Special Moment...

This is one of those bonding moments that make being a parent worth every second...

...there is nothing more amazing then falling asleep to the rhythm of each others heartbeats. It has always been a sound that I can close my eyes too, silence everything around me and relax into the rhythm.

It is truly a blessing and completely amazing.

Baby John McKenzie Griffis

This is my brother's baby boy that is due in September.

The ultra-sound picture is amazing. He looks like a Griffis already.

So Sweet...

 

We can't wait to meet him...

Congratulations John, Kelsey and soon to be Big Sis, Maddox!

Our Fourth of July Happenings!

I am truly behind on posting. It's July 24th and I am just now posting about our Fourth of July celebrations after getting back from Texas. We got back on July 2nd and had to hit the ground running. Mac had to get right back into football and moto riding. ( Thanks to Izer's for taking him!) 

Lilly had girl scouts to get caught up with and a few gymnastic classes. The Sandy Mountain Festival was just a few days away too. We have been going and going, but having fun doing it all!

As most of you know, the Fourth of July is mine and Pat's wedding anniversary! I had intentionally made sure to get back from Texas in time to spend it with him. It's been 11 years since we said our "I DO'S". I am one lucky gal. Thank you Pat for always loving me and making our family and love your #1 priority all the time.

I"m thankful every day I live for the warmth and kindness you give- Thankful that in God's design, he planned it so your path crossed mine.

Happy Anniversary Babe.

XOXO

We spent the Fourth at home. It was nice to all be together and not be in a rush to be anywhere or get anything done. We did go to the neighbors for a nice BBQ and watched the kids run around and play. Griff was entertaining, as always, and Pat and I spent most of the time chasing him around to keep him out of things. Once it was just about dark, we started the sparklers and poppers for the kids. They couldn't wait to watch the bigger fire works. Griff was exhausted and slept thru all of it. Our neighborhood was crazy fun and very loud...way into the wee hours of the morning.

I could tell the kids were glad to be home too and ready to get into a routine. It was a nice Fourth.

Our next event was the kids parade for The Sandy Mountain Festival. The kids decorate their bikes, scooters, etc and ride them in the parade. We decided Lilly could drive her car and Griff could ride with her. Mac rode his bike to keep tabs on both of them and make sure Griff didn't jump out or Lilly didn't run over anyone! Lilly's car looked great.

 She wanted to do a red, white and blue theme...

 We covered her car in flags, etc...

 and put my Dad's ribbon from his service on the front of her car. It was totally her idea...I was amazed that she even thought of it. The ribbons looked amazing and his name was right on the front. I had tears in my eyes as she drove past us in it. Thank you Aunt Myrt for picking it up for us after his service. I have it hanging up with his boots, hat, suspenders and Vietnam Medals in our office that was his bedroom when he would come stay with us. I treasure all of it...deeply.

 I think this will be the last year I can talk Mac into riding in the "kid parade". He was definitely the oldest one there...but he was a good sport about it! He will still do the pet show and bike derby but probably not this parade. LOL.

 I was really glad that I got photos of Griff and Lilly in the car just before the parade started because Griff had a meltdown and didn't end up riding in the car at all. I had to put him in the stroller...in his defense, the parade didn't start until about 12:15. He was ready for some lunch and for a nap. I can never figure out why people schedule kid events when it's either a meal time or a nap time. Go figure (0:

We will try again next year. Griff will be riding his own bike or driving the car himself by then!

We finished the day off with some delicious ribs.

Pat and Griff ate 'em up-

 YUM!
Lastly, Pat and I always enjoy Mountain Festival Days because we go out without the kids to hang out and have a good time with our friends! Every year we have good stories to talk about until the next Mountain Festival rolls around. My favorite part is dancing, of course! I didn't get many pictures from my camera, but these are from Pat's phone-

Thanks everyone for another fun Mountain Fest (0:

TeXaS TriP (Final Chapter)

Howdy All! This is my final chapter for our Texas trip. We had such an amazing time and so many things going on...it has taken me several posts to document all that we did.

If you missed any of the previous posts, here they are-

Part One- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-part-one.html

Part Two- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-part-two.html

Part Three- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-trip-part-three.html

It's a lot of reading and lots of pictures!

Ok, picking up where we left off from Part three-

We had John and Kelsey's couples baby shower on Sunday, July 1st. July 1st is also Nonna's birthday! 

Velvet, Keith and I had found the perfect gift for her at one of the booths in town over that weekend. We waited until early evening to give it to her. Velvet blind folded her and walked her around to the front yard where we had it set up...

 Happy, Happy Birthday Nonna! You are loved by so many...you are blessing to each one of us.

Thank you for all you are and for all that you do.

You are truly an angel.

 

Yep...she loved it! 

It is such a neat windmill. 

Sunday was really our last day to fit in other things we wanted to do because we had to head back home on Monday. I started loads of laundry, cleaning up the house and packing everyone up. I still found some time to ride a little...which was awesome! I really miss having a horse sometimes.

 I enjoyed teaching Lilly how to "take the reins".

She also got a few lessons from Jamie. Lilly loved every minute of it!

