Turkey Run

This past weekend Jeff, Jack and I took a little road trip. We didn't have any definite plans, we just wanted to get out of town and spend a little time together. On Thursday we went in to Lafayette for a doctor's appt. and then over to IHOP for some yummy delicious breakfast. Any vacation is good when it starts with a breakfast at IHOP! After that we loaded up the car and started in the general direction of Brazil, IN, where Jeff's sister lives. We were planning to spend the night there, but we had plenty of time to do something fun. It was freezing outside, but we were determined to try and spend some time out doors. We decided to go to Turkey Run State Park. I've never been there and Jeff hadn't been there in a long time. It was really beautiful. The sun was shining very brightly, so as long as we stayed in the sun, it was not too cold. Just to be careful, we bundled Jack up in his new coat and hat and gloves. We had a wonderful time going over a suspension bridge and looking at the pretty water. It was really lovely. We made it to Jill and Gary's house with lots of time to visit and get a good night's sleep. The next day we went to the Covered Bridge Festival. This time last year I was extremely pregnant and we still went. The main reason that we go is to eat, eat, eat! We LOVE the food at Covered Bridge! I will make a list below of all the things we ate while there. I will not tell you who ate what, but leave it up to you to decide. We were only there for a couple of hours because it was very cold and windy and Jack was sooooo tired. So we packed up and drove down to Evansville, IN, which I'll tell you about later! It was fun to spend so much time together, and we were struck anew by the fact that it doesn't matter what we're doing, as long as we are together, we are having a great time!

The First of the Bonfires

This past weekend we had close to 40 Career Class (a Sunday School class from our church, age 20 something to 35) people at our house for a bonfire. This is an annual event, and a special one for Jeff and I since we pretty much started dating at the bonfire two years ago. We had a great time hosting it, and it seemed like everyone else had a great time attending. It was an incredibly beautiful night, too, not too hot and just cold enough to make the fire feel wonderful. The moon was gorgeous, and I took a picture of it, but it didn't turn out very well. Jeff took everyone on a hay ride, and although I didn't go (someone had to stay home with Jackie Poo), everybody said it was really fun. We just feel so blessed to have these people in our home. Besides, it provides great incentive for us to get the mowing done. Jack had a good time talking to everyone and eating several cookies that daddy gave him, and some yummy marshmellow salad that Mary made, and then he was off to bed by 7:00 p.m.! For anyone that wanted to come, but didn't get to, join us the weekend after next (21st) for Helmer's Young Married Class, or the 28th for our own class bonfire! We'd love to have you!

Peek A Boo Jack

This clip is pretty self explanatory.... This is a first for our little guy!

What A Man

This weekend Jeff and I did some work in the yard getting ready for our October bonfires. We have, for the past couple of years, hosted the career class bonfire from church. Last year we also did one for our ABF as well. This year we've tacked on another ABF from church, to make the total of three bonfires in four weeks! It is something that we love to do, because we love our home and our property and we are so happy to share it with others. We view it as a means of reaching out to people. We love the place, but more than that we love the opportunities that it gives us with other people. That said, Jeff did some cleaning up of dead and scraggly trees. In one morning he cut down several trees, lopped off the branches, cut them up, split them, and stacked the wood in a tidy pile down by the bonfire ring. Then he hauled off the tops to the ravine. How many men do you know that can do that? Maybe I just haven't gotten out much, but I don't know many. To me, my husband is a "man among men" and I'm so proud of him. Not only is he book smart, technologically smart, and extremely handy, but he is soft-hearted, loves me, loves our sons and daughter, and loves God. He is very serious about doing what is right and trying to improve. He is an example to me and to our son, and I hope that Jack grows up to be just like him.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Yesterday Jack ate a whole peanut butter and jelly sandwich all by himself. It's the first time I've tried the sticky concoction, since I'm kind of panicky about the whole "allergy to peanut butter" thing (his cousin Rachel has a severe allergy to any nuts or nut protein). I gave it to him for lunch in small bites that he could feed himself and he LOVED it. I'm not sure that "loved" is really strong enough. At first I gave him several little bites of it, but discovered that he was putting them all in his mouth at once. Not a problem, we could do this one at a time. He has had a pretty runny nose since the whole teething thing began, but he hates to have his nose wiped. But while he is eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, he doesn't seem to notice if his nose is being wiped. Having observed this, I thought, "I wonder what else he'll let me do while eating peanut butter and jelly"? Turns out that he will go so far as to let me suck the snot out of his nose with the dreaded nose syringe. That was just completely amazing. I had to sit down for a while. So, now the question is, how far can I take this? Is it bad to give your child peanut butter and jelly every day just so you can suck out his nose? I mean, it's not bad for him, right? I'm using low sugar jelly and the peanut butter has good protein and good fat, right? Oh, and it's on low calorie bread, too! So it's not like I'm giving him a lollipop every day for lunch. I've had several men (never a woman) tell me that they had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day growing up and still love it to this day (and I know two of their mother's and they were excellent mommies), so it shouldn't have any lasting effect, right? Well, don't get worried, I won't get too carried away. It's just nice to know that in a pinch I can pull out a good old PB & J and have my way with Jack's nose!

