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

Out of the box

Sometimes the best solution to a situation is something that you would never in a million years imagine.  As providers, RNs, CNMs, MDs, etc., we are taught the "right" way to do certain things.   So you come across as situation that has two potential outcomes.  One is clearly more desirable than the other, but to get to that outcome, we need to think out of the box and "break" the norms.  Which path do you choose?   This is a tough decision to make.  But when well thought out and purposefully executed, the "wrong" decision just might be the "right" decision.  So what matters in the end?  The path taken to the goal or the final goal?  I guess that depends on if the goal is a positive outcome.

Anyway, I am now rambling.  I think the point of this blurb is that sometimes the best option is the option that is left unconsidered for whatever reason.  And that is often a shame.  Thinking out of the box is what makes this world turn.  Question, brainstorm, process, make changes.  The world may be a better place because of it :)

XOXO Sabrina

Mid-semester notes

So yesterday I registered for the fall term.  It's hard to believe that I am through half of the first term already!  Classes are going well.  The work-load is manageable.  I love that I can move at my own pace.  The kids are away for a few days.  That is giving me a chance to really get ahead in my work.  The more I am ahead, the more time I will have to do stuff with them before their school starts again in 2 weeks.  This is a new concept to me.  I am a procrastinator!  But honestly, I am liking being ahead of schedule.  I am less stressed. :) 

Nothing profound to add today.   But trust me, I have a few thoughts up my sleeve for my next entry ;)

XOXO Sabrina

A thought from Helen Keller

“A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.” ~ Helen Keller

Helen Keller was an amazing woman.  Despite the "hardships" that were dealt to her, she pushed on with her life.  I'm sure she had her moments when she thought she couldn't continue.  We all have those moments.  Even though she could not see or hear the world around her, she lived her life with happiness and appreciation for what she did have. And thank goodness she did!  She made such an amazing contribution to this world!  Her writing, her political activism, etc.  And thank goodness for Anne Sullivan who stood by her for all those years!!

It is amazing what we can accomplish with the love and support of our family and friends.  Even extreme life stressors can be overcome!

Stressors and hardships come in all shapes and sizes.  From the little things like running out of milk after you put cereal in a bowl to the big things like a death in the family.  How we handle these stressors determines what effect they have on our lives.  Do we let the emotional stress build up, or do we face it head on?  Do we explore our stress and find ways to make it better, or do we just think there is no hope in things getting better?

School has been stressful. Not just on me, but on the family as well.  I spend many hours seated at my desk working on studies.  "Mom!  All you do is school!"  That makes me feel guilty and selfish for pursuing my life goal.  So what do I do to balance?  I step away from the studies and decide what is more important: reading a textbook chapter word for word or spending a little extra time with the family?  No matter what I am doing with my life, my family will always come first!  I need them to be happy so I can be happy.

Life is also stressful right now in other respects best left undisclosed here.  But we will prevail!  Despite how gloomy life  may look, there is a clearing sky and a rainbow coming.  It is important for all to remember that.  No matter how bad life looks, how bad the hardships (real or conceived) may get, things will get better.  Chin up and greet tomorrow with a smile. :)

I KNOW that Helen was right.  Hardships make us stronger because they challenge us to our core.  Knowing we can overcome the little stuff makes us more confident that we can overcome the big stuff.  Get out there and conquer a mole hill!

26 months till graduation!!

XOXO ~Sabrina

The First Step

"A journey of a thousand miles nust begin with a single step." ~ Lao Tzu

Today marks the day that I take the first step of my journey.  :)

Looking through the classwork that is expected of me this term, I am a little daunted.  It's a challenge to figure out where to even begin.  That being said, the classes look quite interesting.  I am enrolled in three classes this term.  (The Role of Midwifery and Birth Centers, Pathosphyiology, and Theory) 

The biggest challenge for me will be managing my time while the children are home this summer.  Wish me luck!

Broadening the Circle

"The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." ~C.C. Lewis

As my time in Hyden comes to a close, I reflect on everything that I have gained here.

The Frontier Community has proved to be AMAZING!! When we all arrived here on Monday, we knew no one.  That quickly changed as we got to our dorm rooms.  Nothing like living with someone to get to know them, right? ;)  The entire class gathered on many occasions and as the hours passed, we opened up our lives to each other.  We shared stories, laughs, and even some tears.  With that we became friends!  With friendship comes the feeling of support.  We are not traveling this journey alone!!  With the guidance of the faculty and staff of Frontier, we WILL succeed in this venture.  We will share our wisdom and circle around each other with love and support from this day forward.

