What I've learned since becoming an OT student

I thought since I am in the transition stage from OT student to OT professional I would share a little bit about what I have learned.

1) I have issues! (Sensory Issues that is)- I have a messed up sensory system that could have been corrected before 8 years of age that I am now stuck with. When I am stressed out I become tactile defensive and can't stand things around my face. Which means snuggling and kissing are out! Sorry Dear!

2) I am partially OCD - I am only 1/2 way OCD. I can't stand to begin cooking in an unkempt kitchen, but I'm not OCD enough to keep it in tip top shape. Always give ample time if you are to visit our house!!

3) I now know what ROM is and how to test it. Basically I can check the range of motion of all body parts

4) I have become adapt at using my family as guinea pigs and scientific experiments. I can manipulate Darrel even though he can over power me.

5) I can no longer fight sugar cravings!

6) My mother was wrong! Candy is good for you! When studying or trying to focus it is great to awaken your gustatory sense (taste). This way you alert two sensory avenues and create more synapses in the brain for the information to be stored and recalled.

7) Play = Work!! My work in pediatrics means I can essentially play games all day long and get paid for it. Who Knew?

8) Not many curriculum's allow students to play with marshmallows for a grade.

9) The human body is an awful thing to waste. If you don't believe me, follow me on rounds and watch the adage "if you don't use it you lose it" come to life.

10) I have learned a new vocabulary. Darrel makes me translate into human!! hahaha.

Just some thoughts to share. Happy Holidays everyone!!

I hate to do it again

I do think it is nice to give thanks especially during this particular time of year!

I am especially thankful for prayers..those answered and those that aren't. Even before I became a member of the church I had prayers answered and I still give thanks every day. If it weren't for my small knowledge of Christ I would never have asked to find my soul mate nor would I be with him now.

I am thankful for my parents (natural and inlaw). I went through a period of time when I thought my mom had it out for me. I couldn't hardly stand to be around her because it seemed that everything I did made her mad. I now know it was just the unfortunate case of being the youngest child to a mother who was a little older than most and going through some of the changes of life. I really appreciate all that my parents do for me. I love my in-laws as much as my own parents. They've welcomed me into their lives and never made me feel uncomfortable or unloved.

I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to be a parent. I have learned more about myself in the past 4 years than I ever expected. I love being a mother and cherish that role. I am grateful for Sara because she has pushed me to do for her and provide a better future in which she can prosper.

I am thankful for the gospel. I have experienced many spiritual moments as a member of the church that have only strengthened my love and testimony. I know that God lives and that prayers are answered.

I am thankful for family. Being so far away from everyone has made me treasure the times we do have. I am also thankful for the extended family I have here in Augusta. They help make the hard times bearable.

Kim, thanks for this idea. You always find the neatest postings and I can't help but insert my own two-sense.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

I'm totally dumbfounded

While I was reading the news this evening I noticed an article entitled "How many sex partners have you had?" I was interested mainly to see how the article was going to answer the question. The author then justified having multiple partners because kids are starting puberty earlier and not getting married until later in life!!! HOW ABSURD!?!?! I can't believe that people are justifying immoral behavior because of puberty. I'm even upset that it is required for young girls to get the HPV vaccine when if people were not as promiscuous there would be a smaller need for the vaccine period! These are the serpents that were talked about in Ether and Moroni. And I am very ashamed that this is where the world is heading. How will my daughter rise above this behavior when it is more than accepted; it is justified??

I just couldn't resist

Ok... I am so ready to be finished with school that I have already counted down the days until my last final before taking my board exams.

The week after Thanksgiving is split between preparing for comprehensive lab practicals (that cover everything we've learned in OT school practically) and 2 out of 4 final exams.

My last day of class officially for this semester is December 9 and then I have a 3 week semester in January from the 5th-23rd. I am so very excited. I still have tooo much studying to do to prepare for our board exam next summer, however I am extremely excited. I know that this is what I am supposed to do and I am ready to have a job so that I can put Darrel through school.

Even more exciting is Christmas! My mom is purchasing a small tree for Sara to decorate with hand-made decorations. And I think Darrel and I might even go on a date without a child at hand. I love this holiday and the thoughts about the birth of Christ. I am excited to share that with Sara this year because she'll be able to understand and participate in our family traditions.

Hooray!!!

..enough posting for now...I've gotta get dinner ready so Darrel can come home and be happy!!

