In addition to the last post (below)

I couldn't find the website this morning on the computer but I have it now...
http://www.theinvisibledisease.blogspot.com/

This is a very good friend of mine. She has been struggling with a disease that we don't know enough about so the only thing to do is to treat the symptoms. Can you imagine waking up on a daily basis and not knowing if you will be able to move your arms and legs or any part of your body because they feel like each limb weighs 100 pounds? Can you imagine falling asleep in the middle of typing on your blog? Can you imagine being in pain more hours than not. I can not even begin to grasp those physical feelings, much less the mental or emotional side of such a disease. It just amazes me. I have watched her get out of the bed and do things and just by knowing her prior to Fibro. you can see it when she walks, sits or stands and the hurt is on her face and in her eyes. Fibromyalgia IS REAL!!!!!!! I have seen it!!!!!!! Please visit her site, leave a word of encouragement whether you know her or not. She loves getting comments.
(This is for you Lynn-Marie!!!!!!!-praying for you all the time!!!!)

Thanks again for visiting today.

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama (Pam)

Good Morning- Only 9 more days!!!!!

ONLY 9 MORE DAYS AND WE WILL BE ON VACATION!!!!!!!

A much needed one and can't come at a better time. The stress level is at an all time high and we need to get away and have some rest and some time together as a family. Of course, we will for sure post some pictures during the trip. Believe me, my husband loves the camera. I try to stay away from it as much as possible. I'll take the picture, but please don't put me in front of it.....LOL!!!
I need help with this blogspot. I want to get my information, my stories out and trying to find a way to do that. I would love to figure out a way to have someone help me to design this blog. I have become a blogger and love looking at other peoples blogs and they are just fantastic. I just can't figure out how to do it. Anyone got any ideas????
Things are kind of quiet with new arrivals on the horizon. I have one in June, and one in July. I am praying for more Moms that I can help but I am leaving that up to the Lord to handle that part.

I would love for you to go and visit this blogspot http://annabelgrace.blogspot.com/
This is an awesome family. I have actually had the opportunity to e-mail with Cathy. She is an awesome lady. She lives in Texas....the one place in the US that I could live and not think twice about. Anyway, go down about 2 entries and read about May 9th. It is incredible and I had no idea that there was such a day as BirthMothers Day. It is awesome!!!!!! I have requested to share a story but I have not heard yet if I will be able to. I will let you know but I thought it only fitting to share it on Saturday. You will not want to miss it!!!!!

I have a couple of things that I want to share with you all and would love for you to visit their blogs and leave a message or just read about them. Most of which you can find on my list of Blogs I follow
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ - she has been in India-It's amazing!
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ continued prayer for Stellan and his heart problems
http://ontrackinukraine.com/ these are my friends in that are serving as Full Time missionaries in Ukraine. You can sign up for their newsletter!!!
http://www.motheringthemotherinnc.com/ this is my business web-site, just be praying that I will be used by Him!
http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/ - this family has been through so much. They are finally taking their daughter home but not the way they had hoped. Cover them with your love.
I have one other website that I can't locate but I will add it in another post.

The sun is out! The day is starting! The Lord is in control! and this is His Day!!!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama (Pam)

Ukraine!!!!!!

http://ukraine2009.blogspot.com/

Everyone has arrived!!!!! PTL!!!!

Check it out!!!!
Pam

Prayer Request

My Mom leaves this afternoon for Kiev Ukraine for I believe her 9th trip!!!!!!! Here is the blogspot they have put together for the trip.
Please be in prayer for them.

Thank you so much.

Laboring with you,
Doula Mama


www.ukraine2009.blogspot.com

NEWSLETTER

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The VERY first Mothering The Mother Newsletter has been sent out!!!!! I am so excited!!!!! Know anyone that would benefit from a Newletter about pregnancy? anyone trying to become pregnant? This newletter would be a bit of fun and information.!!!!!

Please send me your e-mail or leave a comment and I would be happy to send one your way!!!!!!

Laboring with you,
Doula Mama

Good Afternoon

It is beautiful outside today. It is almost to the point of being hot. The sun is shinning and I would give my right arm (not really) to be outside playing with The Little Man.
I tell you the truth, things are just absolutely crazy sometimes. I'm so excited and so overwhelmed at the same time. There are just not enough hours in the day to do all that I want to do and need to do.
Having my Perinatal Fitness Instructor Certification has really opened up ALOT of doors. Women's has contacted me and so has the YWCA here in Greensboro. I'm so excited about both of them. I have discovered not only am I passionate about all of the teen moms and the pregnant moms that I have but I want them to be healthy. Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies. That of course is the ultimate goal. It is exciting to see what the Lord is doing and how He is leading but I feel it's kind like chaos sometimes. Trying to figure out how to handle working full time, being a Doula and then the added excitement of the Fitness piece.....WOW!!!! Makes me nervous to think about what it could be like when I get my Childbirth Educator Certification.

