Sugar & Spice + Snips & Snails

There is never a dull moment around these days….this spring/summer we have 4 new babies in the family.   I have two new nieces both born in April.   Madeline Margaret and Sophie Clare.  Both are absolutely precious.   There has been a lot of rocking and singing.   Our Sunday dinners are now more about whose holding the babies instead of what’s for lunch!    Both are already smarter than they should be….just yesterday they both told me “Love you, love you aunt pami”.   I’d never lie about something like that!

This month my cousin Amy adopted an 11 month old baby girl Annie Rice.  You can just call me Aunt Pami !  I haven’t gotten a chance to hold her yet…but will rectify that situation this weekend.  She looks to be such a sweet baby and I know I will have fun spoiling her as well.

With all these girls hanging around…we had to have one little boy.   My cousin Leigh had a baby boy this past week..Braydon Andrew.  He’s a little small and will have to stay a little while in the  NICU…can’t wait to see and hold him as well…I hope he’s working on being a Casanova…cause he’s surrounded with girls.

Anyway….if you need me I’ll be the one holding a baby!   Here’ a few pics.

Hanging out!  Catching up on the latest.

So Precious!

Am I cute or what!!!

Snoozing.  Wake me when it's time for a bottle!

Some good Sleep!

Bath time!

Sweet Baby!

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Twitter Feeds, Heart Surgery, & #pinkalicious

I have been blown away this week. Actually stopped work twice yesterday to have a conversation about how social media, Twitter & Facebook, to be exact have changed my small town (big hearted) community. I live in what could be considered the quintessential small town. I like to think, as a community, we are there for each other with or without Twitter, but honestly Twitter & Facebook have made a big impact this week.

Our Mayor, Mel Pennington & His wife Kerri have two beautiful girls. Mayor Pennington uses Twitter on a regular basis and I started following him when he ran for office. I like having Mel on my list because I am always in the know about the happenings of Hartsville. This twitter feed also gives me insight on any personal tweets and this is how I originally found out about Mel & Kerri’s daughter, Mary Clare. Mary Clare was born with half a heart and had heart surgery this week.

Mel & Kerri both have tweeted since arriving at the hospital using the tag #pinkalicious. I’ve been amazed to watch the Twitter feeds over the last couple of days. Tons of prayers, good wishes, and words of encouragement have come from people far and wide. Because of Facebook and Twitter, Mary Clare's story and updates are available instantly. The Pennington family can feel the love and support of people from all over.

Honestly, I’m vested. I’ve never personally met Mary Clare, but I’ve shared tweets with co-workers and friends.

A tweet the day of the surgery.
@mayorpennington: UPDATE: Off Heart-Lung bypass! Could be in PCICU in a little over an hour. #fingerscrossed #pinkalicious #Hartsville

Or a tweet one day after surgery
@kerripennington: MC has been sipping on juice. Very groggy/out of it still. Hanging in there! Sitting, praying, waiting. Life in PCICU.click here

March 30th was designated as “Pinkalicious Day” my members of the community in Hartsville. People wore pink and sent pictures to show their support. Two news stations have picked up the story via Twitter and have updated on both the 6pm and 6:30am news.

Think of the difference social media made for this family during this time. We are long past the days of phone calls, but this is a great example of social media making a difference for people. Not just for convenience, but truly making a difference. I dare say they have been covered with prayers by people they know and don’t know. Encouraged by pictures, tweets, and postings. Social media has the ability to make a difference in ministry, just as it has here.

Take the time to check out the feeds, tweets, news stories, etc. People were simple using social media to communicate their support for a tiny member of their community. WOW!

Twitter: @mayorpennington @kerripennington
Twitter Feeds: #pinkalicious #hartsville
Blog: www.babypennington.com
News Stories: WMBF news and WISTV news

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Girls vs. Boys

I work with a great team of people here at ACS Technologies. It’s always nice to work with people you not only get along with, but truly like. One of topics we discuss (more than needed) is bathrooms. Girls vs. Boys.

Most nice ladies rooms have a little more to them than just the basics. Here at work we have music, incense, and a cabinet or two. We even sometimes have a occasional sticky on the mirror telling us we’re beautiful or smart or both. Where the guys truly have “just the basics”.

It’s always a lively conversation when we discuss the differences. Recently, a few of us went to Dallas for some training and upon entering a ladies room in the hotel lobby, we saw huge mural and couch. The doors were made with plantation shutters and of course there was music, lavender soap and lavender lotion.

That was exactly what we’d expect, but it also caused us to giggle. We knew the guys would never understand this. A picture was taken and immediately sent back for everyone to see that girls restrooms are always more elaborate.

Why does this matter? It is after all just teasing among co-workers, but if we examine it, there is a reason. Both restrooms are technically usable they both meet the basic requirements needed. However, designer’s know that if “just the basics” are met for the ladies rest room it would be considered cold, clinical, even less clean. It doesn’t matter how clean it is. It’s the expectation of more that has to be met.  Don't we live in a crazy world.

