On motherhood and graduation

Another month, another blog post! A lot has happened this past month. We sold our house, I graduated and my family came out, we all went to Myrtle Beach for a few days, celebrated my second mother's day, we moved to Billings, and Nate started his new job. Wow! Graduation, although a rainy mess, was a great occasion. I was so thankful most of my family and Nate's Dad were able to make it. After graduation, my family and I went down to Myrtle Beach for a few days. Enjoy the pictures!

Graduation Day!

The Meuniers at graduation

The Wingerters at graduation

Sam soaking up some rays

Emma enjoying the beach

Maddie and Emma on the beach

Dad in the ocean

Happy grandparents

The graduation speaker was Barbara Kingsolver and she was great. She is one of my favorite authors. I own most of her books (which are great!) and am excited to read her newest book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. Her speech was mostly about the importance of being good stewards of the environment and being the best "you". Then we had the school of nursing ceremony, which was thankfully inside and dry. The speaker was Diane Mason who is an accomplished nursing leader. She was admittedly a little intense, but her speech was good and spoke about the importance of nurses being on the front lines of changing the way healthcare is delivered in the US. Both speeches made me realize I've always been a "change the world" kind of person. There are so many things I want to get involved in to improve care, especially in the elderly population. I plan on joining and being actively involved in nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association and American Geriatrics Society.
However, I'm very concerned about how to find balance between changing the world and being a good mother and wife. Emma if you're reading this in a few years and feel that Mommy does too much, just touch my arm and smile. Or better yet laugh, your laughter will always bring me back.