Spousal Abuse
Abuse - such a tragedy to have happen in any family. Abuse can be loud and obvious through physical harm or it can just as easily quiet and insidious through emotional mistreatment. In every way it tears families apart, leaving everyone broken and hurt.

A mother in one of my groups is in such a relationship, pregnant with her second child. Her love for her husband and son are so strong, yet she is being torn apart emotionally. Her spouse has a terrible temper and she is often the brunt... though not physically. She is always left emotionally devastated after every rage, feeling worthless, believing every word. Ultimately her spouse will come bearing gifts, a show of love for her, the only way her spouse knows how.

Family counseling is not an option, refused outright by her spouse. How can this be anything but her fault? The blame is placed on mistrust from past relationships. The result is control of her every move, who she sees and what she does. How incredibly sad to see the toll it places on this young woman as she struggles to be a mother and loving partner, who is now turning her emotions inwards, affecting her sleep and health.

This leaves the women in our group, the only ones she feels comfortable sharing her difficult secret with, to support her. Pray she receives the guidance and strength to do what she needs to do for her health and safety.

Organization
You know that illusive dream, always just barely out of reach of your grasping fingers stretching out longingly? However close I am to the dream of organization, I never fully realize it because as soon as I have one part of my life organized, the other parts seem to slip quietly in to near chaos.

This week we are preparing for a wonderful birthday celebration for our two youngest as their birthdays are but two weeks apart. Pinata's to make, house and yard to prepare, food to make and decorations to hang... and exciting adventure yet not without anxiety as the week is short and the list is long.

Meanwhile the ever slowly developing accreditation program I am continually working on and the books I am ever so close to finishing sit quietly in the background, sliding behind schedule. I think I will burn the midnight oil tonight to get those off my desk so that I can better focus on the birthday fun. ¡Cumpleaños Felices!

Changes
This past year has been very interesting with our moving to a new community and the growth that brings in learning about it and the people within. Moving also brings with it changes of many sorts and every change brings with it new stress and challenges. I absolutely love our new city and the people here, we have found a true home that I loathe to move from. Yet with this new community emerges new responsibilities and with every move a refocusing on priorities.

When I moved to Lloydminster, my priorities were to focus on family and my catalogue, shifting away from doula support and training for a short while. Yet I was pulled reluctantly away by an ambitious doula who sought me out. I wish I would have stayed focused on my priorites, instead I learned difficult lessons about trust and friendship. Now my priorities are on family and training, which has been going so well. Our school year is winding to a close and it has been an exciting one of learning with new talents emerging in each child. My workshop last weekend affirmed my priorities were well-focused and I truly love what I do.

Change is good.