This last week feels to have zoomed by very quickly. I barely had time to remember that I'd posted Weekly Goals let alone, the awareness to get them done. I am satisfied with my completion of goal #1. I was diligent about taking my anti-inflammatory and pain medications. My back is getting a little bit better and I'm excited to report that I finally got an appointment with a neurosurgeon. I continue to work at my positivity. It is a daily struggle.
Did I remember my shopping bags? Well, technically, no. But, that is just because I did not go grocery shopping. So, does that count? Ha! Hardly. Had I needed to go to the store, I'm certain that I would have forgotten my reusable shopping bags, so I feel I did not achieve goal #2.
Setting realistic goals is a hard one. I find that simply listing out the simple goals makes achieving them a little easier. It makes the lot of goals seem less overwhelming and empowers me to take control over my actions. I have felt that overall, my Weekly Goals has kept me accountable and has enabled me to be aware of them more than if I had never put them down on "blog paper".
I will certainly continue to choose simple Weekly Goals, though they will likely not be on my blog once I am finished with requirements for my CMST275 class. I will simply write them down and post them where I can see them often.
Thanks for indulging my attempts to become more organized and more active in achieving the goals I set out for myself.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Emotional Straw and a Light
Last night I received the bad news that my back injury is pretty serious. A MRI confirmed that my L4/L5 disc is ruptured and that significant pressure is being put on the nerve roots at that junction. This is not surprising news based on the pain I've had for the last 4 weeks, but it hit hard to see it on paper, undisputable. My doctor laid it out for me and stated surgery was likely.
To say it put me in a funk would be putting in lightly. I spiraled emotionally and felt the doom of "forever" with back pain or inevitable surgery. It's amazing how the light shed on a situation from one person can be different than that which is shed by another. My dear physical therapist bestowed a new outlook for me. Serious yet, but surgery? Not necessarily. We had a long talk today about options. I left feeling empowered and positive.
My normal positive nature has been shaken these last few weeks. Living in constant pain (except when medicated) takes it's toll on a person and I have a new respect for those who live with chronic pain. It has affected my ability to learn, study and maintain my emotional composure. Let's not even begin to talk about what my back pain has done to my children.
Blah. Blah. Blah. Wah. Wah. Wah.
I am not a complainer. I hate to think of how I must sound to all my CMST275 classmates, however, this has been a significant hurdle in my life this year. Being benched from running has been like taking away the medication from someone suffering a mental illness. Running is my therapy, my medication and my church. Without it, I've felt sad, tired and endlessly frustrated.
The most impactful gift from my physical therapist today?
"You will run again - I promise"
:) Positivity reigns!
To say it put me in a funk would be putting in lightly. I spiraled emotionally and felt the doom of "forever" with back pain or inevitable surgery. It's amazing how the light shed on a situation from one person can be different than that which is shed by another. My dear physical therapist bestowed a new outlook for me. Serious yet, but surgery? Not necessarily. We had a long talk today about options. I left feeling empowered and positive.
My normal positive nature has been shaken these last few weeks. Living in constant pain (except when medicated) takes it's toll on a person and I have a new respect for those who live with chronic pain. It has affected my ability to learn, study and maintain my emotional composure. Let's not even begin to talk about what my back pain has done to my children.
Blah. Blah. Blah. Wah. Wah. Wah.
I am not a complainer. I hate to think of how I must sound to all my CMST275 classmates, however, this has been a significant hurdle in my life this year. Being benched from running has been like taking away the medication from someone suffering a mental illness. Running is my therapy, my medication and my church. Without it, I've felt sad, tired and endlessly frustrated.
The most impactful gift from my physical therapist today?
"You will run again - I promise"
:) Positivity reigns!
Weekly Goals - Week 2
I was so pleased with how well Weekly Goals went last week. I found that simply by stating my goals and "putting them out there" for all to see, I felt more motivated and accountable to stick to them.
So, for week 2, here are a couple of goals that I plan to acheive!
Goal #1 Follow Doc's Orders
I will stay on top of my pain medication as well as take the 800mg 2x daily Ibuprofen treatment to aid in the reduction of inflammation in my back.
