Hi Everyone!

Yes, I'm still here and doing well. The last two weeks have been absolutely nuts, but very good.

Among other things, I'm jumping back in to my birth work with gusto and thoroughly enjoying it. I've felt a strong confirmation that I am doing the right work at the right time. So, now I'm working on systems and marketing and doing everything I can to make my career more effective and meaningful while also protecting my most important work-- the work I do in my family.

Just a quick run down of the last couple of weeks to give you a taste of what I've been doing:

Last Monday I checked in with my SIL as her birth was beginning, then went to the capitol to help lobby for women's rights to make choices regarding their place of birth. That, that evening I attended my nephew's birth and got home about 3 on Tuesday morning.

Last Tuesday I taught a poetry workshop in Kaitybean's classroom for all three of the fourth grade classrooms.

Last Wednesday I talked with my sister-in-law about some of the things going on in her life and with my brother -- a very important talk. I also agreed to take one of their dogs for a while, as she's been having a hard time with him. (Pictures will be coming. He's darling.) That evening, I attended my monthly poetry group (aka therapy).

Last Thursday I taught another poetry workshop for the fourth graders. We wrote nonsense limericks together, then they wrote their own poetry. That evening I went to the temple for our ward temple night, which was quite a fiasco. I didn't feel well and fell asleep for a solid five minutes or more, almost missing some very important things that I had to do. We saw one of JDub's best friends from high school there. (Laura, it was Marcie M.) That was wonderful.

Last Friday evening I attended the first part of the Utah Doula Association conference and learned from one of the best CNMs in the state about inductions. Great presentation.

Then, last Saturday I attended the rest of the conference where we learned about protecting ourselves from disease, how to support women with breastfeeding and vbacs and the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy. At this conference I was awarded the doula of the year award, which was a great honor and an even bigger shock. There are so many doulas in our state that I feel are much more deserving than I. After this, I stopped by a doula client's home for a quick postpartum visit, then went out to dinner with some friends and colleagues.

This week has been a bit more relaxed.

On Tuesday I hosted a Scentsy party at my home. Then, on Wednesday I attended a Hypnobabies class with my April doula clients. Last night I had a prenatal visit with the same couple, which went rather well. I really like this couple and feel that they are doing such a fabulous job of preparing for the birth of their baby. I have a lot of confidence that they will have a healthy, positive birth.

Tomorrow I get to teach the first half of a private Birthing From Within class. This couple was referred to me by one of my favorite people, another BFW mentor who lives in TX. I am thrilled at the prospect of mentoring again. More than any of my other work, BFW mentoring feeds my soul. After that, we will be feeding the LDS missionaries in our home. That's always fun.

Oh, and this morning I need to take our van to the shop so that they can fix the muffler, which has pretty much snapped off. Our car is SOOOOOOOOO loud. Shh, don't tell anyone but I think it may be my fault that the muffler is broken. I think I drove over a curb on Wednesday night and maybe whacked it. Oops. Driver of the year I am not.

I'm looking forward to next week, when things should slow down a little bit.

So, that's what I've been up to. Hope you're all doing wonderfully well.

Oh yes, a big picture catchup is coming. I have been informed that there are not enough new Coco pictures on here to meet demand, so I'd better show him off soon.