Chaos

“Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.” ~ Tom Barrett

Tonight, I sit with my books and laptop feeling quite overwhelmed with life.  I feel like I am in the midst of chaos.  I am currently taking three classes, 8 grad. credits. I am working my weekends, teaching childbirth education once a week, and teaching clinical nursing two days a week. Add to that the responsibilities of a family and it is pretty easy to understand how I am overhelmed. Not complaining or asking for pity. Just purging some feelings. 

As I try to bring life back into order, I realize that it seems like an uphill battle.  Don't get me wrong, I do not regret any choices I have made to create my world.  I am just a bit uneasy dealing with everything all at one time.  I know that in the end, I will be stronger and wiser... and that makes me push on.

Tomorrow I will awake and try to make some sense out of what I need to accomplish. I might need a bigger calendar! LOL

The Road Not Taken

As one goes through life, many opportunities arise. As we are presented with these opportunities, we are often forced to make a choice as to which path we choose to travel. We may not know where we are headed or if we have chosen the right path.  But sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith and travel down the unknown path to get to our destination.

Consider this poem by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

Taking the easy route is not always the right decision.  By traveling the road less traveled, we can pave our way through our lives and become a stronger individual for having done so.

I cannot possibly tell you how many times I have been asked " How do you manage to do all you do?"  The answer?  I don't know.  But I do know that if I want something badly enough in my life, I will work hard to achieve it.  It certainly is not an easy life for me right now, but I make it work.

Today begins my fourth term of graduate school.  This section of road is looking a little daunting at the moment.  Two courses are focusing on midwifery care; antepartum, postpartum and newborn care. The other classfocuses on community health.  I am anticipating some bumps in the road, but I will arrive at the next rest stop as scheduled in the middle of June.  I am excited for this journey as much as I am anxious that the classes will be wrought with difficulty.  But nonetheless, off I go.....

Giving Thanks

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." ~W.J. Cameron

Thanksgiving Day:  A day filled with food, family, and friends.   But what it the true meaning of the day?  The Pilgrims set forth on a journey to the new world in hopes for religious freedom.  Even though the journey was difficult and many people lost their lives, they still took time to give thanks.  Those that survived had each other, they had new friends, they had a new life, they had their religious freedom that they so greatly longed.   The point?  Do not dwell on what is missing from your life, but offer thanks for what and who you have.  Life is a difficult journey and we only get to travel this road one time.  We should to choose to be thankful and gracious ever day of ours lives, not just on this one day of the year.

As many do on this day, I must take the time to reflect on what I am thankful for in my life.

Mom and Dad:  You gave me life. :)  And although I could reflect on the hard times, I prefer to remember the good times.  I love you both from the bottom of my heart!  Because of you both I am who I am today.  And for that, I thank you.

Deb, Sis, Melissa:  You hold very special places in my heart.  Although we are not related by blood, you are my family.  I appreciate everything you have done and been.  I can't imagine my life without you!

My husband Tim:  You always say that I am your rock; but you are also mine.  I give thanks for the past 21 years... the good, the great, and the bad.  It has been a roller coaster.... fun but scary sometimes.  I thank you for putting up with me cause I know I can be a challenge ;)

My daughter Ashley: I am thankful that you are alive :)  Since you were born you have been the light of my life.  I am proud of who you are and who you are becoming. 

My daughter Sammy:  I am thankful for you showing me the lighter side of life.  I love that you are so silly and don't take everything so seriously.  Your love for life is inspiring :)

My son Robbie:  You are amazing.  I am so thankful that you are in my life. You are everything and more that a mother could ask for. Thank you for still wanting to snuggle with me :)

My Kapri:  What can I say?  I am thankful to have the opportunity to have you in my life.  You have changed me and my view of the world. I love your resilience and optimism.  Thank you for being you :)

My friends:  You know who you are! :)  Thank you for standing by me through the years.  I could not have made my life journey without you all by my side!

