Nothing Like Waiting A While!!!!!

Well, there is nothing like waiting for almost a month to write on here again. What a month it has been. Most of it has been totally enjoyable!!!!!! We have been at the beach for over a week and have several more days left. So very excited and so much fun. Watching Kaleb play in the pool and run away from the ocean. He is SOOO NOT interested in the ocean but with all of the shark bites, that is ok with me.

Work- well it's work and we will leave that there.

Business-wise- things are good. Praying at present that Brittany doesn't go into labor while I am away. She has strict instructions to wait on me but I am not so sure that the Little Man she is carrying has gotten the message....will have to wait and see.
Have 2 meetings set up when I get back with New-To-Be-Mom's and Dad's. So excited about that. I have been reading and reading and reading all the information that I can get my hands on. I just love it. The more information that I have means the better the Birth Doula that I can be.

Kyle is working ALL the time. Sometimes 6 days a week and I am sure that doesn't make him happy but when he gets the pay check, I am sure that he is happy about that. He is still going to college on line this year which, so far seems pretty good. Will wait and see about the grades when they come out.

Mom and Dad have just arrived back home from an awesome trip to the Ukraine. My Other Mother and Tim lives there as full time missionaries. I can only pray that I get there before they get home. I miss Mom and Dad a lot but we are going to see them in October. That will be a lot of fun. We get to do some Christmas shopping on the way. It will be GRAND!!!!!!!

Well, we are going to try and get the Little Man down for a nap here and see what happens. He kind of has a mind of his own these days but that is all normal I think for 3 1/2 year olds. Sometimes we nap, sometimes we don't. We have now settled to watch "Cars" and have "rest-time. I will take it.

Gotta run for now. Going to work on some other post that I have been dragging my feet on. Can't wait!!!!!!!
It feels great to be back. Thank you for sticking around.!!!!!!


Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wednesday- Midweek---It's been a L-O-N-G O-N-E!

It is one of those weeks that just seems to be dragging. I am so sure it has something to do with the upcoming vacation. Just to show you how bad I want this week to hurry is driving to work this morning. Somehow I had convinced myself it was Thursday. Oh no!!!!! Not Thursday- I was suppose to be in a meeting with a physician AND our CEO!!!! Oh my goodness what have I done. I totally missed it. The HE gently reminded me that "Pam it is Wednesday!" I just died laughing and then stopped laughing when I realized I didn't bring anything to eat for lunch.....Oh well, such is life.
Well, I posted my question about other sites and links and you would not believe the response and what I have gotten back. I have a huge list and as soon as I can sit down and get them all together I will get them posted. It's a great list and a VERY special THANK YOU!!!! to all of those who sent the information.
I got a message the other day that I have a meeting with our CEO about some ideas that I have been pondering that would help our office grow and get us out in the public more and to be able to be "Outside The Box". I am so very excited and nervous all at the same time. It's not until the end of the month, so I will keep you posted.
Well, today is Sept. 1st. I still can't believe it. Christmas will be here before we know it. Exciting but time is just flying. What are your plans for this September 2011. Of course we have vacation but other than that, not a lot planned which is good for me but I am sure that can all change at the drop of a hat.
Hope you have a great Wednesday. What are you up to today??????

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Just Had To Post This Video

Our choir at church sang this on Sunday. YOU CAN NOT HELP BUT TO WORSHIP!!!!

A New Post and A New Week

WoW!!!!! It has been crazy and no time whatsoever to sit still. Ready for vacation to be able to sit down and relax.....hahaha!!!!! I say that and when we get there, we will find a million things that we want to do. But I guess that is what you are suppose to do on vacation. And then you need a vacation from the vacation when you get home. I'm so ready for vacation!!!!!!

All of that being said, I have this huge desire to really get off my laurels and do something with Mothering The Mother. Have you heard about "Group Prenatal Care" or some places call it "Centering"? I am totally fascinated by the whole concept. See, I do all of the prenatal interviews with all of our new Mom's that come to our office. Once, that is done, I may see them in the hall or sometimes, I don't see them at all. I would love for our office to try it and of course, I want to be the one who facilitates the Group. How exciting to be able to put to use what I have been taught, learned and read.
How would you like it? Would you like the benefit of working with other Mom's that are in the same place that you are? All about the same time in their pregnancy. You could discuss your dealings with nausea and vomiting, your favorite thing about being pregnant, encourage each other, meet other women, educate each other with a facilitator and talk about anything. Discuss your "Fourth- Semester". The part where you come home with this new baby and now life is totally different and what happens now? To be able to talk to other Mom's who already have children and how they managed and what works for them. What do you think?
After the 30 min-60min meeting them you get to have your one on one MD visit. I am totally excited about it. I have one MD that I believe would love it and 2 others I will need to convince....LOL. That is ok. God knows the plan already and that is where I can leave it. Just pray.

