Merry Christmas, 2011

Friday, December 30

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Here is our annual Christmas family picture.  We really wanted to get a picture of Dexter on his rocking horse, but since the Accord was just a tad too small to bring that with us, we brought along his second favorite toy, his hobby horse.  Classic, right?

This year has been a whirlwind of new adventures for us as a family.  Some highlights of the year include:
There have definitely been some struggles as we adjust to having two children to care for and as we deal with some ongoing sensory issues with Dexter, but all in all, we look back at 2011 as a year of new beginnings for our home, our family, our jobs, and our hearts.
 
Merry Christmas all and may you all have a very joy-filled New Year!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Christmas 2011

Thursday, December 29

Ahoy, Christmas!

The Christmas pictures are uploaded!  Over the next few days I will try and blog some of the highlights of our time with family in DFW.

I have to say it was really incredible seeing this Christmas through Dexter and Maxwell's eyes.  Granted, Maxwell slept through most of the gift exchanges, but having two little ones along this year made it a much sweeter (and hectic!) time for us.  Dexter had a million questions.  Favorite questions:
  • Are these gifts for Jesus?
  • What are we giving to Jesus for his birthday?
  • Are we bringing gifts like the wise men in the Very First Noel? 
  • Are we travelling afar?
One of the best things we saw as well was Dexter's excitement to give other's gifts too.  He wanted people to know he brought them a gift as soon as we got where we were going. 

He also loved to choose things this trip.  Since we had to run to the doctor's the day we left for DFW (oh yes...that was fun!) for an ear infection, he was on medication the whole time we were gone.  To get him to take it we offered him one candy (ok, we bribed him, but that's life guys).  We offered him a candy from a bag of identical candies and he would look at it and go, "Hmmm...which one do YOU want Mommy?"  And would wait till I chose one.  Then he would pick one after much thought.  It was so cute.  I have no idea what criteria he used to decide which candy was the winner, but he sure put lots of thought into it!
Trains!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Toddler Caroling

Wednesday, December 21


Dexter chose the electric guitar as his instrument to go caroling with and did a pretty impressive job rocking out at each door. Who taught him that?

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Aquarium

Sunday, December 18

Last weekend the Ray family came to town and we had some Aquarium fun.  Here we are waiting for our "underwater entertainment adventure"!  Maxwell was snug as a bug in his owl hat and Moby.  I apparently was rocking the Richardson HS colors with my gold sweater and purple Moby wrap.
Skuncle!

The main attraction for Dexter was riding the train.  He was pumped!
This boy loves trains!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Like Father, Like Son

Saturday, December 17

I found Dexter this sweet "throwback" outfit at Thread (my favorite kids consignment store in Houston!) this last week.  Here they are in their almost matching outfits.  It's like Laura Ashley, Mother and Child...Chas Tenenbaum style.

And yes, the fall color is just now hitting Houston, unless you count the pine trees...those turned orange/brown a few months ago. 

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Chocolate and Peppermint Candy Cane Cake Balls

Thursday, December 15

Click here for the delicious recipe from Crave.Indulge.Satisfy blog!

I had these at a party over a month ago and I couldn't get them out of my head.  I thought about them on almost a daily basis and have been waiting for an event I could justify making 50 cake balls for.  Ha.  Not something I needed hanging out around the house, right? 

So, today was the MOPS Christmas party and it was our table's turn to bring food.  I am beyond exhausted this week and have nixed all the other fun craft and baking ideas I had (cinnamon rolls for the neighbors, sewing the felted sweater stockings, etc) due to lack of sleep.  But these cake balls had to be made.

Slight adjustments I made:
  • I used Dr. Oetker's Chocolate Cake Mix because it has a deep chocolate flavor but isn't super moist.  Cake balls can go mushy really fast if you aren't careful.
  • I was careful to not add too much icing -- just enough to make sure the cake balls held their shape.
  • I added a few crushed peppermints to the cake mix for extra peppermint flavor
  • I also added about 2 tsp of peppermint extract to the icing
  • I bought the pre-crushed peppermints...I've never seen these before and they were worth all $2.50 I paid!
I'm making more this weekend for the neighbors.  Mmmmm.  Enjoy!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

The Buoniconti Family -- a great need!

