A Month

I can't believe that it has been a month since I have posted...but a busy month it has been.

First off I was finishing the semester of school. Now for those of you that know me, you know that I am anal about some things and for those of you that don't - well lets just say that paperwork is one of those things that I am picky about. As well as the need to do the best that I can at school - and that includes striving for an A even if it kills me...so the last month was spent studying and preparing for finals. Of which I am now finished with and so glad to be on summer break! (Oh and I did get an A in all 3 classes - so the analness was worth it to me)

I also had to do a photo shoot for my dignity award and an interview for the award...I proofed the write up. Oh my gosh - it is like 4 pages long! If I get a copy I'll post it for you all to read. It is still weird to read all of those things about oneself but fun none the less. And Julie brought me a parenting magazine (orange county edition) that had an article in it on St Joseph being awarded the baby friendly hospital award. I was actually quoted in the article..."veteran L&D RN Debra Bolton also prefers the immediate bonding aspects of Baby-Friendly practices. ""The baby is less stressed and calmer than with the traditional method of taking the newborn from the mom to the warmer to the bath. And, parents like being the first ones to count all the fingers and toes" " It was sort of funny to see the article, for I didn't know that I was even giving a quote for an article when the person asked me about baby friendly...!

I did a couple of fun deliveries for people that I knew or who asked for me again. I always count it a privilege to deliver a patient more than once. To know that they trust me and want me to be a part of their delivery is quite special. I also took care of a preterm patient that made me promise that I will be there when she delivers...so yes - Cali I will be there!!!

The best part of the month was that I took a mini vacation...Erika had qualified for the NAIA national championships so I flew back to St Louis, Missouri to watch her run. My parents were also on a road trip so they made that one of their stops and we were able to spend some fun family time together.

Biola's team did well. The 4x800 team and both of the steeple chase runners made it in to the final races and Erika's roommate Natasha won the Pentathlon and the high jump. You can read all about it here. The race was held at a college out in the country - loved it! I think I need to move to the country...except for the bugs and humidity that is! I love the quiet and the wide open fields and the blue sky!!How come shes the only one getting ready to run?!?!

You can see more pictures of Biola runners here

I actually liked St Louis - it is a neat city with a lot of revitalization going on. I did have time to be a tourist too - not just attend races. We saw the arch and my parents and I went to the Budweiser brewery. It is a beautiful old factory and the tour was really neat. They even give you samples of beer at the end of your tour. My parents don't drink...but they did make an attempt to taste the sample. The last day that I was there, I had some quality alone time (the athletes and my parents had left), so I spent the day walking around the city and sitting in front of the arch just relaxing. It was so beautiful - until a storm blew in. You know those midwest thunder storm type of storms. I sort of didn't want to come home...but alas, I did and now it is back to real life.

Accolades, Parties, Photo shoots and a Parking Space

The hospital where I work operates on four values that are written in to their mission statement. These values are excellence, dignity, service and justice. These values are not just terms, but real ideas that the management and staff try to attain to as we give care. Theses values were important to our founding sisters as well as in today's times. It is what sets St. Joseph apart from other hospitals and makes us special. It is a place with character and not just a place that is focused on the bottom line or money.
Each year the hospital recognizes staff, management, MD's, nurses, etc. as we go about trying to attain to these values. We can nominate those that we work with for a "values in action" award. There are certain criteria and wording that is used and it is system wide (all of the hospitals within the system give out the awards each year). It is a really big thing - to not only be awarded one of these awards but to just be nominated. To have one of your peers think that you are worthy enough to write up a paper about you. To think that someone thinks that you live the values and give good care. These nominations then go to a committee that actually reads every single one and then picks someone to honor for the year with the award. Each hospital within the system honors someone in all four categories. These people, and their stories then go before the whole system and a system winner is chosen. Over the past couple of years I have tried to be better at nominating other people - to recognize their achievements and to give praise when praise is do. I, too, have been nominated in the past for these awards and the hospital recognizes you with a certificate and it goes in your employee file. It feels really good to think that you could possibly live up to these values.
Well, this year I was chosen as the Dignity award winner for our hospital. To say that I was shocked when I got the phone call from our CEO is putting it mildly. I did not even know that I was nominated, or in the running for such a prestigious award. I was sort of taken aback and a little embarrassed for I hate attention to be placed on me...I am a good attention giver not getter! Along with the appointment of the award and all of the recognition that comes with that, we have our photo hanging in the lobby for a year (hence a couple of photo shoots), we get to do an interview with our PR rep, we get presented this huge award and we get a free, front door parking space for a year. (and NO...I am not selling my spot to all of you askers out there....that certainly wouldn't be a very dignified thing to do :) It is truly a great honor and humbling all at the same time. I think I am still in a little bit of shock and trying to figure out what all of this means.
I thought I'd post what the nomination committee looks for in its selection process. This will help me to stay focused on what the award means and to examine myself to see if I fit that picture. So..

