The Griffin Family

BFF's

2012-01-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

nails
the notebook
pop can barrettes
little entrepreneurs
and a day out of school =
happiness

if you can dream it
you can be it

love these girls
and their beautiful minds

Hope and Love...

2012-01-17T16:21:00.001-08:00

the world was supposed 2 end today
according to some people's beliefs

i promised a friend i would
come up with a word
that best describes me
for the new year

and at the end of the month
of our brand new year

i finally did...

many of my friends did this

and i loved reading them
and discovering just how
much time and thought
had gone into each description
and future of the one's i love

reminded me of a fortune cookie

and i hoped that just as i do
when i read every fortune
with anticipation

that every single friend i have
and person i know
will have a year that proves
more worthy than any fortune
cookie could ever recite

i am glad the world did not
end today

i may not have been able
2 say that same thing
even a year ago

i posted 2 pictures
a few posts back
that quickly came
2 mind as i pondered

they were taken only
a few years apart

one with the hot desert sun
and palm trees in the background
that now siginifies
one of the happiest most memorable
times of my life

and one with the chill of
the cold valley just after
returning from dark weather
tornadoes and hurricanes
trying 2 pull myself out
of the eerie parallel
that was my life

yet there was one similarity
between this harsh contrast
of colors

and it was the same
warm
loving
forgiving
faces that surrounded
me always

i have always been a person
of many words

which might explain why
it has taken me this long
2 narrow down so many
thoughts
feelings and
emotions
into one simple word

and i knew
when my better half
gave me a very special gift
this christmas

there was no such thing
as one word to describe
the fresh wounds of the distant past
yet give hope for better days ahead

i have been given such constant HOPE
and never witnessed more pure LOVE

than the loving arms of my family

and so it is
with so much more
2 it
yet simple enough
within these two words
my feelings for
the future

and i wear it with
pride daily!

"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends." - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

*This post was written 01/23/2012

13...

2012-01-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

in no relation to the last post

3 things she has known
her whole life

and these are the
years to remember

loved this show

and so we repeat
everyday...

Where does the time go?

2012-01-08T18:26:00.001-08:00

my friends have challenged
me to pick a word that will
describe this new year

as you can see we are
very well into the new year
and still no word...

i have it! but have not
had time to blog about it

as this year has already
been a busy one

as i was going through
pictures to demonstrate
my word these are some
i came across...

so stay tuned, i may be
the only one who cares
but it has taken
much thought
blood
sweat
and tears

but i got my word
now if i can just get
enough time
to describe it

until then Hugs!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T21:16:00.000-08:00

So excited to kiss 2011 goodbye
this was the first picture taken
in 2012...it's going 2 be a great year!!!

Picture Overload...

2011-12-27T18:44:00.001-08:00

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=ffe7e4ae354d2af5379dc4&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
Click on this link...Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

this was christmas
just one year ago

let's just say it
was the most
non-traditional
holiday we have
ever experienced
as a family

thanks to the most
supportive family
and friends

and lot's of packages
delivered by mail

we made it work

but take it from me

we are so lucky
2 be home this year

there is so much
that christmas means
2 me

it is the sound of family
gathering

it is the smells that linger
in the air

it is the joy of seeing
the faces of the gifts
they receive

it is the comfort of home

we are so excited we even
spent hours making the
perfect christmas card

and so here is a preview

if you know me, you know
nothing makes me happier
than pictures of my family

and so this christmas
i thank my many blessings

alot can happen in a year

i have no regrets

and this christmas
i have all i ever wanted

and i hope you do too
Merry Christmas!!!

Sassy Saturday's

2011-12-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

the last thing my
little darlings
want 2 do on a
saturday morning

is get dressed up

but when a special
member of their
family is getting
baptized

well, then they
have no choice

the bottom picture
is the looks i was
getting from my
tweenager

as i lovingly
moved her along

as you can see
she would have
been content
watching tv
with a nice warm
blankie and cup
of hot cocoa

and believe me
her brother is
even worse on
a saturday morning

usually in his skivvies
barely moving or talking
which explains the lack
of picture on his part

but by the end they
were smiling and
ready 2 go

whoosh and
the day was
gone like that

i will post some
cute pics tomorrow

is it just me or
are my babies
young adults...

i seriously never
knew how hard
it would be 2
accept

seems like just
yesterday they
were the tender
age of 8 and we
were attending
their special day

She bleeds purple, much to my daddy's dismay!

2011-12-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

this is my little sister
and when i say little
that makes me 9
years older

i was there 2 clean
the poop out of the
tub every time she
took a bath

i was there 2 usher
her out many of times
she was intruding on
me and my friends

i was there 2 practice
fake tanner on her
before i ever dared
try it on me
if you ever want
a good laugh
ask her about it

i was there 2 watch
her fall in love with
my brother in law
who is also much younger
than me and my better half

i have basically watched
her grow from a bossy
little sometimes even
annoying little sister

2 a
beautiful
talented
focused
young loving mother

hard working
very intelligent
extremely dedicated
beautiful young woman

who just graduated
with her RN
from weber state

chels, i am so proud
of the person you
have become

i never knew that
little sis i always
felt much responsibility for
would someday be helping
care for me

i love you
and am soooo
proud of you

keep dreaming big
you will achieve
anything you desire
and that you have proved

congratulations!!!

Frost Bite

2011-12-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

people always ask how
i could love las vegas so much

sometimes you have to
leave your comfort zone

2 appreciate things
you never knew existed

don't get me wrong cv
is a wonderful place

it is where those i love
most reside

i would never know
what i am missing
had i never left

there is so much out there

maybe the city is just
where i belong

but there is one thing
i know for sure

i loathe cv winters
i wake up with frost bite
for realz

i would take this
winter over a cv
winter anytime

it will be sooner
than later

you can take the girl
out of the city

but you can't take the
city out of the girl

Michael Mclean

2011-12-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

we have had a certain
christmas tradition
since my baby girl
cried through the whole
first performance
and i swore i would never
go back

but as she grew up
she would beg every
year to go

even after she had
watched the dvd
a million and one times

and now christmas
would not be christmas
without attending
some performance
of the forgotten carols

i was able to go with
my favorite tween-ager
my mom and my sister
this year

what a magical night
and instead of me
comforting my crying baby
through the whole thing

she held me

oh how i love
these girls

and the christmas spirit
and the simple way
michael mclean has of
touching my heart!

Bobcats

2011-11-07T11:17:00.000-08:00

i love this boy

he has tried most

sports and loved them

this football thing

was a challenge

in the beginning

u see my boy

athletic

strong

determined

yet very

tender hearted

the game of football

aggressive

mean

combative

don't get me

wrong

we love football

and we thought

the boy would 2

it felt so wrong
trying to get
his aggression
high before every
game

i know to some
that just comes
natural and this
would be the game
for them

it is also a game

that helps 2 have

very good coaches

coaches who when

they learn it is

a young boy's first

time playing

actually give him plays

teach the game

and when they

pull him out

they explain

teigen learned alot

and will most definitely

try again

but when he tells

me he feels bad

being aggressive

what can i say....

except for maybe

we will stick 2

what he does best

baseball and golf

but whatever it is
we will follow him
all the way
i am always a proud
mama in the stands

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

it is no secret i love halloween

the party is usually at my house

and we used to go all out

i do miss that at times

now that we live closer

to home we followed

the traditions of family

and i have to say

grandma Shell knows

how to throw one heck

of a party

we ate chili

cinnamon rolls

and lot's of candy

and then we loaded

up the trailer

with lots of spooky

kids and headed

out into the night

when you live in
a rural town
there is no walking
door to door
or it would take all night

i do have to admit
i don't miss my kids
complaining every 5
seconds that their feet hurt

while we rode in the
luxury of the trailer
we wore glow sticks
and played scary songs

the kids had ben play

the monster mash

so loud ben *aka*

(the driver)

had 2 wear ear plugs

as many of you may know

some cache valley Halloweens

can be brutally cold

but not this year

it was perfect

the food

the family

and the fun

thanks to all
who made this happen

did i mention i LOVE halloween?

Girls...

2011-10-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

this was a while back

i just ran across these photos
and they instantly made me smile

there is nothing like

a girls night spent

in a hotel

doing things only

girls would understand

and there's nothing

quite like a friend

who will drive from vegas

just to make it happen

i love these girls...

Renew, Reuse, Recycle...

2011-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

there is more than 1 way

2 recycle pop cans and

earn money

but only if you have

a super creative

girl in the house

miss ty and friends

have had a blast

seeing how many

hair clips they can make

and now i look

at the trash a

little closer

each time

amazing!

In my next twenty years...

2011-10-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

I am not big on birthday's

but after the last couple years

i have had, i figure what better

time to celebrate a new me, and

a new fabulous future than now

some of my besties organized a small intimate
get together to celebrate a new happier and
much healthier me. i have the best friends
family and siblings ever!

even though some could not make it
most showed up in true BFF style

each one of these special people in my life
were here because of just that...they are special
they each blew out a cupcake and gave me a
wish and reminisced on days gone by

it was the most heartwarming, sincere tribute
that an old hag like me could hope for

and in a few more weeks i get to go
celebrate again with my Vegas peeps

i have the best mom and better half
in the whole world, and that i know for sure

this picture does not get every one in it by far
but it is proof that fredrico's salads, good friends,
and hello kitty cupcakes make the best birthday
party a thirty something girl could ask for!

i'll do it better in my next twenty years
as tim mcgraw so wisely stated

thanks to all who made this day happen

p.s. we missed those that could not be there
like a fat thirty something red head misses cake!

