My Daddy

The other day I was talking to someone about my dad and I realized that my dad has been out of my life longer than he was in it. For those of you who don't know, my dad died in 1988 when I was 16. He was 39. I know this is sad. It makes me sad to think about all the things he has missed in my life. He totally missed my high school graduation. He didn't get to walk me down the aisle. When my girls were born I didn't get to have him come into the delivery room afterwards and introduce him to my girls... He is not physically present at birthdays, holidays, recitals, big events, nothing....
But this does not mean he is not there. My dad may have been on this earth for 16 years of my life, but during that time he impressed on my a lifetime of valuable information. He taught me about love. My mom and dad had an unbelievable love. And they were not afraid to show it. My dad would do anything for someone who needed it. Which may be why I would do the same. He was such a family man, always doing for us kids so that we would have fun. And boy did we have fun!!!!!!
But most importantly he taught me about the love of Jesus. When my dad was sick, I never once heard him ask God why. Why him. Now he may have in his own private time or with my mom but never in front of me. This showed me such a strength and belief that he not only knew where he was going but that he would see us again.
So in believing this I know my dad is there. At my graduation, my wedding and every day he is there. Watching me raise my kids, helping me to do a good job with the training he gave me before he left. Watching me love the way he loved. What pride he must be feeling. Funny that this is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels too.
So yes , not a day goes by that I don't miss my dad, think about him, or wish he was still here. BUT I have a lifetime of memories that will get me through until me are together as a family again.

I love you daddy..... Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Happy Birthmonth to my Friend of the Day

Tracy is totally my friend of the day. Sometimes when you meet people you become friends. Not always good friends but friends. Then over the years as you are around that person more and more and in more personal situations you get closer. This sums up my friendship with Tracy. I met Tracy several years ago at work. I knew immediately that I liked her but I did not know to what depths she could love her friends. Tracy is an awesome friend. She is an awesome hostess, one of the funniest people I know and an awesome gift giver. She is one of those people who are always there for her friends. And I am lucky to be one of them.
I am sooooooooo glad that Tracy and I have evolved our relationship. Lately we have become a little closer through our children dating (and by dating I mean conversing through texts). I have to say this thrills me to no end. Knowing that when your child "goes out" with someone they will be with another person you trust gives immeasurable comfort. I hope this last forever!!!!!
My friend Tracy is so special she deserves not just a day but a month!!!! So happy birthmonth Tracy.

Thanks for being my friend........

Mrs. Bentley to the Principal's Office

My friend of the Day is Nicole Miller Bentley.....

OK I have known Nicole for a very short time. The first time I met her she was very quiet and reserved. So I wasn't too sure about her. But after a few times I said something to Nicole and in true Nikki fashion she has a smart a-- remark and I thought oohhhh I like this girl!!!! She has a great sense of humor, She is a God Loving woman, and she married my Matt. (That alone deserves some praise!) This last Saturday I spent a few hours with Nicole just talking. It is soooo easy to talk to her. She has a lot life experience for such a young person. She gives good feed back when you share a problem with her. I just totally feel like she is a friend to keep. And did I tell you she married Matt!!!!

I look forward to many memories with Matt, Nicole and Ella. She is the perfect addition to the Bentley family. I am always here for ya Nicole! I know you would say the same thing....

Thank you for being my friend......

Happy Birthday Mary Paige!!!!!

Being a mom to a 4 year old is........

Hard

Frustrating

Impossible

Crazy(bad)

Exhausting

Mind Numbing

Draining

Rewarding

Fun

Crazy (good)

Loving

Awesome

Enlighteneing..........

PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Paige I love you with all that I am. You delight me and frustrate me in one breath. I am forever grateful that you came into my life. Your 4 short years have given me some of the happiest times in my life. I look forward to watching you grow, to being a part of many more happy times in our lives. You are an angel. I love you............

Friend of The Day

Did I ever mention to you that I have the best friends ever? I did? Oh well I am telling you again... I have the best friends EVER!!!!! My friends know exactly when to pick me up, exactly when I need encouraging, exactly when I need a hug.

My friend of the day is Dana McBurnett. I truly love her. Dana was one of my special buddies on night shift. ( and by special I dont mean a ratard). Dana is probably my earliest friends in L&D. She liked me before I was cool. Heck she probably made me cool. I remember some good times on nights with Dana and one really sad one when she thought I was leaving her forever :-(.

Dana is always ready to have fun. She is friends with everyone. She is someone I am really glad is on my team. And she can burp louder than any drunk red neck I know.

Dana, Thanks for loving me, thanks for always being there for me, thanks for listening to me, crying with me, holding my hand when I am sad. Thanks for dancing with me at parties, singing Tim and Faith duets with me, making me laugh, all of it. I love you, always will.

Thank you for being my friend...

Friend of the Day

Today I have another friend in mind who deserves to be my friend of the day. And today is her birthday.... My friend Tammy Williams.

What can I say about Tammy.... I met Tammy when she started taking care of our babies in the nursery. I knew instantly when I met her we would be friends. In the nursery it didnt take me long to realize she wasn't just nice, she was SMART! So I promptly moved my kids to her practice. I knew I wanted someone to take care of my kids who I felt I could really talk to and she has never let me down. One thing that Tammy and I share that not a lot of people can say about her is she diagnosed my child with a brain tumor ( yeah some friend huh?). Well what makes the friend part was she said " I called Cyler, he's got Ben and I am ready to go with to the hospital" She went with us and helped us get Grace admitted. She didnt leave until after 9pm. I don't know what we would have done with out her, probably sit in the Harbin Clinic parking lot staring at the road.

BUT, the good times were being there when she had her 2 beautiful boys, knowing she trusted me with such a momentous day, Lunches at Dragon Garden, Belly pictures she did of me and the girls when I was Pregnant with MP, Long talks on the phone, and many more memories to come...

She's proven she would be there for my family and that is number 1 in my book....

Happy birthday to a great friend and doctor....

Thank you for being my friend

Friend of The Day

Have I ever mentioned that I have the best friends in the world? Well in case you missed it, I am telling you now. I have the best friends EVER!! and I mean it. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin and there has been a lot of thin. I have always been one of those people who liked to have a lot of friends. I always used to look at peoples friend list on Facebook and wonder "why do they have more friends than me?" Not until recently have I really learned the true value of have a lot of REALLY GOOD friends, not always measured in number but measured in value. So I know this really nice guy named Severo( Shannon's tennis buddy, but also a friend of mine). He started a "Friend of the Day" on FB. After reading some of his entries I thought what a way to honor your friends by calling them out for all the things they do to make them such a perfect friend for us!! So I am totally copying his idea. Thanks Severo!!

Today's "Friend of the Day" is Angie Adams...

I met Angie in 1997 when I started working in Labor and Delivery @CMC. At that time she was just some cool day shift girl who would never like some newbie like me. Well over the years, we got to know each other better and better. And we came to find out we are soooo much alike we could be sisters. Angie and I were raised here in Cartersville and have lived here most of our lives. Our parents had very similar tactics when raising us so our value systems are very close.

What I like most about Angie? is when you are with her- What you see is what you get. She is a "no bull" kinda girl. She wears her heart on her sleeve and would literally drop everything and drive across the country to get me if I called her. I have trusted her with some very important decisions in my life and she has yet to fail me. She also has some very awesome parties at her pool AND takes us girls to her beach house for rest and relaxation!! I have to say I am honored to know her. I'm sure everyone of her friends will say that. I also have to say she has a great husband Todd. But that's a friend for another day.

Thank you for being my friend.......