Pearly Whites

As much as this kiddo smiles with his mouth gaping wide open, it's surprisingly hard to get a picture of his little toofies. They are tiny, and he is hardly still long enough to point and click.

Well, I finally got one! If you click on the pic you can get a closer look at his first two precious crookedy chompers.

We love being loved.

Jeff and I joined a Life Group on Friday nights a few months ago. It consists of five couples and their families... that equals 10 adults and 12 kiddos. Yeah, it can get crazy, but it's amazing how well the kids stay quietly in their area to allow us to complete our Bible Study.

Anyway, this Friday we totally forgot that Life Group conflicted with Lacey's graduation banquet at the church. Throughout the evening I remembered several times that we needed to call our leaders to let them know we weren't going to make it to Group. But... I never did. We turned off our phones as soon as the banquet began.

As usual, all day Saturday I didn't listen to my voice mails and Jeff's cell phone was being shipped home from Albuquerque.

Fast forward to this morning. On our way to church we both started listening to our messages. One from Shane. Second one from Shane. One from Jenn getting panicked. One from Christina telling us that if she didn't hear from us, she was coming to our house. I... felt... terrible.

When we arrived at church we realized that the search party was out and our Life Group members came up to us, half-hugging/half-scolding... "We were so worried... we left you so many messages... we knew you were going to be there... we were going to come to your house... then we even saw that you hadn't blogged since THURSDAY!!!"

You know, as bad as we felt, and we felt BAD - I realized... they really really care about us. It is so nice to be loved, and missed, and prayed for. It's just so nice that we are connected and we fit in in a new way at Grace Point. There have been years in our marriage where we have missed several weeks in a row and not one person noticed. We were not a meaningful part of the Church Body.

So, beloved members of our Life Group - yes, this is me grovelling. I am so sorry for our lack of communication. I guess I kinda assumed you'd just figure something came up and not think about little old us again. We are humbled by your love, your concern, and your friendship. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and letting us openly share ours. We love being loved.

Hey, I'll tell you ONE thing... The Griffins will NEVER miss Group without calling again! See you all soon!

"Be happy with what you have..."

I have been trying to teach Jack this lesson his whole life, but have kicked it into high gear recently. I think it has become more urgent during this recession as I watch grown adults becoming depressed and feeling worthless because they can no longer afford their "things." It makes me so sad watching teenagers throw complete temper tantrums when asked to give up their THINGS, sometimes for just one week. (Yes, on Oprah.)

I want him to realize how much he has, and I pray that he will realize that things are just things... and will never ever make him happy. Consume, consume, consume... kids today are obsessed with and impressed by all things NEW. It doesn't matter if it costs $.99 cents; if it's NEW, that makes it AWESOME. At least that is how it had gotten with Jack. Heck, I know adults who feel this way. If Jack has a Hot Wheel for two weeks, it's no longer NEW. It goes in the pile with the others until he gets excited when someone brings him another NEW one, which subsequently becomes the favorite. At least for a few days.

I feel like teaching this lesson in today's society is like holding my finger in a hole in the dam and am often overwhelmed by the pressure of the water trying to break through. Jeff and I have finally put our foot down (feet down?) with our amazingly well-intended, generous, loving, but regularly over-indulging family... NO TOYS FOR MY KIDS. NONE. It's not his birthday. He should not get something new just for being cute - not even for behaving well in a store. It HAS to stop. We have to stand up for his heart and his character while he's still so impressionable.

Trust me, people in the family are now afraid to buy him things, and Jeff and I like it this way. :)

We want Jack to feel love and joy in other ways... with time, attention, activity... not by being given material things. When we take such delight in his delight in THINGS, how can we expect to teach him that he will ONLY find happiness through giving to others and serving God?

Anyway... wow, that was quite the tangent... I digress.

This morning he came to me, not whining at all, just very matter-of-factly and said, "Momma, I know I have a lot of toys, and I know there are lots of kids that don't have any toys, but it's just that MY toys aren't really fun anymore." I could tell that he was trying to calmly reconcile his feelings with what we have been teaching him about his possessions. I was proud of him for replacing the usual, "My toys are not as fun as Logan's toys..." or "I'm Booooooooooorrrrrred..." with this attempt at using his words to express his disappointment.

