Travis Dew Photography

So….this will be a little unconventional for me in terms of my “posts”….but this sweet girl is special.  Special because she’s been there for me during the more incredible times of my life…yet, not so incredible for her as it is her every day.  She made my world less stressed, more special and sometimes just plain funny.  She is my OBGYN’s nurse and has been there since, forever.  Sorry, girl, you qualify for a “forever.”

The doctor she works for is incredible and fantastic and awesome….and she’s part of the reason why.  (Elaine…since I know you’ll read this and get all jealous…you’re pretty cool too.)  He does have, however, a little nickname that I would have liked to have learned prior to signing the papers with him.  After about 637 exams and a couple of pregnancies…..I’m in the hospital to have one of the munchkins and the nurse asked, “Who is your doctor?”  After my response she says, “Oooohh, Dr. Big Hands.”  Um…..I’m sorry…what?  Daaaannng, should I have researched a Dr. Petite Hands?   Actually, the answer is a definite, resounding “NO” on so many levels because as I told someone years ago, “Anyone that can make that visit a pleasant experience….is a good doctor.”  He’s incredible, nice and funny – and I’ve never left the office with an open-ended worry, question or concern.  He’s so thorough, he’ll even suggest what type of cereal and milk you should eat.  Yep, that’s full service.

So…back to his awesome nurse.  I knew she was funny when she agreed – or suggested – to print out a fake copy of a sonogram of twins (not mine) to take an image home to make my husband barf.  Perfect, my kind of girl.  She never forgot mine or my husband’s blood type….because my husband thought he made a funny when he said, “I am Oh so positive and you Be so negative.”  Great…..we all know our blood types now.  That was 17 years ago.  When I was barfing my face off during one (all) of my pregnancies….she stashed a sample of an anti-nausea pill away for me….it didn’t work, but I sure appreciated it, girl.

Then there was that time that Dr. Big Hands figured after weeks of bed rest and some sassy talk from his preggars patient….it was time to stir things up a bit with little number 2 baby of ours.  He decided to ‘strip’ something…(and I won’t go into detail…but those of you who’ve had this procedure done know exactly what I’m referring to.)  Well, during my responses to my discomfort….my darling husband decides to pipe up from the corner of the room and tell me to “Chill out”…or was it “Relax”?  Wow.  He had just pulled my inner nugget full frontal….my ghetto was going side-to-side…but oh yeh, I was in stirrups and could do….n-o-t-h-i-n-g.  I was just about ready to serve up some exorcism pea soup and divorce papers to that ‘sweet little guy’ in the corner…but decided I needed a baby-daddy instead.  Yeh, she was there for that.

So this sweet nurse has been around forever, looks like she’s 12 and has a nice little family of her own.  Her daughter has found “the one” and they’ve taken him in like he’s their own.  They’ve made an awesome habit of family-time football and the happiness is throughout and genuine.

I so enjoyed my time ‘out-of-the-office’ with you and your fun crew.  Happy 25th Anniversary….and how special it is that you still hold hands.  Love it.

When I was growing up…I remember seeing the Faith and Values section of the newspaper including weddings and anniversaries.  The pictures of the couples celebrating their 50th anniversaries….were of plump men and women with white hair…holding a hanky and staring blankly at the camera for the anniversary picture.  Not these two….they are young, spry and surrounded by a vivacious group of friends ready to ring in the big five-oh.  Good for them…another couple that makes it look young and easy!  The setting was spectacular…the vibe was celebratory…and the night was perfect.  (Who is this guy that keeps showing up??  He and I got some good laughs out his ‘Where’s Waldo’ routine.)

These are the sweet munchkins that I get to see every 3 months.  Baby “C” turned 1 and it seems like yesterday that he was sticking out his tongue at me as a newborn.  Ohhhh how time flies….but it all keeps getting better.  Mama and Daddy threw “C” a Safari birthday party….and Mama put Pinterest to shame.  Or maybe she is Pinterest.  Or maybe Pinterest is Daddy’s worst nightmare….  She’s a nurse by day…but a dang party-thrower by night.   Roscoe…glad to see you could escape…and big brother “C” – BUSTED on the cake tasting.  Too funny.  And I ask you…what’s wrong with a little cheese puff and icing?  Nothing.