Tuesday, December 13

I just read this through my adoptive friends network on Facebook, please, please consider donating to this family in great need!

A mother's nightmare happened yesterday when her husband died in a military helicopter crash. They had just finalized the adoption of their 4th child with many special needs (you can read more about the adoption and complications on the family's blog http://agoodkindofcrazy.blogspot.com/). Please pray and consider giving!

Give generously to the Buoniconti Family here!

Update:
Here is a bit more info from the Project HOPEFUL website:

Last night the husband of our Project HOPEFUL military liaison, Kryste Buoniconti, was tragically killed in a military helicopter accident. They just completed the domestic adoption of their HIV+ son and have $11,000 in unpaid adoption expenses.

Please help us remove this burden from the family during this incredibly stressful time, and above all keep the family in your prayers. The shock of this news is still difficult to comprehend.

Click here for the full post after the jump…

'Twas the Day of Raw Sewage

Thursday, December 8

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Yes, that time of year when the sewer cleaning trunk shows up announced at your house, right as you have put both children to sleep, and blocks in your driveway.  I was not of good cheer when I came out of the boy's rooms to see where all the noise was coming from only to dry heave because the stench was so horrific.  Too much info?  I'm sorry, I have to share, this is too "once in a lifetime" for me to keep this special story all to myself.

After phoning a friend (while covering my nose and cowering in a back room), I decided to brace the stench and open the door to see what in the world was going on.  Amazingly enough, not a smell was to be had outside.  I, however, was a bit testy with the man operating the truck. 

He asked, "do you have any raw sewage on your floors or in your washing machine?"  WHAT!?  I hadn't even investigated that.  Apparently it is not uncommon when they test/clean the lines. 

So, in I went, but praises all around that no raw sewage was to be found.  So I stopped up the drains with wet rags and some bleach and opened some windows hoping the boys would still sleep.

It's only a little chilly outside and I only had 10 things to do during nap...

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Sitting up!

Wednesday, December 7

Maxwell sitting up on his own...ok, propped into a sitting position on his own.  He loved looking at the tree and was "talking" to it for some time.
Maxwell is such a calm, peaceful guy...at least right now!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Maxwell's First Solid


Maxwell eating his first bite of banana.  He loved it and almost came out of his seat reaching for more.  He ate half of a banana in his first sitting.  Makes me feel bad for not feeding him solids earlier, he acted famished.
Dexter wanted to help for about 3 bites, then he was off to play on his own. (by the way, this picture is a good example of what my life is like: a to do list on the wall, a cup of coffee on the table, a half finished pinterest craft on the curtain rod, a t-shirt and ponytail uniform, a baby in need of food, and a toddler on the run!)
looking for more food!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Decorating the Tree

Our little drummer boy
The tree is really, really simple this year.  As we unpacked ornaments, I just rewrapped the glass ornaments and put them right back in the box.  The tree is almost all at Dexter's height and he can climb on the window seat to reach the top.  He LOVES the lights though.  He sits there and counts them and tells us the colors. 

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Gun Metal Hoops, My Favorite Thing...Under $30

Wednesday, November 30

I'm linking up tonight with a super fun blog party ... a favorite things party!  The idea is to host a party, and instead of doing a white elephant gift and being sad your gift wasn't the "hot item" of the party, you bring a reasonably priced favorite thing for everyone at the party!  Then you introduce your item as you pass it around explaining why it is your favorite item.

Ummmm, yes!  I love this idea!  I could invite all my curly haired friends over and we could do a favorite curly hair product...how fun would that be?  I would pass around
It's under $5 and is fabulous!!...although I did love it better before the reformulated it...

But, if I was having a normal party, I would have to pass around
Gun Metal Hoops made in Ethiopia!  This piece is handmade in Ethiopia using recycled nickel, copper, and bronze melted down from previous war weapons. Most of the artisans who created the pieces are HIV positive and receive health care and literacy training in addition to job training.  I would love telling these women's story as I passed out these beautiful earrings!  It is the total story of taking something that is ugly and destructive (war weapons) and turning it into beautiful and job-creating jewelry!

So, who is up for a "Favorite Things" party??

