Park walk

Thanks Phil and Ted for a fabulous double stroller. Or, should I say thanks craigslist for helping me find one I could afford. Maxwell loves the bassinet underneath as it sways side to side as I walk. I can also see his face as I walk, which is great. He isn't just tucked away out of site. Dexter likes it too as the seat attachment for the top is higher than normal.

And can I just add how thankful I am for cooler weather. Dexter needs to be out at the park so much more than we could go in this heat.

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A Bit of Sunshine Blog Party

I'm guest blogging today over at A Bit of Sunshine as part of her birthday blog party.  I've posted a fun diy centerpiece project AND a Noonday Collection giveaway. 

Check it out!

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Home!

Back from his 20 hour drive from Durango..CJ jeep in tow.

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2 Months

Being the bad mommy, I still haven't taken Maxwell's official 2 month picture yet. I plan to tomorrow when I have a few reinforcements to help organize the kids.

Here are a few pictures I have taken. Unlike Dexter who had about 3000 pictures of taken of himself by this point, Maxwell has just a few less...

Amazed at the sun and rocket ship...they move!

Hmmm...I need to think very seriously about this one. 

 

Ok, don't you just LOVE this hat?  And Maxwell's face is priceless.  I will be sure and take lots more pictures of him as he sports this hat this winter.  It was a gift from my dear Austin friend! Thanks!

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Noonday Collection's Fall Line

The Fall line is here...and so is my Noonday Collection website!

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Every purchase helps create a pathway out of poverty: a life, a community, and a nation can be changed

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This bag was just featured in Lucky magazine!

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This is what I have been alluding to... the big changes a leap of faith.  I am now an ambassador for Noonday Collection!  The "passion at Noonday Collection is to connect you with the lives of artisans struggling for a better future while styling you along the way. Fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. You, too, can be a voice for the oppressed!"

Check out my website and read my bio to learn more: www.whitneyray.noondaycollection.com

Love the fall line?  Want to help spread the word about Noonday Collection? 

Host a trunk show and receive 10% of trunk show sales in Noonday Collection product OR cash towards an adoption if you are in the process.

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Great Grandfathers!

We went up to DFW these past few weeks to introduce Maxwell to the rest of his family. Here are the pictures with his GREAT grandfather's!

Sir

Doodle

Big Guy/Jerry

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Jehovah Jireh

We saw this BMW on our way back from DFW a few weekends ago. The license plate says "J JIREH" I assume this stands for Jehovah Jirah, which means the Lord will provide.

Guess this time he provided a BMW...

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Obedience

Dexter loves his child's Bible. He gets it out every day and flips through it like he is really reading it until he finds his favorite stories. Today he landed on Deborah. A very random spot for him to be so interested in it. He wanted me to read it several times. Now, this version of the children's Bible is a little spotty with details. The book basically says, Deborah went out with the army of Israel, told them to fight because God was with them, and they won. Dexter wanted more, so I added in why. As I began to explain it to him, with an emphasis on obedience as that is something Dexter doesn't quite grasp (hey, who does?), it began to teach a few things to my own heart as well.

I explained that the army listened to Deborah because she heard from God and they respected her. The army didn't want to fight as they thought they would loose because the other army was SO big. But, because they were obedient, they won. I explained that mommy doesn't always want to do certain things, but when God tells her to, she obeys. Not because I want to, but because I love God and I know He loves me and wants to help me. Just like I love Dexter and want to help him.

It really made me think. I realized how hard it must be for Dexter to obey me day after day when he wants to do things and can't understand why I say no. I know I am saying no because it is unsafe or could lead to something unsafe in the future, but he can't understand that. Really, the only reason he obeys me is because he knows there is a consequence if he doesn't or, and hopefully this is the case as he gets bigger, because he trusts me. Wow. Do I happily obey God because I trust Him, or do sometimes I just fear a consequence?

