Face Time And Football

It still amazes me that we have the ability to hang out with dad and watch his team ... Even while he is a lot of miles away.

It seems to help Garrett.. He likes seeing His dad and showing him things he's working on or completed. He's actually a better "face timer" than "phone talker". 

Addie is less impressed with the whole video conferencing thing.. She likes to see her daddy, check in that he's doing ok.. And then show him something sparkly like her new shoes. Or she puts her headphones on and sings to him. Good times. 

Little Micah is a toss up.. He either hates that daddy is in the computer and will ask "Daddy, Why you still in there?" And then get mad and walk away, refusing to talk.  Or he loves it and hogs the iPad. Such as this occasion. 

And my favorite... He made coffee for daddy and drank it with him. Oh and he put a little phone up to the iPad! 

It's not the same .. But it's better than nothing. 

Ohio State lost another bowl game.. So some things do remain the same. 

Looking forward to Next football season when we are all back together!!

Vacation..

Last week was vacation... seems like a few weeks ago already.  i miss the beach.  Well, technically I could go to the beach tomorrow... but that's beside the point.  and any way... it's going to rain. what i miss is relaxing.  Oh.. and I miss my guy! Garrett went back to Ohio with Matt's parents to spend some time with both sets of grandparents.  I'm glad he's able to do this.  i have no doubt he is living it up.. getting all the attention.. and loving it!  Enjoy it buddy...and don't forget to call your mama! 

Just some pictures....

Father's Day

So mark this day down in the books!  No, not because it was Father's Day... Because I did two things that don't come around often... Like less than once every few years!  

1. I got IN the lake .. Oops I mean river 

2. I cut the grass

Let's start with cutting the grass.  Not my thing.  I use my allergies as an excuse. I thank my own dad this Father's Day for never making me or my sister do that task.  I like to think he viewed us as precious girls who shouldn't have to work like that... But I think it's more like we couldn't cut it too his standards. Plus living with 3 women... Who wouldn't want to escape! Recently I thought of taking up this chore for that reason. Yes, it's still work.. But an escape where little ones can't help or bug you.  Not only did the actual chore itself suck.. I was proved wrong on both of the above thoughts.  

Anyway I did it because Matt had to sleep so he could go into work and fly all night tonight. Saying it was a Father's Day gift made it seem a lot less "if you want something done..." If you know what I mean ;).  Besides it was a good work out! Holy smokes the grass was thick! And who has a push mower that's Not self propelled?!?  Apparently we do.  If any neighbors saw me .. No I was not practicing for football sled drills.

So if that isn't monumental enough... I actually jumped into the St. John's River today while we were out boating with friends.  I do not get in rivers, lakes, or the ocean because I can't see what's below me ready to gobble me up.  And I have made many a scene screaming because I thought for sure something deadly was wrapped around my leg... Yes, it was sea weed.  But today it looked so inviting, so fun..  Ummmm no, you know the real reason I got in!!  ;)

Seriously.. Thank you to our friends Gail and Clay for taking us out today!  It was the perfect relaxing way to spend Father's Day. The kids had a blast going fast and guessing how deep the water was (Garrett).  Micah even said tonight, "Micah. Boat. Like."  That's high praise!!!

 

Ready for some wake!

My friend, Gail.. Who happens to be my lost at birth twin... In that we grew up far apart but have so many funny things in common!  

My "I don't want to go fast." Girl changed her mind!

G and Cole ready to get their jumps on!

Little dude showed no fear and jumped right in.. And again.. And again! 

Capt. G

Love!! 

And later on....

Sweet

my military kids.. vol 1

April is Military Child Appreciation Month

This poem is floating around many military social media sites.  I saw it on facebook and instagram.  It has some sweet sentiment. And like most military movies, it's a little overboard on the heartstring pulling.  It's still worth a read though, for i love many *3 in particular* military children.

Garrett 8. Born in Brunswick, ME

Addison 5. Born in San Diego, CA

Micah 2. Born in Reno, NV

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

 

Steelers Sunday

While we were in Ohio a bunch of us cashed in on a great Christmas present... tickets to a Steelers game!! (To be fair a few Griffin boys considered them tickets to a Browns game... poor souls.)  Garrett was SO excited!! I was too... though a little nervous about the 20 something temps... I've become a Florida girl ya know!
It was so fun to spend the day with "the guys".. Matt, Garrett, my dad, Matt's dad, and his brother.  We were evenly divided: team Steelers- my dad, garrett, and me. The Griffin boys made up the losing team.. oops I mean team Browns.  Personally I am glad to be a Steelers fan... but even more so because the relentless teasing Garrett did had to have been annoying!
Garrett was in awe even as we approached the stadium,  wanting me to snap pictures of everything. Here are some from a great day!!  (Ps: the Steelers won) ;)

Oh, and look out if you ever sit next to Garrett at a Steelers game.. he is wicked with his terrible towel!!! 

our seats were high, but still good and the crowd around us was very kid friendly

inside the stadium is tons of memorabilia

1978 Super Bowl Champs.. good year ;)

the exact spot where The Immaculate Reception was caught in 1972

J-O-Y!!

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