It's A Bird..Finally!

Well, after about 6 months of having a bird feeder in our backyard, we finally spotted a red cardinal! We were thrilled to say the least. I wonder how the bird seed was seeing that we have not changed it out since we set the feeder out? Gross! Anyhow, Josh was able to catch this shot. In fact, the bird came back the other day! I was so happy for Josh as this was one of his school projects!

Homegroup Pool Party

We had a homegroup pool party at the Black's house on Sunday. What a wonderful day of enjoying each other's company. The kids had fun in the pool (so did the big kids...Chris, Matt, Tim)! We ended the evening by watching Tim, Peter, Matt and Paige on the trampoline doing some acrobatics. Okay so two of them could claim they did some neat tricks. Sorry... no pictures of that!

School is Out!

Well, school just officially ended. Erika completed her first year of high school and will be entering 10th grade! Josh is entering the 4th grade. We will continue to do some school over the summer like reading and math.

Here are some summer goals.

1. To be purposeful with our time
2. Keep active not busy
3. Have fun
4. Enjoy spending time with each other
5. Cultivating friendships

I'm really looking forward to a wonderful summer with my kids! We have a couple camps, family vacation and the kids are going to visit my parents for 8 days! What is everyone doing over the summer?

Ouch!!

Well, for the most part, this year has been relatively safe in terms of bumps, broken bones, wipe outs etc.. Thank you, Lord! Here shown is Erika's leg in which she received a bike tire burn..ouch! It took a long while to heal with yuckiness happening in between! And, Josh received a baseball to the eye... ouch as well! His eye went through some fun and pretty color stages. All and all it has been a safe year thus far! What about you and your family?

Beach Day & Celebrating Josh' Birthday

We celebrated Josh' birthday on Saturday at the beach. He invited the boys from his basketball team and a few others to join us for a beautiful day at the beach. We could have done without the sharks though. Even though I didn't see any, others around us some some! I heard that New Smyrna is infested with sharks! It actually is a little scary. Anyhow, Josh had a great time and it was very relaxing for the parents. Everyone said it was one of the best days they have ever spent at the beach. Who would have know...I really didn't plan a thing. I guess sometimes that's the best way!

Mother's Day

What a wonderful day I had and was blessed by my husband, Josh and Erika. I was showered with gifts and cards. And, Tim cooked for me! I just love being a mom and look forward to many more years with my children! Sorry... I'm usually the photographer in the family and have limited picture of the day!

Josh Turns 10!!

It's hard to believe Josh is 10!!! His birthday was May 7th. We celebrated with a small family birthday party last week. And, this Saturday, we will go to the beach with some of his friends from his basketball team. We have surely enjoyed Josh. He really is a blessing to our family and continues to be a means of grace in our family.

Homegroup Fellowship Sunday!

Our homegroup (plus some guest) got together a couple Sundays ago to eat and fellowship. The Siedlecki's hosted it at their house which was just recently built and they have plenty of room to house us all. It was such a lovely day of hanging out, relaxing and enjoying each others company.

The Champions!

Last Saturday was tournament day for Metro's basketball league. Tim's team one their first game in overtime to advance to the championship round. It was an exciting game which ended in victory for Tim's team. However, I don't know the score but I really did watch!! What I do know is that they played well together, Scott was fouled quite a bit, there was not any injuries and tired middle-aged men running up and down the court! Did I get it right? Way to go guys for your outstanding achievement!

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.