TGIF for sure. Happy Birthday Ryan!!!! Wow, can't believe you are 19 years old. Love ya', Bear

Hey family! Sorry it's been a while since we got on to say "Hi!" This week has been pretty crazy! Between Brock being a growing boy and the weather I haven't had much sleep. The last thing on my mind is to blog. . .I know it's horrible of me. I've been keeping everything posted on Brock's webpage though and that seems to be our number one source of informing everyone. I'm not sure if ya'll get on it, I know Blair does, but I try to update the journal daily to let everyone what's going on in our neck of the woods.
The weather has been just crazy! We've had alot of rain in the past few days and it's supposed to continue for a while. Brock woke up for his morning feeding at 5:45 this morning and I've been up since then staying updated on the weather. We were under tornado warning for about an hour earlier this morning and we currently are under another one. These storms just keep building one after another.
So glad to hear that April and Toby are at home and the entire family is together. I wish them the best. Sleepless nights with a new baby is always tough, but it's worth every minute!!! Parenting is such a blessing and it seems like so many parents are in such a hurry to "get their kids grown" that they don't really see the joy in it all.
We are doing well here. Brock is 5 months old today, can you believe how the time has flown by?!?! James and I are so blessed to have such a healthy child. It's great to know that he's growing and learning new "tricks" everyday but at the same time it's almost a sweet sorrow because he's just grwoing up so darn fast!!!
Hope everyone is doing well. . . T.G.I.F.!!! Try to enjoy youe weekend, remember to take some time for yourself those you love the most!
much love sent your way,
James, Shavonne, and Brock

Hey family
So glad to know April, Zac and Toby are now back home and doing so well. Gosh, they kick you out of the hospital so soon now days. Wish I could put a big sugar on that sweet Caden and the new, Mr Toby. I can just picture Caden loving Toby so much. Don't know where the Bloggers are. I know Kittie is struggling with her computer that she has not had any extra time for checking out the family sites. She still does not have her spell check for the medical terms so it makes things really slow for her but she is keeping up.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Ryan. Now 19 years old. We are still getting rain and storms and is very dark this morning. The McNeely's loan was approved to buy Artie's house so guess we can get that settled in the near future. It will be good to see the house come alive again. Getting a new windshield in my van today, yeah. It was so bad, it was dangerous to drive. Blair, I checked out your Basic page, WOW, way to go Bear Bear. You look really great and I'm sure you feel a lot better. Inspire us all, Ha. Time to go to work so later....Maw

Where's everybody at???

Hello everyone,

We are so glad to be home. We want to thank everyone for there thoughts and prayers. April and Toby are doing so good. Caden is so proud to be a big brother, he loves Toby Britches so much. We did not know we could love another one so much, but boy were we wrong. It is great to be home as a family. We love everyone so much and hope to see everyone soon.

Zac, April, Caden and Toby

Hey Everybody.... Went in and checked in on April, Toby and Zac. Doing really well. Caden is getting to spend a lot of time with Grandma Linda. Everybody is doing great.

If you will notice got some new stuff on front page. Enjoy!!!
Love, Bear

P.S. My goal is to keep everyone connected and that makes my heart feel so good.

Hey Family,
How bout that, pics and everything of the new Toby! Thanks so much Bear for getting everything to us. Congra's to April, Zac and Caden. I could see Caden's little head tryin g to look at Toby when Zac brought him out for his first view of the family. How sweet. Thank you Lord for the wonderful baby and for everything running smooth for Toby and April. He is a blessing and we are grateful. Hope April recovers quickly. Again, thanks Bear.

Love
Maw

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!! Toby Britches is beautiful. Thanks so much for the videos and pics so we could all see ASAP!! AMAZING!!

