Becoming a Parent Coach

So the other day I posted on my Facebook status that I got into the Parent Coaching Institute. Yahoo! I thought that maybe I'd explain it a little further....

I won't be a therapist. Let me just put that out there. The term "coach" is getting to be more and more popular. Basically I will be working with parents on many different struggles to find solutions that work for their family. It can range from "new baby" to "sibling rivalry" to "parents staying together". It can be some heavy duty family relationship issues that I can be dealing with, to more simple things such as a parent wanting to know child development. I will also be doing more parent focused trainings. Positive discipline,  appropriate play activities and budgeting to name a few.

I am totally excited about this. The great thing is that I will also be earning 32 graduate level credits! To sum that up, I'll have a year of my masters degree completed. Yahoo! My credits are issued through Seattle Pacific University, which is fabulous. They have an incredible Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. Though, I won't finish my degree there, most likely.

The Parent Coaching Institute is a non profit agency that issues a coaching certificate. I have been in contact with a local parent coach that has gone through this training and has been mentoring me as I've started researching this option.

So, as I return to school it brings on all sorts of emotions. I'm excited, scared and already feeling stressed! I am so happy that the cost of the school is thousands less than going full on for my masters degree. This is something I know God will bless and that He's calling me to do. If any of you would like to financially contribute, that is always welcome. The school costs $5,000 and every quarter I have to pay $360 to register for my graduate level credits. Anything is welcome, and most of prayer! This will be tough working full time, being a mom and wife and going to school full time... BUT! I know I can do it!

A Gift for Konor *DEEP THOUGHTS WARNING*

I have had some time to sit and reflect a little bit today. I've mostly reflected on what my goals are for my family. Kris and I are really great and making goals together, but what personally do I want for my family? It's mostly a gift for my son.

I want to give Konor a happy, stress free childhood. I speak to a lot of parents that are transitioning constantly with their young children, or are living on all sorts of assistance and can't afford little things for their own children. I don't mean that Konor NEEDS tons of brand new toys or clothes. I'm not far above buying used or getting hand me downs. What I want for Konor is space to explore in his home and attend the same school growing up. I want to take him around Alaska, around the States, around the world! I want to be able to give him experiences that he can cherish.

Beyond things, I want Konor to grow up in a church we love. I adore our church here in Anchorage. It's home. The pastoral staff is fabulous, the people are fabulous, I just love it. I want Konor to have friends there and grow up with these little guys and girls. The way I did. My best friends, are the same friends I've had since I was very young. I want Konor to have lasting, strong relationships with others. I want him to have close friends that will help him stay accountable to God. I want Konor to know and love God.

That seems somewhat heavy on a calm Sunday afternoon, but it's so important to me. I have the most supportive and loving husband that will do anything to give Konor and I a happy, worry free life. I praise Jesus everyday that he gave me such a hard working husband. We both work hard to afford the life we have. We are learning everyday about choices we make effecting the future. We know what we want and thankfully we are on the same page! We both work for promising companies and we come home committed to family time. When I realize what I want to give my family, my son, and I realize I have to wait and be patient it makes me so sad. I am very much a "want it hear and now" type of lady, and I struggle with being patient. God is working on my big time in this area. Perhaps that's why my heart is heavy with this today.


Konor deserves a happy, worry free childhood.

Hawaii Pictures

Happy Boy!

Our son is ONE!

For me.

First time sliding... He loved it. Obviously.

Giraffes in love

Can you see the Pearl Harbor memorial??? Squint, it's there.

WWII, Pearl Harbor Vet

Yes, he napped like that! WHEW!

My beautiful baby

Eating a french fry covered in sand!

When we came home, Kris' mom decorated for Konor's Birthday!

Such a FUN trip!

He Walks!

So the holidays were crazy busy which pushed back when I could blog again. I'll post a special "Holiday Special" blog later. I don't have the pictures on my laptop, which I'm currently on.

So after the holidays we went to Hawaii (again, another blog) and he turned 1!!! I can't believe that! But we came home and just this week he started walking.

He has this very cute wobble walk. He defaults to crawling a lot still, but he takes a good 6 steps if not more now. It's so fun! What I am very blessed about is that he waited until he was home! I saw the first steps! It was February 1st and he took four steps, then I stood him up again and it was six whole steps to me!!! Ever sense then it's been more and more. He seems to be getting more confident every day.

Kris' work schedule changed, which is secretly a blessing. He is able to take Konor to school and spend more of the day with him on Fridays. They really need that time together. I soak up every minute I have with Konor. I still hope for a way to be home with Konor, but a part of me doesn't think that will happen until when (and if!) we have a 2nd baby.

Well, anyways I wanted to write a quick blog that he walks! I'll write some back blogs soon about the holidays, hawaii and his first birthday.

Cheers!