Griffin Family

What was I thinking???

So today I signed up to do a half marathon.  Yep, I paid money to be able to almost kill myself with exercise!  What is the world coming to??  My friend Justina and I are going to do it together and will start training now.  We have until March, and I think we can do it!  We'll be entering the "walking" division for this first half marathon, but hopefully someday we can enter the "running" division!  The distance of the race is 13.1 miles.  Wow.  We'll be hitting the farm road in the morning.  :-)

October four year ago

Four years ago in the fall, Becky Austin (who was in the same dog obedience class as me and Cocoa) kept telling me every week about this guy she knew that needed a good girl.  She was trying to set me up on a blind date.  I don't do blind dates.  I didn't really want to be stuck spending/wasting time with some guy I didn't know anything about.  She suggested we meet for coffee or something instead of a "date."  I don't do blind coffee either.  Finally, I told her to give him my phone number.  I figured that would make her leave me alone about it.  Plus, that way I didn't even have to answer the phone and that would be the end of that. 

Sure enough, the poor fella called.  And sure enough, I didn't answer.  I stood by the answering machine (that was back when I had a "real" phone) while he left a nice little message.  I didn't call him back.  So then a couple of days later he calls again.  So I figured that I'd better answer and explain to him why I let Becky give him my number.  I didn't want him to keep calling and keep calling and keep calling.  So I answer the phone.  I think we talked for a couple of hours.  And a couple of hours the next day.  And I finally agreed to go on just one date with him.  When he came to pick me up for our first date, he brought a Milkbone for Cocoa.  And the rest is history.  :-)

Count your blessings....

So Sunday at church we sang this song, and it's kinda been stuck in my head this whole week.  So many times I think about what I wish I had and what I want instead of thinking about all the wonderful blessings that I already have.  I have so many things to be grateful for.  There is no nearly enough space or time for me to count them one by one, but here is just the top 8:
1.  I am blessed to have God as my personal savior and the knowledge that I will one day join my sister and other family in heaven. 
2.  I am blessed with good health.  I don't get sick often and when I do it's usually just minor. 
3.  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband.  He is such a good man and I am so glad that he came into my life.  I love him with all of my heart. 
4.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family.  I love that we are so close and do things together.  Some of my favorite times are holidays when the whole family gathers, and family vacation.
5.  I am blessed with great in-laws.  I hear people talking all the time about how they don't like their mother-in-laws or they dont like to spend time with their spouse's family.  I feel sorry for them.  I love Matthew's family, and am thankful to have them in my life.
6.  I am blessed with a job that I like.  I know it sounds crazy, but I like due process paperwork.  I'm good at it.  And my boss is very generous.  She constanly gives us days off, bonuses, and other surprises.   I know there are so many people who would kill to have just any job, let alone one that they like.
7.  I am blessed with a house that I love.  Our house is perfect for us and our 5 dogs.  This was definitely the best purchase that we've ever made. 
8.  I have a wonderful future ahead of me.  I love being married to Matthew, and I look forward to what the future may bring for us. :-)

I wanna be a billionaire

I can't believe that today is the first day of July, tomorrow is the last Friday of my break, and I have to go back to work on Tuesday.  I have really enjoyed being only a "housewife" and not having to go to work.  Cooking supper was actually fun because I haven't been at work all day.  Laundry wasn't dreadful.  It was actually quite relaxing.  Although, I find laundry relaxing anyway.  I've been able to have lunch with my husband every day which almost NEVER happens while I'm working.  I really could get used to being a stay at home mom/wife.  Too bad that I still need my paycheck. 

Tuesday will be back to the rushing to get ready in the morning, making sure I've got everything (lunch, calendar, phone, keys, workout clothes, etc) before I leave the house, dealing with stupid parents who should never have had kids in the first place, conferences, SEAS, IPPs, deadlines, notices, crying kids with snotty noses and dirty hands, temper tantrums, throw up, poopy diapers, nosy co-workers, tired feet, errands after work, sweaty workout, what are we gonna have for supper, can I please just sit down, when I get still I fall asleep, YES I'm going to bed and it's only 9:30, get up and do it all again.  Ugh.  Why can't I be rich???????

Finally summer break is here!

Today begins my 2 week summer break.  Because we took a big trip earlier in the year, I guess I'll be enjoying a "staycation" here in Magnolia.  Matthew is working, so I get some peaceful days alone at home.  The only thing that would make it better is a pool.  This is the last summer that I will not have a pool at my house.  Not sure how I'm gonna make that happen yet. 

Went to the gym this morning to get that out of the way.  Don't want to get out of the routine and mess up all the hard work I've been doing.  I've only lost 11 pounds, but have also lost several inches. 