I get the opportunity to go and speak at the Childbirth Class on Thursday evening about Doula's. I can't wait. It's going to be exciting!!!!!!! It's also exciting with all the people that I have met since starting this awesome adventure. It just blows me away that there are so many resources out there. It's just amazing.

Busy is good. This is a great kind of busy and just exciting. I have an open calendar and have 4 Mom's waiting. How awesome it would be to have a FULL calendar. That is the goal!!!!!! God is good and He will supply ALL I need!!!! For that I am truly thankful!!!!
If you know of anyone that would benefit, please let me know. Thanks again for all of your love and support!!!!!

Love,
Doula Mama

Good Morning!!!!

Did you think I had fallen off the face of the earth? It almost feels that way but life gets so busy, it is just nuts. Just wanted to stop in and give a few updates.
Twinkle Twinkle- That was a blast. I had so much fun. I met so many people that I knew were out there, but just didn't know how to find them. Let's just say, I FOUND THEM. There are groups, organizations and all kinds of services for the "Want to be pregnant", "New Pregnant", "Ready to Deliver Pregnant", and even the "I had a baby-Now what". It was a serious case of networking and it was just awesome!!!!! So much fun that I have even signed up for another one in August. It is HUGE!!! Twinkle was big. I think they said to plan on about 200. The one is August, ready for this, 1-2 THOUSAND!!!!!! Oh My!!!!! Oh, how exciting that will be. I can not wait. I am planning and making copies every so often so that I have enough brochures. I'm actually working on updating my brochure because a lot of it has changed. I will keep you posted. It is just awesome and Oh so exciting!!!!
I had a delivery the day of Twinkle Twinkle. It was so awesome. I had the privilege of working with one of the physicians that I work for. We had not had a chance to work together so it was exciting. She is just awesome!!!!! My Mom went into labor during Twinkle Twinkle. I told her not to worry, I was already at the hospital. She actually had to go walk for a bit and came to visit me. How cool is that? She was admitted. I took all of my stuff home from the event and then returned to the hospital. SHE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!! We rode the roller coaster of contractions together with her Mom there by her side. She and I would change places every so often and do whatever she needed us to do. This is the awesome part. ONE SHOT OF STADOL!!!!! That was all she used. No epidural, no other meds or interventions. She was focused and she did a beautiful job. Only pushed for 20 minutes and had a beautiful baby girl. It was so exciting to be there by her side and share in such an awesome event. THAT IS WHY I AM A DOULA!!!!!! I am going to text with her today and talk to her about if I can share the rest of her story with you. Of course, no names mentioned.

On another front- I am missing one piece of the puzzle to get the Certification from DONA International. Then I can change from:
Pam Kennedy, Doula (DONA Trained)
To
Pam Kennedy, CD(DONA)
I can't wait for that.

I also had talked about the Perinatal Fitness class and Certification that I had received. I loved having it but had no idea what all that meant for me. I got an e-mail, because of Twinkle Twinkle, and wanted to know if I would be interested in helping teach the Fit for 2 class at Women's' Hospital......Uh,,,,, YES!!!!!!!!! I went the other night to see how the class was run and had a blast!!!! It was soooo much fun!!!! Then, in the midst of that I get a call from the YWCA. They want me to come and teach over there. I can pretty much teach how often and when I want to. I just need to let them know. I had NO CLUE that all of this would come into play. I am just blown away. Something like a day-long class can open doors to new and exciting things.

I will keep you updated. Of course, if you know of anyone that would benefit from the Doula Services or the Prenatal Fitness, PLEASE let me know.
I will post more later on today, Be sure to check in later on.

Love,
Doula Mama

TWINKLE TWINKLE!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness!!!!!! It has been forever since a post. Did you think I had just completely fell off the face of the earth?????? Nope, just VERY busy but that is a good thing.
Let's see, where to start................Hmmmm I am happy to report that baby Jayden is home, healthy and from what I understand, happy as any little Princess would be. She is cute as a button. I have some great pictures I will get up and running in the next few days!!!
We had a Birthday on March 20th. A beautiful little baby girl. Just beautiful. I am not at liberty to give details but everyone is doing just wonderfully!!!!!!
We are waiting on the arrival of another precious little girl. She can come any day now. We are just waiting on her. Her Mom is very excited and so is everyone else. Just can't wait to finally see her. How exciting!!!!!

