Things I Love Thursdays!

It's been a while, eh?

These are things filling my heart these days....

Bible Study - I was invited to attend a Bible Study at Hope Fellowship and started it this week. I don't know if this makes sense but I feel positive that I am 100% where I'm supposed to be right now. The ladies at my table and the bible study specifically have been put in my life at the most perfect time and for good reasons, some I'm sure I don't even know about yet. My heart is full and hopeful and I'm encouraged and excited to grow my prayer life and that of my family! Grayson knows about God and prays every day (his night time prayers are SO cute!) but I want him to KNOW Him. Anyway, I'm excited for the things to come!

I'm loving Priscilla's videos. Just about everything that comes out of her mouth speaks to me!

Walker's smiles and belly laughs - Oops. I just realized he was 8 months yesterday and I had no intention of doing a milestone blog post. Coming right up (yeah right!). 

This was taken at 5:30am. He smiles ALL the time.

My parents' generosity - Y'ALL. There are no words for their kindness and selflessness. Their beautiful dining room has turned into a make-shift storage unit, there are toys and clothes covering their usually-spotless house. Crumbs and spills on a kitchen floor that used to be so clean that you could eat from them (and sometimes Walker does). We have turned their house upside down from a 2-person dwelling to 6 and have added 2 extra vehicles. And a fridge and gun safe. And they haven't complained ONCE. They have saved us a lot of stress, tears and money and we will never be able to repay them!

My wedding dress, lamp shades and spices/teas cover their table. Safe to say they won't be entertaining for a while. :)

Fall - All that this brings: cooler temps, Fall clothing, football, the holidays, family and a busier and more joyful time. I love, love, love this season!

The progress being made on our house right now. There have been workers there just about every day for weeks. Even Saturdays. But I know after paint, there is a real possibility that it will sit idle again. Our neighbor's house hasn't been touched since the painters finished and granite went in a week ago and the builder has mentioned delays with brick and tile. Praying for no more delays and have loved seeing the activity over there! The houses around ours all have their pumpkins out and front doors decorated and I only wish we were moved in and could join them! :)

Latest progress: primer!

Kitchen drawers galore! Oh, and the tub is in.

Girl Time - Until recently, I experienced few breaks away from parenting and have had the chance to feel just how truly exhausting it is. I have a great respect for women who don't have family or help nearby. Like most of the out-of-state girls in my play group! We cherish our time together when we do get out, especially when it's kid free! Last night was sushi at Sake Toro and drinks and karaoke at Lemon Bar. 

A gentleman sent over a round of shots that no one drank. Thoughtful gesture but we've got kids to take care of!

Beau and Grayson time - Watching these two bond as Grayson gets older is so fun to see. Grayson adores his Daddy and as he becomes more and more of a chatter box, it's really cool to hear their conversations. When they're awake, that is! ;)

Snuggles in the hotel room. Gray likes to sleep shirtless just like his Dad :)

He's a terrific Daddy!

Things I Love Thursdays - June Eve Edition

June Eve. That makes sense, right? Moving on...things I'm loving today....

My Mom's Retirement - It was a big decision for my parents to uproot their lives in Corpus and move up here and that included my mom closing down her practice and entering early retirement. I know she misses her career but I love, love, love having her so close by to pick up and go on my most random of adventures or  boring of errands. She makes everything fun and I know I'm so, so lucky to have her here. So many of my friends don't have family nearby so for her, I am so grateful. 

Hmmm, I mention our adventures but my only pictures are of them on the couch ;)

Here's one - just had a cinnamon roll at Paradise with Mimi this morning!

Rainy days and nights - The thunderstorms and hail have been intense the past few nights (just ask our wimpy dog, Brinkley) but I love being curled up in bed listening to the rain. Or on the couch in PJs most of the day with my baby. Plus, with the Frisco water restrictions in full force, our yard has been so thirsty! Our plants just look happier. :)

This dog has given me so much grief the past 3 nights of thunder.  Shaking and insisting he sleep in the bed with me. As you can see, I had a huge problem with this. ;)

My boy fell asleep on the couch before 11am yesterday despite his nap time being at 12:30. And slept for 2 1/2 hours after I moved him to his bed. The rain just does that to a person, I guess.

