Busted.

I know I have been absent from the blog lately, but I figure everyone is too busy to be reading it anyway.

I just mailed the last of my Christmas cards today. Before dumping like 50 cards into the mail slot, I peeked down into it to see if there were a lot of other procrastinators mailing cards today. Down the chute there was this cut out of an angry man wearing all black pointing his finger at me. It said, "Hey, JUST DROP IT!!"

It startled me and I totally jumped out of my skin. I immediately looked around to see if anyone had seen. It was truly embarrassing.

I wonder how many people at work have tried to look down into the mailbox and have seen this angry guy staring back at them. I am too embarrassed to ask around.

Several times today, I have laughed out loud just thinking about it.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

P.S. Thanks Jeffry for taking this great picture for us!

Cute Wion.

Stuck at home lion around with Chicken Box...

His scary roar.

As you can see, he was feeling just terrible all week.

Chicken Box

Yep, vaccine, schmaccine... Jack Everett still somehow managed to come home with Chicken Pox, or as he calls it, "Chicken Box." When I took him to the 'Little Spurs' Pediatric Urgent Care on Sunday night, they told me he needed to stay home for a week, but that since he has been immunized, it should be a minor case.

Luckily, there are only about 12-15 "boxes" on him and he has been a real champ about leaving them alone. There are three bad ones on his scalp and they seem to bother him the most.

Monday morning I called the pre-school and the director said Jack Everett is the first reported case at the school.

First in his class. We're so proud.

Genuine.

Well, I have not been blogging much lately because my dad gum computer has a fatal error that is about to live up to its name and be the death of me. Now, all you computer whizzes reading this, please do not e-mail me ideas to troubleshoot it because I already know what it is.

When I "borrowed" a copy of XP from a friend who shall remain nameless, I was thrilled by the upgrade. I enjoyed it for several months and even started blogging because my computer was so much more user-friendly. Wow, what an easy fix!

Then, a sneaky pop-up window said, "Updates are ready for your computer! Click here to install now." Well, I didn't read it, I just think FREE updates have to be good. Well, it turned out to be a low-down dirty trick designed for people who "borrow" copies of software. I fell right into the trap, so I guess I deserve what I got. What I got is a message that pops up every time I log in that says, "Warning: You may be victim of software counterfeit. Someone may have sold you a copy of... that does not pass our 'Genuine Advantage' authentication process" or something like that. Yeah, I know. I click on "Resolve Later" and go about my work. This "Resolve Later" technique worked for about 90 days, until this week.

Now, about every five minutes or so, and I am NOT exaggerating, I get a fatal error and my Internet Explorer has to close down. Mid blog, mid picture upload, mid e-mail... no warning, and nothing saves. It's terrible. Every five minutes. I have already had to close my browser three times while writing this post. No joke. I am so tired of seeing "We apologize for any inconvenience." and NO, I do not want to send an error report. *sigh.

So, here are some reflections from this experience this week.

"Be content with what you have." My Windows 98 was working just fine, really. I just wanted what the Jones' had. (Well, it's 2007... GRANDMA Jones already had XP.) That's not the point. What I had was fine, and if I couldn't afford it, I didn't need it.

"What goes around, comes around." I was not going to sell it, it's just little old me, and Bill Gates is not going without dinner tonight because of my one little copy. Besides, when I get my new computer I WILL buy a copy of XP.

Bottom line: I STOLE that software. It was not Genuine. That thought process is called entitlement, and it is one of my least favorite attributes in people and in society. If millions and millions of people make "one little copy..."

"Spend some time in the slow lane." I cannot handle computer delays very well. I am okay with cashier lines, traffic, and being placed on hold, but when it comes to the computer, I get so frustrated when it takes too long to process my request. I want to shake that hourglass and strangle that little running roadrunner. It's embarrassing really.

I don't want Jack to be this way. He already is to an extent. He wants me to fast-forward through the Dora the Explorer Theme Song and get to the mission. He wants me to skip every slow song on his nursery rhymes CD. When I take a picture of him and his friends, they immediately say, "Let me see it!" and crowd around the display on the digital camera. It's crazy. He has no concept of "That show is not on right now." He has the cafeteria menu on the DVR and can pick the show he wants, and even which episode. He asked for a particular song and when I did not have that CD in the car, he said,"Momma, you need to put that song on your iPOD." His whims... on demand. Scary.

So today, I am home and he is napping. I decided to catch up on my blog and realized how frustrated I have become over a problem I caused for myself, and frankly, I deserve. This 'fatal error' came at a time that we do not have the money to buy our way out of it. I can't just buy a new computer right now. I have to see a reminder every day that I stole this software. Serves me right.

I want my life and the things in it to be Genuine - including my software.

I know God uses these little things to re-teach us big lessons.

Well, lesson learned. Again.

Bjorn's Christmas Party 2007

Jeff and I enjoyed our 7th Bjorn's Audio/Video Christmas Party. As usual, it was very nice. We raised several thousand dollars for the SAMM Ministries and had a lot of fun. We look forward to the event each year as it is a chance to dress up, win some prizes, and we always enjoy riding with Darin and Marilyn. Each year, they drive us in a different new car. We love it.

