A merry little Christmas...

Christmas Eve, we asked Caleb if he wanted to set out cookies and milk for Santa. He did, and when asked how many cookies we should put on the plate, he said "five". I think there were more than five on the plate once he was done... Also, it was his choice of cup for Santa's milk. (I think you'll like his choice, Aunt Cella! Young's Dairy was represented well.)

The boys had on their 'coordinating' Christmas pajamas - and me being me, I had to have a picture of them!

Christmas morning, the first thing we did was have Ryan's awesome pancakes. Ladies and gentlemen, my man knows his pancakes. He even added his own little twist (or three) - cinnamon pancakes in the shapes of snowflakes, gingerbread men, and reindeer sprinkled with powdered sugar. Delicious! Caleb ate a gingerbread man and a snowflake, and Logan ate about a third of my snowflake.

It's a good thing we had Ryan's awesome pancakes for breakfast, because I don't think we could have kept a certain two-and-a-half year-old away from the presents for too long otherwise! Here's our traditional family Christmas pajama picture, just before the wrapping paper frenzy begins!

I had to show off my beautiful clock the Griffin guys gave me - it's even personalized! Ryan hung it for me later that morning in my kitchen, above the refrigerator. (There's a huge space on the wall right above the fridge, between two sets of cabinets - it fits perfectly!!)

Caleb's favorite gift from Santa was this fire station.

Logan loves his Little People farm.

Both boys received this tent-and-tunnel town from Santa. It's huge when it's all set up, but it's an indoor/outdoor toy that folds up and compacts into a case smaller than a Christmas wreath!

Fair warning to adults - speaking from personal experience, it's nearly impossible (notice I said nearly) to crawl through the tunnels! But it's awfully fun to watch someone do it...

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We certainly had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus's birthday.

Our 2008 Holiday Update...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Some of you may be first-timers to the ol' blog - welcome! I decided to put the web address to our family blog on several of this year's Christmas cards instead of writing a long letter, partly to save paper, partly to share more pictures, and partly because I just ran out of time. :) I hope you stay a while on the site and enjoy reading through some of the events over the last several months in the Griffin home!

We'll start our quick updates with the youngest Griffin guy, Logan. He turned one on November 28th, and is now walking (running) and trying to do everything big brother Caleb is doing! He is our snuggler, our sweet little man who can be very shy and serious yet turn right around and be loud and playful with the best of them. He's not speaking too many words just yet - "Mama", "Dada", "Nonono" (no) are really the only ones that are recognizeable at this point. He loves to play peek-a-boo, play with balls, and climb. Logan will certainly be our adventurous one!

Big guy Caleb turned two last February 13th, and has recently shot up in height. He is often mistaken for a three- or four-year old. Caleb is very bright, and some of the things he says have us shaking our heads and wondering where he comes up with his ideas! We'd like to think some of it might be genetic... :) Caleb loves to play football, basketball, watch "Little Einsteins" and "Imagination Movers", and play any and all instruments he can get his hands on. So far, he's completely into drums. I think it might be a good thing that I grew up with a brother who turned into a good drummer - I've been conditioned to hearing the rat-a-tat-tats of someone practicing their skills! We're curious to see if this is an interest that will continue as he gets older.

Ryan is still employed with Mercer, a benefits consulting firm in downtown Houston. He enjoys his job, and we feel so blessed that he's in a position that he not only enjoys, but also has a fair degree of job security in this economic climate. He is still working on his Actuarial designation - with each test only offered twice in a calendar year, it's a long process, but we're confident that his goal will be reached someday soon! In his (rare) spare time, Ryan enjoys designing his garage cabinets, reading the newspaper and updates on ESPN.com, and watching movies we've received from Netflix.

I am in my third year of being a full-time M.O.M. and part-time substitute teacher, and I really couldn't ask for a better position. These years are very precious with the boys, and I'm thankful for the chance to be with them all day, every day. I enjoy reading, digital scrapbooking, and photography - I've been known this year to take over 500 pictures in one day...gotta love digital cameras!!! I would love to take some photography and digital graphics classes someday.

