It's just a number, right?

Yesterday marked a big event in my life...I left my 20's behind and boldly embraced being 30!  Well, I let it sneak up behind me and saw no feasible way of holding it off any longer.  I woke up bright and early at 0430 and slowly got ready for work.  I had originally had the day off, but needed to switch shifts for something more important on Friday.

I have truly been dreading my birthday.  Birthdays had a way of disappointing me.  There were two disasterous surprise parties in my teenage years, but nothing compares to being stood up on your sweet 16.  I realize now I had unrealistic expectations, and it was my own fault for expecting the world to stop turning so everyone would have the opportunity to recognize how amazing it was that I had aged yet one more year.

I had a nice steady day at work with people I LOVE.  I have worked in quite a few different places in my life, and I can honestly say that I look forward to going to work.  I've learned more, and certified more, in the last year than I ever thought was possible.  One of the things I love about the medical field is that it is forever evolving.  New procedures, medicines, and practices are discovered constantly, and the best part is that I never know what I will encounter.  I have both laughed and cried at work, but nothing beats having a patient or family member thank you for simply doing your job.  My favorite yesterday was when I asked a new mother if she had any other questions or concerns after I gave her discharge instructions, and she asked if she could have my phone number.  I laughed and assured her she was doing great and to keep an open communication with her pediatrician.

The highlight of my day was when my Sexy Beast surprised me with lunch from Panera Bread and my favorite strawberry cake, AND he was able to eat with me.  Love that guy!

He also held off getting promoted until today so I could be there.  Yesterday starts out a 10 day celebration together as we celebrate both our birthdays and anniversary.

I am a very lucky person, and am grateful for the knowledge and experience I have gained in the last 30 years, and I look forward to many many more!

My Next Thirty Years

Happy Father's Day!

I'm so grateful that the hubby is here to celebrate Father's Day this year!  Nothing special has been planned except letting him sleep in and spending the day together as a family.

He started off the weekend by getting the boys their summer Mohawks which was a pleasant surprise when I got home from work on Friday.  They look so white trash that you can't help but laugh.  I didn't get upset because hair grows, and this will make for some great photos for the boys to laugh at when they grow up.

I'm really missing my Dad today.  March and April were very hard for me, which I believe is because we were planning our first ever family reunion, and he wasn't there.  

I am focusing on a few things I will forever cherish.  I will always consider my Dad as MacGyver with a pocket protector.  He could weld, build, and fix just about anything.  I'm grateful to recognize many of these qualities in the hubby...although I see him more as MacGyver with an M-4 and body armor.

What do you love most about your Dad/Step-dad/Father-figure or your children's father?

Letting my Geek Flag Fly!

Although my DVR stays 65% full on a daily basis with episodes of Caillou, Blue's Clues, and Little Einsteins, I have a few shows that I'm pretty devoted to.  I know that may shatter the impeccably classy facade so many of you portray me in, but I must speak the truth.

I'm really bummed there isn't going to be a 2nd season of Terra Nova!!  I'm frackin mad! (100 pts if you can name that show)

I admit that when I first saw the previews, I rolled my eyes because I knew the hubby would want to watch it, which would inadvertently make me part of the fan base as well.  Honestly, I started to look forward to new episodes.

From my research online, the sources state that the fan base was solid, but Fox didn't think the storyline was solid enough to offset the costs of CGI.

It was the perfect geek trifecta with a little of Stargate, Land of the Lost, and Avatar!

So, I'm hoping another network will pick it up and will continue to produce the show.  Unlike when the network that produced Gilmore Girls was bought out and the show ended shortly after.  Oy with the poodles already!

This is why I need to wait for a show to be in it's 3rd or 4th season to start watching!

The hubby will tolerate a lot when it comes to my shows, but he has to leave the room when I'm watching Army Wives, Dance Moms, or Sister Wives.  What are some of you guilty TV pleasures???

Everyone isn't special

With graduation season in full swing, I was surprised and impressed to read this article about a High School commencement speaker that told the truth.

I was not the valedictorian, I was not captain of any team, and at a young age I knew the worthlessness of a participation ribbon.

When I was in elementary school, in Jacksonville, NC, I vividly remember my first field day.  Our class had matching T-shirts and we were ready to win.  There were many different events that I had been entered in, and I didn't win any of them.  That being said, I enjoyed spending the day outside and being part of a team.  After the day was over we were given our team ribbons for the events won, and a participation ribbon for individual events.  As soon as I got home, the participation ribbon made it's way into the trash.  I understood that I had won nothing and the ribbon was a reminder of that.

I am by no means saying that if you do not win, you fail.  What I'm trying to point out is that I was not ruined by not winning.  I continued to participate in field day events in the following years because it was fun and not because I needed a ribbon that celebrates mediocrity.

There have been many things in my life that I did not win, but it never swayed me from trying!  I recognize that I may never invent something that could change the world, but that does not stop me from going to work everyday and doing my job to the fullest.


I take pride everyday in living my life, and I do not expect to be praised with a participation ribbon for being an adult.

I also don't understand the point of a graduation from Kindergarten, Elementary School, or Middle School.  I understand a High School graduation because your education will forever change in college.  You don't have to apply to attend 1st grade?

Okay, rant over.

I know not everyone agrees with me, but that's why I'm the best, most wonderful, amazing person in the world (as clearly demonstrated by all my participation ribbons), therefore I don't need your approval or permission.  But if you get hateful in the comments, I will delete them :o)

A Helping Hand and Being Thankful

After final negotiations with the insurance companies, I dropped off the Mini this morning for repairs, and had no choice but to have the boys in tow.  While we waited for the Enterprise to pick us up, there was another lady waiting for the same reason.  She was quick to interact with the boys, and Carter ran right over and sat on her lap.  After we were picked up and arrived to do all the paper work, the same lady was also waiting on her vehicle.  While at the counter Carter kept reaching for her, so she thoughtfully picked him up and helped keep him entertained.  The boys did pretty well for about 5 minutes, then started trying to open the doors to leave, so I had no choice but to buckle them in their car seats as we waited for our car to be ready.  I sat on the floor and did my best to keep them from screaming, and this lady came over and did the same.

I love my boys, but being in public seems to always be a challenge.  Some people point and give me dirty looks as I try to wrangle my 2 yr olds (that are often mistaken for 3 yr olds due to their height), but sometimes people take the time to hold a door open, talk to the boys, or even something as simple as a reassuring smile.

It doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated.  It's little things like this that have the power to keep me from losing my temper or wanting to cry!

So, THANK YOU to the amazing stranger that made my morning, and THANK YOU to everyone that takes the time to provide service for those when they really need it!

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On a slightly related note, I'm thankful for the sand on my floors!!

About a year ago I woke up early and walked into the kitchen only to find sand tracked everywhere.  At first I started to get upset, but instead I started to cry.  I was thankful for the Florida sand that had been tracked into my house from my husband's combat boots!!  I was thankful that it was Florida sand and not Iraq or Afghanistan sand.  I was able to hold my husband in my arms at the end of the night, and know he was safe.

So, as I swept the sand off my kitchen floor this morning, I cried.  I'm grateful for the North Carolina sand on my floors!!  I'm grateful that my husband is finally here with us, and that he is proudly serving our country.

Love my Army Wife Life!!