YIPPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!

We just found out that Hayli got into BYU!!!!! For those of you who know Hayli know that this has totally been her dream for YEARS!! She has worked SO hard to maintain exceptional grades and we are sooo happy for her! She has been so dedicated! We are a little shocked that they requested her to start Summer 2008. Something about that being the only way to reserve a place for her in the fall. That is just around the corner. WE are heading out there the beginning of April to look around and all that fun stuff...June will be here before you know it!

P.S.
I blogged about our recent vacation below.

We are back from our trip to Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. I can honestly say that REALLY visiting these places changes you somehow. I never imagined I could love a place so different from the U.S. Hands down Guatemala is my favorite spot in the world now. We were able to spend the day there seeing and visiting with the Mayan Indians. What humble lives they live! We traveled up the Rio Dulce (Dulce River), deep into the jungle, and witnessed first hand how these people live. The only means of travel in these areas are by little carved boats. Little children can be seen paddling about fishing for their meals. There is no electricity and no running water among most of the Mayans who live on the river. There is a spot on the river where a pipe supplies the only clean, fresh water which comes from the side of the gorge. The people come from all over to acquire fresh water for their families. We saw a school on the river (education is only for those who can afford it) and there were kids running around outside playing on their break. The kids who attend school are brought there at age 5 and do not leave until they are 16 years old. They live there year round. At one point, we stopped at this little house where a family had a little covered deck that housed handmade crafts and some goods. There were about 4 or so of the cutest kids you've ever seen there. We noticed a small hammock swinging and inside was a little baby. The father told me (in Spanish) that the baby is a girl and 3 months old. She was sound asleep and so precious. The people we met were very kind and very gracious. When you see the way in which they exist you really understand how terribly spoiled we are. What is meager to us is luxury to them. I fell in love with Guatemala. My whole family did. There is an orphanage there where we hope to visit in the very near future. We are going to be gathering much needed supplies and take them there. I can't wait to go back.
On a more frivolous note, we did some very awesome and adventurous things. In Honduras, we did some incredible zip lines in which between tree platforms you had to cross small planks on cables or just a cable!! It was a blast. I will try to put up video or pictures. I felt so sorry for our guides (who were FABULOUS). One would go first and be ready on the other platform to "catch" us and slow us down. These are all in trees and at a high rate you are traveling towards a big tree!!! The first line I somehow got turned around backwards and was wide-open headed for the tree. The guide stands between you and the tree on the platform...like I said, poor guides! I smashed him every time right into the tree. I always apologized and he would always say in broken English "No worries". There is no telling what he was really thinking. But it was so fun!
We caved tubed in Belize and our trip photographer, our friend James, lost his camera somehow in the water. Our guide there (again, FABULOUS) said he would bring his son back and they would try and look for it. Never in a million years did I think that would happen. First of all, you are talking about over a mile of water, through three caves which is pitch black and has little inlets. Also, the caves are a good distance from where our guide was from and with gas over $5.00 a gallon I just thought, goodbye camera! That was a week ago today and not only did he go back and find that camera in the water but he sent it to James at the beginning of the week! If you ever get to Belize, go cave tubing with cavetubing.bz They are wonderful and on the hike up he pointed out some really cool things. Afterwards, he took us to this restaurant in the middle of nowhere. I was a little nervous at first but it was wonderful and so delicious! Lunch was included in our tubing. Oh, one last thing about our guide..on the way back to our port he took us into town and showed us the local LDS chapel and the LDS mission office. We had no idea he was going to do that and it meant a lot to us.
Needless to say, our trip was the most memorable trip for all of us because of where we went and the people and things we saw. I was not ready to leave.

Beautiful Honduras.
Zip line guides.
One of the much nicer homes on the Rio Dulce.
Kids playing at there home on the Rio Dulce, Guatemala.Rope-swinging into the water.
Fresh water pipe I mentioned on the Dulce River.
School on the river in Guatemala.
Some Mayan little girls who lived deep in the mangroves. The water was covered with thick lily pads.
A boy we encounter on the river. He was very proud of his catch. He had three more in his little boat.
Baby girl in the Guatemalan version of a baby swing.
The beautiful Caribbean.

