Celebrate!

Yesterday we started something I had planned on years ago. The Celebrate Plate came into existence!   I bought one way back when I was pregnant with Garrett .. Thinking it would be great for birthdays, anniversaries, and maybe more importantly the little every day celebrations. I'm not sure what happened to that plate.. I think I lent it to someone.. I hope they are still celebrating today! 

So recently I was talking to a friend about wanting to find one of these plates.. And not 2 days later she texts me " I have a present for you"! Yay!! I love gifts! And this one just resonated with me. A friend who was actually listening to some random story I had about my lost plate, ran across one while shopping and got it for me. She didn't tell me "hey I saw that plate somewhere" which would have been Fine!!! But no, she blessed me and brought it to my house! 

So here's the Celebrate plate! I must say it is so me!! I love it!!

And wouldn't ya know it.. We had reason to celebrate!  100% on vocab and spelling... Words like buoyancy (and No that's not a type-o.. the u really comes before the o.. who knew!?), trepidation, and notoriety.. Spelled without spell check and used correctly.. I say Heck Yeah Celebrate!!

1st recipient of the Celebrate plate!

Give thanks to The Lord for He is good.  .. 
He is good All the time in every situation big and Small!!

Let's hear it for the boys! (And apps)

"Let's hear it for the boys! Ahhhhhhh let's give the boys a haaaaaand!" 

(You are welcome for that 80's flash back that will stay with you all day...)

The boys I am cheering for are my own :)  Garrett and Micah need a shout out even if its on a small forum like this.  You see, I am sick.  Yes.  I know.  Moms don't get sick.  They can't. But oops I let down my guard and boom! Slapped with a sinus infection (love FL except for the havoc it reeks on my sinuses).  Oh but wait there's more.  I have .. Ahem.. Pink Eye.  Gross I know!    I'm guessing I got it last week dealing with all of Addison's tissues that were everywhere.  And is it coincidence that she doesn't get a shout out?!  Hahaha.. Maybe. (Jk). She got to go over a friend's house after school while he boys got to come along with me to my doctor appointment (I would have found a place for G too.. Had he not threw up at school today!  I think he was just overheated outside.. But yeah, we aim high apparently.)

Anyway.. Back to mom being sick... I mean back to the boys ;)  

The doctor took a while today.. Longer than any of the 3 times we were there last week.  I sat in the waiting room, eyes (well one good eye) glued to the game show channel, where they play reruns of 80's games like "25,000 Pyramid" (so always wanted to be on that and paired with a really awesome celeb like Betty White), "Lingo" (which I don't remember) and my all time favorite, "Press Your Luck!!" The Whammies are still awesome!!   

The boys played and entertained themselves (partially due to the iPad .. I say it unashamed).  They were so good while we were back in the exam room.. I really just kept saying "thank you God.  I AM aware of this blessing".  Seriously.  Then we went to the store to pick up my medicine ,which never made it to their computer and added on an additional 20 min.  But they really did a great job again.  So Micah was running in circles and shooting me with a water gun..  I'm sure I got looks (but remember I could only see half of them!!). Garrett, on his own, walked along with Micah.. Keeping him close.  

Boom boom!

I hate being sick.  And I hate even more not being able to BE sick when I'm sick.. Still had to pick up Addie  and get her to dance class, still had to get dinner going, still had to be present.  But wow!  My big kid stepped it up.. Helping to keep Micah happy and safe. 

When we got home and I knew Matt was on his way, I crawled into bed .. Ready to just BE sick.  Micah came in, followed closely by Garrett who escorted him out and said "let's go play trucks".  

Awwww sigh.  I told Garrett tonight how proud I was of him and how much he helped me.  He smiled his sweet smile and asked, "do you think I earned an app?" 

Lol! Yes! Even if it was "app driven"... I'll take it.  

Do I expect that to happen again next time??  ... I'm not that sick!  

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.

10 years!

Last week, November 30, was our 10 year anniversary :)  In some ways it is hard to believe it has been 10 years.  I wonder where the time went.  Then, I think of all the things that have happened over the span of 10 years... and it's hard to believe it all fit in! ..  3 beautiful kids, 7 homes, 6 duty stations, so many trips visiting the surrounding areas of our temporary homes,  too many friends to count blessing us richly, deployments and various times apart,  and memorable homecomings!
We have learned to take life as it comes and roll with it.  I used to be so not flexible when life threw curves.. it really messed me up!  But between having kids and living a military life, I have learned to be "a willow and not an oak" (a phase that used to annoy me in grad school when my supervisor would say it).   I wish she knew how I appreciate that phrase now!
Last night Matt and I got to enjoy a night away thanks to some of those dear friends I mentioned...  they kept all 3 kiddos! Basically saints ;).  Matt arranged for a stay at the Bayfront Westcott House, an adorable little bed and breakfast right on the water in St. Augustine.. America's oldest city.
We had a great time talking to each other (wow) and not using a stroller!  And the weather was perfect to walk around till 11.. yes.. all kinds of crazy!

down town st. augustine

sipping some wine on the porch

the bed and breakfast at night

view from the porch during breakfast

You are my Sunshine

How is it Thursday already??  For that matter... how in the world is it November? 

