To my Dad at 80

Dear Dad,

Today is your 80th birthday. Even though you’ve been gone for so long, I miss you like it was just yesterday. If you were here, there is so much I would share with you.

Every day I regret that you never met Ava and Wes. Ava is a spit fire, I think she would have been your favorite. I can picture you in my most vivid imagination tapping her in her opposite shoulder, tickling her, and teasing her. She looks just like me, but got all of Amy’s sass ;)

Wes would have worried you, he worries us all. Still his contagious laughter and giggle would have swept you up. I can see you out in a boat trying to fish, but having no luck because Wes and Ava cannot be quiet.

On the boat, Taylor is your man. Yup, “man”, I said. At 13 now, he has really grown into his own. He is tall (at least for us Massey’s) and only just beginning to grow. His voice has changed and his upper lip is covered in a fine peach fuzz. Taylor is quiet. He soaks in his surroundings and contemplates quietly in his time. I know how worried you were for him back when he was 1 and still quite sick. But all of that is past now. He likes to help us around the house, especially if it involves power tools.

I don't think Liv would surprise you too much. She works hard, does so well in school and loves to draw. She is funny and smart. You would believe that she was ever that tiny baby you met!

At 80, I would have preferred so much more for you here with us. Of course now there are so many of your loved ones with you on the other side. It seems selfish to wish you were still here. Yet I do.

Here is to being in a better place, even if it’s away from us.

Much love,

J

Do you want to build a snowman?

Yes, I know its summer, well spring... I know this even if mother nature would rather it stay Frozen! We were riding in the car on our way to pick up Jon's bib number on Saturday when our children broke out in song.  The second round was not a good as the first spontaneous round... but you get the idea of the crazy, awesomeness that can be our family.

My kids, like nearly every kid everywhere, are totally obsessed with this movie.  They love Ana and Elsa and the snowman.  Often times I hear them role playing and pretending to be the characters.  I am going to have to find time to watch this movie if I want to know what it is that my children are up to. 

Kids do say the funniest things

I'm in the kitchen trying to tidy up after a long week, and Ava comes out of the bathroom...  "Momma!!!!!  There was corn stuck to my poopy!!! Did you hear me?  Corn!!!!"

I'm sure she wasn't seeing things... we had corn with our dinner last night... 

Westli: "I want to open the umbrella" as he hands me my umbrella. 

Me: "No, we are not going to do that right now Wes."

Westli:  "Come on now Buddy..."

I bought Taylor some new shoes.  His first pair with laces as he learned how to tie them in the last couple weeks.  He was whining that he couldn't get his foot in it, so I showed him how to pull the laces so that they were loose enough to get his foot in.  Then I told him to push this foot on my knee hard so that his foot would drop into the shoe... "Its okay Taylor, you can push hard on my knee." Taylor: "I know, you're a girl!"

More from the Love shoot

Happy Nurses Appreciation Week

Taylor, Alivya, and Sue RN

Is it fitting that I began my nursing career at the beginning of nursing appreciation week?

Taylor and Alivya and Sue RN (2007)

These photos are of Sue, who Taylor and Alivya's primary nurse coordinator while they were in the NICU.  Sue guided us on our first visit as parents.  She taught us how to change their tiny diapers, bath their itty bitty bods, touch them without stressing them, assess them when the machines beeped, and so, so much more.  While I had nursing training already before we met Sue, it was during that time that it all started to click, even if I didn't know it then. Sue played a huge part in why Taylor and Liv are here with us today, and she was a huge player in making me the nurse I am today. 

Westli and Sue RN (2010)

Today I appreciate all of the Sue RNs who cared for all four of my babies.  I thank those that care for tiny miracles today.  Obviously, I appreciate all the different disciplines of nurses, but the NICU nurses really do have a special place in my heart.