Make it Happen Mama: How to Student-Parent Like a Boss

Hey Friends!

Head over to Mode where I round up some of my favorite student-parent success strategies. Please pass it along to any student parents that you think could benefit!

xo

Check out Make it Happen Mama: How to Student-Parent Like a Boss
by Jasmine Johnson at Mode

National Infertility Awareness Week #StartAsking

Today is the first day of National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24-30) brought to you by The National Infertility Alliance - Resolve. Did you know that 1 in 8 couples is affected by the disease of infertility? It's time that we start having the tough, yet necessary, conversations about infertility. There is no reason why anyone should feel isolated when they get this life changing diagnosis.

Check out my story on Mode.com highlighting why we should all care about National Infertility Awareness Week! If you know someone affected by infertility, but don't know what to say or do, Resolve has a great article on "Infertility Etiquette" here.

Have a great Sunday and let's all #StartAsking!

Check out National Infertility Awareness Week: Why We Should All Care

by Jasmine Johnson at Mode

On Staying Positive...

Happy Hump Day!

I am in the last two weeks of my REI rotation - which is a 40-hour work-week heaven. This has been one of my favorite rotations of the year, not only because I have been able to be present at home in all the ways that I want to be, but I have learned a TON and really enjoy the day-to-day of REI. 

My next rotation is Nights. I am trying to keep a positive attitude but the truth is I am kind of bummed about not seeing my family for basically four days in a row, for the next four weeks. I keep hearing Isabelle's little voice when I pick her up from school, "Mommy, I waited for you" and "Mommy, I'm so glad you're here." Moments like that make my heart so so full, but also make me want to shed a tear.

I've already started stressing about how Nights turns into SICU (5AM-5PM), and SICU turns into heading back to Wake (24 hour call every 3 days). I know this craziness will eventually pass, but it doesn't make it any easier to get through.

So this is one of those moments when it can be a challenge to stay positive.

One of those seemingly unfair seasons when work time surpasses time with my family.

One of those moments when I have to take my own advice and walk in the faith that has gotten me through this fogginess before.

I've made it my mission to enjoy my last two weeks of 40-hour work-week bliss. I'm so thankful to have had such a great rotation, professionally and personally. I feel so blessed to be doing what I love, no matter how difficult this working mommy life gets.

Thinking about the events of the next four months just seems exhausting so I will just take it one. day. at. a. time. And hug my babies extra tight.

What do you all do to stay positive? How do you deal with those stressful seasons in your life? Would love to hear about it in the comments :-)

Weekend Recap: Wedding Memories

This weekend, Nate and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary!! I cannot believe how the time has flown. Like any marriage, it hasn't always been sunshine and roses, but we have both grown so much in our relationship, and each year is sweeter than the one before. I can't imagine sharing this crazy life with anyone else.

We spent our day lounging around the house {my favorite thing} with the kids. I also had to work on my REI presentation for this week. Later, we had dinner in Durham at our favorite spot - Dame's Chicken and Waffles - which never disappoints.

Putting together this Flipagram of us was so great. It is always fun going back down memory lane...

View on Flipagram

We spent the rest of the night laughing about when we were dating, and looking at pictures and cards from my infamous "Nate the Boyfriend" box. I know....yes, I have a box of sentimental items from our dating days like those cheesy teen movies. I can't help it, I'm a sucker for love stories, ya'll.

Below are some of my favorite photos from our special day: 

April 16, 2010

I tell people we "semi-eloped" because after our more than a year-long engagement, we decided a week before that we were ready and we did it! It was a small ceremony outside on the Canal at sunset attended by our immediate family (minus my little brother in DC at Georgetown) and some of my friends from school. After the ceremony, the Hubby surprised me with a carriage ride around the city and then to our "semi-reception" at Harry & Izzy's downtown. It was one of the most romantic and best days of my life.

We've decided for our 10 year anniversary, we will renew our vows with a BIG party with all of our family and friends. Can't wait! Here's to many, many more happy years...

8 Questions to Ask Your OB/GYN at Your Next Visit

Happy Hump Day!

Below is a post I did for Mode that I wanted to share on the blog. Enjoy!

Check out 8 Questions to Ask Your OB/GYN at Your Next Visit
by Jasmine Johnson at Mode

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday Peeps, 

I don't know about you, but I am exhausted from the weekend. Here are some of my favorite motivational posts from {Pinterest} this week: 

Have a great day!

And This is Happening...

TGIF!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend. My sweet mother-in-law has been in town this week, which has been a great buffer to ease the "back from vacation" blues. I envy all of you peeps who leave near your extended family - CHERISH IT.

We have a lot of big things on the agenda, tomorrow is the hubby's birthday, and Sunday little Nate has football.