I do love this time of year...  it really should be a time of remembering and thankfulness.. to prepare us for the season to come.  It shouldn't be just a time to "get through".  I hope to use it that way.

Since I just finished up with writing daily for 31 days on  one topic (Pass IT On!), I decided against doing one of the 22 days of Thankfulness.. at least on the blog.  I am going to join Vanessa on instagram and post a thankful picture daily.  It seems a little less daunting at this time... maybe it's because I'm in a house of sick kids and fighting it myself.. but i just don't have the energy!  So follow along on instagram  .. it's so fun if you aren't on there ;)   follow me... amielgriffin   and while you are there, follow Vanessa (craftyvanessa) as well and the rest of the 22 Thankful Days posters!  #22thankfuldays

here is my pic today...

these windows will never be clean.. I don't try to fight it :)

Today I am thankful for the Sunshine... both the warm sun shining in the late afternoon and the beautiful one she just drew with about a million rays extending from it's center.  (it's hard to see but her sun is just below her drawing hand).

Addison is truly my sunshine, my only sunshine ... on days of grey i am happy.

..............................................and then there are days when the storm hits.  :) 

Put yourself in a cage!

In a cage?? what?  No, i'm not talking about an extreme form of time out.  I'm talking about PLAY.

The other day while talking to a mom whom I truly admire... I was humbled by the extreme PLAY that goes on at her house.  Humbled because it is She who is joining in.. big time!   I tend to think I'm doing  ok if I get in some good make believe time with the kiddos.. a tea party, helping to build a fort, making train and truck sounds.  You know, the usual.  Usual.  Usual holds nothing to playing "Zoo" and pretending to be an animal in a cage!!  Yep, she did it.  Later I was thinking about it.. and I'm not sure I would have been up for it. I don't know if I would have let myself be completely immersed in the play.  I would play "Zoo,"sure, ... but i kind of think I would volunteer to be the zoo keeper.. to maybe sneak some cleaning of my own  while i cleaned the "cages".  

And there lies the problem. "My Own".  Lately I am so focused on: getting things done, what needs to be done, and what isn't getting done that I end up turning "play time with the kids" into  

"My Own time.. with a side of playing.. till I can sneak away and do My Own thing".

 Does this sound at all familiar?  Please tell me I am not the only one!  Oh sure, it is a good tactic.. sometimes.  Just as (in my opinion) so is an occasional TV show to keep the peace in the dinner making hour.  But i think lately, sometimes has become the new Usual.  I guess with moving and having many many things that need to be done.. this is easy to do.  But I am thankful for this reminder to go ahead and get in a cage!  The work will still be there when the zoo closes!  ;)

I am sure this mom friend had no idea what she sparked in my mind... or how much I learn a lot from her- my little sis! :)  I love my sister and I love going through this mothering journey together.  The ups and downs are plentiful.  The frustrations are understood. The laughs are many.

Thanks Meg for taking "Zoo" to the extreme!  Next time, i will get in a cage!  LOL

here's a few pics of our kiddos this summer... it was a Super reunion!

lots of boys and one princess

my sweet sweet nephew, Reid

My older nephew, Alex, with Addie and Garrett playing with SLIME!

so "cool"

God decorated the beach!

We just got back inside (sadly) from our first Atlantic Ocean beach adventure. My poor memory recall skills are troubled already to remember all of the cute things Addie said while on the beach this morning.  She was literally overcome with awe. She was excited to find shells (west coast beaches lack in that respect).. but i don't think she was expecting so many shells!! She couldn't put them in her bucket fast enough.
"Momma I found another beautiful one!"
  "This is so so wonderful! "
"This is just beautiful."
  "I love the beach. I love the soft sand! I love the beautiful shells!"

It didn't take long for spinning and twirling to begin..
A song about the biggest sea shell was the happy tue for the dance.

Then.. the cutest:
"Momma, God decorated the beach with shells!!"  "That's right, Addie!" (Thinking, wow.. i really like that.)  "And He left them here for me to decorate my new room!!"
How cute is that?!

