05/29/11 School's out for summer!

5/29/11

I watched the storm all week and it seemed very big and ugly and nasty but I could never find any reports about it doing any damage...so how was it?  It looks like you've been rained on for days and days and days.  Ugh.  I hate rain.  Makes me want to stay in and not do anything.  How are you handling the rain?  Can you go anywhere without being totally soaked?

Did you get to go to your training meetings this week? Were they fun?

We had another busy week -- last week of school.  Kids are free now and looking for stuff to do.  Dallas got your old job.  He found out Thursday.  Did drug test and filled out paperwork and now is waiting to hear from Dave to find out when he starts. He was pretty excited.  Hope he can handle the heat.  Pretty hot out there.  Not yet...but it will be!  He is also starting acutane this week.  He has to take 307 pills and then he has a 98% chance of never having acne in his life again.  If he can survive the 307 pills.  It has side effects...sun sensitivity, dryness -- bad--- told him to buy fancy sun screen, moisturizers, vaseline, chapsitck and drink drink drink water.  Sounds pretty yucky.  My friend said she tried it 3X before she just dealt with it and made it through the whole series.  Hopefully he can endure to the end.

We had a fun YM/YW party Wednesday night.  We got the bluffview town home clubhouse and pool and had pizza and rootbeer and cookies.  I think we had 25-30 people total including grown ups.  Kate and Holly got to come since Dad was out of town.

Thursday morning George (a painter) & his friend (we don't know his name...) came and painted our house.  We did a trade agreement so it was pretty inexpensive cash wise.  Dad just has to advertise for about 2 months for him now.  We didn't change drastic...just made the tan color a little darker and the brown color a little deeper.  I think it looks nice.  You might not even realize it was painted if you didn't visit us often...but it looks cleaned up and nice.  All the shutters are dust and bug free now and things looked cleaned up and nice.  He also did the shed.  We are working on fixing the garage door back there so we might be able to use it in the future.  He painted it too.  Gave us an opportunity to do some spring cleaning and the back yard looks very nice.  There was a swing on sale at ACE similar to the old one I loved so much so I went and got it Thursday while dad was away too and the boys put it together for me.  I LOVE it.  We got a new door knob for the house because it was sticking something awful and it was hard to get in and out.  Coolest thing...it had a "smart lock" system.  We were able to take our old house key and re-key the new lock to use our old keys.  And it took like 30 seconds.  AMAZING!!!!  So we didn't change the locks while you were away, ha ha.

Speaking of funnies...today I opened the newspaper to read the obituaries (like I do every morning, just checking to make sure I'm not dead, ya know...)  and there was Shellie Griffin, 47, dead!  Ha, It finally happened, kinda.  She spelled my name wrong and was a little older, but my name was in the obits!  That's awful young, poor thing.  I hope I last longer than that!

I signed the girls up for swim lessons for the next 2 weeks every day for 1/2 hour.  They know how to swim but this should teach them some strokes and maybe some diving or something.  Got Dallas a job and the girls swimming...now...what to do with Bryce...?!

So I was reading the lesson for Sunday school this week (that's about the extent of my scripture study each week...read the lesson, read the scriptures that go with it) and it totally made me think of you.  Here is an excerpt from the lesson:

Before Elder Hugh B. Brown left on a mission, his mother told him:

“Hugh, you remember when you were a little boy and you would have a bad dream or wake up in the night frightened? You would call from your room, ‘Mother, are you there?’ and I would answer and try to comfort you and remove your fears. Now as you go on a mission and out into the world, there will be times when you will be frightened, when you feel weak, inadequate, alone, and have problems. I want you to know that you can call to your Heavenly Father as you used to call to me and say, ‘Father, are you there? I need your help.’ Do this with the knowledge that He is there and that He will be ready to help you if you will do your part and live worthy of your blessings. I want to reassure you that He is there and will answer your prayers and needs for your best good” (told by Marvin J. Ashton, “Know He Is There,”Ensign, Feb. 1994, 50).

