Suzanne Griffin

I would like to introduce to you Sisterhood Creations. Makensie and Gabby voted out of picking up walnuts this year as a business for themselves. "It's just too cold and dirty". We saw these adorable necklaces at a friend's booth at a craft fair this summer. We were smitten immediately and happily bought a couple of sets. The girls loved mixing and matching their caps, but quickly decided they would like more options. They also thought this was the answer to their business woes and decided to put together their own creations. Hope you will look and enjoy and let us know if you would like to purchase any for yourself or as a sweet girls gift. Prices: $3.00 per necklace or bracelet, this is a stretchy choker . $2.00 per bottle cap or 6 for $10 The back of the bottle cap has a super strong magnet that attaches to the necklace and can be interchanged with other choker colors. Initials Collection: Hello Kitty Collection: Cherry Collection: Owl Collection: Cupcake Coll...

And yet...another great book: A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming . This book has came along at perfect timing for me. When Allen and I were 1st engaged, I tried to break it off with him several times as I was pretty sure I didn't even want kids and I knew he did. I feel like I'm not one of those naturally wise mom's with wonderful insight as to how to really love and educate and deal with children, yet that seems to fallen in my lap as my full time job as now we are expecting our 5th in March and homeschooling and me wondering at times if I was suppose to be a 1 kid parent and I've mistakenly gotten someone else's assignment:) This book has tenderly spoken to my heart. We have company coming over for supper this week and so of course the house has become my pressure point of tension. Before kids, I thought I might actually have a shot at being the next Martha Stewart. I dreamed of a home that looked like it came straight out of the pages of "Better Homes and ...

While I am no longer an Oprah fan, I used to be. 12 years ago she had a book on her book club that I decided to buy. Simple Abundance. It is a daily devotional that challenged me to be thankful and find joy in the simple things of life. I kept a journal adding 5 things a day to be thankful for. Over the years, I have went thru that journal a couple of different times, with each pass adding to the list. One of my 5 entries for Oct 21, 2000 was "I decide what affects me." I enjoyed this process so much that I have added it to our family's suppertime tradition. We have index cards labeled for each day of the year and the nights we all sit down together for supper, we go around the table and voice something we are thankful for and I jot them down. As the years have past it is fun to read back on previous years entries such as...thankful for thick pillows, common everyday tasks and ibuprofen. It is more than just fun though, it is biblical. As Christians, we have a lot to be t...

Forgive me for these updates and photos being a good 4 months in the past. We painted the front porch this summer. This is the little man helping me wash all the wood railings down 1st. And After: Gabby turned 9 years old. Although I took the cake decorating classes so that I could make some lovely cakes for my kiddos birthdays, I was turned down for the job as she wanted to do her own cake. I printed off the directions and she did it all including switching out the correct tips. She is by far more creative and talented than I. (it's a pony). Summer sunburns :( They were all slathered down with lotion and all out for the same amount of time. Makensie has my skin and got it the worst. She turned red, pink and then back to translucent. Gabby turned a nice warm tan and peeled a little on her shoulders. Brian got tan and had a bajillion little blisters on his shoulders. Enjoyed a beautiful rainbow! Made a short notice wedding cake. Worked at a fund raise...

I haven't posted for quite a while. This past month life as we know it has quickly came to a turn around. I have been sick most days by mid afternoon I'm done for. We have been blessed to not have this kind of consistent pregnancy sickness with any of the other kiddos, so I can't really complain, other than it has been difficult to get everything done that is required of a mom. This past weekend after a sudden loss of blood, we landed in ER for 1/2 the day and me on bed rest for 3 days. But baby's heartbeat is strong and my body seems to be doing well. We had several hours of silence to sit and think. It was in our minds that God was in control, but your mind can go to some dark places of "what if" at times. We are thanking the Lord that all is well at now almost 12 weeks. And we would be praising Him all the same for His love if I was posting otherwise today. We are also so incredibly blessed to have the friends and family in our lives that immediatel...