Micah wasn't too sure about the experience, he stayed in my arms.. which was nice in its own rite.

Garrett, who started the beach morning walking alone finding shells, had a million questions about why shells are here and not in San Diego, about how they are shaped, and the tide. (Oh my!) Finally he couldn't resist the waves and was beckoned in!!

Gosh I enjoyed watching them this morning!

Christmas in July Birthday!

July 30, 2012 ....  Addison Lynn is 5 years old!!

look out kindergarten.. here she comes!

Addie had been planning her "Ohio birthday" for a while.. which consisted of us all being mermaids and having cake with pink icing and strawberries ... Under Water!  So I had not figured out a way to make that happen and I was feeling some major guilt because none of her little friends would be her to celebrate.  ..... Addison however, was not experiencing any of these anxiety filled emotions.  She was ready to turn 5 and to party!!  She changed her mind and decided she wanted to have a Christmas Birthday Party.  I have no clue where she came up with that .. but .. it worked! 

Christmas Birthday in July!

let me just say that this was actually a really great idea.  It was a theme where we had everything already .. so it was so inexpensive.  Everybody got into it.  My sister was visiting and she and my mom drug out a lot of Christmas decor and out did themselves putting it about the outside of the house.  The Christmas flag was hung, garland and a wreath on the front door.. Festive!  The back porch and deck had a few trees, lights, carols... and a birthday banner above a tree waiting for presents! & yes, the presents appeared with Christmas paper.

Addie was very very happy.

"A Christmas Birthday party is the most beautiful party ever." -addison

The guilt I was feeling about her not having friends was erased when we went to pick out some goodies for the party.  It was clear she was having fun and that was all that mattered.  We picked out some red plates and napkins.. and a butterfly pinata (she said that was ok since there were no Christmas ones. lol.)  We got her a big chocolate chip cookie cake, carrots, grapes, and pizza... what a menu she planned! 

Addie and I had a date at Panera together for lunch.  What a sweet time with my girl. 

 It was hard to sit across the table and see a 5 year old girl... and not a little babe any more.  She's growing up.  I pray that she's fed with things to make her grow into a beautiful woman someday.. physically, mentally, and spiritually.   I pray for wisdom to be an example for her to follow and look up to.  I pray for grace for the times I am way less than what I desire for her.  I pray for her energetic spirit and her enthusiastic smile to touch many others.  I am proud of her.  and I love my little princess with all that I am.

 

Boxes and Boxes of Life

This is the view from my computer right now....

I am actually Relaxing for the first time in a few days.  Pretty much what I can do for the move.. at this point.. is done.  I like that.  We have moved 6 times already... I have no need to worry that my job is over.  i Know what is waiting for me on the other end!  :)

Seeing all these boxes used to stress me out. I used to worry so much about something getting broken.  Now I just sort of hope it doesn't .. and expect that it will.  Of course I hope it's nothing of great value or worse something sentimental... but really, it is out of my control.  and If it can be packed in a box.. ultimately it's just not that important.

I am so glad that my sense of worth is not linked to what can be packed into boxes.  or how nice the stuff in the box is.  I like nice things as much as the next person.. but when you are sitting here looking at your "life" in boxes, you realize it's not your "life" at all.  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and three little ones for us to love and raise together.  And those are the things that cannot be boxed up.  (not to say i haven't thought of shipping myself to avoid the long car ride..hehehe!) 

That being said... there are some things Inside those boxes that just really really mean a lot.  They are things that need to be taken from place to place.  From home to home.  They make things feel normal, good, and safe.  If you have a child who has a special blanket or animal to sleep with.. you know what i mean!  In our case it's "Bubby".  And I'm willing to bet you too would open 10 boxes in a little boy's room to find said "bubby".  Yep .. last night going to sleep we couldn't find Garrett's bubby (it's a bunny from Bunnies By The Bay and when G was little, he couldn't say bunny.. so it's been Bubby ever since.. even for Addie and now Micah asks for "bu-buh").  Yes, Garrett is almost 8... and maybe he shouldn't have Bubby any more... but really, it's not hurting anything. He only sleeps with it.  And it's a constant for him.  I'm ok with it.

There we were Opening 10 boxes in Garrett's room.  Let's just say I was a little jealous that I had opened 9 and Matt walked in and opened 1... and scored!   But I was sure relieved that we found Bubby.  We taped up the boxes.... shhhhhh.. Don't tell the movers.... they can think they successfully packed up our "life".

Bubby 1. 2. and 3.