...when did this happen...

 Do you remember when we were 18 and 19 and thought we had it all figured out? Or when we turned 30...and to our amazement we were still the same people we had been in our 20's...we didn't all of the sudden become "wise". Then the 40's came and the grands started coming...but we still felt like the same people...I know by the time I was in my 40's I finally was able to like myself a little...here we are...or should I say you are at 60...and still I look at you and see that crazy country boy I fell in love with!!! 

I thought you were the strongest thing I'd ever seen...and you had a hairy chest just like Starsky on Starsky and Hutch...you knew how to laugh like I'd never experienced before...I would learn later...that yes you have a great sense of humor...but more than that you have a joy from the LORD that impacts you life like crazy...you had a really cool pickup and I loved sitting next to you...I even loved riding the motorcycle with you to grandma Lambs!!! I can still see you sitting at our table in our first home...with your first birthday cake I ever made you...with one large tapered candle on it cause that's all we had...I remember the look on your face as you held each of the kids for the first time...the look on your face when you got that boy...then the look when you realized he really didn't like you that first year...but then I remember the smirk on your face as you 2 would head out to Conway knowing he was going to get gatorade and chips for breakfast...or the time Katie asked you if girls could be truckdrivers too...or the look on your face the morning you woke Cassie up for her wedding day...or the day Heather finally convinced you she WAS having twins...

So here we are...you at 60 and me close on your heels...and I see the same man...but with more joy than before...who loves our kids and grandkids like crazy and will play with the grands and then pay for that for days later...and who makes me feel...safe...protected...cherished and loved...

I pray today is as special as you are...I love you so very much...

~beth

Michael

 Another year has blown by. I can't believe how fast time is going. I can look back and see how fast it really was with you when you were small...but that doesn't even compare to how fast it is going with the grands!!! 

I just want to say thanks today! Thanks for being the funny kid you were and for passing on that to your kids!!! Thanks for letting dad be your hero in those young years...and passing that on to your kids!!! For loving the outdoors back in the day...and passing that on...for teasing people...and passing that on...for loving Jesus...and teaching that to your kids...for loving Bekah...and teaching the kids that...for teaching them about a honey...thanks for forgiveness...and teaching the kids that...I love when one will apologize and the other says...I forgive you...

In some ways everything I see in you I'm not surprise...I always knew you'd be a great husband, dad and provider...I'm not sure I thought you'd really drive a truck but wouldn't have guessed a banker!!!! Boy that made my dad proud!!!! However, there is not one person I come in contact with that finds out you are mine and work were you do...that doesn't tell me how much that think of you and appreciate you and what you do to help them out!!!

I look at this world of chaos and see you living your best life...providing for your family...spiritually, financially and through...livestock...gardens...land...and love!

I'm honored to call you my son...I love you and prayed you have an amazing day!!!

~Mom

Mother's Day and my girls

The day is coming to an end and I have got to take a minute and brag on my girls...all 4 of them are rocking it as moms!!! In a world were all kinds of things are pulling at you as a person...at families...you guys are doing it well...holding tight to your families, loving your men well...and pouring into the kids of our community!!! 

They are all in different places in life...I've seen them each be in stressful situations...cry a few tears and come out the other side still standing...

From dealing with people saying dumb things to them...like...boy you have YOUR hands full...(I heard that one too)...oh there was the this one...are they identical...(a boy and a girl?????? is that possible...maybe in this)...boy they are really close together aren't they...bless her heart...finally a girl!!!!...are you ready for him to start drivinag...really...another one going into high school....do you think they will be okay in different classes????funny...they are just so funny...

Cassie, you survived the...boy you have your hands full...and no you face the years going way way to fast...and you will survive them as well...almost 20 years with your high school sweetheart...4 amazing young people you have the honor of calling yours...rocking being a teacher...love you so much and so honored to call you mine!!!!

Heather...still holding hands with your guy almost 14 years later while you survived feeding two at the same time for a good 6 months...potty training X2, one that acts like you...and a little like their dad...blueberry pickin...makingmazememories...and now you look forward to almost high school...ballet and bees...while you fall in love with a new aspect of teaching...honored you are mine!!!! I love you!!!!

Bekah...making my boy smile like nothing or no one else has and now you are surviving and rockin...the days of boy you have your hands full...and one day you will look back and say where did those years go...t-ball craziness...art projects...baby dolls and worms...all the while teaching and loving on your students...thankful you let me call you mind as well!!! I love you!!!

Katie...is it almost 11 years for you and your guy??? Two babies...back to back...funny kids...getting ready for kindergarten...one plays ball the other talks bass...one is all girl and the other for sure all boy...and yet again...rocking loving on high school kids the entire time...honored once more that you are mine...love you!!!

One last thing...to brag on them all...I know this world is scary and getting more so by the day...I know teachers get a bad rap...but don't bundle them all up together in one big package...because I can tell you from personal experience...there are teachers out there like my girls...who pray all summer for the students they will be getting...who pray for those students throughout the year...who, at times, shed some tears over those students...who shed tears over the "face" of education...hoping and wishing they will make a difference...and I know they are not alone...

Girls I love you all so much and I'm so thankful for you...and that my grands get to call you their mamas...I hope you have been loved on well today!!!!

Love,

the real deal...mom

The year God showed off His sense of humor!!!!!

 Well happy birthday Heather Michelle! When I started to think about this past year for you...I just found myself giggling over it!!!!

You have said I will NEVER go back to school...and yet here you are rocking it like a champ...even...dare I say...enjoying what you are learning for the most part...(mind you I didn't say enjoying going back...just the learning part)...

All of you kids have been good students in the past...let me just say that first...but I've said a million times...you are the one that will just not get an ulcer over your grades...so when you called me to tell me that you got all A's last semester and was so very exited about it,  I was so excited for you...!!!!! 

And here you are, teaching, wife-ing, mom-ing and doing school to boot! Starting a new job you seem to love...I see a fire in your eyes and a new fresh desire to make a difference and help your students and I love that! I know change isn't a favorite thing for any of Scott Griffith's kiddos...but you are rocking the school move, the new job and trusting the twins to Jesus as they had a big change beside you!

I pray you feel loved and blessed today! Know I'm so thankful for number 2, dark haired girl!!!!

See ya tonight~

love...mom

Will This Be The Last "counting" Birthday????

 Well...you continue to amaze me! I see a light in your eyes this year...that is new maybe...or maybe just bolder....not real sure which...but it's a light of a woman who is happy...is life perfect...no...do you have hard days...yep...do you wish the years would slow a bit with your kiddos???? probably...but a woman, none the less...who is happy...a woman...truly in love with her fella...proud of her kids...has a tough job with all kinds of new and crazy challenges due to the day and times we live...but still manages to love on those littles and really care about their very first start of their educations!!!

I looked back to see what I wrote last year...and this year...what I see most that makes you smile is the connection you and Jess have...almost 20 years into marriage...you have that same look you had the day you floated across our living room and said "he asked me to be his girlfriend"...hang on to that because it is a precious gift you too share!!! You two make is clear that when you do experience the empty nest you will be fine!!!! You are also teaching those kids what marriage looks like...

That was a ramble and I can't seem to quite find the words to truly describe what it is I see in you that is different...but it is good...and it makes my heart happy...I wrote on the opposite part of your day than usual...but I pray you were loved so well today by your tribe!!!! I can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!!!

Cass...you truly are one of my greatest treasures in life!!!!

Love ya,

mom

Katherine Elizabeth

 Oh Katie...today is your day! I look forward to celebrating with you tonight...the chicken is cooling so I can put the pot pie together...the coconut cake is in the fridge...and the presents are almost wrapped!

Today, as I drove to church, I was thinking when time  starting running so fast!!! I was thinking of all 4 of you guys in the car...we'd pray on the way to church...and then belt out some good ole Steven Curtis Chapman songs or some Point of Grace...then came Casting Crowns and Newsboys! There are days I feel like if I'd just turn around and look you'd all still be sitting back there again...

But we all know that isn't going to happen...Now you all get in your own cars with your own families and go worship where God has you all planted!

Katie, I pray this year is the best one yet! I know already you are walking through some first...Journie's first day of school...Bear becoming a little man!!!! Stretching as a believer, wife, mom and teacher! I was thinking of your 4th grade FROG group...and remember then the scripture God laid only heart for you...Matthew 25:21...His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  With your sweet family, church and job...He has blessed you with your much! Serve Him well and know how you much you are loved!!!!!

Happy birthday!

Love, mom

Michael

 Just wanted to take a minute to brag on my son!!! I remember the first week of kindergarten...it was rough for him and myself both...needless to say, that was picture of what school was going to look for him...but he was always well like by friends and teachers...(some teachers didn't really trust him with their elbows...he can explain that to you!)...he worked harder  than some kids had to...but then when college came it was a different story...seemed to be a bit easier for him...when he graduated he said he was done!...and now he just completed another round of school...going to do some more...rocking working at the bank...being Beks significant other...Kale, Charli, Ella and Lundy lulu's daddy...loving Jesus...running a mini farm...

Love you Michael...so very proud of the man you are! Have the best day ever with your sweet fam!!!

Love, 

mom