Mr. Griffin has a Birthday

Someone turned 6 on Friday
Griffin took no prisoners

Fun was his middle name

He got weapons, assault tanks
& mad money

Celebrated with family

...And Friends

He got presents

He bought this amazing race track with birthday money from Tutu and Papa

His party wouldn't have been complete with out

a Fighting game and Phineus & Ferb presents
He selected a Dragon Birthday Cake

Personally chose for it to say:

"Happy Birthday Griff Dragon"

The best surprise of the day was awakening to 5 little puppies and their mom.

Nothing beats a little happy birthday snuggle from something so small.

None of us could resist a little puppy charm

Not...Even...Me!

What a Wonderful World

Everyone loves babies! I just went to the movies with my sister-in-law and held her precious little baby. He let out these hysterical laughs that even had neighboring movie goers chuckling. I was again impressed by the love that pours out of babies that envelopes you. When a tiny baby stares up into your eyes with such wonder, you realize the incredible magnitude of the human experience.

With our first child, I was the one with the look of wonder.

I wonder how I will survive.

I wonder what this baby wants.

I wonder if he will ever sleep through the night.

I wonder how I can be trusted with such a tiny and needy person.

Once I had fully recovered, 3.5 years later, I was thrilled to welcome Griffin to our family.

Now it was his looks of wonder that amazed me.

He was very thoughtful and expressive. In just the first few weeks of life he looked around his new world with such awe and intrigue. He really seemed to soak up each experience.

Griffin was such an easy baby that we were ready to embrace the new life cycle again after just one short year. When Lincoln was born I was again filled with wonder.

I wonder if this baby will ever stop crying!!!!

He cried almost continuously for the first 20 minutes of life. I had to wonder if he still remembered heaven, and was crying because he wanted to go back.

Amazingly, he came to realize he was stuck with us and he has hardly cried since.

There is just something about an infant's smile that makes you wonder how you ever lived without them. Everything stops and all you feel is the warmth of their love. My children have opened my eyes to the bounteous joys found in life's simple pleasures.

Hugs. Books. Laughter. Tickles. Jumping. Singing. Talking. Snuggling.

I am blessed to share in this wonderful world that they create.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Little Brian's eyes are sensitive to light from time to time. He will even complain occasionally about the light over the kitchen table while doing his homework.

"It burns my eyes," He says.

This was the complaint this evening.

I said, "We will have to take you to the eye doctor and get that checked out."

His response, "Will they pull off my eyelids?"

"No," I reply, "Do they do that sometimes?"

He said, "Yeah."

"That is pretty crazy," I say.

He said, "Yeah and that freaks me out!"

Apparently he watched an episode of "How It's Made" where they performed laser eye surgery. During this episode they actually slice of the top layer of the eye. He remembered the eye slicing as eyelid removal.

He does have a point. The idea of having my eyelids taken off freaks me out too!

I came in the office to record this hilarious interaction.

While I'm typing Griffin plops himself on my lap.

He looks up into my eyes and says, "Mom your eyeballs are going all crazy!"

Curiously I question, "What about them is so crazy?"

"Your eyeballs are breaking. The white is breaking out of your eyeballs, and your heart be's sad."

Now I suppose I will make eye appointments for Brian and myself.

Mighty Muscles and Merry Men

Brian walked into the office the other day and said, "Mom do you want to see my big muscles?"

Sure I replied. Who wouldn't?

Without a moment to lose, Griffin pulled of his shirt and it was muscle mania!

Brian felt it was important to show me all the ways that he develops his big muscles.

On with the Jumping Jacks, the windmills, the push ups.

One Saturday night I had to do my run. It exploded into a full family event. It was cold outside so everyone needed their hats and mittens. This was one of those nights where I had just bathed everyone and put them in their jammies. The dad was nestled in his chair for some video game male bonding. Not the ideal time for a family outdoor adventure.

Little Brian rode his bike along "in the darkness" as he likes to call it, while I ran. Daddy, much to his chagrin, had the privilege of taking the younger boys for a wagon ride. Normally I would think, I don't want to post this picture, I am going running, I don't look my best. Today I say, Look at their little faces. Does it really get any better than this?

I really am the luckiest mom alive! These three little boys love and adore me. I may not be perfect, but I have three little bundles of perfection.

I have been reminded again today how precious life is. We have no life expectancy guarantees.

What we do have is right now.

I have my merry little men

My little mess makers

My two little ones that live to fight over "Buzz Night Nare."

I have little boys who are building their little muscles physically and spiritually.

We are all healthy. We have jobs.

We have family and friends.

We are richly blessed!

In the end it doesn't matter if our hair is perfectly styled or our make up dazzles.

When we achieve true happiness it creates a sparkle that exceeds all others, a beauty that does not fade with time.

Nothing says I love you like a Pee River!

I feel it is only right and fitting that I post a picture of the Griffinator in his new do. As you all played a special part in getting the boy what he rightfully deserved! :)

So he fell asleep on the way to the Snip-Its for his haircut. He had been having a very successful day of potty training and was in underroos at the time. I got the perfect parking spot and was able to sit in the car while Brian "embraced baldness" and then we traded spots and I went in and got Lincoln's hair trimmed up.

Well Mr. Griffin had peed his pants while slumbering in his car seat. I brought something to protect their seat during his haircut. The girl was amazing and understanding (Was it my day or what!).

He stayed half asleep through the entire cut his head would just bobble back and forth as his eyes roll around sleepily. The haircut was complete and Griff was finally awake. I finish paying and start gathering the boys, WELL, Griffin started peeing, and peeing. There was a small lake! This baby was huge! The hairstylist knew us from last time, thank goodness I tip well! She didn't even let me clean it up, "oh we'll just mop it up don't worry". Oh yes, Good Times!!