Other big plans for the break:

1.  Finish wedding thank you notes.  Yes, I am waaay behind.

2.  Unpack some of the many boxes still piled in the extra bedroom.  Yes, I know I am waaaay behind.

3.  Spend some time with Mimi at Wentworth.

4.  Get a new social security card with my new last name. 

Zumba

So today was the launch of Zumba at the gym.  I loved it!  I went to couple of the "practice" sessions earlier in the week, but it was even better today.  I'm so proud that I only had to stop and catch my breath a couple ot time.  I remember when I first started going to the gym 2 months ago and I could barely make it all the way through the classess.  I had to stop frequently to catch my breath and let my legs rest.  I guess my hard work is paying off.  I can actually keep up with the steps and lift my legs almost as high as April.  :-)  That does wonders for keeping me motivated!!!!!!

So much tragedy....

I've been keeping up with the voyage of Abby (the girl trying to set the record for the youngest to sail around the world) and am glad to hear that they've located and made contact with her today.  However, I'm so saddened by the unfolding story coming from Albert Pike.  I can't imagine being asleep safe and sound in the camper and being swept away by flood waters.  How scary that must have been.  I know many people from this area camp at Albert Pike and I pray that no one I know was affected.  How will they know if they've found everyone?  How will they identify the bodies they've found?  I'm sure some of the dead must be children as that's a place that you go with your family.  I pray for the people working to rescue and hope that they will find more survivors!

St Lucia Day 1: Recovering from travel day

Here is what we woke up to:

It had rained the night before and everything was sooo green.  We later learned that the island had been in a drought for several months.  The employees were so excited and dancing and singing out in the rain.  There were all kinds of tropical birds that sang to us every day. 

Breakfast in bed was delivered to our room.  It was soooo delicious.  They have the best fruits!  After breakfast, we went out to explore the resort.  This was our room from the outside.  We had the upstairs left two windows.  The people under us had their own private pool! 

Our room was at the top of a very big hill.  There were about four sets of these stairs we had to climb to get to our room.  Most time we just took the shuttle!!!

Since it was dark when we arrived the night before, we wanted to see what the resort looked like in the sun...except that it started raining again.  Just a light rain and only for a little while.  They the sun came out and it was beautiful.

This was the main pool overlooking the ocean.

The Pavillion was the place where we had buffet style breakfast and lunch.  At night they set the tables for dinner and served delicious food!

The beach was beautiful.  We enjoyed the sun while it was out and found a place to stay dry on the beach even while it was raining. 

After playing and napping on the beach, we went to our room to get ready for dinner.  We ate at the Pavillion.  The salads that I ate the whole week were the most delicious salads I have ever eaten.  Since I don't like seafood or steak, I ate a lot of chicken.  But it didn't get old, because at each restaurant it was different.  And it was sooo full of flavor.  Very much better than any chicken I have ever eaten in the States.  After dinner entertainment was a steel drum band.  They were awesome.  I got some picture, but they were on my disposable camera so I'll have to add them later.  What an awesome first day in paradise!!

Traveling to St Lucia

Our wedding reception was awesome!  Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make it all come together.  Matthew and I are lucky to have families that are willing to do so much for us!  We left the reception in the rain, and by the time we got to Dallas it had begun snowing!!!

This was the view from our room when we arrived at the Hyatt Regency at DFW.  We had all summer clothes since we were going to a tropical island, so we were a little chilly getting all our bags from the car to the hotel! 

Our flight Sunday was at 11, so we didn't have to get up terribly early.  We had breakfast and Meclizine (for motion sickness) and we were off to the airport.  That was the first time I have ever experienced airport secutity.  When I used to fly with Hoop Troop, we didn't have to go through all that!  It was like a Chinese fire drill....people stripping off belts, shoes, etc. and throwing everything in those bins.  Matthew had to go through twice...he forgot to take something out of his pocket, but finally we made it to our gate.  I HATE flying.  Hate it with a passion.  I'd much rather drive.  But since you can't drive to St Lucia, I didn't really have a choice.  Thankfully, the Meclizine worked and there was no trace of motion sickness.  Just a few nerves.  But God got us where we were headed safely! 

We touched down in St Lucia around 8pm, so it was dark.  And muggy.  And hot.  Nothing like what we left in Dallas!  I was a little anxious going through customs, but it was no trouble.  Once we'd claimed our bags, (they all made it at the same time we did!) a shuttle, our should I say van, loaded us up and took off toward the resort.  An hour away.  Along the west coast of the island.  With the curviest roads I've EVER been on.  So glad that the Meclizine was effective for 24 hours.  Otherwise I would have been miserable.  It was dark, so all we could really see of the island were the lights and the banana trees along the side of the roads.  We were glad to finally arrive at Sandals Regency around 9pm.  They brought us inside and checked us in.  Our room was beautiful!  It was the lowest room level they had, so I can only imagine what the higher level rooms looked like. 

Since we hadn't really had a chance to eat all day, we headed to Cricket's Pub for a very late dinner.  All they were serving by that time were burgers, which was fine!  We ate and went back to the room to crash!  What a long day!

Til death do us part....