So I told him, "Jack, I know how you feel. Sometimes I feel a little bored with my same old things." He immediately says, "Like your green Honda?" I smiled, "EXACTLY!" {I regularly tell him how I feel temptation to buy a beautiful new Honda Pilot... about how hard Daddy works... about being good stewards of our money... that our car is running just fine... even telling him that my friends still like me even though my car rattles really loudly... so basically, it didn't surprise me one bit that his thoughts went immediately to my rusty-but-trusty '99 CR-V.}

"Honey, one of the best ways to make your toys exciting again is to mix them together with other toys in a brand new way. For example, try to create something with your legos and Play-doh together... or your jets and dinosaurs together."

To which he replies, "But jets and dinosaurs are not from the same million days."

After explaining (I find I spend a lot of time explaining things like this to him at this age.) "I know Jack, the dinos were millions of years before jets, but this is just pretend. You can make ANYTHING go together! You might surprise yourself." He went off into his room to play alone.

He came out after about twenty minutes and was in his pajamas, almost ready for nap. He was still sort of sulky and disappointed. He was playing with his wooden IKEA car building set and couldn't re-create the car from the picture on the instruction manual. He was sad that "Mommies aren't good with building cars but Daddies are always at work when kids want to build cars." He sat at the kitchen table, again noticeably intentional not to whine or be disrespectful.

I prompted him again to try and create something with his new contraption (the wooden truck that he didn't like) and see what he could come up with.... then proceeded to chat with my Mom on the phone.

After about 15 minutes or so, I ended my call when I saw THIS creation on the kitchen table:



I got the camera and asked him to describe what he had made. (At first he did not realize I was filming him.)



Ugh - Did you see that dramatic EYE ROLL at the END of the first clip??? I didn't even notice it until I watched the tape back!!! That rascal!

My favorite part is when he says, "...my same old toys are great!!" That is music to this Mother's ears.

I think I am going to head outside and vacuum out ol' rusty-but-trusty. I joke about it, but I truly am content with the car I have. Besides, it would have been harder for me to teach this lesson from the front seat of a brand new Pilot.

Sending love to my sistas!

I never had a sister growing up. God has more than made up for it with my three sisters-in-law.

Thank you Melody for letting me be such a big part of the girls' lives. It might just be my one chance at "raising" girls and I have enjoyed loving on them and watching them grow into awesome, honest young women. Thank you for taking such good care of Jack Everett (and little guy, too!) when he's with you. It's so nice that you have his sleeping bag, special snacks, cups, and even carseat on hand. I appreciate that the boys have a "home away from home" where I know they will be loved and taken care of... many times at the drop of a hat. Thanks too for the books on tape that saved our lives on the trip. I really appreciate all the educational books and toys you hand down to us!

Thank you Sharon for helping us through the most difficult days in our marriage. You had the love (and nerve) to speak truth to me even when I did not want to hear it or accept it. You have shown me acceptance and forgiveness. I appreciate that more than I have ever told you. Thank you for sending me the book on being Jeff's "help-meet." I can tell (from the first few pages alone) that it will challenge me, and I look forward to digging in. I have heard amazing things about it from women who have completed the study. Thanks, too, for being an inspirational example of how to raise a son. If my boys turn out anything like Kyle, Jeff and I will honestly burst with pride.

Thank you Tiffany for being so open with me, and for allowing me to share in your life with my big brother. Trey means so much to me and I cannot express how awesome it is to see how happy you make him! You are a gift from God - to him, to me, and to our entire family. I had SO much fun travelling with you and getting to know more about you. I promise... what happens in Albuquerque stays in Albuquerque. heehee. I know you will be an amazing mother and I admire your patience and thanksgiving as you wait for this blessing - however God chooses for it to happen.

Five days on a trip with no internet, television, or cell phone chatting gave me time to reflect on how much I really have. I could write pages on each of you, but wanted to share how I was feeling today.

When counting my blessings, I always count the three of you.

Love you!

