Suzanne Griffin

I don't like it when Allen is gone. He is my protector. I instantly feel safe when he's here. Last night after checking the doors 3 times to make sure they were all locked and startling myself at the sound of the ice maker in the kitchen and peering thru the blinds to spy on the strange car parked at the vacant house across the street, I managed to work up quite a stir in myself. As I checked the door one last time, just tightening the dead bolt as I walked away, someone scratched at the door. I didn't know what to do! I had 3 little girls freaking out in the frontroom , Brian snoring away and Wyatt running to open the door. Lord help us! I ran to the door to barricade it with my body. Then I heard it again along with a faint "meow". Translation: Let me in, it's cold out here! Thank you Lord that you gave me Allen. Even though as we discovered with little ones that his hearing is defective at night and if someone did ever break in he would never know, but at...

Aren't they perfect when they are asleep.

This was the question posed to me. I have to admit I was taken aback. "Of course" was my answer. But inside my head was whirling . I hadn't thought about this ever before. In all honestly no. NO I was not enjoying my children at this point in life. I was exhausted, frustrated and annoyed most of the time. I had stooped to only bossing and yelling and refereeing the kids as they were bossing and yelling. I was sick. This was not the mom I wanted to be. But I didn't know how to break the cycle. With some guidance from some other much better skilled moms we made it thru . But I find myself back at that point again recently. Which frustrates me even more because God is doing some awesome things in our lives, yet the core of my life, what I do...mothering...feels like a failure. I am not one of those moms that is gifted with motherly loving wisdom and always knows the right thing to say or do. Which also causes stress. I look at the clock now as I'm typing and it is ...

Last year I posted about our financial downfall and I never thought that this would be the follow up I would be posting this year. March 26, 2009, our home on Carl St. was sold back to the bank. I know that most people would not be impressed with this 100 year old home, but we loved it. The kids knew it as home and even though we saw the hand of God on us during that difficult time, we still ached every time we drove by. The kids still asked when we'd move home, getting upset that no one was taking care of the yard, feeling like they "lost a friend." One Sunday I had a vision of a specific couple buying the house and renting to us, but that's not something you call and ask someone to do. Two days later, this same contractor called us and asked if we were interested in moving back home. A couple days after that, he called back and his offer was accepted on our home and he closes March 26 th . We had supper with them and we are doing a lease to own. I am overwhelmed. L...

On the way to Shooting Club practice someone had remembered to pack sandwiches, drinks and snacks for all the kids but forgot to include myself. So as I whip into Taco Tico, Brian yells out, "Mom, no! Go to Taco Bell! They have a diet taco." I kindly respond, "Thank you Brian, but this is the closest and last stop." And then he proudly tells me, "That's called a hint, huh?" Yes. Yes it is. Now just to work on the tackful! (Although in his defense, diet talk has been open discussion this last week at our house as well as meal planning for such, so he really was trying to help.)

Wyatt's turned 3 and as you can see, I was not joking about the cake disaster. My prayer for this kid this next month is to get him potty trained, which I'm paying the kids to do. I have been buying diapers for almost 10 years! Some friends had us to their home the night of Brian's birthday and I took the cake that was designed by the 7th year old himself. What a wonderful hostess we had, not only did she call ahead of time to find out Brian's favorite meal, but she had ice cream, party plates and the family had gifts for him. It really made him feel special. Although his favorite part of the night was hanging out in the basement with his new found friend playing the Wii racing game. And yes, all 10 kids belong to just our two families. :) Aunt Gina sent Brian the gift he has been asking for and now we all are getting it! We know that when we hear "It's Nerf or Nothin'" that we had better take cover. And they do sting! I love you boys.

Yesterday my baby turned 3. 3! I just want to keep him little forever. We didn't have a party as this is the last year I'll have with him not having a clue what the cake is even for. Plus, I am on a 3 day migraine so the cake I made for him, well, left much to be desired. In fact, since 1/2 of it stuck in the pan, rendering it next to impossible to ice, I served everyone a slab of cake with a side of a spoonful of icing along with their 1/2 price Sonic hamburgers. I don't know if the migraine continues from all the crying (good tears) lately, which I'll share more soon, or from the terrible smell of smoke which awoke us in the middle of the night coming from the furnace, which seems to be fine now, but I find myself a little antsy to fall sleep. Which also gives me the option to blame the lack of sleep the last couple of nights. Brian's birthday is tomorrow night and we are having supper with some friends so I'll have a chance to redeem myself with cakes th...

My name is Brian Griffin and I am 6 years old. Last week I was voted as King of the Bloomfield 4H group . As King it is my job to help collect donations this year for 4H. All the money goes to the Benton County 4H groups. There are many activities to participate in and learn. One of the events I am involved in is the shooting club. We are learning gun safety and target shooting. I really like being part of our 4H group and would appreciate any donation amount you could support us with. And if I collect the most money of all the other Kings from other groups I will win King of the Benton County 4H. Thank you. What is 4-H? 4-H is the youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. 4-H members can select from many activities in 82 project areas ranging from automotive to clothing to space camp. Adult leaders, trained by county Cooperative Extension Service Faculty, teach projects to children using the "lear...

How can a 2 year old get in the front yard when we have a chain on the front door? Those are the cushions off the couch.