Workin' Girl

I started back to work at a new job when Maddie was around 8 months old. While I thoroughly enjoyed my days in "retirement", I needed to go back to work so I could use my nurse practitioner degree before I forgot everything I had learned in school. I was very very blessed to find a job at Vanderbilt's REACH for Survivorship Clinic. A lot of people ask me what I do, so thought I'd share this article that gives a good look at the reason behind these new Survivorship Clinics that are popping up at many of the cancer centers across the nation.

Maddie's Baptism

Today was a special day because Madeline Rose Wright was baptized. It's such a special moment to see a church congregation accept a little child into their community and promise to help raise them up. We're also so grateful our families could be there with us to celebrate. Even more exciting was the fact that Maddie was baptized along side her cousin Isaac. So amazing to think that a year and a 1/2 ago he was playing in an orphanage in a small town in China, and today he was being baptized with his forever family in a church in Nashville, TN. Even though she won't remember it, I hope Maddie can grow up to understand what a special day today was and that her baptism is a celebration because it is a sign of God's covenant promise.

Considering she hates baths, I couldn't believe she didn't cry. Instead she did great and was smiling and pointing at people the whole time. Seems she loves an audience, just like her Momma. 

Thanks to my Aunt Sabra and cousin Jenny (thanks for sending so quickly), Madeline was able to wear the 107 year-old gown her great grandmother Jenny Fancher Smartt (my grandmother) wore when she was baptized. I was praying the whole time that Maddie wouldn't accidentally rip a hole in it.

 Maddie and Isaac before the service

A wedding and special thanks...

Went to the wedding of one of my good friends from high school Lauren Toth (now Lauren Stark- aren't you jealous of her cool new last name?) No, she'd didn't marry Tony Stark, but someone even better, A.J. Stark. He's a pilot in the Air Force and has been serving our country overseas this past year. They met through our friend Kathleen whose husband Matt is also a pilot in the Air Force. Matt was a groomsman in the wedding, and flew in from Qatar just a few days before the festivites began. Below is a picture of Kathleen and her sweet boys welcoming daddy home (stole these from your FB page Kath). If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then I don't know what does. Just wanted to say a special thank you to Matt, A.J., and all the other men and women out there serving our country. I know I don't say it enough.

The Bride and Groom (AJ shed his jacket to display his custom Air Force tux shirt. Love it.)

Cory & Lauren

My hot date

The Big 0-1

Madeline's party went off without a hitch. Pretty simple party consisting of just cake and desserts, but hopefully Madeline will realize how loved she is by the people in her life.

She could have cared less about the smash cake (which I didn't mind because it came free with the cupcakes from Publix.... love me a good bargain)

Uncle Robert and Aunt "Nai Nai"

All the cool kids out on the balcony

 We really packed everyone one in

 One of the best parts of the whole weekend was that one of our best friends from NY, Allison, got to be there for the party. She held Maddie when she was 15 minutes old, so these 2 have a pretty special relationship.