We are still very involved with our church, The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch. Ryan and I are in our fourth year of helping with the youth group, and it's been so amazing to see the changes that have taken place in this time. It's certainly been a season of pruning and growing - some changes might hurt for a time, but then you see the growth that results. We are anxiously awaiting the completion of the new church building, because that means that the youth will finally have their own space to meet and call their own. We'll be ringing in 2009 with the kids on a local ice hockey rink, playing Broomball ... pray for no broken tailbones (or any other broken bones for that matter)!

That about sums up a small percentage of what life is like...but hopefully you'll have a chance to scroll through some of the old blog posts and see a little more! Feel free to leave comments - you can even leave 'anonymous' ones (as long as you sign your name hehe:) ), I love to see who is actually looking at this blog!

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas with family and friends, and that 2009 is a wonderful year full of peace and joy!

Sara

Exploring...

Since Ryan is off through the end of the year, we are taking advantage of this family time to explore some areas and sights around Houston that we haven't been able to do as a family just yet - or don't get to do as much as we'd like. One of those places is the Houston Children's Museum. Here are some snapshots of our time there this morning:

Ryan demonstrating the use of pulleys

Caleb milking a cow (this was a little weird, but fun all the same. It was a fake cow...)

Caleb pretending to be the cashier at the 'grocery store'

Stocking the shelves at the grocery store

Logan playing in the TotSpot
He had a blast ringing the doorbell and turning the porch light on and offCaleb and Ryan making a 'robot'

Those Remkes...

Over this past weekend, we had the joy of being able to spend some time with one of my very-best-good-friends from college, Drew, and his sweet family. Drew, Jordan, Keadryn, and Sayla were in town for some Hurricane Ike relief work plus some other ministry opportunities, and we were able to steal some of their time and do crazy things like eat lunch at Chick-fil-A and hang out at both my parents home and our home.

And do you know what happened? Yes, Keadryn, you have an answer??

Why, yes, you're right! You stole a little bit of my heart when you left! And, to be honest, I think my oldest son has a little crush on you, too. He asked about you just this morning. :)

(Sayla, Logan, Keadryn, Caleb)

It was so neat to not only spend time with this super-cool couple, but to meet their adorable girls as well. You wouldn't know it from the picture above, but little Sayla is probably THE most laid-back baby EVER. These girls are in for one amazing life with a mom and dad like Drew and Jord - full of travel and adventure, and loving on all sorts of people groups with a love only Christ can provide.

I really can't close out this post without a special little note to Drew... I'm so proud of you, bro. Not only have you found - through circumstances only the Lord Himself can provide - the perfect wife and help-mate in Jordan (I mean, seriously, you're so much like one another, it's really insane - but in a totally awesome way. You know how to play together, laugh together, work together, and just be together), you've become such an amazing leader and friend to all who know you. I'm honored to be called your friend. It was great to catch-up and take a short walk down memory lane with you guys this weekend.

Remkes, our home is open anytime. So is the Marshall Inn. :)

(um, that offer goes for pretty much all five of you who read this)

At last...

This totally made my day. Our local news station just put out a "just weather" website, and can you tell what my favorite feature is? A "haircast"!!
As a former meteorology major, this just tickled me all shades of pink.
Check it out here!

Oh, and we've got snow today in Houston! Just so you know.

A farewell...

