If there is a WILL there is a WAY

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic 3 yr. old little boy named, WILL. He had the best smile, attitude and appetite for a good high 5 (or should that be a 2.5?).

Not only did this little guy possess a spirit full of energy, he was wearing his strength on his shirt. I have thought about him for days. He is missing his legs and part of his hands due to congenital issues. But, you would never know it. He was running around the entire time.

Over these past three years, I have been blessed with opportunities that have opened up my heart to accept and understand differences in people and I'm finding how simple things really can be. We complicate things when we don't have to!

Yesterday morning I had the privilege of talking to a group of 7th grade girls and sharing thoughts on body image, popularity, etc. and I had such a great time. The earlier/younger we can open up about acceptance and embracing the differences between others, the WILL to achieve will blossom.

Find your WILL & make it your way.

Love, Jen

BIG DAY for the Carr's!!! Reveal Day on EHM

Family coming back from Hawaii tonight for the big REVEAL tomorrow. (Photo taken when family was leaving for Hawaii).

MINEOLA, TX (KLTV) - The Extreme Makeover team has given the details for the "Move that Bus" day Thursday. The Extreme team says everyone is welcome. In fact, they hope to have thousands of East Texans at the site. If you want to participate, here the schedule for Thursday:

8am: Shuttles start running from Wal-Mart to the Car family home. Do not try and drive to the site. You will be turned away and sent to the Wal-Mart lot.
10am: Production crews start filming big crowd shots.
Noon: The BIG REVEAL.

The Extreme team says that no one will be allowed to walk into the neighborhood or park nearby. Only people riding the shuttle buses from Wal-Mart will be allowed in.

Anyone wanting to donate a certificate for goods or services or cash to the family needs to have that donation in to Texas Bank and Trust in Tyler on Grande Road or either Longview branch by 10 a.m. on Thursday so it can be presented to the family.

Some of the public has been asking if they can tour the house. The Extreme team says no. The house will not be open to public tours. The show will air in 6-8 weeks and you can see it on TV at that time.

They advise that you should plan to be there a few hours for the production crews to get enough shots of the crowd. It's your chance to be on national TV!

CONGRATULATIONS Carr Family & Welcome to Extreme Makeover - Home Edition

I missed my update this week but I have a wonderful excuse!!

Ryanne Carr (remember her) and her family were chosen by Extreme Makeover - Home Edition to have a new house. In the event you don't know, P.L.A.Y. was introduced to the Carr's about a year ago and helped send Ryanne to a few events where she brought home the gold!!

The great news was announced early Thursday morning. Then, all the excitement started. I jumped in my car and headed out to Mineola, Tx (outside of Tyler) to surprise the family in the ritual of the Braveheart March.

I was sooooo thrilled to be a part of this for Ryanne and her family but was even more surprised to hear over a megaphone..... "Jen Griffin".

There must be more than one, right? I get pulled out of the crowd and am told that I am going to speak to the family before they leave for Hawaii. WOW!

We march up to the house, form a circle around the family and while I am watching the faces of the family, I look up and realize, OMG, I'm standing next to TY PENNINGTON. I start thinking about how surreal everything was becoming, wondering how the family must be feeling, noticing how many cameras were around, wondering how all this works, etc, etc, etc. and all of a sudden, I had the stage with Ty and the family.

I have to tell you that on the walk up to the house I became really nervous from the idea of talking but the minute I saw the family I couldn't say enough. This is such an ENORMOUS joy and so proud to know this family.

The house was knocked down yesterday and a new amazing retreat is being created as I type this. LIVE stream click here

I will keep you updated with everything throughout this week.

NEXT: LIMB Drive tomorrow @ Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas from 2-4. Drop off any old prosthetics that can be used to create new limbs for those in Haiti. Or, just come to support the effort.

Exciting week to come. Air date will be posted as well.

Love, Jen

Wardrobe Malfunction & The Unexpected Bond

Whew...were do I begin? Before I start...just remember this: when you get in a situation that forces you out of your comfort zone, take a deep breath, understand your going to be embarrassed (maybe) and then start laughing. :)

I am attending a wedding this weekend and, of course, needed something to wear. So, in the middle of my agenda today, I make a pit stop for clothes. I found a few items rather quickly and my pace of getting things done was on target. UNTIL....my eyes went right to a really great top. Should I, Shouldn't I, etc. (you know the mental routine).

Of course I should. My new find and I go into the dressing room to become one, well almost. The inside of the shirt had a large round sensor on it. I had a necklace on that had big round circles connected with each other. Are you starting to feel my pain? Can you tell where I'm going with this?

The top slides over my head, I put my hands in to pull it down and BOOM, I became ONE with the sensor & my necklace. The connection happened a bit below my neck. Not my lower stomach or mid stomach no, right below my neck. So, great visual, huh?

HaHa! Ok, I'm trying but can't get it apart and start to realize I had a real live "wardrobe malfunction" (At least no-one will be sued for this one). What should I do? I clearly can't walk around asking for help.

I finally heard a sales lady by my door so I sucked it up, took a deep breath, and went for it. "Uh, excuse me mam, I realize this is sooo not in your job description, but I have a little situation".
All the while talking to her with my head out but body in the dressing room.

Very politely she says "Well sure, what can I do for you"..... Right at this moment I started feeling funny because I wasn't sure exactly how to drop the bomb. Do I flash her first or explain then flash? I was in such a predicament. :)

I stepped to the side just enough that she could see the necklace & sensor and that's all it took.
She starts laughing which got me laughing which made the whole thing worth it. She fixed me up and I was on my way.

Without even trying, I'm sure I gave her a story to pass on to her grand kids and provided great party talk. I can just picture it "You have to hear what happened to this girl today".

In a weird way, it was a nice unexpected bonding experience and I am very appreciative of her willingness to help and the laugh we both got from it.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND & watch yourself...you might be the next victim.

Love, Jen
p.s. In case your interested....after all that, I absolutely bought the top.

My 40 Day Challenge that You should Join

Ever have one of those days that you just don't want to do....anything. You just want to be?

Well, I have to admit Fred & Ginger (left leg & right leg) express a mood to chill from time to time. After all, they weigh 12 lbs each so if I'm tired, they are tired.
We have had talks from time to time as my heart and brain want one thing & Fred & Ginger want something else.

So, for those times I give in and let them rest, I find that I love watching the kids in the E*Trade commercials (not all the time, I do have other interests, really I do) but if I need a laugh I watch something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhfl4mFH1No

The messages are funny but it is also KIDS telling ADULTS how to do something the right way. Hence, listen to the little people they can really open your eyes.

Ok, so what is my challenge. For the next 40 days (starting today) I am going to omit the idea that I have an answer. I'm going to ask for advice and find a way to engage the little people of our world as part of this. In addition, I'm giving up the tendency to have comments, advice or input when people share with me. I'm being nurtured (through an amazing leadership course) to be a much better listener.

Find something you can do for YOU while laughing at the same time. I see these commercials and find how easy it is to laugh but get a great message.

Let me know how your doing!! You can do ANYTHING for 40 days.

Love, Jen