summers end

  I cant believe that within the next 6 months I will have been a mom for a decade. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I am so grateful to Jesus that he gave me such an awesome bunch of kids. This summer has been crazy hectic. Swimming lessons, hiking, visiting, and camping have filled our weeks to the brim. Would I take it back? No way. I experienced some of the best quality time a person could have with my three in the last few months. I learned things about them and watched them grow as individuals. Sure there were those tiring nights when Mr. Steel was convinced a bear would be peeking in at him through the window...and that's why I needed to share a cot with him...every night. As the pages of summer turn and the book closes on yet another year, I am grateful for all the good memories I got to create in the lives of my special three.

The professor

  I shunned the idea of owning reptiles for some time. I thought they would be higher maintenance than they actually are. The Professor loves his snake almost as much as he loves me to read him books on parasites. Our most recent read is Little Monsters, Creatures That Live on Us and in Us by Albert Marrin. He snuggles up on my lap and we read about the history of the microscope and the plagues brought on by these mini-beasts. While it is skin crawling to read, once you get past the creepiness..its actually quite fascinating. Who knows if he will go on to be an entomologist or just someone who washes his hands several times a day. I know after learning about the mites that live on your eyelashes.....I will be washing my face more often!

oh school

  Years ago....and do I mean years, I had a blanket. It was made from those super 70's polyester night gown your mother might have worn. I loved it. When I turned 6 or 7, I cut it up. I remember thinking, "Its time. And if I keep it, Ill just go back to needing it." I was one of those kids who thought too much. My only solution was to snag a pair of my mothers orange handled sewing scissors and have at it. The horror on my mothers face as I chopped 'blankie' into 2 in squares that dropped into the burying box was unforgettable. She tried to dissuade me, but left it up to me. I cant remember if I kept the scraps in the attic or buried it like I had planned. I do remember the first night without it, though. It was rough. I tossed and turned. I tried not to think of the fact my bed was snugged against a window where strangers might break into. Finally, I slept to face the next day a new girl.
  I'm a grown up. I hate to admit it but my fine lines are looking more like lines and my breath smells like coffee and my kids have compared me to "that old lady looks like you." Yet, somehow in my age I have found myself with a blanket of sorts. My kids. For the first time in 9 years I am facing the fact I lean on them to .

1. break into social situations. No longer do I have to work myself up to conversation....I let my kids talk
2. go to the store with me. There have been times in the past where going to the store alone is a luxury...but to tell the truth I like having a buddy to talk to as I search the isles for sales.
3. give me a reason to get out. I walk, go to the park, to the beach, out to ice cream, because I love to spend time with them.

  Mama Griffith, what's it going to be like when they leave for college and life?....lets not think about that shall we. This new school year has given me insight into a part of me I like to pretend doesn't exist. The person who gets the shakes when she talks to people she doesn't know, who avoids going out because its 'to much hassle.' I debated even posting this because  its such a big slice of me. Most of my blogger friends have only known me in my element. With friends, family, and in familiar surroundings but deep DEEP inside Mamagriffith lives a Xenophobe. I'm not actually full blown because my logical side tells me that getting in new surroundings and around new people will help overcome this problem. Having kids has put a sugar coating on that because I just let them do all the work....plus I am hauling around my element with me.
  God has put it on my heart to start working on friendships here, making effort, and muddling through my own social inadequacies. Wow, that was a mouthful. So what does your school year look like?

school this year

For some reason my computer wouldn't give up the picture of Mr. Steel that I wanted....this one will have to do.

  School, its been on my mind for several weeks. I can't get over the fact my three wont be around. The 'what if's' reared their ugly heads and I started to worry. Today I got a good reminder from God why my worrying doesn't accomplish anything but stress. Mr. Steel is going to school along with the professor and my girl. Today I met his teacher while dropping off a few things. WOW. Can I say it again? WOW. God knows so much better than I. His teacher is a Christian lady who is passionate about Jesus. My little (big) guy is still scared to be away from home and so we will be spending the week in prayer together in hopes of a little peace. He takes after his mama in the worry department. After school gets going we will be volunteering once or twice a week so we can still be a part of their daytime life.

Ps sorry my posting has been on and off lately. School and my writing class and...well life has bumped blogging into the background.

look look furnature!!

After 5 years of shunning clutter because of irrational fears involving hording. I gave in and made our front room comfortable. Who knows I might even cave to more than one plate per person!

Comes full circle

When I was a small child roller rinks were at the very top of my list of things to do. It was my nitch as far as talents went and I ate up every opportunity to glide across the smooth surface and feel the wind in my face as I picked up speed. When roller blades became popular I switched to that. It was harder to stop but the speed was worth it. When I married Greg we tried it together, but his version was half pipe and I just couldn't keep up. Then kids and life happened. Somewhere along the way I turned in roller blades for baby stuff and didn't look back. My girl used the money she had been saving for a pair of roller blades two weeks ago. She has been skating like a maniac. She suggested that I invest in a pair from goodwill also. At 6 bucks what's the harm? I plunked down the change thinking that it wouldn't be that bad of a loss if they ended up sitting in the closet. My girl begged me this morning, "please can we go skating and the boys can ride their bikes?"
My reply was "ummmm, after I water." the look of concern in the professors eyes was touching indeed. " I don't think it's a good idea, you might get hurt." he reasoned. But would you believe this old mama didn't forget a thing?! We zoomed to the store and back in no time. I had just enough time to pause and admire just how far this little family of mine has come. Instead of trudging to the store together, with one or two falling victim to the tired whining 'I don't want to do this' we sped there and back like it was nothing. Sometimes change is good. Did I mention that I am loving this stage in life?

fun in the sun

How can I even begin to put words to the two weeks of sunshine with family? It was crazy, fun, tiring, exciting, and much more. I am just glad that the Wilks family are willing to put up with us for that long! The cousins enjoyed their time together so much that as we were pulling out to leave Mr. Steel was trying to convince me that they needed to come along. Good times for sure.

swimming lessons

I know the pic is blurry, but its a cute one anyway. My girl and Kristen's oldest passed their level with flying colors. The professor and Mr. Steel needed another year beforeor more foot work. Its that flutter kick that just takes time to master. Swimming lessons are such a highlight to my summer that its hard not to be sad when the weeks fly by and we have to leave.