So we are now married! So far I'm loving it! :-) Our day couldn't have been more perfect. We were married at The Wedding Chapel in Hot Springs.

When we walked in, there was sunshine and blue sky. When we walked out, it had started to rain. The man who married us said that rain on your wedding day is a sign of fertility. Hmmmm....I guess we will see. :-) As we headed to do some shopping, the rain drops turned into huge snowflakes. It was beautiful. By the time we reached the bed & breakfast (Hillop Manor) the ground was almost covered.

We LOVED the Hillop Manor and will definitely go back. I can see that becoming an anniversary tradition! The house has a lot of gangster history and even has some of the original lighting from Al Capone's days. We stayed in the Rose Suite. It was beautiful in spite of all the flowers. Our favorite part was the jacuzzi tub and heated floors in the bathroom. At check in, we were greeted with a bottle of champagne and a beautiful wedding cake. Our 2 course breakfast and coffee were delivered the next morning. It was delicious!

We packed up and headed out to Crysalis Spa for a couples hydrotherapy bath and massage. I've never had a massage before, and it was HEAVENLY! I'm pretty sure Matthew enjoyed his too! That will definitely be something we do in St Lucia!

It would have been sooooo nice to be able to stay longer, but at least we have St Lucia to look forward to!

yesterday......

Well, here I am. The last few days of my life as a single person. I'm a very independent person and I'm so proud of all the things I've accomplished all by myself. I worked my way through school.....twice. I hold a Bachelor's and a Master's and am very good at what I do. I have a job that I love working with people that I also love. I bought and maintained a house for 10 years all by myself. I have supported myself without help from anyone else. Don't get me wrong....I have a wonderfully supportive family and awesome friends, but I don't depend on anyone except myself. Everything I have I worked for. But now I have someone to share it all with.

In spite of all the things I've done alone and the fact that I don't really NEED anyone, I have been lucky enough to find someone that I WANT. I'm so looking forward to next chapter in my life. In this world where "love" is used interchangably with "lust" and marriages are no longer sacred, I'm so lucky to have found a relationship with a man where the word love is used the way God meant it to be used. I look forward to working together to build our life, our home, and our family. I look forward to having someone to lean on and depend on. I have enjoyed my life up to this point, but I have completed another chapter, and I'm more than ready to move to the next and see what God has written for me.

First Baptist Church Shower

I had my shower at church this past Sunday. I sooooooo appreciate all the work the hostesses did to make me feel Queen for a day!

The decorations were absolutely beautiful....

Especially the pineapple tree....

I got so many gifts! I can't believe how generous all of our friends and family are! Just look at all the goodies...

I can't believe it's getting so close. Only 17 more days and I'll be a married woman!

The cat is out of the bag.....

....so I guess I can go ahead and share....We have changed wedding plans and date. Instead of having a big shebang here with lots of people and flowers and bows and frills and things, Matthew and I are going to Hot Springs to get married. Just the two of us with no frills. I have never really wanted a big wedding here. My first choice was a beach wedding, but that didn't work out for us. This will be the next best thing!!! I'm so excited and can't wait until 24 days from today!

We'll be staying at a very romantic bed and breakfast. They're treating us with wedding cake and champagne for our honeymoon night. Then we'll enjoy a couples massage and thermal baths on Bath House Row! Yay!

We do still plan on having a reception on the original wedding date so we can share our happy day with all our friends and family! Lots to do and look forward to in the upcoming weeks. :-)

Christmas 2009

We had such an awesome Christmas in our new house. It was so nice for Matthew to have vacation to take while I was out for two weeks so we could spend time together during the day. It was fun decorating the new house and getting it ready for Christmas.

I always enjoy all of our family traditions during this time of year. On Christmas Eve, we gather at my mom's house and when my dad gets home from work, we open our presents from each other. Even Rascal got dressed up for the occasion!

Then around 5ish, all of our family starts arriving! And bringing food. And presents! Alec kicked the night off by reading a Christmas poem that he wrote....

After eating all the good food and digging into the presents, Mimi read Twas the Night Before Christmas and we all gathered around in the kitchen to listen.....

Some of us didn't pay attention:
Then it was home (in the snow!!!) for everyone and time to get ready for bed (and Santa) for us. Alec & I slept in the extra room. Well, we didn't really sleep much. I tried really hard, but Alec kept sitting up looking at my face to see if my eyes were open and then seeing what time it was to see if we could get up yet. Not to mention the spring that was poking up out of the mattress. My PJs snagged on it when I rolled over and tore a nice hole right over my rump. FINALLY morning came and we got up to see if Santa came.....


And he did! We got so many cool things and everyone was so excited to open presents! And then it was time to go back to bed and rest!!!!!!


I'm so fortunate to be blessed with such a wonderful family. I love each and everyone of them. I'm so looking forward to this new year and everything it will bring. Keeping old traditions alive and building new ones with my new husband and family! Time to start planning a wedding!