Process Complete!!!

It's been way too long since I've done a blog entry but..........

I am SO excited and thrilled and relieved to FINALLY be done with the NARM CPM certification process!!!!  Last month I took the written exam and last week I found out that I passed.  

I can't officially use the credentials or say "I'm a CPM" and it's not really, truly official until I get the certificate.  But....I know my file is complete so somewhere out there in the universe, I am a Certified Professional Midwife.  

Portfolio Evaluation Process = COMPLETE!!!!

Now all I have to do is take...and pass...the written exam.  

Did You Know......

Did you know that a trip to the local yarn store is an educational experience??

It is!!

We took a little break from our school day to take Big Daddy to his carpool ride and the yarn store was just around the corner.  Since I needed to pick up some yarn for baby hats, we stopped in.

Earlier this morning when I told the girls we would be going, they started explaining how it would still be like doing school.  Here are some of their explanations:

Art:  Obviously

Math:  How much yardage does your pattern require?  How many skeins of your chosen yarn will you need?

Science:  What type of fiber is the yarn made of?  How do the types of fiber differ from one another?

Language Arts:  You need to know how to read so that you can read the labels.

History:  Considering all of the people before us who have been doing fiber arts, spinning yarn, etc.

Critical Thinking:  If you don't want to use the yarn listed in the pattern, what yarn can you use to substitute?

Skills

Yeah, I have them.

Mad skills.

And I have also passed the NARM Skills Assessment.

Yay me!!!!!!

I'm so glad to have that portion of it all behind me!  Overall it was not as horrible as I anticipated it to be.  Still, glad it's over!

Now I can focus on studying and preparing for the written exam.  Yay!!!

Shazzzzam! I'm Back!!!

After taking a break from blogging because I #1 didn't have time and #2 had nothing exciting to blog about....I'm back!!!!  ALL of you who regularly read my blog were so very disappointed.  All two of you.

So what's been happening since I last blogged???

Big Daddy and I celebrated our 15th anniversary.  That bracelet was his gift to me.

I submitted my application to NARM the end of August.  It was accepted and not audited.  :)  The next step is to complete the skills assessment portion of the exam.  I do that on Monday afternoon.  A CPM who has gone through NARMs training to be a Qualified Evaluator (QE) administers the test (there is another option for applicants, a second sign-off of skills, but it's not an option for me since my skills were signed by a midwife who isn't a CPM but was accepted by NARM as my preceptor).  There are a couple here locally and I chose one of them to be my QE.  The skills testing department sends the QE certain skills that I am to perform and they are unknown to the QE and me until the test date.  I'm quite nervous about the skills assessment.  Having to do the skill, verbalize what I'm doing and why, while someone is watching and evaluating me is SO VERY NERVE WRACKING!!!!!!  Once that is behind me I can focus on preparing for the written exam in February.  I am nowhere near as nervous about the written test!

This sweet baby girl was born into my hands about a month ago.  Don't you just love those cheeks????

Still absolutely loving my Young Living oils!!!!  Last week my diffuser arrived.  LOVE it!!  So far I've tried just one item from my "want" list that I have in this post, the toothpaste.  I use that and the mouthwash.  Another oil I bought that isn't on the list is Geranium (remember, the price you see there is NOT the price you get when you are signed up as a distributor).  I wanted it after reading a testimony about a couple who used Geranium after he was injured while mowing the lawn.  His leg was severely cut and his wife put this oil around (NOT IN) the wound and the bleeding stopped.  The doctors at the ER asked what they did since the bleeding should not have stopped!  So I purchased this oil to have in my oil "medicine" cabinet.

I do still want to try the oils on my "want" list but I've had other oils to restock.  I'm hoping this next month to get Awaken.  

And it's finally Fall!!!  No more horrible, awful, disgusting heat!

AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

The deadline clock has started ticking down.  

Well, technically it has always been I guess.  Now that we are done with our school year I can really focus on getting my NARM application together.  

It must be to them by September 1.

