table for three.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
A late summer reunion.
Amazing doesn't even begin to describe our weekend in NC.We packed our bags and travelled home for the wedding of a high school friend... a mutual friend, but one of Nick's closest friends since childhood. The setting was beautiful at a quaint little inn in downtown Winston-Salem. I haven't seen a couple so happy, so in love, and so meant for each other in quite some time. It was a beautiful moment.
We missed both of our high school reunions this past year (same school, different years), so this wedding became our own reunion with some of our best and oldest friends. We were also joined by my inlaws, which only made the night better. We laughed and danced the night away. Our first night away from Logan... together, relaxed, and living carefree. I didn't realize how much we needed it.
Our trip home was also the usual reunion with our families. I love our lives here in TN, but there's nothing quite like being home surrounded by the ones you love the most. Logan had a blast!
Posted with Blogsya perfect day.
Logan and I woke up bright and early this morning.We enjoyed our usual morning nursing session, and scrambled to get bathed and ready in time to make our sweet Madison's softball game (the daughter of my dearest and oldest friend). We caught up with old friends on the ballfield, and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny Spring morning.
After the game we drove just down the road to Nana & GP's house, and welcomed good company and hot coffee. We even snuck in a little leftover teriyaki chicken for lunch.
We loaded up the car with a couple of sweet girls (Logan's cousins) and ran a few errands before making our way to Skateland for Madison's 7th birthday party.
A few hours and slices of cake later we found ourselves out to dinner with Nana & GP, and we dined on a little of everything at the table.
We worked off the bulge by browsing through Target, and taking a short stroll on a warm but pleasant evening.
Back at our temporary home we celebrated our day with a little bath time and snuggle time.
And here we sit, Logan sleeping soundly in his pack 'n play and me grinning ear to ear at what a perfect day it was. A simple but busy life, full of the best family and friends anyone could ask for. (and reminiscing at a softball game didn't hurt either :)
Logan crossed a few firsts off his list today... first ball game, first birthday party, first trip to the skating rink. He enjoyed (almost) every minute of it!
Logan's firsts: the Zoo
A weekend of family and beautiful Spring weather made the perfect setting for Logan's first trip to the zoo. We are zoo people... Nick and myself have been to the Nashville Zoo several times, the Memphis Zoo, NC Zoo, and Chattanooga Aquarium (close enough). And this was all in our young adult years before children! I look forward to many more trips with Logan to the zoo, and I definitely see a family membership in the near future. Logan's first zoo trip was a bit crowded, but we still managed to take plenty of pictures to remember the day.
lake memories
I had the most amazing time with my family at the lake this weekend. The two lonely cabins might be small, the air-conditioning non-existent, and the days hot, but it is truly a magical place.
We've been coming to the lake for almost 20 years now, and I've cherished every moment I've spent there. There's nothing like a peaceful morning on the dock reading with coffee in hand, and only an occasional boat passing by, or an afternoon of skiing and tubing with the wind in your hair, or lazy evenings with endless chatter by the water.
The best moments of my childhood were spent at the lake. Growing up, my cousins were my best friends. I would often spend the Summer at my aunt's house growing closer to my cousins everyday, and I loved it. Illness, careers, babies, and marriages may have gotten in the way recently, but nothing can ever take those memories away from me.
I'm already counting down the days until our lake trip next year. It's one of the only thing left to keep me close to my family, and in a time when everything seems to be changing, that is truly priceless.
There's only one thing I would change about my lake trip this year.... I would have stayed longer.
just me & the dogs. again.
sunshine, the lake, cookouts, and quiet nights with my family... I can't think of a better way to spend Easter weekend.
infrared wall at the Adventure Science Center
My parents and nieces made the trip to Nashville last weekend, and I loved every minute of it. We talked, laughed, got sun-burned (ok, maybe that was just me), and had a GREAT time. Well, at least I did... I hope they agree :)
Dad, Avery, & Mom at the Adventure Science Center
Kealy, Me, & Avery
almost there
I received my ATT and scheduled my NCLEX today! I'm only a few weeks away from officially becoming Jaclyn, RN, BSN. You have no idea how amazing it feels.To make it even better, I scheduled to take the exam in Chattanooga at the end of January. If everything works out, I will get to enjoy dinner and a little quality time with my family while I'm there. I don't get to see them nearly often enough. Somehow I've managed to see them less since I moved to TN than when I lived further away in NC. It may be long overdue, but at least I have a plan in place.
