PixieGirl

Snow Joy

2012-01-26T10:51:00.003-07:00

Dear Snow,
Thank you for making Duncan smile yesterday!

Why Hazy...

2012-01-22T15:54:00.002-07:00

This weekend Rick had the Klondike.

(A scout camp out)
When he left, we weren't exactly on
good terms.
I think we were both glad for the space-
time always seems to make tension dissipate.

But that said, the minute he drove out of the driveway
I had regrets and wished I had been kinder.
I pictured him in his tent in the pouring rain
and I felt sad.

Later that night I came across the song, "Hazy"
and the words seems just right.

Sometimes there are so many things you want to say
bouncing around in your head that you just can't hear anything else.
But all you really want to know is that when things
go wrong...that they will be there for you.

And the funny thing about marriage is that
when things are off between the two of you
everything else is truly hazy.

There is no peace, no joy, no contentment
in any other aspect of your life
until things get back to good.

I am amazed at the power of that one relationship.
It's so important, there really isn't anything else
that comes close to the sway it has on your outlook.

But the great thing is, when that relationship is good...
wow does the world look bright!

I'm grateful for a husband that is patient and forgiving
of my many weaknesses and that is always willing
to keep trying.

Hazy

2012-01-20T22:41:00.005-07:00

I watched you sleeping
quietly in my bed.
You don't know this now,
but there some things that need to be said.
It's all that I can hear.
It's more than I can bear.
...
What if I fall and hurt myself
would you know how to fix me?
What if I went and lost myself.
Would you know where to find me?
If I forgot who I am,
would you please remind me?
Cuz without you...
things go hazy.

By Rosi Golan

Quote of the Day

2012-01-18T14:25:00.003-07:00

Gavin: "Mom, were you born in the 40's?"

Ummmmmm...no:)
(Hehe)

Yep, he's full of it!

2012-01-12T11:25:00.002-07:00

So you know Landon right?
Not exactly the most social guy.
He isn't big on talking, but
has a great sense of humor
and whatever he is lacking in verbal skills he
makes up for in written form.

Here is his latest composition...hilarious!

MY LOVE
You are my sunshine that lights my very soul
You are the steak that makes my bell full
You are the support that helps me thrive
You are the gas that helps me drive
You are the perfect picture in my eye
You are the truth to all my lies
You are the comfort to all my fears
You are the tissue the wipes away my tears
You make my world complete
When I'm sitting on a tack filled seat
You make my brain insane
When I am in great pain
You make me tremble with your touch
Even though I am Dutch
You voice is like glacier ice
Especially when I'm covered in lice
You fill my heart all the way
Even when I'm feeling gray
You are the strength to my limbs
When I am pumping iron with my buddy Little Tims

***
Oh yes folks, he's got serious writing talent..but he's sure full of it!

Everybody needs a "Roxanne"

2012-01-08T22:20:00.007-07:00

I have this amazing friend named Roxanne.
She knows more than
Google!
But that's not what I love about her,
she not only knows a lot...
she gets me motivated like no other.

Seriously, if you knew her you would
quit all your caffeine addictions,
because who needs caffeine when you have Roxanne?

If I were to give her a nickname it would be
CATALYST,
because she always gets me moving.
But since catalyst is a syllable longer than her name I
usually don't call her that:)

Every single time I spend even a fraction of a second
with her, I walk away with this fire inside me to
do more,
be better,
and just plain old make a difference.

Last week their cute family came over for the BYU bowl game.
We, of course, couldn't stop talking
long enough to even go downstairs,
and spent the entire 4 hours
engrossed in meaningful and productive conversation.

I'm pretty sure if we published our discussion
we'd be rich and famous,
but neither of us have time to be famous so I
will keep our discussion tucked neatly
away in my head:)

Needless to say, I have had the most
productive week of my life...thanks to my catalyst.

Now, you may be wondering where
you too can get a Roxanne...
Well, you can borrow mine,
but you can't keep her!
***
Roxanne and her husband Tim have an incredible company
called Homeward Bound where they help
struggling teens and their families.

Check out their website
http://www.homewardbound.net/

Make Someone Happy

2012-01-05T13:12:00.003-07:00

I call them benches
some call them your "comfort zone"
whatever you call it
get out of it
or
off it today
and make someone ELSE happy.