Secondly, I'm wanting to add links to the side bar about different topics. I would love to hear about what kind of links would be helpful.
C-S and being in the OR- Looking for a good link. I have a few but need a couple of others.
Breastfeeding- Any that you find helpful?
Babywearing- Love this concept- what about you?
Active Laboring----Websites?
Waterbirth- YouTube or other sites?

Please leave information in the comment section below. I'm really excited. Who knows, while away, the blog and the website may get a makeover!!!!!!!!! Excitement is just to much, I may bust!!!!!!!!! Gotta run for now. FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wednesday.......

Middle of the week and counting the days for vacation. Somethings have been happening in our home that I just feel the need to talk about, share, bust with pride, show off my child.

I have an almost 22 year old that is AWESOME!!!!!!! He is now living with us. It has been an adjustment I am sure on his part because now he has a 3 year old brother running around and wanting his attention and wanting to "Watch Cars on the puter" with him.

Kyle is just a wonderful young man. Of course as his Mom, he would have to do something VERY major for me to get totally mad about. He works hard, does what is asked, is going to college, has a passion for photography and has THE BEST GIRLFRIEND in the world that supports him in his goals and he does likewise for her.

He has so many pictures that I could share that he has taken and it absolutely amazes me. He has been in magazines, on the Internet, at car-meets, races, and other events. He has found his passion and I am just so proud. I will see if he will give me some and maybe post them on Wordless Wednesday next week.

For Example-----He shot pictures of someones car a few weeks back for the friend to submit to a magazine. He was evidently submitting with A LOT of other people and their cars.....Well....guess what?????
He got it!!!!!! Cover plus a 6 page spread in the magazine. The cool part is that this will be their FIRST printed magazine and GUESS WHO HELPED SHOOT THE PICTURES!!!!!???????
KYLE DID!!!!!!!!! I can tell him all day how proud I am but he is THE most humble young man you will ever meet.

I know this post will probably embarrass him somewhat but that is OK. I just needed to encourage and brag on him today and tell him how much I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Mom

Think About It Tuesday

Thought for the week:
Phil 4:5-9
Thinking and doing makes up your entire life. Our thoughts have direct influence on us and our actions reveal to others who we are. Paul tells us to meditate in verse 8 or think on these things. Let your character, who you are, be molded after these Godly characteristics. Some may wonder, why it is so important to listen to the right kind of music, or to be faithful to church or even be careful the kinds of friends you hang around? Everything has to do with influence & whether you know it or not, they affect you. The wrong influences will cause us to find ourselves doing things we should not be doing. Good influences cause us to do the things we should be doing. The law of sowing and reaping is present here too. We have to put forth the effort to learn the things that are going to help us in our Christian walk. By what we chose to do, we reveal our maturity in Christ.

Thoughts????

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Not Me Monday

WELL!!!!! It has been F-O-R-E-V-E-R since I have done a Not Me Monday but thought since school is starting up and our home schedule will be changing this week which will give me my 30 minutes of "blog-time" in the morning, I would take the opportunity to start today. Already pre-posted for tomorrow!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!
This past week.....Hmmmm

I DID NOT think about going for a run with a friend and get there early and run an extra mile before she got there.
I DID NOT reconsider the above after watching Criminal Minds episode where the serial killer was killing women who were out running or in the park alone.
I DID NOT actually take time for me yesterday afternoon and sit down in the floor and "organize" my beads and make 7 new bracelets to sell.
I DID NOT hit the ground running on Saturday morning at 6am and not sit down until 5:30pm on Saturday night.....Can you say exhausted!!!!!
I DID NOT go to McD's yesterday with our Sunday School 4 year olds and order a Happy Meal!!!!!