I know I am behind on my blogging when even my hubby says, "You need to update your blog" My excuse is too redundant, so I won't even say it.
We are getting packed for a long vacation. I am good at about 7 days but we will be gone 9...I can make it. It's off to New Orleans to catch a cruise to Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Cozumel. We have been to Cozumel but not to the other destinations so it should be a lot of fun. We are going cave tubing(where you first jump off a cliff), riding a zip line through the jungle, seeing ancient ruins, shopping, and I hope relaxing!! My kids are so excited they can't stand it. There's a group of us going and it should be a blast!! The kids are out of school for winter break and we always try to get away before spring comes and Kenny gets too busy. It is nice because the break always falls on my birthday so I get to celebrate on vacation!

Happy New Year!

Okay, I am finally blogging!!! It has been a crazy and wonderful month. December started out with us in Hawaii with my parents and we had a fabulous time, even with the rain. It was still great to me! Our Christmas was just how I had hoped it would be. It was so much fun and stress-free! I think we managed to truly keep it Christ centered. Christmas did go by too fast and now it is 2008! Crazy! We had a bunch of friends over for New Years Eve and New Years Day (for the Sugar Bowl, which wasn't even a good game) The kids go back to school next Tuesday so we still feel like it's a holiday. Lot's of shopping, eating out, and movies. Kenny and I went to see P.S. I Love You. Very different, but I really liked it a lot!!!
We have been Wii crazy around here. We have had so much FUN playing that thing. On New Years Eve we had a boxing tournament and it was HILARIOUS!!!
There is so much I had planned to blog on but because I have waited too long to actually do it, I can't seem to remember what all there was to say.
Happy 2008 to all!

New Blog Coming Soon...

Updates...do I name all my blogs this?

Driving around today I was shocked to see homes already adorned with Christmas lights and plastic Santa's in their yards. I have just adjusted to fall. Could Christmas really be around the corner? I am SERIOUSLY NOT ready!! I love Christmas but I have to prepare myself for the craziness that comes with that time of year. I hope it to be more peaceful, more focused on Christ.
Last week was so fun! The older girls had their Varsity Banquet and it was great! The Senior girls "passed the torch" (or ball) to another girl and said something special to that girl. Hayli passed hers to Kayla and when she spoke about Kayla we were all in tears! It was so sweet. I know they will miss playing together. Hayli is not playing club this year. She is going to work and save for BYU...more on that later. Kayla had a pretty tough tryout up at a big club in Kennesaw..about 65 miles from our house. With traffic it takes me about 90 minutes to get there. We chose this club because it is the only good club that does NOT practice on Sundays. She just got a call last night to say she made the team. I am excited to start the club season.
Back to Hayli and BYU. We registered her for housing this past Saturday. It was CRAZY!! Literally, seriously, within 3 minutes of logging on (right at the start time) there were 3280 people in line (via the tele) waiting to register. We thought we had really done our research about which housing to pick but I kinda freaked out at the last second wondering if where we chose was the right place. Mostly because of the frenzy of people waiting!! I guess it only matters if she gets accepted!!!
I also want to say "Congrats" to Blake(#12) and Brandon(#46), whose team is now in the State playoffs and beat the ONLY team that has beat them. If all goes according to plan they will be playing at the Georgia Dome in a few weeks! Go BEARS!!

MY (megan) FIRST POST!

My name is Megan. I LOVE TO DRAW!! It is just something I enjoy doing. About a year ago my friend, Haley came over and we decided to watch a movie. She wanted to watch Mulan 2, so we watched it.During the movie I thought of how fun it would be to draw the characters so a couple of days later I watched it again with Chandler.When I got to a person I wanted to draw I paused the T.V. and drew them, which took me about 10 min. each (Chandler was getting pretty mad cause he wanted to watch the movie). So I found them the other day and took pictures of them all and wanted my mom to put them on the blog but she did not have anytime so she said I could do it myself and I immediately ran to the computer and made this post. ENJOY MY DRAWINGS!!!!! This is Mulans Dad!! This Is the little girl from the beginning,Sharon!! This is the LUCKY CRICKET!!

Maui..and my brother's tasty hissing cockroach.