Everyone needs a sanctuary

2011-09-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

i have always believed that
home is your haven
no matter where you live

we worked hard on getting
the kids rooms just right
but they love them
and that's all that matters

2011-09-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Help! i've lost my husband
chances are if you see him
he is with three others that
have the same last name
and they all look very similar

you might find them on
the golf course, tennis court
softball diamond or any food
joint in between

i am used to having him
all to myself
i really don't like
to share...the end

This deserves a post of it's own

2011-09-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

try telling this face
that scout camp
has been cancelled!

My Video 9/16/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-09-16T15:26:00.001-07:00

You have to watch the whole thing to see what a good little brother the cute girl in hello kitty socks has!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Teenage Love...

2011-09-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

I know it has been forever
since i nurtured this blog
so many things have transpired
since my last blog

life can be hard
just when i think
i have been tested
to the limit i am
quickly proven wrong

so i am going to start
back up with the things
and events in my life
that truly make me happy

as most of you already know
my girl just had a birthday
and started 8th grade
(Pic of her and her brother
on first day)

i am usually right on
top of this stuff but with
a full time job, a big move
into our new house, and school
starting i haven't had much
time to tell the world
about my new tweenager

man i love this girl

i have definitely
noticed the switch

you know from
darling little toddler

2 big independent
know it all
daughter of mine

don't tell her this
but so far she is
sooo much better than
i was at this age

hoping she stays
as sweet and innocent
as she has always been

last night was the first
night her daddy had to
take home a boy, that
conveniently showed up
at her cousins house
but we knew the day she
was born we would have
2 protect this beautiful
girl even if it meant
scaring off a few boys
every now and then

it is so hard to believe
i have a 13 year old

it seems like just yesterday
our angel was placed in our
arms by the most loving and
selfless birthmother
who trusted us to
raise teach and give
her angel baby the most
we possibly could as parents

i hope when we meet again
she will know we have given all
that we promised and more
to the most special girl in
this world and if you know miss ty
then you can only imagine how amazing
her birth mother is

she is truly loved by so many
near and far

i love how much she loves her family
and truly enjoys living back so close
to all her cousins

i love how much she loves the outdoors
and camping even if is only in her back yard

i love how much she loved girls camp
and is now counting down the days
until the next one

i love how loyal and loving she is to
her parents

i love how much she looks up to her grandparents

i love that her best friend has spinal bifida but
in Tylie's eyes she is perfect, and if anyone
says differen't she is the first to set them straight
they have been friends since kindergarten
it is a friendship that will never end

i love how much she loves her animals
and how much they love her

i love that she goes to all of
her brothers games and is one
of his biggest fans

i love that if she gets in trouble
it doesn't take her long to come
in with a big hug and an a apology

i love that she is herself in every
single way
she does not compromise her values
or anything she believes

i love that she tries new things
and is just going to start volleyball
we can't wait to see how she does

i love that she is so creative
anyone who knows her knows exactly
what i am talking about

but most of all i
just love her

i am so proud
of her and can't
wait to celebrate
many more years
with the most beautiful
girl in the world

I LOVE YOU TYLIE!!!

Oh what a beautiful morning...

2011-07-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

This summer started out with
the wedding of my
little sis

she was the most beautiful bride

it is events like these that
make me so proud i can finally
make again without a doubt
because i once lived so far
away from it all

there is nothing like a joyous
happy couple in love...

family maybe even some drama
but in the end lots of yummy food
wedding cake
and love...

this is just one of the many
grand events this summer has
given us

i hope 2 get to the rest sometime
very soon

but with a full time job
and a buisness on the side

blogging seems to be very last
on my priority list

which is sad...very sad
so until the day i am able
to get back into this thing
i will try to keep you in
the loop of our crazy
sometimes ordinary life

I {heart} baseball season

2011-06-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

do you know how hard it is
2 cheer for the braves
when all you've ever known
is die hard yankees fans...

it's amazing the things
you will do for your kids

grandma Shell was the only
one who is a true braves fan

which is completely unfair
that she has enough apparel
2 show team spirit at every game!

Loved...

2011-05-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

can't believe so much time has gone by

i guess that's what happens
when your life does a 180

so many things
so fast
so much
so hard

i made it
i'm here
and i actually
lived to tell

sounds dramatic
but it has been

maybe one day
i will write a
book

oh the stories
to tell

god gave me
beautiful
children

a wonderful
family
and the best
husband in
the world

i am blessed
i am home
i am back
i am free

and i know
who will
love me
through
thick and thin

Easter Madness!

2011-04-25T16:23:00.001-07:00

it was so nice 2
finally be home
for easter

it was spent with
good friends
good family
and lots of
good food

it is times like
these we have
missed so much

hope you all had
as good as an
easter as we did!

Looks like we made it...

2011-04-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

wow
we are here

we made it
through a
whirlwind
move

me and the kiddo's
had the luxury of
the air

my better half
and all his brothers
did not

they drove the
full 25 hours

with 2 dogs

we are back
in the company
of those who
we love so much

we got a second
spring break

which was spent
watching the snow
fall

kids are so happy
and everything
feels just right.....

finally!

I'm coming home...

2011-03-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

i'm coming home!

leaving tornado alley
for happy valley

i have no regrets

just high hopes

hoping to wash away
all the pain from yesterday

there are times in life
when you have to be
surrounded and carried
by those who love you most

and so with that said
we are boarding a plane
on monday

i'm coming home
coming home
tell the world
i'm coming home

The Dance

2011-03-10T12:04:00.000-08:00

Cole and i got to chaperone
the stake dance a while back

usually i am not okay with
him dancing with another
girl

but this time there
was one exception...

My Montage 3/4/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-03-04T18:28:00.001-08:00

My cute
Annabel Lee
By Edgar Allan Poe
Played by the most beautiful girl in the world...Miss Tylie!

TURN UP THE VOLUME!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

LOVE

2011-02-14T16:31:00.001-08:00

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, I love thee to the depth and breath and height, my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight. For the ends of being and ideal grace- Elizabeth Grace

Happy Valentines Day!

66 things i've learned in the last 6 months

2011-02-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

1. i've learned you can age at least 10 years in 6 months!
2. i've learned you can be snowed in for 5 days and live on soda and chocolate alone.
3. i've learned that family = friends and friends= family and i don't know what i would do without both.
4. i've learned that i can live through a panic attack and live to tell.
5. i've learned how good it feels to reconnect with somebody very special in your life.
6. i've learned how many times a puppy can make you smile.
7. i've learned how nice southern people can be.
8. i've learned that no matter how much you try to wish the holidays away, it won't happen!
9. i've learned how good it feels when other people can make a holiday wish come true.
10. i've learned for the second time how horribly hard it can be on you when someone you love is not well and you can't be there for them.
11. i've learned that you can survive 6 natural disasters in less then 9 months.
12. i've learned how blessed i am to be surrounded by people who can love me at my worst.
13. i've learned you truly find out who your friends are.
14. i've learned how bad it hurts to miss the one's you love.
15. i've learned you should never move away from your family unless you absolutely have too.
16. i've learned you really don't know what you have, until it's gone.
17. i've learned your mind really can play tricks on you.
18. i've learned how blessed i really was to grow up in utah.
19. i've learned how much you can really want to kill a boy who is in love with your daughter.
20. i've learned you can downsize, live very simply and still be happy.
21. i've learned how working for a good company can positively affect the whole family.
22. i've learned how having good insurance can make or break you.
23. i've learned how miserable allergies can be.
24. i've learned that life is so precious and can be taken in an instant.
25. i've learned how comforting it can be to have a warm body next to you every night.
26. i've learned that god gave me two beautiful children here on earth to save me and one in heaven to guide me.
27. i've learned how many small miracles i am given in a day.
28. i've learned how hard so many people have it around the world.
29. i've learned how hard it is to say goodbye.
30. i've learned karma really does come around.
31. i've learned you can go many years without speaking to someone only to find them some of the favorite people in your life.
32. i've learned why my dad told every boy who ever called me, "i was gone to san diego".
33. i've learned how hard it is to live in the future and not in the past.
34. i've learned just when you think you have hit rock bottom it can always get worse.
35. i've learned to breathe in a paper bag.
36. i've learned to really miss my grandmothers.
37. i've learned when you ask god to be there...he is.
38. i've learned how much one big fat dog can impact so many lives.
39. i've learned days are long, and the nights are longer.
40. i've learned there are much worse things than living through a tornado.
41. i've learned how good a piece of mail from a loved one can feel.
42. i've learned to never say never.
43. i've learned alot about others ways of life.
44. i've learned you can never make to many trips to sonic in one day.
45. i've learned kids can be so mean.
46. i've learned my bed can be a refuge.
47. i've learned you can still miss people who have treated you bad.
48. i've learned actions will always speak louder than words.
49. i've learned christmas at a strangers house can be beautiful.
50. i've learned that most people here really believe i have sister wives. i guess i kind of do :).
51. i've learned that the 12 days of christmas sent from afar can really save christmas.
52. i've learned how much you can miss your mom and mother in laws cooking.
53. i've learned i really miss vegas...like alot.
54. i've learned you can find friends in strange places.
55. i've learned oklahoma is not the place for me.
56. i've learned how good familiar things and places can feel.
57. i've learned my gps is my best friend these days.
58. i've learned one of the hardest parts about moving is finding good doctors, dentists, and most importantly hair stylists.
59. i've learned some people will never understand.
60. i've learned many will.
61. i've learned it's always nice to have a good friend who lives in hawaii.
62. i've learned how much i love my siblings.
63. i've learned going to a live nativity accompanied with heartwarming music can really bring back the reason for the season.
64. i've learned there are more churches in this city than in the whole state of utah.
65. i've learned moore, oklahoma has the coolest movie theater i have ever seen. who doesn't love being catered too, while sitting in heated recliner seats while catching their favorite flick.
66. and last but not least i've learned i can endure to the end no matter what i am given. i have fought a good fight. and many times just when i think i can't fight anymore, i am given a miracle. god is good, life can be hard, and i am blessed...