I'm also really excited about visiting my aunt in the nursing home. She's been in a coma for almost 12 years now, and I feel guilty for not visiting more often. I probably won't be their favorite visitor, because now that I'm educated as a nurse I plan to point out everything they're doing wrong. Only the best for my family :)
I'll also visit my Granny's grave while I'm in the area. I've only been once before (she died in February 2007), so this is another visit that's long overdue. My Granny and I weren't particularly close- I was such a shy child, I didn't get close to anyone I didn't have to- but I love making up for lost time now. I miss her so much... she was the only grandparent I had as a child, and she definitely has a special place in my life and my heart. I've had a four leaf clover hanging from my rear view mirror since she died (she was born on St. Patty's day), and it has brought so much comfort and peace to me. For every stressful day and emotional roller coaster I've survived in the last 3 years, it has hung as a reminder to not worry about things out of your control but focus on the bigger picture. She's also a big part of the reason I chose a career in nursing. She was not a licensed nurse, but she was the most compassionate caregiver anyone could ever ask for. She cared for six children, including spending the last 9 years of her life caring for her oldest daughter in a coma, and she never once complained. She was never lazy, and never took the easy way out. I will always remember her with a smile on my face. And any day I become frustrated with a patient or lose my empathy for others, I hope to remember her to remind me why I chose the path I did. She is the most amazing role model anyone could have, and if I can be half of what she was I will be the greatest nurse Nashville has ever seen.
change is good, right?
During the holidays I made the decision to move back to NC- which made Nick very, very happy- but I'm starting to wonder if I'm crazy. We've talked about moving back home for a long time now, and given my current employment situation and the impending deployment it seemed like the perfect time to make the move. I'm ecstatic about the thought of being surrounded by old friends and great family, but it's hard to leave the life I've created here in Nashville. I have great friends here and so much has happened in the 4 years we've lived in Tennessee. Most of all I'm scared about how I will handle my living situation in NC... I will be moving in with the in-laws, so it's great to know that I will be surrounded by family and won't have to live alone in the eerie quietness that plagues our house right now. But I don't know how it will really feel to give up my independence and the comfort of my own home. I haven't lived with anyone other than Nick for so many years, and I will be a guest in someone's house without my own space. We will save a ton of money if we're able to sell our house quickly, but I'm starting to wonder if it will be worth it. I also love the relationship I have with my in-laws, and I'm terrified that living with them will change it... I know from experience that living with someone changes everything. I've worked so hard to survive independently when Nick is gone, and it almost feels like I'm giving up or chickening out by moving back home. I'm 99% sure that moving to NC is the right move, but I can't seem to get the 1% of doubt out of my mind. If I make the move there will be no turning back, and that scares the hell out of me. I haven't lived in Winston for 8 years... what if I hate it? The only experience I've had there has been during holidays over the years and I know that I will probably be disappointed with the lack of excitement and entertainment on a day to day basis. Unfortunately I don't really have any more time to think about my decision, and I'm just going to have to go for it. I'm going to have to pretend to be a spontaneous person... not the OCD planner that I really am.So I'm going to do it. Nick is thrilled to know that I will have the support of our families during the deployment, and I think he will sleep a little more peacefully at night while he's gone. If nothing else, that makes the risk worth it.
