Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who served and protected our country and our freedoms.

 

It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

 Sargent Jerry Mac Griffis

Vietnam 

US Army Sentry K-9 Dog Handler

 It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

PFC John A. Griffis (my grandfather)

US Army WWII

 It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the right to free speech.
It is the Soldier who serves beneath the flag, who salutes the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives the demonstrator the right to burn the flag.

John A. Griffis & Clara Dell Ince-Griffis- also known as Big John and Mema.

Mema deserves a "Thank You" as well.

She had to work in factories while Big John was away at war. I think most women spent long hours working while their husbands were away in order to make ends meet.

It was "hard times" back then...

I am thankful to come from a family that has served our country and protected our freedoms. I wish I had a picture of all of them to post, but I don't. I have many, many relatives that have served...

It is a gift to be free,

but not a gift that comes freely. 

To all who serve or have served,

To all of their families who sacrifice time apart,
and to all those who never came home,
Thank You and God Bless You.

 

6 months...

6 months or 26 weeks or 180 days...doesn't really matter how you count the time. 

It has been a long, hard road and we still have a ways to go...

I think we are getting a little bit stronger every day. I know that it's like a dance some days...you take a step forward and then sometimes- you take two steps back.

I think today may be one of those days. I am not going to fight it, I am acknowledging it and allowing myself to do whatever I feel.

 I sat in the rain this morning for almost an hour...I cried. It was good to get it out.

I laid on my bed, closed my eyes and pictured myself lying right next to his grave, instead of being 2,000 miles away.

 I have tried so very hard to count my my blessings each and every day, to be grateful and look around at all that I have...and it leads/ties into thoughts and memories of him...he helped pave my way in so, so many ways. I am truly grateful for that...truly grateful.

I see him in my all three of my babies eyes, I see him in the trees, the sky, the stars and FEEL him in the breeze...

 I FEEL him saying- Why cry for a soul set free? When you are lonely and sick of heart, don't lose sight of who you are...go to the friends and loved one's we know. Bury your sorrows in good things and kind deeds...miss me a little--but not too long and not with your head bowed down low.

Miss me, but let me go...

I promise with all I have that I am getting there Pops, I am getting there-

 Dad was special, something amazing, something strong to many, many people. I know that he will NEVER be forgotten. He was a Son, Brother, Friend, Soldier, Hero, Father, Uncle, Cousin and Grandfather. He is still all of these things and so much more...he is now an angel and a protector. I have NO DOUBTS that he is watching over all of us...every single one of us...

 I am so thankful for all the amazing times we shared and for all of the memories we have. I am so crushed and heartbroken that he is not here in a physical, tangible sense. I cry that my kids want to hug his neck just one more time and that they didn't get more time with him...he was SO AMAZING with them. The bond he made with them is just amazing. I am so crushed that he will not get to hold his grandson that's due in September...the grandson that will carry on the GRIFFIS name that we are all so proud to have. I know that little John McKenzie Griffis will know all about his Grandpa Griffis, but it still weighs heavy on my heart.

I have faith and very much realize that things will get easier with time...

I am constantly reminding myself this. 

I reassure the kids of this as well. This is still very difficult for them. 

They too, carry him in their hearts always.

Yes, I think I am taking two steps back for the day...but it's OK.

I will take a step forward tomorrow...

Thanks Dad for all the love, the laughs, the hard times, the life lessons, the hugs and encouragement, your never-ending devotion and the countless memories.

I have always been and always will be- your 'lil girl.

~ Laura Lynn ~

Water Play Mat

Pinterest is gonna be the death of me...until then, I will keep "pinnin away" and take on all the projects and ideas I get from that site!

I saw this big water mat on there and decided it was time to try it out...

 I purchased heavy duty plastic that I found in the tarp section of the store. It was only $8.00. I also bought a roll of heavy duty duct tape, The Gorilla Brand.

I cut two sheets of the plastic to the same size and then taped all the sides, leaving just a small opening for the hose to fit in. 

I put the hose in it and let it fill up. After it was full enough, I just taped the section that I had left open.

The kids LOVE IT!! Hours of fun for cheap...

I am not sure how long it will last, but it was worth it. When/if we make another one, we are going to put food coloring in it and maybe some type of flat water toys or something for Griff to "hunt" while he is playing on it.

It felt so good to lie on too. It was nice and cool...I will use it for laying out in the sun- LOL...if I ever get the time to do so!

Pierced Ears!

I finally caved...

 ...and took Lilly Belle in to get her ears pierced!

She has been asking for about a year now.

I didn't want it to be a big deal...I just wanted to make sure that she really wanted them and would be able to take care of them herself. She did a great job...a few tears when the gal did the first one, but she wanted them bad enough that she sat there and sucked it up when it was time to do the second one.

She has been very diligent about cleaning them a few times a day and turning them like she was instructed too.

She was soooo excited to go to school on Monday and show all her friends. 

They are pretty cute and she is pretty sweet (0:

Momma's Day

musings on momma....

the hugs

the cuddles
the belly laughs
the first words

the pride
the joy
the tears
the fears

the owie's

the wishes
the dreams
the fierce love

the devotion
the mistakes
the triumphs
the epic fails
the milestones

the kisses
the cheer-leading
the nursing
the nurturing
the roots
the wings
every. single. day.

I am what I am and so much more, all because of you.  

Mac, Lilly & Griff, 

Momma loves you-
forever and always.

Happy Mother's day to all you Mommas out there doing the perfectly imperfect job every single day. 

