Oh How I long....

I love art. I love making trees. It's fun, enjoyable, and cool to know that others are wearing my pieces yet, I want so much more. I want to be a midwife... BUT... it's just not my time. I have 2 young children and plan on having more in the upcoming years. 

I long so badly though, to be with birthing women as their midwife. I have so much love and so much compassion and I just want to pour it out to every pregnant woman I see. I want to make sure she is safe, loved, and cared for. Even if it is something as humble as cleaning up, getting a glass of water, holding a hand...I want so badly to give to women. Love. I believe how a woman feels at her birth can affect her in many ways, I know mine did.

To me a midwife is a guardian of birth. She protects the mother and child and encourages them as they work together. She stays back, low in profile so that the mother can focus but close enough that all her needs can be met. She watches carefully ensuring all is well. Her love is so strong that it radiates through everything. Then at that joyous moment when the new life makes its way earth side she can share in the joy, the success, the victory, all while keeping a close eye...or in that slim chance when things don't always go as planned she can be a trusted rock of comfort in scary situations. Why because of love. 

Could there be a more fulfilling profession?

I think it is impossible to be a good midwife if you can't fully open your heart and love birthing women.

Elephants understand this need. When a female is birthing, they all stand around her, guarding her from harm and occasionally sounding out encouragement. When her work is done they all shout out with love and joy and greet the new life and comfort the mother. Elephants understand the need for love and guardianship. 

I love my children and in no way to I want to rush their growing, but until they are a bit older I'm left to give in other ways, longing for the day that I can serve women and humbly call myself a midwife.

Back in Ohio, Invigorated and Refreshed

Amazing! That is all I can say about my trip to New York.

First thing Patti and I had to look forward to upon arriving was seeing our dear friend Val. She came to Ohio after A.L. was born and took care of us for 10 days so I could focus on getting to know my little one and recuperating. So Lord knows, I was excited to see her! The first thing we enjoyed together was BIRTH! The play. I can hardly begin to describe how wonderful every woman fit her part, taking on the persona of the birthing women as if it was their own stories they were sharing. I laughed, I cried, I related, and felt a connection among all the women who were there. We all shared a passion for birth and a respect for process of giving life.

Photo Courteous of Heather Haywood

It touched my heart. Now all I can think is, how do I get this play to Columbus, Ohio? I've got some figuring out to do, but I will. I met a lot of great women was grateful for my opportunity to vend and finally meet in person one of the ladies who helped me on my journey to VBAC, Chris Goldman.

Overall the play was amazing! I want to thank the ladies who put on the performance,

Danielle Synborski, Aimee Brill, Rosmyn Squitieri, Sarah Oakley, Meghan Wilson, Taylor Davis, Melissa Pavlus, Mandy Brown Walters, Sarah Eiley Cowherd, Meg Tobin, 

Kari Gardner,  and Danan Tsan 

and the few brave hubby's and children who made special appearances.

I also want to thank all the people behind the scenes who made this play a possibility and to all the people who contributed to this awesome event!

The day after the play we decided to relax, and where better than one of the most beautiful places I know? Fillmore Glen. 

Enjoy the pictures...

From there we went for Pizza at my favorite place in Auburn NY, 

Angelo's 17 Inch Delicious Pizza

They make everything homemade, the sauce, the crust, marinaded mushrooms...YUM! Best Pizza in Auburn!

I then went shopping at Maurices with my dear friend Amie, and she finally got to meet my little guy! That night we ate, relaxed, and played Yahtzee. :)

The next day it was time to go home, I was bummed because I felt my time there went way to fast but Patti, A.L. and I, got in one more adventure and stopped at the Montezuma Winery on our way out of town for some tasting. (I highly recommend trying their Diamond, So Good!)

I had such a great time! I was so blessed to see my friends and am thankful for ALL the awesome people I could share this time with.

<3 Cassandra

Get Ready NY, Because Here I Come

This Thursday is the long awaited BIRTH! The Play in Syracuse, NY. I can't begin to express my excitement to be apart of this event! If that was not enough to be excited for, my friend Patti is going with me and we are staying with another friend and taking a mini vacation. Ahhh. If there is one place that I think is absolutely gorgeous, it's the Finger lakes. We're going to go hike in Filmore Glen along the waterfalls, eat an organic, 5 star meal, in the middle of the country at Elderberry Pond, Tour the Montazuma Winery.... While I love Ohio and being so much closer to my family, I can't help but miss the beauty of Central New York.

I have so much to do before the trip, cleaning, packing, getting the boys ready to go camping, making pendents and getting ready to vend. Especially prepping to vend. I have so many abstracts left to make, make all their chains, and package them. I am going to sell both silver and bronze.

I am using a new packaging style for easy vending. Just praying that they do well at the play to help cover the cost of my trip. Maybe the cute infant in the Moby will help attract people over my way. ;)

Speaking of trips, I've got my eye on another place to go at the end of the summer... If I am going to become a midwife someday, where better to go enjoy a weekend then the hub of Spiritual Midwifery... The Farm <3 But I'll go on more about that another day.

<3 Cassandra

There's Gonna Be a Giveaway All!

I have met some awesome people in my journey so far. Amazing women, mothers, and birth workers. One of them being Abbey. Abbey is a local birth worker, who just finished her DONA training! Woo Hoo! Not only is she now a trained DONA international birth doula, but she is also a youtube vlogger. Her channel Babies are Blessings talks about everything from childbirth, to baby wearing and breastfeeding. Its a great Channel, so if you get the chance, check it out and subscribe. ^_^

Anywhoo...Abbey is hosting a giveaway for me via her channel. This Monday, May 28th, she will be posting a video of the rules and how to enter for your chance to win. So watch for that link and check out her vlog!

So to the good part...What am I giving away this time? 3 things actually...

1st place- 

A miniature version of my award winning design? Yes please!

So Dainty, So Elegant...Gorgeous Sterling Silver plated copper make up the handmade frame and creates the twisted tree with branches adorned in peridot. Pendent is about the size of a quarter and hung on a SOLID 925 Sterling Silver chain with marked spring clasp.

Retail Value of $40

2nd Place- a 50% off coupon, and 3rd Place- a 30% off coupon, good to use through Etsy purchases or custom orders. 

Next week, remember to stop by Home Baby Crafts, become a fan and like the photo to win! It will be pinned to the top of the page for easy locating. ;) 

Good Luck!

<3 Cassandra