We are...

...getting excited for a fun-filled week ahead. Lots of family, fun and beachy waves in our future. 

Weekly phone dump:

Happy weekending :)

greatness

Dear Caleb and Katelynn,

You are destined for greatness.

Let the world be open to you.

Don't give up on yourself. Don't let others define who you are. Don't give in to callousness and mediocrity because you think it is what you have to do.

Play fair.

Be open, understanding.

Be a good listener. Be a team player.

Learn balance, because balance baby is what gives you the will to move on when life gets tough, and gives you the courage to be still when you need to slow down.

Be honest.

Don't sell yourself short.

Make an impression on others and on this earth that is all you. At the end of the day look at yourself in the mirror and smile.

You are incredible. You are brilliant. You are one of a kind.

And you, my children, are destined for greatness.

Weekly phone dump:

Dad's day

I just got off the phone with my dad this evening. Hearing his voice reminded me of all the wonderful years and memories that we've shared. Dad's are pretty amazing. They teach you about things. Life lessons, but they also find ways to do it when you're centered around hitting or kicking around a ball of some sort. I can vividly remember him teaching me how to be a goalie. He would kick soccer balls at me until I wasn't afraid of them anymore. I would hear him tell me, "Aimee you need to get aggressive. Dig deep, show me that aggressive face." I may not have goalie gloves on or soccer balls whizzing by me anymore, but I still know how to find that determination in life when I need it. That strength when I need it most.

Now that we have children of our own, I hear Mark talk to the kids about life lessons. With Caleb this past spring during baseball season I saw him learning life lessons. Katelynn even with her very short attention span with soccer, I heard the little life lessons starting. I know that as their mom I have so much to show them, so much to share.

But I recognize the importance of daddies. I know they learn things from him that are special. I know this because I shared that with my own dad. And I appreciate that. I treasure that. Always.

Happy Father's day to all those wonderful dads out there. We are all so grateful for your contribution to our lives. You make them rich in ways that only you can. Thank you. Always.

Today, for our daddy we went to the Georgia Aquarium to appreciate a piece of nature's wonder.

We hope everyone had a great day with their dads. But for those that we couldn't be near, we had you in our thoughts and hearts all day. Thank you for being there for us, for kicking soccer balls at us. For giving us a piece of you that we carry with us always.

good night, night

Yesterday I worked my last night shift. It was very bittersweet. For many reasons that I won't get into I had to make a change.

Since I'm really into lists lately...(ha are you kidding? I've always been a list person)...I thought I'd list off the things that I will miss about working the shift I've come to love for the past two years.

Night shift, I will miss...

the late night confessionals...colleagues, patients, there's just something about being awake at 4am that gets your subconscious talking

eating breakfast, lunch or dinner at any time of the day...I can't tell you how long it took getting used to having meatloaf for breakfast

middle of the night grocery shopping...it's amazing how much more pleasant it can be without the crowd, but also how much more creepy the crowd is that does come out

handing out an extra blanket to visitors sleeping in the waiting room...a simple comfort peace offering

charting to the sound of music at the nurse's station

coffee breaks...at midnight, 2am and 4am...and if it was a really bad night, 6am...which reminds me, I have a slight addiction

I'll miss the people more than anything. I have had some of the best nights getting to know my great night shift friends. I will miss every single one of you.

Day shift here I come :)


Oh, I don't think I ever got around to posting pictures of Caleb's room after we painted. He loves his "Georgia" room...

beach getaway

Just a friendly little warning: this post contains a LOT of pictures. My big birthday gift this year was a new camera lens, hence all the material. But it's good material...enjoy :)

For my birthday weekend, we ventured to the beach. I know we're kinda becoming beach bums like that. But it's so hard to turn down when the temperatures rise and salty waves just start calling your name. You have to respond.

No treasured summer memories are complete without time in the pool.

 Which means cannonballs...

We also took a day trip to coastal North Carolina where I found my new love (thanks to the book/movie Safe Haven). Introducing Southport...

view from the Ferry

A great family summer getaway. Now back to reality...and day shift starting next week for me! I know the next few weeks are going to be a rough transition, but I am really looking forward to being a day-walker. Until next time, have a great week!