Florida July 2009

We had our family vacation in July at Disney World and Clearwater Beach. The kids loved Disney and I loved the beach!

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!

Alex driving the Jungle Cruise.

Wheeee! Mad Hatter Teacup Ride

Looney Toons blanket

All three of my kiddos have loved their baby blankies. Rebekah had a "squares blankie" that she used until it finally fell apart. (Jeff still carries a tiny piece of it in his wallet. The remainder of it is in a ziploc baggie in her baby box.) Emma still has her 2 yellow blankies - one of which is just a mass of threads. Alex loves his Looney Tunes blanket. It was a receiving blanket and somehow he clutched on to this particular one. It has diminished in size, been sewn several times, has frayed edges and is almost see-through. He isn't as adamant about having it to go to sleep as the girls were at his age but he still loves it nonetheless.

Rain today

Either we had a lot of rain today our else our yard has some serious drainage issues! This was taken in late afternoon after a full day of heavy rain. Jeff pulled out his kayak and let the kids goof around in it.

Kimberly

The name Kimberly is of English origin and means From the Meadow of the Royal Forest. I've always liked that "royal" part!

Growing up my mother was adamant that people call me Kimberly. "I did not name you Kim. Your name is Kimberly." I can remember having this one friend who would call the house and ask for Kim and my mom would tell her that no one lived here by that name and she would say good-bye. I told you she was adamant!

Even to this day if someone calls me Kim I will consider correcting them if it is someone I think will get to know me well. It's funny to be that for 2 of my own children I have shortened or nicknamed them. Alexander goes by Alex and Rebekah is frequently called Bekah. (mostly by her dad and friends).

Julie

Julie is my older sister and is such an incredible person. She is a natural born leader with a passionate personality. Currently, she works outside the home parttime, works in the home parttime (providing before and after school care for neighborhood kids), parents two wonderful kids, is a loving and devoted wife, President of the PTO, need I go on?!

She inspires me to be more self-confident and forgiving on one's mistakes. Julie is a true blessing in my life and I am honored to say she is my sister.

I scream you scream

We all scream for ICE CREAM! Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip is my favorite. Short of spending $3 for a teeny tiny scoop I will go with Blue Bell (keep in mind I'm a Texas gal!) or Dreyer's Slow Churned (lower in fat but still all the flavor).

Hairspray

Of my many hair and beauty essentials hairspray ranks pretty high on the list. I do not leave the house unless my hair is "done" and the only way for that to happen is with a great hairspray. I like for the top of my hair to stay put while the rest has the volume and swish. I have used many brands over the years (anybody remember AquaNet?!) and am currently using Kenra Hold #25.

H is also for husband (so glad to have a good one!), hugs and happiness.

Grocery Store

I confess... I like going to the grocery store. (If you are new to my blog read here for my feelings on HEB.)

I do grocery shopping on average every 3 days. I prefer the ripest produce, softest bread and freshest meat. For a dinner on Thursday I will not buy the meat on Monday. Now that is not to say I do not have a weekly meal plan. I simply go back a couple of times a week for the food we will need. Plus, with a family of five (and a daily coming-and-going of little friends) we go through the snack food like nobody's business!

G is also for Gig' Em!, giggles and grace.

Friends

I don't know where I would be without my dear friends. I am someone who has a lot of acquaintances and a handful (or two!) of close friends. These would be ladies I could call in the middle of the night if I was stranded out on the highway and they would come help me.

Just recently I have received some much needed encouragement and kindness from several of my girlfriends. Their words and actions have shown me how I can be a better friend.

F is also for family, Facebook, and faithfulness.

Emma

My darling Emma. What can I tell you about this sweetheart that you don't already know?

Emma is such a delight. She receives praise from other parents and teachers for her wonderful disposition and willingness to go above and beyond what is asked of her.

Emma plays so well with her brother. She and Alex have been partners in crime from the get-go. She is usually easygoing and willing to play what she wants and what he wants. They are just the best little friends.

Emma has these amazingly beautiful blue eyes. They fit so well with her personality.

She is a tremendous joy to be the mother of.

Dad

D is for my dad, John Clifford Carr. He was a man who enjoyed life to the fullest. When I look at photo albums I am struck with how many pictures are of him just having a good time.
He loved having our family together at his house. He would sit in his big 'ole easy chair and when a grandkid would pass him he would reach out for their arm and pull the kid to him for hugs and kisses. The kids would tolerate it and then run off to play. What I wouldn't give for them to have that hug and kiss now.

I love you Dad.

Chocolate

Is there a more perfect food than chocolate? Milk chocolate is my favorite and is a perfect cheer me up, calm me down, or satisfy a sweet craving. And I am easy to please with the brand - just give me a Hershey's bar and I'm all set! Other ways to enjoy chocolate are mousse, fudge, chocolate cream pie, chocolate chip cookies, strawberrys dipped in chocolate, and ice cream.
Chocolate -- because it can't get you pregnant.

C is also for cast iron skillet, cookies, and concerts.

Beach

Rebekah on Ka'anapalli Beach, Maui July 2008

B is for beach

Give me white sand, the sound of the ocean waves and a cool breeze and I am in heaven.