It's easy to sit on the bench,
it's relaxing, low energy, requires basically nothing of us.
But benches were only meant to be
momentary resting spots.

Today I hope your bench is
empty:)

Washed Away

2012-01-03T12:01:00.003-07:00

I learned a lot about myself last year.
To be honest, it's been kind of painful.
I think the more you try to improve yourself,
the more you find things that need improving.
But, that growing list of "need to work on" is not
going to stop me from trying:)
***
I've felt a little discouraged lately with a few things,
but today I realized that one of the greatest
blessings of weakness is that it brings humility.
***
Humility that I am nothing without the help of my Savior.
Humility that I am never more aware of my need for Him,
than when I am trying to become like Him.
***
I am grateful that he never gives up on me!
***
So as 2011 washes away,
I will washed away some of those 2011 frustrations along with it!
I will dig deep to find a renewed sense of hope and strength
to keep working to find a better me:)

Looking in from the outside

2011-12-30T23:02:00.004-07:00

Life
sprays, spurts, shoots.
Sometimes unexpectedly dousing me.
Others times more regular... constant.
But there is always movement, motion,
and a good dose of soaking going on.

I start to wonder if I really enjoy being wet at all.

So I try stepping out of the fountain,
craving to be dry, warm, alone.
I pause, letting the water drip off me
and pool at my feet.
If feels good to be free of the
perpetual rain.

Before I begin to enjoy this selfish venture
I turn to bid my fountain farewell,
only to discover that the very things
that seemed so intrusive
and interrupting
are quite beautiful from this viewpoint.

So there I stay.
Motionless.
Watching,
until I can bare it no more.
I edge closer so my toes can barely feel the mist
from the spray...
longing for the very thing
I was just trying to escape.
I hesitate,
wait,
think,
remember,
smile,
exhale
and with realistic contentment
splash back in to my
so called fountain.

My Favorite Christmas Memory

2011-12-18T15:44:00.004-07:00

Last December my sisters and I were asked to perform several dance pieces for a

Christmas program. The program was about the Saviors life.
We had performed this program several times before, but as we
sat backstage listening to the rowdy 500 people audience, we worried that they
wouldn't appreciate the reverent nature of our program.
The audience was full of busy little children, running around and
squealing with Christmas anticipation.
The four of us, dressed in white, took our places behind
the curtain and apprehensively looked at each other, hoping
that a small miracle would happen in the next 30 seconds.
The curtain opened, the music started, still the chaos insued.
Then as we began to move,
something magical happened...
a hush fell over the audience and
one by one, wided-eyed little children made their way up to
the edge of the stage.
Each bright little face held perfectly still as they peered up at us.
They didn't make a sound, in fact I almost felt as if they
were holding their breath.
It was the most enchanting Christmas memory I have.
How I wished I had my camera...
all these sweet little faces peeking up over the edge of the stage,
eyes sparkling with understanding.
They felt something that night, something that caught their
attention and kept it until the very last note of the very last song.
They felt the beauty and serenity that Christmas can bring
when we remember Christ.

Candid Realities

2011-12-14T10:07:00.004-07:00

Sometimes the candid shots are the most prized...
we were unaware that the photographer was snapping away,
but it's my favorite one.
It captures the true nature of our relationship.
He talks...I listen.
We are both perfectly content to do so.
I marvel at his genius, laugh at his stories, sorrow at his burdens.
I am grateful that Heavenly Father made us different so
we would fit together so well.
Isn't it miraculous that in all the world, we can find just
one person we genuinely want to be with forever?

Snowflakes

2011-12-08T09:39:00.005-07:00

For Christmas my brother is making a book for my parents with all of
our testimonies...here's mine.

Dear Dad and Mom,
It is always a sacred experience to reflect on my testimony and try to somehow find words to express what I believe. I would much prefer to dance my testimony knowing that movement is a much purer form of communication, but since you can't hold movement on a piece of paper I hope this analogy will be meaningful to you.