Be back Tuesday

My awesome sister-in-law Tiffany and I are headed out for GIRLS' (+ baby) WEEKEND AWAY! We are headed to Alburquerque to visit Renee and her boys. I can hardly wait. Jack is looking forward to staying "four whole night-nights in a row" with Meemaw and my Dad in Houston. I hope they have rested up. They'll need it.

So, we will sure miss Jeff while we are gone, but will post pics from the trip when we get back Tuesday!

Okay, back to packing. For real this time.

Shoo fly, don't bother me...

Seems like we have a million flies in our house right now. Luckily it's not just me - Kim and Julie confirmed that their houses are swarming too... apparently it's that time of year. Well, I swatted at one yesterday and it caused this reaction. So, I grabbed the ever-handy camera. This kiddo is so much fun to have around. I never tire of his little giggle.

He is in his racecar jammies. Yes, you are seeing one foot out and one foot in. It never fails that one of his little hamhocks finds its way out of the snaps in the middle of the night.

Here he is in the morning, all happy, with five warm toes and five cold ones. His three-legged look doesn't seem to bother him, but it sure cracks up his Mommy and big brother - every time.

Davis is TEN months old!

Wow, 8 weeks until his birthday. 5 weeks until his party invites have to go out. 7 weeks until Jack's invites have to go out. 10 weeks until Jack turns five. 9 weeks until our 10th wedding anniversary. Uh, July is going to be a little crazy. Anyway, here is the 10-month update. Man, I wish I had written montly updates on Jack Everett... Oh well, we'll know for the next one. (That line was a just a teaser for the grandparents.)



Here is Davis in his tunnel, pictured beside big brother Jack at this same age. Davis is much more fearless than Jack was and enjoys being steamrolled, knocked over, tickled, lifted, and jostled. Jack is more than happy to provide these services.

Speed demon is so fast and it's hard to keep him out of the dog water. You can't tell in the pic, but he is soaked. On the right, his first shiner... another of his many self-inflicted injuries. It doesn't slow him down.

We are starting to introduce solids, slowly but surely. This is new territory for us as Jack was very sick at this age and wasn't keeping anything down. We are so inexperienced and gun-shy when trying new foods. The doctor says he can have pretty much anything at this point, but it's still mostly baby food until we get braver. After Memorial Day, it's officially bye-bye time for the infant carrier. I have drawn it out as long as possible, but, as you can see from the picture, it's time.

Noone entertains him or makes him laugh more than his big brother. He is always willing to destroy anything Jack has spent time building or creating, and a plastic hanger is his weapon of choice most of the time.

Something happened the very day he turned 10 months (Thursday)... his two bottom teeth finally peeked through his gums! Big BOY! All that drool finally produced two little white slits that are slightly crooked... oh dear. It makes me nervous that he will soon have two full-sized teeth and I keep saying I am going to MAKE him take his cup, but my level of commitment to the process is really low. I know that I will miss the closeness of nursing, but it's time to truly start weaning. Um, we'll start on Monday.

Bear Picture, Take 1... Take 2... 3... 4...



HAPPY 10-months, Baby Davis! Thank you for making our family complete!

Not eggs-aggerating.

Jack Everett has outgrown several of his allergies but we believe he is still extremely allergic to eggs. Because we have not had the battery of skin tests performed in quite some time, ($75 co-pay and one heck of an office visit where little bro is not invited.) we are simply going on observation at this point. He had quite a reaction when he ate the tiny dime-sized sugar cookie center of a Christmas wreath, his lips got all swollen after eating the breaded chicken at Alamo Cafe, and he got all itchy after eating the wrong kind of ice cream. All of these had eggs as an ingredient, so it's easy to put two and two together. We will have him re-tested late this summer, just before school in order to inform the nurses and staff about "No Snack Jack."

Anyway, I went to pick him up from Kid's Quest Wednesday where it was FIESTA NIGHT! All the kids were red and sweaty, including Jack Everett. He plays hard, but is definitely not a fan of getting hot and sweaty and I hadn't seen him THIS red in a long time. I collected his things and walked him to the car, noticing that his face didn't look quite right.