Farewell, Nashville. You've been good to me but it's time to say goodbye. We'll always have 8.15.09.
blah
It hasn’t even been 2 days yet, and already I’m starting to feel depressed and detached from the world. I can’t accept that I will be living this quiet, lonely life for the next year. I need a roommate, a new friend (with no life that wants to spend every waking moment with me), a new hobby… anything to distract myself from the silence. It will get better, it always does, but about the time I begin to get used to this new life it will be time to see Nick for Christmas- which is GREAT- but I’ll have to start all over again. I don’t do well with change. It’s always the little things that I miss the most… sitting around watching tv together, cooking dinner together, cuddling in bed on a Saturday morning, running errands around town… the list goes on and on. I just love having him by my side for everything that life brings- big and small. It’s times like this that I also regret living so far away from our families, because no one can replace the comfort and love that comes with family.(I never promised this blog would be uplifting, did I?)
One thing to be grateful for tonight… One Tree Hill & Gossip Girl. Distractions are invaluable right now.
I think too much
I'm back! A lot sooner than I thought... I've had a lot on my mind lately. As graduation creeps closer and closer (32 days!), I'm beginning to wonder if I'm focusing too much on nursing. I'm finishing my applications to begin grad school next year, but there are so many other things I want to accomplish in life. Getting my doctorate has always been near the top of my lifelong goals, but I also want to focus on my painting and art, writing a book, starting a family, and spending time on the things in life that matter the most. I don't want to lose anything, I'm just having a hard time figuring out how to prioritize everything. I know once I start grad school all of my time and energy will be concentrated on nursing, and it scares me to think that so soon after the madness of the last 16 months I will have to give up everything else I love in life once again. Maybe I'm being dramatic... I really hope so. School has always been my first priority (sometimes even above my husband... sorry baby), so in a way I don't feel like I have a choice but to make the next step in my education. I really don't want to put it off, I just want to do everything now. I don't want to put anything off, but that's the reality of life. I know it will still be at least a couple more years before we begin adding little Armstrongs to the mix, since Nick will be leaving in 3 weeks and will gone all of next year.Okay... I feel better now. It's amazing what writing can do for me. As always, once the words are written I realize that I'm anxious and stressed about nothing, and everything will work out the way it's supposed to do. If I'm meant to start grad school next fall, I should have an acceptance letter from an amazing nursing school in the next few months. And if not, then I will take that as the sign to focus on my art.
Don't forget to check out alittlesunshine.tumblr.com... it's probably more entertaining than the ramblings I leave here!
change happens
So I'm officially a married woman these days. So many things seem to be changing, but at the same time everything seems to be staying the same. Nick has been my best friend for the past six years, and we have lived together for so long that marriage seems to be nothing more than a sheet of paper. Not that I don't absolutely love that he is finally my husband, but my daily life didn't drastically change when we got married. At the same time I'm only 3 months away from graduating from nursing school, and hopefully less than a year away from becoming a mother. Talk about life changing. I'm anxious, I'm excited, I'm scared... but most of all I'm ready. The most important moments of my life seem to be happening all at once, and I love it. The best part is I don't have to do any of it alone... I have the most amazing husband that supports me through everything, and I couldn't ask for anything more.One thing I'm not looking forward to in the coming months- Nick's deployment to Iraq. This will be his first tour, and my first big challenge as an Army wife. He'll be leaving December 5 for three months of training in Mississippi, and then will be on his way to the Middle East for a 12-month deployment. It won't be easy, but I know we can do it because we have to. I'm living proof that you can find a way to make it through anything if you have to. Looking at the big picture a year is only a very small portion of our lives together, but those 12 months are going to feel like an eternity. When he leaves I will be a 26 year old student and military wife, only responsible for myself, and when he returns I will be a 27 year old registered nurse and the mother of his child (if everything goes as planned- cross your fingers!). It's never easy to see him go, but I'm comforted knowing how proud I am of the brave man that he is, and what he is willing to do for our family and our country. I'm truly blessed, and I know it. Life will go on, and it will only get better from here.
With all of the new experiences and changes in my life right now, it seemed appropriate to begin writing about them. We often take for granted the little things in life that make us who we are, and I want to take the time to reflect upon my journey before I get lost in the chaos of life.
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