Twinkle Twinkle is coming this weekend. What in the world is Twinkle Twinkle? It's a program put on by Women's Hospital of Greensboro. About 40 different companies and/or groups get together and display their products or services. It's aimed at several different groups of people. The "trying to get pregnant", "pregnant and counting the weeks" and the "just had a baby" group. It's an exciting time whichever group you are in. The great thing is that this time around Mothering The Mother made it in as a "vendor". I am so excited I could bust a gut. This is huge!!!!!! I have worked on fliers, brochures, coupons, goals, business cards, give aways and a door prize. I am exhausted but at the same time, I can't wait. It's a lot of work and I have prayed and prayed that the Lord will just bless the effort. If I get one client or 20. He has created the passion and I am just following. If you are in the Greensboro area on Saturday between 10am and 2pm, stop by and see me. The event is om the Education Center at Women's Hospital on Green Valley Rd. They are planning on about 200 people. It will be a lot of fun I am sure. My wonderful husband is putting together a slide show of all the Mothering The Mother babies for it to scroll thru during the event. How Cool!!!!

I received an e-mail today with an attachment. Guess what that was???? My Perinatal Fitness and Wellness Certificate!!!!! YEAH!!!!! It's official!!!!! I passed!!!!! How awesome is that!!!!!
Now we are on to getting the DONA Certification for the Doula and then jump into Childbirth Education. WOW!! Is He good or what!!!!!!

Well, it is almost 11:05pm and I still have to work tomorrow so I better wrap it up. Still have a lot to do for Saturday. Have to decide on what to wear. Any suggestions???? What does a Professional Childbirth Coach wear anyway????? Thanks for sharing in the excitement. I will post and let you know how Saturday goes. Who knows, I might even let my picture be taken.

Love,
Pam
Doula Mama
ps- I will post the slide show that I use. I can't wait for you to see the new pictures!!!!!

We Are Still Here!!!!!

Hello Friends and Family,

Just wanted to give you a "quick" update on what all is going on around here. Life seems to be moving at a pace that I can't keep up with but He allows me to thru His strength.
1- We have a new little girl that was born on 3/13/09. She is beautiful. Her name is Jayden and she is just a sweet addition to her wonderful Mom and Dad, Erica and Jay. She is dealing with some difficulties that the doctors can't seem to figure out at this point. She had been transferred to a local children's hospital. Mom said this morning that she is doing great and all test are negative so far. I will keep you posted and double check with Mom about posting some of her pictures.
2- I went and paid a visit to another baby and her mom the other day. She is gorgeous. A head full of hear and the sweetest expressions. Mom is so happy and so proud of her baby. I will check with her one more time to make sure it is OK for me to post her pictures.
3- I have 2 VERY precious Mom's that are due very soon. One is post-dates already and the other is due in the next week or so. They have both made the choice to put their babies up for adoption. I am amazed and humbled every time I get the opportunity to chat with them. They just blow me away with the choice they made and how well they are doing. They have their deliveries planned of how they want things to go and they are set. I seriously doubt I will post their pictures but I maybe able to just post pics of the baby without names or details. I will ask.
4-Kyle (my oldest) The pride that I feel for this young man just makes my heart want to bust. He is finishing up 2 years at the local community college with a Certificate in Graphic Design and Photography. He is then transferring to another community college to get a degree in photography. He is taking pictures of cars, sports and has even been asked to shoot a wedding. One of his pictures actually went in a car magazine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pride is just oozing out of me!!!!!!! It's called Import Tuner Magazine. His picture is on the last page and of course you know they save the best for last!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!
5-Kaleb (my youngest) He amazes me every day. There is not a day that goes by that he does not just blow me away with new words, walking backwards, pointing and showing me the planes in the sky and the worm crawling in the puddle or even stomping in the puddle. I hold him tight because before I can blink, he will be the age of my oldest.
6-Tonya (my middle). The Lord has a way of doing things HIS way and not always the way that we think that HE should. The plan was that she was going to stay in jail until the 31st. Well, that didn't happen. Her group home came back to the table and agreed to take her back. Every home and facility that we had looked at was at least a 2-6 month wait. That meant she would come home with us on March 31st. Through a lot of discussion, I mean a lot, we made the decision to sign her out of jail, return to her group home and go to court on March 31st. At that point it will the judges call as to what happens next. She has been dis-enrolled from her high school and will be going to the community college to get her GED!!!!!!! She has changed quit a bit and yet somethings still remain. Therapy and meds will continue and we will follow through with each minute, hour and day that comes. Please keep us in your prayers.