Ice Storm 2011

2011-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

i will eventually get
2 all i have learned
this year

but in the meantime
we have been rather
busy

lots of work
sick mommy
sick kids

and now snowed
in

like in state of
emergency style

after a hail storm
a tornado
an earthquake
and now an ice storm

we have been given
our official welcome

oklahoma style!

Here's to a New Year...

2011-01-18T16:40:00.000-08:00

it is a new year
and a new day

so much 2 look forward 2

i have learned so much
in the past year

i know through
darkness

there is beauty
all around

i have been rocked
2 my core

but i am back

can't wait 2 share
some of what
i have learned
on this journey

i can say i made
it through the
holidays

my biggest fear
of all

but only with
angels by my side

from the 12 days
of christmas

to packages from all
around the globe

to a secret santa
all the way
from anderson island
seattle, washington

i will never be
able 2 repay
many of the tender
mercies i have received

or correctly portray
much of what i have
learned

but i am going 2 try

most of all
i made it

with these
3 beautiful people
right by side...

i love you all
and it's great
2 be back!

here's to a new year!

2010-12-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

I have struggled with this
but I am signing off...

Just until the new year
hoping to come back

a new me

thanks to all those
who are cheering me on

within all these hard times
i have witnessed miracles

my heart is very full
and I thank those who
have been a part in lifting
me up and restoring my faith
in all things good

i love you all
and can't wait
to catch up at
the beginning of
a NEW YEAR!!

All my love...
Annilee

Lady Antebellum - I Run to You

2010-11-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

this picture was taken last thanksgiving
while we enjoyed the luxury of a Vegas buffet

wow how fast a year can pass
and life can change

i know i have expressed
my heartache of moving
and leaving all i had behind

and there is something
just not complete about
spending the holidays
without extended family

this will be the first
christmas away

it is not easy

yet i realize how
blessed i am to have
my little family
with me always

i am so thankful for my
dear husband who works
so hard to try to make
things better

my world keeps spinning faster
into a new disaster so i run 2 you

i am thankful for cole
and all the slack he
had to pick up for
in these times

i run to him everyday
and he never let's me down

i am thankful for so many
things, even in the dark
depths of depression i
have been fighting

i run my life
or is it running me
i run from my past
i run to fast or to
slow it seems

4 me this is the hardest
part... my past i can't
even look at pictures
without loosing it anymore

but i am blessed
i am carried
i am protected
i am loved

and on this thanksgiving
i will put my focus on
these things

i am thankful for his
kind boss and his sweet wife
4 inviting us up to their
beautiful estate on thanksgiving

it is the little things that
matter the most

but I would be nothing
without my better half
and i always run to him

i am thankful for all of your
listening ears in my time of need
so many who have been there
you know who you are

i am blessed with 3 beautiful
children and one who cheers
me on from above and i cherish
the moments i feel him close

my heart is full
and i love my better half
more and more everyday!

Not much 2 say

2010-11-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

I have been under the weather
this week and involved in
many school projects with
the kiddos wow how time flies

so until i get my groove back
i will leave you with this
picture i came across that has
2 of my favorite things

and don't you worry my friends
i don't usually feed my kids
those awful sugary drinks
only just before bed time :)

Puppy Therapy

2010-11-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

If everyone had a puppy
in this world
it would be a better place!

Jules loves her puppy
and we love her

it's amazing how some
things arrive just
in time...

we rescued her
but really
she rescued us

Best treats on the block

2010-11-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

thank goodness this year
there were no tricks
only treats...

hope you enjoy them
as much as i did

and there was a certain police officer
on the block who wouldn't take no for an answer

he was serving search warrants
and kicking down doors of those
who were not participating

funny
sometimes awkward
and totally embarrassing

and be careful about
looking goddess Medusa
in the eye

it's the age...
crazy things can happen :)

happy (late) halloween

Think Pink!

2010-10-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

this post is 4
all those you
love who have
or have had
breast cancer

this post
is in honor
of aunt dixie

who so far
as fought
and won

we love you
aunt dix

so for you
and all
the many
others
fighting
this horrible
disease

think pink!!!

2 steps forward 5 steps back...

2010-10-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

thanks 2 all those who
shared their feelings
of hope love and support

all of your nice comments
truly lifted me up
and showed me i am
not alone

things are getting better

yet many things arise
that do tend 2 set
me back a little

it's the little things

like the fact that i
used to decorate and
anticipate halloween
in july

and it is now a week
away and i have not
even put up one
decoration

and instead of
anticipating it
i am dreading it

4 my kids i will
put on a smile
and go with them
door 2 door while
they fuel up
on sugar

but my heart
is back at
my old house

where all the
good memories
of fun food
and friends
still reside

where everyone gathered
at this time every year

4 it was here that
i experienced
some of the happiest
times of my life

things here are
so different

i am trying
2 be positive

i try not to
go back...
only forward

many pictures
at this point
are still hard
2 take in

but it truly
is harder than
you may think

there are
certain events
and times that
make it impossible
2 forget

so as i try
2 build new
memories

i will follow
in my kids
footsteps

i will make the
best of what
we are given

they are resilient
me not so much
they have mentioned
las vegas halloween
a time or two

yet are eagerly
anticipating our
first one here
in oklahoma

i will let
you know
how it goes

i did finally
cave a week
before and
accept that even
though i don't
want halloween

my kids do
so we went
hog wild
at the overpriced
costume store

2 make up for
moms lack of
excitement

i do have 2 say
they will be good

i will leave
you with my
dearest memories
of the past

Could possibly be the cutest layout ever

2010-10-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

you know what is the
worst possible thing that
can happen 2 a blogger

that her camera
decides to be
very uncooperative

and decides on it's
own just when it will
or will not upload 2
my computer

i am just not able
2 blog without pictures
maybe it's the old scrapbooker
in me

because a picture
is always worth
a thousand words

these days i can't
even refer 2 myself
as a scrapbooker
since it has been
at least a year since
i even pulled out or
attempted 2 start
a project

i have been a little busy
as you all may know

so until i can get
2 all the fun new
pictures i have been
dying to share with
you all

i will leave you
with one i already
had on my computer

and because it just
so happened that this
very cute girl wore
her zebra heaband
and was cuddled up
on her favorite zebra blankie

screamed for me 2
get the camera

and while taking
the picture i was
instantly planning
just what cute
zebra paper and stickers
would go perfect with
this shot

it actually made me
really happy 2 think
that somewhere deep
down inside still lies
that crazy scrapbooker
just dying 2 do some
cute layouts again

see i am coming back
starting 2 feel like
my old happy crafty self

and it feels good

2 little indians

2010-10-11T15:45:00.001-07:00

as my kiddos get older
the cute little projects
that they used to bring
home to adorn my fridge
have gotten few and
very far in between

they grow up 2 fast
just take it from me

that's the best part
of elementary school
is the anticipation
of just what they
will come home with next

so today when i spotted
a couple little indians
crossing the crosswalk
more proud than ever
2 represent the indian
culture they have been
learning about all week

i have 2 say i was
just as proud
and i have 2 say
they are some of
the cutest i've seen
in a long time

Hiatus

2010-10-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

what do you do
when your world
is slowly crumbling
around you...

take a small hiatus

and surround yourself
with those who love
you the most

trust me

it works

along with

pedicures
kahunaville
mystere
watching my favorite girls play soccer
chillin with my bestie
late night cheesecake with my peeps

and most of all getting to see my dear dad
who i had been dying to hug since his accident

he looked so good
as good as possible
considering he was
hit by a truck

oh i love that man

and instead of meeting
dear mom in vegas
like originally planned

we had 2 bring vegas
2 cache valley utah

it was so good 2
be taken care
of and spoiled
and counseled

so i could go back
2 my family

refreshed
renewed
reassured

that things can only
get better from here

and because mom and i
were 2 busy to take
any pictures

i will leave
you with last
time she really
did come 2 vegas
2 see me

i told you i
had good
support

and it is only
because of them

that i can
come back
2 oklahoma
me... again

mom is right

this is only
a journey

and i will
take it day
by day

you never know
what can change

life is precious
and hard

but it is our
journey who
makes us who
we are

thanks for
carrying me
when i could
not walk

i have learned
so much these
last 6 months

if only i can
eventually
put it all into
words

i love you
all

Stigma

2010-09-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

there is this little word
called "stigma"
that has made me think
many times before writing
this post

i have thought long
and very hard
about how "real" i
should really be
with my readers

my friends...