Love,
Peg

Okay, pictures and videos of Toby are on the web. Make sure you click on the video clips too. Love Bear

Hi Everybody. I have good pictures of the day. I promise to get them up ASAP. We are having some troubles with computer. We installed new system and it's not being kind to my website builder. Hang tight, pictures and videos will come. Blair

Congratulations April, Zac, and Caden on their new addition Toby!!! I do wish we could have been there to celebrate this blessing! I have was wondering when he'd debut, thank you Betsy for informing everyone through the blog!
Blair, you know I'm ready for the pictures! I'm picture CRAZY!!! I'm constantly taking new ones of Brock and adding them to his webpage. The hardest part is deciding which ones are the cutest and narrowing down the selection because I can only add so many new ones to the webpage at one time. Also Blair, James, Brock, and I are already talking about heading your way this summer. Probably for two nights but we're excited! We're not really sure when but know that we'll be there some time in the summer!
Hope everyone is doing well. We are! Brock and I are on our way out to the mall, I enjoy getting in some exercise by walking out there. I think Brock enjoys it too, most of the time he naps but when he's awake he's fully alert and looks at everything around him! He's too much fun!
We love you all very much and don't forget to stop in at Brock's webpage when you get free time.
God Bless,
James, Shavonne, and Brock

http://www.totsites.com/tot/thebrockster
PASSWORD: brockallen

I just can't contain my excitement! Toby Blake is beautiful! He looks just like Zac (that's my opinion!) April came through the surgery well. He was born at 8:03 am and weighed 7lbs 14 oz. I'm sure Blair will have pictures up soon. It was a full house. Aunts, Uncles and grandmas and grandpas were all represented. Toby has no idea how much he is already loved! Have a great Monday!
Betsy

Hey family
Blair, I am so sorry you were sick, that is really tough stuff! Hope you will have a better week this week. April, Zac and Caden, our thoughts are zeroed in on you for right now. I am sure everything will go great tomorrow and little Toby will get his first look at all of you, how wonderful. A baby is such a great gift from God and such a blessing. Anyway, just know we are with you in spirit and mind. I just know Caden will be so excited. Jared, I loved you comparing me to the NASCAR pit stop, how cute. It was nearly that fast, Ha. I will never be without a sewing machine, I believe I have about 6 at last count but only one that is my favorite.Donna Beth's BD was yesterday so she is now in the 70's club. Everything here in C Town is about the same. We do have an interested buyer in Artie's house. They are trying to get a loan. It is the Stanley McNeely's. Keep your fingers crossed their loan goes thru. About time to set out a few tomato plants. I'm sure Mike will find a spot for one or two.Boston's last 2 ballgames will be Monday. Then Little League Kittie said, oh me. Guess Caden's soccer games are going good. Thanks Blair for the video. They looked like little babies out there in their little uniforms, so cute. Got to get onto the ironing board so that's all for now. Have a great week this week to all!!!
Love, Maw

Hey everybody. Maw glad you had a back up sewing machine. Kittie glad you're computer is doing good now. How's Boston's games going.

I just got over strep throat. It was nasty. Yuck. On antibiotic and about over it though. Also got through the health screenings at work and now back to normal for a while. So that means I can pay more attention to the website now. Yeah...

Excited about Caden's game tomorrow and also Toby B. will be here Monday!! Yeah.
Love, Bear

Hello Ctown. Maw I bet you were like a Nascar pit crew with that sewing machine motor. You had the old one out and the new one in less than 15 seconds. I hope that you all are doing well and I just wanted to say hi to all. Kittie, I hope that all is going better with your computer situation. That really sucks! I love computers, but I hate computers. Everyone knows what I mean by that. We could not function without them now. Amazing huh? Love all! Jared