I Love You, Da Da

My da da is a little sad today. I love you, da da. Do remember what I looked like when I first came home with you? Do you remember when I used to cuddle up with you in the morning? I know that silly baby monitor has me all whacked out, but I remember sleeping with you. It was the best sleep ever. I love you so very much. You are the best da da in the world.

Love,
Jack D.

Grandpa Virgil

Jeff's grandfather, Virgil Gray, went home to be with His Lord last night. He passed away in his sleep at Home Hospital. Grandpa was a gentle, loving man who spent his life devoted to his wife and family, and to God. I won't say much more because I'm sure that Jeff will have some things to say. I only knew him for a short time, but there was never a time when we were seeing him and Grandma that he didn't hug or kiss me. I knew that he loved me as his new granddaughter-in-law and I am so grateful for the time that I knew him. Grandpa, we'll miss our dates with you and Grandma at the Center Street Grill. Don't worry, we'll still take Grandma. We miss you already.

Two Bites

Mmmmm.....cookies. Jack has this down to two bites. Two very funny bites!

The first bite......the whole thing goes in....

The second bite falls off......

And the second bite goes in. Really a very efficient process.

Feeling Better

Well, mommy is feeling a little better today. Jack is defintely snotty! He has a non-stop drip, and it seems like as soon as I see it and run for a kleenex, he decides to take matters in to his own hands, literally, and wipe his own nose with the back of his hand. This seems to make him laugh, which makes me laugh, even though inside I'm cringing because there is now snot all over his hands and face. Oh well. At least he wants to wipe it!

Daddy To The Rescue

Last night was miserable. I had chills all night long and slept in my sleep pants, sweatshirt and socks, plastered against my always warm honey, and still I shivered. I've really got some kind of awful bug. At any rate, I woke Jeff up at five a.m. and asked him if he would stay home and take care of me and Jack. And you know what? He did. He called in to the office and said his family was sick and he was needed at home. Lucky for us that he did, because Jack woke up with a fever too, poor little guy. So daddy stayed home and mommy slept all day and Jack alternated between feeling ok and being miserable, depending on how the fever went. I appreciate my husband so much for doing that. I know that he had important things on his plate today, but I was overwhelmed to know and see acted out, that I was the MOST important thing today. Now if I could just kick this bug.....and hope that daddy doesn't get it!!!!

Our Latest Visitor

Isn't living in the country great? This little bugger was crawling around in the grass right in front of our house. Pretty neat huh? (credits to Betts for the pictures)

Sick Day

Ohhhh....mommy's sick. Fever, chills, aches, pains, sour belly, not good, not good! I hate being sick. Who do I call to get a sick day?

Sweet Boy

A Good Surprise

Today my friend Gaylene turned 29. If you don't believe me, just ask Laurie. Anyway, Laurie and I pulled off a really great surprise party at her school. You can tell by the pictures that she really didn't have a clue. I just love it when you can really get somebody. Happy Birthday, Daylene! We love you!

Say "Cheese"

Today I was sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop, catching up on my blog reading, while my son sat in his high chair having lunch. It's been a couple of days since I had time to really sit down and read these blogs (not that I really have time now) but I just HAD to since I knew there was stuff going on that I really needed to know! So, as I sat enthralled with the writing prowess of my friends, Jack was eating a piece of cheese. You know, the Kraft Singles variety. I wasn't really looking at him. I was just handing him piece after piece of cheese, assuming that he was eating it. I would occasionally check his hand, just to see, of course. And it was empty. Well, I'm really not sure how much cheese he really ate. When I went to take him out of the high chair I found what appeared to be the equivalent of an entire slice of cheese in his lap! What a silly mommy.

Comfort In God's Word

I am reminded of someone who is currently going through a great trial similar to one that I went through a while back. It took my mind back to the time when God's Word was the greatest comfort of my life, and it's very presence in my hands brought me rest. A great friend read some scripture to me during that time and she "personalized" it. I didn't realize it at the time, because I was so distressed, but when I went back and read the passage again, I saw where she had inserted me into the passage. It's from Psalm 34.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
I looked to Him and was radiant, and my face will never be ashamed.
This poor woman cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me out of all my troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers me out of all my troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves me when I am crushed in spirit.

What a frightening time that was, and yet what sweet assurance from the God of the universe, that He heard me and saved me. Your Word is my delight!

Vindication

This picture is for all of you who, over the years, have ever given me grief over my fear of spiders. And believe me, there has been some grief. Anyone who has ever seen me kill a spider (a skill I only achieved since moving to the country) knows that I don't just casually commit the deed, I annihilate it. No sweeping pass at it. No knock off the wall and let it drop. I smash it with all the force I can muster. Again and again. Until it's dead. Really dead. Because for me, the only thing scarier than a spider minding his own business, is a spider with a vendetta. So I don't take that chance.

Anyway.......when my mother-in-law was here she tried to kill a couple of spiders for me, but she does not subscribe to the same "kill or be killed" creed that I have. So a couple of them got away. Sorry, Grandma Poo, but you just gotta be more aggressive! One came back. And it got me. This picture is soon after I discovered the bite. It itched for a day, then my whole leg started to ache, then I couldn't put any weight on it, then the red ringed area turned black. Finally, after several days it has turned red again and started to fade. It itches again though, which kind of freaks me out. So stop giving me grief already! I was RIGHT.

Just Checking In

We have been having a very busy time in our house for the past month or so. Not that we've really gone anywhere or done anything of great importance, but when you have a nine month-old, you are just plain busy. Jack is a very active little boy. He doesn't take good naps, which is still a tragedy to this worn out mom, but he sleeps great at night, so I really can't complain. He is sooooooo busy! He crawls everywhere, pulls up to his knees on the couch, the end tables, and the bathtub (which makes mommy nervous). His word of choice is still "Da da", and so far he has still never said "Ma ma" even though he knows that we want him to say it. When he plays in the floor he plays very seriously, and his love for electronics is growing by leaps and bounds.

He only drinks two "ba ba's" (bottles) a day, and sometimes only one (in the morning). He LOVES to eat--especially anything off our plates or out of our cups. One of his favorite treats? Well, of course it is a White Mocha Frappaccino from Starbucks! If I give him a drink from my cup, he will sit with his mouth open and little hands shaking as he begs for more. He drinks from a straw with no problem.

He has two teeth and he's working on another one (bottom left). So far no top teeth yet. The teeth thing is funny--some days he's fine--other days he is just miserable. We never know from day to day how it's going to go.

He doesn't like the nursery. At all. The last several weeks we have been paged several times by harried nursery workers who shake their heads and say, "We don't know what else to do for him". So daddy brings him out into the hallway and he and Jack listen to mommy's choir sing. Sometimes I can get him back in the nursery and sometimes I can't. This last Sunday we had a whole bunch of people coming over for lunch, so when we were paged we just went ahead and came home.

He is nine months old tomorrow! I don't know how much he weighs, but I'm guessing it's over 20 lbs. and he is LONG. He can wear 18 month pj's and 12 month shirts and pants. None of his 9 month pj's or pants fit him. He can still wear some 9 month shirts, but it's tight. He's gonna be a big boy. He's kind of like a puppy--if he grows into his paws he's gonna be big! But he's not chubby at all. He's just very long.

He's very sweet and he loves us very much and we, of course, are goofy about him. We love him so much and I am so thankful that I can stay home and spend this time with him. Now the next question is--do we want another one?

Summer Vacation Clips

Here is a short video that has some short clips of the kids summer visit. We really enjoyed having our whole family all together under one roof! I miss you Anne & Bryan!

Our Lil Peanut

Just a few video clips to show you what a fun baby our little peanut can be. We are truly blessed to be his parents.

Date Night!

For a few months now Betty and I have been attempting to purposely spend an evening together. We realized that with our busy schedules we just had to put a date on the calendar - then the only challenge would be actually keeping that date! Last weekend we were discussing the upcoming week and I actually thought to plan it myself! I called grandma-poo and asked her when she could watch Jack Jack she threw out a string of possibilities that would work with her schedule (yes she is back at work now!), we decided on Friday night because I get off earlier on Friday. Then grandma said that Jack could spend the night!!! I ran the idea past Betty and she jumped with glee - not that she doesn't love her baby you see, but we really haven't been alone since our honeymoon, and that was just a three day weekend!! We finalized the plans and dreamed of all the fun things we would be able to do without having to go and wake a sleepy baby and then transport him back home (usually crying halfway home till he would fall asleep again).