The experiences I've had over the last 38 years that have created my testimony are like a thousand tiny little snowflakes that have softly distilled on my soul. Each one is so unique and beautiful. Most have come in quiet moments when I have been still enough to notice them. Each, in and of itself, may seem insignificant to anyone else-but to me they were one more tiny layer of truth, one more moment of peace, one more answer to prayer, one more ounce of strength...layered upon me until I was blanketed with the beautiful covering of testimony.

I have felt undeniable peace within the walls of the temple. I've heard truth, whether spoken or written, that has embedded itself into my soul and become a part of me. I have seen Heavenly Father answer a simple prayer of a little boy, only to confirm to me that he is ever mindful of the smallest details in our lives. I have felt the Saviors love in powerful in personal ways...the ways that only He would know that I needed. I have inhaled the beauty of His creations only to be reminded that they all denote His existence and love for me.

How grateful I am for the light and beauty and power of this testimony in my life. It has lighted my way thus far and I know it will be a continued and necessary source of stability and peace in the days ahead.

So next time you see a snowflake, think of each of your little testimony building experiences, each moment of grace and love and awareness He has shown you and think of your daughter who loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and revels in it's beauty!

I love you! H

I'm not moving a single bulb!

2011-12-06T12:45:00.002-07:00

Duncan took to decorating the Christmas tree like no other.
He was all business.
This is serious stuff you know!
When he was finished we took at picture of his "spot"
since basically everything he put on the tree ended up in one
little quadrant:) It is precious and I'm not moving a single bulb.

And seriously, must they really grow up?

This one

2011-12-02T21:31:00.009-07:00

This one doesn't say a word the whole way to school, but

when he gets out of the car he always turns back, smiles
and waves.

This one still likes to snuggle.

This one tells me all about his day in grand detail.

This one opens the car door for me when I go out into the cold garage to
take him to school...even when he's grouchy:)

Deb Savage took these pictures...

she's an amazing and very reasonably priced photographer.
Call her! You will love her work and in turn you will love your
kids more because she really captures them perfectly!
Here's here blog http://lifeamongthelehisavages.blogspot.com

Male bonding at it's best

2011-11-28T10:13:00.003-07:00

Gav: "Dad, which is worse...work or school?"
Dad: "They're equal."
Gav: "Well, I hate school (sigh)"
Dad: "I hate work(said quite matter of factly)...they're equal."
***
All the while I'm smirking at these 2 peas in a pod.
If we must endure these "dreaded" days, I dare say that it helps to
have someone to muse about it with:)

Above all else...I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ

2011-11-24T09:17:00.005-07:00

This is the air I breathe

2011-11-19T19:54:00.009-07:00

I have inhaled Duncan's sweetness until I hardly know where
he ends and I begin.

I breath in his beautiful face until any void in me is filled.

His smile can melt away sorrow, loneliness or pain.

His innocence endears me to no end.

His life brings life to mine.

He is the air I breathe!

He'll Make a Great Boyfriend Someday

2011-11-13T19:38:00.002-07:00

Nate is one of the most thoughtful 9 year olds I know!
The other day he overheard Dallin saying he wanted some
mechanical pencils, so he went to his little money box and
grabbed a few bills then asked me to take him to the store.
He bought Dal a whole pack of pencils:)
Later that same week, Dallin was missing a $5 bill-so Nate
put one of his own $5 bills in Dal's drawer.
He is always very aware and looking to brighten
someone's day. He can often be found making
someone's bed or doing a chore for a brother
that doesn't have time. This is a skill that I greatly
desire all of my boys to learn...but Nate just came with it:)

He'll make a great boyfriend, father & husband someday!

When I need to sort out my feelings, I write and always seem to find my answer

2011-11-10T14:48:00.005-07:00

I felt like I was looking
for something I was missing
but couldn't quite remember
what it was

I could feel a void
a part of me was empty
yet when I tried to name it
no word could I find

I wonder where I'll find it
with money can I buy it
or will the sun provide it
how will I ever know

Then slowly I'm reminded
that the very thing I seek
is what each soul desires
here on this earth

Each of us is searching
in almost every moment
for something that's so simple...
HAPPINESS

So as we roam this globe
sometimes feeling so alone
just remember we all have
one goal in mind

To find it
and to keep it
So here's my little secret
happiness is found
when outwardly we reach

And you'll be tempted, yes,
to selfishly regress
to pleasing all your
personal desires

But it will never work
no, not once-so quit the search
and embrace the ease of
serving someone ELSE

It's satisfying, pleasing
elevating, and appealing
and a smile will sneak it's way
onto your lips

So if you feel like you are searching
or like something might be missing
don't you worry, just go find some
happiness:)

He's Offended...

