Of Friendship and History...

Ryan and I were able to take a getaway trip together this past week. We returned home yesterday from six days in the Washington, D.C. area. It was so wonderful to be able to spend that time investing solely in one another. There were no little mouths to feed, no strollers or diaper bags to lug, no work emails or conference meetings to attend to, no early bedtimes to adhere to. We enjoyed our adventure together - there's truly no one else I'd rather travel with, partner with, and explore with than my Ryan.

While in the D.C. area, we were able to hang out with a couple of my oldest friends. One is Robin, who you see above. I was so excited to see her again - it has been at least 7 years since we last got together, and nearly 9 years since we saw her husband as well. Thankfully, through the craziness of blogs and Facebook, we've been able to keep in touch. Ryan and I were so enamored with her little guy, Elliott - you can't tell it in this picture, but he has the most amazing red hair and HUGE grin.
We covered a TON of ground in D.C. - starting with a Segway tour that my parents gave to us. We were a little concerned that we'd be the youngest on the tour... but that was not the case, and we had a BLAST! I highly recommend Segway tours to anyone - they are fun, informative, fun, interesting, fun, different, and fun! Our tour guide had a wealth of information and facts to share without being too dry or just droning on and on. We went all over the main parts of D.C. that morning and learned so much about some of the history of the city, as well as some "hidden" tidbits of knowledge that we wouldn't have discovered on this trip otherwise.
Some places we went while in D.C. are: The Smithsonian Museums of Natural History, American History, Air & Space, the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum, the National Holocaust Museum, Ford's Theater, Union Station, Old Town Alexandria, WWII Memorial, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Archives, and so much more. {I'm sure my next several posts will be about various things we did on this trip!}
While traversing the streets and underground Metro system in the area, I couldn't help but wonder what that region looked like nearly 250 years ago as our country was in its infancy. So much history is wrapped up in and around D.C. - from the city itself, to surrounding areas such as Manassas, Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Baltimore, and even up to Philadelphia and New York. 250 years is a long time, but when I think a little further, it's but a drop in the bucket compared to other parts of the world and the history they would contain. Nevertheless, it's a humbling thought to think that you're walking some of the same streets that our founding fathers once trod... without the concrete.
Speaking of our Founding Fathers, being around their monuments (which I'm sure they would be possibly quite embarrassed to have their likenesses enshrined for millions to see every year) makes me want to read several of their biographies. We read quote upon quote from Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, and many others -- many of which are very powerful and spoken with such strong conviction. Time has a way of adding to the legend of these great men, but if their quotes have any bearing on who they were in their day-to-day lives, we have a great legacy of strong Christian men at the helm of our nation. I pray that continues, but I also fear that our nation is losing sight of the Christian foundations we were built upon.

We halfway joked about it at the time, but it's probably not a bad idea -- maybe each person who is elected to office should have to take a tour of all the monuments and read every quote at least once a year while in office.

We missed the main part of the cherry trees being in full blossom, but we did see a few! Peak blooming should happen sometime around April 4th.
Ryan and I drove up to Baltimore, MD on Saturday to go to the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium. Now THAT is an aquarium! I could have spent all day there. Part of me still continues to want to be a marine biologist when I grow up -- I admit, I was a tad envious of the ladies who were swimming with the dolphins during the dolphin show!
The last couple of days of our trip were spent with these two dear friends, Shawn and Kelli. Kelli is my dear friend and soul-sister, and we don't get enough time together at all but do all we can to get together if we're anywhere near one another. Shawn serves in the USMC and is currently stationed at Quantico, just south of D.C. We got to sneak away to Georgetown to tour the National Cathedral and share a meal, as well as tour Mt. Vernon the next day and play an impossible game, Pandemic. There were several cupcakes and cake balls consumed...
This trip holds many memories. While in the midst of so much history, I know that Ryan and I will always be able to look back upon this time and fondly remember the history that we were part of in those moments... special moments shared together and with friends.

To my beloved...

Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ...

Oh, for the love...

...of birthdays and cake!
These are called cake balls. These are also called Sara's New Addiction. I'm glad we didn't really know about these until recently, because I think I will need them for every birthday.