I hope that if you are experiencing hardship that you are able to call on Heavenly Father and feel comforted and know that he loves you and wants only the best for you.  Just like me and your dad.  From your letters it sounds like you are doing wonderfully and I am so thankful for that.

I feel really blessed and lucky to have you as a son and as an example to all of us of how to give up all you have and serve the Lord.  You have no idea the extent that your service reaches.  You make me want to try harder and do better and I know your letters are reaching others and having the same effect.  Betty Simpkins is a lady I grew up across the street from in NJ.  I added her to the list of people I send your letter to.  She has sent back several notes commenting on what a fine young man you are and how proud we should be.  She is very devout in her church but she can see the light of Christ in your letters and feel your strong willingness to serve.  She was very impressed with you.  Another lady from Hurricane who is also not a member has made similar comments and has really enjoyed reading of your experiences.  So your mission reaches far and wide.

Well keep up the good work and don't let the rain dampen your enthusiasm for the gospel and the work.  I love you lots and think of you often.  Take care and know that you are in our prayers.

Love, Mom.

05/21/11 Can't pass the sugar or dr pepper challenge!

5/21/11

Well, how goes it?  Are you settling in to your new area?  Have you had any good successes lately?

Things are about the same here.  Just finishing up all the end of year stuff.  Katie did her last dance performance tonight.  Dallas had his band concert Thursday night to finish out the year.  Only 3 days of school left.  Can you believe it?

I spent 2 days over in Santa Clara learning the new court system that we are having installed in 1 month.  The state of Utah mandated we all change and we are one of the last courts to make the switch.  There are some good things and some bad things about the program.  I guess the worst part is just having to learn all over again how to do my job. But I'm sure it will come.  I'll just have to be patient with myself for a little while and realize that change takes time!

So my friend challenged me to go sugar free...you know trying to drop a couple of pounds.  I couldn't even make it 1 day (had birthday ice cream cake the 1st day) -- but I've been doing a little better...gave away my reese's pbutter cup and not eating quite as many cookies as I'd like.  I am totally a sugar addict!

Dad was trying to do the no Dr. Pepper challenge...also not real successful.  Oh well.

The weather has been so strange here.  Hot, cold, wet, windy...you never know what you are going to get.  Some of dad's games got rained out this week but then today was PERFECT...like 80 degrees and sunny.  Just a great day.  Me and the girls spent a couple hours up at the pool.

The girls also had a pampered princess girl scout activity today.  They got facials, manicure and pedicures.  They thought that was pretty cool.

We are trying to find Dallas a summer job -- he already got laid off.  Green Valley Cabinet shop let everybody but the owner's kids go not too long ago.  He interviewed with Dave and Delwin last week so hopefully they'll be inclined to hire another Griffin. We'll see.  I guess there are quite a few people who know them asking for jobs right now.

Did dad tell you he got me a Kindle?  I just finished my first book today.  It's pretty cool.  The only down side is I like to take my books to wet places...you know the tub or the pool...and I hesitate to take that anywhere wet.  But it is pretty sweet that you can have the scriptures, entertaining books, games etc all on such a little machine.  And when I fall asleep at night, no worries.  It turns itself off if I don't turn the page after a couple of minutes.

Well I hope you are hanging in and doing well.  Do you need another SD card for pictures?  Can you get that there?  You will really treasure the pictures later...and I really treasure them now!!!!  So let me know if I need to send you one.

Also what about your feet?  Any luck?

Can you believe Weaver is coming home so soon?  His parents are posting up on facebook how excited they are.  I think it is 4 weeks away and they are counting down.  They seem like really nice people.  They haven't really shared much (does he write long letters home?) but she will randomly tell me stuff to help you out or send me one of his photos or whatever.  Really sweet.

I noticed someone from Las Vegas just barely came into your mission.  They posted up photos of all the new missionaries.  Have you seen the mission mama's website.  It's pretty cool.  http://carlosmission.blogspot.com/  You've only made a couple of the photos but it's interesting to read her take on things.