Friday came quickly enough and inevitably I got out of work later than expected. When I got home I found that betty had packed every single toy that our boy has into bags along with enough food to sustain a navy seal for a month. Before we left I set down at her desk to check my email and I noticed that she had a word document open on her laptop. I clicked on it and it was a FULL page of instructions on the care, loving, changing, playing, and feeding of our baby boy! The funny thing about this is that she is the one who jokes about me having "engineer brain" and planning every project down to 5 minutes. I got a kick out of her list!

We went to grandma's house and I took care of a few things for her while Betty fed jack one last time. We left and went out to eat at Olive Garden where we had yummy food and a waitress who blatantly lied to Betty (whole other story) Then in typical Jeff fashion we proceeded to go to best buy to spend the reward zone certificates and gift certificates that have been burning a hole in my pocket. Believe it or not, we actually couldn't find anything that we had to have! We went to Barnes & Noble and got some yummy coffee and a book on Excel VBA. We talked about going to a movie but we weren't interested in anything that was playing at the time.

We ended up getting home early... as we pulled into our driveway it really hit us... our little boy is going to be away from both of us at the same time overnight!!! We allmost turned the car around right there and headed back to get him! We decided to leave him with grandma and try to enjoy the evening even though we both wanted to see him so much.

We ended up having a pretty normal night, we watched an episode of Battlestar Galactica (our new favorite thing to do together) and went to bed. While I was last out of the bathroom and as I was headed to our bedroom Betty emerged from Jack's room, I smiled as I realized that she really did miss her little baby boy. We both went in his room and stood by his crib, then we went to bed and talked about him. Betty even slept with the baby monitor on.

We love you Jack. You are such a sweet baby and we love you with ALL our hearts.

Daddy.

A Happy Solution

Jack is fascinated by anything electronic (hmmm..... I wonder where he got that). In particular, he is obsessed by the computer. For Jack, everything is about the computer. If mommy is taking him down the stairs, he knows that the computer will be within sight. If he is riding around in his car, he inevitably ends up in front of the computer. If we sit with him in the big tan chair, he must stand up and look over our shoulders to see the.....you guessed it....computer! Basically, for Jack, all roads lead to the computer. It makes it very difficult to play with anything else or get anything done with him begging to be at the computer. He has even taken to crawling through the end table in order to reach the computer desk. So, today, I finally came up with the solution. You can see by the pictures that he is thrilled. He spent 45 minutes in this chair this afternoon. I got two loads of laundry done in that amount of time! The only reason why he left it is because he was getting bleary-eyed from looking at the screen and needed to take a nap. So he's napping now, but I expect he'll be back. Here are some other fun photos from the last few days.

What Do I Think?

Recently, I have been asked by several people what I think about what is happening at my alma mater. At first I really didn't understand what I was being asked. I knew that the president had stepped down for "personal" reasons, and while I was somewhat puzzled as to what those reasons were, I realized that it didn't really involve me personally and so I put it out of my mind. Yesterday and today I have come to realize what a huge thing is happening there and all around the nation regarding this incident. My first instinct was to dig for more information. I realized that I was not in possession of all the facts and could not make a real decision. I believe that I was given some very good information from Godly friends whose only goal is to serve Christ and see good come of this situation. I also feel that I received some very shocking information from the internet. After several hours of digging and sorting through this information and becoming more and more distressed over what I have been reading, I have come to this conclusion:

• God's Word is the only source of Truth in this world.
• God is not ignorant of this situation and was not surprised by it.
• My prayer and hope is that all parties involved would seek to give God glory. (Glory is defined as "giving the right opinion of God")
• The bottom line: I am not a part of this problem, nor do I believe that God would have me be a part of the solution. Therefore, with the exception of praying that glory is given to God through this situation, I'm out of it. Period. There are more important things (and that does not mean that it isn't important to those who are genuinely involved in the problem and the solution) that God wants me to accomplish today. Like laundry. Ugggh.

So, there you have it folks, my official thoughts on the matter.

Road Trip?

Is anyone interested in going up to Detroit for Ed's memorial service? I'm sure that it's going to be a very touching service. If you think you might want to go, leave a comment. I haven't made any final decisions yet, I'm just curious if anyone else is thinking of going.

