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.

Read more...

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!

Read more...

Seven Year Itch

It was 7 years ago that I officially became an aunt.  It seems like yesterday that I was rushing to the hospital to see the newest edition to the Griggs clan.   I had a friend who warned me that “Aunt” mode would kick in and it WOULD change my life.   At the time, I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but I certainly know what it means today.   Jeremy Alan may have come into this world as tiny little thing (3 lbs 3oz), but he has one of the LARGEST personalities you’ll ever encounter.   He’s has transformed in front of us from a sweet, happy baby to an all American kid.

 

  It makes me happy just seeing him play hard and enjoy life.   No more are the days of rocking him to sleep….he doesn’t need me to hold and cuddle very much anymore….it’s a little sad, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.   I’m so proud of him…he’s super smart, thoughtful, and kind.   Currently he’s missing his two front teeth and has a “wiggly” one of the bottom.   Alan is into everything…one day he’s a fireman, the next a superhero, the next a ninja warrior, and don’t get me started on Bakugan.

At about 2 years old, we took a  family vacation to Edisto and one night I sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star for two hours straight…..this was the only song that  seemed to keep the tears from streaming….small sacrifice for me…not sure about the other people in the car (LOL)

One of my favorite things about him is his imagination.  When he was about 4 yrs old, he had Grandmommy looking for an imaginary rock for about 20 min.   Now Grandmommy had NO idea this rock was imaginary…but it was quite funny when she realized it was.   What’s even more funny is that this imaginary rock was named “drunk”   (we’re still not sure where this name came from)..but we’ve all been riding down the road with Alan when he would yell out from the back seat……”OH NO,  my drunk fell out the window”…..I still chuckle at that one.  I guess you should also know, that I have stopped the car to give “drunk” a chance to get back in the window.  You can laugh, but what would you have done?

Wow, 7 years old.    Almost ready for the 2nd grade.   I can’t believe time has flown by.   I can’t wait for all the fun times we’ll have together.   I have so much fun building forts, racing cars,  playing in sprinklers and all the other things we’ll do.    You make me happy just by being you!!!!   I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU!!!!

Aunt Pami

Read more...

Spring into Summer

I believe we've skipped over Spring and headed straight to summer.  The days are already hot and humid.   I am looking forward to the family vacation this year.   That's right...the Brady Bunch is going to the beach.  I'm excited....mostly about waking up to the sound of ocean...and walking on the beach..but I'm also excited about spending some quality time with everyone.

It's fair to say that right now, the adults (well the pretend adults) are more excited than the kids.....but to be fair the adults, not the kids, are paying for the trip...so the excitement grows with each dollar saved.  


I get a daily report of the weather and the water temp..from my brother.   I don't know if you translate, but that's what I call excited.  My sister and I have discussed what clothing, chairs, and kid stuff we're taking down.....which means we're excited.

I'm guessing that once we have our toes in that golden sand,  the kids excitement level will far exceed ours.   Some of the things I hope the boys remember are building sand castles, chasing waves, singing in the car just for fun (off tune and off pitch) , finding seashells, playing games, counting stars, and riding bikes.  

It's nice to have those kind of memories..Regardless of all of the fun things....I'll be excited about going to the beach AND I'll be excited about being home again.   

Read more...

It All Goes Too Fast

It's hard to believe that 5 years ago next week we had an addition to the Griggs' Clan.  Ethan Cade came into this world and into our family. He is one of the most wonderful children to walk the earth (I may be a little prejudice, not much...but a little. )  We had so many years with really no children around and  now  we have two rambunctious boys.. FULL of energy.   Check out those toddler checks....don't you just want to squeeze him!

Ethan amazes me all the time.  At the ripe old age of  5, he is Mr. Personality.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and is always looking for the opportunity to create a funny situation.    He loves to make you laugh and  he loves (I mean loves) a knock knock joke.   Did I mention Smart...oh yeah...he gets that from me LOL.   Ethan  also knows that Aunt Pami likes hugs and kisses and she's a very easy target when the toy isle is close by!

Now Mr. Personality was one of the cutest and sweetest babies ever born. I enjoyed every moment I got to hold, cuddle, and rock that sweet baby.    But I SO enjoy playing trains and cars, shoot outs and construction.  Those girls have nothing on us.  We build forts and look for treasure.  We can construct an entire city with fire dept and police dept in my kitchen and living room during a sleepover.  Luckily it's still very fun for me to build some Lego contraption and let him completely annihilate it.   It's also funny  to beat aunt Pami in any Wii game...especially Mario Bros and Star wars!

Some of my favorite Ethan quotes are:

"My name is Ethan X not Ethan...Ethan X"
"I don't like your rules"
"That is yucky to my tummy"

and the winner....."Love you Love you."



So....Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet Ethan.    LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU!!!

Read more...

Perspectives

I love my Ah ha moments.   I had one this weekend and thought you might like to hear about it.   It really begins with a story about a family.   I've "known" this family for a long time and to be honest they are a mess....and by mess I mean they  have trouble. I know we all have things that are troublesome or hard to deal with, but this family just seems to have more than their average share of trouble.  The family consist of Father, Mother, and 2 sons.   Just to give you a few facts:   The Parents waited a long time for children and love their children dearly...but they do have favorites.   This is very obvious and has been a problem since childhood. This is so evident in the family that it causes the brothers to plot against each other about trivial and important things.   The division is so strong that the word hate has been  used between the brothers.  Honestly if given the choice, I think one would seriously hurt the other.   Once it was so bad that the youngest son had to leave home and stayed away from the family a long time.   It took years to reconcile and even then it was a scary time.