if i even still have
any at this point

and all judgments aside
i've decided if i can
save even one person
from experiencing the
depths of darkness
i have been 2
the last few months
well then i hope these
words are not in vain

let me start by saying
that this was not caused
by any one person or one thing

it was a slow gradual process
that as i look back on now
began about the time my perfect
little world was packed up
and moved across many state lines

it is not because i feel we
made a wrong decision or that
i have many regrets

we just simply have dealt the
best we can with what life has
thrown our way

my better half has made
so many sacrifices along
with us all 2 do all that
it takes 2 build a better
future 4 our family

i am not writing
this 2 make you
feel bad 4 me in
any way but 2 hopefully
save someone from
the deep dark trenches
i have slowly been
digging myself back
out of

i am not exaggerating
in any way, shape or
form and i hope you
will all treat my words
tenderly as i am still
very fragile and getting
a little bit better everyday

how will my kids adjust to a new school?
how do we help my newly hormonal daughter
cope with that, her new found allergies and
attention deficit disorder to the highest extreme?
how will we adjust to and pay for all of her
new medical care with no insurance for the
first 6 months we are here?
how do we reassure our scared children everything
will be o.k. during our first tornado, when in
fact we are shaking in our own boots?
how do we pick up our dead cat off the side
of the road and keep it to ourselves as our dear
children pour their little hearts out in prayer
for him night after night?
how do we pay for 2 houses all while i really only
want 2 be in one of them.
how do i put a house up for sale in one state and
still try to manage all the upkeep from so far away?
how do i decide just who gets their medication this month
because we could not afford it all?
how do we learn to juggle a 2 car family down 2 a one car family
and still get everyone where they need 2 be?
at what point do you decide 2 finally give in and let a house
that holds so many dear memories go because it is such a
financial burden with no returns?
how do you cope when you miss your family and friends more than
one can ever pour into words, and you know it will be a very
long time in between each visit?
and then my dad...got hit and nearly killed by a truck, i have no
words 2 explain how helpless and horrible this feels. but i must
say it was sort of the straw that broke the camels back. and it
seemed after that there was no return. i did get 2 go see my dear
sweet dad and i will post pictures soon.

but believe me my dear friends i am only scratching the surface
with the burdens we have had 2 bear as of lately.

i know we all have them
at some point in our lives

i have felt this coming on
for quite some time

i started early on 2 shut out
many people in my life who
i felt could not be there when
i needed them 2 be and 4 that
i am truly sorry

i love every one
who has ever been
a part of my life

yet i knew i would need
2 be protected loved and
surrounded by only those
who truly had my best
interests at heart

and now i know why
it is these people
who have literally
saved my life

it is these people
who watched me slowly disintegrate
who begged me to seek out help
and who were there 2 help me
when i could not help myself

and then one night after multiple
hospital visits
it happened

i awoke in what i thought
was a heart attack
i was soaking wet in sweat
and violently vomiting
i was shaking and twitching
and felt at any moment i would
start seizing which is the closest
i have ever came 2 a seizure
my heart was racing and my blood
pressure was sky high

it was as close 2 an out of body
experience that i can explain
but one thing i know 4 sure is
it was dark, scary, and downright ugly

i was very weak for quite some time later
it took me quite a while to eat or sleep again

i have a wonderful doctor who has been
treating me very aggressively and who
made sure me and my better half both
understood that depression/anxiety
is the deadliest disease there is... which makes
me question why there is such a "stigma"
that comes along with it

which is why i am now begging any of
you...my friends

more like shouting it from
the rooftops

we all have a breaking point

if you are dealing with anxiety or depression
get proper help now!!!
do not wait thinking you can talk yourself
out of this please just go talk to a doctor
before you end up in a full on panic attack
because take it from me...it is pure hell
for lack of any better words

i no longer care about the "stigma" that
is sadly associated with this debilitating disease

it is only because i have the best inner circle
of true family and friends
that i am recovering so well
they have literally carried me
through it all

and if you feel bad for anyone
it should be my better half

he is called that for a very
good reason

he has had 2 take on every role
that makes up a family

and he has done so like a champion

i am feeling much better every day
and i really hope that it is true
what they say...
that that does not kill you will only
make you stronger!!!

and with that said...i am back! :)

For you dad...

2010-09-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

it is hard to cheer someone up
from so far away

as soon as i seen this picture
i knew my dad would love it

so this if for you dad...
your new grandog is adorable

hope this puts a
smile on your face

Rainbows

2010-09-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

to give you his grace
and send you his love
whatever your cross

whatever your pain
god always sends rainbows
after the rain...

thank goodness for rainbows
and god, and friends, and family

i now know that i can
weather any storm

i love you all

Usu vs. Osu

2010-09-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

this boy and his dad
are going to the
osu vs. usu game today
in oklahoma

i asked them who they
will cheer for

and they acted as if
i was stupid

usu of course!

that's my boy's

go utah state!

Dad

2010-08-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

i love this man

we love this man

there was a pause
in time yesterday
when we heard he had
been hit by a truck
while doing what he
loves the most...biking

it took awhile until
we found out he was
in fact still alive

i do not wish those
moments of fear
on anyone

but when we found out
that he was in fact
alive, nothing else
seemed to matter

he has a long road of recovery
but my kids still have the best
grandpa ever, and i still have my dad

it is so hard to be so far
away in moments like these

life is so short

kiss the ones you love
hug them even tighter

i know i will

i LOVE you dad!!!

First Day Jitters

2010-08-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

the first day of school
is different for me than most

not only do i love 2 spend
every waking moment with
my kiddos

we have fun together

i despise routine
almost as much
as they do

i much prefer to fly by
the seat of my pants
2 wake up without plans
and end up with many

i also have first day
of school anxiety
which i'm pretty sure
started the first day
of kindergarten way
back in the day

when they put my girl on
the wrong bus and i
drove all over north logan
2 every possible bus stop
until i had her safely
in my arms

may sound trivial
but i know the moms
of kindergarteners
will get it

funny thing is
(or not so funny)
it happened again
the next year
2 my boy

long story short
they never rode
the bus again

and yet every first day
time and time again
there was always some
type of incident

that made me want 2
just skip that first day
or every day at that

believe me i have thought
of homeschooling
but in the end
i have decided my kids
are much better off
with a better education
than their silly old mother
can give them

and so to get them through
the first 12 years
we still have many more
first day 2 come

followed with much anxiety
and a whole lot of rumbly tummy
if you catch my drift

so yesterday being the third day of
middle school i thought we were in the clear
in fact after i got the kiddos off
i took the much needed alone time
and went straight back to bed

until i get a call from the school
and when my kids are in school
i ALWAYS answer if the school is calling

and from my half groggy state
the cute secretary on the line says
mrs griffin...is tylie with you today

and in a flash my whole morning passed before me
i remember waving to her as she left to walk the
blocks distance it takes for her to get there

ummmmm no and all i can muster is...
please tell me she is with you!

so sweet secretary does some back tracking
saying she may be here or there
and she will call me right back

but all i can think is KIDNAPPED
what if she didn't make it
what does the person look like
what color car
they could be out of state by now
and on and on and on

i think it only took 3 minutes
for them 2 find her and call
me back but lets just say in
that 3 minutes i was dressed
out the door, armed and ready
2 hunt down and kill the
sick predator who had my daughter

still not sure what the
miscommunication was
she did have a schedule change
many people are enraged they
didnt try a little harder 2
find her before they called
her mommy and let her imagination
completely get out of control

but all i am tonight is thankful

tylie jan was clueless
she thought i was there
kissing her with tears
streaming down my face
and that i was clearly loosing it

how embarrasing for a middle schooler

and tonight i am thankful...
thankful my tylie jan
had no idea she was missing
and that she had a great day
and is peacefully tucked
in her own bed with
milo by her side

and as for the boy
he loves school so far
which is a miracle all
in itself!!!

seriously is school out yet???

My Montage 8/19/07 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-08-20T21:27:00.001-07:00

Sorry this is quite lengthy, it is a small glimpse into the 12 beautiful years we have had the opportunity of being the parents to such an inspirational young woman!
Uggh...or I prefer to call her my baby! :) Enjoy

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

12 Years... and a blink of an eye!

2010-08-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

all in a days work
my favorite girl turns 12

starts middle school for
the second time
in a totally different state

gets officially welcomed into
young womens with her room
decorated with lot's of chocolate
a bright pink poster
and lot's and lot's of love

she got more money in the mail
than she knew what 2 do with

she finally got that ipod touch
she has dreamed about forever

and most of all...lot's more
puppy kisses

happy birthday
tylie jan
i love you!!!

p.s. i will post
your birthday video soon

2010-08-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

this is the house that love built...

and when we left this house
i thought i would never
be able to make another
house feel more like home
ever ever again

after all it was in
happy valley

we built this home
and started 2 raise
our babies here
it was full of so much
love and so many hopes
and dreams...

yet life had us on
a different course

we had 2 sell the house
that love built
and move far far away

after much turmoil
and heartache

we eventually found
our house
nestled quietly
in seven hills
on sabatini dr

overlooking the
city of sin

once again we made
this house a home

it was in this
house we came
together as a
family

we spent more
time together
than we ever
had before

we took in
the beautiful
and very serene
atmoshpere
of seven hills
almost daily

we made the park
our backyard

im pretty sure fatdog
misses all the
walking trails

and if he doesn't
i do...

we watched as
people came and went
time and time again

year after year

this house became
better known
as the griffin hotel

you may have even
heard me complain
about it a time
or maybe even 2

oh what i would
give for a house
guest these days

i find myself
thinking about
my home

sitting there all
alone

and empty

all those memories
all that love
and all those guests

will never be back

i try not to go back
there in my mind

believe me i try

i will be visiting
the city where i feel
like i left my heart
very soon

and my house key will
most likely go unused

if i can't go there in
my mind i am pretty
sure i cannot
attempt it
physically

to some this may
sound crazy

that's okay because
that's the way i
am headed these days

and this is the house that built love...

i miss my house
i miss my family
i miss my friends
i miss my life

that's all

Fix You - Coldplay - Lyrics

2010-08-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Rescued

2010-08-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

it has been said that
when god closes a door
he always opens a window

our life as of lately
has been a "journey"
or at least that's what
my mom prefers to call it

she reminds me daily
that nothing is permanent
and so therefore this
is a journey

and because i always
value my mommy's advice
i agree full heartedly

it is a journey
never knowing where the
road will lead

so full of bumps
winding rodes
and potholes
or sinkholes
rather...