It was a crazy week. How about yours? What have you been up to? Are you as busy as we are?
I can't wait to share with you this week about our Pastor's Sermon yesterday......WOW is the only thing I can say!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Only in America!!!!!!

......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
Only in America .....
do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters..
Only in America ......
do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
Only in America ..........
do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight..
Only in America .....
do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
EVER WONDER ...
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline'Psychic Wins Lottery'?
Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
I like this one!!!If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even a chuckle)...in other words, send it to everyone. We all need to smile every once in a while.

Hope you have a wonderful Monday and make sure you smile today.
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

PS- I got this in an e-mail. I take NO credit for it!!!!

Thinking Tuesday

Thinking and Pondering Today....

I have this great family at our church. His name is Terry Smith, wife is Tammy and their 2 precious kids are TJ and Taylor. Terry has been called by the Lord into ministry as a preacher. Let me just tell you, there is something so powerful about watching someone and their family being called by God and see them grow every time they stand behind the pulpit. Our pastor has been on vacation and I have had the honor of hearing Terry preach the last 2 Sundays'. He has challenged me and taken me to a new place.
Last Sunday he preached out of the Old Testament. Speaking from my favorite books of the OT about Moses and those Israelites. How many times I have studies and been so frustrated with "Why don't they get it??" and then the Lord reminds me..."Pam, you are just like them at times" and of course He is always right.
Terry talked about when they had created the golden calf. Moses told the Lord "We won't go if You don't go with us". How many time I SHOULD have said that. Instead, I said "I'll go here and do this....and please go with me as I do this FOR YOU". I should have already learned by now, THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS!!!!!!
Terry made some statements that I wanted to share with you that just keep coming back and resonating in my ears and in my heart.
- God's presence is desired above all else.
*Am I willing to risk His provision?
*Am I willing to risk His protection?
*Am I willing to risk His Promised Land?
"I HAD RATHER STAY IN THE DESERT WITH HIS PRESENCE"
Going to the Land of Milk and Honey-
*The milk is sour if He's not there
*The honey is bitter if He's not there.

What powerful teaching from the Lord thru Terry. Terry, thank you so much for challenging me and whether I am IN His presence or if I am busy reasoning it out, calculating it to see if it works and then tag Him on the end.
Thank you Lord for Terry and his precious family.

Laboring and Being Challenged in my walk with You,
Doula Mama Pam

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!!

Well, I am totally worn out. It was a BUSY weekend and that is putting it lightly!!!!!! We hit the ground running on Friday night and we literally didn't stop until last night when it was time to finally lay down and go to sleep.
So, here is a re-cap of the nut-ness that we experienced this weekend.
Friday Night was dinner at Olive Garden with Heather and her boyfriend. I know it was 100 degree's outside but I still ordered soup and salad. It was SOOOOO good. Had to stop in at Bo's work. They had bee's- yes- yellow jackets- coming in the patent's room at the nursing home. Not a pretty picture. So we had to stop and check on this and that. Got home and went to bed.
Saturday morning, my sweet husband let me stay in the bed until 8:30am. It was clear I needed it but at the same time, I had pre-posted about running and going to the gym which was not going to happen. I don't think I had it in me to go anyway.
We went to the bowling alley to let Kaleb bowl. They were going to be setting the world record for the most games bowled in a day with the USBC. He got a certificate and did great. We made it to the 7th frame before he decided he had had enough. For sure there will be pictures on Wednesday. This was followed by a trip to Wally-World for groceries. Then it was home, prepare 2 dishes for the Kennedy Family Reunion. We finished in time to drive to Clemmons and eat way to much food!!!!! Then it was stopping in to check on the bee situation at the nursing home. Get home and back to bed.
Sunday was going to early church and then teach Sunday School and then back home to turn around and leave for the Baby Baby Event with Triad Mommies and PADA. It was great to see other fellow Doula's. I got home at 4pm and thought "IF I SIT DOWN, I WON'T GET UP" So I proceeded to prepare 2 chicken dishes, scoop watermelon balls, prepare dinner, cook baked beans and wash dishes and do laundry.
I don't honestly remember hitting the pillow with my head last night.
I am worn out just typing it all and guess what......we started all over again this morning at 6am.....
I am praying this week will be a bit calmer but I am not holding my breath.
I do have a lot I would like to share that I learned this weekend. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam