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!!!!!!