Griffin Family

LETTER FROM ROD AND JEAN GRIFFIN 4/1/2005 Hi Shelly: I guess that by now you're up and moving and about ready to head out to work.   You work so hard and do well in all you do.  We love you! I've been thinking about you and wondering how you're doing?  I know it must be hard not having your mom to talk to.  We hope that you're handling the mourning process okay and you're dealing with as it needs to be done.  Losing one's mom is hard -- there is no one in the world that loves you quite like your mom. I guess spring has really sprung there and you've already been out in your yard doing things that need doing.  Just think -- 3 more months and Millie will be out of your yard!   Yahoo!! We so appreciate your sacrifices for our mission -- taking care of Millie is one and the money you've sent to us is another.  We couldn't have made it without your help!  And your prayers! Anyway, just wanted to say h...

4/1/2005 LETTER TO ROD & JEAN GRIFFIN (IN THE MISSION FIELD - Cherry Hill NJ mission) Elder Griffin enjoying a small ice cream cone in Jersey! Thanks for the letter.  It was really nice.  Brought a tear to my eye.  Most of the time I’m pretty ok about losing mom but I do miss her.  She was always more than just a mom, she was my special friend.  She was a big supporter of whatever I did and always made me feel like I was her favorite child.  I’m glad she is not suffering anymore though and I know her and her best friend Terry (died when I was 19) are probably kicking up their heels and having a blast. I told Andy we should buy a 90 day supply of dog food (or however many days we have till you get home) and start the countdown!  I joke with Andy that I don’t know if I am more happy that you are coming home or that Millie will be leaving… Elder and Sister Griffin ready for a baptism. You know that I am more happy about...

3/31/2005 LETTER TO BECKY Dallas working on his old bike   Dallas had a nice birthday.  He got a new big bike - the regular boy size one was too small.  He has been so proud riding around in his new bike and helmet (we bought the helmet for AJ and make them share it).  AJ had to have one to do his 50 mile bike ride with the scouts.  He has done a 16 miler and a 50 miler and has two 25 mile trips more to do to get his merit badge.  Wow what a lot of work!!!! Dad seems really sick to me and stubborn.  He insists he is "not that sick" Dallas' 10th birthday...9 and 1! (Didn't have a 10) but goes on hacking and wheezing and yucky.  I was kind of wishing he had stayed home because we have been very healthy all winter and I DON'T WANT SICK KIDS!!!!  (or husband)  But so far we don't have it... I don't know anything about the walkie-talkies...I can ask the kids but I haven't seen anything or heard them talking ...

1/26/2005 LETTER TO BECKY Holly and Dallas at Christmas time Did you get a bagless vacuum?  I love mine.  You can dump that bucket full of all your dirt and see just how much crap there was lying around.  I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I use it.  I got mine at Christmas time and I still love to use it – a year ago Christmas time.  So maybe you’ll enjoy it for a long time!   You may want to get a 2 nd for downstairs just so you don’t break yours running it up and down the steps. Holly and Bryce playing on the tramp on Christmas Day '04 We are doing the art beltloop and pin this month – so we are doing fun art projects.  Painting, drawing, sculpting with playdough, sand art, etc.  We went to a museum last week.  We will finish up both this Thursday and everybody that came all 3 weeks this month will get 2 awards at next Pack Meeting.  They love that.  It makes it easy to plan your meetings too. ...

12/01/04 Hi Guys! Hope you are well.  Andy was just complaining last night that he hadn't heard from you in awhile.  I asked if he'd written you and he said no that was my job - he send pictures, I write letters.  I said well no wonder you haven't written - I haven't written and it's probably my turn!!! So I thought I'd take a minute and type as fast as I can and tell you what's up here in hopes that you'll write your son!!! Everybody is staying extremely busy.  AJ came home with all A's and 1 B+ (in Gym class of all things).  We are very proud of him.  He is doing very well with the Tuba, playing basketball and seems to maybe have a candle lit under him about scouts - we'll see.  He is a little behind in scouts but has a list and seems to care about getting caught up with the other kids.  Football season put him behind.   Dallas is still doing choir and basketball.  His team has had a rough go of it this time around. ...

11/30/2004 LETTER TO BECKY Katie and Grandpa Laurito The visit with Dad was nice.  He was pretty easy to have.  He brought his car full of stuff that we went through when he first got here.  He likes to watch the financial channel on the TV so he did that some.  I made 1 and ½ of my binders with the material you sent.  I didn’t have any more binders and needed some cardboard to do the inside of the 2 nd binder so it’s only partly done.  I still don’t have pictures from you or Ruth from the funeral.  I also don’t have Ruth’s talk.  I wanted to put that in my binder. Dad slept on the couch and made waffles for the kids.  It really was a nice visit.  He took us to golden corral for dinner Saturday night.  He was going to go home Sunday but the weather was bad so he went Monday morning. The circus, circus buffet is cheap-- but it is also yucky.  At least when we went we didn’t care for it.  There are a...

10/18/2004 LETTER TO BECKY This weekend Andy was gone all weekend doing games and so I got busy.  I went through AJ’s room –aaaggghh!  And sorted through all the hand me down buckets we had.  I’ve bought several containers to make them “save” better.  I sorted everything by size 10, 12, 16’s etc.  and season.  Then I went to Target and bought him an upright cabinet closet for his current clothes.  I went through his 2 dressers and kept only the nice stuff in his current dresser and ditched the worn clothing and stored the stuff that’s too small.  What a project.  His room looks wonderful.  He came home and was in awe.  He’s like, what do I owe you?  Do you want me to do something for you???  I was like…well… you better keep this room clean!!!!!!  He also helped me to stow all the buckets of clothing – I had run out of steam and not quite finished putting things away.   I had done this to the girls room ...