In the car I asked what he had eaten and he said, "It was not a fun night. I didn't get to eat the nachos, I didn't get to eat the candy from the pinata, and then I couldn't even eat the cookies. This is not a fun church." I gave him a dose of Benadryl, which I ALWAYS carry with me, and we headed home.

I feel so sorry for him when he is left out of such activities... however, my instruction to the teachers is: "If it has not been cleared with me before class, he cannot have one bite, lick, or taste." They ALL know.

I was puzzled, thinking, if he hadn't had anything to eat, why were his eyes and lips starting to swell (very slightly) and his skin getting so splotchy? Finally, when we got out of the car at home I saw that there was confetti in his hair.

Aww, then it all made sense to me. He was reacting to the confetti eggs that had been cracked on his head. I couldn't believe he had such a reaction... just to the egg shells contacting his skin!? He said, "Yeah, those confetti eggs were really itchy." I would never have guessed that he would have reacted this way - especially since we decorate Easter eggs... and he touches the outside of the egg.

So, for those of you who watch him... the egg allergy is still very serious. While he no longer requires an EpiPen, I imagine that ingestion of eggs (or food that has touched eggs on a plate), etc. could have a dramatic effect on him.

On a related (really funny) note:

Just last night, I told Jack to go into my room and show Daddy his face... he was having yet another reaction to something. Jeff came out a few minutes later to tell me that the conversation had gone like this:

Jack: "Daddy, I am having a erection."

Jeff: "Um, what did you say?"

Jack: "I am having a erection. Mommy told me to show you."

Jeff: "uh..."

Jack: "Look at my face, Daddy! It's a allergic erection! SEE?"

Jeff: "Oooooooh.... okay... yeah... go ask Mommy for some Benadryl."

"One Mom's Trash...

...is another Mom's Treasure!"

Okay, I saw a swap meet on Oprah where a bunch of neighbors got out their old crap... I mean, gently-used, under-appreciated belongings and then SWAPPED to re-do one room in each others' houses. It was such a great idea and made me think about whether I could do that with some of my friends. What do I have that others would want or need? Also, do you have to swap something of equal value? I mean, I need some big items, but it seems like all I have to offer are some paperback books, baby boy clothes, baby gear, and some DVDs... I am not sure how that works.

I mean, I love going through people's Goodwill bags before they go to Goodwill. There's always some random item like an extension cord, 3-ring binder, or empty picture frame that's got some life left in it. Heck, who am I kidding? Half of the clothes in my closet came free from someone else's closet!

So, as money has gotten tighter than ever, I am only able to shop from our list of NEEDS... not from my list of WANTS. However, that doesn't mean my WANTS list ceases to exist. In fact, summer brings a new slew of WANTS to mind. So, I thought I'd post a list of things I would like to have, but do not wish to spend money on at this time. Until these items can be justified as NEEDS, I will go on my merry way, still able to enjoy life without them.

If you happen to have any of these items laying around that I could have or borrow, I would be most appreciative. Please check your garage, attic, or under the bed and let me know!

• Cheap outdoor clock (to keep track of time while playing in the backyard.)
• Old Sprinkler (Any kind, to put over the baby pool to make it more exciting.)
• White noise machine (to put in Davis' nursery - my super light sleeper.)
• Copy of the book,"My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult (will take care of and return.)
• Digital alarm clock w/kinda large numbers (for Jack to practice for school!)
• Small/portable CASSETTE player (for books on TAPE recently handed down to Jack.)
• Scanner (to put old pictures on the blog and on Facebook.)
• Side table for plastic lawn chair (to hold Diet Dr. Pepper and baby monitor while sunbathing.)

I will come get them... and am definitely willing to trade or barter... if I have anything you might need - who knows? - babysitting? resume help? - just ask!

Important note: If you see this list and have a desire to go BUY them for us NEW, please don't. That defeats the whole purpose of "free-sale," and besides, these are not NEEDS. If you feel like you can't resist the urge to buy us something, look past this-here list and go straight to the Pampers aisle. ha.

Laughter... the best medicine.

Yesterday, I heard Davis laughing like crazy in the living room.

