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

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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!!!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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It’s the little things……that make a big difference.

In church yesterday we sang one of my favorite worship songs, "In Christ Alone".    The words are so moving.    Isn’t it amazing  how words that we use every day to communicate with each other are the same words we use to communicate with the God of this universe.   It’s even more amazing that the God of this universe takes the time to use me…and the small things in my life to bring about things for His kingdom.  The song paints a picture of Christ our Lord in all His power coming to earth out of love.   I heard David Jeremiah say that out of all the “ships” in the world.....worship, stewardship, membership, discipleship, fellowship are all settled when we realize that Lordship is the main ship.    When we realize that Jesus Christ is Lord and we give ourselves over to him we have no trouble with all the other “ships” and the song "In Christ Alone" reminds me of just that kind of Lordship.


The last verse is by far my favorite…..the music swells so that you want to shout   “From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny ”   What a love song!


Little Words…BIG Difference.


In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

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Oscar

Let me tell you a little about Oscar.  He's my 12lb bob tail cat that thinks he's a 2lb kitten. He's spoiled rotten for certain.   He demonstrates this by ignoring the dry cat food, because he knows he can hold out for the good stuff.   He has also claimed a chair as his and doesn't mind letting others know.  He's a beautiful white cat with 2 gray splotches on his ears.   Now Oscar didn't always have the good life.  When he wondered over to Kenwood he was skin and bones and very afraid of everyone.  I must admit that my first comments were...I don't want a scrawny cat around...BUT as fate would have it he was presistant and his sad little face won me over.

Oscar has taught me something in my Christian walk...what I first thought was unpleasant and ugly has turned out to be beautiful to me.  Our sins are ugly to God...but He loves us enough to die for us.  Romans: 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Imagine how much God loves us.   We are his beautiful creations.  No matter what others may see...we belong to Him and are beautiful.

Oscar was once very afraid...so afraid that petting him was out of the question...it took patience and kindness to win him over. In time Oscar became confident in my love for him.   There is no fear of mistreatment or unkindness.  If only we were as patient and kind to those God has asked us to serve.  Mark 12:29 - 31 says   "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.""
Pam

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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

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Jane Austin Fan club.

I guess you could consider me a romantic. Not in the sappy, sentimental sense of the word.  I don’t swoon over a prince charming or feel that every story should have a happily ever after ending….but I do enjoy..no love romanticism in literature. Jane Austin is by far my favorite. I’ve read all of her books and find myself re-reading them time and time again. I normally start reading “Pride and Prejudice” in October or November and then continue to read the others throughout the cold months. We don’t have a lot of cold months here in SC, but enough to enjoy a good read.

I love the fact that the heroine has to overcome everyday life to find joy & love. I love that in every story the heroine is confident in herself…she knows who she is. She may make mistakes or draw the wrong conclusions at times, but in the end she is a strong person who knows how to handle herself and any conflicts that may arise. She also wants the right and just outcome to occur……even if this means she may not get the perfect end to her story.

I hope I’m like that in life. I hope I appear confident…sure of myself even if I’m not sure of the circumstances, a strong person who handles problems and conflicts well. I hope in the small decisions I make  that I choose the right and just outcome over the best end for me personally. Proverbs 31:25 – 30 tells of this virtuous woman. I pray that you see these traits in me.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Pam

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