A Day in the life of a busy mom going to massage therapy school

When I tell people I have 8 children, the first thing they say to me is, wow you must be busy! Well, if I thought I was busy before, now it's just plain insane. A friend of mine asked me if I wanted a permanent part time job. I was very open to the idea since we don't make much money and it's a job where if I needed to my kids could come with. I avoid that, but it's come in quite handy from time to time. Then a couple of my sons and my husband kept having issues with their backs, at $45 a visit for 3-4 people each week, really adds up. I knew I had to do something to help my family. I was able to get qualified for a grant and registered for Massage therapy school. I really never thought I would get into something like that or be this busy. I knew it was going to take some doing, but the reality was unknown. So Monday's are my busiest days, I go work in the clinic from 12:30-5 then class starts at 6pm and goes until 10pm I spend as much time in the mornings with my kids as possible, mostly the pre-schoolers, then I depend on a babysitter and my 18 year old son to fill in the gaps until my husband is off work. Monday- Wednesday I have evening school. Wednesday through Friday I have work then it's back to clinic on Saturday morning. The time at home definitely becomes more and more precious especially since I have to fit in homework and studying.

I am really enjoying all the great things I'm learning. I've learned the Swedish massage, almost done with Shiatzu and then there's the ongoing Anatomy class. That one was a big surprise of how much I'm enjoying it. I never thought delving into the inside of the body could be so interesting. A LOT to absorb, but really fascinating nevertheless.

There are definitely those days when throwing in the towel sounds good, but then I remind myself it's only until the end of July then I can take the national test and have my LMT, which I am very much looking forward to. In the meantime it's crunch-time all the time:)

Creed for a Massage Therapist in Training

My assignment is to come up with a creed or something that lets people know who I am and what my belief system is. I've decided to write a couple out here and see what looks the best.

#1

Who am I?
I am a child of God
I am a wife to an honorable man who loves me and loves God.
I am a mother to people who amaze and inspire me on a constant basis
I am a grandmother to beautiful angels
I am a sister to men and women who support me and live what they believe
I am a sister-in-law to people who are always there when you need them
I am a daughter to two people who taught me truth
I am an aunt to people who love unconditionally and encourage me
I am a mother in law to men and women who fit perfectly into my family
I am a friend who is grateful for those who constantly bless my life
I am a confidant for when times get rough and someone may need an ear to listen

I Believe:
I believe that service to others helps us to grow as an individual
I believe in the goodness of the human spirit
I believe in the healing power of touch
I believe in the power of prayer
I believe that God has given us gifts and tools to help each other

And;
I see God's workings everywhere
I depend on Him to pull it all together

Let me be an instrument in his hands to bless the lives of those around me.


This one may be the one or I may see what else I come up with

#2
Believe all things
Hope all things
Endure all things

An Exceptional Woman

There are not many who I would refer to as mom, except of course my own mother. There is one woman, however, who was a second mom to me and she was an exceptional woman. I think it takes a rare individual who can make someone feel so much a part of their family. I remember this woman when I very small, even before I went to school, she would take care of me when my mom had to work. Once I was in school, I still spent time at her home. There were days when I would arrive home and no one was there, what a blessing it was to have another house I could go to where I was safe and loved. There were many Sundays we would spend together. When their family moved to Utah, it was really hard, but luckily we moved not long after to the same city.  As we grew up her children seemed like brothers and sisters to me, and we have a bond that is like no other.

So what do you say to honor a woman who wasn't your own mother, but a mother in so many ways? Maybe just the words I love you say it all.

Veterans Day

Well, it's veteran's day 2010. It's nice to be able to take some time to think about veterans, who they are and what they do or have done. I've always been proud of my heritage and I'm proud of the veterans in my family. My Grandfather was a veteran who served during WWI. His service was short lived since the Germans surrendered the day he graduated from boot camp,(must've heard he was coming), but his enthusiasm to serve is a part of all of us and leads us to serve in so many ways. My Uncle was a pilot in WWII. he was a legend in his day and the only time his plane didn't come back was when it went out without him. Needless to say, he was quite popular when it came to flying missions. I remember my dad talking about his big brother with such pride, it was probably his example that caused my dad to have a desire to serve in the army as a medic later.

I've really thought about the faith that my grandpa, uncle and dad have shown me in not just running off just because, but really standing up for what they believe in. It's that kind of faith that can bring an airplane home even in the midst of bombshells, and faith that can move an entire community of people from one side of the country to the other and make the desert bloom like the rose.  In my opinion the greatest veteran we have in our country is George Washington. To stand up for the right even with the knowledge that if he lost he would be hung for treason. What a huge sacrifice to make for generations yet to come. There was a man of faith.

I look at my kids today and the challenges they face, staying away from drugs, bad influences, drama, and even the music they are exposed to on a regular basis can really test the limits. I've been amazed at how one thing used to be deemed as bad, but now it's embraced, and the kids have to sort all of it out. I remember when I was a teen and how many issues I had to deal with and it's mind boggling how many more my children have to deal with.

I guess the question that comes to mind in all of this is, where do our kids get the faith to stand up for their beliefs? Stand up and say no to bad situations? The kind of faith our veterans had in the past can still influence a new generation because of the stories and the example they leave for us. The kind of faith that brings an airplane home every time, the kind of faith that inspires a young man to go out into the unknown world from a small town and serve in a foreign country. The kind of faith that  encourages new veterans to go out and serve their country not knowing where the adventure will take them. When it brings them back to their faith in Jesus Christ it's an amazing thing.

It's easy to revere veterans from the past. The glory days, the combat stories, and all of that, but it's almost weird to think about the kid down the street as a veteran. the one who really hasn't seen combat, but has been through all the training and served where they were needed and some who still serve. Veterans day isn't just for old men, it's a day to celebrate the accomplishments of all who have served and still do.

Happy Veterans Day

About me

If you've found my blog chances are it wasn't an accident. Being the mom to all these Asay's is quite a challenge and very rewarding. I get to be a grandma before my time due to my great step kids and my children are growing up way too fast. As life changes so do the needs of my family and now I'm running a small online bookstore through facebook called Keepers Books, where I find unique books and gifts I think my customers will like and offer it as inexpensive as I can get it. I really don't make money off of it, but I like to offer it as a service. I am currently learning the trade of Massage Therapist and am really excited about it. We just chose the colors for our tables last night and it was quite neat to think that it's not going to be a lot longer before we have gone through all the classes and can really do some good helping people feel better. I've been amazed already at how much more effective my treatments are on my family. Before I would massage, but they didn't really notice a difference and I was always worn out. Just a small amount of time in school and wow what a difference. Well, that's my first blog so we'll see how this all works.
Thanks for reading.