Friday, October 7, 2011

Certified Professional Midwife! (Not yet state licensed, nor getting paid....)

Well, I know I'm forgetting some of this crazy whirlwind of a year we have had since I went to the Philippines, but I really need to give people an update. So many friends and family have stepped forward and supported us financially and/or with childcare, encouragement and prayer. It has been extremely difficult over the past year. I spent two days per week "working clinic", which means spending all day doing prenatal and postpartum appointments at the birth center, often not getting home until 7:30pm. I also work about 5 hours per week filing birth certificates, national statistics and making new client charts. On top of that about 10 births per month which are day or night, from 5-20+ hours each at the drop of a hat. On top of that studying in my "free" time, which I found very difficult because when I was not at clinic or a birth, I wanted to take care of my household- do something to bless my family, not hole up and study.
So, thus, I did not get done nearly as much studying as I should have. I did however complete my Portfolio Evaluation Process for NARM (the North American Registry of Midwives), which was a really big deal involving lots of money in fees, a practical skills examination by a qualified examiner and an 8-hour board exam that I took in August. The truth is, I love taking tests. I am not so good at rhetoric- verbal or essay writing, but by taking exams I enjoy having a way to prove my acquired knowledge. It was a blessing to re-unite in Portland with friends I met in the Philippines. In early September I received word that I passed my boards and have completed the NARM process and am now a CPM.
The CPM is sufficient for licensure in Idaho and Colorado, and many other states. However, here in Washington it is not that simple. I have signed a contract with my preceptors at the Spokane Midwives birth center, and as they have seen me through all of my clinic and required supervised births, once I am licensed in both WA and ID I will get to work as one of the Spokane Midwives. This is very exciting to me and I am anxious to be a midwife at Spokane's only freestanding birth center.
So please pray for me as now I am done with all of my required births and clinic time. All I have to do is gather my own equipment, finish my coursework, and send in my applications for licensure and fees. This will cost approximately $2,000. We have a hard time making our bills from month to month, as I have not been getting paid for attending births for over 15 months now. We do not know how we will gather the required money in order for me to finish my midwifery education. But we know that the Lord has led us the entire way. He provided (through you, friends and family!) the means for my internship in the Philippines, many of my books and much of my equipment. Why would he leave us stranded now?
Pray please that I would be able to focus and work hard on my final studies, to not fret and worry about how I will finish all of this. Thank you so much for your friendship and support. It means the world to our family.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Summer Fun

Corbin's crazy allergic reaction to hay or some kind of weeds while at a friend's birthday party. His buddies didn't even recognize him! LOL
The kiddos enjoying the lake while I studied on the beach. BLISS!!!!
A fun hike with nana and papa!

Mr. Bumble


The Oaks did their first ever musical this year; Oliver! Corbin was one of the orphans in the chorus and Kent stole the show as head of the orphanage, Mr. Bumble. The musical consumed much of our lives through the spring of 2011.


Also, Kent was honored to be asked by the Oaks 2011 graduating class to be the commencement speaker. This ended his fifth year teaching at the Oaks. He received a plaque and is very excited to be teaching all music for the first time next school year.

Lindy's 6!



Lindy turned 6 on Easter Sunday this year! So to celebrate we went to Chuck E. Cheese the following day. And look at these adorable girlies at their dance recital! My cousin Jill's daughters Ella and Lily, and Lindy all love their Grace dance classes with Miss Kristy!

Arizona Vacation





We had so much fun during our mid-winter break flying to Arizona to visit Nana and Papa and Uncle Nate, Aunt Renae and cousin Tegan. Everything was fabulous- the plane ride, the Renaissance Festival, the cowboys, swimming and family fun! This was our Christmas present from Nana and Papa- thank you so much, we love you!

Christmas 2010



A fairly uneventful winter. I was cracking down on my apprenticeship at the birth center- working lots of clinic and going to lots of births with the Spokane Midwives.

Reformation Party Fall 2010



I made Corbin's cloak. He LOVES it. His sword and shield set are from great grandma and great grandpa. Lindy's dress is borrowed from a friend at church. Also the "greats" made the cool bookshelf dollhouse behind Lindy.

Whirlwind Fall: Beginnings, Endings and Family




Lindy starts full day kindergarten, Corbin starts 4th grade. After one week back to school we head to Colorado to be with the family. The decision has been made to bring Kent's dad Andy home from the hospital and bring in hospice care. Several friends and family were around and it was sweet fellowship. Several of Andy's brothers and sisters even drove out from Illinois. After a week Corbin and Kent need to get back to school so they drove back home, but Lindy and I stay with Grandma Faith in Colorado another week.



This was a very good time for Lindy to spend some time with Grandpa and I tried to encourage Faith with all of her responsibilities. We had some very emotional and meaningful moments with dad praying with him and singing hymns. Lindy got to give him hugs and kisses, and the last time I saw him smile, it was at Lindy.

We had previously planned for aunts Kelly and Tonya to fly up to visit us for Corbin's birthday. So on Friday, October 8th Lindy, Kelly, Tonya and I were on a flight from Denver to Spokane. Faith says that's when the hospice lady encouraged her to give Andy permission to let go. She told him- "We are all ok. The girls are going up to Washington to be with Corbin for his birthday. We are all ok here if you need to go." And then he took his last breaths.

It was good for Kent, Kelly and Tonya to be together here in Spokane that weekend and it was still a special birthday for Corbin, turning 10 on 10-10-10. Kent drove out to Colorado again the following week for the memorial service.