Lazy Saturday Mornings

Saturday mornings have definitely evolved around here. Griffin and I get up and cook breakfast. Then after we all eat we head off to gymnastics. Which is a whole different post. No more sleeping in, napping or just watching the dvr. I must say that watching Griffin grow and develop is much better than a couple extra hours of sleep. Until next time.......

20 Months old!!

Where does the time go?!? Our big boy is almost two!! He has been such a blessing in our lives! It is so great to watch him grow and turn into a real "big boy"!

Ocean Springs/Biloxi

Well we just got home from Griffin's first trip to the beach.  He had a blast.  One thing for sure, he has NO FEAR of the water.  He would just take off running to the water.  It didn't matter if it was the ocean or the pool.  He loved playing in the sand and standing in the waves.

On another note, we got exceptionally great news at the cardiologist.  There is minimal leaking around his patch.  They expect this to close when the tissue grows.  His valve is functioning fine.  He is on no limitations with no follow-up surgeries.  God is GOOD!

Relational Evangelism

Relational evangelism is a term that I originally heard about 15 months ago.  It was the theme of the church I had began attending with my friend, Kristi McKown.  Little did I know at that time, but God was setting up my life so that I would have the strength I needed to get through the toughest obstacle I have ever (and hopefully never again) will work my way through.  In January of 2011, I began attending Springdale First Assembly of God with Kristi.  I had visited a few times before for programs and such, but I had decided that I wanted to raise my son in church to reinforce values that I think are very important.  Griffin was about 8 weeks old at that time.  I attended every Sunday sitting with my friend, learning how "this church" worked.  I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church, so this was very different for me.  I just knew that it felt right for me to be there and I always felt at peace when I left. 

At the end of April, I received news that will forever change me.  Dr. Knecht from ACH told me that Griffin's original echo had been vastly different from the echo they had just completed.  That in fact instead of a harmless VSD (ventricular septum defect) he actually had a quite large hole in the Ventricular wall and had atrial stenosis (the artial valve did not open and close properly).  It was a condition call Double Outlet Right Ventricle.  In short, G's heart was pumping un-oxygenated blood through his body.  He was growing and developing appropriately, which is rare for this condition.  The Dr. told me that surgery would need to take place soon to close the hole and repair the valve.  I was devastated.  Trey had stayed home to sleep because he had been working the previous 3 nights, and we thought this appointment would be the same as all the others.  Luckily my dad was with me......he took Griffin on home, and I returned to work.  Not much work was completed when I got back.  I am one of those people that you can read all of my emotions on my face.  All my friends immediately knew something was wrong.  My Assistant Principal, Lynda Hicklin, immediately got Griffin on the prayer list.  Kristi also began working on this as well.

That Sunday and all the following Sunday's until Griffin's procedure we brought him to the front for prayer.  After doing this I immediately began to feel a calming relief.  I can't explain it, but I felt at peace with the whole situation.  Our first day at ACH (which I call the scare the crap out of you day) I began to lose some of that calm feeling.  That night when I began to pray, I knew that it was going to be OK.  I was eerily calm.  The doctors were telling us that he would probably be in the hospital for 2 weeks up to a month.  We were prepared for the long haul. Griffin had his Open Heart Surgery on June 9, 2011.  He did exceptionally well.  So well in fact that on June 14 he was discharged from the hospital.  We were only there 5 short days.  I knew that this was a direct result of all the prayers that Griffin had been receiving.  We returned to church the next Sunday with a smiling healthy baby. 

So.....how does relational evangelism play into all of this?  I was brought to church by my friend.  I continued to stay there because of the warm feeling,  and the outpouring of kindness and love that we felt from the members of the church.  That is what relational evangelism is.....bringing people in and serving as an example and support to them.  It was God's plan to place me in this church so I would have the strength I needed to make it through this......and it worked.

Now one year later, my 18 month old cute monkey boy is as healthy as ever.  We go next week for his one year post surgery echocardiogram and cardiologist appointment.  Wish us luck! :)

Summertime

Oh how I love you summer! Sweltering heat and all! It's hard to believe that this time last year we were still going strong at school! Here are some of our summer fun finds:
1) Griffin loves the water and pool!
2) The farmers market is amazing!
3) I have learned a new hobby (crocheting) to do while G naps.

Happy Summer everyone!!

Summer Fun

Griffin loves the water. He likes being out in the yard in his little pool. Now he has discovered the water hose. He loves to run around the yard while we spray it up in the air!

