Praising The Lord for HIS TIMING!!!!!!

When I started out working as a Doula and knowing that it would require not only much of myself but much of my family.  Basically having to leave at a moment's (within the hour) notice and head to a hospital would be a stretch.  Not to mention, when I first started doing this, I was working full time as well.  I had so many people tell me....
"There is no way!"
"How can you do that?"
"What about work?"
Well, let's just say, that almost 4 years into this, I have been blessed beyond all things.  I knew I was doing what He was asking me to do no matter what.  It has been a blessing with every delivery.  I haven't missed any major holidays and NEVER MISSED WORK!!!!  The longest was 23+ hours and the shortest was a birth within 30 minutes after my arrival.  Early this morning I was blessed once again to be apart of another powerful Mom and Dad bringing their little girl into this world.  It amazes me every time.  In 36 deliveries, there are NONE that are the same.  NOT ONE!!!!!! 
Part of this praising has to do with HIS timing.  You have to understand that in my brain when a client is due soon, there is this panic button that seems to get pushed.
What if I am out of town?
What if I am sick?
What if it is snowing 12 inches outside?(This really happened!)
What if Bo is at work and I can't leave Kaleb?
Well, as most of you know I am getting ready to register for school. I have a "class" that I HAVE to attend on Tuesday from 1-430pm.  So we are already past her due date.  My panic button got pushed the day they scheduled my class 4 weeks ago.  As time was drawing closer, I just kept telling Him....You have to do this because I can't. Well, once again just like He does.......She called me yesterday and we had an awesome birth early this morning and I don't have to worry about missing anything on Tuesday.  Can you say.....AMEN and PRAISE THE LORD?!!!!!  WHOOHOO!!!!! 
He is so good!
He is so good ALL THE TIME!!!!!
He already knows.  STOP WORRYING!!!!!!

Well, thank you for your time and visit and just wondered.......what can you or are you praising Him for????

Doula Mama Pam

So are you thinking about running......?????

Things that I LOVE about running is the "Stuff"!!!!!!  I could buy "stuff" to live in.  When I was working full time, I wore scrubs ALL the time.  Real people clothes were only worn when going to church on Sunday.  Otherwise, I wore PJ Pants and a T-Shirt when I got home or else it was athletic shorts and T-Shirts on Saturdays.  I had clothes but just didn't really have the opportunity to wear them.  All of that being said....
Give me the Nike Outlet with a huge sale or the Champion Outlet or even the Adidas Outlet and it is like heaven!!!!!!
Soooooo......Things that I LOVE and are real necessities for running..........
SHOES!!!!!- Please get the right shoes.  Wrong Shoes is setting you up for failure!!!!!!  If you are around here in the Triad- go to Off'N'Running.  Their link is here.  Their stuff is awesome.  Don't know what kind of shoe you need?  They will put you on a treadmill and watch you run.  Seeing how your feet strike the ground and recommend a shoe for you.  THEY ARE NOT CHEAP!  They are an investment.  They are worth EVERY penny!!!!!!!  At the same time, you only wear them when you run.  That is what they are for.  LOVE great running shoes.  My favorites are Brooks.  They are just awesome!!!!!!  Other's that are fabulous would be New Balance, Sauconi, Mizuno's, and Asics. 
SHIRT- I know this a no-brainer but a very important one.  PLEASE GET A Dri-Wick shirt or tank.  It does just that.....wicks away the sweat and you stay sooooo much cooler.  DO NOT RUN IN A 100% cotton T-shirt or tank.  It will weigh a 100 pounds when you are done!!!!!!!  You can get these at Target and they are very reasonable.  Don't dry them!!!!!  Hang them up or put them out side to dry.  The dryer will break down the Dri-Wick.
PANTS/SHORT/SKORTS----These are a must!!!!!!  My favorite are compression shorts and leggings.  Shorts for the summer and pants for the winter.  They feel great. They look great.  Here again, get the ones that have the Dri-Wick in them.  DO NOT GET GRAY COTTON SHORTS!!!!!!  When you sweat.....well it looks like you didn't make it to the potty as we say in our house.  You can also get just running shorts and for us ladies, there are "Skorts".  They are wonderful!  They have compression shorts on the inside and are skirts on the outside.  Check out Champion here. to give you an idea. 
SPORTS BRA....for the Ladies......My biggest rule of thumb is NO BOUNCE!!!!!  You can go to any website with athletic wear and see "How to buy the right sports bra".  This is so key.  My rule of thumb is no clasp or zippers and at least one size smaller than you would normally buy.  Snug fitting but able to breathe.  Make sense?  Now, Champion has one of my friends favorites.  You have look and try on.  This again is an investment.  Wick-ing material is key with this as well.
So, now that you have all of the information about what you need........what are you going to do with it?  That is the question!!!!!!!

