Baby Boy's Baptism

Run run run. 

I feel like we get caught up running from one thing to another, that we don't take nearly enough time to sit back and be thankful for everything God has blessed us with. This weekend was a true testament to just how amazing He is to place the family + friends we have in our lives. Grayson was baptized at Peachtree Presbyterian's 10 o'clock service, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Pastor Vic Pentz explained the meaning behind baby boy's full name (Grayson being the son of a steward, Richard the leader of men), as G delighted in the congregation, taking a moment to turn to the screen and view himself. Hammin' it up as usual. He definitely gave everyone some good laughs, making his mama tear up at just how precious he is, filling our hearts even more.

Following the baptism, we hosted an intimate brunch at our house with family and close friends. They say it takes a village to raise a baby, which it surely does, and it also took this same village to get the brunch together. I cannot thank my mom and mother-in-law enough for helping to prepare food for the event, as well as daddy, buddy, and Katie for helping to set everything up. I cannot go without thanking my ever-so-talented BFF, Dana, for painting a canvas with Gray's baptism verse, supplying several mason jars and serving trays, and being our "Flash". To all of our family and friends for attending the service and/or brunch, thank you, thank you, thank you. We love y'all so much. August 10th was an extremely special day that will never be forgotten.

"Hello + Goodbye" Table

The monogrammed cross cookies were made by D'lightful Bitez.
They matched the cake and were a parting gift.

  

Gray's "Thank You"
The framed photo matches the one from his invitation.

Set-up underway

This buffet table displayed Aunt Dana's canvas, a framed picture of G, and his prayer
box. Guests were invited to write a prayer. Sidenote tip: the photo was printed
vertically, so I backed it with burlap to fill in the gaps and match the box...easy fix!

 

 

 Coffee stations: I had limited space where the coffee maker was located
so had a separate area caddy-corner to this space where guests could
"fix" their coffee just as they wanted. There was also a slideshow of G.

 

 

Mimosa Bar
Champagne with splashes of OJ, cranberry juice, or lemonade
Topped with fresh raspberries or blueberries

This monogrammed banner that normally hangs above G's crib was brought down
as a mantel decoration for the brunch...it's so versatile. Dana originally made it
for my baby shower last December, and it's definitely gotten its use!

Aunt Dana, Baby G + Mama

We love Uncle Buddy, even though he tore one of the pom-poms ;)

Aunt Katie + Uncle Buddy made the trek from Chapel Hill + Charlotte

Boy, does this little one make me smile!

 

M + G...they love each other

Costners + Joneses

Sibs

 

My Family

 

Tyler's Family
Thank you for coming from Charleston, Uncle Hank!

The Sessions Family
Can't believe these (not-so-little) ladies were our flower girls 4+ years ago. 

Clantons

Nix Family (minus Bean)...G sure missed his dog-buddy!

Future groom, bride + ring bearer

 

Pure joy

Thank you for making the journey from Livingston, Malones!

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Luke 10:27

Coupons = Adrenaline Rushes

I don't know about y'all, but I totally used to underestimate the bargains you could get at Marshall's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Target, and other stores of the same sort. Heck, I used to be embarrassed to use coupons...but not the same story anymore. I'm quite sure positive my parents wished I'd had this realization a long, long time ago. (Such as that time in college, freshman year no less, I had memorized my mama's credit card info...whoops!) I now proceed to get a major rush of adrenaline when saving some mula. It's actually quite scary how I can find myself in a so-so mood to my heart racing and smile beaming anxious to get home and share the steal of a deal with T.

A week ago, this lovely feeling made a comeback. I had gone to both Michael's and Hobby Lobby in search of decorations for baby boy's baptism. As I was moseying around both places, because come on...you can't go to either and not, I remembered that I needed frames for two precious items. One, a watercolor painting of Sylvan that I had gifted the hubs a few years ago. The other, a three-image mounting from Grayson's newborn pictures.

Michael's + Hobby Lobby came to the rescue!

I used a 40% off coupon to get this perfectly imperfect natural wooden frame to house our Sylvan painting for $20.99.

We're planning to hang it below this metal portrait from Gray's newborn photos, courtesy of Gianna. (I've said it before and will say it again, she's such a talented photographer!) I think the combination of the metal + wood will look fantastic.

The other score was a driftwood frame (using a 20% off coup no less) from Michael's. The dimensions for the three-image mounting are 10x20 so not a standard one to find. Initially, there was matting for three 5x7 pictures. I took it out, inserted ours, and voila! 

Timeout. Where, oh where, has my five pound, ten ounce baby boy gone? I can't get over how much he's grown as well as how fast these past six and a half months have flown by.
Cherish every moment.
Okay, back to biz. We're planning to hang it in Gray's nursery, so I wanted a neutral color that would pop against the blue. I promise to share pictures of both once they're hung. 

On another note, I finished The One and Only by Emily Giffen two nights ago and it was amazing! Total chick flick, but I highly recommend reading it. I'll be the first to admit, it takes A LOT to keep me focused, which seems to be getting worse and worse with age. I was so intrigued, I could hardly put the book down. And to keep on the deal train...I got a signed copy at Costco...oh yeah.