God shows Himself in both the masculine qualities we find in men and the feminine qualities we find in women. What is it that we women reveal about who God is? Women are relational. If you want to know how someone is doing you don't ask the man, you ask the woman. We are the ones who dive in and ask those questions, that my husband accuses me of being too personal and invading sometimes. Which I'm sure he sees it that way, most women view it as truly caring beyond that, "how are you?" courtesy question. The last couple of years have brought many changes for our household. We went from homeschool 2 girls to adding a boy to the mix. A little one that went from baby to full throttle boy toddler. I took on managing the office full time from home for my husbands business. We moved twice. All of that takes a lot of focus to detail. It was exhausting. I am organized to a point, because I have to be. But this is not my desire. I enjoy leadership, but that is b...

It seems everywhere I turn I am being directed to study "women". How God sees us, how God cares for us, how we as women display the "image of God." I'm reading a book, "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge and Stasi invites us to view creation thru a new set of glasses. With each new day of creation, God added more detail, more beauty to the world, like a crescendo with a magnificent ending. I personally had found myself as many women thinking of myself as an afterthought. As merely a helpmate for the magnificent ending that was man. But God is omnipotent . He knew before He created man that He was not finished. Woman was the grand finale . Women entice men with their beauty. Even women notice other beautiful women. Not in a sexual way, but who hasn't had their breathe taken away by a gorgeous woman? Maybe your daughter? Or maybe your grandmother, dressed for a special gathering? If you can tomorrow morning, look out over t...

I don't have a picture to post of this one. Although I thought about taking one with the judge. Allen and I had to appear in small claims court last night. I have been so nervous about it since this ordeal 1st began back in April. Neither of us have ever had to do something like this before and really didn't know what to expect. We pray we never have to go thru it again. While the judge was very nice, it was very difficult for justice to prevail. For 2 reasons, 1 being that while I was extremely detailed and prepared for the evening, my nerves got the best of me and I forgot to mention about 90% of what I wanted to. 2 ndly the reason my nerves were so crazy was because the plaintiff stood there and lied repeatedly. Straight faced, absolute lies. I was shocked. We had just taken an oath. This was a woman that claims to be a Christian yet the fruits of her life have yet to show that, a woman that lied in front of 2 witnesses that I had there that can testify otherwis...

I think just about everyone has heard of this book. And if you haven't I highly encourage you to get it. Not just to get another book, but to read it and commit to praying. I personally had grown lax about praying daily for Allen. Recently, I have had the opportunity to get more involved with a women's ministry and food pantry to serve others. I admitted up front my fears. Every time I have stepped out to put myself out there for any kind of leadership or service for the Lord, I get attacked. Satan attacks me thru words as these are my love language. Give me a heart felt compliment and I'll love ya and can survive for weeks on it. But just as devastating are words filled with hatred and lies and slander. Satan is like a wolf in sheep's clothes. He appears to be innocent and good until you are taken in. He has attacked in the form of friends, women who were leading a women's ministry at church, family, strangers. I prayed that I would recognize any attac...

Just as I was recently down and doubting my worth as a woman, God threw out the verses from Genesis 1:26 at me. I went to a ladies Bible Study, and the verse that the speaker was sharing on was none other than this verse. There was also a parting CD for everyone, titled, "The Incredible Worth of a Woman." When I went forward for prayer, a woman with a gift of prophecy and prayer, spoke words over me cutting to the very core of my want and desire to feel before the Lord. Monday morning in my email, a devotional on Genesis 1:26 conveniently arrived. "The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." Psalms 34:17. The Lord hears our hearts and listens when we cry out with mere groans. The Lord wants us women to know that we hold value and that He loves us. It is satan that hates us women according to Genesis 3. Satan only brings adversity to those who are threatening his plan. Almost every time I have stepped out to lead, he...

