Remodeling Project

Well, we've decided to do a little updating in our bathrooms starting with our masterbath. Tim and I went to the Home Depot Expo the other day to get some ideas before we make our decisions on tile, fixtures, and granite countertop. We are currently making our selections and shopping for the best price. If you know of any place that would give us a good deal let me know!

Easter Sunday

Easter was so early this year that we did not have ample time to prepare like we normally do. In addition, the Saturday before we were heading home from the youth retreat. So, this year, we decided to do things very low key. We went to our church for our Sunday Celebration which by the way was awesome! I just love talking to the kids about our Savior. I think Josh is really understanding more and more each day as his childlike faith is growing and maturing. After that, it was off to Boston Market to order food to take home. I know... this is not typical as last year we had about 30 folks over! It was very different for us but I know we need to relax at home. And, so we did!

Youth Retreat

Here are some pictures taken at our youth retreat held at Lakewood Retreat near Brooksville. Tim and I were able to go with Erika and really enjoyed this time with her. We spent a good amount of time preparing for the retreat by reading the book Signs of the Spirit by Sams Storms (which I highly recommend), discussing it and praying leading up to the retreat. We came back from the retreat tired yet refreshed in so many ways. I'm looking forward to see all that God has in stored for our youth as we embrace the truth.

Help!

I just went to post some pictures and something is different with slide.com. For some reason, I can't upload pictures. It asks me for my wordpress user name and password. Has anyone come across this? If so, can you give me some insight?

There's A Baby in the House!

Yes, there was a baby in the house! As some of you know, the Griffith family loves babies...yes, even Tim and Josh love babies! Well, a few weeks back, we watched Norah Lytle for a few hours. Erika is holding little Norah. She just finished her vegetables... and no, she did not feed herself as it may look! Anyway, we had a great time with her. Josh had her giggling which was hysterical to watch. I just love a babies giggle. So, I wonder when there will be a baby in the house again?

Parent's In Town

My parents have been here visiting since March 4th. We have enjoyed them immensely! It is going to be difficult for us when they leave (especially Erika and Josh) on Thursday. We've been real busy. Tim took my dad to a Magic game, went on an airboat ride, saw some relatives 2 hours away and went shopping. My parents have blessed me so much since they have been visiting. They have homeschooled Josh several days so I could run errands, get my hair done and go to a couple appointments/meetings! In addition, my mom has done some of the laundry and helped with cleaning! I'm overwhelmed.... but these are my parents who just keep on serving.

Homeschooling in California

Please read below. I'm sure you have heard about this.

I wanted to alert you to an occurrence in California and ask for your help for our brothers in Christ there.
A California Court of Appeal recently decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher. The case arose in a confidential juvenile court proceeding. The Court could have restricted its decision to the facts before it, but instead, it issued a broad ruling that effectively outlaws home education in California. The family and their California counsel are planning to appeal to the Supreme Court of California, which could result in reversal.
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) will be formally petitioning the California Supreme Court to depublish the opinion, which would cause it to be of little effect. Please join me by showing that many other people, both in California and across the country, care deeply about homeschool freedom in California by signing the HSLDA petition.
Click here to do so. Thank you.


Marlin Detweiler
President
Veritas Press

2008 Final Four!

*For all you sports fans out there!

Join the Phillips/Friends March Madness 2008 Bracket Pool:
You're invited to join my bracket pool. It costs 7 bucks to join, with hopefully some significant cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Of course, that depends on how many people join, so be sure to put your name in and get the word out to others as well.
STEPS to Join:
1. Visit http://www.jessephillips.net/
2. Fill out the form (your name and email)
3. Pay online using your credit or debit card
4. When I get the payment I'll send you the link and password
5. Fill out and manage your bracket online
6. Invite your friends to join : this is open to any of your friends or family to join. Just forward this email to them and the can pay to join, and I'll send them an invite as well. It will all be done online, payments, submitting brackets, no paperwork, atm withdrawals or checks needed, just pure Madness.

Fear the Turtle,
Jesse Phillips
Email: me@jessephillips.net
3841 Waterview Loop
Winter Park, FL 32792

Turtle Tour

Last Friday a group of us went to the Chelonian Research Institute to check out all the turtles . Peter Pritchard owns and runs this institute located in Oviedo and has quit a collection. Does everyone know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? I will give you a hint... it is not size.
Check out an article on Dr. Pritchard at: http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,pritchard,00.html

It Wasn't Long Ago!