It's A New Birth Story

This particular Birth Story is written by a couple that were in my first class.  They were awesome!!!!!!!  They had their plans and as you will see, their plan didn't go exactly how they expected but when all was said and done, they would tell you, they wouldn't do any other way. The thing that I love the most and spoke with her via "e-mail" was that even though she had the epidural and pitocin, she was confident in her body to birth their beautiful son.  It is a beautiful story!  Mom, Dad and baby are doing wonderful!  My main goal in teaching childbirth classes is that, even if you need interventions, it is not the end of the world!!!!!!
Click on "Birth Stories" Tab at the top and read!!!!!!!!

**Would you like to share your story? Just sent me an e-mail or leave a comment. 

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

I LOVE Running!!!!!!

I got into running by accident.  It was not my intent to run. I did it to get Michelle to be quiet and just leave me alone.  At the time, I was the biggest that I had ever been.  I was miserable. We were at The Y and she challenged me and well.....that was history. 
All of that being said, I have accomplished numerous 5K's, 2 1/2 Half Marathons and 1 Full Marathon and returning to Myrtle Beach in February to complete another Half Marathon.  I'm considering another Full before the age of 45.  (If you know me, you can do the math.)The 1/2 Half Marathon was for a friend of mine.  She was running her first.  I had an injury and told her that I would do as much as I could.  I ran for quite a while and then met back up with her toward the end when I knew she would need the encouragement.  I crossed the finish line with her, received my medal and the graciously returned it to the box.  I hadn't completed the whole thing and didn't feel right taking a medal.  Anyway......
There is something completely relaxing, freeing, and wonderful about running.  Most of the time what I hear is.....
"I can't run"
"I wouldn't run"
"I hate running"
"I don't run unless something is chasing me"
"Why would I want to subject myself to something like that?"
My response is typically....
"Yes you can"
"You would if you wanted to"
"You were being forced before ( like in school or athletics)"
"Everyone runs if they are being chased"
"You never know until you try"
Yes, you can use the words, running, freeing, relaxing and wonderful all in the same sentence.  My hubby will be the first to tell you...."If she doesn't get in a run.......she is not the same person".  I totally believe it.
If your stress is up- RUN. 
If you have major decisions to make-RUN.
Need some down town from the kids-RUN.
You need some exercise- RUN!!!!!! 
I am here to tell you that it makes all the difference in the world!!!!!!
These are just a few of the reasons I LOVE running!!!!!!!

I Checked.....

Yes, I have logged in everyday to make sure that what I saw the other day is still there and that it was not a joke.  I'm still in total and complete AWE of the entire thing!!!!!!! Somethings have come up that I had time of frustration and disappointment with but that is over and it will all be fine.  I'm excited and scared to death all at the same time.  It's one of those things where I have to CHOOSE what to do, how to react and what to do next with His Help Only!!!!! This has become something that is about what His plan is and not exactly what Pam's plan is.  Does that make sense?  So, we move forward one step at a time.  EXCITING!!!!!! and EXPECTANT!!!!!!  Love it.....