And not just my birthday... but Ryan's, and Caleb's, and Logan's, and Toben's....every birthday.
Of course, we had regular cake too. I suppose it's not a "real" birthday without a true cake! We celebrated Ryan's birthday this past weekend out at his parents' home.
Caleb did a fabulous job serenading his daddy, while Logan had eyes only for the cake. (Sadly, LoLo didn't get to have any cake... he didn't eat his dinner.)

Hopefully Logan will eat well this coming Saturday, so that he can have some of his OWN birthday cake! (And a cake ball, too, if I can bring myself to share...!)

Thankful Thursday, 11-19...

Only one item on my Thankful Thursday list this week.

Really, there's an awful lot more, but this one trumps the rest.

I'm enormously thankful that on November 21, 1978, Ryan C. Griffin was born.

Happy birthday to you, Ryan!! I love you!!

A downpour of a different kind...

From the looks of the two of them, you'd think we watched TV all day. We try not to... and I certainly hope that this time next year I'm able (and willing) to be out and about a bit more than we have been this summer. It's becoming harder for me to be active with my boys, and that drives me nuts. Especially since I've felt like a by-stander as it is for several months now!

However, last week we had good reason to be in front of the TV all day. Not because it was rainy outside -- in fact, we're still waiting for some really good showers to come our way. No, we had a downpour of a different kind.

The last week was a doozy in the Griffin home. On Tuesday, shortly after breakfast, I started feeling a bit queasy -- kind-of like the first trimester nausea had made a comeback. Fighting it off, the boys and I ran some quick errands, grabbed some lunch, and came home. After eating and getting both of them successfully down for naps, I lost my lunch. And then some. And lost some more. It wouldn't stop -- so I had to call in the reinforcements in the form of Mom. My mom, that is. She came and stayed with me until Ryan was able to come home that evening.

After getting sick (on either end, mind you) for the rest of the evening, it was decided that Mom would come back the next day, Wednesday, since Ryan had to be in San Antonio for a "can't miss" meeting. Fortunately I was no longer getting sick and was able to start eating a bit again, but my energy was absolutely zapped. My legs and back were killing me, and I had a headache to match. Gradually some strength returned through the day, and I was able to sleep a bit that night.

So then, about 5:30 Thursday morning, Ryan wakes me to say he won't be going in to work because he's come down with the same stomach bug. There are no words for how it affected him except to say it hit him HARD and with some sort of vengeance! Mom came that morning and took the boys to their house, so that I could care for Ryan and we could hopefully spare the boys from getting sick. Poor Ryan couldn't even keep ice chips/water in his system, and he lost strength quickly. I ended up taking him to the Urgent Care Clinic in town that evening, and when they couldn't get an accurate blood pressure reading they sent us to the ER. Thankfully we were seen shortly after arriving, and a saline IV was started to help replenish some fluids. His blood pressure was incredibly low - it was no wonder he had trouble standing and couldn't walk without my assistance at times. Oddly enough, when the bloodwork came back, tests showed he wasn't dehydrated... I'm not sure if I completely buy that. Just one bag of saline made him look and act much better, and they discharged us with an anti-nausea prescription and orders for rest, rest, and more rest.

He did fine through the night, and the next morning was feeling a tad better. Though his stomach still felt edgy, we ended up going to see the newest Harry Potter movie after his mom came and picked up the boys. (Side note... Ryan had originally planned to surprise me that day, Friday, by taking that day off so that he and I could have a Date Day together. He had already arranged for his folks to watch the boys that day and for them to keep the boys that night - so we just stuck with that plan even though things didn't go quite as he/we would have wanted!) After the movie, we tried running a few errands to continue to get things ready for g3, but his stomach started acting up again. Back home we went, for Round 2 of Ryan's nasty bug. Thankfully Friday didn't find us in the Clinic or the ER!

Saturday was spent trying to rest and recuperate our tired bodies. Ryan's dad came and mowed our lawn so that Ryan didn't have to worry about it, and we were able to nap and putter around here as much or as little as we wanted. We did go to Jason's Deli for dinner, to meet up with Ryan's folks and pick up our boys. At this point, we thought everything was on the mend, and this nasty bug was finding it's way ... I don't know, AWAY.

I guess that was not to be. That night, Ryan's mom fell ill. Same stuff. That same night, my mom got sick as well -- at a wedding reception in Waco. Ugh!! Thankfully, they are both doing much better and neither one became as sick as Ryan was -- but we are SO ready for the stomach bug to be finished with our family!!!