(I’m diggin’ the phonetics of my made up word….)  Another great little family that I’ve gotten to see grow…..this time last year baby “J” was a newborn and the girls were already dressing him up like a reindeer….not much has changed as the antlers kept coming this time.  If your household is anything like mine….it won’t be long before there’s a little payback.  Thanks for a fun Friday in the park for a little chase, leap frog, turtle watching, nose scwunching….here’s your sneak peek!

I met up with “L” and “S” in the park last week and each had their minds set on a couple of things.  “S” was digging his dump trucks, the ducks and he found a patch of mushrooms he couldn’t resist…but “L” was dead set on catching a…butterfly.  She waited patiently in flower patches…grabbed at the air about 936 times…and picked flowers to get closer and closer.  Well GUESS what, girl?!  You may not have caught one…but little did you know…one landed on YOU! (…look on your shoulder in the purple flower picture…)  Congratulations – your hard work paid off!  Enjoyed playing with you guys!

Life is good – and we should all climb a tree, spin a cartwheel and get to laughing.  I love seeing these cute people again. (Actually, the last time I spent time with them – was just with Mama and Daddy….and we were laughing.  Hard…at a freak show.) The girls are getting so big….and I dig their individual personalities.  Thanks for our afternoon in the park…here’s your sneak peek!

Mr. “C” here is about 8 days old and so laid back and yummy.  One part of me would love that sweet age in my household right now….and the other part that just sent the teen out the door to drive himself to school says, “Uh uh, no way.”  I so enjoyed our morning together – Mama, you look great – and I look forward to seeing you again when ‘Benana’ returns….(dig the name, by the way.)

This sweet girl did my hair years and years and years ago.  I remember our talks about engagement, marriage and the hopes of children….while my oldest napped in a chair beside us as a 2-year old.  Life got in the way of life – diapers overruled hair in the budget and time moved on….we just now reconnected.  My oldest is 16 and she has a BABY!!  He is so stinkin’ delicious and I had to resist throwin’ out the old-lady attack and smooches.  Sooo great to see you again and loved meeting your men.  Here’s your sneak peek.

The weather around here lately has been….incredible.  We are about a month ahead in weather and this household is loving it – open windows and doors does wonders for me!

Well….this family was out at IOP last week and it couldn’t have been more beautiful on the beach.  We had had our fun in the back yard and I’m glad we made the decision to get down to the beach…..it was well worth it.  Here is your sneak peek – enjoyed meeting all of you and d-a-n-g if everyone doesn’t know my husband…he’s like the mayor of life.  I’ll be in touch when the rest go up!

These two are meant to be…and it shows in so many ways.  To start, they were both baptized…years ago as babies…by the same man who married them.  I find that so incredibly special and part of their cycle of life that was meant to be together.  Both had prepared letters for one another – he, having left his behind accidentally, ripped off a piece of banner paper and scribbled a quick note to her with a pencil.  She said it was, “Perfect.”  I can still get a lump in my throat thinking about his reaction to her…looking so beautiful in her wedding dress.  He couldn’t tell her enough once they exited the church nor could he take his eyes off her or wipe the grin from his face.

All was FABULOUS from the relaxed families and wedding party….to Dad’s great sprint for a corkscrew….to gettin’ down with Bobby in his 80’s glasses.  This was truly a celebration of two people – just look how many arms went flying in the air out of excitement!  Here is your sneak peek – and, thank you for including me.  It was fantastic.

(Oh…the sweet bride gave each of her bridesmaids a unique bathrobe…and thoughtfully hand made a different pair of earrings for each girl!  They were beautiful.  Check out this sweet couple’s store, Drift, in the BiLo shopping center on Coleman Blvd. where you can find surfing needs, her designed jewelry and swimwear!)