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