Here are a few pics:

Huge ice sculpture at the entrance.

Jeff, me, Marilyn, and Darin standing in our annual prom-looking pose.

Chocolate Fountain with fruit, pretzels, marshmallows...

I was WAY too stuffed by the time they served this cake. I hear it was good.

Enjoying a night out without Jack Everett.

Santa and his interesting elf delivered gift cards from a major competitor.

They were actually to Chili's or Olive Garden, but were good for a laugh.
Left to right: Jeff, Darin, Joey, Tom, and Dennis.

In the background: Andy taking a picture of me taking this picture. I am not exactly sure what that's all about.

Look out Santa, here we come!

Jack Everett, four of his best friends, and of course, "Squirrel", hit the mall to see Santa Clause this week. Here is our stroller caravan:

Front: Jake, Jack, Grant... Back: Alli Jean walking like a big girl, T.J.

With five kids under three, Julie, Laura, and I were quite the tag-team. I must admit, watching those two SuperMoms in action makes me realize that I really have it pretty easy...

Alli Jean comforts him, "Don't be scared, Jack."

He was a bit scared at first. Squirrel took his place in the pic.

Alli Jean and Jack Everett - a little help from a friend.

Jack, Squirrel, and Santa Clause 2007

"Now I know my ABC's..."

Just when I thought Jack and I had exhausted all the different ways to practice his letters, we found a fun new way last night... just before bedtime!

Gimme a "J"!


Gimme an "A"!


Gimme a "C"! (In his mind, he looks JUST LIKE the letter C ...)


Gimme a "K" !


"What does that spell?"


"ME!!!"
-----
A few more...
H W S

X T M
O V U

???

He can hardly stop giggling long enough to take a pic of each letter. Plus, he knows this is a sure-fire way to get Momma to let him stay up even later! He is such a joy and I just hope to teach him that learning is fun!



To see entire slideshow, click here: Alphabet Jack!

It's Christmas Time!!

There are a few things that officially mark the start of the Christmas holidays for me:

The first time we turn on the heater at the house, the family viewing of Trey's 2nd grade play, "The Christmas Carol", and Oprah's "Favorite Things" Show.

Well, this week contained all three!

So, here's a peek into how our little family celebrated the official kick-off of Christmas 2007!

Click here for a Greeting from the Griffins!

"I can see all obstacles in my way..."

Well, Jeff got lasik surgery!

He has the most sensitive eyes and could hardly wear contacts long enough to play a softball game. I got to watch the surgery on a big screen, along-side several other viewers in the waiting area. It was crazy.

He came home after the surgery instructed to sleep in these snazzy goggles for the first couple nights to prevent rubbing his eyes in his sleep. Jeff drove himself to his follow-up appointment the very next morning at 10 am with no glasses. It's pretty unbelievable.

He has wanted it for years, but we finally bit the bullet and we are so glad we did. He loves it. Here's Jeff, Jack Everett, and Bunny Rabbit one week post-op. :)

"Baby, It's cold outside..."

Since birth, Jack has never gone to preschool or daycare during a winter. We have never felt comfortable risking it with his health situation and his being allergic to the flu vaccine. So, I have always quit work in November or December and kept him warm at home. However, this winter he is at his healthiest and we love his school, so we're giving it a shot...

Here he is, all bundled up on his first cold day.

He says, "I'm freezin' up!" He gets that from hearing his Mom say, "I'm burnin' up!"

Jack thinks it's funny to hear his legs rub together when he walks in his slick jogging pants. However, when that happens to me, I really don't thinks it's that funny.
-----
Oops - have to log off... I just heard Jack throw up on the baby monitor. Then he yelled, "Daddy! I throwed up because I tried to put all my fingers all in my mouth." I immediately hear Jeff say, "Jack, don't touch anything, and go see Mommy." He's coming down the hall right now... more to come...

Scawy Dwagon, Halloween '07

Can't resist those sweet eyes...

Jack the Scawy Dwagon.

Sarah's mom hand made this adorable dragon costume. It started off a dinosaur costume, but William requested she add wings so he could be a dragon!

Jack and Meemaw

Jack and Nana

Trick-or-treating at Mamaw's house

Thirsty dragon holds the tail up to keep it clean!

Jack with his favorite cowgirl, Alli Jean

It was a great Halloween.

To see all the Halloween pics, click here: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=s5k5l03.5r3rbown&Uy=-mulzpd&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

Visit with Aunt Sandra

Sandra and Trevor were in town this weekend, so we enjoyed having dinner with them.

It means a lot to me for Jack Everett to know and love Sandra.
They are two of my very favorite people!

I can't wait until she has little ones.
(No pressure, Trevor...)

It's a Pajama Party!

Grace Point had a pajama party on Halloween morning, so Heather and I used the excuse to buy matching jammies for Jack Everett and his best friend Lawton to wear to school.

They looked SO cute in their monkey PJ's!

"Monkey SEE,

Monkey DO!"

Their little matching "crocs" are so cute.

They were so excited... almost as excited as we were.