It's almost June.  

Thus the title of this blog post.

Completing the paperwork is no big deal really as I have most of that all put together.  All 50-some pages of it. What I must get done before then is renew my CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) certifications.  Today I registered for a CPR course at the end of July.  CPR - Check.  I'm waiting on the NRP class details.  Right now I have a couple of local options.  However, NRP is hard to come by locally so one of those options must work out before that deadline.  That's stressing me out....just....a....LITTLE...BIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm also trying to work on Via Vita coursework.

Soon I will need to get the upcoming school year planned.  Including putting together whatever it is I'm teaching for our homeschool group's co-op.

Oh...and save up money to do all of this!!  The NARM exam is not cheap.  I also have quite a bit of curriculum to buy for this Fall.

Thus the title of this blog post.

It will all come together.  I'm just ready for it all to be behind me!!  

Young Living Oils Update

My oils came not long after I posted about them.  LOVE LOVE LOVE my oils!!!!  Love them.

Before you read through this (or anything I mention about YL) read this first.  I know there is controversy about Gary Young.  For example quackwatch has an article about him but they also have articles about other natural living/healing people and practices such as chiropractic, Dr Oz, etc.  So if you post a comment linking to that website, it won't be published.  Quackwatch is mostly a bunch of ranting about alternative treatments.  My decision to use YL oils was based on the success stories of those who have used the products.  I KNOW they work.  Secondly, yes, YL is a multi-level marketing company.  And I don't care to have anything to do with "building my downline" or any of that.  I'm not sharing about YL in order to entice people to sign up.  That is the last thing I am trying to do.  I am sharing about YL in order to educate people about essential oils and how they can be used to heal, treat, clean, etc. without chemicals.  Yes, I did join as an independent distributor in order to get the cheaper, wholesale prices.  Doing that can be as inexpensive as $40 or as much as $150+, depending on which Start Living Kit you choose.  After that you only need to order $50 in the next year (not monthly) to be able to continue purchasing at wholesale prices.  And lastly, there are other essential oil companies out there that offer therapeutic-grade oils.  If you are interested in YL oils but don't want to sign up (and you are local to me) I'm happy to order for you at the wholesale price.   If you are not interested in YL, find another company that offers 100% pure, therapeutic grade oils.

My other disclaimer is this:  I believe this is one tool we can use for natural healing and cleaning.  It is not the end all or the only things that should be used.  I'll grab homeopathic Arnica before anything else for bruising or swelling after a stubbed toe or a client with a cervical lip.  I have a jar of catnip for brewing catnip tea to help with colds in addition to the oils.  I also have other beneficial herbs in my garden to use for natural healing.

So far here is what and how I've used them:

Face Toner/Spritzer - 1/3 distilled water (ONLY distilled, do not use tap water), 2/3 witch hazel, Elemi, Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint.  And I think I put a drop or two of Thieves in it.  Really though, you can use whatever floats your boat.  Here's why I chose those oils (aside from the recommendation of an oily friend):
Elemi - for the fine lines and wrinkles (which of course I have none....),  supports the skin
Frankincense - a holy oil, beneficial for dry skin
Lavender - calming, VERY healing for the skin, when applied it goes to where healing is needed in the body (it's an adaptogen)
Peppermint - helps with focus, smells yummy, makes the skin feel fresh
Thieves -  great for the immune system and killing any bacteria on the face.

I put this in a little spray bottle.  Just spritz it on my face in the morning and before bed.

Lavender - Is great for burns.  And if you know me, you are laughing right now....I can hear you.  I burn myself a lot.  Last week I pulled a pan out of the oven, put it on the counter, then about a minute later reached over with my bare hand to push the pan out of the way a bit.  I immediately went in and put lavender oil on the three fingers that I used to touch the pan.  The sting/burn went away immediately and left no blister or scar at all.  Where has lavender been all my life?????