We are off to Maui in a few weeks. I am excited but it seems like it has totally just snuck up on me. I have to psyche myself up for trips for some reason. I hate the packing and preparing but I love it when I am there. I am ECSTATIC about my parents joining us this time. We always go to Oahu first and spend a few days and it will be so much fun for us to have them get to see all there is to see on both islands. The last time Kenny and I went to Hawaii we said that was it for us...the trip back is pretty harsh but it's been two years so we are ready and I know it will be worth it! We stay at the Grand Wailea and it is stunning. Here is a few picks from the resort....
Okay, so my younger brother Jody is quite the daredevil and had an amazingly disgusting experience at Six Flags in his hometown in California. Luckily, Kelly my sister-in-law, caught it in video and blogged about it here. Truly grosses me out but if I'd been there I would have been egging him on! Not that he needs it. No autographs please.

Congratulations Region Champs!!!

At last.

I can not believe it has been over two weeks since I have blogged. My mom called me today and mentioned that I need to think about updating my blog. I have thought about it numerous times but life has pretty much revolved around volleyball and you can only blog so much about that. However, I will mention the girls are doing awesome and we are #1 in the region and are two weeks away from the State finals. It's been a really great season. It's a real family affair. I keep the books, Kenny is a line judge, Meg helps in the concession stand and Chandler run's around playing with balls that often end up rolling onto the court...during a game! Club ball tryouts start in three weeks!
On a different note, we have gotten Hayli's pictures back from her photo shoot. Hayli is very critical of herself but I think they are great. Jena did a wonderful job! She is very talented! She is also very fun on the actual shoot. It is suppose to be an hour on location and an hour in-studio but she spent way over that! You can tell she loves what she does!

Finally, a new post.

I have been needing to update my blog but have had zero time to do so. We have been so busy lately.
As I was looking through all of my pics (over 1500) on my computer, I came across some really cute ones. It's amazing how time flies and my kids have grown so much. It's bitter sweet.
A little hoochie but her aunt made her costume for her. She was Jasmine, of course.
Chandler with a very severe case of chicken pox two weeks after having had the ChicPox vaccine.
This sums up Kayla's personality.
Meg at Thanksgiving.
Meg and her cute little smile.
My girls on the day I had Meg.
Chandler lovin him some cake.
Hayli and the first love of her life.
Halloween. The bee and the cheerleader.
Somethings never change.

For the Medley's.

Today was Stake Conference. Jody and Kelly are here for the week and got to see Elder Medley. When the mish Prez. was talking to Kenny this weekend he was telling him (Kenny) all kinds of awesome things about Elder Medley and what a wonderful missionary he is. A missionary couple that helps with transfers and I were talking at conference and I was telling them that we lost Elder Michaelis to another ward and she said "Yeah but you got Elder Medley and he is a sweetheart"... she went on to say that he is always helping out and that you could tell "his momma raised him right".... I printed out the comments you guys left about his pic and gave it to him. I had a thought before giving it to him that it might make him homesick but he assured me that it was not the case and he absolutely LOVED reading the comments.

Lady Mustangs Varsity Team

Hayli is front row, last one on the right and Kayla is back row, second to the last on right. Thursday night was a special night. It was Senior Nite and yes, us parents were already shedding tears...I will post some more pics later. As for the game, they one one, lost one. The lost was tough but both of the girls played GREAT!!

Guess Who?

Guess who just showed up at my house? Elder Medley. Not everyone will know who this is but for those who do, know how excited I was. Get this for a coinkie-dinkie...I knew he was in our stake because I had caught wind that he was transfered in 6 weeks ago. I had 5 of our missionaries over Monday night for FHE and they were talking about the upcoming "phone call" for transfers that night. Tuesday morning one of our missionaries called and said that he and one other was getting transfered. Elder Medley is officially serving in our ward, as of yesterday. Crazy. He came by to see who exactly the crazy woman from Griffin Ward asking his where abouts all the time was.
Sad thing is I kinda look the part tonight...need a shower, no make-up, probably a little smelly.. just how you want to look when someone comes by to meet the Bishop's wife. Geez.

P.S. I blogged earlier today..see below.

Edward.