like the ones
where the earth
caves in and can
swallow a car
in an instant

i am amazed
i have made it
out alive

that may sound
a little dramatic
2 some

i know we all have
our times in life
when we hit a speed
bump at 110 mph

and this has been mine

i have crashed
and burned
and am just now
slowly starting
2 rebuild

yet through this process
i have seen miracles

big and small

and it seems they have
all happened just in
the nick of time

on top of the heartache
of this move and the
fact that life as i once
knew it is now the past

many of the people we love
have also been faced with
hard times and heartache
of their own

my heart has been breaking
this week 4 a dear friend
who just lost one of her
beloved dogs very suddenly

her dogs are her kids
they are her life
those who have dogs
as kids will understand
and some may not

13 years ago
i would have
fallen into the
"not" category

but as most of you know
there is this certain
black lab we most lovingly
refer to as "fatdog"

i proudly count him
as my 4th child
and he is by far
the best behaved

it was not by chance
that yesterday the cute
little german shepherd dog
we rescued off the streets...

has in return rescued us
along with many other
dear loved ones

there is so much more 2 this
story than i can put into words
SO MUCH
my heart is full

the last thing i wanted
was another dog

but please just believe me
when i say
everything happens for a reason

god is good

it made my heart happy when
the last words my tylie said
2 me just before her sweet
little head hit the pillow
were "mama i just can't stop smiling"

as the sleep aid i gave her
started 2 kick in
because really who has time
4 something so trivial
as a good nights sleep

when you have a humble puppy
by your side who knows
you just saved her life
yet has no idea that in return
she is helping save ours

and so after watching another
dear friend not to long ago
put her sweet lab julie down
due to old age and feeling
my own heart break along with
lilee's family this week

let me introduce you too
Jules Lilee Griffin

Reach the sky...

2010-08-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

i would like to be a kite on a string
and soar up over the trees

i would like to try to reach the sky
with butterflies and bees

i'd love to fly past billowy clouds
with my tail of red and white

and climb so high the things below
would disappear from sight

if i could fly above the clouds
would I ever, ever return

and think, if I could fly so high,
just how much I would learn.

author unknown

Imagination

2010-07-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

there is this girl
who can make the
most magnificent
pulley system
if you give her
a bucket and
a string
and give the girl
some duct tape
and you just may
end up with the
coolest wallet
on the block

some Popsicle sticks
a little more tape
and you could get
a fabulous decorative
horse for your mantle

give her some cardboard
and your very best
pair of scissors
and she can make
the hippest remote
control car launch
her brother has
ever owned

and if your shoelaces
come up missing...
well your guess is
as good as mine

although from experience
i would have to say they
are probably brilliantly
haltered to the corral
of horses in the room
next door 2 mine

and the leftover yarn
i have been meaning to
make beanies out of
for years just got put
2 very good use
bracelets of every
kind and color for
every lucky neighborhood
kid around
can you see why
they all love her?

oh how i love this girl
she thinks of things
i never imagined
not even in my
wildest dreams

and that creative mind
along with a little boredom
can take a clean room
to disaster zone
in 0.2 seconds

she is
inspiring
creative
imaginative
brilliant
eccentric
and beautiful
in every way

some day
she will
make a
huge difference
in this
great big world

mark my word
on that!

My Boy at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-07-18T19:46:00.001-07:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Son...I know this is long I update it every year, but so worth watching until the end!

Don't Blink

2010-07-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

there was a time
when i had a perfect
little two year old
and a baby who never
stopped screaming

many times i had
2 lay the baby down
and go into my
room and cry myself

and then when that
baby got old enough
2 mess with perfect
toddlers toys
she was suddenly
not so perfect
anymore

and then i had
2 hard 2 handle
little toddlers

who i wouldn't
have taken a
million dollars
for, yet at that
very moment probably
would not have
paid 5 cents
for 2 more
just like them

there are times
i miss those days
and wondered if
my hard work would
ever pay off

we have so much
fun together
these days

the screaming
episodes are
few and far
between

it is now older
sister who
likes 2 get
underneath the
skin of younger
brother

the best part
is when i can
drag them 2 a
movie i want
2 see...
and they enjoy
it too

and even better
is when i look
up 2 find this

i promise you
all my young
friends

it is worth it!

Age is just a number my love....

2010-07-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

there is a certain man
in my life
who i am most positive
i could never
live without

he has treated me
like royalty
since the day
we met

we have been together
for pretty much
half our lives

we have been
through it
all...

the good
the bad
and the
ugly

i would not
change our
lives together
4 the world

he is most
definitely
my better half

back in our
high school
days he once
professed he
kissed the ground
i walked on
complete with
hershey kisses
and all

many told me
marriage would
change sweet
gestures such
as this

it has...

they have only
gotten more
thougthful
and much
more meaningful
over time

some still call
us cheesy

and that's okay
because we are

i love him
because he
still makes
midnight runs
and we eat
cornuts and
gummi worms
in bed together

i love him because
he has never not
had a job he has
always done what
it takes and more
2 give his family
a good life

i love him
because he
is a man of
faith and integrity
and all that
is good

i love him
because he
loves 2 serve
others

i love him
because he
stays up late
with his toes
curled in mine
listening 2 me
try 2 solve all
lives problems
when i know he
would much
rather
be asleep

i love him
because my own
mom loves him
more than me
and funny thing
is...
i totally don't
blame her

i love him because
he is the best daddy
2 our kiddos than
i ever imagined possible

i love him because
he knows how 2
handle me and my
forgetful ways
with the right
amount of loving
sarcasm

i love him because
after seeing the
much anticipated
eclipse all i
could think is
how much he would
of fit in with
the wolf pack
the hottest one
of course

and i think he
may even love
me too...if not
that name he has
inked on his arm
peeking out from
the covers
could pose a
problem :)

why am i torturing
you all with all
these gushy details
you ask...

because it is his
birthday today

and i know i'm not
the only one who
thinks he's pretty
great

Happy Birthday Cole
I LOVE YOU!!!

P.s. i also love him
for how forgiving
he is because
i'm pretty sure
he won't love
my choice of picture

The Princess and the Frog

2010-07-10T17:50:00.001-07:00

when the ocean in
the sky
pours down
upon us

like it has
the last week

suddenly these
little critters
mistake our front
yard for a lake

leave it 2
my girl
2 catch
care for
and even...
kiss a toad

i most lovingly
informed her she
will kiss many
of these until
she finds her
one true love

and her daddy
bribed her with
a whole pond
of toads if
that's all she
kisses until then

who knows
with her
it just may
work!

If a Prince is what you're
looking for,
Or a princess fair and sweet,
then be the best that
you can be,
And your sweetheart
you shall meet!

The rains came down and the floods came up!

2010-07-08T18:44:00.001-07:00

i was 2 blocks
from home
when it started
2 rain

by the time i
made it close
2 home the rain
was so high
in the streets

i had 2 seriously
question if i
would make it
through the intersections
without floating away

like a friend
of mines did

it is the type
of stuff you
see in the movies

let's just say
by the time i
made it home

i was down on
my knees
thanking the
good lord in
heaven for
making it

i have been
through so
many "firsts"
since moving
to oklahoma

it is exciting
and unsettling
all at the same
time

i have learned
the weather can
change in a
blink of an eye

i am now more
prepared than
i have ever
been

i do love the
rain

as long as i'm
home and safe...
and dry

with my family
by my side

with some
hot chocolate
and of course
whip cream
on top

i am always
amazed at
the powers
of mother nature

what's next?

Because of the brave...

2010-07-04T21:28:00.000-07:00

i have said it before
and i'll say it again

we have learned through
experience how nice
life can be
when you are
truly happy
in your job

my better half
could not be
in a better place

and that means alot
2 us both

we were invited
2 a 4th of july
party at his
friend and bosses
home

and it could not
have been more perfect

it is nights like this

that make me think
i could learn
to like it here

thanks...brian and tami

and just when the weather
thinks it will rain on
our parade

we jumped in
and showed
it otherwise

it is so nice 2
live in the
land of the free
because of the brave
happy 4th my friends

My Montage 6/29/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-06-29T23:01:00.001-07:00

Home Sweet Home

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cache Valley has never felt so good

2010-06-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

the rains came down
and the floods
came up

come hell or
high water

nothing was
going 2 hold
me back

we made it 2
cache valley

we are home

i never thought
i would say it...

but i miss
this place

home is a
place
you grow up
wanting 2 leave

and grow old
wanting 2 get
back 2

just what i
needed

family
safety
peace
comfort
bliss

thank god
4 the best
family in
the world

signing off
taking a break
clearing my head

home sweet home

Stuck!

2010-06-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

first it was
a tornado

now it is
flash floods

planes are
grounded

mother nature
has a sick
sense of humor

and irony has
once again
just reared
it's ugly head!

The healing power of home

2010-06-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Cole with my mom inside her house

this week, i am going home
back to my roots...
i guess you could say

i used 2 be able 2 make
it home in a days drive
and a few tanks of gas

there was a certain
comfort in that
i no longer have

these days is
not that easy

sometimes in life
a girl just needs
her mommy

this is one of
those times

there is a healing
power in the sights
sounds and smells
of HOME

if i had it
my way
it would be
a one way
ticket 2 anywhere
but here

unfortunately
life is not
always that
easy

i am hoping
2 make it back

refreshed
renewed
and ready
2 give it
one more
shot

with a better
attitude and
hope 4 our future

after all
my better half
is happy
and see's a
wonderful future
in Oklahoma

and my kids
have not been
this content
in a long time

and now it is
up 2 me

wish me luck

so i'm leaving
on a jet plane...
don't know when
i'll be back again!

