The Griffin Family

Friday, August 17, 2007

Little Sparrow

Lately, I've realized I am fascinated by tragic lives-people who had so much potential, so much going for them...and yet lost it all.

When I was in Jr. High I listened to The Carpenters, and I was nearly obsessed with them. So much so, that when I got in trouble with my parents, their way of punishing me was to take away my Carpenter tapes. And believe me, it was punishment!!! I was so moved by Karen Carpenters beautiful, haunting voice. She had everything, and then died by abusing her own body.

I've poured through every book and article about Anne Boleyn. She stole the King's heart, had influence in changing the religion of England, and yet she was beheaded by her own husband.

Most recently, I have been moved by a "Little Sparrow"-(check out this link to see a new movie about her life) Edith Piaf. They said her voice was the soul of Paris. And her life was just as tragic as the above mentioned.

Sometimes, when I am lying awake at night in bed, I am reminded of a beautiful gift I have been given. It is a gift that I often take for granted and am so accustomed to that I don't remember what it is like to not have. It is peace. The life that Jesus lead teaches me how to live. His way is perfect and right. He was filled with compassion and mercy and truth. And then, He gave Himself up for me...for us all.

I am filled through with an undescribable, soul-satisfying peace. And it is because of Him.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

simon's first day of soccer

simons says . . .

soccer is nice. . . because it's so much fun and etertaining.

this picture is about me when I was the goalie. it was so much fun blocking the soccer ball.

Table Talk

Miriam has the kissiest lips. Sometimes, when she is talking to me, I am overcome by a strong need to be kissed by those little rosy lips. She is used to me suddenly and without warning, demanding she place those little things right on mine! She is always happy to oblige, and I am pacified for the time being.
The other day, the kids and I were sitting around the table when I got the urge. After we exchanged kisses, it sparked a thought, and then a conversation with the kids about our upcoming life in the Basque Country:
Jillian- You better get used to it Miriam. That is how we are going to kiss in the Basque Country. Every day. Well, maybe.
Simon-And play soccer. You have to be good to play soccer. Sweet!
Jillian-And we get to have cookies and milk for breakfast EVERY day! (it is typical to eat a "biscuit like" cookie with a cup of milk in the morning-we've told the kids this.)
Jillian- And we get to come home for lunch everyday.
Simon- And stay up LATE everynight. Till like eight o'clock.
Jillian- It's the goodest of goods!
Me (Jenni)-It's going to be awesome!
Kissy Lips- Yeah

Sunday, August 05, 2007

An Interview with the Griffin Kids (inspired by elisabeth and candace)

SIMON
1. "If you could have any other name, what would it be?" Simon, but spelled differently....S.I.M.E.N.
2. "Who is a favorite friend?" hmm...that's a hard one. It's Dylan. Wait, Oryan. Actually, both of them, yeah. And Zane.
3. "Favorite game to play?" video games
4. "Favorite color?" orange, I mean...black and white
5. "Favorite food?" sushi
6. "Favorite book?" Narnia..all 7
7. "Who do you love the most?" uh, daddy. well...daddy and mommy. :)
8. "Favorite Bible character?" Jonah
9. "Favorite place to go?" Chuck E. Cheese
10. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" Okay...well, scared, mad, and a little strange too.

JILLIAN
1. "If you could have a different name, what would it be?" Hannah Banana....maybe, well...probably-Heather. Okay, um, it might actually be Laila-maybe, maybe Laila.
2. "Who is a favorite friend to play with?" Okay, um...it is probably, maybe Madeline. Probably Madeline.
3. "Favorite game?" Okay, that ones probably um...maybe Little Pet Shops. Maybe.
4. "Favorite color?" pink. that one's easy. Pink. And light blue.
5. "Favorite food?" Oooh! Okay, mac n cheese, pancakes, waffles, and probably Salmon. Probably. And I think peaches...well I THINK peaches. And I think nectarines.
6. "Favorite book?" Hmm...it might be the book you were just reading to us about Abraham Lincoln. I think that...well, I might not think that, but it MIGHT be my favorite book.
7. "Favorite movie?" Well, maybe...it's probably High School Musical. Probably. I am not saying it IS, but probably.
8. "Who do you love the most?" Well, thats probably easy. I think it is you.
9. "Favorite Bible character?" You know..I think my favorite bible story is...it might be about the rich king, at least I think he's a king...and he dies and goes to hell. And the poor man goes to heaven and he is so happy and so thankful for the little bit that he has.
10. "Favorite place to go?" Desert Ridge Marriot. Or...well....playland, or pretendland. It is probably everywhere, when you pretend you are somebod and your whole body shrinks into your head. Well, it might do that. Well, maybe you can pretend you are a real person and pretend a real world.
And probably the waterpark where we went today.
11. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" Oh, you know that. I feel...like scared, and sad. Or maybe none of these or maybe just one. Or both. Or maybe happy. Probably not happy.

MIRIAM
1. "If you could have another name what would it be?" Minnie Mouse
2."Who is your favorite person to play with?" Banna (her cousin Ivanna)
3. "What is your favorite game to play?" Cinderella
4. "Favorite food?" Chocolate
5. "Favorite book?" Cinderella
6. "Favorite movie?" Cinderella
7. "Who do you love the most?" Jillian
8. "Favorite bible character?" Moses
9."Favorite place to go?" Church
10. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" I feel about moving...mommy can you turn the light off now?