Introducing…
My first CAPPA student to finish her certification as a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator! Meet Mariya Melby, CCCE. I asked her to share her journey, and she graciously agreed to answer a few questions. I can’t wait to see what she is going to do, and where...100 Things I’ve Learned in 100 Births
So, my 100th birth happened last week, just before midnight on the 12th. 100 births since 2008. 44 doula births. The other 56 births were as a midwifery assistant and student. Those began January 29th, 2014–my late father’s birthday. The birth of a new...Grace Under Pregnancy: Responding to Horror Stories
We’ve all heard the horror stories. The homebirth turned cesarean. The induction gone wrong. The horrible hemorrhage. Cracked and bleeding nipples. Breastfeeding sabotaged by circumstances. And more. There is almost a compulsion to tell these stories, and we are...Grace Under Pregnancy: Responding to Negativity
We’ve all seen those blog posts listing all the hilarious, snarky retorts we can have at our disposal when well-intentioned people make comments about our pregnancy, parenting, or birth choices. There is definitely a place for a well-placed one-liner, but not...Awe & Gratitude
I have been putting together a scrapbook of pictures, cards, letters, and memorabilia from the doula clients who have so graciously shared such items with me. As the 8×8 book comes together, I find myself full of memories of each story. I have not forgotten a...
But you can call me Sunshine. “I'd like to add some beauty to life...I don't exactly want to make people KNOW more... though I know that IS the noblest ambition... but I'd love to make them have a pleasanter time because of me... to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I hadn't been born.” ~Anne Shirley
This is why I write. I hope to inspire, encourage, uplift, and maybe--once in awhile--teach you something new and useful. I am a wife, mother, homeschooler, student midwife, childbirth educator, Jesus follower, sister, and friend, and I am delighted that you stopped by! Stay awhile, and join the conversation!