Cole's moms house

George Lopez

2010-06-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

this girl has a thing
4 a very older man
he is even 2 old
4 her mama

she watches him
every night
and has every
episode memorized

this may explain
why...

she has always
had a thing
4 the class clown

and at the golf tournament
last year while her mom
was trying to use her cuteness
2 get up close with Justin Timberlake

she made it very clear
that she only had eyes
4 one celebrity there

which is why when
i look at the
picture above
i smile every time

most every night
at the same time
and same place

this is what you will find

one more thing
i love about
this girl!

Fragile

2010-06-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

when asked on facebook
for one word that
best describes me

i did not have to
even think twice

FRAGILE

right now i am fragile

like a delicate package
just shipped from home

not sure from one day
2 the next if i will
end up in one piece

trying 2 protect myself
with those who
only have my best
interests at heart

the best bubble
wrap you can get
i guess you could say

i feel like i have
been shipped hundreds
of miles, to the wrong
destination...

thank goodness for bubble wrap!

Fat Dog

2010-05-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

in our house
there is a certain
big fat dog
that has stolen
all of our hearts
over the many years

so much so that my
better half left me
and my cushiony self
2 lay on a cold tile
floor because fat dog
wanted him too...

and funny thing is
i do the same
we can't stand
for fat dog 2 have
sad eyes

which also explains
why we share our
sour patch kids
with him...

we give in to his
pouty face much
more than we do
2 our own kids

oh how we love
our kidderdog

Summer Break

2010-05-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

it has been a rather long time
since we have had a whole summer
all to ourselves...

we are giddy to say the least

my girl finds it quite comical
2 announce, this will be her second time
graduating from elementary school
thanks 2 a rather inconvenient
relocation across state lines

my biggest concern with moving
near the end of a very successful
school year in vegas
was how my kids would cope

i should have known my kids are champs
they passed every obstacle that came their way
with flying colors
they are resilient, and strong
so determined and very very brave

they ended their last day with a bang
and they even wanted their mama
to share the last day with them
i will never turn down such an offer

i did have my rights read 2 me
by a certain mama's boy who
promised if i would keep the hugs
and kisses 2 myself he would
make it up 2 me after school
oh such torture for this mama

we walked 2 sonic, and the park
we played lots of games
met the famous "hot dog man"
and their beloved daddy even
graced us with his presence
when it was time for some grub

some things never change

but we always take him when
we can get him, someone has
2 pay for all the fun
and we love him for this

i count down the hours when
my kids are at school
i would rather have them home
all day every day
call me crazy...

so having a long summer 2 stay up late
and sleep in even later, travel together,
chase down the ice cream truck,
swim alot, hang with the chain gang,
play kickball in the road,
take in lots of movies,
and simply enjoy each others company
all summer long
completely homework free

is pure bliss if you ask me

so here's 2 summer
and many many hard decisions
will it be rocky road or
orange dream bar...

Punky Brewster

2010-05-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

i may be dating myself
by admitting this, but
back in the day i loved
the sitcom punky brewster

i watched every episode

i loved her quirky style,
her wild imagination that
many times got her in trouble,
her love for animals, and
the fact that she was comfortable
in her own skin

my girl is so much
like punky it makes
my heart happy

she naturally
attracts people
big and small

everyone loves tylie

she had 2 have these
fluorescent pink converse
and bright blue skinny jeans

thanks to grandma, she got them
i protested buying them 4 her
and now this is my favorite outfit
of hers, because it is so tylie

she knows what she likes
and who she is, and doesn't
put to much stock in those
who try to tell her different

i am so proud of her
and i tell her often
i wish i would of learned
early on 2 care less what
others think...and just be me

she is beautiful
on the inside and out

i took this picture
on my cell, and i love it
because it portrays so well
my little punky brewster
love this girl!

Tornado Alley

2010-05-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

when i think back on
the last couple of months
the best adjective i
can use 2 fully describe
my life would be "tornado"

it hasn't quite been as
glorious as dorothy and
toto would have you believe

i have wished a time or 2
there was a yellow brick road
2 gently pave the way

on monday i watched in
horror as a tornado
was slowly brewing

i have never seen the
clouds so black,
and the skies so active

there was an eerie
calm before this storm

i can honestly say
i have never spent
so many hours in a
shower with my family
and one really
large fat dog

i have also never
seen hail the size
of golf balls drop
from the sky
and cause so much
damage all around

it felt surreal
cuddled up in that
shower, watching on
the laptop as people
very close to us
were scrambling 2
save their own lives

and seeing the damage
for the first time
left a pit in my stomach
and gave me a new respect
for mother nature

it was all a little
2 close for comfort

irony is a funny thing
i have survived a tornado
in so many ways this year

i am thankful, blessed,
and sheltered every day
by those i love the most

they say this type of thing
does not happen often

kind of like the snow storm
we brought to vegas for the
first time in 30 years

one thing i know for sure is
anything can happen

and with the strength of
family and friends...
we can conquer anything
we will ride out this storm together
and the skies will one day
be clear again

Mother

2010-05-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Me and my Mommy

many people ask me
if i have a job

i have had many
jobs in my life
and plan 2 in
the future but
today and always

i am a mother...

i am overworked
and underpaid
yet the benefits
are amazing

all little girls
have big dreams

in my dreams i married
the handsome prince

we raised babies together
and lived happily ever after

simple as that

i think we all
know it isn't quite
that simple

i never realized how
many times a mommy
has 2 sacrifice for
the happiness of those
she loves the most

i have learned from
the very best

my resume gets
better everyday

my mom has spent her
whole life working
and giving up every
thing she has for
the love of her family
she is beautiful inside
and out, and i hope
2 be like her someday
she has never let me down
not even one time
she taught me so many things
the one that stands out the most
is she always told me true happiness
is achieved through service 2 others
she has always had a full time job
and somehow always found a way 2 brighten
the lives of so many others
all that is virtuous in myself
i owe completely to my mother
oh how i love her

i will forever be
grateful 2 my dear
hubby's mom for raising
the man of my dreams
for teaching him 2
respect the many women in
his life, he will go 2 battle
for any of them if needed
i love her for that
she cares very deeply
4 her own children and
those her know her
know this...there is no
denying that
although she set the bar
a little 2 high in the kitchen
she is a great cook... i am not
the way 2 dear hubby's heart
is through his stomach
this has sparked many a conversation
in our relationship
not sure if this is a curse
or a blessing, but either way
he has a wonderful mum
who always took wonderful care of him

i became a mother for the
first time on august 1, 1997
that day lives on always in my heart
god gave me a son, an angel baby
a baby who will never have 2 experience
the harsh realities of this life
and i can now say i am grateful
that day i was blessed with
a new perspective on motherhood
he touched my heart and helped
me better understand the infinite
role of a mother and, from that
moment on, i knew i could never
ever take such a role for granite

a short time after that i was
blessed enough to witness such a
true testament of love, and motherhood
as the most beautiful, loving
and selfless birth mother
made the biggest most heart wrenching
sacrifice a mother could ever make
and at the same time she mended
my broken heart and made all
my dreams come true and even more
she gave me the chance 2 raise
the most beautiful girl in the world
i will forever be in her debt
i see her beauty every day
in the eyes of our perfect baby girl

2 years after that god entrusted me with another son
he is perfect in every way, he is special...
if you know him you know what i mean
he blesses my life in ways i never knew possible
he loves his mama, and i love him
there are no words for the joy he brings
he is my angel here on earth
he was not planned, the best gifts
in my life have taken me by complete surprise
oh how i love him, and every day i get with him
makes me miss my first son more

many things in my life have
not gone quite how i had dreamed

yet all my dreams came true

and in the end, i am a mother
it is the most sacred job
i will ever have

i have been lucky enough
2 spend almost every waking
hour with two precious children

they have taught me more about
life and love than i ever
could have imagined

right now my pocket book says i am poor
yet i feel like the richest girl in the world

all of my dreams came true and more

thanks 2 all the mothers in my life
mothers, birth mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and friends
who have always been such great examples
and have taught me that actions will always
speak much louder than words
4 it has been said that
it takes a village 2 raise a child
thank you for being a part of my village

i love you all

happy mothers day!