Hey Family
Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I did! I got to spend considerable time on my quilting projects. That is what I live for. It is good thing I have a job or I would kill myself trying to quilt 24-7. Ha. Yes, Blair, Ft Worth does cross my mind, DAILY. We would love to be able to come down there but I find it very hard to make plans with J W being so up and down all the time. Long trips are really bad for him and then if I get him down there and he has one of his "spells", what do I do then? The doctors here all understand him, right? Anyway, Blair when you get old you will understand how important is is to stay in your comfort zone, which is close to home.
My thoughts this week are with April, Zac and Caden as they approach Monday, March 26. I checked out Caden's soccer game pics and they look like babies out there playing. Thanks for posting the pics for me to enjoy. J W has gone to the heart doctor and the lung doctor both today, for routine checkups. Spring is really here and the winter weeds have really grown. The little ones with the purple flowers are doing very well. Ha. Percy just came by to see about mowing Mother's yard. Betsy, I logged on to your sister's web site for a peek at the new baby and the pics were darling. The other boys are so cute too. Is your sister a missionary? I did not see any family this weekend so don't know what everyone was doing. My motor burned up on my sewing machine (can you believe it?) Had to get out one of my many others. J W was going to check on getting me another motor while he was in Lubbock today. I have lots of machines but that one is my favorite. I am at work so guess I better get back at it. It has really been slow today. Everyone worn out and broke after Spring Break. Love to all, Maw

Hey CTown, so are we gonna have a get together this Summer???? Does Ft. Worth ever cross your mind??? Bear

Wow Kittie, you had tons of trouble with your computer sounds like. Glad you found the problem. Yeah those motherboards control everything. Side joke, wonder where a motherboard got its name, hehehehehe>>>>>

Well, hope everyone has a great weekend.

Yeah Papa Dalmer would have been 74 today and Artie would have been 92 tomorrow.

Happy Saint Patricks Day!!! Love Bear

Hey Family
I have not been on lately, just been busy. It was so good to hear from everyone on my birthday. Sorry about the mixup on Mike and Jared but J W told me it was Jared on the phone so that is who I expected, right? Anyway, I had a very nice day with flowers and phone calls and visits, so THANK YOU All, very much. Tomorrow would have been Papa Dalmer's BD. I just can not picture him as a 74 year old man. He will always be 48 to me. We have had wonderful weather lately, Spring is here. So sorry Kittie is having all that trouble with her computer and wish I could help. She took our old one but the CD decks don't seem to work right. I think that is why we got another one because Ryan could not burn CD's. I am still trying to finish up a quilt I have been working on for some time, one I made from one of Artie's dresses. Then I have one more I have started piecing to work on when I finish this one. Jared, I will keep the baseball thing in mind. Ha. Betsy, congrads on the new baby in your family. Not long now until Mr Toby will be here. I am at work so guess I better finish up folders on my desk. Later.....Maw

I don't know how many of you check the other side of the blog but I just have to tell everyone that Jared and I are an Aunt and Uncle again courtesy of my brother and sister in law. His name is Piersen Benjamin. They are going to call him Pierce. Want to see a picture? Just connect to www.missionarymominmexico.blogspot.com They have a ton of pictures up on her blog! Just waiting on Mr. Toby and our March will be complete. Have a great Thursday everyone!
Betsy

Hey Family,

Well I have been out of touch the last few days. Seems like Monday morning my computer decided to up and die on me!!! Not funny...it literally DIED!!! Not a light, not a sound....And when your work (transcription) depends on your computer, guess what, you are "screwed"....Anyway I loaded it up in the pouring rain Monday and hauled it to Lubbock to the "Geek Squad". And of course I did not have an umbrella in my car (I always do) and so when I got there I tried my best to tuck (haha) my tower (thank God it is small) under my windbreaker so as not to damage it further and raced into the "Geek Squad"...I looked more like a geek than any of them!!! I was completely drenched BUT my computer was dry. Anyway, I got the GOOD (being sarcastic here) news today that my "mother board" (whatever that is, it has to be important with the mother in it) is SHOT...So in other words to fix will cost more than a new one. In the meantime I went to the Blue Moon (amazing what you can find up there) and I still had an old computer of Megan's, so I hauled that home and have been working all week to try to get some of my stuff loaded on it....Note to self and any of you that think it wil never happen to you, BACKUP ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU MIGHT POSSIBLY NEED SOMETIME IN THIS LIFETIME!!!! I am learning the hard way....I have always said that I am smart enough to know how dumb I am.....I just wished once in a while I would do SOMETHING smart!!!!! Anyway I am slowly but surely getting myself back on my work track....Poor Peggy, I have driven her crazy this week.....Thanks Peg you are the BEST!!!
Anyway life is good (not sarcasim)....I have to verify what I am saying sometimes because Boston will say "Are you being sarcastic??" hahahaha......Welcome to my world!!
Hey I hope that everyone else is having a GREAT week.....
much love to all,
kittie
p.s. I am not EVEN going to go back and check this blog for finger malfunctions....my brain feels fried...:) xoxoxoxo

Hello CTown! Maw, I hear that you had dad and I confused the other day about golf. Silly! Maw was my rent collector the other day for my renters that only seem to pay when they get a chance. Next time take a bat with you Maw and see what kind of reaction you get. :)
Kittie, I know what you mean about the mind to fingers thing. I will look back on something I have sent on email or something and be like, I am an official retard. Oh well, right? I hope that Boston is doing good in b-ball. By the way, it was so much fun scaring Betsy and Caden. I dont know who screamed the loudest, but it didnt matter. Love everyone! Jared

Hey Everbody. Thanks for my crew coming out to Bailey's bowling party. WE had fun. After the kids leave I will post some new pics and update website. Kind of lose control of computer when kids are around hehe. Well got another busy week with health screenings. I will talk more later. Love all, Bear

I guess I really should proof my blogs before I send them....I don't know why but two times I put enough though, when it should have been EVEN though.....Just didn't want ya'll to think I was a redneck or anything....hahaha....my fingers don't always obey what my mind is telling it...or maybe my mind told my fingers to put that....it really is confusing living inside this person sometimes....
ok, now that that is all straight...
love to all,
kittie

Hey Family,

WOW, I can't believe that Caden is big enough to play soccer. Eletia, I would suggest a lawn chair!! I know I couldn't stand through a whole game.....I know he will be so much fun to watch. Wish ya'll lived closer so I could come to some of his games. I will try to get my package for Toby in the mail this week.
Betsy, I loved your story about hiding-go-seek....I enough laughed out loud just picturing Jared scaring all of you....I know exactly what you mean, even though you know it is coming you are still jumpy....Thanks for the laugh!!
I saw Ma yesterday and I have to say she is pretty gorgeous for 71!!! WOW, mother that SOUNDS old....hahaha....But she can still work circles around many half her age....I am so glad I got those "young" genes....I am just praying that I keep my mind....Gary and I talked about this just yesterday and we agreed that we had rather loose our health than our minds...I just cannot stand the thought that I might not know my husband or children someday....What is so bad about it is that it really hurts the ones that are still mindful....I will never, ever forget the first time that I knew Artie did not know me. You just never think that your own grandmother would not recognize you. Ok, enough of that....sorry.....
Hope everyone has a good spring break, enough though I guess it does not affect most of us....work goes on....
love to all,
kittie

Good morning to everyone. Hope Maw had a very happy birthday and hope the flowers were real pretty. Maw the quilt for Toby is so cute, I know some day he will be so proud of it like my kids are of theirs that Artie Belle made special for each one of them. Glad to hear JW is doing better. We have just two weeks left now till our new addition gets here. Caden is starting soccer this week which will last for about a month. I would say OH boy bleacher butt, but I think you just stand on the side lines. I know absolutely nothing about soccer. Caden told his Pops that its OK to not no anything about soccer cause all you do is run and kick the ball. Guess So!!!!. We enjoyed Baileys bowling birthday party last nite. Boy have those kids grown. Caden just loves Bailey and she treats him so sweet also. Boston it was good to hear from you and you too are getting to be such a big guy now. Brock it was real sweet to hear from you also, and wow it doesnt take long for them not to be a little baby anymore. April is going to start washing all Tobys clothes and all today, Boy IT IS HERE. I think Linda Mc is coming today for spring break. The Griffinsister get together was a success and we didnt get to have everyone but did get to enjoy those who did make it. Six Flags open yesterday, so anyone who would like to come and visit just let us know and come on down. Love all from Ft Worth. Eletia