It may seem odd - weird, strange, goofy - to have a whole post about a pair of shoes. To me, it's somehow fitting. A way to say goodbye. This ratty old pair of shoes has been a faithful friend for almost eleven years, and the poor souls (soles?) are exhausted. It's time for them to be retired. I think I hear an "amen" coming from Ryan... :)
Made by Simple, they were anything but. For the last ten Christmases, they've accompanied me to family gatherings, trips to Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas, all across the A&M campus (as well as the schools I taught at), friends' homes, everyday errands, church, and just about any other place you can imagine.
Do you see the elastic under the buckle? It's a wonder it hasn't given way before now. These shoes have stood by me (under me?) through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They've seen me through a horrible breakup and the healing that followed, a budding romance and the start of a life with my best friend, a new apartment and then a new house, my first year of teaching and then my last, two little boys that have chewed on them and thrown them across the floor - and yet they remain. Their scuff marks could probably tell countless stories of their time with this crazy girl.
Oh, to be a friend like they've been to me! There's a lesson in there, I can feel it.
And wouldn't you know - just like all great friends, they cannot be replaced. I've been looking for the last several years, and still haven't found a pair of shoes to wear in their stead.

Update from Monday...

We've decided to just 'wait and see' before scheduling an appointment for Logan to see an orthopedic specialist. We feel that as he walks more and more, his gait will improve. Even now, he seems to be walking a bit more normally - yet we do still see him leading with his right and catching up with his left occasionally.

This mama is trying not to stress...trying so hard to let the Lord lead and work in Logan...both in this issue and in his eating struggles!

Prayer and decisions...

I took Logan for his one-year pediatrician's checkup today. No big deal - he's a very healthy little guy, and is measuring well for his age. He's currently 20 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 29 1/2 inches tall. He's walking, babbling, and waving. He is a fairly serious little guy, but also has a comical streak about him. He just may turn out to be the comedian of the family, because I have a feeling he'll be able to deliver one-liners with a deadpan face!

Anyhow, I've mentioned before how Logan has a funky crawl. He crawls on his left foot and right knee (with the right leg turned inward, like he's about to sit Indian style) - basically sitting down on his right hip with every 'step'. Amazingly, he covers an enormous amount of ground with each little step, and can keep up with me as I walk.

He started walking a few weeks ago, but still prefers crawling as his locomotive mode of choice. Over the last two or three days he has been walking a bit more, but as our pediatrician noticed today, he seems to favor his right leg when he walks.

He will take a step forward with his right foot, and then bring his left up to meet it - instead of keeping the forward motion going evenly between both feet, as most of us do. She had him walk back and forth across the exam room floor just to make sure she was seeing what she thought...and we walked out of our appointment with a referral to see an orthopedic specialist.

As I was told, she couldn't feel or see anything developmentally wrong with his hip or leg - but she also didn't want to miss anything. So, Ryan and I are currently praying about this situation and seeking out what the wise decision would be. Do we give this more time, in the hopes that as Logan walks more and more his gait will even out? Or, do we go ahead and schedule an appointment with the specialist, and start therapy early before he gets so set in how he walks now?

Funny, my biggest concern going into his appointment today was the fact that he is having issues eating table food. If it isn't pureed, he doesn't eat it. (We were told just to keep on trying.)

Since a post just doesn't seem 'complete' without a picture, I thought I'd throw this one in. This is from last Friday, Logan's actual birthday. It was taken at about 4:30am. Yes, "am" - the reason for the funny/sad face he has! Caleb stayed Thursday night and all day Friday with Gram and Papa, and Logan got to experience Black Friday shopping with Mom and Dad. We were able to find great deals and shop for friends and family, and after the initial shock of being woken up so early, Logan was quite the trooper with us. What a way to spend your first birthday!

Another birthday boy...

Happy First Birthday to our sweet nephew, Joshua!

Just for grins...

Family picture that didn't make the cut. Wonder why?

In a way, it's a more accurate picture of what life is like in our home at times!

ONE...

One year ago today, Logan was born!
Happy First Birthday, LoLo!

"For no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind conceived the things the Lord has planned for those who love Him..." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Logan, may you cling tight to the Lord and trust him with each step. Your 'steps' are new and young right now...your daddy and I pray that you will walk in His light and love from a young age. May you grow to be a kind, strong, wise man who is well-respected and loved by many. May you be generous, thoughtful, and a joy to be around. Most of all, may you love life.
You, sweet Lo, are loved.