I have a heart for women. I thought I had lost it, but had to come to terms with what I envision as my ministry quite honestly may never come to be. I have found myself this past year drained from the many responsibilities I hold as just a mom and wife. It has been a difficult year to sit by and willingly have to give up my hope to reach out and minister to women. A dream I have long had. A purpose I felt that I was on the road to fulfilling. I gained so much joy from being involved with activities where I was in the position to personally touch another ladies heart and life. I thought this was my calling, my destiny to follow. And maybe it will be someday. And as much as I always want to put into other women, I so often find myself back at square one in my own heart. Asking that same question, am I really of worth to the Lord? Does He see me? Does He hear ME? Who am I? The devotional book I decided to finally pick up and study, that was on the list 2 years ago thru our mom...

Deuteronomy 30 This is a very encouraging passage. Like a breathe of fresh air following chapters full of laws and direction. Our God is a God of order, and at the same time that he is certain about passing judgement on for our transgressions, he speaks of the grace, love and compassion He has for us and how we can live in that love when we repent and come back to Him. My favorite verses are 9-11. Not only do we have the promise that He will prosper us if we obey His commandments, and love Him with all our heart and soul, but He knows we doubt if we are capable of doing and just as any loving parent, He gives us a boost of confidence that we can indeed do this. When we look up the word " prosper " (or plenteous in the KJV ) as was used in this verse in the Strong's concordance, we find that it means just that. To have more than enough. In life, this is what the majority of us are working for, not to have to struggle week to week, but to have more than enough. And d...

God Smacks is what we call it when someone does something they shouldn't have and appears to get away with it, only it ends up having a negative outcome in the end. Some would call this karma. Some God Smacks this week: *Made a cake and butter cream frosting. Left the room and explicit instructions for no one to taste the frosting. Come by to find someone had taken a finger full of what they thought was white frosting in a little bowl on the counter. I'm sure they were surprised to taste Crisco. * Every time I make Chicken Enchiladas I hear, "They are really good, but not as good as Aunt Gina's". So tonight I added her secret touch of running the chicken thru the blender. We do smoothies often, so at the sound of the blender, kids came running begging for just a spoonful. When I turned my back, Wyatt had taken off with the entire bowl of chicken filling with green chilies. I'm guessing definitely not the smoothie he was hoping for. Thank you ...

The Old Testament is difficult to read simply just understand for me. There are so many laws and covenants referenced back and forth that it really does take me some digging to follow. I enjoy history, but dates escape me. This past week I started digging deeper into Deuteronomy 29 & 30. And am pleased that I did. Most of the Old Testament is in preparation for the Messiah and it is so amazing to put little bits and pieces together and see it forming what we already know of the story coming in the Gospels. The very 1st verse of this chapter reads almost as in a foreign language. What we need to know is that this new covenant was to include not only the children of Israel, but as we see later in the chapter, to include the stranger, the Gentile, as well. This covenant was also different in content as that it not only included the renewal of the covenant made almost 40 years prior, but along side this came promises of grace, which had not been made before. Giving room for repenti...

Quotes from Brian: As he was trimming the bushes "If I can just get a couple cups of coffee and a flashlight I could do this all night!" As Allen was leaving for work, Brian rushed out after him and yelled, "DAD! Whatever you do today, don't feed any squirrels caffeine!" "I wish we had a flat top roof. That way I could have meetings. Business Meetings and talk about starting new businesses. That and ride my bike up there. Of course I think I could ride my bike up there now. Can I?" (For those who don't know...we have a 2 story with a steep roof.) At supper Allen asked, "Brian, do you not like your bread son?" He answered, "I do. I'm just sculpting it into a snail's shell." "There are lots of names for nuts, huh?" Yes. Name some. (As he did, I realized we were thinking of two different kinds of "nuts".) ------------------------------------------------ Quotes from Gabby: "Mom, can I use the chainsa...

