Whatever comes...

Do you ever just sit down to blog because it's been several days but you don't where to start because your head feels all jumbled and busy? Well there you go. That's how I'm feeling right now. I figured if I just start writing, a post will come. I'll give it a shot.

I sent off my NARM application today. That feels good. There was quite a bit involved in getting it together so it is quite satisfying to have it no longer in my hands. Hopefully, it's not missing anything and I'll get word in a few weeks that I am able to take the test. I'll go ahead and make travel arrangements at that time. The test is in Eugene, Oregon so that means I'll get to see my friends in Seattle, where I will fly to/from. My mom is going to meet me and then drive with me to Oregon. I'm so glad she's coming and I won't have to make that trip alone. It will be good to have some moral support before the test. Afterward I'll spend several days in Seattle to celebrate and relax and enjoy being with my dear friends there. I love going to Seattle! Oh yeah, that's happening in February.

For the application I had to determine total numbers of birth experiences including births I delivered, assisted or actively participated in, births I observed, and births that were transported to hospital. It's quite interesting to see it quantified and I thought I'd share what I've gotten to experience in two years at Glory Reborn so far.

Births I've observed: 14
Births attended as an assistant midwife: 41
Births attended as primary midwife: 32

I wonder what these numbers will look like in another year?

Here's some fun news - Andrey's sister had a baby girl last night. I don't know many details yet but hope to get them soon. This is a pretty big deal for our family. Mike & Lisa haven't had the smoothest road to becoming parents and God knows Andrey's Mom & Dad have waited a long time (patiently) to be Grandparents. We are so, so happy for our family! This is quite the significant event and even though it's been hard being so far away while it took place, we have been able to be in pretty close contact and feel like we participated. Part of that was because she was overdue so we were constantly praying and calling and eagerly checking email to see if there was any news.

I am a little too busy for my liking these days. I have a feeling these next few months are going to go by very quickly. I think I might ask for a slightly lighter schedule at the clinic, especially while I'm studying for this test.

I've been thinking about Thanksgiving lately. What I will prepare. Who will come. The nerdy trivia we will do. I'm getting excited. I love this holiday. I just wish I could invite everyone! I think I'll put our Christmas decorations up soon. Of course in the US we never did this till after Thanksgiving but it's been Christmas here for months already so I'm willing to budge by a few weeks. Strangely, I found myself enjoying the Christmas music in the grocery store today. Weird, I tell you. This is not like me. I was just in good spirits. And I was finding Thanksgiving/Christmas-type products. There's already Butterball turkeys and canned pumpkin and cranberry relish on the shelves. Well, the turkey was in the freezer. Anyway, I realize that a happy part of these holidays for me is the food prep involved in them and how naturally, a trip to the grocery store to buy all the stuff needed is a big part of those memories of past holidays for me. I recall trips to the store with my mom and buying tons of butter and potatoes and granny smith apples, and yams and the cart being super full. My mom always cooked for huge crowds around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. It's just how it's done and I love it.

I'm also trying to be a bit more prepared this year so I think I'm not feeling stressed at all and am hoping it will continue. I am learning that this is key to enjoying the holiday season, especially as it relates to gift-giving. It seems we've waited till the last minute in years past and I'm determined to do it differently this year. So far so good.

I made pita bread this week. That's a first. How delightful to pull it out of the oven to discover the air pocket formed like it's supposed to. Okay, well only some did but it was still very exciting. We enjoyed them hot out of the oven with some home-made hummus, feta, cucumbers and fresh basil from the garden. (We're eating a lot of basil lately.) Tonight I roasted some red peppers and plan to make a chicken filling for the leftover pitas and of course, some more fresh basil. I think we'll have some salad on the side. Speaking of which, it's time to get dinner together. Andrey will be home soon and I'm getting hungry.

I really want to try to blog more about food and share recipes that I try and like. I put a lot of time and thought and effort into what we eat each week that it would stand to play a bigger role here. I do promise to share some of the Thanksgiving recipes I mentioned before. So look forward to those.

See, I knew something would come if I just started writing... I'm determined to keep this frequent blogging up. I am continually inspired by my blogging mentors. Unfortunately though I think that the more often I blog, the less interesting my posts may be as they are sure to include more day-to-day details of life. Oh well, hopefully there's something interesting in it for you. If not, you can always skim. ;-)