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Helper in the kitchen

Sunday, November 27



I have a little helper in the kitchen tonight! We're making brownies to enjoy as we decorate the tree and celebrate the last day before Sander starts his...

NEW JOB!

More about that when I'm not writing the post on my phone.

Happy Sunday!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Happy Thanksgiving, 2011

Thursday, November 24


Happy Thanksgiving from the Rays!
This year we are thankful for so many things. Here are just a few:
  • Maxwell!!  He was born without complications and has been so healthy (no reflux!).  I have realized more this year that healthy babies are not just a "given" and that every day with healthy children is truly a blessing.
  • Friends.  I could have said community, but didn't want to be too hipster. ; ) 
  • Family.  We are so blessed to have extended family on both sides who love us and love our children.  Again, realizing more and more that in most of the world, this is not a "given".
  • Dexter!  He is talking up a storm, sharing his thoughts and desires (ha!), and we are able to experience the joys of childhood all over again through his eyes.  [I just asked Dexter what makes him happy and he said: "Pssah!"  Remember his made up curse words?  Oh boy...]
  • Whitney's opportunity to play a part in helping others out of poverty around the world through her role with Noonday Collection.
  • The chance for Sander to work on some fun projects around the house (finishing out the shed in the back, working on the CJ Jeep, demo-ing the downstairs bathroom...)
And so many, many other things.  We feel like we have very full hearts, and stomachs, this Thanksgiving.

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Best Kid's Christmas Movie!

Wednesday, November 23

So, my friend told me about this sweet movie, The Very First Noel, so I paid a huge amount online (via amazon) thinking it wasn't for sale anymore.  My mother-in-law just called us today and she, however, found it for just $5 at Family Christian Bookstore on the clearance table. 

Seriously, it is worth the trip to go and get this movie!  It tells the story accurately, in rhyming verse, with beautiful music!  We've watched it twice today and I honestly can't wait to watch it again. 

Happy day-before-Thanksgiving!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Forts and Toddler Tourettes

Tuesday, November 15

Today Dexter and I built our first "fort" from a sheet and baby blankets strung between two chairs.  It was lots of fun for both of us.  Dexter was just in awe when he got underneath and kept trying to re-arrange the blankets on the side.  We even put Maxwell inside too, until Dexter felt like it was time to destroy the fort by jumping on it...that's about how the whole day went.  Fun activity for 5-10min, then destruction of said activity.

Also, we have decided Dexter has created his own form of curse words.  Now, to be clear, Sander and I do not curse around him and neither do we use "ok" curse words around him.  Nope.  Nada.  But for awhile now he would yell "chaka!" or "rock on!" in a very curt, angry way, usually when I said something he didn't like.  It has only gotten worse, with a new addition of "tiku!" to the vocabulary.  I know it sounds crazy, but I have begun to punish him when he says these nonsense words.  He is responding ok...instead of yelling "chaka" he is just making up new ones and looking at me like, "ok, I know I can't say 'chaka', but can I say "X".  Oh gosh.  Guess this is why curse words aren't so much what you say as the heart behind it...

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Is That a Pirate, Mommy?

Thursday, November 10

Well, perhaps we have watched too much Veggie Tales recently, or maybe Dexter is entering that age of, "Kids say the darnedest things," but yesterday was a doozy!  We went to HEB after dinner (not our usual time, but after being out of town, we really had nothing to eat), and boy was I glad Sander was there.  We were making our way down the aisles when all of a sudden Dexter starts yelling, with a look of pure glee on his face, "THAT'S A PIRATE IN HERE! THAT'S A PIRATE IN HERE!"  Thankfully, Sander picked him up quickly and took our son, who was still yelling in glee, to the next aisle.  The "pirate" in question, thankfully was far enough up the aisle he didn't realize what Dexter was saying.

Yes, the man mistakenly called a pirate did have a head scarf and facial hair, but he also had a whoooole lot of tattoos - not quite what you see on the Veggie Tale version of a pirate. 

Dexter kept talking about the "pirate" all night.  I think he was just so excited to finally see one in person. 

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Oil Face Wash -- the Update!

Thursday, November 3

In June of 2010 I met a woman with the most radiant skin.  She said she always had trouble with acne (same here!) until she found the recipe for the oil cleansing method.