Deep Relief
This comes as a roll-on and is meant for putting on spots that you have a sore muscle.  You can also use it on the temples if you have a headache.  If you know what Icy-Hot or Biofreeze feel like after applied, Deep Relief does the exact same thing!  But without any chemicals!!  I absolutely love this!!  I use it at bedtime, rolling it on my temples then massaging it around my forehead and cheekbones (if I've had a headache or just have tired/sore eyes, I rub a little right under my eyebrows, careful not to get it IN my eyes).  It smells SO lovely and helps me relax to go to sleep.

For the last week or so I've had this little patch of unexplained dry/itchy skin.  I've had it before, during the winter, but never this long and this annoying.  At first I suspected that it was yeast but I have no other symptoms so I think it's just dry.  I've been putting Thieves and Lavender on it daily.  Then at night I do those and cover it with Lansinoh (lanolin).  Today is the first day in about a week that it hasn't been annoyingly itchy.  

My husband has a toe that has this weird fungus junk under the toenail for as long as I have known him.  So I thought to myself, "Hmmm...wonder what would happen if we cleaned that up and started putting Thieves on it?"  Afterall, thieves is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-a lot of things.  So far, it's working and is clearing it up!!

I'm also loving the Thieves Household Cleaner. I diluted some with distilled water in a spray bottle to keep in the kitchen.  It's the only thing so far that has made my granite kitchen counter-tops sparkle!!  Today I used it to clean my storm door and the small windows by my front door.  I also love using it for a quick bathroom wipe-down.  It smells SOOOO yummy!  Like Christmas and I love Christmas...so... ;)

Another favorite is Purfication.  I have this diluted with distilled water in a spray bottle as well.  It can be used as a room spray/air freshener.  So far I have used it several times in the closet where the litter boxes are.  I had some commercial freshener but hated spraying it in there because that closet also has our linens (kept up above away from the boxes of course).  I can use the Purification mix in there and not worry about yucky chemicals.  I also give a few little sprays of it in my front-loader washing machine.

And finally, Progessence Plus Serum.  I put a drop on my wrist and rub my wrists together each morning.  I've had a few symptoms of low progesterone and heard a couple great testimonies about this serum at the oils workshop I went to.  I haven't used it a full cycle yet so I'll update about it later.  THIS WEBSITE has some FAQs if you want to know more about Progessence Plus.  

I'm trying to figure out what I want to order next!  One thing I know I will try is the Slique Tea.  Others I have on my "want" list are:

Thyme
Clary Sage
Patchouli
Awaken
Breathe Again
Clarity
Gentle Baby
Joy
Longevity
Mister
Thieves toothpaste
Thieves lozenges

Have questions?  Ask.  If I don't know the answer I'll find out for you.

International Day of the Midwife 2012

In honor of the International Day of the Midwife I am reposting this beautiful poem.

they invite us in

women

who trust us

inviting us in

to share their secret passage

we count their moons with them

waiting for a pause

and in that suspension

we wait with them

fingers granted privileged entry

into innermost recesses

secrets shared

stories heard

lessons learned

they invite us in

to help their babies out

we dance with them

slowly

as they grow and wait

each day a little larger

new life jostling their ribs

until its stretching

threatens to burst

her fleshen bubble

and

at last

she is ready

taking your hand

she flows in and out of

the deepest shadow places

love and terror

the waves grip her

and

release

until she is ready

also

to release

you sing to her

breathe, my dear

hold her close

relax now, it’s over

help her see

she will not die

not today

at last

fire

then

water

and

for the first time ever

air

into tiny pink balloons

their love made

earth

elements

into a body

your hands felt it first

still one with her body

as it grew

ripened

and fell out

into

your waiting palms

you love this moment

this woman

this baby

then you entrust her back

into the arms of her mate

hoping he’s learned

even more

how grand she is

this bearer of life

-Judy Edmunds (1997)

from Midwifery Today

Linking Up

I figured I should update this since I linked up over on Kelly's Korner yesterday.  If you are visiting from Kelly's page...hello!  Really the header at the top of my blog sums it all up about me so there's not much else to share really.  It's just been a couple weeks since I updated here so I figured I should make it look like I really do blog.  