Well another busy Sunday ahead.  Dad's first 7 a.m. meeting tomorrow and then I'm in at 8.

Take care of yourself!  We love you lots!  Love Mom.

05/14/11 First grade spelling bee

5/14/11

Was it seriously only 7 days ago that we saw you on SKYPE?  It feels like FOREVER ago!  You looked SO good!!!  It was really good to see you and talk to you!!!!

What a BUSY week we've had.  Along with all the weeks have in it we added Grampa Laurito and Grandma Suzanne.  They came on Monday and stayed until today at noon.  Let's see...here's a run down of our week:

Monday worked until 5 and then went to Brick Oven Pizza for family night.  G&G L joined us.  We met at the restuarant and visited for awhile and then they went to their place and we went home and put everyone to bed.

Tuesday met G&G L for lunch at Don Pedros Mexican.  Gpa bought since it was my birthday.  Worked until 7 p.m. Dad cooked for us and we had Baskin Robbins Ice Cream cake for dessert.   G&G L joined us.  It was yummy.

Wednesday met G&G L and G&G G and Eldon and Dallas and Dad for lunch at Dickey's BBQ restaurant.  It was really good and pretty fun. We met for a late lunch and then came home and boys did YM and I did HOT HULA with my YW.  Totally fun.  Had a great turnout again...8 girls I think.  HOT HULA is a new class they are starting that I TOTALLY want to take but it is every Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30...right during YW...bummer.  It is like ZUMBA only Hawaiian!!!  WAY FUN!!!

Thursday Holly did the spelling bee at 1st grade.  She did pretty good.  Got out on about the third round.  She cried until she found out she was still getting candy then she was like, huh, cool and all smiles after that.  Funny girl.  G&G came to that. Dad BBQ'd for us at home Thursday night.  Delicious as always.  Grandpa brought apple pie from costco.  Yummy.

Friday G&G L took the whole fam out to Golden Corral ($80 worth...holy cow!) and we enjoyed all you can eat.  Katie and Holly sure know how to pile on a dessert plate.   They made gummy bear soup out of their icecream.  Yeah, eyes WAY bigger than their tummies!!!  After eating out the girls and the grandparents went to MOVIE IN THE PARK and saw TANGLED.  It was the Friday the 13th version of Tangled...the city had a GINORMOUS screen that blew over about 20 minutes before the movies was supposed to start.  So lucky noone was under/behind that...would have killed 'em probably...took 10 or more guys to lift it up and right it up again.  The movie started and about 1/2 way through the wind picks up, rain starts tinkling and the screeen blows so hard we can no longer see the movie.  They stop the movie.  Pull a big white truck in and start the movie AGAIN about 30 minutes later.  By this time 1/2 the crowd has gone home.  BUT NOT ME!!!! I had never seen the movie!!!!  So we stuck it out and the movie ended about 10:40.  Late for me...but it was fun!  We sat with the Condie's and the Turner's.  We had pretty good seats too.

Saturday -- Dad left at 6 this morning to go to Delta and due to rain delays probably won't be home until 1 tonight for ball games.  He'll have to fill you in on that.  We've had a marathon day today...Bryce marched in the Cotton Day's parade at 9.  Katie Danced and 11:30 and again at 8 p.m.

In between dances the girls had a 3 hour pool birthday party (I went with, it was FUN!) Then we went to St. George for a wedding and cinco de Mayo (extra credit for Dallas and who ever heard of cindo de Mayo on Mayo 14 anyway???, WHATEVER?!)  and exchanged my new garments (got 5 new pair for my birthday!!!! YIPPEEEE!!!!)  Went shoe shopping and then stayed up at the community center until 10 p.m. for Fireworks!  Oh yea, and we were SO close to where they were setting them off we actually got hit with some of the debris...I brought some home to show dad...looks like wood chips or card board chips or something.  Strange!   Came home and made Banana bread (had some black bananas) and now I'm....sigh....a wee bit tired, eh?!