Ultimately, we are grateful that neither Caleb or Logan have gotten sick. I hope and pray that continues... I can't even imagine watching either one of them deal with this horrible illness.

It's true at times that "when it rains, it pours" -- so when this all struck last week, we were very thankful to have family so close to care for Caleb and Logan when Ryan and I couldn't. We were also loved on and looked after by many friends who texted and called to see if they could do anything. Hopefully this illness downpour is over, and healthy days are ahead.

fathers day '09...

we love you daddy!

caleb & logan

baby, too

I'd love to be there...

Ryan is away on business through tomorrow evening in New York City.  He sent me this picture earlier this evening of the M&M Store near Times Square...  Oh, the little joys in this girl's life!

The last, and only, time I was in New York City was a little over three and a half years ago - when I was pregnant with Caleb.  I really enjoyed those two days we were there, and would love to go back someday.

The next time I go, seeing several museums as well as trying to get in on a taping of a TV show will be on my list, as well as a 'culinary tour' of the city.  Why not?  Especially when your husband taunts you (really, he was just sharing a bit of his joy) with a picture of the dessert he had tonight from a corner bakery near Radio City Music Hall.  Pumpkin cheesecake, people...pumpkin cheesecake.  Ooh la la!!!

Playing, playing with the boys...

That particular song (known from the movie "Top Gun"...most girls of my generation know that song well - all we have to remember is a certain beach volleyball scene!) has been on repeat in my brain as I've gone through these pictures from yesterday.

Really, the most resounding thought to me is this: Boys (and girls too, really) need their daddies.

Thankful Thursday, 3-12

I absolutely had to smile - very big - when I came across these pictures earlier today. The boys were in the study with me this morning, and within 30 seconds had unloaded a shelf on one of our bookcases. In cleaning up their mess I found a small photo album that contained several engagement photos Ryan and I had made in October, 2001. (Has it been that long already?)

It made me smile because how appropriate is it that I should find them in the week of our seventh wedding anniversary!?! We celebrated seven years this past Monday, March 9th. (Seriously, has it been that long already?)

This Thankful Thursday is in honor of that milestone. Every anniversary is a milestone, I think, and something to be highly celebrated and honored. We were able to spend about 24 hours this past weekend sans kiddos to celebrate this anniversary, and we went to see the movie "Slumdog Millionaire", shop, and eat a nice long dinner at a sit-down restaurant. It was great just to be - to be together, to be relaxed, to be 'just adults' for a bit, and to be by ourselves.

Happy Anniversary, Ryan. Words don't convey how thankful I am for you - how truly blessed I am to journey with you, side-by-side for the rest of our lives.

*Update from last week: I went to my monthly OB appointment this week, and my sweet doctor put me on a Z-pack to hopefully clear up this "whatever-it-is" that has plagued me for the last month. She also gave me some Tylenol 3 (with codeine) to help me sleep without waking multiple times to cough up a lung (I think mine have regenerated several times, evidently:)). So far, it seems to be helping a bit. Thank you for all of your prayers - I had a couple of good days last Friday and Saturday, and I have high hopes that these meds will knock it out for good.

More importantly, though - we heard a very strong little heartbeat, which was so reassuring to me. I had been worried that by being on so much medicine it would have somehow adversely affected the baby. (My mom has nicknamed this one Edamame - a little "bean in the pod" - I like it. You may be seeing that a bit more.) So, huge praises that this little Edamame is growing and developing well!!

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'

Pure awesomeness...

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

After all, we were at Chuck E. Cheese.

CHEESE!

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

At least we learned what Not to do...

Poor Ryan.*

Hurricane Ike left us with a leak in our roof. Well, I say a leak - what happened is the casing around one of the pipes that vents out through our roof was damaged somehow, possibly by something flying through the air in the 70+mph winds that occurred sometime between 4:30 and 9:30am last Saturday, September 13th. Anyhow, that allowed the major rains we received both Saturday and Sunday of last weekend an entry to our home, so the water collected above Logan's ceiling and found it's way through the sheetrock onto his floor.

Which means we had a leak, in my professional opinion.