The power of a Mother's Love is both unstoppable and amazing.

Keep up the good work.

XOXO!

Round and Round we go...

This gardening stuff is driving me bonkers!

Getting the boxes in was a lot of work...then the planting, then "The Griff Monster" attacked the garden and pulled up all the plants-

SO, back to working on the boxes to keep him out. Pat did a great job! He built a fence around the boxes and put in a little gate...

I excitedly planted all my plants and felt a big sigh of accomplishment! The weather had been awesome...

then, on Wednesday night, we had a freeze! 

UGH- I lost all of my plants!

I went to the store and replaced almost all of them. I replanted everything yesterday.

I sighed a sigh of relief...should have known better-

The "Griff Monster" figured out how to open the gate...luckily, I caught him early and he had only pulled up one plant! I wired the gate shut...

I will be done with gardening if anything else happens...GEEEEEZZZZEEE.

I have always enjoyed having a garden, but this go 'round has not gotten off to a good start, LOL.

I am hoping it will be "smooth" from here on out.

I love spring and it has sprung here! 

We have been enjoying some real spring these last few days. 

  green leaves beginning to sprout-

tulips blooming-
the grass is coming back to life with a tender spring softness-
eating ice cream in the warm sunshine-

our backyard full of kids laughing, basking & playing in the sun-
  I can hardly believe it's May and June is just around the corner with only 2 weeks left of school and then summer! Spring always feels rushed with all the hustle and bustle of things. I want to savor the cherry blossom confetti at our feet, and crab apple trees just beginning to pop, that bluer than blue sky after the rain, the sound of the peepers and frogs each night, awwww, yes...and the GOOD kind of tired that only playing outside brings, followed by the sweet sleep that follows.

HELLO SPRING, so happy to see you again!

 Griff has a new toy...he needs a little help from Big Sis, but he will have it down in no time-

watch out neighborhood!

We had a fun and busy (as usual) weekend.

I took the GS Troop to The Oregon Humane Society on Saturday and Sunday I had my Bunco Gals here for a fun afternoon of rolling dice, visiting, laughing, eating and making memories.

I dropped my camera on Saturday at The Humane Society and pretty much busted it...it is only working every once in a while...total bummer.

None of my Bunco pictures turned out, but we all had a good time!

I am so hoping the camera store can fix my camera...I take a lot of pictures!

Hope you are all well...Ta-Ta.

Oregon Human Society Trip

Troop 45512 took in all their hard earned donations to the Humane Society this past weekend.

They sold a lot of cookies and were able to buy a huge amount of items needed for the animals!

It was very exciting to see them realize what a great deed they were accomplishing. They are all very passionate about animals. After turning in all the donation items, we took a tour of the facility and the girls were able to love and feed a few of the animals there that need homes. 

They got to see all the cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, birds and even a sweet and very friendly rat.

It was hard to leave without wanting to take them all home, but the girls learned an invaluable lesson about being a responsible pet owner.

Way to go girls!

Thanks to all of you that bought cookies from our troop and supported this great cause!

We will be "hittin" ya up again next year come Cookie Time (0:

Mac's first Mountain Bike Race

 Mac Attack has his first mountain bike race accomplished now!

It was so exciting! The trail was pretty rough and plenty technical enough for him. 

He had to ride 8.5 miles to reach the finish line.

It was a great challenge and fun experience for him and yes, Pat loved it too!

He rode along with Mac to make sure he could make it and finish. It was a good idea, I think Mac had a few moments that were a bit rough, but Pat was right there to encourage him through them.

He knows he can do it now and they are already planning more races for the summer!

 I could not believe how many racers were there...this was just the first heat/starters!

There were hundreds and hundreds of bikes lined up behind these bikers!

 I could see some "nerves" in Mac's face as it got closer for his group to take off...

 Pat was getting a bit ancy as well...

 They started lining up for take-off in the picture below. If you look closely, Mac is looking up and smiling big...

 ...he was looking up at Lilly, she was in a tree and was hollering "Go Mac, Go Daddy. Win the race!"

She had everyone giggling!

 After they took off, I spent my time chasing Griff...the kid can run...

 ...and run...

 ...and run! I was also trying to keep up with Lilly. She was scaling every single tree out there like a wild monkey! She would get so high, I could barely see her!! I was so busy chasing them, that we missed Mac and Pat coming across the finish line!! It was hard to know how long it would be, so I had planned on the possibility of not seeing it!

I did find them very quickly and Mac was off his bike, on the ground resting and super happy that he had finished!!

Go Mac Attack!

Last weekend of Skiing and Snow

 Ski Season is just about over. Ski Bowl closed down on Sunday.

Timberline and Meadows are still open, but I think we are all done with snow at this point.

 We had a blast and made some fun memories. We ate dinner at ZigZag Inn and then headed to Ski Bowl for a few quick runs. The snow was very slushy, but the kids and Pat enjoyed it.

 This is hard to see- but Mac is at the bottom, Lilly in the middle and Pat towards the top.

 Lilly and Pat about half-way down.

 The crew headed in for some hot cocoa and then some fun at Ski Bowl East for

COSMIC TUBING!

 Cosmic Tubing is awesome! We got there just before it got dark, so I have a few pictures that turned out.

 The most fun is when it gets dark. They have laser lights, blacklights, reflective snow tubes and a rocking music, it is a total party on the snow!

 They even have a conveyor lift that carries you and your snow tubes to the top of the hill!

 It was a blast! We will definitely go a lot more next year and 

Griff will be old enough (have to be 3) to come with us!