Erika celebrated her 15th birthday a couple weeks ago. It wasn't long ago that she celebrated her 1st birthday. I do vividly remember her 1st birthday where her grandparents flew in to celebrate with her. Two days earlier, Erika began walking all around and she called 911 for the first time. Yes, back then, the police just showed up your door step! Erika was such an adorable baby. What precious memories I have of her and look forward to many more. Isn't she so cute???

Valentines Day

The decorations that you see were done by Erika and Josh. Erika worked very hard along with her brother trying to get the decorations done by the time I got home yesterday. Tim and I were so surprised!! They went to the extent of putting encouraging words on each heart that the kids thought represented Tim and I. We elected to stay home and enjoy the evening with the kids and have strawberry shortcake. Plus, I wasn't feeling well...lost my voice! In addition, gifts were exchanged. Tim bought Erika flowers and perfume. He also made sure Josh honored his sister with a homemade card. And of course, my husband honored me the same way with a beautiful card, flowers and perfume. I'm so blessed!! I tried to do the same by trying to bless Tim with a card and gifts of love! Tim and I will celebrate tomorrow by going to Rennegers in Mount Dora. They are having a big outdoor antique extravanganza. Then, we will go out to eat. I just love my husband and kids.

Erika's 15th Birthday!

Unfortunately, Erika's birthday pictures did not come out. I'm going to try and retake them. Yes, that means trying to re-create that special birthday dinner, cake and ice cream. Anyway, Erika turned 15 on Tuesday, Feb 5th. I have so enjoyed all 15 years with her especially all the long talks at 11:00 pm! She continues to grow in mature in Christ and for that, I'm very grateful. Erika is such a blessing to our home and I look forward to making more memories as the years go by.

So, you may be wondering if there is a new driver in the house? Well, not just yet....Can homeschooling students get driver's education some where?

Ice Cream Anyone?

Erika's 15th birthday was this Tuesday (hopefully I can post some pictures soon) and Josh helped with scooping the ice cream. Well, the ice cream was a little hard so, Tim proceeded to tell Josh to warm it up with his hands (meaning the ice cream scoop). Josh did what Tim told him. He took his hand and layed it on the top of the ice cream! Never a dull moment around here. Sorry, didn't get a picture of that one. Ice Cream Anyone?

Basketball Season Ends

Well, Erika's basketball season came to a close this Monday night as they played their last game. The Wolverines had a great season and won many games. Way to go Wolverines! Erika worked hard this year. She also worked hard on character. I'm so excited to see how Erika has grown over the years.... Enjoy the pictures!

Stuck in Traffic

So, today on our way to the neurologist for Josh (he had an EEG), we got stuck in traffic on the 408 toll road. Josh begins to give many explanations of why we might not moving. Here are his reasons, "The blimp went out of control and landed in the road", "The people steering the blimp had to go the bathroom and landed in the road", "A crane ball hit a car ", "Perhaps there is an accident" or "The toll plaza is backed up". Okay, two out of five of his explanations seem viable. Where did the other three come from? That's my boy.... always keeping me laughing!

I won't know the results from his EEG for a couple weeks. Please pray that it has improved from the last time!

Vactioning

Each summer, we take a week and do a family vacation. Last year, we went to New York City and had a great time. Actually, that was one of our favorite trips. Other vacations have been spent in Destin, Sacramento, Niagara Falls, Ormond Beach, Orlando, and other various locations.

Well, it is time to plan this summer's family vacation and I'm just at a lost. The kids want to do a cruise, I want to go to Washington and Tim is game for anything.

I would love to know where your favorite family vacation spots are and why. I know it is ultimately going to come down to what is going to suit our family. But, I would love to hear why you choose certain places, what you have enjoyed over the years etc.....

Wolverine Basketball

Sad to say, I do not have very many pictures from this year's basketball season! What is funny, is that I bring the camera most nights to the games! Okay, with only a few more games left in the season, I hope to capture more pictures. Of course, most of those pictures will be of Erika, the basketball star of the team!!! Well, she is my daughter!!

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!

When Erika took this picture, I thought of the song Tomorrow. Yes, we can be assured that the sun will come out tomorrow. Why? Because our God reigns!

Birthday Surprise!

Yesterday, January 2nd was my birthday. I'm not telling my age! Anyway, I was so surprised to get flowers from my family in New York. I also received some very beautiful roses from Tim and the kiddos. In addition, we went to Colorado Fondue Company. Erika and Josh never been and they enjoyed it so much...so did I. The manager of the restaurant was ready to take my birthday picture with the extra large moose mounted on the wall. I passed on that this year! They continued to shower me with gift cards and encouraging words. What a wonderful birthday! I'm truly blessed!

Just wishing you a wonderful New Year as you begin 2008.
May we all look at this coming year with great anticipation of all that God wants to accomplish in us and through us.