Uncle John helped the boys chase down lizards-

this one was big.

John, Kelsey and Maddox decided to head home Sunday evening. We hugged them tight and wished them well. We sure enjoyed spending time with them and making some great memories! 

After they left, it was evening time and we started winding down. Winding down in west Texas is one of my favorite things...there's nothing better then sitting on the front porch, cold drink in your hand, loved one's sitting next to you, telling "tales" and watching the sun go down over the mountains. It's amazing...

we enjoyed every second of it-

I have no idea what time we finally fell into bed that night...it didn't matter. We knew it was our last night there and we had made the best of it. I felt peace as I climbed into Dad's bed and breathed in a faint scent of him. I know that may sound strange to some of you...but it was comforting to me. The pain of losing him still runs wide and deep, but I am coping...just like the rest of us. Lilly slept in his bed with me for a couple of nights and she said "Momma, I love Grandpa's bed. Can we take it home with us?" I guess that's a good sign that it comforted her in a way also. We all have OUR own ways of coping. Some wade in slowly, some jump right in...there is no right way, no wrong way, only your way. I almost didn't make this trip because I felt that I wasn't "emotionally" ready to be around our big crowd of family and friends to honor Dad, celebrate him, toast him..."rise him up". I stumbled a few times, but had everyone there to help me get up and work my way thru it. They knew when to step up and help me and when to back down and give me space. I could have never ask for anything more...I think we all helped each other in our own ways. That is truly what life is all about...faith, hope, love, family and friends. It runs deep and is stronger than anything else in this world.

It is always tough to say Goodbye for now, until next time we see you again...but we know all things must come to an end at some point. I was sad to leave, but anxious to get home to my wonderful Hubby and my Lil' Griff! 

Before we headed to El Paso for our flight, we had lunch with everyone that could make it at Mac's favorite restaurant. We enjoyed the delicious authentic Mexican food, laughed at our good times from the previous days and delayed our goodbye's until the very end...

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY, SUPPORT AND LOVE.

WE DID DAD PROUD!

TeXaS TriP (Part Three)

Hi Again! I am going to attempt to sum up the rest of our Texas trip in this post. If you missed part one- here is the link- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-part-one.html

If you missed part two, here is the link- http://potterluv.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-part-two.html.

So- after our big Saturday celebration...we were all a little bit exhausted, but a good exhausted! That day will always be in my heart and so will all the people that were there. It was great. I am SO glad that I made the trip for it. We slept in on Sunday a bit, but had to get moving because we had another fun day planned. It was a special day...NONNA'S BIRTHDAY and we were throwing a Couples Baby Shower for Kelsey and John. Velvet, Keith and I had found the perfect gift for Nonna the day before at one of the booths in town. We could hardly wait to give it to her, but had decided to wait until after the shower was over.

The shower turned out to be a lot of fun. I had never helped or hosted with a Couples Baby Shower before, so I was a bit nervous about the games, etc...but it was great.

The first game was the generic poopy diaper game. I had only John participate in this one. I had made a special "apron" for him to wear for it.

 As you can see, he took it like a man! LOL...he was ready to change/clean up poop!

He had all the necessities needed (and then some) to take care of diaper changing.

I had made some pretty nasty looking diapers for him to go thru...he had to tell us what his baby had eaten that day! He surprised us and grossed us all out when he took a bite out one of them...bleh! Even little Maddox was a bit disgusted!

After we recovered from laughing ourselves silly, we played a guessing game with candy bars. I would give a clue and everyone would have to do their best to guess which type of candy fit the clue. Whoever hollered it out first, won that specific candy bar. For example, The conception- Skor Candy Bar, Triplets- 3 Musketeers, Hospital Bill- Payday Bar, Contractions- Whoppers, Epidural- Lifesavers, etc.

It was fun. I think Nonna had the biggest pile of candy!

Next, it was time for presents. John examined everything they opened...he needed too! He didn't even know what a "binkie" was until recently! LOL!!

Kelsey was glowing...such a pretty Momma.

 These are the BEST towels ever!! Martha makes them...they are awesome!

After presents, it was good old CAKE time. The cake was so cute and "to die for" delicious! I can't remember the gals name that makes the cakes there...but she does amazing work!

Congratulations John and Kelsey!!

 We are all very thrilled for you. I know that you will both make a great team together and be just absolutely loving, kind, amazing parents. Maddox and Baby John McKenzie are lucky little babes. 

John, I can hardly believe how fast things have changed for you! They are all great and amazing changes and I could not be more happier and proud of you. I struggle all the time with the thoughts of Dad not being here with us and with you on your amazing life changing events...but then I know that he IS with you and he IS with me. I have NO doubts at all about it. He was such an amazing, amazing and loving Grandpa to my kids and all other kids around him. I so wish he was here to give his big bear hugs to yours. If he could be here for it, you know he would. I can't wait to see/meet little John McKenzie...I know he is gonna have Dad's eyes...I just know it! Congrats again to all of you. We love you to the moon and back!

Thanks for reading...looks like there will have to be a Part Four to our TeXaS TriP!

Stay Tuned...