This World Is Not My Home

Praise God these bodies are only temporary. Ed has been completely healed and given a new body as he looks upon our Savior face to face! Please pray for Kelley for sweet rest and comfort. The weight of grief is such a physical thing and she has already been going non-stop for months now. Pray that God will allow her to be carried on the strength of her Lord and her family.

Prayer

Please pray for my friend, Ed Horn, as today will most likely be his last day on this earth. I won't go into all the details, but if you have the time and want to receive a huge blessing, look at this website for Ed. He has been battling cancer for some time now, and it looks as though his body has so aggressively rejected the bone marrow transplant that he received just a short time ago that he will quickly pass into eternity. He leaves behind his young wife, Kelley, and their two children, Aiden and Kya. Throughout this trial they have modeled Christ in just about every way possible. They are friends of mine from college and although we have not actively communicated with each other in over a decade, I have read this website every day now for several months. I feel a great sense of grief for his loss, and for the pain that his family must be going through. Like them, I pray to Ed's heavenly Father to please take him quickly. Please pray with me that His will is done.

Face to face with Christ my Savior
Face to face--how can it be?
When with rapture I behold Him--Jesus Christ! Who died for me!
Face to face I shall behold Him
Far beyond the starry sky
Face to face in all His Glory
I shall see Him by and by

When my life work has ended, and I cross the swelling tide
And the bright and glorious morning I shall see
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side
For His smile will be the first to welcome me
I shall know Him--I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand
I shall know Him--I shall known Him
By the print of the nails in His hands

The Gray Family - New And Improved

I hesitate to put these up because there is something wrong with our scanner, but these turned out so well that I couldn't wait to share them. We love our little family. We miss Sissy and Bubba greatly and are counting the minutes until we can see them again. In the meantime, little Jack is doing his best to make us laugh and keep us busy. Thank you, God, for your incredible blessings!

The Tooth Has Arrived!

Tonight I was feeding Jack a little bit of peanut butter on the end of my finger and I felt it! It's really there! No wonder he was a little TURKEY all day yesterday and today. Sundays are hard on Jack with church coming right in the middle of his morning nap and lunchtime, but today he was especially cranky and cried alot. It wasn't until this evening that I realized the problem! The good news is that it is finally in--the bad news is that we have a whole mouthful to go! Now I'm freaking out about feeding him peanut butter. What was I thinking? What if he is allergic to peanuts? Can I get him to the ER in time? I don't even have any Benedryl in the house. Good grief. So far he is doing fine. But I keep watching for signs of blotchiness and tongue swelling. Hard to tell in an already drooling, mouth contorting baby, but I'm watching nevertheless.

I tried to get a picture but he wasn't cooperating with me. By the way, he is also sitting up and doing the army crawl across the floor! He'll be 8 months old in a few days.

Yo Ho! Pirate Bry Bry

Here is Bryan (or "Bubba, Bubby or Bu" as Jack calls him) striking his best pirate pose. Both Sissy and Bubby went to VBS this summer and the last night was Pirate night. Check out the cool tattoo!

Busy Boy

Our little boy is coming out of his skin! It is no longer acceptable that he is unable to crawl, walk or run. He is frustrated ALL the time because he can't reach anything. His arm is always out, reaching toward something. Today we put him in the walker and his little feet were running before they even hit the ground. He has also figured out how to open the kitchen cabinets, and that if he gets real close to the stove there is another little boy in a walker just like his, staring back at him. I have a feeling that my life will never be the same. And I haven't even adjusted to this "normal" yet!

First For Everything

My son gave me a bloody nose. My infant son. You might have thought that the 11 year-old would be more likely, but no, it was the 7 month old. He has been very irritated today. He's been "yelling" at me very loudly, crying alot, not interested in his ba ba, and generally pretty cantankerous. I was holding him and trying to calm him down some when he reared back his head and just head-butted me right in the nose. I had the sense to put him down on the floor before I sank down beside him, holding my injured member, fighting back tears, and feeling rather dizzy. After my mother-in-law wheeled into the living room to find me on my hands and knees, I wiped my nose with a kleenex and observed bright red blood! Wow, it hurt. Jack just kept fussing as if nothing had happened. It's the first nosebleed I've ever had.

Project #2 on the list of things to do.

My brother in law sent me this video and I just couldn't resist posting it here. Maybe I will have my version completed by the time Jack has his drivers license. If only I could hook a mower up to the back!

Random pictures

Poor sick baby--still has a smile!