I know that there is more.  This experience has been something very special.  And honestly I didn't really expect that.  But I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity.

My vision moving forward is pretty simple.  I will travel through this program with my sisters by my side.  In many months, we will arrive at our destination together.... as MIDWIVES!

Thank you to my "Pink Ladies" for making this trip memorable!!

XOXO Sabrina

Venture Towards the Vision

"The vision must be followed by the venture.  It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs."  ~Vance Havner

We can dream all we want to do great things in our lives.  If we do not act on those dreams, take that first step, we will never attain that goal.  Even the smallest steps toward the goal/dream can keep us on the right track in life.  And along the way, we will certainly hit detours, but we need to keep moving forward.  We are given the gift of each day and it is up to us how we use that day.  Do we sit idly by and do nothing, or do we actively engage in each moment and make it ours.

I sit here at the airport about to take a step towards my vision... to become a midwife. I could be annoyed that the flight is delayed, yet I choose to sit back and enjoy the moments that I have been given to reflect on this new venture.  I do not expect it to be easy, yet I don't expect it to be difficult.  I expect it to be wrought with challenges.  As I meet those challenges, I expect to feel overwhelming pride that I am headed in the right direction.  See, challenges are not difficulties to me.  They are opportunities to push me to my limits.  Without pushing myself to my limits, I may never know what I am truly capable of.

Today's advice?  Get out there and do something with your day.  You will never, ever, get today back.  There is so much out there to experience... get out there!

XOXO Sabrina

Finding Meaning

The web ate my post :(  Guess I am not meant to blog tonight. LOL

Discovery

"A Woman in harmony with her spirit
is like a river flowing.
She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination
prepared to be herself
and only herself "
— Maya Angelou

By facing challenges, we develop a better sense of who we really are.... what we are truly capable of.  There is no easy way to get to the destination of self-awareness.  I enjoy pushing myself to my limits.  Once on the other side of the challenge, I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment.  I feel fulfilled and proud.  And those emotions of self-worth help to maintain my sense of inner harmony that keeps me strong allowing me to keep moving forward.

A Wise Fortune Cookie

So, last evening we celebrated my birthday.  We went to our regular Chinese place and mom brought me a cake from the kids.  It was nice :)

At the end of the dinner, the waitress brought the fortune cookies as usual.  Mine reads...

"It is most gratifying when a goal is achieved through one's efforts."

Isn't that so true!?!  When we work hard for things we want, we really do appreciate them more.  I know that I have worked hard for many things in my life.  And although sometimes it was so hard that I wanted to give up, I held in there and pushed through.  This fortune is a reminder that it is worth everything second of effort when that seemingly elusive goal is met.

Think about it...
XOXO Sabrina

Before the Journey Begins

As I prepare for this next stage of my life, I think about all that I have accomplished up until this point, personally and professionally.

Personally, my greatest accomplishment is my family.  They are my everything.  Without them I would be incomplete.  My husband Tim... you have been my rock for over 20 years.  My daughter Ashley... you are my shining star, your compassionate nature never fails to amaze me.  My daughter Samantha... you are my sunshine, making me laugh and remember that life doesn't have to always be so serious.  My son Robbie... you are my world... your love of learning is inspiring and makes me proud.

Professionally, I feel like I am forever growing.  After years of working in childcare, I re-entered the education circuit to become a RN.  I proved my expertise in my field by becoming certified in Obstetrics. At the age of 36, I graduated with my BSN. And now, I am continuing my education in nursing... I will be a Certified Nurse Midwife.

So, with all that I have accomplished, why do I feel the need to climb another mountain?  Simple.  Because I can.  I am capable of so much more.  I can achieve so much more.  I can make a greater difference in this world.  But to do that, I need to push myself to my limits.  By doing so, I can reach my goals.  And maybe, just maybe, as I share in this journey, someone out there can find the strength and encouragement needed to reach for his or her own dreams.

I hope you enjoy this journey.  I look forward to sharing each step of the way.  :)  Are you ready?  Here we go!

XOXO Sabrina