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!

coming to grips with reality...otherwise known as...you're turning 30

I can't say I've been dreading this day...but I can't say I've been looking forward to it either.

If we're being honest...and we are, because that's what I do on here (I try not to put up false advertising)...I feel like I've been in my 30s all of my 20s. Like I somehow flipped decades. And that's what getting married and having a baby in your 20th year will do to you. Maybe I've thought all along that somehow in my 30s I'd finally feel like I was in my own skin. Like maybe it will all come together in some beautiful symphony of "you got this and you own it" mantra.

Even with all of that to look forward to, it still hurts my ears to hear "30." Look for equally compelling posts with "40" and "50" themes.

I thought I'd write a letter to myself 10 years ago...my new favorite perspective.


Hey you,

I'd like to say the world is wide open and ready for you. But that's a lie...it'll never be ready for you.

What you will find is that life in this world is beautiful. Always changing, sometimes moving in slow and steady shifts that will take some getting used to. The key is to notice the small with the big changes that will surely greet you in the coming years. Because, my darling, you will never be the same wide-eyed small town girl ever again. Kiss those days good-bye. Tell me you weren't ready to hear that?

Here are some words of advice that I have for you in the next few years...

Act your age.

Don't lose yourself trying to find love.

Learn how to cook three good meals. Like from scratch.

Wash your clothes. Weekly.

You won't lose IQ points not attending college right out of high school.
Especially if you're major is "undecided."

Take care of your body.
The path to self destruction is only appreciated in books and movies.

Dare to dream. I double-dog dare you.

Brands and labels are just more stitching, it's not worth the debt.

Work hard. And when you think you're there, push yourself that extra little bit-you won't break.

Volunteer. Lend your hand and heart to those who need it more than you.

Travel.

Invest your time in good friendships.
Not people who are only in it for themselves.

Nothing beats rolling with the windows down, and your favorite song on the radio.
Welcome to your addiction.

Smile. Life's not supposed to be all figured out yet. Ever.

Hug your grandparents a lot.
And your parents.

Get a puppy.

Pick up a camera.

When you're in a bind, two words: don't pawn.

As much as you swear off the 80s, they will come back.
And you will one day love the cheesy Molly Ringwald movies you once swore lifelong hatred to.

Your high school crush was an idiot and the sooner you let it go the better.

Go to more concerts.

That one time you...never-mind, do it. You learned a good lesson there.

Be original.

There will be a day when you're driving a minivan...drive that convertible like it's going out of style.
Because it will.

Don't accept other's definitions of who you are or who you want to be. Even those whom you love.
You're the one holding the dictionary.

Start a collection. One that you'll be able to show off to your kids someday.

Do yoga.

Appreciate silence.

You really can fall in love and meet your soul mate right out of high school.
And it will lead you to some of the best breathtaking moments of your life.

There's nothing wrong with your legs.
Or your hair.
Or your face.
It'll all get better.

Use sunscreen.
Tanning is, for lack of a better word, stupid.

Start a savings account. A modest one is better than none.

Country music is not so bad. You'll start to love it.
No worries Dad, I'm still loyal to Skynyrd.

Stay grounded.

When life throws you curve balls at least you can say you swung.

Keep kicking around the soccer ball.

If you don't love it, don't do it.

I know those odd jobs you took seemed ridiculous at the time, but it beefed up your skills section.
And you learned how to count back change.

Find your own way.

You're worth it.

And don't be afraid of the future.
It's going to be good...

greeting the sun this morning on the beach 

in case you haven't noticed...

It's going to be a bit of a yo-yo game or round of hopscotch on here. I've merged my blogs to bring the best of both worlds...my candid observational nature-writing on topics that amuse me, and keeping up with our family all in one tiny section of blog space.

And if you hadn't noticed, well I'll chalk that up to me being an amateur illusionist :)

Thanks for reading...