Wedding Bells are Ringing!

Well, they are not ringing in this house, but they are ringing for Matt Brice and Jessica Milliner! They were engaged a couple weeks ago and a wedding is planned for the end of January.

Josh has always wanted to be in a wedding. He is so funny! He really wants to wear a tuxedo. So, even before Jess was engaged, Josh just blatantly asked her if he could be in her wedding! That's my boy. I think Jess was caught a little off guard. Anyhow, a couple weeks ago, she came over and asked Josh to be a junior groomsmen in her wedding. Josh was in complete shock and he pretended to pass out. It was hysterical. He even asked a couple times if she was serious. He is looking forward to getting fit for the tux. Wait until I tell him he can't keep it!

Both Erika and Tim are in the wedding as well!

Can't wait to hear the wedding bells ring!

Labor Day Party!

Yes, very late posting of pictures but I've been having problems with slide.com. We had a great day at the Black's house. And, some people went to play tennis at a tennis court just a few feet from the Black's. The kids had fun in the pool (and so did the big kids)!

Slide.Com

Does anyone know why slide.com is not letting you upload pictures anymore? Also, how is everyone uploading pictures these days?

MRI Results

Well, I had an MRI (arthrogram) done on Tuesday for my shoulder. I then went to my orthopaedic doctor on Friday for the results. The MRI revealed that I have a torn labrum in my shoulder (shoulder dislocation). Basically, the tissue has pulled away from the ligament. I'm not sure if I prepared myself for that. Anyhow, the doctor has recommended doing some exercises at home to strenghthen the muscles around the tendon and see what happens. The next step would be to do surgery. The surgery itself is 2 hours long and a recovery time of about 6 months, with at least one month in a sling. I'm not ready to do anything like that.

Please pray that the exercises I do at home would make things better!

The Past Six Weeks!

Here's a little recap of what's been going on for the past six weeks!

1. Homeschool started August 4th
2. Homegroups started back up
3. Science co-op began
4. Plan and attend a bridal shower
5. Tropical storm comes and our floors have water damage
6. Tim goes to the reserves for 12 days
7. Tim goes back to the reserves for 2 days
8. Josh starts a little fire in the garage
9. I tripped and fell and injured my shoulder
10 Josh gets a pretty good spider bite on his neck
11 Masterbath is still under re-modeling
12 Bball conditioning begins for Erika
13 Grocery game gets me excited every week
14 Tim is an amazing husband and father who is very involved in our lives
15 We laugh at the most random things
16 Prepare for the Senior Luncheon

Well, I think that raps things up.

Amazed by His grace, mercy and love!

Repairs Begin!

Tim got home on Friday after being gone for 12 days and since then has been busy getting things in order to start the repairs on our home. The tropical storm hit us pretty hard and we have plenty to do for the next several months. Or should I say Tim has lots to keep him busy. I am not much help construction-wise, but I can get drinks and food for my hard worker! Anyhow, Tim is going to work on the outside of the house first before starting on the inside. Of course, whenever projects like this come up, the wheels start turning in my head. It goes something like this.."Hey, seeing that we have to replace the wood floors in the kitchen, why don't we eliminate the little laundry room and open up the kitchen more." My poor husband... if he hasn't enough to do! But, I have to admit, it would really expand our kitchen a lot if we just knocked down the wall! Oh, my big ideas! I just have to keep reminding myself that I'm a very blessed person and very grateful I have a husband that doesn't mind working hard. So, with that said, let the repairs begin. Anyone want to join us?

Never a Dull Moment in our Home!

Yesterday, I had a little mishap of my own. I fell and dislocated my shoulder/arm. At first, I thought I broke it. But after a couple minutes, I knew it must be a dislocation. So, I decided to move/adjust my shoulder and I heard this loud "pop" and immediately felt relief. I'm pretty sore though. I would imagine it is from the actual fall. The kids took great care of me last night as I was in some pain. They were so great! Tim often wonders why it is that so many unusual things happen when he is gone? Oh, I don't know. What I do know is, there is never a dull moment in our home!

Fire Safety 101 !!

Well, what a Monday it was here at the Griffith household. See, I sent Josh out to the garage to sharpen two pencils before we began school. I know it is pretty weird that our electric pencil sharpener is out in the garage. What can I say! Anyway, after a few moments, I was wondering why it was taking Josh so long to sharpen two pencils. To make a long story short, the boy had emptied the pencil sharpener shavings onto the garage floor, and with a lighter started a little fire! Meanwhile using a frisbee to fan the flame. Fortunately, there was no flame when I got there. You see he took a course last year and was taught how to build a fire. I think he missed the part of "don't try this at home" or "safety first".
Needless to say, all is good now and with some instruction from the loving parents, that is a rap on Fire Safety 101!!

