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Where God Guides, God Provides

19 Feb

A local church had this on their sign a couple of months ago and I have been saying it to myself for months, knowing that if it truly is God’s desire to see me as a nurse, then He’ll provide the ways to make it happen. Either through working out class schedules, providing money to pay tuition, or by giving me the strength and courage to do it. So far, so good.

And today, I got my acceptance letter. In the fall, I’ll be starting my nursing classes. Assuming, of course, that He continues to provide. Because I still have a lot of hurdles to get over before I can even start.

First up, I have to come up with $225 by March 3. This will pay for half of my uniform cost and for a ‘kit’ we’re required to get. (No idea what this ‘kit’ includes!) Don’t even get me started on the ridiculousness of getting measured for uniforms that I won’t wear for another 5.5 months…I’ve lost a full size (plus some) in the last 6 weeks…I have a terrible feeling my uniform will be gigantic on me come August.

Then, by March 23, I need to have a physical and get a LOT of shots and titers. I know the health department doesn’t do some of them, so that means going to some other place that will probably cost a minimum of $500 to get it all done since I don’t have insurance. I think I can decline some (which I will) but several of them are required and unless my mom can come up with my old shot records, I’m going to have to get them all again unless I pay for titers and they prove I’m immune. I’m hoping I can simply submit a copy of the TB test I had done last summer for my CNA class…that will save about $40. I will also have to get a background check and drug screen by this date. Not worried about passing either one of those, but they’re not cheap.

Additional expenses include:

  • Malpractice insurance ($20)
  • Books (Approximately $1000)
  • Tuition (About $600)
  • Remainder of uniform cost ($100)
  • Equipment ($35)
  • CPR class ($70…even though I’m already certified!)

And this is just to get started in the fall…it doesn’t include ongoing tuition, book, or equipment costs. I don’t get the sense that I can just get someone’s old uniforms or that I can order my books elsewhere, but I guess I’ll find out. I’m definitely feeling a little panicky. Probably the closest I’ve come to a full blown panic attack since last fall. I am applying for scholarships so that tuition and book cost may end up being significantly reduced. I just need to find the scholarships out there to apply for, so if you know of any, please comment or send me an email (themama at iamthemama dot com) giving me the info so I can get as many scholarship applications in as possible.

In the meantime, I’m praying for God’s provision to keep me going if this is His will for my life. If you could add your prayers to mine, I’d greatly appreciate it!

 
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Posted in Back to School, Faith/Religion, Me Stuff

 

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Thoughts

12 Feb

The last few days have been interesting. The situation in Egypt and also one in my personal life has me thinking lots of thoughts. If you want to know my opinions (and yes, I do know what they say about opinions!) read on:

Eloquence is useless if the person who needs to hear your words isn’t ready to listen.

Respect is something you should strive for constantly. Don’t assume that once you’ve earned it you’ll always have it.

When I came up with something ridiculous and thought everyone who opposed me was wrong, my dad would say “Everyone’s crazy but me and thee, and sometimes I wonder about thee.” When it feels like you’re fighting against the entire world, stop and consider that it doesn’t have to be that way. When everyone seems to feel the opposite of the way I do, it’s time for me to examine myself, not assume everyone’s crazy.

Along the lines of the previous point, perception is reality.

Changing your approach to things doesn’t mean you have to compromise your values or principles. It just means you have to be willing to use some old-fashioned problem solving skills so that you can stay focused on what’s important to you without driving people away. Often, people who are upset with you have solutions if you’ll only listen.

It’s okay to examine yourself and the path you’re on from time to time and adjust if necessary.

The best leaders talk to not only their closest friends and most trusted advisors, but the people at the very bottom of the totem pole. Most importantly? They listen to the things they have to say. An out of touch leader placed on a pedestal can never be effective in the long term.

God (or the universe, if you prefer) gives us messages constantly to let us know if we’re on the right path. We just have to be willing to listen.

Everyone messes up. We are all human. It’s important to forgive the person who wrongs you, but forgiveness doesn’t have to include continued friendship or respect.

Friends, good friends, can make even the worst situations better simply by being there. And when the drama and trauma of the ordeal is over, those great friendships are cemented in the kind of bond that can’t be undone easily.

Even the best friendships can get better.

It is wonderful to feel validated, to be at peace, and to be loved.

 
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Posted in Me Stuff, News/Current Events

 

Moms Are Awfully Smart

08 Feb

You’d think I would know this now that I’ve been a mom for 8 years already, but for some reason I tend to forget that my mom’s advice is usually spot on. Years ago when I was upset over my lack of local friends after one of our many moves she told me to find a church. We weren’t interested in church at the time and so I rolled my eyes and blew her off. Of course, she was completely right. Two and a half years ago I found myself searching for something more in life and we decided to look for a church. Enter some of the most amazing friends I’ve ever known. I met them all through church and I don’t know where I would be without them…probably locked in a nuthouse somewhere. So maybe moms do know a thing or two.

Over the last 6 months, I’ve felt like something was missing once again. I didn’t feel good about going to church any more. My faith was growing ever stronger, so that wasn’t it. I was able to see my friends every Sunday. But the peace that I’ve gained since we started attending wasn’t there. My head and my heart were in conflict and suddenly my husband and I were having these discussions about whether we should look for a new church. But I couldn’t…because my friends were there. Because it’s the place that brought me back to Christ and where I learned what faith could do for me. Because I was scared to look elsewhere. I was simply accepted for who I was (Democrat, social liberal) and finding another church where I’d feel accepted seemed daunting. But I no longer felt good when I was there and the personal turmoil was beginning to interfere with my ability to worship.