My Husband

Sorry Kim...I had to borrow your idea!!

1. He’s sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen? Anything to do with hunting (prob his own duck video that he is creating) or Dirty jobs
2. You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch with Extra Ranch
3. What is one food he doesn’t like? Bananas
4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? If he fit into that crowd...(and actually consumed some adult beverage) I'd say probably some whiskey. But since he doesn't I'd say Dr Pepper
5. Where did he go to high school? Eagles Landing High School
6. What size shoe does he wear? 10 EEE
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? This is tough...duck feathers and sheds (deer antlers that have been shed)
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? He hates sandwiches
9. What would the Husband eat every day if he could? there's so much to choose from...maybe a steak...or his mama's fried chicken?
10. What is his favorite cereal? Honey Bunches of Oat's with Almonds
11. What would he never wear? a thong
12. What is his favorite sports team? he doesn't really have one...hunting is more his hobby
13. Who will he vote for? Didn't vote
14. Who is his best friend? Most likely Ronnie...we don't really like having friends
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do? Nag.
16. How many states has he lived in? 2
17. What is his heritage? South Georgia and the hills of North Carolina (Before that, I'm not exactly sure.)
18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind? Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream
19. Did he play sports in high school? Yes..Football
20. What could he spend hours doing? Hunting and playing video games

There's no denying it...

When I was in high school I too fell in love with Lucy. I have just about every episode recorded on tape and have watched Lucille Ball in many musicals. Recently Sara was exposed to Lucy and she loves it! I called my mom and she just laughed. Who would every have thought that a 4 year old would like to watch black and white episodes of Lucy and Ricky. Someone has some 'splainin to do!!!

Why is it so hard to humble oneself??

So, I've had many things on my mind and really needed some answers. So I went to what I know I should've been doing all along, reading scriptures. What a mighty relief it has brought me!! I didn't read particularly just to find an answer. I know that the Lord doesn't work like that with me. I knew it had to be a heartfelt attempt to be meek and come back to the straight and narrow. Anyway, whether or not my prayers have been answered I really feel true peace again. I find that my emotions are still on my shirt sleeve and that the adversary is trying to make me give up on what I know to be the right things to do, but I am really trying to be a better person. When Darrel and I were first married I was able to read the scriptures and delve deep into what I was supposed to do. The Lord never failed me in my search for truth. For whatever reasons I have not kept up with the habits I began 5 short years ago. I know that if it were easy to be 'sinless' and full of faith there wouldn't be a need to come to the earth. I am just glad that I have been given yet another chance in following the Lord and putting His will before my own.

What you can learn when you speak less and watch more

My goal is to become more patient with Sara and remember that she is a child that is constantly learning. So lately I've been watching her without her noticing. I can't believe how much she is impacted by me and how I treat her. Not that I treat her bad, I just have high expectations for her. So my expectations for her are imposed on her babies. It is cute to see her act and say the things that I say to her. She even gets my attitude and puts her hands on her hips like I do. I've become my mother and now my daughter has become me!

She does also try to teach her babies how to bow their heads and pray as we do with her. Not all of my bad habits have been picked up, but I have noticed that if I don't begin letting her be herself I'll be raising a child to be me and not an individual.

How much I have learned by just observing and seeing my daughter for who she is...

The end of a year.....

I certainly cannot believe that an entire year has already passed me by. I guess it is true that the older you get the faster time goes by. There are many things that I wished I would have taken the time to cherish more and now I feel that it is too late.

I wish I would have enjoyed the time when Sara was a baby more. Now that she is older I think I spent too much time worrying and stressed to enjoy the time we had.

I wish I would have enjoyed the times when we lived closer to our family. Now there seems to be little time to be together because we are trying to spend equal time with both families and then we have to pack and travel the long way home.

I wish I would have learned to cherish the little blessings in life instead of worrying about what was going to come next. We have been so blessed by the sacrifices that others have made on our behalf just to make ends meet and my faith has been tested and increased because of the love of others. I wish I would have had more faith and less worry.

We still have challenges that face us. Especially around the holiday times. But at least this year I feel comforted that Heavenly Father will continue to make a way for us to survive as long as we have the faith to walk along His path and follow His way.

I hope I will learn to look at the small parts of life and enjoy them and give thanks for them more often in the years to follow. I am grateful for all that I have been given and am even more thankful for a wonderful family who supports us in all that we desire to do.