I'm so looking forward to spending time with family + friends this weekend. G's baptism is on Sunday. Details to be shared next week. Can't wait. Happy Friday, y'all! 

Closet Makeover

To say the hubs and I have different taste when it comes to home decor would be an understatement. When we moved into Sylvan over three years ago we had a little "war of the tiger bobble-head". It would be transported from the great room to the office and back constantly. T was going for the frat-house look, eagerly trying to display signed footballs, framed Clemson pictures, and (yes) a life-sized CJ Spiller poster. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Clemson; however, didn't want guests to feel like they were walking into the West End Zone.  We finally came to an agreement (ahem, I won out) that he could have the office - a.k.a. second guest bedroom - to house all of his paraphernalia. This room served T just fine until we found out we were blessed with our little man and this room would be converted into his nursery.

As T says, that was the moment he was demoted to the closet.

And this 'closet' was the window-less, unorganized, 75-square foot space that was an access point to the HVAC system and more storage.

        

Tyler must get ALL of the credit for this makeover. It was his inspiration and hours of labor that materialized this creation.

He began by installing this door, followed by clearing how the space which was a definite task. He insulated the ceiling and wall on his own. 

We had hardwoods installed when the rest of the upstairs was being done. T bought wood planks from Lowe's and stained them to make the 8-foot by 2-foot desk. He also built the supporting cubbies with wood left from the previous owners and painted them white to have some contrast in the room.

        

 

And...ta da!

  

We're still looking for some neat baskets for the cubbies to complete this space...for now. :) 

I personally think it could still use a little lady TLC, but as long as the man's happy, so am I.

Another project done by the hubs. Proud wifey...check. 

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

It's hard to believe three months has come and gone since my last post on Gray's three month mark. This whole being a mama, working, and keeping up with a blog has proven to be really difficult. Kudos to all you ladies who manage it so flawlessly. I'm going to do my best to follow in your footsteps and keep y'all in the loop.

The Jones' household has undergone some major changes and events in the last ninety or so days...
Due to the fact I've slacked on the blog, here's a brief recap.

• I returned to work on April 24th to finish out the school year (hardest.day.ever.), while Tyler got to spend three weeks at home with baby boy.
• Almost a month to the day later, May 23rd, I said my see ya laters, not goodbyes to the amazing friends I had made at BES. As much as I loved teaching and seeing those sweet kiddos on a daily basis, I now had my own ray of sunshine at home that I wanted to spend more time with and not miss out on his special moments. I'm so blessed to have a supportive husband, willing to make this happen. I will forever cherish my time at BES and greatly admire educators! 
• Grayson went on his second road trip over Memorial Day weekend, this time to visit his Uncle Wayne + Aunt Dana in Livingston, AL. He had a few firsts, checking both Alabama + Mississippi off of his 'state list', going in the pool, and meeting his bunny-cousin, Minnie-Mae.
• I took a huge leap of faith and began working for Harry Norman on June 2nd. I've always loved looking at homes and enjoy helping others, so this has been quite an exciting adventure for me. Not to mention, the flexibility is ah-mazing! Again, thank you to my sweet hubby for backing me up.
• Celebrations galore! a.k.a. the "June Tri-fecto" as we lovingly referred to it: Tyler celebrated the big three-o on the 4th, we dined at St. Cecilia on the 5th in honor of our fourth wedding anniversary, and the hubs had his first father's day on the 14th. Best Daddy Award! 
• After not having been to Charleston in over a year, we made it back mid-July. It was so exciting taking Gray for the first time! Just a few of our highlights included: baby boy's first boat ride, going to the spot on Sullivan's Island where Tyler and I got engaged, visiting Bay Street Biergarten (congratulations Ryan Workman + Laura Patrick on such a neat place...Charleston visitors, check it out!), playing at Alhambra, and spending precious time with family and friends.
• Grayson is now rolling over, eating solids (peaches are his fave!), enjoying longer periods of tummy time, sitting up in grocery carts, and has graduated from his carseat to sitting big-boy style in the BOB. I'm trying to savor this time, as it's flying by far too quickly!

Life is good great.

Happy Three Months, Baby Boy!

I'm finding it quite difficult to come to terms with the fact that Grayson is already three months old.  Where, oh where has the time gone?  Our little man has brought more joy, fulfillment, and love to our lives than Tyler or I could have ever imagined.  He's truly a miracle from God.  In honor of hitting this milestone, here are my favorite pictures from Easter and his three month "photo shoot".

Some bunny is three months old today!

Grayson slept through his first church service.

Our first Easter as a family of three.  Blessed.

Thankful both sets of grandparents could be with us.

Brunch at Haven, our favorite!  Grayson wanted Daddy's brownie sundae...
like mother, like son.

 

 

Somebody was too in tune with The Heritage instead of looking at the camera.

Gray's first Easter basket consisted of a book, smocked bunny Jon Jon for next year, high contrast flash cards, and "golf bag" with two clubs and balls.

Easter outfit number two

Hey bunny!

 

   

"Mom, is this seriously happening?"

 

   

 

 

Enough with the photo shoot.

 I'm soaking in these last few days with my sweet boy.  I can't believe my maternity leave is over on Thursday.  While it'll be good to see my class, I'm fearing waterworks will occur.  Keep me in your thoughts. :)