Happy 10th Birthday BROOKS

 Go Panthers! We surprised you with tix to the game vs Browns. We had awesome seats in the Silver Club. So fun. You wore your new birthday hat.  17-13 Big W!

For your party (in February) you had some of the guys over. We played basketball at the Y (it was 20 degrees and windy), enjoyed Amazing Race activities, ping pong and basketball in Bonus Room and watched some funny and serious clips of movies like Facing the Giants. We had a blast!  Danny Gatling, Jonathan, Eli Houser, Jacob, Blake and Tucker were your guests. It was actually really nice to have a smaller group.  Happy Birthday!

Your 10 Year Old check up was great. 75 lbs (75%), 58" (90%) and 20/30 vision and Blood Pressure of 102/59. We are thankful. 

Landry Presents Jesse Tree

In Second grade students are given the opportunity to present a family tradition to the class. Landry chose the Jesse Tree and did a fantastic job presenting. A special opportunity to share your faith!

http://youtu.be/WmNG6AvDERE

http://youtu.be/ZbPZlGXhb5g

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

This year we celebrated at Uncle Chris' home in Salisbury. We love being all together and find the 4 Grays usually hang with the Sheltons for many hours after everyone has gone home. Such a blessing to all be together. We each shared our"good gift" from God we were thankful for. 

Christmas Tree 2014

Blue Spruce!  We decided to do something a little different this year for a tree. After beginning a new tradition last year of cutting down our own tree and Ayers-Kreh Tree Farm in Stuart, Virginia, we selected a Blue Spruce instead of the traditionally Frasier Fir. We also selected a White Pine for the front porch.

Brooks' B

So when we were discussing room decor, Brooks expressed an interest in a neon color for his walls. This was not a surprise to anyone considering his preference for all things bright. We honed it down to an accent wall. That transitioned to navy horizontal stripes. Finally, after noticing his Guilford the Grasshopper figurine head, we knew that bright green was the way to go. Brooks decided on randomly positioned stripes.  His desire for a bright orange B on his wall was his first request for the new house, well, and a cereal shelf in the pantry that he could reach. I found this amazing treasure at a salvage store. It is the B off of the former Bluementhals sign. Bluementhals was a store here is Greensboro for over 80 years. Pretty amazing results. 

Landry's 2nd Grade Christmas Musical

http://youtu.be/hOKxAL0Oa14

"In December we paint the windows of every store."

http://youtu.be/WlPplvEoE_E

http://youtu.be/MpImTVStDps

Brooks 4th Grade Basketball

6 points!

http://youtu.be/HrLhZyzIBus

The Bulls finished up the season in 2nd Place!!

Visit with Mrs. Kime

Mrs. Kime is very important to Landry and clearly Landry is important to her. We met half way in 

Danville,VA for selicious food (Thank you Mrs. Kime) and a wonderful afternoon. Landry and Mrs. Kime ran into each others arms and mostly made googly loving eyes at each other. Very sweet day. 

The much talked about Lola. 

Little Football!

Mrs. Kime got cold while hiking so she ended up wearing Brooks' hoodie the rest of the day. Are all really had an amazing time. 

Landry Presents Thomas Edison 2nd Grade

http://youtu.be/GSmzisJEnCI

http://youtu.be/DP6Nc8OlPB4

Daddy's 41st

Daddy had a great birthday. We cooked some of his favorite foods, including Strawberry Lemon Pie. You guys gave him unforgetable gifts. He is an awesome Dad and Husband. We love you Robert. 

House Update

Less than 3 weeks to go!  I cannot believe everything will be ready to move in. I am very excited but also in disbelief. Here we were about 2 weeks ago. 

I am currently most exciting about the fire pit and your 2 bedrooms!

Brooks' Room

Landry's Room

Mommy's Birthday

I had an awesome 34th Birthday!  You all made me feel so very special with loving cards filled with words that nurtured my soul. I will treasure your words my whole life. Posters, gifts, cards and phone calls filled my day. That evening Daddy took Grandma, Mima, Papa and us out to dinner at Mythos and dessert at Delicious. At home, I had a blast on the treasure hunt that lead to the precious cards. What a great day spent with the loves of my life. I felt very special and loved. 

That weekend Daddy and I enjoyed dinner at Lucky 32 before the play, 39 Steps at Triad Stage. As Brooks said in my card, I have hit the Jack Pot! 

Happy Birthday # 7 Miss Sweet Girl

How are you 7?  The years have gone so fast and have been a wonderful joy to our whole family. I am so very grateful that God gave you to us and for the hilarious relationship you and Brooks share. I am so excited about the years ahead. We will be moving in to our new home in less than 2 months and it will be a great new chapter in our family's life. You and Brooks will be adorable having the upstairs to yourselves and sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom.  

I cannot wait to create your new bedroom which will likely take you well into your teenage years. God is so good that while we mourn the days of the past, He gives us days to enjoy in the future.  I know and trust His plans for you will be beautiful Landry! 