Speaking of LOVE......I have a friend who I have mentioned on here before who has started her own blog.  She post the most amazing stuff.  Just things that I would not think about but she does it in such a way that it grabs your attention and you are hooked!!!!!!  You can find Sarah over at her blog by clicking here.  I think that I am going to borrow some of her thoughts and ideas about what she post about to just break up some of my "boring" post...ha!  I mean something like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  Are you guilty?  OH I FOR SURE AM!!!!!  I will from now on be very aware and think that one over twice.  I'm a "runner" for heavens' sake....why in the world am I taking the stairs......Thank you Sarah. 
So, I think that we will use one day a week for something that I love. 

Doula Mama Pam- Nursing Student!!!!

WHERE TO START!!!!!

Well, it is Sunday afternoon and the boys are busy. Well, let's say the youngest and the oldest are sleeping the middle one is picking up Alex at the beach.  It's quiet and I got some reading done and took a couple of practice test.  It has been a rough couple of weeks for me.  Knowing that I was returning to school IS exciting.  Now that I know what I am going for is even MORE exciting. The waiting part was killing me.  The "What If" questions kept coming back.  Yet, every time I would think...."Just give it up and go back to work and resume the "normal" life", something would happen, some e-mail or phone call would come to remind me that is NOT what I was suppose to do. Well, to be honest, last night I had one of those moments.  The stress got me yesterday.  I was standing in our bedroom folding clothes and reasoning with myself. 
Kind of sounded like this.....
"I haven't signed up for classes yet. No money lost there. I could continue with teaching and being a Doula. It's not that big of a deal. I know in my heart that would be disobedience." Then the thoughts just stopped.  I walked to the computer and signed on to Facebook to see what everyone else was up to and get my mind off of what I was thinking.  Then I thought.......Let's just check the website for the college and see.  I had checked it on Friday and NOTHING was there.  I was just so discouraged.  So I logged in.  Prepared myself when I clicked on the button that said "Financial Aid Letter".  Every other time I pulled it, it would say...."No record".  That meant that they had not done it yet. BUT...................................................................................................................................................
This time was different.  There WAS A LETTER!!!!  There was $$$$$$$$$$$$ amounts listed.  I WAS STUNNED!!!  I was clapping and hollerin' (southern term).  I jumped up, walked in the living room and told my hubby the amount and said "No more worries" and came down the hall and picked up the phone and called my parents.  Of course crying like a child.  "School is paid for.  I got the Pell Grant. Fall and Spring are paid for!!!!!!" I just sat staring at the screen with the letter.  Hubby came and read it to.  I was NOT SEEING THINGS!!!!!  I even logged off and logged back in to make sure it was not an accident.  Every time I think about it, my eyes just well up with tears and I can't believe it.  Hubby must have been excited because he had it posted on Facebook before I could get off the phone. 
Just totally awesome.  Just totally blown away.  I serve a God that can move mountains.  This was another mountain He demolished right in front of me.  I am still amazed.  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam- Nursing Student

What Have You Been Up To?????

To be perfectly honest with that question would be stress and worry.  OK, There, I said it.  Done with that so lets move on.  Stress and worry are getting me no where except for in a tizzy.  You see, I sign up for classes on August 2nd.  It seems like an eternity away and I know that it is not. So, what is the big deal you ask......well, since you asked.....
1-What if I can't get in what I need?
2-What if I have to go to campus for classes?
3-What if all the online classes are full?
4-What if I have to go during the day, where will Kaleb go?
5-What if I can't manage all of this?
6- What if I can't get into the CNA 1 class that I need before the cut off?
7-What about our family vacation that we are suppose to take in September to the beach?

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT?????  Well, now it is on paper/blog and I feel better and realized as I typed what I was seeing and there was His voice in my ear.......Notice the "I's"? Notice the "What ifs"? and then the scripture......
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."(Matt 6:34), so I am done fretting.  Does that mean in 2 hours I won't be fretting again? I probably will and then He will remind me again.