I know -- oil on your face?  Oil on an already oily face?  I was really hesitant, but since nothing else had ever worked (dermatologists, prescriptions, Proactive...all would work for a month or two, then I would have issues again), I thought I should give it a try.  Here is my first post on it with lots of links.

More people have asked me about the oil cleansing method as more and more is coming out about the harmful additives in commercial beauty products (Skin Deep resource page, news areticle on the call for recall on Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo!).  Plus, since I started using the oil cleansing method, I have seen articles in Elle, Real Simple, and even Martha Stewart Living.  It's the new thing people!

Here is the recipe I use and love:

  •  Dropper bottle from health food store
  • 1 part castor oil (if you have oilier skin, you would want to use more)
  • 3 parts sunflower oil (high in vitamin E. I usually use a mix of grapeseed oil and sunflower oil)
  • 1/2 part of neroli oil (neroli is fantastic for your skin as it helps regenerate skin cells, reduce scarring, etc)
  • About 10 of drops of sweet orange essential oil (reduces redness and smells great!)
To use the wash, wet your face and then massage a small amount of oil (about the size of a nickel) into your face for about one minute.  Focus on trouble areas, like the t zone, and just think about massaging all the dirt away.  Then, wet a washcloth with as hot of water as you can stand and hold the washcloth to your face.  I focus on an area at a time and hold it there till the cloth cools.  You are blotting, not wiping.  Except I do wipe off my eye makeup.  (*Note: I use an old washcloth for this as the mascara never really comes out, but it is so nice to wash your face and get all the makeup off at the same time!)  When you are done, your face will be slightly oily (you'll want to do this at night before bed), but when you wake up you will be dewy fresh!  Just rinse your face quickly with water and you are ready for the day!  You may break out more the first week, but keep going!  Once all the impurities are rinsed out, you will be so happy with the results!

Check out the Oil Clensing Method website for lots more info and recipes to tweak to your specific face type.

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Rocket Ship and Owl

Monday, October 31

Here are my cutie patooties!

Dexter "holding" Maxwell


 The flame "cape" on the back was easier to see when he held it out and "rocketed" around.
We made it to the festival at church...barely.  Terrible Twos meltdowns and major traffic tried to keep us from it...

The Ray boys!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

The Making of the Rocket Costume

Well, as this week has been the week of crafts, here is my ultimate craft: A Rocket!  Inspired by Wallace and Gromit's orange rocket...

Now, JoAnns had two types of felt available: really thin and thin.  Since the orange was really thin (and I wasn't sure that many people would even get that he was the Wallace and Gromit rocket), I went with gray in just the thin felt.  Since it was slightly thicker, it held its shape better.

 The picture below shows the flame "cape" I made so Dexter can hold it out with his hands as he "rockets" around.  One of his favorite things to do around the house.
These pictures are not the best as they were taken on my phone in bad light (read: taken at 11pm since I waited till the night before to make it!), but I will get better ones tonight at the festival.

Now, I just hope he wears it!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Random Craft Week

My blogging definitely fell off last week as I spent the majority of my free time crafting. I had a lot of projects backed up and it was time to finish!

I made color copies of an old alphabet book and then cut and laminated the pages to make flash cards.  These were a gift for a good friend's little girl, and I plan to make some for Dexter too.
I also decided to draft a pants pattern!  The shorts from last summer turned out so well, I have the courage to try some pants.  These are my inspiration, so I hope they turn out as cute.  I want to have some cropped pants to wear with the oversized shirts that are so in this fall.

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Energy Bites Snack Balls

My sister sent me this no-bake recipe for Energy Bites (Dexter renamed it "snack balls") which she found on Pinterest (my newest addiction!).  We whipped these up after nap one day last week.

He obviously had a good time!

Pirate smile!
Maxwell, just happy to be nearby!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

But What Can I Do?

Tuesday, October 25

This afternoon, both my sweet boys are napping at the same time. Yes, it is a beautiful, beautiful thing!

We spent the morning reading books, playing with legos, talking to relatives on the phone, and having a sweet lunch at the "little table".  Maxwell has a little fever from his vaccines yesterday and Dexter has protested leaving the house for a week straight, so I decided we needed a stay at home day.  Yes, I need things from the grocery store, but more than that, my kids need some time to rest and be with Mommy.