Who could be Edward? I don't know but now that there has been progress in making of the movie (according to Stephanie Meyer's website) and although she says she has little or no say in who plays who, I was shocked to see one of her picks to play Edward. No. This can not be. This is not Edward. What is she thinking? Originally, she liked Henry Cavill as Edward but she now says he is too old (24 years) to be Edward. I have yet to find an actor that I can say YES, that is Edward...why do I care? I am not going to loose sleep over it BUT if Edward in the movie does not measure up to the Edward in my mind, it will be just wrong.

America's Next Top "Spokes" Model

Okay, so maybe she doesn't represent America and maybe she isn't necessarily the "top" but she is the next spokes model for Jena Golden Photography. Ironically, she got a call the very same day about being a spokes model for another photographer. She can only represent one, obviously, and she has signed a contract stating that. Hayli chose Jena (pronounced Gina) because WOW, she does fabulous work!! She is this little, bubbly lady, probably in her late 20's early 30's, and you can tell she LOVES being a photographer. We went to her studio last night and it is fabulous. Hayli will get a thick book of all her pictures (approx. 30-60+) both indoors and "on location" shots, personalized cards that have her pictures on them, a online gallery of her pics to send people to see, and a T-shirt. I am WAY excited. Hayli's "job" as a spokes model means she has to be walking advertising for Jena. (The idea is to expand her senior-client base). Hayli will get a $50 credit or cash for every person that books a session with Jena. The credit would be for more prints. Being at her studio made me think I would LOVE to be a photographer. How fun would it be to do what she does? She has two little boys and she is very conscientious about having time for her family..love that. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HAYLI!! Today is her birthday and I can't believe my baby is going to be in college next year! Where does the time go!
P.S. I have to mention this thing that happened on Sunday...about a minute before sacrament started, every ones in their seats, prelude music is playing, one of the Bishopric members comes and kneels beside Hayli and I think he is asking her if she will give a talk. Like as in now. She says "Sure, on what?" Whatever you want, is what he replies. She is the first speaker and gives about a 7-8 minute, wonderful talk on missionary work. Could I be anymore amazed?
P.S.S. Obviously, looking at my pics on this blog,it is safe to say I will not be entering into the world of photography.

Vball.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My girls had a big tourney this weekend and won all ten games straight! WHOOHOO! I took a ton of great pics with my brother-in-law's awesome camera but when I uploaded for a slide show, it cut the photo's off in places and made them look blurry. Oh well.

Top Ten Reasons Why Life is Good...

10. Today there was an actual breeze that didn't feel like a hairdryer blowing hot air in your face.
9. Stephanie Meyer is for sure publishing book #4.
8. I only live 45 minutes from the Cheesecake Factory.
7. My Griffin Girls are awesome.
6. I got to go to the Temple twice this week.
5. I am a seminary teacher...love it.
4. My parents are my dearest friends.
3. Families are forever.
2. My kids rock!
1. I am married to my bestest friend who I am totally in love with, forever.

Awww..I love it.

I am on page 207 and I love, love, love the new book. I am trying to take my time with it (although my girls are chomping at the bit) because I know that it will be a good while before she is done with book number four. I don't know what is going to happen in this book but I still love me some Edward.

School, school go away, come again a month or so from now.

Sadly, school has come. Summer, although it is 100 degrees outside, is gone. I remember when summer seemed like it lasted forever. That was when I was young and a year seemed like a decade. All of my kiddies have gone back to school except Meg. She starts next week. Her private school schedule is different form theirs and she only goes to school Monday-Thursday. That will be fun.
This is the last of Hayli's high school years. This time next year she will be packing up and moving off to college. We won't think about that right now.
Kayla has officially become a high schooler! She will hopefully adjust well and most importantly right now, find someone to sit with at lunch...
Chandler is a big fourth grader! He loves school and the girls love him!

Now for the big news. My girls are big volleyball players. It's what they do for sport and it's what they do for fun. Hayli is one of 7 Seniors on the Varsity team this year. There are 5 Juniors, one which is an alternate. There is one big, bad Freshman named KAYLA who made Varsity!!! Kayla is the Varsity setter! It's a pretty big deal and we are proud! My girls will get to play together again!!! I am thrilled. Hayli is super thrilled because she thinks hands-down Kayla is an awesome setter and she loves the way she sets (Hayli plays Outside and Middle).
I love to watch them play. Can't wait until next week!