G is for ... Caring

G was voted to be the representative for his class for the Character quality of CARING.  Personally, I think this fits him perfectly.. he is such a caring kid.  I'm not sure where he gets it!! ;)

This is what his class and teacher said about him on the award:
     "Caring may be the most important trait a person can possess.  It is something you can show and feel everywhere.Everyone has this trait, but not everyone shows it. Garrett is such a caring person who shows it on a daily basis.  Throughout school, when adults are around or not, he demonstrates a caring attitude towards fellow students, adults, teachers, and objects that belong to everyone.  Garrett has a kind heart and makes all around him proud to call him a friend."

A mom's heart has to be happy hearing those things about her son.  And mine was!

so proud of him!

Principal, Mr. Strickland

Love how there was a good mixture of Boys and Girls!!

Caring as I See It...
One thing that I hold on to now is Garrett's caring attitude towards me in particular.  He is always there to give me hugs and kisses.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming or too much and I feel like he's hanging on me.. there's times where I need space.  But I have to remind myself that at any time he may not want to hug me in the presence of his friends. He still calls me "mommy", though it's less often.  He frequently does special things for me or helps with out being asked, especially with daddy gone right now.  It is easy to get used to this kind of treatment for sure!  And it makes it harder when he acts out or is grouchy.. i have to remind myself how normal that is for a 9 year old!!

Micah is silly!  He wanted to wink!!

Although I often get sweet compliments of how G acts in school or at a friends house.. I don't always get to see that.  You know .. they save their "most real selves" for home.  And honestly, he struggles in caring for his sister sometimes.  They are quite different... concrete vs free spirit at it's best!  They have great moments and not so great moments... and we try to work through those not so great ones (I'm hopeful someday lessons learned with his sister will be beneficial!)

This being said, he rarely has trouble caring for his little brother.  They are buds.  Micah misses his G when he's not there and G climbs in the van after school and gives Micah hugs first.  Sometimes it's too much for Micah and if he knew the word "suffocating"  he would use it correctly!!  

silly boys

I told Garrett I was very proud of him after the awards ceremony.  He said "I was sitting here trying to think of what I did to get this.  I'm not sure what I did.  I just am me."  ... and that is exactly why he got this.  Praying that his humble caring ways continue.  

Micah's Dolphin School

Micah went to preschool yesterday!!

He was very excited to go to school like the big kids.

Class Clown

 He was ready to go first thing in the morning when we were taking the big kids to school.  But we didn't have to be at his school quite so early since it was just meet the teacher and parent orientation.  Still, he grabbed his back pack, put on Addie's flips, got bubby... and said "Bye Mom".  oh man.

Not "Best Dressed"

Now it was really time!

When we walked into his room, I think the flurry of excitement and all the people got to the little guy... and he did not want me to leave.  (I had to go to a meeting for the mamas). It was different.  But he goes in the 2 year old room at church and at the gym... sometimes a little unwillingly as well... so I didn't have concern that he wouldn't calm down or anything like that. 

However, having my littlest grip my neck and say "No Mommy go."  and cry... was as hard as it could be.  So sweet.. big tears.. and I gave him over to two teachers I didn't yet know.  They were so sweet and supportive .. and I could tell they genuinely cared.  The one teacher asked if she could pick him up and she did.  She told me not to worry and that he would be loved.  My first thought was "oh, he's my 3rd.  I'm not worried.  I just want a break!"... and though that IS true... it wasn't at that moment.  I just nodded and said "I'll be right in the chapel."  (she probably thought duh!) 