VBS blessed my socks off and wore me slap out.  What a week!!!!!!!  We had in just our little class of 3 and 4 year olds 27 on roll and averaged about 24-25 per day.  I think there were 384 signed up total and we averaged around 350 per day with 125-150 workers and youth.  It was an experience like no other.  It's exciting to see each year and this year, I got to be a part of it.  That was just awesome.  Kaleb got to go this year for his first time.  He had a blast.  He had wonderful teachers and still is talking about it.  It was just incredible.

So, thinking back to the sermon that I heard yesterday from Pastor Rick.  The question was posed.......  "I live for_______________. Now fill in the blank.  This was difficult. This was really difficult.  Immediately my brain went to husband, children, family, and all of those other things just like you may have thought when you read the question.  The "Take-Away" was The Christian view of living is all about loving Christ.  How many times have I sat in a class or Bible study and hear that and yesterday it seem to just reach off the page and slap me up-side the head.  I realized yesterday in my struggle for school, to figure out what was next, losing my job and feeling like I had lost who and what I was, I had put a million other things in that space. He talked about when having other things in that space, if they are removed, taken or whatever, we completely fall apart. We can become depressed, withdrawn, angry, bitter and that is not who we are to be.  For example, if your family is there and you suffer a divorce. Heaven forbid that you lose your spouse or a child or a grandchild. What if you lose your finances or your job? Do you see?  What the Lord said so clearly is to stop putting all of these things and people in my place. Put Christ in the place where He belongs and the others will fall into place.  I really struggled with this yesterday.  To the point of just crying out in my panic and worry and stress and just telling Him, I can't do this!!!  Take your place and be my focus.  FREEDOM!!! came and today is a new day and Praise the Lord for it!!!!!!!  So, if I were to ask you.......Fill in the following blank....."I live for__________________" what would you say?

Thanks for stopping by......
Doula Mama Pam- Nursing Student

Praise Update

So I shared the other day about this new direction of NURSING that we are headed. Well, I sat and poured over the 5 pages of criteria and the point system and what was next and where to start and was feeling good about what was happening but at the same time, fear, panic and a million other emotions were creeping in.  This past Tuesday there was a "Mandatory Nursing Student Meeting".  It's good for one year. It is part of Part 1 of the criteria.  OK- check. That has been done.  I brought in my 5 pages to take notes on. 
I got there 45 minutes early. I was NOT going to be late.  I waited. I read the GTCC Catalog. I waited and as I watched, more and more students were appearing around me.  By the time they opened the door, there were probably 45-50 women and about 10 men.  They actually had to go to another room to get chairs.  They were not kidding when they said, "If you are late, you will not be allowed in".  They LOCKED THE DOORS!!!  Some poor person was about 5 minutes late and she knocked for at least 5 minutes and we were not allowed to open the door. 
I listened.
I took notes.
I wrote almost everything she said. 
She was GREAT!!!  The information explained so much more than what is on the computer.  There are things that you MUST DO!!   Those are the things that are required and must be accomplished in order for you to complete this program.  So, you maybe asking....what are they?????  Well, let me first tell you the fantastic part.
I am after the PN Program.  It's one year in the Nursing Program to do the PN.  When you complete it you can sit for the NC Board of Nursing Exam to be an LPN. Why in the world would I want to do an LPN and not do the RN.  I NEED THE INITIALS BEHIND MY NAME SOON!!!!!  I'll explain more about that at a later time.  Anyway, I have until April to get the Phase 1 and 2 part.  OK, I can do that.  Then they started talking about the numbers and the points.  This is where I was so very worried.  Bottom line....anyone starting is on level ground.  This is great.  Then she explains that yes, they may have 200 people apply.  Then only 140 will even complete Phase 1 and then only 100 complete Phase 2 and then you get into the number of spaces available for the program either night and weekend or day OR......THE PN PROGRAM!!!!!  Last year.....in the RN Program, everyone got in and even all of the alternates got in.  Are you sitting down....EVERYONE GOT IN THE PN PROGRAM.......I thought I was going to bust a gut. I thought I would have church right there on the spot. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!    HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS AND I JUST SAW ONE NOT ONLY MOVE BUT COME TUMBLING DOWN!!!!!!
I know that this may confuse you and it may sound very jumbled but my GOD is making a way and I am just standing and watching Him do it. 
So, of course, the evil one is up to his antics.  I come home and so very excited.  Hubby asked about the Financial stuff we had turned in.  I go to the computer and it states mine is "INCOMPLETE".  It can't be!!!  I turned in the stuff.  I was devastated and cried my eyes out.  Then there was this peace that came over...."I got this.  Trust me."  OK, calmness and will take care of tomorrow. 
Called the office.  No, they don't have it. I pulled it back out and returned back to the school to drop it off.  DONE!! Now we just wait for the letter or e-mail. 
Then he hits me again today......looking at the classes I need and want to do on line and they are full/closed.  Panic again.  What am I going to do now?  That sweet voice, Relax...........e-mail the Advisor.  E-mail DONE! Now I wait. 
So, next to the "Journey back to MB Half Marathon" Log will be the Prayer Request Runner.  I have chosen to post to be a testimony to what the Lord can do.  Join me, won't you?????  This is gonna be good!!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam-Nursing Student!!!!!

