the way Papa did. Down to his limp, he just reminds me of my grandfather.
I look forward to seeing him each week, if for no other reason than it sparks memories of Papa. This week, though, he came out of the service to stretch and walk a bit because his back was bothering him. He told me a little of his story while he was out in the lobby area. Before we were done talking, I had tears in my eyes.
He told me the story of how he and his wife met. It was more than just a simple retelling, though. His eyes glistened, and he spoke of her with adoration–just the way Papa always spoke of Grammie.
He recounted their first date, with her entire family, for dinner. He told me they’ll be married 50 years in December. He shared a little about his children and grandchildren–he sounded just like Papa always did when he talked about Dani, MK, and me. I bet he meets his friends for coffee and donuts and plays dominoes, too.
I love that this man has helped me to keep the memories of Papa alive. I look forward to our visits each week.
Goodnight, Big Moon, Sweet Dreams, Baby
Sometimes I can’t sleep. Actually, most of the time, I’m up late for or reason of another.
Saturday night was different, though. I was wide awake thinking of all the people who love me and, more importantly, all the people who love Baby Gray. You see, we had a seemingly uneventful evening at Aunt B and Uncleby’s to celebrate Aunt B’s birthday. As I laid and reflected, though, it was so much more than that.
Baby Gray was showcasing his many talents, and each of the people present–most from Mr. Gray’s childhood and my own–were loving every minute of it. They love our little boy, and they love him well, simply because he is ours. He was the spoiled rotten, cake-eating, Coke-drinking (well, Sprite-spilling), center of attention. He could do no wrong. It was like a yard full of grandparents.
I laid there thinking about how grateful I am for such blessings. I prayed prayers of thanks and praise for the love that is poured out on our family. I prayed prayers of grief for those who have never known a love like what surrounds us and lifts us up.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return on their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Shake It Up
I kicked off the new year with Bible Gateway, a site that emails daily verses and breaks the Bible down into a 365-day reading plan. It was perfect. It came straight to my email, and although it was a little lenghty for a jumping off point, I was enjoying it. Until I got behind. Then I got more and more behind. Then I pretty much fell off the wagon.
Until Thursday.
I changed routes, but I’m lovin’ the new path I’m taking. She Reads Truth uses the YouVersion reading plans along with journaling, drawing (I won’t be sharing many of mine), and some Twitter and Instagram link ups to help keep me accountable.
I also started using a gratitude journal app Thursday. I don’t always take the time to sit down and write out what I’m thankful for, but when I do, my whole perspective changes. My goal is to do this several times a week. The fonts, ability to add photos, etc make it really nice to use.
So, here it is in red and white. I’m attempting to get back on track. I’m not totally done with the Bible Gateway thing, but I’m not going to make it in 365 days as originally planned.
Small Styles
Fashion Friday returns with buckets, boots, and boxes! Apparently, headwear is in this season.
And, maybe, left is the new right.
It’s probably also noteworthy that we only have one of these shoes. It was acquired at the beach, and he loves it. Too bad they don’t make them anymore.