I sat there thinking how even though yes he is my 3rd, it still is hard to let one of them go and do something for themselves.  Yes, I know this will be good for him.. he misses the big kids so much during the day.  And I am Positive this will be good for ME.  I need a break, especially as deployment nears.  I have prayed about it and I really have No guilt.. so that should tell ya... I'm good with this choice!! lol.   but..... I don't think I felt the confirmation until I picked him up and he came running to me and said "Micah dolphin school!!!"  (yes, he always talks about himself in 3rd person.  no, I do not correct it.)   "Dolphin school?" I asked, really confused as to why they would have had a lesson on dolphins.  "NO!  Micah Dolfit School!!"   ohhhhh... I got it... different school.  "Different school?  You go to a different school just for Micah?"  I asked.   "YES!!!"  and his teacher asked if he wanted to come back and again... "YES!!".............  there's that confirmation.
 

he's really attached to the back pack

WE DID IT!!!!

Fist day back

Today is the first day of school!  There was excitement, a little bit of nervousness (mostly me), and smiles here this morning.  I admit, many times this summer I longed for this day... and don't get me wrong.. i'm Glad it's here!  But a little part of me was sad today when they got out of the car and looked  back at me.. long blonde hair and big smile waved excitedly! & short messy blonde hair and timid smile whispered "bye mama" to me.   And. That. Got. Me.  (as well as now typing it). 

I cried a little on the way home.  Thinking of how proud I am of them.  They are good kids.  They are excited to start a new year!  and It's going to be a good one!!  I am so glad Daddy got to see them off on their first day... He won't be home for their last day, and many days in between.  But it's not time to think of that now.  Push that out and focus on TODAY.  What TODAY IS!!

and it's the First Day of a NEW Year!
(I tend to categorize the new year as in the start of school.. and not in January.. anyone else?)

Today when I woke them both, I hugged and kissed many times to get them (ME) through the day.  I've grown so used to accepting during the day: Addie's tight hugs around my waist and Garrett's little giggle as I steal a kiss on the top of his getting too tall for me head!  I'll have to wait a few hours now.  Micah will have to wait too.  He is lost without them.  "where Addie go?  G back soon?" ....
"Yes. They will be home soon", I tell him (myself).  And I know before too long it will seem like they are home "soon"  and the days  will fly.  My time will be cut short by the buzzer of my "don't forget your kids" alarm on my phone!  .. but today might seem a little longer.

I told them both a few things this morning... and again in their lunches..
1. I love you
2. I am so proud of you
3. I am excited for you
4. I have prayed for you and your day

I hope they can hold one to that if the day seems long to them. 

 

 

 

3rd Grader

1st Grader

Ready To Do This!

Today is fist day back for me too!  Not that anyone is necessarily wondering where I have been.. but I took a break from recording our "Todays" for the second half of the summer.  We had a lot of fun.. and I'd like to do some catch up posting to log it for us. 

Sick.. It happens

It has been a rough 2 weeks here at the Griffin house.  Last week Addie was sick with a high fever (up to 104.9!!) and it just would not go away.  She missed all week of school.  I've heard of 5 other kids that have the same virus (?) and have missed this week!  All at different schools and none in contact with Addie while she was contagious ;)  

She had to get a CBC to check everything out (came back fine) and she And Micah got to have a super sugary treat! 

Then they crashed! 

Poor baby!

She got flowers from her beastie to make her feel better.

And when she was finally feeling better we made some purple pancakes!  

Having sick ones at home is just not fun!  Ok maybe for one day it's a novelty.. Watch movies, read and snuggle.  But the thrill wears off and then you are just stir crazy staying in the house.  And annoyed because you have to cancel commitments.  I'm on week two of canceling things and I feel so bad... But really I'm guessing nobody wants me around right now with this Florida Swamp Eye I've got goin on!! (That's what a friend of mine named it.. Her son has it too.) Thought it was hilarious!

Well if nothing else.. I'm so glad Addie is feeling better and she got to go to her class party! 

Hoping to feel more myself too. 

A pretty flower & glass beads

I am not sure what got into me today.. I completed 4 (yes 4!) projects!!!  and started 2 more ;)   What in the world??  I know!  But I am pretty thrilled since they have been calling to me for a long time now.  Nothing major.  Very Easy actually.  But satisfying none the less :)

I thought I would share one now. 