What happened to the rest of the Parmesan Cheese (or Farmer John Cheese as my kids call it): Nature Study assignment: Gather something outside to study..... They gathered a bird. This is actually the 3rd one they caught. Our new little kitten, Friday. Gabby's early birthday present of Project Runway Design Gallery, which she is loving. Right up her alley....but hopefully she chooses not to wear the clothes she is designing. 17 pairs of underwear on the boy, 17 pairs of underwear..... Graduation Cakes Ballet Performance Honey I shrunk the kids: Our new tenement on wheels: Beautiful! And as you can see under the cabinets right above Wyatt's head is the 8 track player that still works and we even acquired an entire collection of 8 track tapes. "Now don't go gettin attached, cuz we'll be takin it with us when we leave here next month." - Cousin Eddy Cookies for a soldier coming home: Catch of the Day: Summertime with friends: My precious niece on the Merry Go R...

I am reading a wonderful little diddy of a book called "The Homeschool Journey". So far the first several chapters have been more for me as a person than anything about homeschooling. Talking about integrity, servant hood , humility and obedience. Obedience is nothing new for any parent, but I can always learn from others. I used to think that self-control, or the lack of, was at the core of most of my problems I bring on myself. But the author challenged me to see it as a slave to self, full of pride. Disobedience to the will of God. That cuts deep. It is honestly so much easier to say I had lost self control and over ate than it is to admit that I committed gluttony and disobeyed God's will for my body. Jesus in the garden was tore between his flesh and his will and his Father's will. "If there is any way this cup can pass, if there is any way You can get me out of this, do it!" "Nevertheless not My will but Thine be done." And He pr...

There are so many things around us in life that appear to be "bad". So many tragedies, events, hurts and failures that hit us hard, and cut to the heart. Things that feel like they are a punishment, or maybe God had forgotten about us. No matter how our human minds might conceive such events and even when burdens feel like more than we can bear, we can hold fast to the truth that Christ is intentional. Everything that comes our way has a purpose for our own good. Whether it is to grow in character, empathy, humbleness or for us to come back to our Father's feet. Even in the death of Lazarus, a friend that Christ loved and wept over. There was no mistake. While it pained Christ to hear of his death and know the hurt the family faced, in this event He was able to raise the dead. He took something so sad and devastating and healed that hurt like no one else was able to. He was able to convert those who did not believe. Convince those who were bordering and saw the ...

We went and watched the play "The Secret Garden" although it made into a musical and with heavy British accents, overall I would have to say it was...long and not at all like the movie we rented. Not to mention we sat in the balcony. In an old building. We lots of other people. And you all know how little I like that sort of setting. The kids did great to sit thru the 90 minutes. However, it was a play and an experience to enjoy. Plus it was free:) You would think that I would learn to check all the pockets when I have 3 boys to wash laundry for in this house. But I haven't. Here is a picture of my own private secret garden of goodies in my washer tonight. 14 Crayons, 14 water balloons, 12 screws, 54 cents, 2 ponytail holders (my fault), 2 ink pens, 1 marble, 1 nail, 1 key and yes, 1 razor blade.

Ballet Beauties after performance at JBU for morning worship. Katelyn and Wyatt sittin ' in a tractor.... Building a house out of kid size Lincoln Logs (Allen's dad made these for us) The skirt that Grandma Connie made. You can take the boy off the tractor, but you can't take the tractor seat away from the boy. Wild Horse Ministries . It was fabulous. Keys: It's what's always in his pocket. Two baby kittens and one tired momma. Airing up the tires. Night out with girlfriends. Afternoon of fishing. 5 little monkeys, jumping Last time with our JBU gals for this semester. We all love Steph and Tori. We don't do a lot of art, but this was the Spotted Leopard Frog and Gabby had to add a full background to the printout. :) Studied Neutrals in art today and viewed some of Escher's work. (One of my favorites.) This is Gabby's. She cut out all the pieces, even the dog's legs are individually cut and glued.