Almost a year has gone by!

My last blog was last July. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by! So yeah, I graduated and started my new job. I love the people I work with and continue to learn every day. But SO MUCH has happened since last summer. Where to start....

 Let's start with the great. Jeremy and I moved into our new home. We built a house in Glenpool, Oklahoma. We both love it so much. It's amazing what a little closet space will do for the spirit! Chloe the Bulldog seems to love the crap out of it too. Our friends and Jeremy's family helped us move in. In my OCD nature, I had the place decorated within the first week or so. We have a nice yard and plenty of room. Best part of the new house is the ability to use the grill that Jeremy's parents bought us as a wedding gift 4+ years ago. It's been in the box until recently. Jeremy grills out far more often that I cook, in. It's one of the best things that ever happened to this girl!  Hah!

 Work- Jeremy completed his alternative teaching certification and began coaching baseball at Jenks High School. He comes skipping in the front door like a giddy school girl. It warms my heart to see him so excited about work. He's hoping to land a full time teaching job for next year- please pray for that! I am still working at St Francis Heart Hospital. I am starting to cross train into pediatric echocardiography and that makes me happy! I love the babies!

I had some health issues earlier this year which led to one of the toughest decisions of my life. In February I had a hysterectomy to end the many year struggle I had with endometriosis. It had gotten out of control and made my life miserable. It was a very hard decsion and I'm still up in the air as to whether or not it was the right one. I feel 100% better physically, but emotionally I'm struggling with it. Those of you who know me, know just how much I wanted to carry Jeremy's little guy or girl. We are exploring options on how to get our hands on to a little one. Kidnapping seems unethical, but I haven't ruled it out. Moms, keep your eye on your kids - especially if he or she is FAT. I LOVE FAT BABIES.

The most impacting experience this year has been the loss of Mr Tanner M'kane Evers. My cousin was 8 years old. He battled the evil Neuroblastoma for years and years. He was a hero. He fought the good fight with courage and dignity. We lost him on the 14th of this month. I was honored to be in the room when he turned into his mama and left his little body to go be with Jesus. Tanner was ridiculously handsome, with blue eyes and long, dark eyelashes. He was funny. He loved his mom and sissy more than anything on earth. He loved and trusted Jesus in a way that many adults could learn from. He lived with strength and dignity. We miss him more than you could ever know. But the thought of him eating ice cream with grandpa and playing UNO with Sicily and Izzy makes my heart sing. I just love and miss him so much. Moms, hug your babies and count your blessings. You guys, please pray for Rebecca (Tanner's mama) and Maddie (Tanner's sissy). I can't even wrap my mind around how they're feeling. My heart hurts so bad and I'm 100% positive it's not even a drop in the bucket compared to the heaviness in their hearts. Tanner impacted lives in a way I could only dream of. I have heard countless stories of people that were changed by meeting this little man. His memorial was last weekend. There was a sea of burnt orange in the crowd to honor Tanner's beloved Texas Longhorns. It was the first and last time I stood hand in hand with my husband, both wearing burnt orange. Pastor Trey Kent and his beautiful wife, Mary Anne, told wonderful stories of Tannner and made everyone falter between laughts and tears. It was perfect. Tanner was honored in so many ways and God was given the glory. Can you image it? Rebecca lost her 8 year old boy and it was still a priority to worship and lead friends and family to Jesus at his memorial. There were 500+ people there. Many, many people accepted Jesus and confirmed one more time that Tanner M'kane made an everlasting impact on this earth. What a guy.

Things are good, otherwise. We still attend LifeChurch and love it more than you might know. Pastor Craig Groeschel delivers messages week in and week out that make me feel as if I'm the only person in the auditorium. I leave feeling like the message was delivered just for me. I am so thankful for that. God is good.

We hope to deliver exciting news about getting our paws on a baby very soon. We'll see! You'll either read it in this blog or see me on 20/20 for some kidnapping scandal. Hopefully the latter never comes to fruition.

Love you guys more than you might know. Please pray for my family that is learning how to live without Tanner.

Love, the Griffin crew - Kelli, Jeremy and Chloe the Bulldog