Goal #2 Remember My Shopping Bags
It's been a long time since I remembered my shopping bags when going grocery shopping. Consequently, I have ended up with mounds of paper grocery bags taking up space in a cupboard. I need to be more mindful in preparation for my grocery trip each week.
There, simple, but beneficial goals that, if accomplished, will have a positive effect on my well being and my carbon footprint ;)
So, for week 2, here are a couple of goals that I plan to acheive!
Goal #1 Follow Doc's Orders
I will stay on top of my pain medication as well as take the 800mg 2x daily Ibuprofen treatment to aid in the reduction of inflammation in my back.
Goal #2 Remember My Shopping Bags
It's been a long time since I remembered my shopping bags when going grocery shopping. Consequently, I have ended up with mounds of paper grocery bags taking up space in a cupboard. I need to be more mindful in preparation for my grocery trip each week.
There, simple, but beneficial goals that, if accomplished, will have a positive effect on my well being and my carbon footprint ;)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Follow Up
As many of you have asked, how did I do with my Weekly Goals?
Yes, I cleaned my cell phone 3x this week! Boy, did that feel good.
PT exercises? Well, I did them twice besides doing them at my appointment on Wednesday. I am not happy with how it went however. I am still in a lot of pain and that limits what I can do. I went for a MRI yesterday, so I will hopefully find out the extent to which my back is injured on Monday. There is talk of surgery :(
My patience? Oh, my darling, beautiful kiddos tested me greatly this week. But, I can report, I feel as though I rose to the challenge. My poor daughter is tired of being told she can't do this and she can't do that. She just wants to run, jump and play. It is affecting her mood and, as is expected, she is taking out her frustrations on mama. We had many cuddles filled with tears after a little argument or power-struggle (for those of you who do not have kids, power-struggles are tougher to handle than you would think!). I sympathize for her greatly and this has allowed me to take special consideration when dealing with her fits. My son, however, has been feeling a little left out. Mama has had a few meetings and classes during the evenings so he's been with me all of about 3 hours some days this week. I cannot wait for spring quarter to be done, school to be out and the sun shining. We will have many adventures this summer!
Many times I've questioned my competency as a parent this week. A good parent. I think despite of the unique dynamic we find ourselves in recently (Meah's broken arm, my chronic back pain and school load, etc.), we are doing remarkably well as a family unit. I just need to keep reminding myself that it's OK that my house is not the cleanest, that my kids are challenged and that I am not accomplishing all that I want to.
Yes, I cleaned my cell phone 3x this week! Boy, did that feel good.
PT exercises? Well, I did them twice besides doing them at my appointment on Wednesday. I am not happy with how it went however. I am still in a lot of pain and that limits what I can do. I went for a MRI yesterday, so I will hopefully find out the extent to which my back is injured on Monday. There is talk of surgery :(
My patience? Oh, my darling, beautiful kiddos tested me greatly this week. But, I can report, I feel as though I rose to the challenge. My poor daughter is tired of being told she can't do this and she can't do that. She just wants to run, jump and play. It is affecting her mood and, as is expected, she is taking out her frustrations on mama. We had many cuddles filled with tears after a little argument or power-struggle (for those of you who do not have kids, power-struggles are tougher to handle than you would think!). I sympathize for her greatly and this has allowed me to take special consideration when dealing with her fits. My son, however, has been feeling a little left out. Mama has had a few meetings and classes during the evenings so he's been with me all of about 3 hours some days this week. I cannot wait for spring quarter to be done, school to be out and the sun shining. We will have many adventures this summer!
Many times I've questioned my competency as a parent this week. A good parent. I think despite of the unique dynamic we find ourselves in recently (Meah's broken arm, my chronic back pain and school load, etc.), we are doing remarkably well as a family unit. I just need to keep reminding myself that it's OK that my house is not the cleanest, that my kids are challenged and that I am not accomplishing all that I want to.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Weekly Goals
To add a unique twist to my blog, I've decided to add a Weekly Goals component to my posts. In an attempt to improve my balancing act and implement tasks that I've always wanted to accomplish in my daily life, I am adding Weekly Goals. My Weekly Goals will be a few things that I will strive to accomplish in the week ahead. These will consist of things I've always been unable to find time for or that I've been unable to remember to do.
