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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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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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.   

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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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A little more than you needed to know

I have these crazy little goals.  Sometimes they are perfectly sensible and sometimes they are a little cooky.  One of my life goals is to spend the night in every state and visit 5 continents.   I've accomplished a good bit of this.   I've actually spent the night (not just set foot) in 31 states and have visited 3 continents.  Here's 5 places I've visited ... hope you enjoy!

5 Places I've visited



New York city, New York
It's maybe my all time favorite city to visit.  Love walking in Time Square, eating in trendy restaurants, going to shows (LOVE THE SHOWS), and walking through china town buying purses off the street.  Who could ask for more.   I'm not sure this is a city I could live in full time..but I sure would like to give it a try.


Jarkarta, Indonesia
Wow,  this is a HUGE city 12 million people live in Jarkarta.  They have two seasons..the hot dry season and the hot wet season.  It's just hot there.  There are people everywhere and they drive motorcycles.  No Joke, more than once I saw a family of 5 on a motorcycle. It takes about 26 hours to get there from SC and I can promise you've not seen anything like it before.  Also,   you will eat food you don't recognize....life can be really exciting..enjoy it!


Montreal, Quebec
Snow, Snow, Snow well  that's mostly what I got to see.  I stayed in a little town called Terrebonne that was picturesque.  Lot's of people talking very quickly in a language I understand very slowly.  It was the first place I tried sushi....loved it. 


Cancun, Mexico
Most people go to Cancun for a holiday.   I went to work.  I learned how to mix cement by hand (rocks, sand, water, stir with a shovel).  Beautiful place, beautiful people.  First place I truly understood that love and compassion could cross any boundaries.   Also, the first time I experienced a nude beach.  Quite a eye opener if you know what I mean.


Winnipeg, Manitoba
This was one of the flattest stretches of land I have ever seen.  You could see for miles.   I was there during the month of October and in case you wondered...IT WAS COLD!!!   Lots and lots and lots of cold wind.   No snow...just wind.  I was there during the Canadian Thanksgiving and got to have Turkey with Yorkshire Pudding..mmm mmm good.


Tell me about places you've visited.

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