2011-11-07T14:34:00.002-07:00

For the first time in a long time
it's too cold to run outside.
I'm not particularly happy about this...
but then I remember "Tread" my dusty treadmill
whose been in hibernation long enough to
make him grouchy.
***
I have to admit
I despise running on a machine.
It's painful to stay in one place
breathing in dusty basement air.
And it's awfully cold down there too!
But, I have no choice.
***
I venture downstairs...I'm a bit apprehensive
knowing Tread will feel neglected and hurt.
Sure enough he has his back turned to me.
"Hi Tread, long time to see."
He doesn't respond.
He's clearly offended.
"Come on boy" I tease, "aren't you glad to see me?"
He looks at the ground avoiding eye contact.
Hmm, this is going to be harder than I thought.
"I sure am glad to see you...it's cold outside and I need a good run",
I say as I give him a little hug.
He grunts, but remains stiff and still.
"Aw Tread, you know I love you...it's just so monotonous
to run in the same place in a cold basement, when all
spring, summer and fall I have the option of fresh air &
beautiful scenery."
He's ignoring me, but I know he's listening by the way his
head is cocked to the side.
I plug him in.
Reminding him that he is a crucial part of my
sanity in the winter months.
"If I didn't have you" I say, "I'd probably end up eating bon-bons all
day and staying in my pajamas until noon."
He's starting to warm up, I see him straighten his shoulders
feeling important and needed.
"I might even get a little chubby."
This makes him chuckle...I'm forgiven.
I step on, increase the speed and start to run.
***
We click right into a perfect rhythm.
He knows he will be my go to guy
for the long winter months ahead.
And though I was resistant to embrace him,
I am grateful to have that good ol' boy
to save me from the winter blues.

Ideal Pursuit

2011-11-03T14:36:00.004-06:00

"Service that is given with little or
no thought of personal advantage

is an ideal to pursue for a lifetime."
Elder Oaks

Lan Writes About Lan

2011-10-31T22:01:00.005-06:00

It's always insightful to read what your kids think of themselves.
This is a paper Landon wrote called:
ALL ABOUT ME

My name is Landon Griffin. I grew up in Utah and have four brothers
ages ranging from 3-16. I am small, about 5 ft and am in 8th grade.
I am 14 years old. I am on a D1 soccer team and have
great support from my parents. I have blonde hair and blue eyes
and to find me, just look for a kid with spiky hair and Nike ware on.

Some of my likes are first, soccer...I play soccer almost every
opportunity I get. Playing, watching or talking about it, I love it all, always. Second
of course, The Cougars! BYU, anybody you ask will say
I am a fan. I love their university, but mainly I like
their sports, from The Jimmer hitting a buzzer beater to Harlene to Beck
in the last minutes of the Utah game to score and win I love it all! Lastly, I love
treats, almost any type. I'll eat them if you give them.

Some of my dislikes are first, The Utes. Man they make me explode!
Red is okay, but add a "U" to it and everything goes down hill. I also don't
like tomatoes, they taste gross. Lastly I don't like school because, you know,
it's not really fun at all and that's a fact!

What I would like to be when I grow up is a designer for Nike. From shirts, to
shoes I want to design it all! I will get paid $20,000 a month and will go to all the
sports events that we sponsor. To get there, I will go to a school that will
provide me with a path to make this happen. I want BYU, but that might not be
the case.

Three Of My Men Are Missing

2011-10-28T21:48:00.005-06:00

Rick, Dal and Lan flew down to the TCU game.

That's an awful long way to go to watch your team lose...sadness!
Can you tell by their faces who is most devastated by the loss?
Lan is a die hard cougar fan...he might still have that glazed-over
look on his face tomorrow when I pick them up from the airport:)
I will be happy to have the missing 3 of them reunited with the other 4 of us.