School... and Babies

So I have a lot on my mind about babies.

I feel the need to get it all down so that I can make room for my studies... My brain just works that way.     (if you could see my to-do lists you would be amazed at what little details I write!) 

Bentley and I are getting serious about bringing our first sweet babe into this world! Not like tomorrow or anything that soon, unfortunately. However I am going to stop by the birth center next week to check it out and probably rent books from their library. 

Babies and library books- best of both worlds :)

I plan on an all natural birth, preferably in the water with a midwife. I am still undecided if I want it to be at home or at the center. Maybe after a visit to the birth center and talking to a few midwives I will make up my mind with certainty. I know the answer will come to me, I have time to think.  I am open to going to the hospital, in an emergency... but that is really the extent of my desired involvement with hospitals and birth. 

More importantly I have always felt that bringing a new soul into this world naturally, in a calm & familiar environment, with as little stress as possible, never breaking that strong connection between infant and mother, is the absolute healthiest way to do it. Who needs an epidural? Let the oxytocin flow! Everything inside of me tells me it is the best way for me. Not for everyone, true, but for me it is instinctual. I have always been  super opinionated about drugs, doctors and the 'business' of being born, ever since I heard my birth story.  I'll just leave it at that....

You can look into it for yourself and make an educated decision. 

 Im looking for a wonderful midwife too so if you have any recommendations let me know! I am tickled just thinking about it. Bentley and I are so ready. 

There is one little thing standing in the way.... My Bachelors Degree program with WGU (Western Governors University) is not finished yet, not really even close. And the last 12 weeks of my program include student teaching! I can't exactly student-teach with a new born on my hip. So I will probably end up student-teaching with a belly-bump. Because patience has never been my strong suit and Bentley has been ready since... always. :) And even then, it's a ways off, but I am a PLANNER, I like to at least 'feel' that I have control of everything (haha) 

So here's to the beginning of a very exciting journey! 

I consider all the reading and investigating I've been doing (and will continue to do), the same as... Well...

...A positive pregnancy test. :)

My Journey to Preschool

I love my job- that is no surprise. I feel like I say that often :)

Ever since I went on my first mission trip in high school and worked with little kids in Mexico and Guatemala, I knew I would NEVER, EVER spend a single day of my life doing anything less.

My life felt intentional- 

I  found a reason, my reason 

(purpose seems too heavy a word here, for I believe I am here to be a mother)

Isn't that we are all searching for in some shape or form? 

Pretty deep thoughts for a 15 year old; but I have always been an old soul, or so I'm told.

My only question along the way has been by what means will I fulfill my goals, my dreams, and  provide the service I long to give children? In this ENTIRE world, what facet of upbringing a little soul should I focus my education on, build a solid foundation in, and work towards?

hmm.... I contemplated...

Music

youth (teens)

early childhood

Nutrition- specifically the alarming rate of type 2 diabetes in children under 12

foster youth

child abuse prevention

special ed mild, moderate, severe?

I mean seriously, who doesn't want their daily routine "job" to be something they truly, genuinely love?! I was determined to make a decision and stick with it. It only took me a few years, changing majors more than I care to tell, 3 colleges, and 2 pivotal jobs, to figure out what exactly I wanted to go to school for. Ironically, I landed a wonderful job in the school district before most of the schooling. 

Things don't always go according to plan, at least not my plans. 

Thank heavens for that :)

It is my current job that has made it ever so clear to me what I want to do, educationally. Not only will it benefit me in the work world, but also tremendously as a mother. Which as I mentioned before is priority number one! You see, I am a Para-educator, an aid for kids with special needs of all kinds, a behavioral analyst. 

We use a method called Applied Behavior Analysis primarily for students with autism, but it is used for a wide variety of students. Autism is what I have been working with most.

Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.

I have the pleasure of engaging with 3 - 4 year olds all day and positively reinforcing them for every good thing they do; and simply ignoring the undesired behaviors, or 'attention seeking' behaviors. Unless of course what they are doing is about to harm themselves or another. It is loads of fun, however some days are more... onerous than others. Ignoring a child hiding under a table whistling at you and yelling "yoo hoo look at me where did I go?" can only be done with grace for so long...  
My patience threshold has quadrupled, I will shamelessly admit my patience is admirable.
It is a trait I have always treasured, and now I know why I was given it.

The good lord knew I was going to need it!

I start my Bachelors and credential program on October 1st. I couldn't be more excited! No decision has been as effortless and easy as this one, well, except for when Bentley asked me to marry him.

I am so passionate about the importance of this age with all that is developing in our brains. I am predominately fascinated by Italian Philosophies on Early Childhood Ed. having gone to a Montessori preschool myself I have a little first hand experience :) 

I cant wait to keep learning about it and see where my adventures take me!

More to come on my journeys in Preschool and online credentialing!

sporadic posting

SO I am not the most consistent blogger....
However I am trying. I try to remind myself how cool this will be when my kids are older and i want to share it with them. Not just my old tattered journals that may fall apart with the way i abuse them.
With out further adieu my feeble attempt to make up for lengthy absence-
This last month in a nut shell-

• I officially started working in a second grade classroom and fell in love. In love with the classroom, the students, the teachers, the curriculum, the way the class functions, just about everything. Now I am confused about Preschool and what age i like working with most.
• The leprechaun came and tore our classroom apart!
• My dangerously handsome husband turned 31!!! (yes we are 9 years apart in case you were actually wondering)
• I became obsessed with the hunger games and read all three books in 12 days... Bentley forgot who his wife was... i was 'non-existent'! I am already barreling through another book though, just not at the expense of quality time with the rest of the world ;)
• I realized how much i love instagram, but I am not to the point of obsession yet.
• Bentley got another A+ for his final grade in his class for Full Sail University
• I went line dancing EVERY thursday night with Nicole! I'm no pro but I am having A LOT of FUN!!!!! I will be getting a nice new pair of boots once I reach a goal i set for myself in my work out routine. 
• Bentley and I went to the mountains for the first part of spring break and watched conference with the family :)
• I was attacked.... by a flu virus that rung out my innards and turned me into a dehydrated mess of unquenched curls. I literally could not make a tear fall from my eye i had so little water in my system. Or else, trust my I would have been sobbing.
• Bentley and I started sanding and painting furniture to revive some of our things and put our guest room / office / music room in order. It is lookin great I cant wait until it is all done!
• Oh and I was awarded enough in grant money to take care of college tuition costs with out taking out a loan (fingers crossed)

There you have it. Now I may go on attempting to update my blog daily with out feeling too badly about all the 'major happenings' i missed!                                  Have a beautiful friday

No rhyme or reason for this one. . . . .

If I keep eating as much fruit as I have been this last week I am going to have some serious problems. I am just being honest here, lets be real!

I LOVE fruit if it were humanly possible to eat nothing but fruit for a lifetime I think I could do it. 

Well.  . . .

 thats not entirely true, I just caught a whiff of the chicken and quinoa enchiladas in our oven and immediately felt differently. 

******************

Tonight we are elated, 

Bentley just completed week 1 of his program, only 104 weeks left to go! 

I am already so proud. 

I officially have my new positions start date  locked in! I can not believe I will get to walk to school aka 'work' pretty soon!:D

I managed to teach my little mandarin speaking two year old preschooler a new word today - SHOES. What girl doesn't need to know that word?! Plus her shirt said "I've got daddy under my spell" 
He is totally asking for it. 

It is supposed to rain tomorrow- FINALLY

Our oven is full, our hearts are warm and minds at rest. 

Only thing missing is a good run, endorphins make every day better!!!

Happy Monday, hope your week has started out pleasantly!

Mrs. Murdock