WAITING!!!!!!!!?????????

Oh My!!!! CHANGES AGAIN!!!!!

Well, once again, back out at the school.  I went the other day to do the testing and the computer locked up right before I was finished.  I was told to come back.  I thought "if I have to do the math part again, I am going to go back to work and push papers for the rest of my life".  I walked in this morning and Praise The Lord, it picked up where I left off!!!!!!  3 articles to read and answer questions!!!!  WHOOO HOOO!!!!!

I passed the Reading Test and the Writing Test.  Not so good on the Math but I am really OK with that.  You have to remember I haven't done Algebra since I was in High School and 1 year of College.  That was in 1986.....you can do the math on that....hahahaha.  I did think it was quite funny when I went in the first time and they handed me a calculator that had all of these functions on it and I was CLUELESS as to what they were and what they meant and how to use the thing.  I just had to laugh!!!!!

I have always said that the Lord does not lay out the plan for your life and say..."Here you go, what do think about this?"  I wrote the post the other day about what I was looking at.  Note..... I said what I was looking at.  As I considered and prayed, things were changing in my head and in my heart.  I even went to a cookout on Sunday evening and was so excited because I wanted to tell Cindy that I was going to do Early Childhood Education.  EVERY TIME I got within 2 feet of her to say something, someone walked up or Kaleb needed something or was wanting to show me something.  I was so frustrated.  I finally just spoke to her and said I would see her this week. I was coming to the realization that being layed off from the job that I was good at and decided that I would be there til I retired was affecting me in such a negative way. I was settling for something that my heart was not in.   It was very strange. 

When I went to the school on Tuesday to do the testing and they asked me what my major would be....out of my mouth came "I'm going into the Nursing Program".  I thought I was going to fall over. Excuse me but would someone please tell me who said that? That is NOT what I thought. That is NOT what I was thinking.  The Lord was. That was Him. I have no doubt.  I walked into the computer room to do the testing and said. "OK Lord, if you want me in the Nursing Program, YOU will have to do this. I can't"  You see, the Nursing Program is VERY difficult to get into.  It is VERY limited and based on points.  The process to get in is 5 pages long.  Very overwhelming when I look at it.  Of course, when He looks at it, it's not a problem at all.  So, all of that being said, I am overwhelmingly excited that I am going to school, 25 years later to finish what I started.  Maybe I should say, what He started!!!!!!! 

Join me on this journey!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam- Nursing Student!!!!

Van Birth Story!!!!!