At the beginning of each week, I will present the 3 or 4 goals I plan to accomplish each week. This is, of course, in addition to the other things that I already do regularly.
So, let's begin with the first edition of Weekly Goals.
#1 - Clean my cell phone
Does it gross anyone out when you think about all the germs on your cell phone? Though it may look clean (aside from the streaks from your skin or hair), it certainly cannot be. This week, I strive to clean my cell phone at least 3 times to avoid bringing unwanted germs into my house (and in contact with my family).
#2 - Do my physical therapy exercises 3x per week
I have been having difficulty keeping up with my PT exercises. I am very good at doing them well at my appointments but struggle to make time to do them at home. This week, I will start doing them at least 3x per week outside of my appointments. As healing from this back injury is a priority for me, doing my exercises is one of the best ways to do so!
#3 - Have more patience with my children
This is a goal I make in my head every week. Some weeks are better than others. This week, especially, it will be imperative that I have more patience. My 4 year old daughter broke her arm and I will have many things I need to do for her. She broke her dominant arm so I will have to help her eat, brush her teeth and many other things. I hope that by documenting my goal of having more patience here, that I will be better able to implement it!
These specific goals as well as the overall administration of Weekly Goals will help me manage my crazy life better. There's always more I want to do and rarely more time to do it in. I look forward to rolling out my Weekly Goals and seeing how it assists me in accomplishing all I want to.
At the beginning of each week, I will present the 3 or 4 goals I plan to accomplish each week. This is, of course, in addition to the other things that I already do regularly.
So, let's begin with the first edition of Weekly Goals.
#1 - Clean my cell phone
Does it gross anyone out when you think about all the germs on your cell phone? Though it may look clean (aside from the streaks from your skin or hair), it certainly cannot be. This week, I strive to clean my cell phone at least 3 times to avoid bringing unwanted germs into my house (and in contact with my family).
#2 - Do my physical therapy exercises 3x per week
I have been having difficulty keeping up with my PT exercises. I am very good at doing them well at my appointments but struggle to make time to do them at home. This week, I will start doing them at least 3x per week outside of my appointments. As healing from this back injury is a priority for me, doing my exercises is one of the best ways to do so!
#3 - Have more patience with my children
This is a goal I make in my head every week. Some weeks are better than others. This week, especially, it will be imperative that I have more patience. My 4 year old daughter broke her arm and I will have many things I need to do for her. She broke her dominant arm so I will have to help her eat, brush her teeth and many other things. I hope that by documenting my goal of having more patience here, that I will be better able to implement it!
These specific goals as well as the overall administration of Weekly Goals will help me manage my crazy life better. There's always more I want to do and rarely more time to do it in. I look forward to rolling out my Weekly Goals and seeing how it assists me in accomplishing all I want to.
Complete and Dislocated
In one of those freak, split second incidents, my poor little girl fell off the bleachers at my son's baseball practice Friday night. The resulting injury sent us first to Highline Medical Center and then to Children's Hospital .
With her left arm outstretched to break her fall, my little girl's humerus snapped just above the elbow joint causing a complete and dislocated supracondyle fracture of the humerus!
It was an easy process to switch gears from having too much to do to having nothing else that mattered besides my Meah. I was supposed to be helping out with the preschool rummage sale this weekend and it would have taken up my Friday evening and all day Saturday. But, in that instance, nothing else mattered.
So, we spent 24 hrs in the hospital. Meah ended up having surgery to reset her bone and place 3 pins. The surgery took less than an hour and we were fortunate that they were able to reset the bone without having to open her up. According to the orthopedists, 6 months from now, we should not be able to tell anything ever happened. Thank God children heal so quickly.
It is amazing how quickly the little things that were so important, so vital to my success of being a productive person, can melt away and become insignificant. Friends have pitched in to make meals and bring gifts. My Anatomy & Physiology exam on Monday is still looming over me, but remarkably, I have no stress.