Water Damage!

Well, this tropical storm that has swept through central Florida has really hit us hard. We have water damage in at least four rooms; the kids bedrooms, our bedroom and the kitchenette. It is in the same areas as last time. The last hurricane we had, the same problem happened. Anyhow, with Tim leaving for out of town for 12 days, he is working hard to do what he can before he leaves. What a mess! Needless to say, I'm grateful that my house is not flooded! I hope we can resolve the problem so it won't happen again. I have pictures of the damage and perhaps will post them later.

Tim went over to a friends house last night and helped him secure some of their water issues. Wow, it has happened to more people than I thought.

What about you? How did you weather the storm?

Let The Games Begin!

You are probably thinking I'm talking about the Olympics. Well, even though they have begun and I've loved watching them, I just started the Grocery Game! And it really has been fun. So much so that my husband has said, you are really into this! Yes I am and I'm sure after a couple months he will be thrilled that I've begun this game. Anyhow, I'm collecting coupons, getting my buy one get one free at Publix and CVS and of course using the coupon that goes along with it! So far, I've lowered my grocery bill by $25.00 per week and look forward to it going down even further as I get better at this game.

Question for anyone. I know you can use coupons at Walmart but can you use competitors flyers there too? For instance, if Publix is offering buy one get one free on cereal, can you bring that ad to Walmart and they will honor that?

Golf Camp

Josh spent a week with one of his friends at golf camp. By the end of the week he actually had a pretty good swing! What another fun sport to do with his dad!

More and More Beach Pictures!

More Beach Pictures!

Beach Fun!

The beach at Anna Maria Island is just gorgeous. The kids had a great time snorkeling, collecting seashells and playing in the sand!

Just Beautiful

Erika took some really neat pictures!

Vacation

Well, I have lots of pictures to post so I'm trying to organize them is some sort of fashion. The guys had a real good time hanging out, enjoying the sun, snorkeling, and playing the Wii. The ladies had just as much fun too!

Vacation Reflections - Take Two

What a wonderful vacation we had indeed! But, it wouldn't be a vacation without some mishaps along the way, wouldn't it? Well, here is goes....

-I forget the large package of chicken (from Sams Club) at home that was going to feed 14 people for dinner. To Publix I go to replace it.
-Claire has a sore throat and is taking it easy. Erika and Hannah concerned about getting it.
-Emma being supervised by Josh and Claire up in a tower. Yikes!
-Josh gets a bathing suit rash and begins walking like there is something in his pants. He thinks about wearing a speedo next time! Mom says no..hee hee!
-Josh' wounds from a scooter accident burns in the salt water. Tim puts superglue on the wound and he proceeds to play
-Matthew... let's just leave it at that!
-Emma throws up and is sick for a day. Erika and Hannah are now freaking out!
-Jon hits another boat with our rented pontoon boat. His backseat drivers do not help him!
-Someone pooped in the pool. Yuck! It was not one of our kids. Management begins the cleanup.
-Walking on a flat pier with no siderails with 8 children wondering who was going to fall in first.

Now, here are some highlights!

-No one got too burned
-The kids got along so well
-Memories were made
-Biblical fellowship was very evident
-Devotions happened
-Worship time on Sunday

And, we are looking forward to getting together again next year!

I hope to post some pictures soon.

The 4th of July

We decided to stay home for the 4th of July because the next day we were going on vacation. Tim bought a few fireworks for Josh and Erika to do at home. We spared just a minor injury with Josh...a little burn from the lighter.

Reflections from Vacation

Well, I am sitting here beachside in our lovely condo just enjoying my family and friends. So far, our vacation is going smoothly. Okay, so we are only two days into our vaca... no broken bones, no sunburns at least not yet!

I am thoroughly enjoying being with my husband and kids as well as two special families who joined us. The atmosphere is so laid back that we've just been having a blast!

The beach over here at Anna Maria Island is breathtaking and the sunset. We have a tower above our condo which we can walk up and watch the sunset. It is just beautiful up there!

Most importantly, I thank God for his provision in my life. He has given me a wonderful husband, kids and good relationships!

Well, I got to run. We are heading to the beach! I don't want to miss out on all the fun!

Vacation Here We Come!

Well, we are really looking forward to our family vacation coming up. This year, we decided to stay close to home and go to the west coast of Florida. Check it out. http://www.palmislevillage.com/ We leave Saturday for a fun filled week with a couple other families that will join us. This place looks really cool and the beach is just right there. I'm looking forward to this time away spending it with friends and family.