Enjoy the video... (he goes back and forth MANY times...but we LOVE it!)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Brayden's 1st Steps!!!
Today, Brayden took his much anticipated first steps! Every day we try, but he was just not interested in attempting it. Today was MUCH different. We set him down on the floor, and he took 2 steps at first. So we moved into the living room to try some more. He was SO eager and excited to try and succeed at finally walking! We are so proud!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Fun Date Night
I think it's really important to make time to 'date' your spouse, even when you're already married. Kids, work, and just busyness can creep up and make it where those date nights just don't happen. Jonathan and I try to go on dates regularly, because we really believe our marriage is a priority and we have lots of fun hanging out together. We want our lives to be focused on Christ first, but then we believe that to be godly parents, ministers, and good friends, we need to invest time in our marriage. We planned the night out to see Cirque: Montage. We decided to celebrate my birthday early and went to Taste of Texas afterward for dinner...my favorite! It was great to spend the evening hanging out, having fun, and just spending time with my great hubby!
Date night...
Serious faces...
Cirque: Montage
Jonathan and I have always wanted to go to Cirque du Soleil, but we have never had the opportunity. When we found out that Cirque Imagination (former Cirque du Soleil performers) were coming to Houston, we jumped at the chance to see it. We trekked down to southwest Houston for their show, Montage. It was PHENOMENAL! We were amazed at the things that these performers were able to do.
The best part of the show was when they picked people from the audience to come up and perform on stage. As the Ringmaster walked around the audience to pick people, he walked down the aisle toward us, and pointed and said, "You!" Jonathan looked around and said, "Me?!" "Yes, you!" So, Jonathan got up out of his chair and went up on stage with two other members of the audience. It was AWESOME!!! (And I was glad it wasn't me!)
He had to perform a scene where he was the hero cowboy who comes in and rescues a young maiden from harm. He rode in on his imaginary horse, jumped off his horse, spit on the ground, then strutted over to the bad guy and "punching" him he rescued the girl. It was SO great! He was the hit of the scene and performed so well! I was so proud!!!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
A Hat Boy...or not
I love hats. I really do. I enjoy wearing a hat on occasion and also love it when Jonathan wears one. So, naturally, I have attempted to get Brayden in on the 'hat loving' as well.
Ever since Brayden was born, he made it apparent that he was not digging this whole hat biz as much as we were. Since he was 10lbs. 10oz. at birth, the 'newborn' hats at the hospital did not seem to want to stay on. We would put it on, and slowly....it would just pop off. It was still cute, though!
Since then, I have bought numerous hats...sometimes he enjoys wearing them...and sometimes not. Oh well, it's worth a shot - they are just too cute!
Anyway, here's to hats...
Easter '09 - rockin' the newsie cap
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bubbles, Bubbles, and More Bubbles
If you have kids who love bubbles or are a kid at heart and would simply enjoy playing with bubbles, I have found a 'MUST HAVE' for you! This weekend, I helped out in the nursery at church, and they blew bubbles that 'blew' me away...ha! Anyway, I rushed off to get them from Gymboree. They blow immense amounts of bubbles at a time, and they last a VERY long time. As I'm sitting here now, there are bubbles still covering my carpet and TV stand that were blown over an hour ago (see above picture)...crazy! Brayden loves it. He does try to eat them on occasion, but he is fascinated by them and loves to try to grab them as they float around. Bubbles from ONE blow
of the bubble kazoo, as I call it.
Brayden attempting to eat the bubbles.
Bubbles stuck in his hair...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Good Friends...Good Times
It was so refreshing and sweet to have two good friends come in town this past week. Mo and Brittany made the trek down to Houston to spend a couple days with us Grays. We miss having both of them around! I knew Mo in college - I discipled her for 3 years - and over that time, she became one of my closest friends. Brittany interned for Jonathan and I four years ago and has since become so dear to our family. I love both of those girls so much, and I wish they both lived close so we could chat over coffee on a regular basis. For now though, I'll definitely take the visits now and then and the fun memories that are made.
He's Just That Into You...a Ladies Night Out
Erin Harris and I in front of our table
at our ladies event.
Here is the baking-themed table
that Erin and I decorated:
Silpat baking liners were our placemats,
and cookie cutters were our napkin rings.
We made jars with layered cookie ingredients
with a candle in the middle.
Aprons were on each chair as the chair cover.
This last week, we had a ladies event at our church called "He's Just That Into You." It was such a wonderful night with the girls, full of a Tabletop Tapestry where over 80 tables were decorated by women in the church with fun, creative, and unique designs. My friend Erin and I decorated a table together. Our theme was "baking." We had fun compiling our table with our fun baking tools, recipes, yummy desserts, and aprons!
We heard an amazing message from Debbie Stuart about how God has an amazing plan, purpose, and promise for each and every one of our lives. It was an amazing reminder and encouragement that "He is just that into you."
Climbing and Throwing...a Boy Thing!
Recently, Brayden has 'acquired' the new skills of throwing and climbing. Since acquiring expertise at these two things, he has continued to perfect and engage in them in extreme ways that never cease to amaze us! He LOVES to throw balls, toys...and yes, even remotes! He is such a boy! It's so fun to see how he is developing and will sit and roll a ball back and forth. Then when he realizes he can pick it up and throw it to you, he just giggles and breaks out into a big belly laugh. I love it. This past week, we realized that Brayden can now be classified a 'climber.' He loves to try to get up on anything and everything...which can be a scary thing! Today, he pulled himself up on the couch. It was CRAZY! Jonathan and I proceeded to put him back onto the floor and watch him crawl up on the couch over and over again. Pretty soon, he was tired of 'performing' and just wanted to enjoy the view from the couch that he had conquered.
What can I say...such a boy!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
My Freshmen Girls Life Group
This year, I am so excited to be able to lead a small group on Sunday mornings in High School Bible study. It was a new experience for me, because I've always been on staff and therefore been a 'big picture' person on the weekends - facilitating or teaching, rather than leading a small group. Now that I'm staying home, I have the time and ability to focus in on a small group to disciple and pour into on a weekly basis.
Today, some of the girls in my group met up at Starbucks to hang out and get to know each other better. We had a great time, and I can't wait to see all that God does in each of their lives over these next four years of high school and beyond.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Hanging On for Dear Life!
This picture cracks me up every time I see it. Jonathan was holding Brayden and then noticed he was hanging on pretty tight, so he let go...Yes, I said he LET GO!!! Once he realized this new 'skill,' he was like, "Hey, Chellie (what he calls me), look at Brayden!" I look over, and my precious little baby is hanging on for dear life while Jonathan has let go...and Brayden was cracking up! It was one of those freak out moments where I was like, "Oh my gosh, don't DROP him!!!" Yet, it was also so hilarious. I guess it's a guy thing to always be doing things to defy the laws of gravity or to pull stunts that from a female's perspective seem to be somewhat, er, pointless or slightly dangerous. Oh well, I guess I'll just stand back and snap pictures and laugh (and pray!)...and at least I know they're having fun together!
Waterslides
This week, we went to our friends' neighborhood pool...which is AMAZING!!! The guys enjoyed using the babies as an excuse to play in the kiddie pool. It was pretty sweet!
The 'kiddie' pool
Jonathan and Brayden heading down the slide.
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