When I went to investigate... this is what I saw:



Who knew a Benadryl cup could be this funny?

My handsome crazy-haired boy!

No matter what we try, Davis' wispy blonde hair has a mind of its own. He knows as soon as he sees the brush or comb.... it's time to tame the mane.

He is the most ticklish kid I have ever parented, so it cracks me up how much he loves getting his hair combed.

Here he is on video, combing his own hair. Near the end, he lets out one of his signature Pteradactyl shrieks as if to tell me he's done.

Sorry I sound so incredibly annoying, but repetition is the main way to teach him things at this age. Just ask Jeff how many times he hears me sign and say, "more."

To the baby, that is.

Ode to my Mother...

Mom,

I wanted to take the time to write something to express how special you are and how much you mean to me... and I really wanted it to be great.

... but I just got back from Sea World with the boys and my hands smell like raw fish and hand sanitizer. I am on my way to sunbathe in the back yard in hopes of remedying my new necklace/camera-strap/nursing bra tan lines. You have to admit, that needs to be done ASAP.

Please accept a rain check for the unforgettable written tribute from your daughter.

I love you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoy our Mother's Day pics of the boys:

Jack Everett, 4 years * Davis Jarrell, 9 months

My Pride and Joy. I can't believe they are "mine."

Two peas in a pod.

A few more pics inside. Davis is the smilingest baby I have ever seen.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I'm too sexy for my blog.

Motherhood can be really un-sexy. Re-he-heally un-sexy.

After a considerable weight loss over the past several months, I decided today to try on what used to be called (by me) my "sexy jeans." You know the pair, ladies. They are too dressy to wear with your Wal-mart solid-colored V-neck t-shirts and too long to wear with flip flops so you NEVER EVER get a chance to wear them.

Anyway, after ten straight days wearing a ponytail (trying to tame the wild grays constantly trying to escape the hair clip) I decided to wear my hair down today. After all, the Biggest Loser contestants always look skinnier on the nights they are all required to fix themselves up.

So, much to my delight, the jeans fit! I was strutting my stuff down the hallway with a spaghetti strap shirt on that I haven't been able to wear for like two-and-a-half years. Despite having to step over fifteen dinosaurs and two Rubbermaid Baby Barriers in the hallway, I was actually feeling kinda sexy on the "runway".

I finally reached my destination - the big mirror in the living room. Ah, yes. As the saying goes, "Just because it zips, doesn't mean it fits." But... wait just a minute... if I stand sideways like this and don't sit down... or breathe out... I am lookin' kinda... kinda NOT so BAD!

Okay, this could be worse! I then struck my usual pose to test how they will look from behind... you know, up on my tip-toes. Like that makes any sense at all, but my calves look best that way, so that's what I do. Wow, I have come a long way since New Year's. It's been a LONG time since I have even been able to zip these...

Just when I was getting a Hot Mama complex going, I felt something poking me on the side of my ribs. Ow! What the heck is that? Dad gummit, that HURTS!

I looked in the mirror to see that the underwire had finally poked through the side of my nursing bra.

Nothing snaps you out of a "Sasha Fierce" moment faster than a malfunction of your trusty old gray nursing bra while you are in your full on suck-it-in tip-toe sexy jeans pose.

Oh well, I exhaled, looked at the clock and decided I'd better pull my hair back and pack the diaper bag before the kids woke up wanting to be fed before heading to church.

I hung the crisp, dark jeans back up on their hanger, using the same permanent crease I have used the last several times I have hung them back up without wearing them. So I'm definitely still planning on Bringin' Sexy Back, but it turns out today's not the day.

I have to admit, though... for the rest of the evening I've held onto a tiny bit of that feeling, walking with a little skip in my step. It's almost enough to make me hit the treadmill tomorrow.

Nah, my underwire would just end up poking me the whole time. I better just take it easy.

Cue the "Hallelujah Chorus."

That's right. For the first time in his life, Davis drank over 2 ounces of milk from a source other than yours truly. When he drank from his new sippie (probably the ninth one we've tried,) I suddenly realized there is a light at the end of this tunnel!

Surprisingly, I also realized that I kinda like it in the tunnel after all.