Last Saturday, Ryan climbed up on the roof to caulk and re-seal that vent pipe, and Sunday and Monday were spent cleaning out the insulation in the attic over Logan's room, cutting a 4'x8' slab of wet sheetrock out of the ceiling, and measuring (and re-measuring, and repeating again just for good measure) before cutting a new piece of sheetrock. The dust that stuff will put out is not my friend. It coats everything!

You should have seen Ryan, my dad, and I as we wrestled with a big piece of drywall, trying to put it up on the ceiling. After about the fourth time it fell (fortunately, it was caught and saved each time - once by Ryan's head) it became almost comical. One of those situations where you either laugh or you cry...and being that two out of the three of us were male, laughter was the road we took.

Tuesday was spent "mudding and taping" to make sure one can't tell where the new piece of sheetrock is. The construction guys around here who do that for a living really make it look a TON easier than it really is - so don't look too closely at Logan's ceiling whenever you're here!

Since we were in College Station on Wednesday through Friday for a planned recruiting trip for Ryan's office, we got back to business yesterday priming and trying to re-create the texturing on the ceiling. MUCH easier said than done! I guess like many craftsmen, the guys who paint and texture new homes around here have their own 'signature' way of doing things... so after about 4 different trips to two local Home Depots, I think we may have found a winner. Just a couple coats of paint, and it should be all done!

At any rate, my handyman husband and I have learned quite a bit about putting in sheetrock. Mainly, we learned that we don't want to do it again! Also, I don't think I ever would have known that the type of brush used to do the texture is called a "stomp".



*Yeah.... Last night, Ryan came home from his third trip to Home Depot with a bag of texturing powder marked "Popcorn Texture". (Our ceiling is thankfully not the popcorn texture. Hello '70s and '80s!) We had already tried using a spray type of texture on the ceiling with the stomp, but it just didn't look 'texturey' enough to us, so that's what prompted the trip to H.D. It was late when he got back home, so we waited until this afternoon to try it out. When he poured the powder into the tray, I had to wonder if it just wouldn't work - it looked just like cottage cheese, instead of plaster-of-paris. But, knowing that Ryan likes to figure out and learn things on his own, I kept quiet. I couldn't stay silent when it looked like he was ready to start putting it on the ceiling, so I asked him if the "popcorn" could be sifted out. Poor guy - he had to stomp a bit of it on some scrap sheetrock to find out for himself that the bag of texturing he bought wasn't the right kind. Hence, the last and hopefully final trip to H.D. for a while! We had so hoped to be done with this little project long ago - but it's been one learning process after another!

Morning light...

The Brio Train that Ryan and his brother, Eric, had as children has been put to excellent use for the second generation of train enthusiasts. It's occupied our dining room floor for several weeks now, and Caleb regularly plays with the cars and tracks.

On any given morning, I might wake up (around 6:45) to the sounds of a faint "choo-choo" and the clink of little boxcar wheels. Such was the case this morning. I love that Caleb can entertain himself for a while in the mornings so that I can get dressed, put in my contacts, brush my teeth...you know, become a 'human'. I am not a morning person, so those sweet little sounds are a great way for me to start the day.

Even after breakfast today, Caleb wanted to drive his trains. Little brother Logan had to get in on the action, too - much to Big Brother's frustration. He doesn't take too kindly to Logan messing with his tracks...because it's a guarantee that the bridge Caleb carefully crafted is soon to tumble with Lo-lo on the loose!
But this morning, Logan was much more entertained by the bright sunlight coming through our front door. So was I.Is that my child? The one with the cheeks that go on for days?? My gracious.

This past weekend probably marked the end of the swimming season for us. Fortunately, we were able to go just this once with Dad/Ryan. Caleb is becoming more and more at ease in the pool, especially with his water wings on! I look forward to summers ahead where we can spend all morning at the pool - me with a book or three, the boys playing Marco Polo or Sharks and Minnows, and Ryan joining us more than once in a swim season.

We'd love to go again - maybe postponing the 'one last time' declaration - this weekend, but our eye is on the weather as Hurricane Ike just might pay us a visit. We've been spared from Edouard (Eddie) and Gustav (Gus-gus), so maybe Ike will take a hike in another direction as well. The downside to that thought is that someone else will have to bear the brunt of that storm - and I do hope it's not our neighbors in Louisiana again.

But, we've got water wings just in case! And we're not afraid to use them (anymore).