Though I am not glad my daughter broke her arm, I am thankful that the resulting environment I find myself in. I am calm, not stressed and appreciative of the fortune that it was just her arm and not something life threatening. She will make it throught his injry and recovery, and she will have a fun story to tell when she's older.
We are decorating her cast today. Should be a fun time!
With her left arm outstretched to break her fall, my little girl's humerus snapped just above the elbow joint causing a complete and dislocated supracondyle fracture of the humerus!
It was an easy process to switch gears from having too much to do to having nothing else that mattered besides my Meah. I was supposed to be helping out with the preschool rummage sale this weekend and it would have taken up my Friday evening and all day Saturday. But, in that instance, nothing else mattered.
So, we spent 24 hrs in the hospital. Meah ended up having surgery to reset her bone and place 3 pins. The surgery took less than an hour and we were fortunate that they were able to reset the bone without having to open her up. According to the orthopedists, 6 months from now, we should not be able to tell anything ever happened. Thank God children heal so quickly.
It is amazing how quickly the little things that were so important, so vital to my success of being a productive person, can melt away and become insignificant. Friends have pitched in to make meals and bring gifts. My Anatomy & Physiology exam on Monday is still looming over me, but remarkably, I have no stress.
Though I am not glad my daughter broke her arm, I am thankful that the resulting environment I find myself in. I am calm, not stressed and appreciative of the fortune that it was just her arm and not something life threatening. She will make it throught his injry and recovery, and she will have a fun story to tell when she's older.
We are decorating her cast today. Should be a fun time!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
On Assignment
Ok, I have just finished cramming for my Anatomy & Physiology exam tonight. I'm nervous but I know I will do my best. I have to pick up my kids in an hour and I have yet to write my weekly discussion post for my online communications course. I am in high-gear so I write this brief entry to fulfill another requirement for the online course. Please read on because I know you are all dying to know the answer to these questions :)
Who Am I?
...... How to respond to that one in a blog post? To summarize with words, I am a mother, a student, a volunteer and a wife. I hold in high esteem my relationships with those I love. I am working toward a nursing degree as I believe it will be a fulfilling (and reliable) profession. I love to be outdoors (hurry up, summer!) and enjoy physical activity. I am finding a passion for running as years pass finding me doing triathlons, races and relays. My kids are my first priority and a continuous struggle I balance is parenting vs. self-satisfaction (as all parents do!). Not sure what else to throw in here.
My Objectives and Goals in Life
....... I hope to graduate with a BSN and work in the high risk obstetrics specialty. I hope to work to make my marriage better and better each year all while raising independent, responsible, loving, compassionate, hard-working children. I hope to travel more in the future. I hope to get better at gardening every year. I will work hard to remain as physically and mentally fit as I can.
My Objectives and Goals for This Blog
....... Like a lot of moms, I over-commit to things such as volunteering with the kids' schools, managing school and home responsibilities with activities "for pleasure". I find each of my investments intrinsically rewarding but struggle with not much free time left over each day. I am always "running" and can always squeeze "one more thing" in. This blog is going to capture how I spend my time and manage to get it all done. This blog will (hopefully) convey that guiding and shaping new little people is a full time job, and that being part of a community is a way to do that.
Where My Readers can get ahold of me?
....... Please leave me a comment or send me an email
Peace out!
Who Am I?
...... How to respond to that one in a blog post? To summarize with words, I am a mother, a student, a volunteer and a wife. I hold in high esteem my relationships with those I love. I am working toward a nursing degree as I believe it will be a fulfilling (and reliable) profession. I love to be outdoors (hurry up, summer!) and enjoy physical activity. I am finding a passion for running as years pass finding me doing triathlons, races and relays. My kids are my first priority and a continuous struggle I balance is parenting vs. self-satisfaction (as all parents do!). Not sure what else to throw in here.
My Objectives and Goals in Life
....... I hope to graduate with a BSN and work in the high risk obstetrics specialty. I hope to work to make my marriage better and better each year all while raising independent, responsible, loving, compassionate, hard-working children. I hope to travel more in the future. I hope to get better at gardening every year. I will work hard to remain as physically and mentally fit as I can.
My Objectives and Goals for This Blog
....... Like a lot of moms, I over-commit to things such as volunteering with the kids' schools, managing school and home responsibilities with activities "for pleasure". I find each of my investments intrinsically rewarding but struggle with not much free time left over each day. I am always "running" and can always squeeze "one more thing" in. This blog is going to capture how I spend my time and manage to get it all done. This blog will (hopefully) convey that guiding and shaping new little people is a full time job, and that being part of a community is a way to do that.
Where My Readers can get ahold of me?
....... Please leave me a comment or send me an email
Peace out!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Simple Things Taken For Granted
For nearly 2 months, I've been plagued by a herniated vertebral disc and resulting pinched nerve (at L5/S1). Let me tell you, it's getting really old and I'm over it. Though most of the back pain has subsided, the pinched nerve makes it impossible to rise from sitting, get into and out of the car, and tie my shoes without pain. I'm not supposed to lift anything, bend over for periods of time, sit, or do any impact exercise. It's manageable, but what has been taking the biggest toll on me is the way it inhibits my normal mental state and parenting.
My poor children have gotten used to mommy's back hurting. They know I cannot lift them up. They know by the scowl on my face that my back hurts. I have not been able to jump on the trampoline with them or do "airplane" or any other type of physical activity. And, while they are usually sympathetic, what is one to do with a screaming 4 year old when one cannot physically relocate said 4 year old? My daughter was in serious need of a time out (away from other people) yesterday but refused to go take a break. Normally, I would have scooped her up and relocated her myself, but I cannot do that because of my back pain. I'm at a loss with appropriate back-up strategies, so I just stood there while my 4 year old flailed her limbs about and emitted screams in volumes no innocent bystander should have to be exposed to. Sigh. It was painful for her too.
My body is falling apart. I remember, as a child, looking at my mom at my age and thinking she was old. So what does that make me? Old. I'm old. At almost 35 years old, I'm old. I wonder if old is what my children think of me. I feel like this injury is equally robbing them!
The funny thing is, aside from injury, I don't feel old. I want to resume running. I want to be able to do the labor getting my garden ready. Damn this injury! I am limited by what my body will let me do. For once, motivation is not the disabling factor.
It has given me perspective, however (that hopefully will not be lost when my back is healed). I realize that what I used to find annoying, troublesome or strenuous (picking up a screaming child, bending down to look at some bug my son found, or pushing the rake in the garden), is now what I wish I could do most. Why do we always take the little things for granted? It amazes me how not being able to run has affected me physically, mentally and emotionally. Yesterday, I was itching to work my hands in the earth as I watched my devoted husband turn over the soil in our garden for me (Happy Mother's Day to me - thank honey!).
I had a long talk with my body while in the pool this morning. I hope it heard me.
My poor children have gotten used to mommy's back hurting. They know I cannot lift them up. They know by the scowl on my face that my back hurts. I have not been able to jump on the trampoline with them or do "airplane" or any other type of physical activity. And, while they are usually sympathetic, what is one to do with a screaming 4 year old when one cannot physically relocate said 4 year old? My daughter was in serious need of a time out (away from other people) yesterday but refused to go take a break. Normally, I would have scooped her up and relocated her myself, but I cannot do that because of my back pain. I'm at a loss with appropriate back-up strategies, so I just stood there while my 4 year old flailed her limbs about and emitted screams in volumes no innocent bystander should have to be exposed to. Sigh. It was painful for her too.
My body is falling apart. I remember, as a child, looking at my mom at my age and thinking she was old. So what does that make me? Old. I'm old. At almost 35 years old, I'm old. I wonder if old is what my children think of me. I feel like this injury is equally robbing them!
The funny thing is, aside from injury, I don't feel old. I want to resume running. I want to be able to do the labor getting my garden ready. Damn this injury! I am limited by what my body will let me do. For once, motivation is not the disabling factor.
It has given me perspective, however (that hopefully will not be lost when my back is healed). I realize that what I used to find annoying, troublesome or strenuous (picking up a screaming child, bending down to look at some bug my son found, or pushing the rake in the garden), is now what I wish I could do most. Why do we always take the little things for granted? It amazes me how not being able to run has affected me physically, mentally and emotionally. Yesterday, I was itching to work my hands in the earth as I watched my devoted husband turn over the soil in our garden for me (Happy Mother's Day to me - thank honey!).
I had a long talk with my body while in the pool this morning. I hope it heard me.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Explaining 9/11 to a 6 year old
Yesterday was such a monumental day for the United States, that I couldn't help but want to share it with my 6 year old son. He was not alive on 9/11, nor have I ever attempted to explain what happened on that beautifully sunny yet tragic September day, now nearly 10 years ago, and how yesterday's killing of Osama Bin Laden brings joy, relief, celebration and hope to many.
As we were sitting down to breakfast this morning, I spent a few moments searching for the words to adequately explain the tragedy of 9/11 as well as to describe what the "bad men" did to our country. It dawned on me that using simple words was the best way to go. I simpy explained that a bad man had directed other bad men to kill thousands of innocent, good Americans. After answering many questions ("Why would someone want to crash a plane into a building?"), we then talked about Osama Bin Laden and why it was a "good" thing that he was killed yesterday.
I have such internal conflict when relaying news of someone's death as a good thing. It is never a good thing when someone is murdered. And yet, we are all rejoicing the justice that is done by the death, or rather the removal, of such a dispicable and evil creature. I suppose it is just a relief that this man can no longer do harm. That is what we are rejoicing today. And, that is what I conveyed to my 6 year old.
There will continue to be questions and I will continue to work hard to find appropriate responses. Crushing the innocence that the world and the people that live in it are all good saddens me. However, it is a reality and I believe that the truth is best. At 6 years old, my son cannot possibly grasp the degree to which that evil man's plan affected our country, our world. However, I do believe he is able to begin a lot of critical thinking processes within that growing brain of his.
As we were sitting down to breakfast this morning, I spent a few moments searching for the words to adequately explain the tragedy of 9/11 as well as to describe what the "bad men" did to our country. It dawned on me that using simple words was the best way to go. I simpy explained that a bad man had directed other bad men to kill thousands of innocent, good Americans. After answering many questions ("Why would someone want to crash a plane into a building?"), we then talked about Osama Bin Laden and why it was a "good" thing that he was killed yesterday.
I have such internal conflict when relaying news of someone's death as a good thing. It is never a good thing when someone is murdered. And yet, we are all rejoicing the justice that is done by the death, or rather the removal, of such a dispicable and evil creature. I suppose it is just a relief that this man can no longer do harm. That is what we are rejoicing today. And, that is what I conveyed to my 6 year old.
There will continue to be questions and I will continue to work hard to find appropriate responses. Crushing the innocence that the world and the people that live in it are all good saddens me. However, it is a reality and I believe that the truth is best. At 6 years old, my son cannot possibly grasp the degree to which that evil man's plan affected our country, our world. However, I do believe he is able to begin a lot of critical thinking processes within that growing brain of his.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
This Is Me and Why I'm Here
Certainly I'm no different than most moms who try to do it all. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree and when I search my memory for the goings on with my own mother during my childhood, I remember her doing a lot. From volunteering to working at our church to exercise and playdates, we were always actively involved. In rearing my own children, I've found myself involved in many activities and efforts as well. Most of my time is spent on my children and their activities and schools.
For a little background, I am a 34 (almost 35!) year old mom of 2 kiddos here on earth. I am also a bereaved parent of a child who died at 2 days old. Perhaps it is the birth and death of my firstborn daughter Madison that helped shape me as the parent I am the most. There is also that apple factor.
For a little background, I am a 34 (almost 35!) year old mom of 2 kiddos here on earth. I am also a bereaved parent of a child who died at 2 days old. Perhaps it is the birth and death of my firstborn daughter Madison that helped shape me as the parent I am the most. There is also that apple factor.
My 2 living children are Elliott (6.5) and Meah (4). They keep me juggling all the time. Elliott is in kindergarten and I volunteer regularly in his classroom and with the PTSA. My daughter Meah is in a cooperative preschool which means the parents are active participants. We each have classroom jobs, but I couldn't stop there. No, I had to volunteer for the Board Fundraising Chair position. For the past 8 months, I have been in charge of the school's fundraising. I don't suppose to know what on earth I was thinking to step up for such a hefty job, but I have managed to stay on top of it (and nearly double the school's fundraising dollars from last year!).
I am also a part time student, attending South Seattle Community College in the evenings or online in order to earn my AA degree. With hopes of someday becoming a nurse, I plan on entering a BSN program at the Universtiy of Washington when both of my children are in elementary school. I have been taking 1 or 2 classes a quarter since I was laid off from my last job in 2009.
Once a month I facilitate a Pregnancy and Infant Loss support group for a local organization called PS. In the months and years following the loss of my infant daughter, I found the support and comfort of other bereaved parents to be vital in the ability to continue breathing in and out. It was years before I could feel whole again. After that point, I realized that giving back to those who are newly bereaved was a way I could pay it forward. It also serves as a way for me to do something for Madison. If she were here, there would be countless soccer games, dance and art lessons and all the other things that most parents take for granted or complain about.
It has been no small feat to juggle school, volunteering and parenting duties. I must thrive on being busy because I never fail to keep adding to the load. For fear of divorce or the loony bin, I promised my husband that I would cut back for the 2011-2012 school year :) My own education and simple good, honest parenting will be my only two focuses next school year.
In addition to all that has been mentioned above, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE running and being active. After being a couch potato for a number of years, I reluctantly signed up for the Danskin Womens Triathlon. Training was difficult and required determination, but after I crossed that finish line on race day, I was a changed person. I never looked back to that couch potato and can say I have never been a more happy, healthy and mentally stable individual as I have been as an active one. I have competed in many triathlons, runs and relays.
With being active has come some injury. Knee issues, torn ligaments and back problems have plagued me the last few years. Currently, I am "benched" due to a herniated lumbar disc in my back. Keeping me down is hard, as my chiropractor says. I am determined, however, and I will heal and get back to pounding the pavement. I am joining 11 of my gal pals for the Ragnar Relay this July and cannot wait for the adventurous race!
Starting this blog is an assignment for CMST275, a communications class I am taking. It will be interesting to see how it evolves and takes shape. For now, my ramblings will consist of experiences from my day-to-day life. Read it or not :)
I am also a part time student, attending South Seattle Community College in the evenings or online in order to earn my AA degree. With hopes of someday becoming a nurse, I plan on entering a BSN program at the Universtiy of Washington when both of my children are in elementary school. I have been taking 1 or 2 classes a quarter since I was laid off from my last job in 2009.
Once a month I facilitate a Pregnancy and Infant Loss support group for a local organization called PS. In the months and years following the loss of my infant daughter, I found the support and comfort of other bereaved parents to be vital in the ability to continue breathing in and out. It was years before I could feel whole again. After that point, I realized that giving back to those who are newly bereaved was a way I could pay it forward. It also serves as a way for me to do something for Madison. If she were here, there would be countless soccer games, dance and art lessons and all the other things that most parents take for granted or complain about.
It has been no small feat to juggle school, volunteering and parenting duties. I must thrive on being busy because I never fail to keep adding to the load. For fear of divorce or the loony bin, I promised my husband that I would cut back for the 2011-2012 school year :) My own education and simple good, honest parenting will be my only two focuses next school year.
In addition to all that has been mentioned above, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE running and being active. After being a couch potato for a number of years, I reluctantly signed up for the Danskin Womens Triathlon. Training was difficult and required determination, but after I crossed that finish line on race day, I was a changed person. I never looked back to that couch potato and can say I have never been a more happy, healthy and mentally stable individual as I have been as an active one. I have competed in many triathlons, runs and relays.
With being active has come some injury. Knee issues, torn ligaments and back problems have plagued me the last few years. Currently, I am "benched" due to a herniated lumbar disc in my back. Keeping me down is hard, as my chiropractor says. I am determined, however, and I will heal and get back to pounding the pavement. I am joining 11 of my gal pals for the Ragnar Relay this July and cannot wait for the adventurous race!
Starting this blog is an assignment for CMST275, a communications class I am taking. It will be interesting to see how it evolves and takes shape. For now, my ramblings will consist of experiences from my day-to-day life. Read it or not :)
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