DIGNITY
"We respect each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life"
This award is given to an individual who demonstrates dignity in interactions. The dignity award winner consistently:

• uses open, honest and respectful communication during all interactions
• listens to, acknowledges and shows respect for all people with their differing viewpoints and ways of interpreting the world.
• creates and promotes positive working relationships that foster a healthy and effective work environment
• recognizes and celebrates the unique contributions of all co-workers.

Do I do that?? I would certainly hope that I attempt to treat people like that. Yesterday we did do some of our own celebrating...we had a party at work, thrown by my co-workers, yummy food, cake, gifts and Kim made me a sash that I had to wear even while I was giving patient care! It was a great day and I felt so special. My friends are the best!! And I wouldn't trade them for anything. Oh and thanks to whomever nominated me!

Deb Beno and I:

Thanks Kim for the sash!

Fallen Record

A happy note! A fallen record. A proud moment. A fast moment. A mommy moment. Something to smile about around here...Erika broke the Biola school record (or set the new record if you choose to look at it that way) in the steeplechase last night down in San Diego. Read about it here.
And she is going to nationals again :) And I am happy to be her mom.

Take a peak at the pictures below.

Feel free to check out more race photos here

There will be a Day

I had posted a very heart felt post a few days ago....but it apparently bothered some people that I was open and honest with what I was struggling with....so I deleted it. I had thought about never posting again, yet as I read other blogs and share in others good and bad times I decided that I can't just turn Debbie "Off" I am who I am with feelings and thoughts.
So, yes I am struggling right now. In a very big way with some very big things. My faith is very, very fractured - and maybe one day I will rewrite about that.
But for now I am just going to post a song that I have being listening to by Jeremy Camp. It is something that I am trying so hard to hold on to, trying so hard to believe, trying so hard to trust,trying so hard not to throw away - yet most days that is not working....and I feel I am losing the battle.
Will there ever really be a day???????

Song Words by Artist / Band : Jeremy Camp Lyrics Title : There Will Be A Day Available on Album : Speaking Louder Than Before Single Released : September 23, 2008

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth That we will enter in this rest with wonders a new
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

Chorus There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

Chorus There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting
I cant wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life
of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing

Buttons

I played around today and was finally able to figure out how to add some buttons to my side bar. You can click on them and it takes you to those sites...special women, special babies and I go to these sites frequently for inspiration for the women are such great writers and are good about expressing what is going on in their hearts and lives. Open and transparent - how I imagine myself to be at some point....
I also added a couple of blogs to 'my daily blog fix' that I couldn't figure out how to add as a button...so check those out also.
You can see what I do with what free time I have - which lately is very little since I should be studying and not playing on the computer!! :)
I'll keep playing around for there a couple of others I want to try and add.

Return

Alright, Alright! After more than one person asked if I was still alive and / or OK I decided I'd better get back to blogging. Seems there are people that actually read what I post - if you can believe that one?!?! So I'll take a return trip to let you know what has been going on in my life the past few months:

• first off is school - it is going well and I am so far getting all A's in my classes which even I must say is not an easy accomplishment. I am finding that I am really enjoying school and jut wish I had more time to devote to it - I am learning new things!
• Still working away at the hospital...plus I picked up a second small job back in February. I am now also employed by St Joseph home health / hospice working with our comfort care mommies on the outpatient side. So now I get to know them prior to their delivery. It is not a job with many hours and we don't have any current patients (guess that is a good thing in a way), but I am looking forward to helping our next patient work on their birth plan, do education, and provide support during their walk through pregnancy and grief.
• the foot continues to be an issue and Buzz is not working...I will try to post more on this later but just don't have the words yet to say and am not ready to share all that has happened
• Jon turns 26 tomorrow - so hard to believe that I have a son that is an adult of that age. Where did the time go? He is an awesome dad to little Lilly


• speaking of Lilly - she is one now - runs all over and just cracks all of us up. She has quite an independent streak and LOVES animals of all kinds
• Erika has qualified for outdoor nationals in the steeple chase. So we are planning a trip to Missouri to watch her run in late May :) She is still loving Biola and I rarely see her


• Michelle continues to commute to Long Beach State. In fact we bought a second car , named "little car" so that she has a reliable mode to travel in...and I really think it is a fun little car to drive also. She is playing on an intramural soccer team...the only girl on the team but she kicks butt!

I will leave you with a few pictures - since I think they tell a much bigger story than my words....



the lovely Lilly and I:

Lovely Lilly, Giddyup Pony:Erika performing:Michelle going for it: