Fast forward

Hello blog world. I realize our last post was in June so let me catch you up with the highlights:

July -

Courtney was busy photographing weddings, newborn babies, and families.

I was working hard at the airport and working towards my pilots license.

Aspen learned some new tricks and learned to swim. Our little puppy reached 20 lbs

We were fortunate enough to have several of our friends come to visit before they set out on mission trips to Africa, Peru, and China.

To end out the month we finished our bathroom renovation and painted our bedroom.

August-

We finally finished our backyard overhaul, and just in time to host a baby shower for my Sister Laurie and our niece (almost here) Skylar! This picture is in the middle of all the backyard work!

For Courtney, the wedding season continued, and Courtney and her best friend refinished some old furniture and decorated her office. I helped on their projects by doing the "man jobs", but lots of my free time was spent flying. I flew several solo trips and logged a bunch of hours.

Aspen reached the 30 lb mark and has continued to bring us lots of joy.

September -

We spent a great weekend at Lake LBJ with Courtney's parents!

Courtney finished out her Summer wedding season and we look forward to her winter season as she post processes the last few weddings.

I've been busy flying or taking ground school almost everyday to get ready for my check ride on the 30th.

Aspen , our 5 and a half month old puppy reached a whopping 37.4 lbs, and is healthy as an ox

The last few months were busy but wonderful and I do not know how to close out a blog post so "here's to you kid"

- The Griffins

Here is a photo collage Courtney made of our weekend at the lake.

Aspen Chaco

We had a fantastic anniversary weekend, but I am so busy with work that I don't have time right now to do a full post about our weekend. But I can sum it up with this:

Meet ASPEN!! Our new 7 week old boxer puppy! She is so cute and cuddly and very fun!! I wanted to name a puppy Chaco (which ties into Jimmy's anniversary gift to me), but she looks too feminine to be Chaco, so she is Aspen Chaco, but we'll just call her Aspen! :)

Life Is Good

See? My mug told me so this morning! This is me working, and freaking out about allllll the work I have to do. So, friends, you will hear from me after our anniversary this weekend when I am all caught up with photography and have just partied like a rock star with the best husband-of-361 days so far-EVER!! (4 days until our anniversary!!) But life really is good--and my goal in life is not to please people, but God-so the freaking out stops here.

"I am the One who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel." -Isaiah 41:14

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." -Colossians 4:17

KLG

Do you ever watch Kathie Lee and Hoda on Today?

As I sit in front of my computer and edit photos, I usually listen to music or get so into my work that I tune everything out and realize I've been sitting in silence for 2 hours-BUT from 10-11 I am watching the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb-woman. I love it!

KLG wrote a children's book called "The Legend of Messy M'Cheany" and came to Houston for a book signing on Saturday. My mom called me last week to tell me about it and asked if I wanted to go. Of COURSE I said YES!

I liked KLG from having watched her on "Today" every morning, but after hearing her speak and getting to talk with her--I LOVE her!! I did not know she is a Christian and gives God ALL the glory for her success. She was quoting Scriptures that she knew by heart and was SUCH an encouragement to listen to. During the Q&A I brazenly asked 2 questions: 1) What is your favorite Chardonnay? (She told me it was Gaia & Rey's Gaja Chardonnay) and 2) Do you find it difficult to be so open about your faith on television? To which she talked about how she told the producers her condition to coming back to TV was that she had permission to talk openly and quote Scripture as she felt led. She said she has talked with the crew of the Today show (including Hoda!!) about Jesus! How awesome!!

Because we bought our tickets so early, we were 2nd in line to meet KLG! We had a nice chat with her as she signed all of our books and even told my mom to come feel how comfy her pants were that she plugged on the show! (The second pic is KLG telling mom to feel her pants!) hahah!

Thanks for the invite, Mom! :) Which celeb should we try to meet next?

P.S. 6 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!

No More Funky Town!

Last post was way too depressing. I was in a funk. Part of me wants to delete it--but then I may forget the Lord's grace and redemption when I go back and read this (I hope I actually do that one day...)