B is also for beignets, BeautiControl, and babies

Alphabet Days

A is for Alex.

He is a little clown. Whether it's something he is doing or saying, he loves to make people laugh.

He freely and generously gives me hugs, kisses, cuddles, lap-sittings, and snuggles.

He asks the most insightful questions.

His love of all things Pokemon shows me his extraordinary talent at memorization.

He plays well with each of his sisters (which means most of the time he does what they want!)

He has a sweet and tender heart that shines most during his nighttime prayers.

Sunday pictures

For family who live far away, here are pictures from Sunday.

Reagan, Rebekah, Madison, Emma, Alex

Brad, Reagan, Julie

Emma's Baptism

This morning Emma was baptized at our church, Sugar Creek Baptist. Last May she prayed to accept Jesus as her Saviour and had been hesitant about the baptism part. In January she and I attended a Kid's Discovery class and the Children's Minister talked about salvation, baptism and communion. The kids were taken to the church baptistry and had the opportunity to see where it all takes place. When we left that afternoon she said she was ready to be baptized.
After the church service we went to Pappadeaux for lunch with my family. Thank you Grandma, Grammy and Coburn family for coming to her baptism and lunch!

We are so thrilled with her decision to give her life to Jesus and follow in His example of baptism by immersion.

Facebook

Facebook is mine and Jeff's latest addiction. No... addiction isn't a strong enough word. Obsession is more like it. We are both having fun looking up old friends and family. Have you joined?

Home movies

Rebekah 9 months old

Jeff has been transferring our home movies from cassette tapes to disks. In doing this, he first records it onto our computer and then burns it to a disk. While the movie is recording on the computer I will watch it. I have been moved to tears and laughter looking back at the birth of my children, seeing them as babies and then as active talkative toddlers.
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, "The days are long and the years are short." This strikes at my heart because I can remember thinking how hard it was when it was just Rebekah and Jeff drove an hour to get home. I was so impatient and "worn out" by the end of the day. Then Emma came along and I realized how easy I had it with just the one child. Then Alex came along and heaven knows I REALLY understood how easy I had it with just the two children.
My babies are growing so quickly. My youngest started Kindergarten this school year; and in seven months my oldest will start middle school. Yes, sometimes the days do seem long but take my word that the years are short.

It happened again

Just over a year ago I blogged here about Rebekah using conditioner as her shampoo. Honest mistake on her part. Well, now I'm the one who committed the foul.
Emma still prefers using a baby wash for her body soap because it is gentler to the face and body. (She tends to get itchy at the back of her knees and elbows and the back of her neck.) The last time I bought soap I mistakenly purchased Baby Magic Lotion and not the Body Wash. Apparently, she and Rebekah never noticed that it did not lather or else never remembered to tell me. This past week I helped Emma get clean and saw that the near empty bottle said Lotion and not Body Wash. Oops!

The Girls Go Out

What do 3 ladies with all of their kids in elementary school do on a Friday morning? We go to the movies! I invited several friends to join me at the before-noon-$5-showing of the new Renee Zellweger/Harry Connick Jr. movie, New in Town. This was a sweet and funny movie. Please consider going with your girlfriends for a break from the hectic schedule we tend to get caught up in. For the theatrical trailer and video clips visit www.movies.yahoo.com

Lipstick trick

I buy only BeautiControl lipsticks which are packaged in a smooth black case. I have 4 different colors in my makeup basket and I look at the name of each one each morning to determine which is the color I am seeking. I thought of a little trick. I took nail polish that closely matches the lipstick color and painted a stripe along the base. This way just a quick jostle in the basket and I see which lipstick I am looking for. Do you have any simple time-saving tricks?

Worker Bee

My Emma is such a worker bee. This afternoon she dropped her cup and out spilled a clear liquid. I assumed it was water and told her she didn't need to wet down the paper towel she had to clean the floor because it was just water. She replied that it was Sprite and if she didn't clean it with water then the floor would be sticky. Then she had the wet jet and sprayed the cleaner on the floor and wiped it clean. We are definitely cut from the same cloth!

Sisterly Love

This picture is one of my all-time favorite pictures. It was taken in April 2004 when Rebekah was 6 years old and Emma was 3 1/2 years old.

Guilty Pleasure

My current television guilty pleasure is the show Confessions of a Teen Idol on Vh1. It airs Sunday nights 7pm. The show "stars" seven former teen idols (Christopher Atkins, Jeremy Jackson, Adrian Zmed to name a few) who are considering putting their acting career into high gear again. They tell us how their ego got the best of them and they each walked away; or had their career destroyed by bad choices like drugs or alcohol.

I think one reason I enjoy it is that there is no high drama and fighting going on. It isn't one of these competition reality shows that becomes cut-throat and just plain mean.