But as I hold my boys today, and especially as Maxwell asks for more and more attention (this boy will TALK until you make eye contact and then he just grins like crazy!), I think of all the sweet babies around the world with no family and no one-on-one attention. 

Noel Piper recently blogged about this.  She says, in part:

There are millions of orphans in the world–163 million, I heard yesterday at the Together for Adoption Conference.

What can I do? That is exactly the right question to ask–twice.

First time: What can I do–what can just one person do? That’s the normal feeling we have when we learn about such a widespread, huge pain that seems to need millions of people working to make a dent. The only problem with that question is if it expresses hopelessness–”I’m just one person, so I can’t do anything.” To that, I say, If God had meant for me to be a committee, he wouldn’t have made me just one person.

Second time: What can I do? God did make me just one person, so how does he want to work through me? What gifts did he give me that he can use to make a difference for orphans?

Seriously, as a mom to little ones, how can my heart not break as I think of the 163 million children out there without moms and dads; without someone making sure they are held, all on their own, on a lap and read to; without a home where things are comfortable and secure and loved??

It really does seem overwhelming though!  I, little Whitney, can't do much from her house in Houston.  But, there is something I can do. 

As Mother Teresa said: "We can do no great things,only small things with great love."

As I read Noel's blog this week and as I hear more and more stories behind the little ones my friends are adopting, I feel more and more excited about partnering with Noonday Collection.  Seriously friends a family, get ready for your Christmas and holiday gifts to be from Noonday!  I can't wait to give you a fantastic gift, but also let you know that the same gift is making it possible from some of the 163 million children around the world to find their forever homes.

It's a small thing, but, perhaps all of us doing small things will make a big, big difference!  What is your small step that you are making with great love this year?

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Maxwell's Dedication

Thursday, October 20

Maxwell was dedicated this last Sunday. It was an honor to stand before the church and commit to raise Maxwell with open hands. That is something our pastor asks each parent who comes to dedicate their child, will Sander and I hold our expectations and plans for Maxwell and his very life with open hands? So, to Maxwell's life! May it be full of love, full of joy, and full of meaning!


Dexter is gleefully holding part of a mint here.  The nursery workers brought Maxwell and Dexter to church for the dedication that had to be at the end this Sunday due to scheduling.  Well, they came early and he had to wait through almost the entire service.  We were bribing with mints at the end as he was crying to "go home", poor guy.

Everyone is happy.  For about 2 more seconds.  When Tom our pastor picked up Maxwell to pray for him, Dexter started to fuss, then he looked at Tom and yelled, "MY BABY".  Oh yes.  The good thing is he is very protective of Maxwell, something that will be a wonderful quality in the years to come.  Wouldn't life be better if we all had an older brother looking our for us?

Everyone smiling, except for the funny face Maxwell is making.  Still a cutey to me!

Click here for the full post after the jump…

EC again

Saturday, October 15

Well, Dexter fell and popped his thumb out of joint this morning.  He didn't seem to be in pain, but the pediatrician told us to go ahead and go to Texas Children's Emergency Center just to be sure.  Of course, as soon as we got into triage, his thumb popped back into place. 

Dexter did fairly well, especially considering it was right in the middle of nap time. 

The picture is of me telling Dexter a story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a new favorite.  He was listening so carefully.  Such a sweet guy!

The result of our 2 1/2 hour trip: no treatment needed, just follow up with a specialist on Friday if it is still popping in and out of socket.

Click here for the full post after the jump…

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Friday, October 14

It's that time of year again! Yes, it was in the 80's and my sweater got a tad warm by the end of our time at the patch, but it was worth it!

What is this?!  A picture of me AND the kids...and we're all fully dressed and showered?  Oh, this was a special day.
Dexter likes to rub Maxwell's head.  At least it isn't his belly...

Me and my sweet Maxwell baby.  He's 3 months old today!

Our fabulous neighbor Jane, the one who went with us to the patch last year (click here to see last year's pictures), came again this year.  She's the reason you see me in the pictures. :)

Click here for the full post after the jump…

twitter share

Related Posts with Thumbnails

About This Blog

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP