Curve Balls and Hand Grenades

Life can throw you curve balls, hand grenades, road side bombs, and thermonuclear explosions. Depending on the day or month and the general situation that I am in the regular curve ball can turn into any of the above. I haven't had any nuclear explosions lately, but I have had some curve balls and hand grenades.

This past month we have been looking at houses. We have been looking high and low for the perfect house for our family. We didn't want anything to extravagant, but you can do pretty well in the San Antonio market.

Well we found our perfect house. It was big, had 4 bedrooms, a loft, a large kitchen, and two decks (one out the dining room and the other out the master bedroom.) It was a little older, and needed some work but we thought that we were up to the task. We made an offer and in time we were under contract and we had the house inspected. We found that both decks in the back were rotted through and needed to be replaced. Also the air conditioner was under powered for the house and was older. The inspector thought that it had about 2 good years left. Well this threw a wrench into our situation. We decided to get out of the contract (we had an option to get out and we took it.)

Anyway that was our little adventure. After that we decided that a new home would be nice. We are purchasing a home that is currently under construction. We are very pleased with it. So our little hit with the hand grenade pushed us over into a new direction. Only time will tell if it is a good one.

The Lazy Days of Summer

We decided to finally use our community pool today. When it gets to high 90's there is nothing else you can do outside. So we took advantage of Daddy being home. Samantha didn't know what to think. She liked the water but did not want to be in her floaty.



Charlotte is pretty wary of the big pool. She will splash in the kiddy pool or on the stairs. Unfortunately her dislike of water extends to baths and it is a chore to get her hair clean.



Caleb loves the water. He doesn't like instruction though. He thinks he already knows how to swim. He didn't want his picture taken either, so I'm not sure how this one will turn out.

Wishing for Money?

Well, well, well. Ever think "I may have some money hidden away somewhere and someday I am going to be able to find it" . . . or "there may be a rich relative somewhere that unexpectedly passes and will then pass a few dollars onto us." In our families it is only a dream as there are so many of us, and most of us are poor LDS families with lots of relatives. So even the Bill Gates of the family will only contribute a few pennies to our coffers.

I was looking at a Deseret News and they had a thing about unclaimed property that the State of Utah has in there unclaimed property division. (sounds like a fun job to me.) Being curious I linked to the website "http://up.utah.gov/UP_Start.asp" and did a search on the unclaimed property hoping something would pop up in my favor. I did a blanket search for Grindstaff and much to my surprise (or lack there of) I was not on the list. However, 3 individuals of interest did pop up: Amy Grindstaff, Scott A Grindstaff, and Margaret P Grindstaff. So there you have it. Go and claim your prize. I only charge a 10% finders fee plus expenses.

So for the lucky ones up above enjoy your little prize and let me know what your little windfall was. I still am rather curious.

Do you Wii?

I know Mathew and Barrett do. The Wii has become our families favorite pastime. At first all we had was the sports. We were practicing our Golf, Bowling and Boxing regularly. Now we have Mario Cart and car racing has become our favorite pastime. Charlotte has given up because she doesn't like driving around in circles. Occasionly she will help Sam or I race. Caleb is really into it and is getting better all of the time. We have two steering wheels for the controllers so we really get into it. When the Wii fit ever gets back in stock we will get one of those and at least I'll have a good reason to play video games. It definately is better than watching T.V.

Captain Samuel Lyman Grindstaff M.D.

We were able to go out to Maryland for Sams graduation. He became a Captain and a Doctor in the same day. His graduation was at the Dar (Daughters of the American Revolution) building, in Consitution Hall. Sams parents, his brother Scott and my Mom were also able to come out. Sams family got a MD and a MBA in the same day. Scott graduated on the 17th also but chose to be out with us (thanks Maggie). Scott thought that since Sam gets called Doctor he should be called Master and Commander, I don't think anyone will go for that one.

His graduation was really neat. It was awesome to be in the Nations Capital, it was also awesome that they only had one speaker for graduation. The Presidents own Marine Corps Band played during the graduation.

Washington D.C.

Since Sam's graduation was in D.C. we were able to walk around some after. We went and saw the Washington Monument and the World War II memorial. From there we could also see the Castle and the Lincoln memorial from where we were. The ornate building is the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress. Mom has always wanted to see it, being a librarian and once we were inside everyone was amazed at the interior. Our kids didn't understand how you can have a library without books.

My kids are great

Now my kids aren't always great but every once in awhile, when I am at my wits end they do things to remind me of why I love being a mom. We were invited to a girls night last night, (everyone elses husband and sons were at the father and son campout). Caleb got dragged there too. He was the only boy, even all of the babies were girls. Anyway, we didn't leave the house until 11:00, which meant my kids didn't go to bed until 11:30. With Sam gone it was awesome to get out and visit. The kids enjoyed playing and getting out of the house. There were no incidences either, which knowing Caleb that says a lot.
This morning we got Samanthas pictures taken, she was awesome and I wanted to buy everything, but I didn't. The kids were crazy. Then we went to Mervyns to look for a dress for Sams graduation. Caleb kept hiding in the clothes and was just wild. Then we got to the dressing room and Caleb started singing. He started with Mother I love you I love you I do. Then he asked me the rest of the words. So we sang together
Mother I love you, Mother I do
Father in Heaven has sent me to you
When I am near You, I love to hear you
Singing so softly that you love me too
Mother I love you, I love you I do.

What a moment. I about cried there in the dressing room. Caleb isn't big on singing, he usually doesn't in primary or any other time. Actually he likes to sing, just songs he makes up. So this was a huge deal.