I had spoken about a birth that I attended and she actually delivered IN THE VAN!!!!  Well, her Birth Story is now available and she has given me permission to share it.  Truly a right of passage as a Doula!!!!  I will now carry an emergency Birth Kit in my car to any Early Labor At Home Client!!!!!
Thank you Ashley and Heather!!!!! Just click Birth Story Page.

Doula Mama Pam

The Verdict

Were you shocked?
Were you sad?
Were you mad?
Were you angry?
Post your response in the comment section
If you are a Christian, what should our response be?

HAPPY July 4th!!!!!!!!

I hope that everyone is having an awesome day today.  Quiet here, hubby had to work and not sure what the plan maybe for later. 

Update......
**I think I've chosen the path for school.  Still working on some details but just not sure yet but will keep you posted. 
**Preparing for February and loving every minute of it.  It's been a long time.  I actually in all of my cleaning found pictures of my very first Half Marathon in 2006 in Myrtle.  I have my number, my medal and my picture.  LOVE IT!!  SOOOO Very encouraging.  I can do this again!!!!!!  The flip side is I found my Marathon Certificate.......not so much an encouragement.  Will have to really think through whether I want to revisit that or not.  Just haven't decided.  It's a HUGE commitment. 

I have spoken/wrote about My Other Mother (M.O.M).  Well, her daughter is now married and has started a blog!!!!  I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!  Please stop by and be a "follower" .  She posted about a Peanut Butter Pie that she makes.  Oh My Goodness!!!!!  I made 2 yesterday.  One for a cookout and one to keep at home.....................I could have eaten the entire thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you Sarah!!!!!!!
Her blog is called   LOVE,sje and the link is here.  GO CHECK HER OUT!!!!!

Please be safe and have a wonderful 4th of July!!!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam

Side-Bar and Other Thoughts......

OK, so the "Side-Bar" got updated with "Cardio-Interval".  What in the world?  Well, I went this morning thinking that I didn't want to just run on the Treadmill.  That can get so boring so fast.  So I chose to do a little combination of all of my "favorite"(if you would call them that) things.
So this is what became of my version of Cardio-Interval.
Warm-Up 5 minutes on the treadmill just walking.
Running for 15 minutes-at a pretty good pace
Rowing Machine for 12 minutes and 2000 meters (I was actually UNDER 12 minutes and I wanted to do the Happy Dance-don't worry, I didn't!)
Elliptical for 15 minutes set on "Random"
Lastly
Cardio-Climber- cross between a stair climber/elliptical/glider kind of machine-15 minutes.
I had a ball!!!!!  For sure something to consider if the same old same old routine is boring. 

Anyway, things are about to get going here.  Testing on Tuesday at the college and getting registered for some classes.  Thinking, praying, processing, praying and researching and did I mention praying about what to do.  Several options that I have considered that just keep coming around and around and around. 
*Early Childhood Education (love teaching little ones)
*Culinary Degree (something that just popped in my head today)
*Fitness/Nutrition (for sure a passion)
*Business (not my favorite but would consider)

So, if I were to break it down, it would look like this.......
*Early Childhood Education-
Working with children
Teaching
Educating the future
Background and Base to open my own childcare
Pay is not all that great.
*Culinary Degree
Working with food
Cooking and preparing for others
Experimenting with new recipes
Not sure about pay- Catering-Spa or something of that nature
*Fitness/Nutrition
Change peoples' eating habits
Change the obesity epidemic
Teach people how to take care of themselves-properly
Educate people of the importance of nutrition and fitness
Pay-typically "OK" but not "GREAT"
*Business
Working for a large organization
Working for a small organization
9-5 Business world
Fear of lay-off
Positive- background to open my own.
Pay- typically pretty good

Funny how the world of Nursing and Medicine is not in there at the moment.  VERY strange! Yes, it could change tomorrow.  They are not in any kind of order.  Just things that I am thinking through at the moment. Without a shadow of a doubt, being a Doula and a Childbirth Educator are high!!!!!!!!!  Just need more clients and more students. 
So, if you could go back and do it all again....what would you do?????

Doula Mama Pam