Time

It's funny how quickly time passes by.  Today is the the one year mark from us finding out that Griffin needed heart surgery.  If you saw him now you would never believe he had been through all of this.  He is a rambunctious active 17 month old!  People often ask me how I made it through that tough time.  My answer is simple and always the same......Prayer.  I had a sense of peace during the whole situation.  I also knew that my whole church family was behind us in prayer and that gave me strength.  Have to run now.... but I will be back soon. :)

Griffin's First Car

Griffin officially has his first car. His legs are a little too short to push it, but he has decided that he likes to sit in it and watch tv. He does like to go outside and have us push him around in it. He is such a cutie!!! Everyday I love him more than I thought was ever possible!

Griffin is 15 months old!!

It is hard to believe that G is already 15 months old.  He is a climbing, running, and screaming ball of energy!  Right now his favorite food is bananas and any kind of noodles.  Griffin fills our lives with laughter and love each and everyday!  His vocabulary is growing as well.  He can say Mama, Dada, Nana, Papa, No-No,dog, go, mil(k) and ju(ice).  It is so much fun to watch his little face as he learns and explores the world around him.

14 Months!!

I can't believe he is already 14 months old!! He is walking now too!

I'm Back

So I have been slackingon my blogging of Baby Griffin.  It is amazing how fast the days run by when you are not paying attention.  My plan tonight is to load some pictures to get caught up.  We have had football season, a first birthday, Thanksgiving & Christmas.  Griffin is doing great.  He has a cardiologist appointment this Wednesday. My goal is to try and post at least one time a week.  We will see how that goes!!

Pumpkin Patch

First Haircut!!

Cardiologist Check-Up

Griffin had his 3 month check-up yesterday with his cardiologist. We received excellent news!! There is no leaking around his VSD patch, there are no obstructions under his aortic valve and there is no leakage within the valve that was worked on!! WooHoo! The doctor said he is doing great. He also was very pleased with Griffin's weight and development. We will go back in 6 months for a check-up then in one year for a new echo to be certain that everything still looks good. For now though we are on no restrictions and doing great! God is good!

9 Month Check Up

Well Griffin had his 9 month check up last week! He is growing like a weed. He weighs 20 pounds and is 28 1/4 inches long. He is crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything. We have finally gotten him into a good routine for naps and bedtime. He is doing great! We should have a visit at Childrens' soon. His next visit is due in September. With school starting back I have been slacking on blogging. We were also gone the week before last for Trey's grandmas funeral. Then last week Trey worked 7 days straight. Needless to say he is a little cranky. :)

9 months old!

Griffin had his 9 month check up today! He weighs 20 pounds (75th percentile) and is 28 1/4 inches long (90th). He is doing great. The pediatrician said his heart sounded great and that he was meeting and exceeding his developmental milestones! He is such a big boy!!

Mini Not So Vacay Day 1

Griffin and I are on a mini not so vacay this week.  I decided that we needed to get out and do something so we loaded up and came to Little Rock with his Nana for the Arkansas Administrators Education Association Conference.  So far we have shopped at the North Little Rock Rhea Lana sell and eaten lunch at Jason's Deli.  That is where the story gets interesting.  Nana ordered a baked potato and it was in the middle of the table.  Some how stretch armstrong reached from his high chair to the middle of the table to get a hand full of the potatoe.  BAD IDEA.  I believe we saw some real tears.  It was HOT!  His little fat hand was covered in potatoe and hot cheese.  However, he didn't learn his lesson because not five minutes later he had a whole handful of banana pudding!  So he is just now down for his nap!  He usually has had two naps by now, but his routine is off so he was a little cranky. So hopefully his night will go better.  We are going to a fish fry with Nana and the rest of the AAEA convention.  I'm sure he will be flirting with everyone!

Dark Chocolate and Espresso Bean Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Today we had these cupcakes!  They were awesome!  Here was my recipe.

Cupcakes:

Devil's food cake mixed like the box says

Add one egg, box of chocolate pudding, and 1/2 cup chopped chocolate covered espresso beans.  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake according to the box.

Icing:

I used a canned icing for these and piped it on.  I also topped each one with a chocolate covered espresso bean.

Griffin is 8 months old!!

On Thursday Griffin was 8 months old!!!  It is hard to believe!  He is growing up so fast!!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

So I have decided that I am going to start sharing recipes on my blog as well.  This week my recipe is Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing!!  I'm drooling just thinking about them. 

Cupcake:

1 Box Yellow cake mix (prepared how the box instructs)

2 very ripe bananas diced

2 handfuls of chocolate chips

Once the cake mix is mixed stir in the bananas and chocolate chips.  Fill cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full and bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.  Remove from oven and cool.

Icing:

5 Tbs Butter

1 Cup Creamy peanut butter

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup of heavy cream

Mix all ingredients together except the cream.  Once it is all combined add in cream and mix until smooth.  Once cupcakes have cooled ice them and enjoy!