Come Fly With Me

So on Friday my daughter and I are leaving. We're headed over to France to visit my sister, husband, and kids. I am sooooo excited. My entire family is going over, I'm picturing something like National Lampoons European Vacation. Remember that movie?? Funny right? I can hardly wait. There is only one thing missing...my husband. Unfortunately he couldn't get away from work and to make matters worse, I leave on our 5th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 5 years. Sometimes it feels like we're still in high school. I hate being away from him, my heart aches when we are apart. I guess I'll just have to carry his love with me across the sea. I love you Josh! Thank you for giving me the best 5 years of my life.

Good Friends, Good Times

Last night we were invited over to our friend Jamie and Brooks' house for some outdoor fun. My girlfriend Chrissy and her husband and son were also there. I have known these girls since elementary school and have kept close with both of them. Last night the girls and I were sitting out on the patio when Chrissy said something like "It feels surreal, we used to talk about growing up and living close to eachother and having kids together. Now here we are." I knew exactly what she was talking about. Sitting there I remembered the three of us playing together as kids and then I look over. Our kids were playing together now. How blessed we are to be able to share our lives together. Who knows maybe my little princess will marry one of these two princes. I love you girls.

ps maybe when we're old (if we're alone) we'll turn into the Golden Girls. We'll move to Miami live and live together in a house I'll be Dorothy, Jamie's Blanche, and Chrissy's Sophia hahahahah

Good-bye Val

Well I've worked as a nurse for about 5 years now and I have to say it's quite an experience. The patient population I care for is both complex and challenging. To care for these people you need a group of nurses who have the ability to critically think, anticipate needs, and work together as a team. There is no better group in my hospital than the ladies of renal. Each one of them is intelligent, compassionate, sensitive, and let's just say wonderful!! I enjoy working with each and every one of them. Unfortunately though, life takes us in different directions and we move on. One of the very BEST nurses I have ever met is leaving us to be closer to her family. Valerie was there when I started working on the unit and has been a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful spirit for all of us. We will miss her more that she'll ever know. We love you Val, remember your home is always with us on 2C.

Sun & Fun & Sandy Feet

Every year our family makes the 6 hr trek to the glorious Outer Banks. We have sooooo much fun with the large group that we take each year. We rent a couple of houses and settle in for a week of enjoying each other's company. I absolutely love this time of year!!! This year was youngest cousin Scarlett's first time to the beach (out of her mother's womb). There's nothing cuter than this little sweetie in her watermelon bikini. Layla loved hangin' out with her little sidekick. There was only one thing missing...the Mckenzie clan. My sister Kirsten and her family are over in France and spent their last year at the beach with us in 06. We missed them very much!! Ah well, we still had a great time anyway. Only 357 more days until Nags Head 08!!!!

Hind Sight Is 20/20

It's a cliche I know, but it really is. When I'm worried about life and the challenges it brings, I look back at where I've been. Then one thing that brings me the most comfort is knowing God is in control. Now, I know that He is in control and things work out according to His will but, I sometimes like to think I can have some input. However, ultimately He knows what is best even though we may not always agree. Like for example, when I was pregnant with our daughter, I said "Ok Lord, I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, just let it have dark hair and blue eyes." Well, He was listening! That's exactly what I got, a beautiful, healthy, dark-haired, blue-eyed baby girl. Awesome!! It doesn't always happen that way though. Next example, I'm in high school. I'm president of a marketing club, taking business classes, and preparing to be a huge ad exec in NY. Does that happen....no. I go in the total opposite direction and earn a nursing degree and devote my life to taking care of others. At times, I'm frustrated, confused, angry, scared and so much more but, then I look back. I see His hand moving in all of it. He carries me, guides me, loves me, comforts me and shows me where I need to be. When I finished nursing school, I had job offers for 3 different floors in my hospital. I was fully prepared to stay on GI and take care of all of the ulcers, GI Bleeds, pancreatitis', etc. I had been there for a year and a half. Did I stay there no. I went to work on a renal unit and started taking care of people with kidney failure. Little did I know He was preparing me to serve my sister. My little, beautiful, wonderful, innocent baby sister. Recently, she was diagnosed with kidney failure and will soon start dialysis. God has prepared my heart to love her even more. I don't know why she has to go through this, but I know He has never let me down and like my sister Kara says, he has plans for her. I know someday I will look back and again see His hand moving in this and again hind sight will be 20/20. For now I will "trust in Him with all my heart" and take every opportunity to squeeze my Grace. Grace......what a perfect name for her.........

Get Down and Get Funky

Ok I must admit that I love "Dancing With the Stars." I can't help it, I just turn it on and I am instantly in a good mood. I love ballroom dancing, and only wish I could cha cha or rumba with the best of them. So I sit and watch and secretly visualize myself on TV. Well tonight, my husband and daughter were at the gym when I got home. I had the TV all to myself and was all into the action when they walked in the door. It was Apollo's turn and it was the freestyle. Well, Layla decided to do a little freestylin' of her own. I almost peed myself as I watched her try and imitate the head spin on the carpet. She was really into the music and breakin' it waaaayyyy down. I only wish I'd had a video camera on hand. Watch out America...

ps kara, brett dennen is awesome.

Girlfriends

So I just came home from my first trip away without my husband or baby. Two of my oldest girlfriends and I drove to a town just outside of Pittsburg for a baby shower. It was about a 3 hr drive so we had ample time for "great" conversation. We laughed our butts off through the whole trip. It was sooooooo great spending time with the "girls." I have missed that so much. When you get busy with life weeks, months, or even years slip by without you even noticing. My girlfriend Jessica moved to PA and married her dream guy. We both just sort of got wrapped up in work, and husbands and such. When I saw her gorgeous pregnant self I was just overwhelmed. I can't wait to share mommiehood with her. I am looking forward to the next road trip to meet their little bundle of joy. I love you girls!!!!