Our school year is wrapping up pretty quickly.  Probably sooner than I had planned.  This week we finished our history book for this year.  The younger three have been done with science for a few weeks now.  My oldest has just one more module in her science book.  Their individual book work can be called quits any time, we're not on any kind of schedule to finish up books.  And most of all, they have all been bugging me as to when summer break starts.

What they don't know yet is I am going to be working this week on summer reading lists.  *insert evil laugh here*  This was one of our weaknesses this school year, not enough reading!!!!  *insert sad face here*  So I have decided that we will have our own F. Family Summer Reading Club!  YAY!!

This week I worked on our back patio.  This is after.  Before doesn't matter.  It wasn't pretty.  Now it is pretty.  Now clients can look out of my office windows and not see before, they can see pretty.  ;)  

Yes, we are fans.  Big fans.  Letting the kids stay up until 11:30pm on week nights to watch the Playoff games kind of big fans.  :)  It's also fun that Big Daddy (for those visiting from KK, that's my husband) works for the team and brings us home Playoff t-shirts.  Looking forward to Game Four tomorrow night when the guys will win their fourth game and knock Dallas out of the Playoffs.  Although, a loss tomorrow night does mean another day of work for Big Daddy so a loss wouldn't be so bad.  ;)  

NARM....2012/2013 School Year....Young Living

In that order....

I've started getting my NARM application via the PEP process ready to submit.  It's all pretty much ready to go except for the last couple of births I need signed off on.  The last one will happen in July and my application must be in by September 1.

It's a bit surreal putting all of that together....finally!  Once the portfolio is accepted I'll have to take the skills portion of the test.  That will be done here locally with another midwife.  After that I'll be able to sit for the NARM exam in February 2013.  Then they will send me a letter and certificate saying I am a Certified Professional Midwife.  Positive thinking.....right???  ;) 

I've started looking ahead to next year's curriculum.  Part of that involved reevaluating my oldest daughter's high school curriculum plan.  I decided to change a few things and for now I like the way it's shaping up.  We have all the required units covered except for some electives which will fall into place.  Well, that and she still hasn't decided on a foreign language.

Then I started looking at my second daughter's curriculum needs for next year.  She will be in seventh grade, just two years behind her older sister.  It became apparently pretty quickly that she could easily follow along with her sister which would #1 save time, #2 eliminate the need to repeat the same topics more than necessary and #3 allow her to meet almost all of her high school unit requirements by her sophomore year!!!   Wow!!  

I'm still working on the plan for the youngest two.  So far it's mostly put together except for a science.

For a while now I've been eyeing and wanting to know more about Young Living essential oils.  A Facebook friend has used them for years and I have seen her status updates about the benefits to her family.  I've never known anyone locally who used them to get a hands-on before buying.  Well last week I had that opportunity.  I went to a workshop on the oils.  We got to smell the oils and learn about ALL of the benefits.  I decided to take the leap and get signed up to try the oils.

One of the perks of signing up was getting a complimentary Raindrop Technique massage.  Before talking about that I have to back up and say that on Tuesday I woke up with a sore throat, felt feverish, was slightly congested, and was exhausted!  Wednesday was better but still the sore throat and congestion.  Today was my massage.  Before starting she let me try Breath Again which helped to open up my sinuses.  She also made me a capsule with Longevity, Thieves, and something else that I don't remember.  Then she did my massage.  By the time I left my congestion was gone and my throat didn't hurt one bit!!!!   I have felt great all day.

My oils should arrive tomorrow and I'm so excited!!!!!  I can't wait to add more to my collection!  Since we don't have health insurance I am delighted to have something to turn to for my family's health in prevention and treatment.

If you are interested in knowing more about Young Living oils check out the link above or leave me a comment.  And if you would like to sign up I can give you my member number (you need a referring member number to sign up).