I was talking to my mom about this and she told me that church is not only for worship, learning, and developing a relationship with God…it is also about personal peace and being in a place that makes us feel good and whole. When you no longer feel that way, it is no longer a good fit. Luckily I’ve realized that moms usually do know what they’re talking about by now. Hearing her say that reinforced everything that I’d been thinking and we made the very difficult decision to attend other churches and try to find a place where we could find peace in worship again.

Sunday morning I slept late and realized that all of the local churches we were interested in trying had early services that we couldn’t be ready for in time. We wanted to start our search in town, but I didn’t want to skip church. We decided to go to one out of town that we’ve heard lots and lots of good things about. Every step of the way our decision was reinforced. The music, the message, even things that happened later in the day…they all let us know that our choice, though agonizing, was the right one. We may not put down roots in the church we visited first, but it brought me peace in worship once again. My heart and my head were in accord and that felt so good.

I am so glad that I listened to my mom. She’s a pretty smart woman. I hope that someday I can provide wisdom to my kids on the subject of church and faith. That God will give me the words to guide them on their spiritual journey, wherever it might lead. In the meantime, I’ll remember that my mom seems to have a knack for giving good advice to me. Who would have thought???

 
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Posted in Faith/Religion, Me Stuff

 

Fun Stuff Friday: Dinner & A Movie

04 Feb

We are always looking for fun, inexpensive things to do with the kids. One of our favorite activities is Family Dinner & A Movie Night. We choose a movie (tonight is Despicable Me) that is appropriate for the entire family, then develop a dinner menu around it. You may have seen TBS Dinner & A Movie; the concept is similar but we choose not only movies that are family appropriate but also (usually) foods that the kids love. We generally do it on a Friday night and then let the kids “camp out” in the living room on an air mattress. It’s a big hit with the whole family.

Tonight is Despicable Me. The menu? I’m still trying to decide between mini corn dogs (they look like minions) or pancakes. I’ve also been told that they sell cookies in the movie so there may be some freshly baked cookies as well, or a dog food bowl of candy. Those who have seen the movie probably know what I’m talking about! I haven’t seen it yet, so I asked for suggestions from friends on Facebook and there were several ideas to pick from. If there’s a particular movie you’d like to watch but haven’t seen, ask friends for some help in choosing a dinner menu or leave a comment here. I’ll try to update this list from time to time with new movies!

Here are some of the ideas we’ve used in the past:

  • Mulan: Chinese food. Either order in or make your own at home. There are plenty of frozen options out there, too.
  • Toy Story: Pizza. Again, you can order, make your own, or buy a frozen one. Super easy and a kid pleaser!
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: Meatballs…Swedish, spaghetti, or whatever works for your family. There are lots of other options for this movie, too! We just went with the obvious.
  • Babe: Pigs in a blanket. A package of hot dogs or cocktail smokies, some crescent rolls, a couple of healthy sides, it couldn’t be easier!
  • The Princess and the Frog: If you’ve seen the movie, gumbo is the obvious one here. However, my kids prefer jambalaya. We made a huge batch of it and had some super happy kids.
  • Lady and the Tramp: Spaghetti. Another kid favorite in my house!
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Roast beef. We usually make a pot roast. This one is not a kid favorite. Fortunately, the rule is that the dinner must be eaten to watch the movie. This helps us to throw in some meals that we enjoy and gives them incentive to try it.
  • Finding Nemo: Fish or seafood. Again, not a kid favorite but it forces them to try something and they get rewarded…not with dessert, but with something that is healthier and fun.

There are lots of options out there! Get creative and have fun…and share your ideas in the comments! (I’m especially looking for ideas for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cars, the Shrek movies, and How to Train Your Dragon.)

 
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Posted in Family, Food/Recipes, Fun Stuff Friday

 

Plateau already?

02 Feb

So we’re a month into the new year, and I’m still at it. Eating healthy, exercising, working on my mental health and all of that jazz. The mental health is going well…I’m working on a Bible study that has helped me immensely and I’m talking about my deep, dark self-esteem issues with the people who love me. But the weight loss is just not going as I expected it to, unfortunately.

I’m eating about 1500 calories a day. Balancing my green, yellow, and red foods appropriately. Soda is now disgustingly sweet to me and my caffeine addiction is all but gone. (I am having coffee some days, but I don’t need it.) I’m burning 3000-4000 calories a week through exercise and I’ve just started really switching it up so that I might do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred one day, Wii Fit cardio & yoga another, elliptical the next, and some intervals sprinkled in there. I’m averaging 2 workouts per day most days and I feel pretty good about that. The one thing I’d like to add in is kettlebells for some additional strength training, but I don’t have the funds for either a video or the kettlebells themselves right now.

I slipped on Monday…ate a 350 calorie dessert because I was craving something sweet. I ate it slowly and enjoyed every single bite, something I have had a hard time doing in the past. I used to eat dessert regularly and just wolf it down, barely stopping to enjoy it. Afterwards, I got on the elliptical and burned every one of those 350 calories off. And even though I counted it as a slip, I’m proud for the way I handled it. I indulged, I enjoyed, I worked out extra to make up for it. Baby steps, right?

But my weight loss has stopped. I’m stuck at 7 pounds lost and nothing is making that scale move. I even started taking Alli, hoping that it would help me lose a little bit extra. Apparently I was already taking in so little fat that it just doesn’t affect me! I guess that’s a good thing, but it’s slightly frustrating, because I just do not know what else to do.

Am I undereating/overtraining and sending myself into starvation mode? Am I missing something else? Where do I go from here to get the weight loss kick started again?

 
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Posted in Health, Me Stuff

 
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