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Changes in Attitude

I've always been a little jealous of women who are seemlessly poised and perfect.  Even is distress, to have the look of ease and perfection.   They seem to command an attitude of WOW.   I recently ran across a quote that I'm going to put to the test.   Manolo Blahnik says "You put high heels on and you change. "   It's true, no matter how what people say.   What you wear and especially the shoes you wear can affect the day and certainly my attitude for the day.

I'm snickering as I write this, but you girls know that SOME days you stand in front of closet and the choices made at that moment will define the day.  

Easy & Laid-back -  Comfy faded jeans, pull-over top and flip flops
Sassy   - Wide leg pants, heels, and blouse with a jacket
Sexy -  Flattering Dress..just above the knee,  heels  

I know the clothes make a difference......but the shoes  define the day.   changing from heels to sandals makes a statement about the way I feel.

So, tomorrow morning when you are staring into the closet of the unknown.....choose the outfit and choose heels!!

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Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability

I don’t know about you but down here in the south we know when summer is here.   There is a difference between early summer and summer.   When temps are 100+ everyday for weeks on end, it brings out a different view on working and being outside.   It’s always a good time to plan a trip to the beach.   The breeze is always blowing and the idea of the water tricks the mind to think it’s 82 instead of 102.

We recently had the Griggs Family Vacation.  It was fab-U-las week of doing much of nothing and calling it play.   We played in the water and the sand.   We looked for hidden treasure and found it!  The hidden treasure can in the form of seashells and sanddollars.  To be honest we and found a lot of interesting things…within the span of 7 days we found - 2 starfish, 2 conch shells (mollusk still in tack and alive), Hermit crabs, Sidewinder Crabs, Sting rays, Sanddollars (several broken, 1 in perfect condition),  and a shark!  All of these were in their natural environment and found by us.  

We SO enjoyed the beach, but we also enjoyed being together.   The boys had a terrific week being spoiled to death.   More importantly the adults (you know the ones paying for the trip) had the best time.  I think it goes down as one of my all time favorite getaways.
  So I’m good with the quote above “Deep Summer is when laziness finds respectability” ~ Sam Keen.   I think deep summer is a perfect time to have a little time for indulgence and laziness, how else could we handle those 100 plus days.

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A WICKED Kind of Day

It was a special day...an altogether WICKED day.   Last Thursday, in the middle of the work week, three friends and I took a vacation day. We planned to ride to Charlotte to see an off-broadway production of WICKED.  Everyone needs that kind of day.   It started by sleeping in, then a nice enjoyable ride to Charlotte.  We did have to go by car, unfortunately we unlike Glinda (the good witch) cannot travel by bubble.  We stopped at McCalister's for lunch.  A treat for us since we don't have one of those locally.   Then on to the theater. I wore the perfect blouse for the occassion..a green, black, and white plaid top.   It was unintential but perfect for the show.  Once I realized this...it just moodified me in the best way possible. (sorry for all the "wicked" phases..they are just funny).

After a spectacular performance, we traveled over to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert...We even sat on the patio for dinner.  The day was just wonderful...most of all I enjoyed the time spent with friends.  They say life happens in the moments you are least expecting.  I guess this is a perfect example.   A little slice of life served up on a plate of happiness...what more could one Thursday offer.

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What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

I love the way children’s minds work.  They are open to any and all possibilities.  Anything they can imagine is within the realm of possibility.    I was reminded of this two Sunday’s ago.  My family gets together for Sunday Dinner and this particular Sunday the kids were outside playing.  My sister overheard a VERY serious conversation between three boys ..Alan ( 7), Jacob (6), and Ethan (5). 

Jacob:  “ Alan, What do you want to be when you grow up?”   
Alan:  “I want to be Superman or a Policeman.” 
Alan to Jacob: “ What do you want to be?”  
Jacob: “ I want to be a super ninja.”  
Alan to Ethan: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” 
Ethan: “I want to be God”
Jacob:  “You can’t be God…you gotta pick something that you can really be like a ninja or Superman.“   
Ethan:  “God is stronger and faster than them,  I’m gonna be God.”   

I love this story,   the possibilities are endless to these guys.  They are not limited by what they feel is acceptable by others.  They haven’t imposed any limits on themselves.  The world is available to them and they can be as  strong,  as fast, or as powerful as they wish.   So how does this fit into the work and ministry world that we ALL live in as adults.   Couple of lessons for me.

Don’t forget that we serve a God of possibilities…think outside the box.  What solutions help you accomplish ministry?
Don’t limit ourselves…..everyone has a chance to be a  superhero to someone.  Think about the person who shared Christ with you.   That person is a superhero.

I'll be really excited if we a super ninja in the family.  I'm not sure what benefits they bring, but it will certainly be exciting!

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