With the launch of my new business and ministry coming at the end of this week, I have felt a little nervous as I begin to invest time, money, and my reputation on this enterprise.  However, there are so many "coincedences" that led to this venture that I know it is something I must do, wheteher I "win" or not.  I know it was a move of obedience.

So, like the army when it listened to Deborah, I want to obey, even when it looks like I may loose. The battle belongs to the Lord right?

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Supermom!

I feel like a supermom tonight!  I cooked, played with Dexter (while nursing) while fielding emails and to-do items for my Noonday launch at the end of this week.

Maxwell had his 2 month shots, well the 2 I am ok with him getting this month, and he was so fussy and sad this afternoon.  Poor guy just doesn't feel good.  I got the flu shot...hope I feel ok into tomorrow!

The result!

Now superdad is taking care of the aftermath...the perfect ending to a busy day!

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That Cupcake Diaper?

Now that Dexter is talking so much more, he is starting to make hilarious observations and ask fun questions. The other day we ate some mini cupcakes and discarded the wrapper on a plate. He looked down at the wrapper, seemed deep in thought, then looked at me seriously and asked, "that cupcake diaper?"

Sounds logical to me!

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Enjoying the Crib

Maxwell had been up in a bassinet by the bed for a few weeks before we decided it was time for him to brave his own room and crib.  Here he is checking it out the first time.  Dexter had to see what was going on too...

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First Day of Mother's Day Out

Here is Dexter heading out on his first day of Mother's Day Out.  It was last week...I have been a bit behind on my blog posts. 

More posts soon!

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What Changes?

I have actually gotten several phone calls after my last post on Radical wondering what in the world I meant.  I guess that is what I get for being elusive!

The book above should add another clue.  I read this last year as part of a book club and it opened my eyes to so many aspects of poverty and women's issues around the globe.  The subtitle sums up the books goal and focus: "Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide".  Last week I came across a business that is trying to do just that, but with a certain twist that seems just perfect for my skills and passions.

Through this opportunity I will be able to be an ambassador for those around the world oppressed by poverty and society.  I'll be doing this by selling jewelry, accessories, and home items made by artisans from areas such as Uganda, Guatemala, and Tibet.  They are all Fair Trade certified, and many have a personal relationship with the business I'll represent.

But honestly, the stuff is just gorgeous...very Anthropologie in style.  I would wear each and every item (hey, I already had a pair of the Ugandan shoes that they sell sell!).  That's what really attracted me to this company, the fact that their items were on trend and fabulous in addition to being Fair Trade and partnered with ministries and organizations seeking to provide pathways out of poverty.

Here is one of my favorite stories behind the artisans from Ethiopia:

Raven + Lily is a non-profit studio dedicated to empowering marginalized women through design partnerships ad micro-enterprise opportunities. They support women's empowerment programs that comply with fair trade standards and provide design focused micro-enterprise training. In addition, proceeds from each product are returned to assist with community development.

Their Ethiopia collection is made in partnership with Beza International which is dedicated to empowering Entoto Mountain artisans. Many of these women are forced into prostitution and early marriages. Many become pregnant or contract HIV, and are ostracized by their families and society with no where to go. Their families send them to the Entoto Mountains to seek recovery by bathing in the "magical waters". When they are unhealed, their families abandon them and they are left to fend for themselves. Beza International has trained these women and given them a skill to support themselves and their children. Not only are these women learning a skill, they are learning that their lives matter (regardless of their health status). Learning these skills helps them feel valued, which restores their dignity and self-worth. Knowing that other women around the world are wearing their creations is the most empowering gift we can offer them.

Most of this collection is made from recycled nickel, copper, and bronze, including previous war conflict weapons – that's what we call upcycling! Genuine silver embellishments are made by a local silversmith. Each of these spectacular beads is a unique piece of art.

I love that each and every piece has a story like this.  Now, when someone notices jewelry that I am wearing, I can share a bit of the artisans story (advocating for them and their enterprise) and not just say what a great deal I got on them (there is that though too!).  And, as someone who always like to give gifts with meaning, each item comes with the story behind the artisans who made it.  Not only is it a gift for a friend, you can let them know the gift is also supporting artisans who so desperately need a fair paying job.

