January 20th 2009

Such a huge event in American history today. Today it shouldn't matter who you voted for, whether you agree with someone's beliefs or not. I'm proud my children saw what happened today. To think over a 100 years ago the African-American community was not even allowed to vote and today we can call Barack Obama our first African-American president. Today is a huge event in American history. Today can we all just agree on that?

Detoxify your life

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about my life and the life of my family. We begin our mornings crazy (usually due to waking up late). Scott and I run out the door after signing planners and yelling for the kids to have a great day. Scott spends all day running to his next delivery while I spend my day running to my next meeting. I go to the gym and I run and for the last month Scott has been running to the haunted house to finish tearing down. After the gym I run home and get the kids dinner and then run around the house cleaning up while the kids watch tv or hang out at the computer. Then it's off to bed for them while Scott and I spend the next 2 hours either talking about what ever is on our mind (usually complaining about work) or watching tv. There seems to be 1 common word in our very hectic lives. RUNNING. Now, I love to run. I love the accomplishment I feel after running. But when it comes to our lives I feel like I have spent the better part of this year running. And not nearly enough time really living. So, I came up with the idea of detoxifying our lives. I already had a lot of these thoughts but below is an excerpt from an article I read:

By simple definition, to detox or detoxify is to eliminate, get rid or cleanse of toxins. Many areas of our life can benefit from a cleansing and purifying routine, because our lives are full of pollutants and toxins. Apart from the obvious culprits like alcohol, coffee or too much red meat, did you know they come in other forms too? Negative emotions, stress and frustration also add to your toxin levels.

Detox your home

Be a clutter buster. Some things just have to be tackled daily – washing dishes, the post, bills and e-mails. Get those done first thing and feel your sense of control returning. Anything that causes you stress, anxiety or is associated with negativity or bad memories should be sold, stored or given away. Items that make you smile should stay.

Detox your wardrobe

Divide your cupboards into four piles – clothes that don’t fit anymore, items which are out of fashion, clothes which you wear for special occasions and everyday favorites. Ditch the first two piles and keep the other two, checking if anything needs repairing or dry-cleaning before putting them back.

Detox your finances

Get on top of your finances. Face any unpaid bills and draw up a budget for the rest of the year.

Detox your fridge

Out with the additive-laden ready-made meals and in with the fresh fruit and vegetables. Fill your fridge with healthy, tasty snacks and keep it well stocked so the temptation to order take outs is reduced.

Detox your address book

Think about whom you really enjoy spending time with and whether you see them enough. It may sound harsh but there are lots of people you cram into your social schedule whom you see out of habit rather than real desire.

Detox your car

Clear out those cool drinks cans and sweets wrappers, vacuum your car and give the body work a good wash. Now is the time to get any niggling problems seen to, and to check the tires and oil.

Detox your desk

Can’t see your computer from the huge pile of paperwork? Take a few minutes to put everything in its place. Face that filing, organize your in-tray and stash stationery away – soon you will feel ready to tackle any task.

Detox your calendar

Don’t feel pressured to go to everything you’re invited to – everyone understands if you say no occasionally. Look at your diary for the next few months and write in time-out time. An hour a day; a day a week; a weekend a month and holiday downtime. This way you have a date with rest and relaxation.

Detox your body

Rather than focusing on cutting out the bad stuff try concentrating on building healthy habits by adding healthy things to your diet day by day. Increase your water intake, eat fruit for breakfast, walk for a few minutes and have a variety of vegetables for dinner. Maintain healthy habits like these and in no time you would feel transformed.

So the Griffin's are making BIG changes in our lives. We are limiting our computer and television usage. Doing some major "detox" cleaning in the house. Out with the old and in with the new. It's always scary when you make some major changes in your life but Scott and I are pretty excited. Surprising enough even the kids are pretty excited about it - even though limited tv and computer.

so...tomorrow we start...1st step detoxifying the house! Wish us luck!

Food for thought

Someone sent this to me today in an email and I thought it was something worth passing on.

The quote of the month is by Jay Leno: 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

The Peasant Princess

One of the Youth Group leaders told me about this series that Mark Driscoll is doing. So I've been listening to the podcast this morning at work. I'm just going to say WOW! It's awesome. I can't wait to have Scott listen to this with me.

Here is the website to get to this podcast:
http://rss.marshillchurch.org/mhcsermonaudio

Who's in control?

On Tuesday we will head to the voting polls. With everything going on in our country and in our world it's easy to be worried and fearful of the future. I will admit I have listened to the debates and CNN and fretted over the state of this country. Scott's aunt sent an email out this week that really hit home. It reminded me that God is ever present in our lives. We just need to continue to look to Him for guidance.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26)

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE!!

my crazy life

Quick update on my mom. She is out of the hospital. They still aren't 100% sure what is going on but they are sure it wasn't a heart attack. She went to the heart doctor yesterday and he feels it doesn't have anything to do with her heart. So, we are thankful that her heart seems to be in good condition. We're just praying for some results so we can start treating whatever is going on.

That being said our family still needs to have our own wing in a hospital. As if strep throat, bronchitis and pneumonia weren't enough for me this summer I have apparently been working so hard that I have developed tendinitis. I would prefer to say that I caught it from someone but I guess that's not possible. So, I have a brace on my wrist and anti-inflammatory medication to take. Normally it wouldn't be taking me so long to blog but pecking the keys with my nose takes awhile. Just kidding but it is taking me quite a long time to type this

Then there is poor little Sami who decided that 2am Monday morning would be the perfect time for her to puke (of course she has her mother's perfect timing). Thankfully, she is all better now but if you know me at all you will know that cleaning puke up (no matter what time) is one of my least favorite jobs in the world. In fact I will flash back to Christmas 3 years ago when both Scott and Samantha were sick. In the middle of the night Sami pukes (again, perfect timing). Do I jump up and handle everything like a good wife/mother? Nope - I wake Scott up (who btw is running a fever of 103) to tell him Sami puked and can he clean it up? Yeah...puke....not my favorite thing.

This leaves me with Trace (Scott btw is the healthiest of all of us). Most of you know that he has battled some mysterious ailment for quite a long time. He has been to 10 or more Dr's, all with different specialties. Has had 3 surgeries (including 1 with a Dr. that charged us and our insurance company for removing tonsils and adenoids that are still there). We thought we finally had a handle on it when the last Dr. said he thought it had to do with his sinus' and we should just let it play out and see what happens. Which brings me to now. He has been back to coughing and clearing his throat for over a month now. On top of that he has had swollen lymph nodes in his neck. Over the counter meds are not working and the meds the Dr. gave him last week are not working. So yesterday we headed back to the Dr.'s office. A place I have started calling our second home. We are trying new round of drugs and then possibly a new specialist. I'm just not ready to start this all over again. I'm praying things go differently this time and we get some results finally. Even though it's not an illness that is laying him up in a hospital bed it's still hard to see your child suffer.

I feel like all of this, Scott's unemployment, my mom's health, Trace's health is a test from God. So, why does it feel like I'm not passing the test.

Prayer request

I'm going to go away from my normal blogging today and ask for some prayers. My mom has just been put in the hospital with chest pains. The Dr.'s haven't ruled out anything yet so we're just praying right now for answers and healing. Thanks everyone!