So if I didn't gain 10 lbs this week it'll be a miracle...although I did get up and work out EVERY DAY this week...but WHEW what a lot of eating we did!!!!

This next week I have training on my new court computer system in Santa Clara and we'll be winding down more of our activities.  Every day gets us closer to the end of our current bout of insanity!

Feel very fortunate to have the energy to do all the things I need to do and also the health!  I hope you are taking care of yourself.

Speaking of that...what's up with your shoes?  Our neighbor said their is a place called S&M supermart or shoemart or something like that.  She said they sell dockers and other US brands there and you should be able to find shoes.  She said her sis lives their and she was going to find out about wiring some $ to her and having shoes shipped to you if the supermart doesn't work out for you.  So let me know what you want me to do.  I don't want you ruining your feet!!!

Are you good with everything else?  Do you need anything?

How is your work this week?  Any success?  Are things getting better with your new comp?  How's the weather?

Well as entertaining as I'm sure this is (cough, cough) I probably ought to head to bed.  I have meetings starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow at church.  Life is on the fast track now!  It's all good though!

Keep up the good work...keep your chin up and keep smiling.  I love you lots and pray for your success!!! Love mom.

05/06/11 Do you think I'll be as mean as you?

5/6/11

I just had a minute and was thinking of you so I thought I'd write.  

K, so funny story.  I got a message on my machine at work from a woman in California (I think).  The message is 3.38 minutes long and the whole time she is singing...Did you ever know that you're my hero.  Weird? I ran her phone # through my data base and can't find the # so I have NO idea who it is.  And I think she was drunk...but whatever.  It's pretty funny.  

So this week at YW we had 10 girls.  Can you believe it?!  They kept coming in and I was SO happy!  We were sewing our aprons and bonnets and I guess they all want them because that has been my best attended activities lately (this is the 3rd time we've done it).  We got another 12 year old girl that approached me and asked if she could be in YW.  Another non-member that lives in our ward boundaries. She is really cute and seems to need all the love and attention she can get.  She is going to come to camp and is so excited.  She says she goes to another church on Sunday's and I asked her if she'd at least come to ours half the time.  She said she'd think about it.  

Next week for YW we are going to the community center to take a class called "Hot Hula".  Doesn't that sound totally cool?  I'm excited.  So were several of the girls.  Others were a little less enthusiastic and said they'd come watch.  Supposed to be the next best thing to ZUMBA (which I also LOVE).  

We have a busy weekend coming up again.  Today we have girl scouts and then Katie is dancing at a luau again.  Tomorrow the IRON MAN is in town and if I'm ambitious I'll go do spin in the morning and then take the girls to the pancake breakfast and cheer on the bikers.  We've done that a couple years now and it's kinda fun.  The girls both have soccer games tomorrow.  It seems like Katie dances again at least once if not twice on Saturday too.  Can't remember.  Sunday we get to talk to you!!!! We have skype all set up and are waiting for our camera to come in the mail.  Found one for like $7 w/shipping.  (Locally they were $15-20 minimum)  If it doesn't arrive by Saturday as promised we can always come up to my work.  I have a camera on my MAC.  

Tickets keep coming in like crazy but somehow we had a totally mellow week this week.  Got done with court shortly after 6:30 p.m.  I can't even remember the last time that happened.  I am sure it is only a fluke and we'll be back to long busy courts as we entered over 60 tickets on Monday and there is a pile of at least 25 on my desk to still go in the computer.  (Back in the day we used to get 150-200 tickets per month).  

I saw your friend this week...Dallyn Hallows.  Cute girl.  She said she wrote you a time or two (I can't remember) but hadn't heard from you in awhile.  She is pretty funny.  She came up to pay her speeding ticket and had on this shirt about drowsy driving is stupid driving or something along those lines.  I started laughing at her...I'm like -- that's a great shirt for a girl who's getting ANOTHER speeding ticket!!!  She's like, I know, right?!  She said she is doing some type of smart driving campaign for school.  I told her I wanted her to get me a picture of her with her campaign shirt on and her speeding tickets in each hand.  So I could send it to you.  She said maybe.  We'll see.  She graduates the end of this month.