I will share more soon, especially once my website launches.  Thanks for bearing with me as I share this story piece by piece. 

There are many other exciting "coincidences" that have led me to this risky place.  I'm jumping in with many things on the line.  On the one hand I am so nervous, thinking about what all I could loose, but when I go back and read the stories of the artisans I'll be representing, I know I have to at least try. 

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Radical: Changes are Coming

Have you read this book yet?  I am and it is changing my attitude in a big way!  I wouldn't say I am learning anything that is radically new, but it is certainly making me understand and want to apply what I have already known in a much bigger way.  This book won't leave you content to just sit back and relax...you want to get up and do something!

Some changes are on the horizon for us and the timing is just incredible.  I can't wait to share the story with you soon...I am just so excited.

But, with the changes comes some risk.  I have to say I am so excited but also a little (ok, a lot) nervous. 

I'll share soon!

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Undie Hat: Potty Training, Ray Style

Yes, that's what we call an Undie Hat

Potty training is underway at our house.  Ok, so it's been going on since January.  Yep, just nine short months to get us to the underwear-while-at-home-but-not-out-in-public-yet stage.  Let me explain.  Starting in January, I would move Dexter to the Baby Bjorn potty seat for number 2.  He would just get that look in his eyes, and off he would go flying through the air in my arms, to the potty seat.  Soon after, he insisted on going on the potty every time for number 2 and would run there himself -- he seemed to hate the feeling of it in his diaper.  If we were at a friend's house or the park he would freak out and look around, lost, looking for the "teddy bear potty" (the Baby Bjorn...).  This seemed great, until it took him 20 minutes from the time he ran to the potty till we were done.  Lots of books were read and we were late to lots of morning walks with our neighbor.  I began to think, why did I start this!? 

Right as we began the move, Dexter regressed in a big way.  Instead of using the potty, he would yell "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO" and run the opposite way.  I actually had to change a few poopy diapers and I was not happy. 

Thankfully, as soon as we were settled in the new house, he was back on the wagon...I mean potty...but just for number 2.  I wasn't pushing anything at this point.  I was almost to my due date and was not interested in starting anything radical.  In fact, I wasn't even thrilled about helping him out of his pull-up and sitting down to read to him.  This involved bending and sitting close to the floor...not something a very pregnant woman wants to do!
Then, 3 weeks after Maxwell was born, Dexter found his Cars and Thomas the Tank Engine themed underwear in his room (bought back in the early Spring when I had higher hopes and more energy).  He insisted on wearing it. 

My first thought was: "ugh! I can barely walk like a normal person and am only getting 2 hours of sleep at a time...you want to potty train now!?"  But, my fear that if we didn't try when Dexter wanted to try we may have to wait another year before he was ready again, won out.  So on went the undies.

We're progressing, with BIG help from the M&M cookies from HEB.  He loves seeing what color M&M the cookie will have after each successful attempt.  I told him yesterday that we wouldn't have cookies soon...so get ready.

Maybe in another 9 months he will be ready to go out of the house without a pull-up?

At least for now he is super happy and proud of himself!

*Disclaimer:  Dexter is a very strong willed and, ahem, vibrant child.  There was a time where I had to leave every play date early because of a biting, pushing, or hitting incident.  However, I am seeing a slight glimmer of hope to this stronger personality.  For, when directed the right way (potty training for example), his strong willed-ness and his distaste for anything yucky to be on him is lending itself to a quicker potty training time.  Since I can't control the personalities of my children, it's better to just go with it, right?

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Chore Time

Dexter has started to be a big help around the house...as long as he is supervised that is. A 2 year old boy with access to a stool is a dangerous thing on its own!

Did you notice that Lightning McQueen and his friends were "watching" the whole time?  Dexter carries them around and sets them up to "watch" whatever he is doing.

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