You enjoyed an adorable 7th Birthday party with Kate Sheppard, Lanie Lovett, Taelynn Smith, Jensen Huitsing and Ellie Kemp. This was the smallest party you have had yet. The theme - American Girl!  Everyone brought their dolls and you shared your Jess with Lanie (who will get her doll at Christmas).  You girls introduced your dolls, played Duck Duck Goose and Musical chairs with your dolls, created bracelets or necklaces for yourselves and your dolls and pom pom scarves for the dolls. We enjoyed decorating the cupcakes and enjoyed sausage balls, cubed cheese, fruit skewers and carrots in the Dining Room. The party favors included a small bag for the dolls to put their new accessories in, an American Girl hair extension and American Girl book. 

This was the first year that we did not do a joint family party with Julia, however we did go down to visit with them in Salisbury. We joined them for church to hear Uncle Chris preach, lunch and some hang out time. I am very grateful for that part of our family. 

Your check up was great today and you are so very blessed with good health. Praise the Lord!  Weight 58 1/2 (75%), Height 48 1/2 (75%), BMI 75%, Blood Pressure 82/59 and Vision 20/30. 

First Ballet Class at Greensboro Ballet

After school we went swimming, to Qdoba and Krispy Kreme. 

Daddy becomes the Greensboro City Executive!

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/potmsearch/detail/submission/3176401/Robert_Gray

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/blog/2014/10/newbridge-bank-names-robert-gray-as-greensboro.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-10-01&u=3VC9fkPfYY77Lq6dTnQfng095a3bee&t=1412192148

Congratulations Daddy!

Lasts

So I have been thinking a lot lately about lasts. We document so many of your firsts but your lasts come and I go almost unnoticed.  Much like answered prayers, we only realize the change in hindsight, not when it happens. It is the absence that we eventually notice. I have seen this with both of you. One day I realize something is different and permanently different. 

 One day Brooks just stopped sucking his thumb when sleeping. There was no warning to be sure I had a last photo. Biscuit was your sleeping companion for years until he wasn't.  One day Brooks will no longer ask me to lay in bed, scratch his back or offer the same smooth cheeks to kiss that I now enjoy. But, I trust our relationship's strength and believe we will always be close. and while your face may become stubble and your requests of Daddy to hear a story about "the little boy" will become new conversations, we will always share our bond. 

Landry will not always ask me to sleep with her and read books at bedtime. The way you feel so wonderful and soft that always makes me so sleepy when we snuggle. Asking to be home schooled so we can spend every moment together. Landry, you may not always wants advice on most everything. The way you guys lean forward and hunch over me for a good bye hug at school drop off will one day be replaced by a driveway hug as you drive off in your own cars. But I want to remember how you feel with your head on my shoulder when I read books with you on the couch. These are some of my most treasured life memories. I may be able to move past the wonderful memories of the beach, Disney and birthday parties but these I will cling to. What I will miss most are family dinners around our table on any given night. Family games as the evening comes to a close. Seeing you two sitting beside each other as you put on your shoes. Oh how I love you both to overflowing. 

So while I won't always have a heads up on when some of the lasts have arrived or even passed, I will enjoy our everydays that we have today. The ordinary but absolutely breath taking and wonderful life we enjoy right now

And the coolest part of all is that while we grow up, we have eternity in Heaven to anticipate. God set eternity in our hearts and what a loving gift He has given us in knowing this life is not the end!

First Day of School

"First Day in the Fourth Grade. First Day in the Second Grade"

I. cannot believe my Favorites are growing up so fast. You guys were so thrilled and excited that is made the first day easy for us all.  Brooks was most excited about new shoes, Jonathan (who is also at same table group), Mrs. Gilbride and move up math. Landry was most excited about Mrs. Weethee and Kate. 

Mrs. Weethee did a lot of reading the first day which thrilled Landry. One book they started is The Treasure Tree which Brooks loved when in Mrs. gray's class for Second Grade. 

Landry's response when entering the car after school was that the day was "Amazing" and Brooks stated "Great."  I am very thankful for that. You both told me later that it was longer than you remembered. Sorry I cannot make it shorter. I would rather have you home with me. 

I thank the Lord daily for placing you in a great school and giving you loving teachers. "I know it is going to be a great day/ year."

2012 Jumping in the leaves

Notice Landry calling to Brooks. Not sure she ever addresses him as Brooks. Fun days. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=HFgHL8LGPpU

Writing

Not only are we writing God's Word on our hearts by memorizing Scripture but we are also blessing our new home by literally writing God's Word in our walls. 

Between Landry's windows: Proverbs 3:15-18 "She is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare with her...those who hold her fast are called blessed."

Outside both kids' rooms: Deuteronomy 7:6 "Out of all the people on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be His cherished personal treasure."

Behind the Bonus room TV: 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for all believers."

Brooks' Closet: Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your Word."

Left of Living Room Built Ins and Hood in Kitchen: Acts 16:31"Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."

Hood in Kitchen: John 3:16

Guest Bedroom: 1 Timothy 3:16 "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share"

Brooks' Mirror: 1 Samuel 16:7 "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

Brooks' Door and Robert's Mirror: 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be alert, stand firm in your faith, be strong and courageous."

Brooks' and Landry's beds: 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it."

Foyer: Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Our Bed: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind, love does not boast, it is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice in wrong doing but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails"

Landry's Mirror: Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Landry's Bed and Robert's side of bed: Song of Solomon 4:7 "You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you."