Sister Buatte said you got sick last week because you ate too many mangoes...and they give you the runs.  (I kinda doubt it, but funny thought).  

Holly came home from school Wed night and just laid on the couch and wasn't her bubbly self.  Her cheeks were rosy and she was just kinda lougy.  I took her temp...102.  I'm like, do you feel sick?  She says, no.  I gave her a bucket and made her stay home (Bryce's band concert was Wednesday) -- which made Katie really happy cause she got to stay home and so did Dallas.  Next morning I give her the thermometer and she's 98.1.   So strange.  She never really got sick and she didn't even seem to know she was sick...and then she's better.  NICE.  Wish we could all get sick like that.  Was like 4 hours or something, ya know?!

Well I talked to Sis. C.  Her birthday is May 7 (so both your momma's birthday's are in the same week...easy to remember!)  I wished her a happy birthday and asked about your box.  She says she still hasn't seen it.  Did you say you got Grandma's most recent package?  Thanks for my birthday letter and turtle. They arrived Wednesday.  You've done so good...everything you've sent has arrived prior to the date you meant it for!!! Impressive.  She said you'd been transferred but she wouldn't tell me where.  Said she'd let you fill us in.  She also said you lost 10 lbs.  Too much rice, eh?!  She said she enjoyed her visit with you.

So did I tell you what Katie said to me last week?  We were out pulling weed, much to her dismay.  She looks up at me and sweetly asks, "Mom, when I grow up do you think I'll be as mean as you are?" HA.  Gotta love that girl.

Well I can't wait to talk to you and see you!  Love you.  Mom

05/01/11 Sunday lesson, Luau & soccer games

5/1/11

Pretty good and fast week again.  Let's see...where to start.  So this a.m. I was getting on before church to write to you and had a message in my in box.  So I looked at it was the calendar for May.  On May 1 it said, Lesson #15 Griffin. I was like...WHAT?  So I went to the closet to find the mistake (I was sure it was a mistake) and um...nope, it wasn't.  So I had to give a lesson with little or no prep.  I hadn't even read the lesson once yet.  (I usually read it way in advance to start thinking about things, ya know?) Totally NOT my thing.  Luckily for me I had already gotten lunch ready and was dressed and the girls were ready.  So I printed out the lesson and winged it.  It went ok I guess.  It's hard to judge yourself...so I'm not really sure but I survived anyway.   Ugh. We talked about missionary work and how there was a great amount to do even right here in our ward.  I tried to encourage them to work with all our nonmember girls and to be good examples etc.

Katie's LUAU was fun last night.  They put on a pretty good meal and then did about 1 hour of dancing.  They were really pretty good.  Lot of booty shaking.  The guys got up and did the hauka and some other loud chest pounding dances.  Entertaining.

The girls had 2 soccer games this week and they both love playing goalie.  They are pretty good at it too.  I think they won 3 out of 4 games.  They don't really care as long as there is a treat at the end.

Today we have a meeting with Stake Pres at 4 and then I have meetings at 4:30 and 5-6 for YW so we don't get to go to New Harmony.  Lucky for us though they have been gone for 10 days and have no food in the house so they were happy to come down here and eat with us.  So we'll eat around 6 tonight.  I made chicken, funeral potatoes, rolls, banana cream cheese pie and cookies.  Probably serve some beans too and maybe a salad for me and the old folks.  Lucky for everyone I found the whole lesson thing AFTER making all that or dinner would probably be lame tonight!

I got to do my treasurer duty 2X this week.  The deposits were $75,000 and $45,000.  WOW, huh?!  A lot of it isn't cash but still strange to know you have that much $ in your possession!

Well I hope you are healthy and well.  Love hearing all about your experiences and what's going on there so be sure to think about all the crazy and wonderful things that happended this week and share!!!

Love you lots and can't wait to see and hear you next week!!!! Holy smoke...it's only 1 week away!!!!

Take care, Mom.