Yes. Football. I'm just going to leave this right here.

   

Ya'll, I'm not even ready to be a football mom... And you know this child was disappointed that we only signed him up for flag? :le sigh:

Check out My Podcast on Accepted.com

Hey ya'll!

Last week was super productive for the blog. Not only did have a great time vlogging with Andrea Tooley, but I was interviewed Linda Abraham on the Accepted.com podcast. I've chatting with Accepted before about getting into medical school and applying for residency. 

This time around, I talked a lot about all of those things but also about being a student mom. You may hear a certain 2 year old interrupting making a cameo...

Head over to the website and take a listen (link below). If you know any pre-meds, please forward it their way.

Accepted Podcast 

Lecturio: The Medical Education Tutor at Your Fingertips

I was recently asked to review a new online medical course service called Lecturio.

Lecturio was developed in 2008 and per the website, is composed of: 

"...a passionate, international team of about 80 people with very different backgrounds but one common goal: to simplify and optimize online education and allow all users to reach their full potential. It is our mission to make high-quality online education available to as many people as possible, and spread specialized knowledge around the world." 

Portable, online lectures were so clutch as a mom in medical school. Sometimes you just can't physically be there, but that does not mean that your grades have to suffer. And ALL  students know that sometimes the information just doesn't stick with one lecture, so supplemental information can be critical when it comes to passing the exam.



For a monthly fee, students can watch lectures from experts all over the world in various subjects including (but not limited to) biochemistry, anatomy, statistics, health policy, and MCAT prep. It's like hitting the lottery when it comes to medical curriculum.

In addition to their high-quality lectures, Lecturio seeks to maximize retention of content by pausing at various intervals to quiz you on the topic you are hearing - like a live QBank. For added convenience, you have library access on both Iphone and Android platforms.

Lecturio is on to something, and I am excited to see how their forward thinking takes medical education into the future!

Click the link below to take a look around their site and decide if Lecturio is for you.

Online Lectures with Lecturio

I was not compensated for this post. 

7 Motherhood Hacks that Will Make You Look Like Superwoman

Hey Friends!

I've been working on some new projects for the blog and I am excited to announce that I will be a Content Contributor for Mode in their modern motherhood section called Tend.

Below is a peek at one of my first "stories". Hope you like!

Check out 7 Motherhood Hacks that Will Make You Look Like Superwoman
by Jasmine Johnson at Mode

Motivation Monday Mash-Up

Happy Monday Friends!

Here are some of my favorite motivational posts from {Pinterest} this week! 

Now that you're pumped, go change the world :-)

Second Hand Clothes with a Conscience: My Thred Up Experience

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a new second-hand store by Amazon called Thred Up. Thred Up saves unwanted clothing destined for landfills, and gives it new life. On their site, you will find designer, gently-used, or never worn with the tags {literally, a kids' section is called "new with tags"} women and children's clothing for a fraction of the price.

When I saw these Banana Republic heels, at THIS price, I could not turn it down. Even if the shoes ended up being a total dud, $29 lost wouldn't leave me too heartbroken...

My order arrived within a week and the shoes look like maybe they were worn once, and nobody, besides me and my blog readers (LOL), knows my secret.

Check out Thred Up and get $10 off with your first purchase by using this link!: $10 off at Thred Up!

You can also earn a little cash by submitting your items for cash or consignment. I will let you know how that goes when I try it.

Happy Shopping!

Spring Break: The Logistics Behind a Week at Home

I was feeling down about not being able to make any of my son's end of unit project days this year {scheduled from 8:45-9:45AM during the work week :sigh:}, but thankfully, then came vacation. My heart is so full because I've had a whole week with my babies.

Every year, our residents get four weeks of vacation + one week for Christmas or New Year's. It is cherished time that allows us to be normal - whatever that may be.

We have to request our vacation weeks a year in advance. The schedule has to basically be done by the time the new interns Match so that their schedules and vacations are the only missing pieces.

For the last two years, I have been blessed to get my number one vacation request each time - a vacation week that lines up with little Nate's Spring Break. I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but finding out the unreleased dates of this week a year in advance sometimes requires detective work that would make Olivia Pope proud.

What is my vacation turn up, you ask? It is amazing the joy felt from SLOWLY sipping coffee, in my bed, watching Good Morning America. Sometimes these moments of solitude are short lived because the little people wake up by 8, but I don't mind morning snuggles either. The mornings on vacation are my favorite.

Despite the long term planning, our needs are simple. Our week has been filled with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, bike rides, shopping [mommy's idea], and Carolina sunshine.

Just what this Mama needed.

How do you like to spend your time off? Are you a homebody like me or prefer to be on the go? Share in the comments!