Well, there is the update. Sorry it was so long. I have much more to share but really need to get my thoughts together. Thank you for keeping up with us and following the blog. We would love to hear from you!!!!!!!

In Him,
Doula Mama

Tough Love and Updates

Hello Family, Friends and Fellow Bloggers and Readers,

I know you probably thought we had fallen off the face of the earth but WE ARE STILL HERE!!!!!! Anyway, I wanted to take a few minutes and give you a bit of an update.
First, if anyone ever talks about "Tough Love" and are very matter of fact or very casual about it, be careful. I used to be that way. I would say that is the best way to deal with certain situations and that was the only way to deal with them. Well, let's just say, the next time that the topic is brought up, I will be VERY careful in what I say. I am guilty of saying things and not really thinking about what it would be like to REALLY go through with the action. We, as a family, had to dish out some tough love. Tough love in our case was making the decision to leave her in jail. Leave her there for over 5 weeks. Leave her in an adult jail with 20 other women in her "block". That is tough love and I am here to tell you it is probably the most difficult decision that I have ever made in my entire life. Her Dad and I went and paid her a visit last week. That was a sobering event but it went much better than I ever dreamed that it would. She is doing well. She is in a very structured environment and that seems to be where she does the best. We explained what and why and she was understanding, and even carried on a very appropriate conversation. There were no tears, crying, drama, begging, pleading, but there was the statement, "I have learned my lesson, and I am not running any more" I want with every fiber of my being to believe that with my whole heart. I'm protective at times of my heart but I want to believe her. We meet tomorrow night for a decision and look at some new placements for her when she is released. That could be on March 31st or it may be an additional 30, 60 or even 90 days but we have to plan and be ready. As most of you know, the Mental Health system is very broke and that is what we are up against. I would ask that you please pray for us tomorrow night. This could be a very tense meeting. I have realized in the last couple of weeks, once again, something I keep having to be taught over and over, HE IS IN CONTROL!!!!! I am not, her Dad is not, her Step Dad is not and neither is her Step Mom. It is ultimately Him. That is where it is. Please hear me when I say that I am very concerned. I will do what is required of me and I will do what is in the best interest of everyone but my worry gets me no where. Worry is a sin and I try not to fall into it. I have just decided that we do what we can and what He leads us to do and the rest is up to Him. Shew what a relief that is!!!!!

Second- Updates on all my Mom's-------
As far as I know, all is well. I have 2 Mom's to go and visit with next weekend. I can't wait. I haven't seen them since the hospital. We have had the stomach bug in the home, dealing with Tonya and then I ended up with a chest cold this weekend that started with the aches early in the week that just got worse. I will talk with them and see if they would allow me to share some pictures. I will also take some when I visit if it is OK with them.

Induction on Tuesday. She is so excited and very nervous. I will be taking 1/2 a day on Tuesday to be with her. Here again, I will keep you posted and let you know how things go.

Prayer for 2 of my clients. I have 2 precious ladies that I have grown to admire more than they will probably EVER know. They have completely stolen my heart. They are both placing their babies up for adoption. I won't be posting their names or the babies pictures that I know of unless they tell me I can and even then I probably won't share their names. One I have known since she was VERY early pregnant and we have become close. Her Mom is precious and such a strong woman and very encouraging. The other I just met a few weeks ago and I have been amazed getting to know her and her family. Both are as different as night and day but what they have chosen to do is soooooo humbling to me. I'm just in awe!!!!! They inspire me, they encourage me, they are the reason that I do what I do.

Thursday night was the last night of this round of Teens Learning Childbirth at the YWCA. We had to do this activity and talk about one thing that we will take away from this past class. The one thing and the only thing that would come out of my mouth is "I have realized I am even more passionate about pregnant Teens and pregnant women" I feel like there are days that is the only thing I want to talk about. It's exciting and just amazing to see these young women rise to the occasion. At the same time, I get the privilege of being with Adult Mom's to. It's amazing to see how the 2 are so much the same and yet at the same time, so VERY different. I absolutely love it!!!!

Lastly, I have taken my Perinatal Fitness Instructor Training and have taken the Certification test. That is a mouth full and what in the world does it mean. I can teach fitness to women wanting to get pregnant, are pregnant or postpartum. Isn't that COOL!!!!!!!! I have ordered my Childbirth Educator program and that should arrive this week. I will be mailing in my Doula Certification this week as well. On top of all of that the Y W may want me to teach some fitness classes. IS GOD GOOD OR WHAT????????
Well, I really need to get in the bed after losing an hour last night and a delivery on Tuesday, rest is important. I promise I won't wait so long to update. Thank you for reading and PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS!!!!!!!

Love you,
Doula Mama