WE'VE BEEN APPROVED!!!!

I just got the email from the adoption agency letting us know that "We have been approved to move forward in the adoption process".  They will be sending us an "acceptance letter" in the mail that will have more information regarding our next steps with them.

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Adoption Interview

This last weekend we had an interview with a staff member from the agency that we are working with. It went SUPER well. The interviewer was super nice and made it a very relaxed experience. He was nice enough to come all the way down to our neighborhood (from Kent) and we met at the Tully's by our house. We started off the interview by just having regular conversations..."How's the family?" "What are you doing this weekend?", etc. Soon after, we got down to business.

He told us up front that he only had three questions for us and here is what he asked ~

1. Why now? Why are you looking into adoption now, at this point in your life?
We told him that we had already started to look into the adoption process after our failed IVF, and due to my lack of patience...we skipped a few steps and dove right into the PRIDE training through the state. It wasn't long after that we found out we were pregnant. Well after Emily's arrival, Craig and I talked about how that desire to adopt has never really left our hearts. So, here we are...moving forward in obedience to this calling that we feel God has given us, to see what doors open up for us.

2. What sort of support system do you have surrounding you?
We told him how close both of our families are to us, and also to each other. Both families are excited for us as we move forward and are ready to help in any way that they can. We told him how much of a support our families were when we were going through infertility treatments. They were there whenever we needed a shoulder to cry on, a friend to talk to, an safe place to vent, etc. We have AMAZING families!
We also shared about the support system we have in place with our church: our couples small group, the infertility group that I co-lead, multiple Pastors who are praying and believing with us, etc. It doesn't get much better than that!!

3. His third question, he said, "This last one isn't really a question. I just want the two of you to go home, talk about this process, and make sure that you are on the same page. After praying together about this, ask yourselves if moving forward is something that you feel called to do and if you are both ready for it. We will be contacting you in 72 hours to check in on you.

And that was pretty much it. We went back to regular conversation after that for a little while and then shook hands and went our separate ways.

I felt really good about the whole interview. There wasn't anything that I wish I would have said differently, however, there were a couple times I had to squeeze Craig's leg under the table...you all know what I mean!! LOL All in all...it was great, and I'm looking forward to see what's in store for us.

THE WAIT POEM

 After our failed IVF, Craig and I wanted to have something in our house that would symbolized our journey through infertility, and more specifically, the loss of our embryo's. When I saw this picture, I immediately fell in love. It is now framed and hanging in our living room. When we first hung it up...it brought tears to my eyes!

Wait
by Russell Kelfer 

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait." 

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. 

"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. 

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." 

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?" 

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

What Would It Be Like?

For some reason, for the last week or so...I have had this reoccurring question playing over and over in my head:
"I wonder what it would be like to be able to get pregnant...when you want to get pregnant?"

I find myself becoming jealous of all of my friends who decide to increase their family, and then the next month they make their announcement. I guess I'm just starting to get frustrated...it's that UNKNOWN that is so hard to deal with. I just have to keep reminding myself: If I knew that I would have ended up with Emily at the end of the four years of "hell" that we had to go through...I would, without of a doubt, do it over and over again. I just need to stay strong and believe that God can and WILL do it again for us. Part of me just wishes that "once" was all we needed to go through...but I can appreciate how much stronger it made me.

Hmm...I can't wait to meet the next addition to our family. What does God have in store for us?

Best 1st Day of School Activity

I have been searching high and low for some basic entry tasks for my middle school science class room. I was (am still) looking for something simple...and more importantly something that was already created for me, and I came across this short video:

I haven't read the book, but my husband has...and he loved it. So, basically...I started class today by showing this short clip and then afterwards, I posted this question on my smartboard: "What is your sentence for THIS YEAR at school?" I told them that it didn't have to be specific to my class. It could be about a different class, a sporting season, their relationship with friends, their relationship with God, etc. I told them to think about what they wanted to others to say about them by the end of this school year. Once they came up with their "sentence" I asked them to come up with at least three steps that they would need to take in order to make their "sentence" a reality.

I must say, I was beyond proud of the sentences that my students turned in:

• She brightened peoples days when they were feeling down.
• She shines Jesus in whatever she does.
• She is the one who cheered people up.
• He helped his classmates succeed in what they do and let them know that they have a friend that will be there for them.
• She was a great person, an awesome friend, a strong woman of God, and I want to be like her.
• He always did his best.
• She lived for God and she was an influence on everyone she met. 
• He was a good friend.

These are just a few examples of what my students turned in. I am so proud of them. Throughout the year, we will be looking back at our "sentences" and asking ourselves the second question from the video: "Am I better today than I was yesterday?"

I thought this was such a fun way to start the school year. Let me know if you use this in your class. I would love to hear some of your student responses as well.

My Summer With Emily...

This summer was definitely one of my favorites...regardless of the poopy scoopy weather. I cannot tell you how much fun I have had with Emily. This was my third summer with her. Her first summer was amazing because she was brand new to us and we were both just in awe of the gift that she had become. Her second summer was amazing because she was learning so many new things...still very dependent on me, yet, at the same time, she was trying to figure things out on her own.