Hello Crosbyton!
Thought I would write a quick blog and let everyone know that things are good here in Fort Worth. Jared is currently on the golf course enjoying the sun and I am stuck in the office. Where's the justice? These days have been too beautiful to be inside. Don't you agree? I saw April last night and she is doing well. I know she is ready for Toby to be here as we all are. I got a chance to feel him move and he must be ready to meet us to because he was jumping all around! Had a good time with Caden also. His favorite thing to do last night was have Uncle Jared hide in a room while we went to look for him. Inevitably we would find him and Jared would jump out at us which always scares me to death. I screamed louder than Caden! Caden and I finally decided it would be smart to enlist April who is not afraid to come help us find Jared. Caden instructed us to "hurry up" and find him! April was brave until we found jared in the shower. She screamed like all the rest of us we he threw the curtain back a la Psycho! It was hilarious! Hope everyone is well! Enjoy the week end
Betsy

Hey Maw!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MAW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! Maw your bday is Saturday, but I want to celebrate you for several days! You are very very much worth it.

Sorry to hear Papa is in the hospital. Glad he is doing better though!!!

Okay, how come only certain people blog on here!!!! Love you all!!

Okay also CTOWN Bunch, are we gonna have a get together this Summer in Ft. Worth??? Come on now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
B

Hey Family,

Sounds like we all need to take a step back and catch our breath. But it is so hard in this mad, mad world that we live in!! We all push ourselves so hard, not always because we want to but because we HAVE to. Even though we hate to admit it, money seems to drive nearly everything we do. Seems like we have to have money to even do NOTHING!!! As Artie would say, Oh Well....
I just wanted to tell everyone to try to take some time for yourself and take care of yourself. You are all so important.....
Glad to hear that James, Shavonne and Mr. Brock are doing well. Good luck on your test, James Lee.
Since Miss April does not blog, someone let me know how she is doing?!?! The time is getting close, how is she feeling? I know she must be ready and even though she has done it before it is a new ballgame everytime. She is such a wonderful mother (she had a good teacher) and I know she will be so blessed with the addition of Toby to her life.
Well, I wish more of you had time to blog, I know that you have time to read these messages. It will keep us all connected in at least a small way to stay in touch. I know everyone is busy, but just a hello I am still alive would be good.
I guess if you get tired of hearing about Boston you should let everyone know what is going on with you and yours....
Love to all,
kittie

Hey family
Whoa, what a week! My helper at work has not been in all week (sick) and the workload has been heavy. Then this morning J W was not doing good, heart beat was acting up, skipping and etc. He has had that a lot and takes meds for it. He also had some chest pains and wanted me to take him to the ER which I did about 8:30 this morning. Dr Alley kept him for 24 hrs for observation and some more tests. He was much better tonight and will proably get to come home tomorrow. The office was just "closed" all morning and I got back to work this afternoon. At least it is TGIF tomorrow. I did get Toby's quilt in the mail yesterday so maybe April & Zac will get it by the weekend. Time is getting near. Connie & Brice are across the hall from J W so I checked in on them. Just been too busy to blog, sorry. Love to all, Maw

Hey everybody! Boston, your new game sounds cool just by the name. I've wanted to see Ring of Fire. I'm glad you got too. It looks really cool.

Shavonne, James and Brock good to hear from ya'. Glad ya'll are doing well. James good luck on your exam. You'll do great.
Love,
Bear

Hey everyone! Yep, we're still here just a little behind as is everyone else! haha It's been a very crazy week, James has been in training all week getting ready for his probabtion exam on Saturday, and we think Brock could cut a tooth anyday now. The two of us have had two horrible nights of sleep this week. . . YUCK!

Boston, sounds like you're a great basketball player!!! I played basketball from the time I was 8 until I was 16, I some good times playing and I met some very good friends. I wish you luck, play we're heart out!!!

Blair, be sure to take care of yourself working those long days! Really, I'm telling this to a man who gets paid to tell everyone about Health?!?! But really, don't over do it!!!

So I guess the countdown is really on now for Toby!!! What, just 2 1/2 weeks left now right?!?! How exciting, I just love babies!!! I'm facinated with pregnancy and children anyway, I love it!!!