This porch furniture was a steal for me on craig's list.  It is in excellent condition (I can't even justify spray painting it, so you know it's good).  Some new cushions and and we were golden.  *i still need some fun pillows though.  Anyway, the glass table tops lift up, easy to clean up Popsicle mess .. not that I would know.. <sarcastic>.  

I have seen the glass beaded table tops on Pinterest and just love them!  And the very nature of these tables just says "put glass beads under the glass... they fit perfectly!"  So I did. 

I had a pretty helper.

We (i) lined them all up.. in true OCD fashion, and placed the glass on top.

 

Lucky for me the glass fits snug right on top.  It holds the beads in place.  No mess with the thick fillers (I couldn't go that route anyway because of the grooves).  I didn't want to glue the beads onto the table.. you never know when a change might strike!  I can see kids art work, leaves, Christmas cards... all finding their way here.

The smaller table is home to a very beautiful yellow flower.  I hope of all plants I try to keep alive, this could be one of them.  The kids got this for me a few weeks ago when we were at a nursery looking at palm trees.  Garrett took Addie and Micah for a ride on one of those waggon carts you are supposed to fill up with flowers.  It was one of those rare *sigh.. they are all laughing and getting along moments.  People were telling us how cute they were.. and I believed them! lol. 

Soon they came back to me and told me not to go anywhere near the place where you pay.  And not to look up in the front where the yellow flowers were ;)   

Their plan was thwarted a bit when a sales person came up to me to tell me how much just one flower would be.  I think she thought I sent my minions up to her to ask.  Garrett was devastated that she ruined the surprise.  However.. I am a thespian and I "acted my part well" and convinced them I didn't know what the lady was talking about. 

They smuggled it into the truck (next to a palm!)  and gave it to me when we got home.

They chose yellow because it is my favorite color. 

Addie used her "cash" in her purse to buy it.

It's pretty much better than any dozen... ever. 

 



   

Micah's 1st hair cut

Why was it so difficult for me to pull the trigger on getting Micah's hair cut?  With Garrett I did it probably before he even needed it .. just out of excitement for another "first".  and I guess that right there is the reason.. Micah's firsts are most likely my "last firsts".. and they are coming too fast!  and it is getting so hard!  What's a mama to do?!  Well, I used this first to practice with my new camera.. or maybe i used the camera to hide behind. Whatever the reason, he did a great job and he looks super cute! 

here we go

those curls!

suckers Before?

and retro bottled pop too?? sure!

The Cutting!

it begins

baby curls

i'm going to look so good

what in the world?!

that's what i'm talkin about...

cheeeeeeeeeese!

more baby curls :(

handsome big guy

everyone is ready to go

still my baby

"now the girls will say you are so cute!" .. "wait, they already do." #jipped

old time barber shop

handsome new stud

scored another sucker... #totallyworthit

Love day

Hope you had a sweet Valentine's Day!   

So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.

Romans 14:19 

Good stuff, right?  and boy have we needed that around here.  

It hasn't been all that peaceful.

arguing

whining

pouting

sassing

tattling

punshing

but with all this comes Forgiving. 

thankful

 

 

 Love.

happy weekend!

amie

 

Blessings

Blessings.
enough said.

Garrett learned to play chess two weeks ago.  He taught me this week.  He used grown up statements like, "the thing about chess is..." while explaining to me.  He knew my moves before I did and told me when 'he wouldn't do that'...   i felt like 8 year old.

Addison got a trim this weekend.  About 3 and a half inches came off her blonde locks.  She's still as cute as ever, but in complete girl fashion.. she changed her mind about cutting it up to her chin and donating her pony tail when we arrived.  Addie is not a "pull on the heart stings" type girl... she's 5. 

Enjoying the game this week.  a little chilly at 8:30 am!

Addie loves to spend time in her room now.. big girl bed, books, and the ipad.  why not?!

How cuddly precious is this?!

My boys.  sooooooooooo sweet.