My Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday last week! Justin surprised me with a new pink beach cruiser bicycle with a trailer for the kids. I was so excited! Jonathan and Kate really like riding in it. We've had fun riding around Ladera. Justin, great job!! My parents babysat for us and we went out to dinner at Cedar Creek. It was a delicious meal. Thanks to all my family and friends for making me feel very loved!

Mission Accomplished!! (Sort of)

I did it!! I finished my Birth Wisdom CPSS training course. I took the final on Monday night (2 1/2 hour test- very hard and detailed!). I am hoping to attend a couple births early next year and complete my CPR and NST certifications. Then, after I have done 12 births, I will be a certified CPSS! I am so thankful to have found God's purpose for me outside of being a wife and mom. This will be my focus when my children are much older. Until then, I am hoping to slowly gain experience each year. I learned so much and from the best, most educated teachers. Being a birth doula encompasses my love of physical movement/exercise, nutrition, working to achieve a goal, one on one relationship building with other women, encouragement, and pregnancy and birth. Let me know if you have any friends who would let me observe their birth or intern as their unpaid doula!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving day. We celebrated with my side of the family the first half of the day, and Justin's side the second half. Lots of good food was enjoyed! It was an answer to prayer that Kate was well enough to go out. Just the day before she was throwing up, with a slight fever. The worst only lasted 24 hours. We were hoping she would turn around, but preparing to split up and have one of us stay home with her. We are so happy that didn't happen. Two special things about this Thanksgiving: we got to celebrate in my parents new home in Coto de Caza, and Justin's new niece Julia was born 2 weeks ago. Jonathan and Joseph did some exploring on their own in the Goodman's house and Jonathan said "Don't worry, we're not afraid of anything!" Kate enjoyed running around my parents house moving candles and trying on shoes. Both kids loved eating the little tangerines my mom had in the centerpiece!