Arts Music Justice

We went to an "Art Music Justice" concert last week, a collaboration by Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Sara Groves, Charlie Peacock & Brandon Heath to raise awareness & support for Food For the Hungry and International Justice Mission. The songs & stories they shared cut me to the quick... leaving me wondering whether we might not see so much staked on governmental "redistribution of wealth" if the Church more closely followed Christ in freely & voluntarily loving our "neighbors" from the heart. I know the issue is complex, as we live in a broken & hurting world, but it was just a thought I had as I considered the difference between government imposed redistribution which lacks an ability to discern true needs on an individual basis & can cause resentment & division...versus free generosity which can employ wisdom & discernment and usually results in unity & always brings joy to both the giver & receipient. Anyway, the concert was one of the most amazing experiences- I encourage you to go if the tour comes to your area. Info is on Sara Groves' website at http://www.saragroves.com. Here's a clip from one of the songs performed that evening. You will enjoy.

Breakfast Bunch

Impromptu get-together at our place last Friday morning... lots of Abby's little buddies came, and they got along beautifully! Mommies actually got to talk with very few interruptions!

Life Lessons from My Aunts

Pinching Pennies

At a get-together with friends yesterday, we started to compare notes about saving money & I learned a lot from friends

Pinching Pennies

At a get-together with friends yesterday, we started to compare notes about creative ways to save money & I learned a lot... so I thought it would be a good idea to have a post for friends to share money-saving secrets with everyone. I will start with a few I learned from friends yesterday... if you have any suggestions, post them in the comments...

A Persistent Hello

Consider yourself forewarned... if you say "hi" to Abby, you won't get to say it just once! When we are out in public, Abby is the official Gray Family greeter, and a very persistent one at that. If you do not return a "hi" the first or the fifth or the tenth time Abby says "hi", she will say it again and again until there is a response... and if you do say "hi" then you have submitted yourself to a game of "hi" chicken with a very persistent toddler...no joke! I just had to capture this bit of obsession on camera...an Abby-quirk for sure.

Vote for Our Future

Abby voted for the first time today... well, she was Mommy's political consultant while Mommy voted...she is, afterall, the most appropriate consultant, given that the results of this Presidential election will likely affect her most significantly. We pray for God's mercy and protection for our country and for His wisdom in Washington.

In case you don't know, early voting in San Antonio ends on Friday, the 31st. Here is a link to the early voting sites:

http://www.bexar.org/ELECTIONS/Early_Voting_Calendar_Joint_Election_-_corrected.pdf

Berry Power

Have you had your raspberries today?


No? Here's Abby to tell you why you should...

Did you know that raspberries rank near the top of all fruits for antioxidant strength? Yes, it's true, I just learned about that today! They have lots of ellagic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic acid in them... yes, I can say all of these words! :-) They think raspberries help protect you against all kinds of bad stuff like inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, allergies, cognitive decline, degeneration of eyesight. Even a one-year old can learn anything on Wikipedia...

So get to the store for your daily serving right away! And tell 'em Abby sent you.

Paid for by National Rapsbeerry Growers of America

A Wild Ride

"How was your day, hon?" Jake asked me tonight... well, if you really want to know... exhausting! Here's a glimpse of our crazy day driven by the roller coaster emotions of a precious toddler who has been sick for a few days.

9:00 AM
Waving at everyone at the zoo


And INSISTING on pushing the stroller across the ENTIRE zoo


12:00 PM
Refusing lunch... but eating her first fudgsicle (helps to bring the fever down, so they say)


4:00 PM
103+ fever for the third day in a row... visit doctor for blood test...SCREAM at doctor for poking...fling blood all over lab and smear it on Mommy...an hour later, still reminding me how mad she is that Mommy let the doctor poke her little finger




Click on this one to enlarge it... her face is hilarious...all drama!


4:30 PM
All smiles, playing in the backyard with Baby



4:45PM
Figuring out how the camera works... hamming it up!

PeeWee Spa

Abby got her first up-do (pigtail right on top of her head) at Mother's Day Out today. I was so surprised when I walked into her classroom to pick her up. She looked kinda like Pebbles (the tiny Flinstone character). Her teachers fixed all of the kids' hair and clipped all of their nails. Apparently, they have been carrying on this tradition for years. Then there was a "first" sucker on the way out to the parking lot (although she calls it a poppa... probably for "popsicle"). Growing up...

New Shoes

Every girl has to have a very first shoe shopping excursion. Well, here's a glimpse of Abby's first trip to the mall for a new pair of shoes... which actually took place a few weeks ago. We are behind on posts!

Ooooooh! Grandma, look how sparkly these shoes are! Have you ever seen shoes so cute?


Abby, those are pretty shoes! You look like a princess. But don't forget about these. You should at least try them on. Sometimes you can be surprised how much you like a pair of shoes once you actually try them on. You might like these even better than the sparkly ones.


Oh my, I think you're right. These are far more classy... and practical. I can wear them with more outfits... that will make Mommy happy.


And just look at the sole on this shoe! I will be like Superwoman when I wear them... running so fast! I've just got to have these!


Mommy, didn't Grandma and I do a good job picking out new shoes?


Grandma, thank you for my new shoes. I love you. (Mommy loves the adoring look on Abby's face, just looking at her Grandma... or whatever her name may soon be!)

Lotsa Laughs

Here's a great alternative to to the doom & gloom news...

Encore for Sisterhood of the Red Dress

Recognize this little sister??? She's standing in the same spot Abby is standing in the 5th picture below, with the same furniture behind her, but thankfully not the same carpet! :-) Abby's so blessed to be loved by her fabulous aunts who wore the red dress before her... some big shoes to fill... we love you guys, Kim & Mel! Thanks for the fun weekend.

Sisterhood of the Red Dress

In honor of Aunt Kim's visit this weekend, the Sisterhood of the Red Dress will be featured on the blog all weekend! Here's a sneak preview...

Backdrop courtesy of McD's...1978. What do you bet that the green "watch" was the Happy Meal treat?


No doubt, Aunt Kim would also have had her Mom's cell phone in hand, texting away... if they only had them way back then! It is my opinion that my little drama queen & her Aunt Kim have more in common than a red dress...


Smile for the camera...


Perform for the camera...


Kim: Hmmm... it's kinda quiet around McD's this morning... maybe it's a good time for a little drama...


Abby: Popop, please try on this hat for me?!


Kim: Me? Cute? No.... well, ok, if you say so...

Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike brought some good friends of ours from Houston to stay with us for about a week. Although it brought terrible devastation, we did count it a blessing to have a reunion with good friends.

The kids would argue over who could pick Abby up...she loved it