Personally, I think Christopher Atkins (who happens to be the oldest) and Jeremy Jackson (who is the youngest) have the best shot at an acting career again. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

HEB Part II

I walked into our new HEB this morning with a giddy heart. There were two employees near the door when I entered and I asked them if they heard that noise. "What noise?" they asked. I replied, "The sound of the angels rejoicing!" They got a good laugh over my enthusiasm and I merrily went on this divine shopping experience.
Everywhere I looked there were great deals! smiling people! the freshest food available! and samples! What more could a housewife ask for? Well, let me tell you. How about a Cafe on the Run? As much as I enjoy cooking dinner for my family (no really... most of the time I do) I plan on making good use of this prepared-food extravaganza.
I'm thinking about going back tomorrow...

HEB Part I

As a precursor to tomorrow's blog and the GRAND OPENING of our new HEB store at the front of Sienna Plantation, allow me to give an example of why I am an HEB snob. Today I went into Randall's to renew Jeff's car tags and while in there I bought juice boxes. I purposely took note of their price for my kids' favorite, Juicy Juice Orange Tangerine. The Randall's price was $4.19 for a six box count. HEB's regular price is only $2.79.

I really don't know how Randall's has remained in business. No one can beat HEB price, quality of meat, freshness of produce or selection on any grocery item available. I have waited impatiently for 9 years for a grocery store at Sienna Parkway and tomorrow that wait is over! *how sad is it that I am eagerly awaiting the opening of a grocery store of all things?? I am truly fully domesticated.

HOORAY!

Today Jeff finally received the verdict for a lawsuit he was working on last summer. (he was in London for almost the entire month of June presenting it in court) For all 3 patents the verdict was... drumroll please... WIN!

This is such a huge relief and burden taken from him. Good job, Jeff! I am very proud of you.

Family Album

This week in school Emma made a Griffin Family Album. The first entry was her dad. The corresponding page said, "This is my dad. He is a lawyer. He helps people make the right choice."

This picture just cracks me up with how cute it is.

Wrapped around

I like to think that I am not much of a pushover but I gotta hand it to Alex -- he has me wrapped around his little finger.
Tonight he was crying and I asked him what was wrong. He said that he could not find the special picture he drew at school. The paper in question had a "dollar bill" on one side of the paper and some random drawings on the other side. He showed it to me when he got home from school and eventually I put it in the trash.
He was sobbing about this "most special picture" and how could I have thrown it away?! I felt pretty bad so I dug into the trash can, retrieved the paper and wiped it off. I thought that would make the tears stop. It didn't. He continued crying because the picture now had all these wrinkles and he wanted it smooth again. I am not kidding -- he was sobbing over this! I ironed the paper and he was finally happy. He cut out the dollar bill and handed it to me and said, "Here Mom. You've earned this." I'll say I did!

Housework

This afternoon after Alex had watched his allotted after school t.v. he was complaining about being bored. I finally told him that if he had not found something to play by the time I was done folding the laundry then he could help me with the housework. It wasn't an idle threat, but at the same time I did not expect him to take me up on it.

He vaccuumed for about 6 minutes before he decided that being a kid and playing was considerably better than being a grown-up doing housework. Guess I'll be on the ballot this year for meanest mom of the year.

Shoebuy

Have I ever told you how much I love www.shoebuy.com? I wear a women's size 12M shoe and it is near to impossible to walk into a shoe store and try on a pair of shoes. I have worn a 12M since high school.
There were size 12M in some catalogs and specialty stores but the cost was exorbenant for a college student and then the paycheck of a recent college graduate. I mainly had to wear Payless Shoes which brought me years of unpleasant shoe wearing experience because they are not leather, are cheaply made and wear out quickly.
I am deeply passionate about Shoebuy because they carry the quality brands (Clarks are my all time favorite) and they offer free shipping for delivery and for returns. They consistently have the best price and also have a frequent shopper discount code for 10% off the total purchase.
Whether you have size issues like me or just don't feel like heading out to the mall, give www.shoebuy.com a try!

Silly son

Alex is less than thrilled that his bedroom is on the other side of the upstairs from his sisters. He does not like going to sleep in his room and prefers to go to sleep on a pallet on Emma's floor. Emma is fine with that because she likes the company.

Usually when Jeff and I go to bed we take him to his room and have him sleep in his own bed. For the longest time he would wake during the night and make his way back to Emma's floor.

Well, the past couple of nights instead of going to Emma's room he gets up during the night and makes a pallet on the floor of his own room. He has the bedspread and blanket from the bed and then pulls out smaller blankets from his dresser to cover himself up. I've asked him why he does this and he just says, "because I like sleeping on the floor". I guess we have some magically comfortable floor!

Lucky 13

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. It must be love when an Aggie wife watches a Longhorn football game and actually WANTS them to win so that her husband is happy. Ahhh... what love can do!

November 1995

Saturday projects

My project for the day was to begin re-upholstering our kitchen chairs. Keep in mind that we just purchased this table set in September. The original cover is a beige and brown pattern and shows every little drop, dribble and spill. The fabric I selected was a little tricky because it had a particular pattern that had to be centered on the seat. I thought the design went well with the swirl of the iron on the chair.

Meanwhile, Jeff was working with a neighbor at building a gate between our two houses. The Griffin children have taken quite a liking to this family because they have three daughters who are pretty much the same age as our kids. Our backyard fence shares a portion with their fence and almost daily someone is climbing over it for a playdate.