Ok really, I don't have much to report but I didn't want anyone to think we'd dropped off the face of the Earth or anything!!! haha I hope everyone is doing well and is having a great week!!! There's the Little Man so I better go give him breakfast!
Much love sent to you all,
James, Shavonne, and Brock

Hi this is Boston.
Blair thanks for the message on the ctown web page. We won our game last night. We are lucky to have a kid named Stephen on our team. He is really good. He swished a 3 point shot twice.
Our class went to the Science Spectrum today and it was good. We saw a movie called Ring of Fire. It was about volcanoes. It showed some Japanese people. I really do like the Science Spectrum. After that we went to a park and fed some ducks.
I got a new xbox game called Viva Pinata and it is really cool. I am glad next week is spring break. I want to sleep late every morning and play all day and stay up late at night.
Big Mommy said I need to go to bed now so bye bye or night night.
Hey Caden are you excited about your new little brother? I looked on Big Mommys calendar and she has Tobys name written on the 26 and I have a game that day to.
Later dude.
Boston

Hey Kittie and Everybody else. Yeah I hear you on the not enough hours. We are doing health screenings at work for next three weeks so my 8 hours days are temporarily 12 hours. Yuck!

Hey I do see the humor in the Blue Devils and Baby Blue. It's the whole Angel vs. Devil contrast. Hehe, kinda cute. I'm glad they won. Man I wish I could get down there to watch him play. He is doing so well. Hey look on the CTown Website, we are cheering for ya' Boston!!!

Maw, Toby's quilt is on the website. It is so awesome. You did such a great job on both Toby's and Brock's. Wow you amaze me!!

Okay, where is the rest of CTown, haven't heard much!! Do I hear a pulse??? hehe

Well hope everyone else is doing well. Love all.
Bear

Hey just wanted to drop a note to everyone and say HI!!! This has been a long week already and it is just Tuesday.....wow....some days just don't seem to have enough time in them for me....

I enjoyed seeing the Griffin Sister pictures from this past weekend...Looks like it was alot of fun...Blair, for some reason I cannot get the videos, probably my old computer just can't handle it....oh, well enjoyed the pictures....
Boston's little dribblers team won last night....They are called the Blue Devils?!?!? Which is really funny considering their shirts are BABY BLUE....haha...maybe I am the only one that sees humor in that!!! Oh well....Boston had quite a cheering section at last nights game....Big Mommy, Pappy, Mama, Megan, Montana, Maw, Papa, Grandma-ma and Poppy were all there....They play again tonight so "good luck" Blue Devils!!! lol.....He has a field trip tomorrow at school. They are going to the Science Spectrum to see "Ring of Fire" and then the Texas Tech Museum...and then next week is spring break....YEAH, may be we can slow down a little or NOT....
Ok enough for now....Hope everyone is well and having a good week....
love to all,
kittie

Hey C-Town! Make sure you refresh your page when you look at Griffinsisters because your computer might not update. Most should but it may not. Anyway, love all. Hey when are we gonna have our get together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bear

Hey Kittie and everybody. Wow the Chiefs are doing well. Proud for them!! Go Chiefs!! Hey Kittie thanks for getting Maw's pics with the quilts, I'm excited about seeing them. Shavonne sent me the pic of Brock on his quilt and I put in on the website next to Maw's picture.

Hey C-Town---How about we try a get together this Summer. Come on. Everybody come to Ft. Worth.. There are plenty of beds and lots of fun!!!!! Come on come on!!!! What ya say???
Love, Blair
P.S. If you don' t like to drive then you can plan ahead a really cheap flight and I will personally come pick you up!!!

Hey Family,

Just wanted to say Hi and tell the Fort Worth bunch that I know ya'll must be busy getting ready for the weekend...Can't wait to hear about and see the pictures from your get together...

Ma came by and showed me Toby's quilt today and it is AWESOME!! I will take her picture with it and send it for the C-Town page....I hope that someday I will be able to design and quilt as well as she does....

To Everyone: Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it!!!!

love to all,
kittie