My extended family:  You know who you are, too! :)  Thanks for everything you are.  I appreciate each one of you for various reasons.  I love having you in my life :)

For anyone I forgot to mention, thank you for understanding that my time and and brain cells are limited ;)

Bottom line, I have much to be thankful for. Probably more than I even know.

Happy Thanksgiving!!  XOXO Sabrina

Moving forward...

With more than half of my second term behind me, it seemed like a good time for an update.  My courseload consists of three classes.  All are going well.  I worked ahead early in the term.... thank goodness!  My life has been crazy these past couple of weeks and I have not spent nearly enough time on my education.  But because I was ahead of the game, I am not at all behind.  I need to stay focused this week and push forward.

I am learning A LOT!  The courses are quite interesting and I actually am enjoying grad school.  I expected this would be the case because I am learning about things I am interested in.  You know, like placentas, breastfeeding, etc. LOL  I'm a birth geek and proud of it!! :)

I appreciated a comment from a co-worker this weekend.  She remarked at how she thought my bedside manner really makes a difference.  Her words of compliment were very encouraging!  I have found my true calling.  By pursuing a higher level of knowledge and skill, I will have the ability to make a HUGE difference for many more women.

On the home front, our family continues to make a difference.  Our fourth child has settled in nicely.  She will remain a member of our family through the next six months at the least.  We enjoy having her here!  I personally feel like I have grown as a parent over the past month.  THAT is a very amazing feeling! 

Time to sign off and feed the four legged children ;)

Until next time.....
XOXOX Sabrina

One Good Thing

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." ~William Penn

Life is funny.  Sometimes opportunities are dropped into our laps that we never in a million years expected.  If we can grasp these opportunities and embrace them, we may be surprised at a new direction that our lives take. When these opportunities involve helping humankind, we have the opportunity to change the direction of another life as well.... hopefully for the better.  Should we choose to ignore the opportunity to make a difference, we may grow to regret and wonder, "what if?" 

So the past week has been a whirlwind here at home.  Thank goodness for online learning!  I fortunately worked ahead the first two weeks of this term because I have not had time to do much since last Tuesday.  And there is good reason for that.

Last Wednesday, with a single phone call, an oppurtunity to make a difference was dropped into our laps.  I cannot give details due to confidentiality, but this is huge.  After many phone calls, paperwork, interviews, and whatnot, our family has grown.  There are still many things up in the air with this situation and we are unsure how long this situation may persist.  What we do know is that we have opened our arms, hearts and home for as long as need be.  Life is good! Crazy, but good! ;) 

Don't live your life saying "what if?." Take a chance  in life. You only get one chance to live.  And by taking a chance and reaching out to someone in need, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the world, one good thing at a time.

XOXO Sabrina

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Well after a relaxing week, tomorrow starts term number two.  This term brings courses in Research, Decision Making and Reproductive Anatomy.  I plan to work this term like I did the last because it really kept me on track.  I anticipate this term to keep me pretty busy,  not to mention the kids activities and such. 

I'm, looking forward to a good night's sleep after a super busy weekend at work.  Lots of new birthdays were celebrated over the past few days.  :) 

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely...” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'll check in in a few days...
~Sabrina

A Moment to Breathe

One term down, 8 more to go.  I am pleased with the how this first term progressed and how well I managed to get it all done.  There were many hours of reading, studying, researching, typing, etc, etc, etc.  I think I easily logged 30 hours a week on school work alone.  It's looking like my grades will be A, A, B.  Not to shabby huh? ;)

This week between terms is dedicated to catching up on some stuff around the house.  Exciting life I lead, yeah I know.  But you have to do what you have to do.  Life as a mother and wife continues on as I am on my journey to midwifery.

Home life is settling a little bit and that is making life a little more enjoyable for us all.   Please continue to keep us in your thoughts because we have a long way to go before things are back to 100% normal around here.  Whatever our normal may be.

Here's a quote to ponder...

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.  ~Walt Disney

TTYL :)  ~ Sabrina