Pure awesomeness...

I don't know that we'll ever grow up.

After all, we were at Chuck E. Cheese.

CHEESE!

THE Birthday Party...

Yesterday, we had a joint birthday party for Logan's first birthday and Ryan's 30th birthday. It was a surprise for Ryan...and I think it was pulled off pretty well, despite the fact that I would NOT let him have any of his birthday cake on Friday, his actual birthday. I think I can count on one hand the number of times he's been mad at me, and this one probably tops the list. As he said, "Out of 30 birthdays, I've eaten birthday cake on 29 of them." Oops.

I guess it helps to know his mom is the Cake Goddess of the World and makes The Most Amazing Cakes EVER.

But I have to interject and say that I think I did OK this year...

Ryan had the number 30 (duh) that were supposed to look like baseballs. The number 1 is Logan's smash cake (see below - he got to a point where he just didn't like all the sticky stuff on his hands, and really didn't eat much of it at all!). I also made a lion cake for Logan, to match the lion on his birthday invitations.

Definitely a cool thing about yesterday (for Ryan and I, at least) was for our two boys to hang out with BOTH of their cousins. Jorja, in the pink, lives in California and this was our first time to meet her. Josh, in the stripes, is just about the sweetest nearly-one-year-old you can imagine. Aren't they fun?

Special Birthday Wishes...

Happy 30th Birthday to my Original Griffin Guy! We've known each other for over half our lives - I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together will bring!

Enjoy your special day. You are loved more than words can express!

--S, C, & L

Family Union...

It's not exactly a REunion, because some of us have never met...

Until Today!

I'm picking up my brother, Jon, his wife Sara, and their 7 1/2 month old daughter Jorja (pronounced like Georgia) from the airport this afternoon! Ryan and I have never met our niece, and Uncle Jon and Aunt Sara haven't met Logan, either!

They'll be in town for birthday festivities this weekend!

More info (and pictures, of course) will be on the way - but it may be a few days! :)

A toddler in the truest sense...

Last week, this was our view of Logan...

I'm so glad I had a camera to get this shot at that time!

This week, here's our view of Logan...

Seriously, his tongue does half the work.My heart is goo right now. My baby is walking!

Guess...

...who is walking now, as of this very afternoon??

Pictures to come soon. Let the races begin!!

Honor...

To all veterans...

Past, present and future heroes...

Thank you.

Let Freedom Ring.

This post carries an especially heartfelt thanks to BOTH Shawn C.'s serving in the Marines, and Ryan and Katherine B. serving in the Army, and their families. We are so thankful for you!

Thankful Thursday....er, Friday...

Caleb loves music. So does Logan. Ryan knows how to read music and play a few instruments. I like to listen to music and to sing (probably not that great, but I still enjoy singing!), and at one time played the guitar a bit. With as much as the boys really love songs, instruments, and any-and-all-things music, it's been a blast to occasionally sit on the floor and make our own 'family band'.

Caleb is the 'conductor' - he lets you know what to play, and when to play it while playing about three instruments on his own. Logan is our 'rhythm man' - he will pound on that little drum, or on pots and pans, and actually keep a pretty good beat. Ryan is the 'ear' - making me laugh every time he grimaces due to a sour note, but that he still radiates joy in watching his sons play. I don't know what I am, other than the 'groupie' - as I said, Caleb is the 'conductor' so if Dad is around, I do not get an instrument to play. Oh well.

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Worship in song has always been special to me, but lately the boys have shown me in many ways that music - more specifically, the act of creating music - can be such a pure form of worship. Even the sour notes, played and given with a cheerful and thankful heart, are treasured by our Father. Even my singing which can often be off-key because I love trying to find the melody, is treasured by Him. Just as a mother treasures a drawing of a cat and dog that maybe no one can recognize, but that her child drew, so must God in Heaven treasure our songs, hums, strums, and beats that are offered up to Him.

