I win the mother of the year award

When I picked up the kids from school on Monday, Hannah told me her ears ached. She had told me that several times on the trip to Colorado also. So I called the Dr. and made an appointment for her and asked if they could put Porter in too. He had been coughing for a few weeks. As you can see they went to school, had no fever and could function just fine. On Tuesday my mother-in-law took all three kids to the doctor. Poor soul. Gotta love her.
The diagnosis was Hannah strep throat and ear infection
Porter had walking pnumonia
Claire Just allgeries
How bad did I feel???? Oh man I felt terrible! Anyway they got a bunch of medicine and breathing treatment for Porter and to top of the visit they got their flu shots. Tomorrow they go back to school. Do ya think I am going to be doing the HAPPY dance? You better believe it!!!

Our craziness in the car on road trips

- Watching a movie and making faces
- if you look real close you will see -4 degrees on my car frost was forming on our windows Now that is cold
- Claire playing peek-a-boo
- As we got into Texas the kids were fasinated by the fields of cotton. Hannah studied it last year and so we had to get out and get some.

Our drive home from Colorado

As we drove home and looked at the snow and listened to Christmas music I felt like it really was the holiday season. It was so pretty.

Our Thanksgiving trip to Colorado

The first 2 pics are of my cute little grandma. I enjoyed getting to talk to her and hugging her. There is something about only having one grandparent left. I can't explain it.
The next one is of Josh and Christina. I don't know if I am spelling it right. We had so much fun getting to know her. She is so sweet and fun. I've kinda nicked named her Tiger and secretly Josh is Eyore. Hopefully the Tiger in her will rub off on Josh. I am excited about a new addition to our family. Well, make that two. My other brother Bryan and his wife Lisa are expecting their 4th in June. SHhhhhhh
The one with the kids on the bed is in the hotel. I have a rule No Jumping on beds at my house!!!! BUT at a hotel you can jump all you want. They had a blast. They went swimming everyday and enjoyed breakfast 10 steps from our room.
The last one is just cute Claire.

Thankful for you

I often think of things I am thankful for but, keep it to myself. Its during Thanksgiving holiday that I might say it out loud. I am so grateful for so many things. I am thankful for the gospel. It paves the way for my everyday. Things that my Heavenly Father has given me. Air, water, flowers, animals, and soooo much more. I am truly grateful for family. I have the most interesting and amazing family. I so appreciate those that help me with my children and make them feel extra special. Sometimes I (mom) only has so much in her. I also am grateful for friends. Friends that have been there for me when I've really needed one. I couldn't make it with out you. Some days just your phone call means the world to me. I am thankful for our jobs, the cars we drive, and the house we live in. Running water, air conditioning, heater, lights, computers so I can blog, and pictures!!!!! I am thankful for our health. We have been very blessed. I witnessed this year working very closely to a friend with breast cancer. She went through chemo and radiation. I watched her body be attacked by this horrible disease. I stepped back many times and thanked God for my healthy body and my families. I became more familiar with my self this year. You could say it was because my husband is going to school to be a physcologist, but I think age and wisdom had more to do with it. I am still working on things, it might take forever. LOL. I am thankful for my husband and his kindness and love he has for our family. His desire to learn more about EVERYTHING. I am grateful for three beautiful children. They teach me things everyday. Patience is a big one. They teach me to slow down and take time to watch them grow and learn. They teach me to think as they do and to be innocent like them. They teach me that THINGS are not what matters most; it is the time spent with them that does. I am thankful to have one grandma left. I miss my grandparents so much. Having her to talk to and still see is a blessing. If you are reading this know that I am thankful for you and the way that you have touched my life. Some more than others. Some more my kids than me, but nevertheless I am thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
We are driving to Colorado to see my Aunt Liz, Uncle Rick, Cousins Alicia,Cami, Grandma Eldora, my little brother Josh and his bride to be Christina and her parents. How much fun can that be!!! I will report when I return next week.

Not Yet -Mommys not ready!!!

I was folding clothes in my room tonight and Claire was playing in the tub. I heard her in singing "Meam Up" song and then I heard, "go pee pee" I ran in the bathroom and grabbed my camera (which by chance was in my bathroom) and took this picture. Ok, I have heard some moms say, Yes my child was potty trained at 18 months. I would say to myself, yea thats a bunch of hooey too. So heres Claire at 18 months telling ME that SHE need to go potty. So far we have pooped and pee peed on the potty. So I have to say this could be a fluke and I kind of hope so because she is still my baby. Oh, and I also just bought a huge box of diapers at Costco. We WILL use all of them. I guess we'll see what happens. Sorry about the nudy photo. Jimmy said I should crop it down but, you wouldn't get the whole effect. (I think she looks like a bear)

Pumpkins

This year I suggested we not carve out pumpkins. So we got out the good ole Sharpie and did some serious decorating. Hannah didn't really do anything which was surprising. I think we were too bogged down with homework and a project. Porter got Sharpie happy as you can see. Maybe next year I will bring out the knives.

Fall Season comes to an end

We had a another great season with t-ball. We had the same coach as last spring, Coach Bill. He is so good with the kids. You can tell he loves the sport and wants to teach the boys how to play. His patience level is pretty high too. Porter improved this fall. He can hit a little farther. He got more outs this season that last which to me means he is gettting the idea of the game. Way to go Porter.

One of my most favorite things to do.

I go and read to Porter's kindergarten class once a month. The night before I let Porter choose 3 books from our public library stack. Porter has to sit in the back of the class while they sit on the mat because he is so tall. Because of that he can't sit up close to me while I read. He does not like that. They are so cute. I get lots of hugs and "whose mom are you?" I look forward to it every month , so I guess that is why it is one of my most favorite things to do.

Happy Birthday to Grandma Griffin

We went to Plano to celebrate Grandma Griffin's 83rd birthday. We went out to eat at El Fenix and she was a good sport and wore this HUGE sombrero and we all sang to her. We then ate THE best pie ever,icebox lemon pie. To die for!!! Then we went back to her place and talked and looked at pictures. It was a fun evening.

Go Pink Panthers!!!!

Hannah started another season of volleyball. We now play 6 instead of 4. They are actually playing the ball back and forth. It is fun to watch. Hannah is probably one of the best servers. She gets it over about 90% of the time. Now if we can get her to a bit more agressive then we will have a pretty good player on our hands.

"Meam Up"

This is Clair singing the Clean up song. She takes everything out of cupboards, drawers, toy boxes, and bags. While doing this she sings "Meam up, Meam up" SO CUTE. You should see my silverware drawer. Its hunt for what ever you need. Oh, and by the way she can count to 10 with a little help. We say, one and she says, "two" and we say "three" and she says, "fora" and we say "five" and she also skips fora and goes onto fia. Then we say "six" and she says, "seben" and we say "eight" and she says "nia" and finally ten. We are having so much fun watching another one learn and grow. I think this is my favorite age.

Great News

My little brother got engaged. I was so excited. I have only talked to Christina a few times on the phone but I already know I like her. Not that my approval counts. Ha Ha. I only have one picture of them and I got it off of my phone and you know me and technology, so theres no way for me to get from there to here. So lets say as soon as I get a picture on my camera I will blog it. I am so happy for both of them and I think the wedding is in March of next year. Congratulations Josh and Christina