We are happy and all is good on the Griffin frontier! I am grateful for the encouragement of my sweet husband. He always knows how to cheer me up and point me to the Lord when I need it most! It is JUNE!!!! HOORAY!!! This is the month we were married in almost one year ago!!! T-minus 11 days until our 1st ANNIVERSARY!!! :)

We are in the middle of totally renovating our bathroom--new tile shower, floor, tub surround--everything! Pictures to come! I've been so busy editing photos for the Strasburg Model Search that I haven't had much time for anything else!! Check out my new photography blog!!!! I did, however, manage to go for a walk this morning with my friend Elise and her 5 month old son Mac, which I desperately needed.

And just because I can't bear the thought of having 2 posts in a row without pictures--here are some pictures from Easter and Aggie Muster!! (I know, I'm way behind...and these are not in my usual collages)

Aggie Muster with the Griffins!

Jimmy and I made Easter baskets for each other, Lisa and her boyfriend Jerry since they stayed with us for Easter! :)

My mom gave everyone bunny ears in our baskets this year!! Isn't my husband handsome?

We spent the day at the Kemah Boardwalk with Jimmy's sister Laurie, BIL (brother in law) Patrick, and our cute cute niece Leila! (and McKinney baby #2 who is on the way) and Lisa and Jerry!! I had not been to the boardwalk in years! It was really fun!

The best part was the train ride!! Jimmy and Lisa photo-bombed this pic of the McKinneys!! :)

Lisa and Jerry took us out for dessert at the Melting Pot!! We stuffed our bocas and it was delicious!!

Stream of Consciousness 2

I realized that when I write for me, not to impress the both of you readers, that this blog can be much more than pictures and craft projects and still be ok. So I am selfishly writing this "stream of consciousness" post for me. This is me being vulnerable so that when I look back and read this in a few years I remember LIFE-like it really was, not just the peaches and rainbows facade that is so easy to portray with the blog.

So much has been on my heart lately. I am so grateful to be back in Houston with both mine and Jimmy's families, and to own a house--what a blessing! And especially that the Lord has blessed my photography business exponentially since moving back. I can't thank Him enough for that. Know that I am grateful for His favor.

But I miss Dallas. Not so much for the city--although it was nice to have a change for a little while. I miss the "us" factor. It was just the two of us, figuring out this crazy life on our own and with the Lord. The sinful, selfish part of me misses not having to "share" Jimmy. We are still "just us" here--as in, we don't have bambinos yet and aren't planning to any time soon--but we have responsibilities to our house, Jimmy has commitments to his basketball league, and now he's coaching a team, we are both committed to our church, etc. etc. Our evenings are filled with much more than just relaxing time with the two of us. I knew this was a necessity, and I'm sure just about everyone reading this is gagging that we had the luxury of spending all our time together-but I guess I was hoping/expecting that "honeymoon phase" of life, not just marriage, to last a little longer.

We knew we wanted to take on the effort that comes with owning a home so that we can open up our home to friends in need. We want our guest room(s) to be more than a place people stay for just one night-but a refuge; a place of peace. I just lost sight of that for a minute--and writing this post helped me remember that.

I'm done complaining. I am so grateful for the hard work we have put into this house as a team, and the REALLY hard work that Jimmy has done by himself!! I literally cannot think of the words to express my gratitude for my husband- he amazes me. My hope is that when I go back to read this in a few months, or even years--that I remember how full of love and gratitude my heart is at this moment. Which reminds me-our bathroom "mini-reno" has turned into a full blown renovation thanks to a little friend called MOLD!! aye-aye-aye...

That's another post all together! Coming soon.

But alas--if you would like some REAL perspective on life-take a minute to read the blog of some friends at our church in College Station who just got back from serving God for 10 months in Haiti--with their entire family! It will rock. your. world.

Letter to my Mac

Dear Computer,

We have spent countless hours together since I decided to make photography my full time job. I feel like we have gotten to be best buds. A few months ago I noticed you were working pretty hard, so I took a load off your back with a terabyte of external memory.

Everyone told me since your name was Mac, that you would last twice as long as my old friend PC, but I guess you have just gotten tired of spending so much time with me in the last 2 years.

That being said, if you make it through this next week of 6 photoshoots to edit and 4 MORE to be taken, I will take you to the doctors at the Apple Store to fix any booboo's you may have.

Godspeed dear friend, Godspeed.

Courtney