Irony of life

2010-05-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

this morning i received
a yellow slip from
the post office
letting me know i
had a package or two

so i dropped my kiddos off
got my fix at sonic
and picked up my mail

much 2 my surprise there
were packages, goodies, and
cards from people who
i love...

my heart was full
as i drove

i was once again
feeling so loved
and blessed because
i am surrounded with
an army of wonderful
people who protect
me and continue
2 help me fight
this battle within
myself until the
day i conquer

i was very close
2 tears as i
pondered the beauty
in people...

and then i saw the
flashing red lights
in my rear view mirror

and the flood
gates opened
the cop probably
thought i am a very
good actor
i'm not

he mumbled something
about not making a
complete stop at the
previous stop sign

i wanted to tell him
in vegas we call that
the vegas slide

and that cops have better
things to do there
than pull over
a desperate housewife
such as me who was
just a little busy
counting her many blessings

but i didn't
and i got a ticket
the first ticket of
my life in fact
and i made sure
he was aware
of that

ticket or not
i will not
let that ruin
my whole day

maybe just my morning

and from here
on out it may
be in my best
interest 2 wait
2 open my mail
until i have arrived
safely at home

Boys will be Boys

2010-05-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

i do not like guns
even toy guns make
me somewhat nauseous
even though my boy
owns every nerf gun
known 2 man

and i married a boy
from newton, utah
who likes hunting and
guns...alot

i am trying my hardest
2 convince my tender
hearted boy it is only
okay to hunt 4 survival
purposes only

while his beloved uncles
draw him 2 the dark side
and i think testosterone
and the griffin bloodline
will win in the end

no matter my views on hunting
my kids know
it is NEVER okay 2 touch
or even look at a gun
without their daddy around

i always remind them of
the time before they were
born, that one of their
favorite uncles
without naming any names,
shot a black powder
gun through my living
room floor

if you think that sounds
scary just ask my mom
who was on the phone with
me at the same time
the gun went off

did i say i despise guns?

so just imagine my
horror as i heard
a young child, my son
had just met that day
bribing him to go
get his dads guns

soon bribing turned
to threatening,
and instantly
listening mother turned
into something that
resembled freddy cougar
at his very best

good thing my always
calm and collected
better half was there
2 take control of
the situation

disturbed boy was
escorted home, cops
got involved, and hopefully
the little fella gets
the proper help
he desperately needs

there ended up being
much more to this
story, unfortunately
some people are
the way they are
due 2 sad circumstances

i wish i could
heal the world

one thing i know
4 sure is

me and my better
half will always
agree to disagree
on this subject

but we were both very
proud parents that
scary day as our son
made the right choices
and applied what we
have always taught him

and today as i looked
out the window 2 see a
nerf gun shootout in my
front yard with some very
fine young men involved

i was ecstatic to say the least!

The Circle of Life

2010-04-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

it's the circle of life
and it moves us all
through despair and hope
through faith and love

as i had the pleasure
of taking in the sights
and sounds of the beautiful
peaceful and extremely
serene oklahoma zoo

this famous song
from the lion king
repeated itself
in my mind
all day long

so many of gods creatures
all together in the same
place was refreshing

my kids faces as they
made friends with a
one eyed ostrich and
let curious birds land
on their limbs was
enlightning

holding hands with
my sweetheart in
the rain as we
watched wild
animals care
for their young as
protectively as we
do for ours
was heartwarming

sharing yummy nachos
on a bench with my
little sister as an
eagle feasted on his
fresh rodent filled
lunch was disgusting

and the look on my adorable
nephews face when the
train we were aboard went
"choo-choo" was priceless

just what i needed

till i find my place
in the path unwinding
in the circle
the circle of life

Houston, I think we have a problem...

2010-04-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

my baby sister is visiting
we have had tons of fun
which explains my absence

there are some things in life
i am never quite prepared for

like when i realized my baby girl
is now taller than my baby sister

nobody warned me of such things
i love them both dearly
and today i feel...ancient

Tube Socks

2010-04-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

it is no secret
i love the rain

this weekend it
rained, and it
rained, and it
rained...

3 full days
2 be exact

and even better
than the beautiful
cleansing weather

is my girl
in her gym shorts
and tube socks
2 her knees
enjoying it as
much as me

TGIF

2010-04-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

i know i am not
the only one
who loves friday

but i have 2 say
ever since i left
my comfortable
very cathartic
life in the
"city of sin"

4 an uneasy
very unknown
almost surreal
whirlwind path
down "tornado alley"

friday can never
come soon enough

call me crazy
but i {heart}
sin city
some of my
very favorite
people reside there
and they are far
from sinners

i learned so much
about myself and
through many trials
i came 2 know those
who truly always
had my best interest
at heart

and as we all know
those people can
sometimes take a
lifetime 2 find

tornado alley
has so far
stayed very true
2 her name...a
tornado is putting
it rather nicely
if you ask me

i hope in a year
from now i will
be able 2 convince
you other wise

it is almost as
if life doesn't
begin until that
fifth day and
always abruptly
ends on the seventh

and every other day
i remind myself

my better half
no longer has
the weight of
the world on his
shoulders

he enjoys his
job and now
we enjoy him

he suddenly has a
smile on his face
and a skip in his step

and my kids
can be kids again
they can play
sun up 2 sun down
barefoot in the
street without
being reported by
the neighbors

and because i
am a mother
and a wife 2
the best family
on earth

i will bask in
their sunshine
and happiness
as i desperately
search 4 my own

and on friday
i get these 3
all 2 myself

we go 2 movies
take long walks
cook yummy food
and even make it
2 church every
now and again

it is these few
short days
i forget about
my selfish sorrows
and focus on what
really matters
most...

FAMILY

thank goodness it's friday!

Have you ever...

2010-04-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

have you ever
had a friend so
great she would
go out on a ledge
for you...

or spend hours
cleaning
the twice melted
ice cream in
the bottom of
your freezer

or so awesome
she is willing
2 get her hands
downright dirty
just 4 you

and dust all
the hidden
places i could
never quite reach
in all the many
years i was there

or a friend
who would
fly to LV
spur of the
moment and
throw you the
best goodbye party
of your life

or leave you her
shoes because your
feet hurt and u
wanted 2 stay and
dance the night away

or a friend who
was willing 2 drop
everything and go
2 the late night
movies, lunch,
or last minute
trips 2 tai pan

or had a friend
so spectacular
they are willing to
go elbows deep on your
dingy greasy oven
even while on vacation
a friend you can
also call mom

i know i have!!!

and i find myself
thanking god
every day
4 these angels
in my life

believe me
when i say
these are just
a few examples
of the wonderful
friends in my
life

this is one
of the
hardest things
i have ever done
in my whole
life

who knew we would
leave so fast
and so furious

with so many
untied and
very loose
ends

these girls have
families and
struggles of their
own

yet they took
time 4 me
and my precious
family

and right now
it is these
acts of compassion
and kindness
that carry me
through

right now it
is their listening
ears and irreplaceable
memories that will
sustain me

i have been so
blessed over
the years and
across many miles
2 make the best
friends around

although i could
never picture
them all in one
blog post

please know
you have
all touched
my life in
one way or
another

and always remember

many people will
walk in and out
of your life...
but only true
friends will leave
footprints on
your heart

you have all left
footprints so
deep, i feel like
i have a good trail
2 follow until i
can find my way

i love you

The "chain" gang

2010-04-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

so this week
the "chain" gang
as i so lovingly
call them

traded in their
beloved bikes for
2 shiny red cars

amazing these things
still ran with 5
healthy kids piled
on each one

this week has been
beautiful

nothing brings
a smile 2 my
face like...
shiny red cars,
colorful sidewalk chalk,
yummy popsicles,
one big fat kidderdog,
lot's of sun
and barefoot happy
kids

these are the things
i remember most as
a child and one of
the reasons we made
this move...things
are looking up after
all

it's gonna be a bright
bright sun shiny day!

My sisters...My friends

2010-04-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

the great thing about
sisters...is that i
always have a friend

no matter what challenges
we face in life, we
all know we can call
on each other

they have listened
cared and even
cried with me

they are both
coming 2 visit
very soon

they knew exactly
what i needed

and i couldn't be
more excited!

i finally have
something good
2 look forward 2

and after that i
am meeting my
mommy in Vegas!

i can't think of
anything better
2 help heal my
uneasy soul

love you girls
more than you
will ever know

a sister is
a gift to the heart
a friend 2 the spirit
and a golden thread
2 the meaning of
life

Road Rash=Happiness

2010-04-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

i am stuck on band-aids
and band-aids stuck on
me

i am thinking if i
invest in anything
this year, it should
be stock in band-aids

other than the best
band-aid possible...
ice cream, and believe
me when i tell you
ice cream has saved
our lives as of lately

it is amazing how
the simple application
of a sticky object
with the silly name
band-aid
can magically stop
one's tears

along with a "mommy"
kiss of course

my kids are actually
proud of their newly
acquired road rash
they display it
like a trophy

i think they have had
more this month
than their whole
lifetime

they now race 2 get
their homework done
in hopes 2 be the first
out the door to join
"the chain gang"
as i like to call them

grandpa, u would be
proud! i know i am...

4 it is the small
things such as this
that make my heart
happy these days!

there is nothing
better 2 me than
kids outside just
being kids

next thing you know
they will be asking
for all things spandex
and that is where i just
may have to draw the line

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

Broken hearted!

2010-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

i will choose to remember
mr. milo as the needy,
high maintenance,
very loving,
and loyal
cat that he was

and not the gruesome,
most horrible way
we found our beloved cat
on the side of a busy
road today

i will always remember
the smiles he
brought to my kiddo's
sweet faces

i will remember the way he
purred miss tylie to sleep
most every night

and what a good sport
he was for the many times
he got dressed in drag

i will remember the way he
could so easily get under
dear hubby's skin

i will remember all the
funny things he did
2 make us all laugh

i will remember laughing
as ben and skylar both
were tortured by his
cries on the long drive
here as they tried 2
be great sports because
that's what good uncle's
who normally hunt cats do

i will remember
the way he loved 2
annoy kidderdog and
i think even he misses
mr. milo

i will let my already
heart broken, devastated
kiddo's believe he has
ran off with his girlfriend
as they very excitedly
announced when they saw
them together last week

i am having a hard enough
time trying to process
what i saw today

and i am not willing
to shake up their
fragile, innocent, and
already ever changing worlds

they have accepted the
fact he is where he
wants to be...in a better
place if you will

maybe one day when
the emotions are
not so raw, and time
has healed most wounds

i will reveal
they were right
all along...
he is in a better
place that i know
4 sure!

R.I.P. Milo, We Love You!