Today I am thankful that it's not what I do, or how I do it, but that God knows and cares about the state of my heart when I show Him my love. I'm thankful that it's by His grace that I'm called a Daughter of the Most High. I'm thankful that I don't have to rack up all these good works in order to gain salvation - that it's quite the opposite. Because He first loved me, and I've accepted Him as my Savior, I want to do good things in His honor. I'm thankful that lately it's been about the simplest, most basic parts of being a Christ-follower that have drawn me closer to Him.

There are so many things in this world that often point my eyes upward, thanking the Lord for the chance to see them in light of who He is. What are things/circumstances/situations in which you find yourself marvelling at who He is, and who you are in Him?

Today...

• Ryan is taking another actuary exam from 2-4pm. He's 15 minutes from finishing as I type this. I'm praying for good - PASSING! - results (that we'll find out in early January).
• The boys haven't napped well today.
• I have a yucky head cold/sinus infection - it's to the point that I can no longer taste my food. I can't remember it affecting me this way before!
• Eating is no fun when you can't taste what is in your mouth.
• I really want to take a nap.
• I don't think I can stay up to see who our next president will be in this historic election, but you know I'll be praying for the future of our country.

"...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven..."

Photo tag...

My friend Robin tagged me with a rather neat one, I must say. Since she did share a room with me in a tiny apartment in college, putting up with my odd hours due to working at a coffee shop and countless other quirks, I'll play along. I think it's funny what came up...

The rules:

Go to your picture file on your computer.

Pull up the 4th folder.

Pull up the 4th photo.

Tell us about it.

The top picture (the one that applies to this tag) is Logan's "after bath shot" at about 4 months of age. The bottom one is of Caleb, approximately 21 months earlier. Can you tell who is my People Pleaser and who is my Deep Thinker?

I now hereby tag the following:

Katherine, Christy, Lori, Melia & Andrew, and Sarah

(ps - I used the 4th picture of the 4th folder under "2008" on my computer. So I guess I fudged the rules just a tad...oh well!)

Buzz and the Giraffe...

While we don't "get into Halloween", we do thoroughly enjoy dressing our two cute boys up in cute outfits to have a ton of fun at Fall Festival!

Ryan and I found Caleb's Buzz Lightyear costume earlier in October for 40% off - so we couldn't pass it up! Caleb loves the movie Toy Story, so we thought this costume was perfect and that Caleb would love it. However, he would kick and cry every time we brought out the costume for him to try on - until last night. In one of those 'perfect timing' scenarios, Gram and Papa (my folks) came over to see us off, right when I was getting the boys dressed in their costumes. Caleb, being the true firstborn that he is, was in the mood to show off so he willingly - no, excitedly - put on the whole costume! And he kept it on the whole evening!

Logan wore the same giraffe costume that Caleb wore for his first Halloween. I am so glad that the feet were open - otherwise, the giraffe just wouldn't work this year! It's such a precious little costume that I loved seeing another Griffin guy get some use out of it.

We took the boys over to the Fall Festival held at First Baptist Katy, and we had a great time jumping and running through obstacle courses in the inflatable bouncers, eating free hot dogs, and seeing everyone else's creative costumes. We met up with our good friends, the Marhofers, and Caleb squealed when he saw his friend Kaylea who was Cinderella for the night. Those two are so cute together!

After we left the Fall Festival, we went over to Na and Papaw's house (Ryan's folks) and Caleb got to knock on their door and say "trick-or-treat" - which came out more like "trickstreeeeats" - and then he assisted them in handing out candy to other trick-or-treaters. I think he enjoyed that so much more than if we had taken him around trick-or-treating, plus we don't have a bunch of candy taunting us in the days after!

Here's a rare picture of all four of us together! Can you tell we had a great evening? (Logan really did have a good time, too...)