The Grizwold Family

I can remember back in the summer of 1998, my church was having a big Beach BBQ.  I really like playing with the kids, so when they would run by I would playfully poke them in the belly or mess up their hair.  Later in the day, this little blonde haired girl was running by chasing one of her friends and she had this wonderful giggle.  The next time she walked by and I gave her a quick tickle and she giggled again.  Her laugh was addicting.  Before I knew it, I was throwing her in the air and being chased by her and her friends for fear of being buried neck deep in the beach sand.  By the end of the day I was quite tired but I had an enormous amount of fun.

Sometimes when I saw that giggle girl at church I could just make eye contact with her and give her a funny look that would make her laugh uncontrollably.  It was quite fun.  That December a friend of mine, knowing that I was the handy sort of person, asked if I would help her friend out.  Her friend was the mother of five and her husband was in a rush trying to finish their house by the time they had to move out of the one they were currently living in.  He was working on it late at night and she was worried for his safety.  My friend told me that her friend was Janel Grizwold.  That name was a bit familiar and I started thinking about the giggle girl and I thought it was her family.  There was no way I could say no.

A few days later I was contacted by Janel's husband, Bob, and he gave me directions to the new house that was under construction.  I spent the next 3 or 4 weeks installing base board, sanding cabinets, and preparing things for painting.  The first night we went back to his current house and I met the whole family.  Bob introduced me to Janel, Jonathan, Lanie, Julia, Emma, Jess, and the grandpa, Frank.  It was like a little zoo of kids!  All of us squished around this small table, me trying to answer their questions being this stranger with 3 little girls squealing and laughing.  Before I knew it I was assimilated.

That first night I was on Bob's cell phone answering Janel's questions about my opinions on whether the banister was too big.  I was the guy that would help out with the electrical and complimented Bob on his hard work and great architectural insight.  I was also the non-biased judge of the home working hard with Bob to convince Janel that this house was perfect and any minor flaw was either easily repairable, unnoticeable, or not a flaw at all.  I helped them move into their house and came back many times later for dinner and various parties.  They were like my surrogate family.

There are so many things I will never forget.  Janel is an amazing cook and great at decorating;  She is like Martha Stewart (the creative side) and Wolfgang Puck.  She is also easily humored which is very fun for me.  Bob has an great sense of humor, especially around people he is comfortable with, he is very patient with his kids and makes a great environment for his family.  Jonathan is the artist and also the oldest sibling and only brother.  He has given his twin baby sisters more baths than some parents I know.  The Griswold girls are all very beautiful.  I think it is a combination of great genetics, good upbringing, and a happy home.  Lanie, I believe is going to be a model, she is always naturally posing and almost always smiling.  She is smart too with her nose always in a book.  Julia, well what can I say, she is the giggle girl.  She loves to laugh, is very ticklish, and loves attention.  Emma and Jessica are the little princesses of the house.  I can remember whenever I would come over it was like a little parade.  These twin girls would be prancing around the house chanting "Josh is here! Josh is here!"  They would also do the same thing when Bob would come home from work.

Having a daughter has always been a great fear of mine, especially after going through high school and experiencing the average teenage guy at his worst.  I think the biggest effect the Grizwolds have had on me is the greater desire to have my own daughters when my wife and I start having children despite my fears when they get older.  My parents did a great job raising me and teaching me discipline and respect, but I also hope that when I become a father I can fill my house with the same amount of joy, fun, and happiness that the Grizwold Family did.

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