This summer was nothing short of amazing as well. I have been crying for the last couple of days because I will just miss her like crazy...but I know that she will have SO much fun with my friend who has offered to watch her for me while I start another school year.

Craig has been so GREAT this weekend!!! He has gone above and beyond in making sure that I am relaxed and able to enjoy the last few days of summer before going back to work...fancy BBQ's with family, Sunday morning breakfast, dinner out tonight...the works. Tonight, Craig asked me this question: "What were some of your favorite things about this summer?" It didn't take long before I rambled off this long list....

~THE THINGS THAT I LOVED MOST ABOUT THIS SUMMER~ 

• The many walks to the park with Emily

• Our Starbuck treats together...they have enjoyed Emily so much that every now and again, they will give her a free cake-pop

• When Emily reaches out to hold my hand
• When Emily rests her head on my shoulder

• The times when Emily pats my back and ends with a small back rub...just like I do to Emily
• When Emily runs to me saying, "holdu holdu holdu" (Hold You...she says it as though it is one word)
• Her belly laughter
• Playing "Ring Around the Rosie" in the front yard
• Coloring on the front walkway with sidewalk chalk

• Playing "chase" everywhere we go
• Watching her face light up as we go to each animal exhibit at the zoo

• Listening to her read a book to her baby dolls
• Hearing Emily sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. (She just says, "tinkle tinkle" over and over)
• Watching her run out and greet her dad when he comes home from work
• Watching her take care of her baby dolls just as she has been taken care of

• Seeing Emily chase after random kids at the park
• Our morning cuddles on days she used the "I'm Not A Morning Person" card
• Taking Emily on her first camping trip...which she did so well at!!!

• Feeding the ducks together
• Listening to Emily as she pretended to have a phone conversation with each family member and friends
• Giving Emily her first pedicure

Emily,  you continue to bring me joy with each smile...with each hug and kiss...and with the sound of your laughter. I will miss you like crazy when I go back to work!!!

It's Official...I am officially a PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHER!!!

Do you know how long it has taken me to write those words...It's Official??? WOW, so much has been going on this summer it is ridiculous!!! I don't even know where to begin.

 Our Mascot: The Eagle

So, towards the end of the school year I wanted to test the waters in finding a job closer to home. Considering the current economy, it didn't take too long to realize that this really isn't the time to look for a new job...so I put it to rest. I want to say, the week following the end of the school year, my friend informed me that our church's private school is looking for a middle school math and science teacher. I was super excited when she told me because this is the school that I want Emily to attend and, even though Emily has a number of years before starting school, it is SO VERY important to me to be close with her. I just love the idea of teaching at the same school that she would be attending. I love the idea of being able to see and accompany her on each of her "first day's of school". I love the idea of having her come to my classroom at the end of the school day to work on her homework as I finish up grading papers. Everything about this opportunity screams DREAM COME TRUE!!!

I called up the school to let them know that I was interested...and as though they were waiting for my call, they immediately set up an interview with me. Following the first interview with the principal, the process practically took up my entire summer, unfortunately, but I will take this VERY long story and shorten it up.

At my first interview, the principal told me that I was one of his top picks and that he had already chosen me, and two others (out of 11 interviewers), to have a second interview with the headmaster of the school. So, the next week I had my interview with the headmaster...and it was one of those interviews where you were positive it had to of gone better than I thought it did, because I really didn't feel confident about the interview once it was over. Sure enough, however, I received a call from the headmaster, by the end of that week, asking if I was interested in a different position: the 7th/8th grade science teacher. I was THRILLED!!! I LOVE teaching science! Now, it wasn't an official job offer, just an idea that the headmaster had and needed to run by the principal.

Still trying to cut this long story down...August rolls around, and I haven't heard anything. Wondering whether I have a job with them or if I'm staying at my current school, I decided to call them up. They called me back the next day...still with no "official" answers. They told me that their enrollment was down, and they want to, and WILL be offering me a job, they just weren't sure what my schedule would be.

Fast forward another week...and FINALLY I was made an offer!!! They wanted to offer me the 7th/8th grade science position AS WELL as wanting me to play a lead role in their new Math and Science Institute (MSI). I was honored...and a bit nervous as to what that job description entailed. Craig and I were both hugely a bit concerned with the pay cut, knowing that private school teacher's pay drops down significantly from a public school teacher's pay. Fortunately, the school made it a point not to drop my pay too much in hopes that I would accept their offer. YES!!! YES!!! I'LL TAKE IT!!!!

Now, all of that to say...that this job TERRIFIES me!!! I no longer have the job security that I had at the public school. I am terrified that my science knowledge is not at the level that they are expecting! I'm terrified that this lead role in their MSI is too much for me to tackle. I'm terrified that the economy is going down...which could play a huge role on the enrollment, and ultimately my job.

I just need to cast my worries on THE ONE that is in control of all things. I truly feel that this is a new calling on my life...to teach in the private school. And, ultimately, if it is only for a season...I know that God will continue to guide me in the right direction. Craig and I have already been talking about possibly taking a year and teach abroad. How fun would that be???

Well, there you have it...like I said, IT'S OFFICIAL!!! I am excited and terrified, but I am up for the challenge!!!

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