Better Days Ahead

2010-04-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

starting over is never easy
i am also not very good
at putting on a fasaud
if you ask i will probably
tell

i have never been very
good at sugar coating
which has been known 2
get me in trouble a time
or 2

which leads me to apologize
2 those of you who have
had to hear about the good,
the bad, and the ugly

i am hoping to soon get
out of this funk i'm in

i am hoping to re-establish
some sort of normalcy around
here 4 things have felt odd,
somewhat cold, and very empty

i hope to be able 2 build a
safe fortress for my family
2 make new memories, 2 gather
in love, and in safety
2 eventually be able
2 call this place "HOME"

4 these things are not
as easy as some may
imagine them 2 be

in the midst of it all
there is one thing, i
just can not deny

miracles are happening
all around me...
i have been guided, inspired,
and sometimes even carried

after all, we made it here
we found a house in 2 days
we ended up in the most coveted
school district once again
my husband and kids are HAPPY
i got my sick girl into the allergy
clinic, that had a 3 month wait...
in a day! thanks to the sweet southern
lady on the other end of the phone
who actually had a little compassion
and a very big heart!

we have been blessed in ways
i can not even put into words

god is good, my heart is full,
the sun is shining, and my baby
girl has a smile on her face today
see what a difference a couple days
can make? it can only get better
from here so raise your glass and
toast with me "to better days"!

Pincushion!

2010-03-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

one thing i know i'm not
being dramatic about
is my poor little girl
who's allergies have
multiplied since arriving
here in Oklahoma

today we had to take action
it was a long, rough day
spent holding the hand of
my pale, tearful, nauseous,
scared champion of a girl
as she was pricked 65 times
to be exact!

4 hours later we know
she is allergic to 63
of those 65 allergens
she is now on many meds
and shots once a week

it will not be easy
that i know 4 sure
just one more battle
we will eventually conquer

we will be making many
special accommodations
2 her room, bed, and
enviroment, in general

she has been a trooper
i could not wait to get
her out of there, wipe
away her tears and go
to sonic...this time for
ice cream! because ice
cream is the best band-aid
ever made

i love this girl, my heart
broke for her today! it
felt like my newborn getting
shots all over again! just
with a much more swollen nose!

Am I being dramatic?

2010-03-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

i learned at a very
young age...

when faced with
adversity, or
tough decisions

make a list
and hopefully
the good will
outweigh the
bad

so here's my list

Bad...
1. i miss the mountains
2. i miss the sun
3. i miss my neighbors
4. i miss all the golf events
5. i miss my friends...the one's
at my house cleaning right now to
get my house "rental ready", the
one's who told me to go and they
would take care of it all, the one's
i have called at least a million
and one times to meet a contractor
or help sell my furniture. you know
those friends...the irreplaceable kind!
oh how i miss them!
6. i miss routine
7. i miss our ward
8. i miss my family
(i know weird, since
i didn't live by them
in the first place,somehow
just knowing we
were a days drive away
helped, i guess)feels like
i miss them even more!
9. i miss lunch with friends
and late night movies.
10. i miss our doctor when
ty is having her worst allergy
attack yet, curse you Oklahoma!
11. i miss life as i knew
it!
12. i miss knowing where to get
my hair done, or find a great
hole in the wall store that sells
all my favorite knock-offs!
13. we miss Milo! (even
Cole, just don't ask him
about it or he will be
forced to lie)
teigen told me he has
been telling heavenly
father every night that
he is part of our family...
and he needs to come home!
14. oh and did i say my friends?
15. i miss getting last minute
FREE tickets to many grand events
in vegas! i miss vegas!

Good...
1. sonic just down the road,
to accommodate my newly acquired
multiple times a day caffeine
fix! oh sonic how i love thee!

2. my family...minus Milo :(

Words are not enough

2010-03-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

in the last few
weeks as we have
been faced with so
many of life's
tough and very
important decisions

i am trying
to keep my
glass half full

one thing i do
know is it will
never be as full
as my heart
has been

4 it is only
because we have
been surrounded
by life's best
cheerleaders
that we will
eventually win
this game...
of life that is

although i have
a list of so many
who have made this
journey possible,

there are two who
i thank god for
each and every day

most who know me
know it is not
a secret, my mom is
my world! we have
an unbreakable bond,
she has always been
my rock, and my best
friend!

and i hope 2
be like her some
day! anything good
in me...i learned
from my mom!

the man in this
picture, did not
HAVE to be my dad...
he chose to be!

one more testament
of the tender miracles
and real powers
of adoption

this man loved
me as his own
from the beginning
he has been there
EVERY step of the
way

he has always
supported
sustained, and
loved me
even through the
tumultuous teen
years

we may not always
have seen eye to eye
but that never really
mattered because in
the end...i always
knew he had my back

i never questioned
not even 1 time if
he loved me or would
be there for me when
i needed him

he even sat through
3 hour dance reviews
4 me, if that is not
love...i don't know what
is

i am lucky, because
i get to call such
a great man...my dad!

people say i'm brave
for following this path
in life, for traveling so
far, and for taking such
chances

i'm not brave at all
actually...i'm shaking
in my newly purchased boots

just LOVED, extremely blessed,
and comforted because my
parents are only a phone call,
and a short flight away!

thanks for all your support
mom and dad, we could not
have done it without you!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Home

2010-03-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

when the boxes are gone
and you've cleaned up the mess
you'll make a home of the house
that was just an address

slowly starting to feel
more like "home"
but i won't lie...
i miss this place bad...

p.s. if any of my Vegas peeps know of someone who needs a beautiful house in Henderson/Seven Hills to rent...please send them my way! Please and Thank You!

OOOO-klahoma

2010-03-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

as most of u already know
we made a huge move across
state lines, we passed through
arizona,and new mexico on our
way to our final destination...
OKLAHOMA

it was fast and furious
which was probably good
in the end

less time to fret or worry

don't get me wrong it was
not an easy task to say the
least

it is much safer in
my comfort zone
for sure

as we face these obstacles
in r life i realize more
and more everyday what it
means to have true friends
and wonderful family by r
side through it all

i have LOVED vegas...
always will

i leave with no regrets
and some of the best
experiences and friendships
a girl could ever have

i thank god every day
for such a wonderful
family for without
them i would not make
it through times like this

i will give oklahoma
a chance for sure
my husband and
kids love it already
it is their faith i
have leaned on so far
i am secretely hoping
for success like pioneer
woman...but not counting
on it!

pray for me YA'LL

Strategy

2010-03-05T21:44:00.000-08:00

life is like a
game of chess

you have to
force moves
and take
chances 2
get 2 where
you need 2 be...

wish us luck
we will need it
*p.s. i realize this is checkers, just loved the pic!

Does this make me cool?

2010-03-03T21:51:00.001-08:00

does not take a
rocket scientist
to conclude that
this is definately
not my best side

but i have to say
i was completely
flattered when
my "tweenager"
picked the same
jeans as mom

so flattered
i was willing
to humiliate
my own self
4 proof of
such thing

i tried not
to draw much
attention to
the smile on
my face as
she picked
them out

and now
i have
to ask...
does this
mean i'm
still cool?

15 years

2010-03-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

15 years ago
i did not
know how much
i could love
this man

15 years ago
i never knew
this man could
handle all of
lives challenges
with such beauty
and grace

15 years ago
i had no idea
what integrity
this man possessed

15 years ago
i had no idea
how much this
man truly loved
all his family
and friends

15 years ago
i had no idea
what a wonderful
and caring father
this man would make

15 years ago
at the tender
age of 18
i had no idea
how lucky i
truly was

now i do...
can't wait
2 see what
i will learn
in the next
15 years

i love you
babe
more than
you will
ever know!

Hello Kitty

2010-03-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

we {heart}
hello kitty
around our house

we have a hard
time resisting
all her glitz
and glamour

most who have
stayed here
know that ty's
favorite thing
to do is serve
our guests in
true hello kitty
style

this weekend
did not
disappoint

and if you
stay for lunch
you just may
get a warm
sandwich

from her most
recent hello
kitty purchase

no wonder we
get so many
guests

O

2010-02-25T13:07:00.000-08:00

O so wonderful
to see an old
friend again

O such a
needed night
away with great
company

O what a magical
world this show
takes you too

O how i wished
i could stay in
that place if only
a while longer

O the places
you will go be
them big
be them
small

ps...i {heart} you Jess!

We R Family!

2010-02-22T22:20:00.000-08:00

when life get's
ROUGH
stand up get
TOUGH

and let the
good times
carry you...

something about
this picture
soothes my
soul

at least 4
today...

Back to the core...

2010-02-19T21:18:00.000-08:00

why has my
blogged changed
you ask

this is me
raw
real
sincere
thankful

no need 2
embellish

few words
little punctuation
less capitals
count on a
misspelling
or three

a glimpse

less room
2 misinterpret

more room 2
reconnect

private in
my own way

4 this is
me...

A little note of encouragement!

2010-02-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

just a note
of
encouragement
4 all my
friends with
young ones

motherhood
does pay
off
eventually

this girl
is our
puker

i have spent
many a night
holding back
her hair
and tickling
her back
on the
bathroom
floor

my dear
husband
would tell
you he
wished i
had more
hair to
hold back

but last
night it
was my turn
and just
when i thought
i was alone

guess who
was tickling
my back...

one more
reason i
am blessed
every day
to be her
mom!

One of every flavor...please do not disturb!

2010-02-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

my valentine
has never
let me down
although i
don't care
2 much for
the hallmark
holiday...

it's the
small things
all year
round that
matter most
2 me

like when
the love
of my life
shows up
with these
pretty little
things

4 i have
not told
a soul
my dirty
little secret

not even
my soul mate

i have 2
fight temptation
every time i
drive by this
evil little
place

proof that
2 hearts
really do
beat as 1!