So where does my ah ha moment fit in....well this family as messed up as they are (and honestly they make my family seem like the Brady Bunch) was used by God in a mighty way.  You see this family is Issac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob (Genesis 25 - 27; 34).  This was the family line that Jesus was born from.   


So my Ah Ha moment, God can use anything, anything for good. (Romans 8:28).   This family was not a horrible family, although they did some pretty horrible things.....that's the point...all of those things that were described above were human things.   Decisions that they made without waiting on God for direction.   WOW...how many times do I decide to make my own decision.   Make it work for me, not even think what I should be doing for God.  


So I'm working on knowing God is in control and this world big world that I live in ...it's all about Him, not me.   I'm also gonna know that even when I mess up, and I will, that He can use that for good.


Have a great week!

Read more...

Who’s the troublemaker in the group? That would be me.

It’s official, I’m a troublemaker.    I must admit that I already knew this.   I’ve known it for quite some time now.   It’s a trait I’ve carried around since childhood and to be honest….sometimes I’m even a little proud of it.   I push the boundaries around me.   I always have and I guess I always will.   My sister and brother could most likely give many examples of me being the instigator of many a devious plot.   I simply can’t resist being the one that causes trouble.     

It may have something to do with being the first-born child…that I always have to have or do things differently than “the standard” but more than that, I just enjoy seeing reactions of those around me.   I do try to keep myself contained when “trying” to accomplish serious and demanding work..but you know sometimes that’s not what happens.

So here’s the story….I’ll play me in the story…Steve, Executive Director or R&D (aka my supervisor) will play Steve.   So anyway….Steve has these drumsticks and when we are in meetings he plays with them or will hit the desk to get everyone’s attention etc.   Well we were in a brainstorming meeting the other day and I happen to be in close proximity to the drumsticks so I took and hit the desk ..creating a Boom sound.    Steve very calmly took the drumstick and announced that I was not mature enough to handle those.    There was a big laugh and then he said it.   I mean he just blurted it out…..You are the troublemaker in the Griggs’ family.

Well what can I say…it’s true, I am.   I hate that ALL my hard work of keeping that fact concealed has been destroyed..but there it is.  Now watch out world….I’m free to be as much of a troublesome as I need to be. 

Are you a troublemaker?  Let me know!

Read more...

The Big Love Hug

I think the world  can be divided into two types of people.   Those who hug and those who don’t hug.    I’m definitely in first category.   I really have had no say in the matter,  I’m almost certain it’s part of my genetics.   My family can hug in every way imaginable.   I thought I’d classify a few for you.

• Side Hug  -  Also known as the one arm hug.   This is a quick one arm squeeze around each other’s shoulders
• Big Love Hug – Full on Hug..There’s arms and hands and a big embrace.   If kids are involved there’s also a big opportunity for swinging around in a circle
• Kiss & Hug -  This is two arm hug that has a kiss at the end.
• Quickie Hug -  This is really quick almost no touching hug
• Double Hug -  Hug, release, Repeat
• Long Hug – Hug….keep hugging…keep hugging…now squeeze.   Mostly seen around grandmothers and great-aunts
• Group Hug – More than two people involved.  You get the idea

Since my family has always hugged we sometimes forget what it must be like non-huggers.    My sister-in-law, Brandy tells me it’s quite a traumatic experience.  Over the years she’s come to know it's just part of the family.  
I love her like a sister, and must say that I enjoy “making” her hug me.  It’s kind of a joke between us.   I’ll walk up and spread my arms out for a Big Love Hug.   SHE LOVES IT!   Well, at the very least she tolerates it.   So where do you fall….are you a hugger or a non-hugger?     Let me know!

Read more...

Blogs, Blogs Blogs

My cousin Amy attended the Blissdom Blog Conference in Nashville last week.   She came back with a ton of new ideas and links to some premier blogs.    Check 'em out....Enjoy! Our Journey..Together....: a ton of other blogs....

Read more...

Hard Candy Christmas

This is an old Dolly Parton Christmas song.  It falls into the stereo types for country music for certain.   It’s about someone who has had a bad year.   There are lines in the song like  “I’m barely getting through tomorrow” and  “I won’t let sorrow bring me way down”    I told someone that was complaining about expenses that this year would be a Hard Candy Christmas. …..meaning it’s a year for the cheaper hard candy instead of the more expensive gifts.

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the business of this time of year, but we need to remember that whether we have all the money in the world or we are caught up in a hard candy Christmas, we have received the most wonderful gift.  Christmas is Love come down on earth to offer us a gift beyond measure.  The gift of salvation.  I’m amazed at how much my Father loved me, he sent Jesus here to earth.   He was  sent not as a mighty conqueror but as baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes…to be placed in a manger.   He grew up in the meekest of households.   Jesus would certainly understand a hard candy Christmas.    He would also understand the meaning beyond a slim year.   The song holds hope.   No matter what the singer faced during the year, she was going to be hopeful, optimistic……she’s a glass half full kind of person.  

I’ll be spending my Christmas with family and friends surrounded by those that I love the most.   I hope your Christmas will filled with love and happiness, but more than that I pray your Christmas will be filled with the confidence that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.   After all he is the only reason that Christmas is Love.

Merry Christmas!
Pam

Read more...