Pinterest ideas - I get a kick out of making something from this site that actually turns out well! These mini pot pies were perfect for our play date today. Here is the link.

Play dates! These little suckers can wear out my child and have him taking a 3 hour nap in no time! The best are when we have people over here so that there's none of this falling-asleep-in-the-car-trying-to-transport-to-the-bed-thus-missing-lunch business. We had our neighbor Lowery over today! Later his sisters and his Mama joined us for popsicles. 

Lowery, Maddie and Grayson

Television - I know this is controversial and I shudder just a little every time I even mention it, but Grayson is showing a little more interest in his kid programs than before and I'm pretty stinkin' happy about it. He digs Sesame Street and since it's educational, I'm cool with that. I've said a billion times that I know there will come a time where I wish he wouldn't watch but if I can get just an hour a day of him watching some educational programming, that's one less hour in the 100+ degree heat this summer! He just doesn't have any interest in being inside these days. Plus, I've gotta get him into movies before our flights/road trips in Florida this summer! :)

He made it almost 30 minutes through Sesame Street! 

Mouth gaping and everything. Grover gets him every time. :)

Beau + Food + Home....I have a husband that comes home at 5pm today! His Thursday flights can get in pretty late so I'm stoked to have him home in time to see Grayson and eat dinner with us. I also love a fully-stocked fridge and planned meals for the weekends. Looking forward to laying low with my boys, some food, some movies and our house! We don't do that very often!


A fun month - Grayson and I both have birthdays coming up, our Life Group is having a pool party at my favorite house in the world which is in Prosper, we start My Gym with our play group and Soccer Tots continues on Saturdays with Piper and her parents. Oh, and there better be a girls' wine night in my future. Just sayin'.


Reynolds family weekend begins at 5pm today - holler! Have a good one!

Things I Love Thursday: Terrible 2s Edition

With the terrible 2s rearing their ugly head(s?) and a very rough couple of days, I thought I'd do one of these to focus on all the good around here. Lord knows I need a solid dose of positive perspective through the tears and frustration (from both of us!)


Things I'm loving today...


The Today Show. I just don't get to watch very much anymore with all the school and swim lessons and morning play dates but I look so forward to it when I can. I'm super stoked that Matt Lauer re-upped his contract! Now if only Savannah would replace Ann Curry. :/


Good morning texts from Beau. Of course I wish they were good morning kisses but it's only half the week so it's okay. But his texts are sweet and comforting and consistent. Every morning without fail and I love hearing from him. 

My sister is ENGAGED! Rogan proposed last week and I couldn't be more thrilled for them! Grayson is especially excited that I-wish-I-was-your-Uncle Rogan is now I'm-almost-your-Uncle Rogan. 

The future Mrs. Giles. They just get each other.

Sleeping. I hope that one day this will be replaced with exercising. I remember when I was a lot more active and worked out many days during the week, sleeping was just something I did and not looked forward to. I'd like to get back to that. But in the meantime, I so look forward to melting into my bed each night after I put Grayson down! :)

Shelby waits for me as I get ready for bed. Such a princess! 

Toddler independence. Yes, the terrible 2s are terrifying. And I doubt myself a thousand times a day. And I go to bed thinking I could have done so much better as a mom. But I love that he can now walk, run, explore, create his own fun, eat and drink and wash his hands on his own. He likes bathing himself, climbing into his chairs and car seat without help, and I love letting him. Those first 18 months of carrying him and creating 100% of the fun can be tough! I miss it a lot but I look forward to this new chapter of exploration with Baby Grayson!

Eating with a big people fork in his big boy chair. Growing up before my very eyes.

Creating his own adventures. :)

Praying for patience and to be a better Mama and actually seeing it go to work in me. Maybe it's just a new day but beginning it with just a quick prayer can really start and keep my day on the right track. Related (sorta), I can't get through this blog post without crying...although I haven't gotten to the "feeling under appreciated" point, so that's good :)


Exciting upcoming plans! We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks: Frisco Food Truck Festival, our Church's 10 year anniversary event, Otto's baby shower with the girls, Derby party and a fundraiser out on a really cool ranch in Aubrey. How can I let the bad moments outshine these good ones?! 

Things I love Thursday: Spring Edition!

I am giddy about Spring! I always am, I guess. But it's a season of such renewal and fresh starts, I feel. Here are some things that I'm loving this week, whether they just happened or I'm in the process of planning them for Spring...


Parent's Anniversary
Today is my parents' 23rd anniversary! Time flies when you're having fun! We sure do get a kick out of seeing them so much these days. Grayson made them a pretty tissue paper flower and colored a card for them. (Side bar: we used this tutorial and it was easy, breezy. I will NEVER buy those poms for showers and parties ever again. This took less time to make from scratch than those $14 ones take to unfold!) Happy Anniversary, folks! And here's to many, many more!


Planning our trip to Naples!
Beau and I are so excited to go visit our friends Nikki and Brad and their new baby boy, Weston! He's seriously brand new - born this past Monday morning and Y'ALL, he's CUTE. See?

SERIOUSLY adorable baby!

It's hard to believe that by the time we actually get to Naples (late summer), that tiny baby will be sitting up and all that jazz. We are excited for our beach trip with them and to just spend some down time with them. And of course we can't wait to have Grayson at the beach for the first time! I'm pretty sure he'll love it since he loves all things water. Oh and I picked these up at the outlet mall for Grayson...

At least I think those are them. I wouldn't exactly remember since I bought them in January. Spring fever runs strong and early in this house - I can't help it. I will be thinking about this trip all spring/summer!


Family pictures
We have a session booked with a photographer that several of the girls in our play group have just raved about. She has even done several families in my old play group and she does a great job! Even better, she is a fraction of the cost of most photogs. I feel so, so guilty stepping out on our regular photographer but it's either this new one or no session at all. :( What is a family on a budget to do? Go with the newbie, of course. We have these coming up in a couple of weeks and I am loving planning the outfits. Of course now that I NEED to shop, I can't find anything. When I can't shop, I find everything that I want. Happened for my wedding outfits too. Can't wait to show you these in late Spring!


St. Patrick's Day!
Beau and I are looking forward to going down to Dallas to celebrate this day with our friends! The day kicks off at 10am with a breakfast at Whitney's house, then maybe to the block party for a while and then maybe to some house parties. We haven't done this in a while so it should be fun! If you need me in the next 2 weeks, I'll be perusing the mall for the best green outfit! :)

I think this was 2008. We have many years of pictures just like this so they tend to run together. :)

Anyone remember the year that Beau spent the day with a top hat sticker on his forehead only to become sunburned? He spent most of the day walking up to strangers saying, "Top 'o the mornin' to ya" in his worst Irish accent and pretend-tipping the top hat....ahh, those were the good 'ol days. ;)


Planning Grayson's birthday party
I just love planning these parties! So many fun options. We are definitely doing it at the house since it will probably be our last birthday here for a while. After this, the kids will be old enough for activities and location-style birthday parties! 


Swim lessons
These are happening in April and I'm VERY nervous. Anyone who knows me knows I don't do well in water. But I'm excited to be with Grayson while he takes this next big step!


Teacher Appreciation Week
This is next week at Grayson's school and he will be taking lilies to his teachers! They each have a favorite so we'll be waiting until the last minute to find those (kidding ;)). We're also taking them a homemade dish for a dinner with their families (so they don't have to cook) next Friday. I'll also be volunteering in the classroom so one of the teachers can have some time off. Date TBD. I can't wait to see what goes on in that room! :)

Ms. Henrietta likes calla lilies

Ms. Jen's favorite is the stargazer lily.

(I selfishly just posted those pics to this blog so that I know what I'm looking for come Monday morning when I'm scrambling for these and running late.) :)


Beau is home this week!
I love having him here, I say this all the time. Even though I don't show it (it's tough with him working in the house, Grayson screaming and me trying to accommodate them both). But I love having him here at the end of the day to eat dinner with us and to lay around with me. I've done a pretty good job sticking to my weekly planner of meals, activities, to do's, and play dates/appointments. 


Village Burger Bar
I had dinner Wednesday with all the men in my life: Beau, Grayson and my dad. They have 1/2 priced bottle of wine on Wednesdays and it's become a thing for us. Not every Wednesday, but I'd say once a month or so. Delicious food and it heated up really well for lunch today! :)


Finally, what should we do for our 3rd wedding anniversary (April 18th)? Should we leave town? Remember, last year we did a night away in Dallas and went to one of our favorites, Hibiscus, for dinner. Or we could go to Napa! I just invented that idea. More to come on what we decide!


Happy, Merry Spring to you!

Things I Love Thursday

This gorgeous Spring weather!

This short week - Beau comes home today! He just left Tuesday ;)

My friends. Good girl time last night, support from others that have reached out recently, a fun play date with our play group this morning and amazing neighbors. Even the ones I don't talk to every day or week, I am just so grateful for all of the girls in my life!

This time. Just when I want to scream because Grayson won't sleep, I have to remember that this age is flying by and pretty soon I won't get to cuddle him like this. Or sniff up all that Grayson baby hair. And let's be honest, this is the ONLY time he sits still long enough to cuddle with me. :)

My new lamps! What a RUSH it is to take a discounted item to the register to find out it has been further reduced!! Originally $80 each, thought I was getting them at $46 to only find out they were $30 a piece! Pottery Barn scored major points with me yesterday!

So much prettier in person. Trust.

I LOVE this tush. I want to start a blog just about this bum. But I don't want him to hate me when he's older. Well on that subject, it would be awkward to blog about it when he IS older.

A new coffee experience. My new mugs have become even more exciting to use in the mornings now that we have found a coffee that we both love. Dunkin Donuts flavored coffee is the new smell in our house. I will always love the convenience of the Starbucks Via but nothing can replace that fresh brewed coffee smell in the mornings :) The coffee maker was brought back out and dusted off for this stuff. It even converted my formerly-coffee-free husband to being an addicted coffee drinker like me. Welcome to the dark side, honey!

Things I love Thursdays: Thanksgiving Edition

This Thanksgiving was simply perfect with Amanda, Andrew, Andrea and Rogan in town for an extended period. We just have so much to be thankful for and I know these are the best times of our lives! Beau was home and on vacation the entire week and Grayson and I were THRILLED to be surrounded by everyone! My parents loved having their kids home and Jeff gets giddy having the guys around. :) There were a couple of pub lunches, dart tournaments, and movies and many football games watched by those guys. The girls took a couple of trips to the mall, saw the Twilight movie and all enjoyed some meals out together as well. 


Wednesday night before Turkey Day, we all had an incredible dinner at Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Gayle's house. 

Asking Maw something ;)

Uncle Jimmy, Elaine and Brian

Sitting by the fire with blankets - love!

They prepared a fabulous ham dinner with Pioneer Woman's
mac and cheese -- kuddos Elaine!

Thanksgiving Day was perfect. More eating, laying around, eating and laying around. Then for the VERY LAST TX/A&M game EVER. So sad, I know. A 100+ year tradition brought to an end and each side says the other is responsible. Bah. Regardless, it was a really exciting game! Probably everyone watching thought A&M was going to win this one until Texas kicked a field goal with seconds left to win the game. My parents' living room was ALIVE with shouting and jumping and yelling and high 5's! None of which was captured....but we had so much fun. :) 

I will cherish these days always!

The ongoing battle for the remote.

On Saturday, we helped my mom (I use the term "helped" loosely) cook a big Mexican dinner for everyone including the Dallas Caldwells, their grandmother, our grandmother, and cousin Tommy. We then settled in to watch the exciting Baylor football game! (so once again we have some pretty random photos - not capturing any of the family and all of G - sigh)

Love his time with NANDA! Aunt Amanda's new name that he
only said with a big emphasis...NANDA!! ;)

It's past Uncle Jimmy's bedtime!

Wardrobe change! It's hard to sling food across the room in a neck tie.

We miss everyone so much. Sunday was really sad seeing everyone go. It's getting increasingly difficult to see them pack their bags and leave. We look forward to next year though! 

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!