Buddha

I can not believe how big my little man is getting. He is 16 months old and the quintessential toddler. He is the sweetest little guy except when his cousin Gwen is around, then we call him jaws. Apparently her back looks very tasty. He loves to cuddle and play with you and he is very protective of his sisters already. I always assumed my girls would be the "sweet" ones but this little man has got them beat. Don't get me wrong my kids are all sweet. Cage is the toughest little princess you'll ever see. She'll give you a beat down while wearing her rain boots and petty skirt and a very engaging smile(the smile is her fathers for sure). KK is very thoughtful of others and can read people easily. But is also very much a seven year old girl. But Buddha is a tackle-you-to-the-ground and then make sure you are okay before he does it again kind of kid.
I love my babies and can't wait to add a new little crazy to our family.

Completely forgot.

I completely forgot about my other blog until tonight. So here's the link if you're interested.

Michael's family takes a trip to Cancun every other year and we have been so blessed to be able to go and enjoy it. This year however, we decided it wouldn't be a smart thing financially(good thing we had foresight on that one), or time wise to go with both of us being in school and me being pregnant. So Michael's dad took a few friends with them instead. I had no idea how much I looked forward to that trip until we got a beautiful text from Michael's dad, Dan, of the sunrise on the beaches we love. Both of us could really use a break from reality right now and I am struggling with it being cold and yucky around here. Oh well, there's always next time. I will just have to dream of our beaches and the sunshine:)

Mixed...

I don't have anything in particular to say today. I really enjoyed the lessons at church today about sometimes not being able to see the end of the road but knowing that everything in between now and then will be worth it in hindsight. It was reaffirming to me that Michael and I are right where we are supposed to be even though it is so hard. I am so grateful for a husband and children who love me and who support me. I and I am grateful for the blessings we receive.

Just my thoughts...

Michael and I both went back to school as most of you know and things have been rough. Things have actually been really rough for the past year. Not anything that has to do with our personal relationships with each other or our families, or even with school, but all the necessities.

Every few months it feels like the bottom is going to fall out of this tug boat we're on and we are going to be drowning. We both know we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing right now in our lives but I tell you what, it's not easy. I didn't expect it to be easy but I also did not expect it to get worse and worse. We have been through a lot in the past few years and this doesn't even touch some of the struggles we have had to face as a couple and as individuals but it's sure working it's way up there. It is a struggle to see the positive in the situation we find our selves in but I am trying. I have almost always been able to see the silver lining in everything I have ever had to go through...and people I have been through a lot!...but for some reason this one's escaping my view. Maybe it is because it feels endless. We chose this journey and I am happy to take it, and so far I feel like I have learned so much but I feel like I must be missing the mark in this trial. I am struggling to see the reasons behind the struggles we now face and why they seem so endless. I am praying for the Lord to teach me what it is I need to know and what we need to learn together, because to go through this for the next 10 years of school and residency, etc. seems unbearable.

Don't get me wrong in my rantings, I am absolutely enjoying our journey and cherishing the things we get to experience as individuals and together. Our trials have always brought us closer together, not pushed us apart (no matter what they have been) and I am so grateful for that.

Follow up

I asked Kailye the day after Michael and I talked to her if she had thought about we we had talked about the night before while she was in school. Her answer..."NO, I was too busy playing with my friends!"

Seriously, where did this kid come from:)

Adopted!

We told this little princess last night that she was adopted. Kk is a girl of extremes so I was ready for the worst. She is either happy or sad, she doesn't react or over-reacts, she is angry or content. There is really no middle ground for her.

We told her that daddy adopted her when she was a baby and she had another daddy when she was born who decided she would be better off with one daddy instead of two whole families. From the moment we started talking to her about it she clung to Michael like she hasn't since she was 3.

I can not tell you how many times I have thanked my Heavenly Father that Kk's biological dad was a sensible person, willing to sacrifice so much for this little girl. It's not that he didn't want to be there for her, he just knew that she had a GREAT daddy already.

I know there will likely be several questions in our future but so far she's content just knowing.

I was a bit surprised by Kk's reaction to the conversation. Her statement pretty much sums it up.

"You didn't adopt me dad, me and mom adopted you!!"

She is a smart little girl!

This week or two at the Griffe house...or away from it?

Michael took the Cage in his car on our way home the other night and this is what I found on the camera later that evening. Is she cute or what?We took the kids with the Mauss family to Gardner Village. It was so nice and the kids really loved seeing all the witches.
That girl a diva or what?

Is this the sweetest face you've ever seen. He's the real deal that one.

Gwen and Buddha in their festive attire.

Seriously can't get enough of that face!

Is it a bird or a plane.no it's Utah Girl!!!

Michael took the girls to the game the other night and they loved riding the train up and back. Sure beats traffic.

Poor Nat her mean brothers always find a way to smoosh her!!

Three of the five loves in my life!

Grandma "Lana" wanted to take the kids to get pumpkins. It was cold but we had so much fun!

The kids maze was so much fun they all got in on the action.

Searching for the perfect pumpkins.

Found them! The Cage took quite a while to find hers.

But really she just wanted to carry this tiny thing around. She tried her pumpkin but is was "too heby for me". She took that little gord to bed with her tonight:)

buddha really just wanted to pet the animals. He even chased after someone's lab they had with them:)

The favorite of all three! Buddha screamed and screamed when I took him off to leave.

It has been crazy around our house but we are still trying to do all the things we normally do this time of year. I love to fill my children with experiences and memories!