Surprise For Me!!

On the morning of December 16, it was snowing like crazy. My drive to work is usually a 30 minute commute with no traffic. This particular morning it took me over an hour to get to work. My day was supposed to start at 8 am. This day I got there at 8:30. I immediately took the kiddos to school on the bus. When I finally got back to school, I was ready to just sit back and relax. The teacher that I worked with, Heather, was asking me if I needed to go into the kitchen for anything. "Nope, I'm good." Usually I would be in the kitchen fixing my oatmeal for breakfast, but that day I changed it up and fixed breakfast at home. After another 10 minutes, Heather asked me to help her in the kitchen with a snack that we were going to make as an activity for the kids. "Sure! Let's go."  When I walked into the kitchen, this is what I saw:

Yummy food!

Look at this cake!

That's when Heather said to me "This is a surprise baby shower for you!"


I couldn't believe it. I started bawling (fortunately there's no pictures of that). I was overwhelmed. My director was crying. My assistant director was crying. It was great! I think in that moment, it started feeling real. I am actually going to be a mom. And it's going to happen in the next couple of months.


After I made my rounds to all the classrooms to tell everyone Thanks, I finally settled back into my classroom with my kids. A few minutes later, Heather, the owner of the School, my Assistant Director, and the Administrative Assistant all came walking in...oh boy! They handed me this card and watched me open it.

Every single one of my coworkers signed it.

And these are what fell out of it when I opened it!

So it stands to reason that I started crying all over again. All week I had prepared myself for keeping it together on my last day. Here I was, the day before my last day, just bawling. It hit me then...how much I enjoyed my job, how much I was going to miss everyone, how blessed I felt. It was truly a great day!

When I got home that evening this is what was sitting on our front porch:

A gift from AGCI (journal & announcement card). We also received our travel packet for when we go to Ethiopia in January.  How cute is this stuffed animal? And it's so soft!

Next Step....Court Date

I've have been meaning to fill everyone in on the latest updates that we've received DAYS ago to no avail. My work week is just so busy and then when the weekend rolls around I'm busy playing "catch-up"! Here goes:

November 22: Brandi informed me that she had received our referral packet in the mail (We mailed it out on 11/19!) She is still waiting for the paperwork from our social worker to arrive.

November 23: I had my "Next Steps" call with Brandi. I was taking notes like crazy. On that call we learned about what paperwork needed to be turned in to the courts in order for a court date to be set. We also talked about the travel itineraries and were given some "assignments" to keep us busy. One of our assignments is to put together a photo album for Baby E to be taken with us on the 1st trip. We will have to put together an album for the birth family as well, also to be taken on the 1st trip. I think I'm going to do that in the form of an actual photo book. My creative juices are starting to flow. The last thing we have to do is write a letter to the birth family. Oh My! I already know that's going to be difficult.

November 30: Brandi called. It just so happened that I had just dropped off one of my kiddos at afternoon Kindergarten. I was back in the classroom settling back in when I felt my phone buzz. When I looked at it and saw "AGCI Brandi" I jumped up and told my co-worker "I gotta get this!" I ran out of the room, past the front office and down the hallway to the break room. We were just chatting away. I was expecting her to tell me that she received the paperwork from my social worker...NOPE!

B: I have a court date for you.
Me: WHAT!!?? Oh my God...Are you serious?? (slight squealing going on)
B: (Laughing at me) I'm sure she gets a kick out of my sound effects.

*Our court date is February 1, 2011*

Right after Brandi told me what our court date is, I started freaking out: "Oh my God we're going to be there for her birthday are we going to be there for her birthday that would be so great if we could be there for her birthday! (breath) Okay, I'll be quiet now so you can actually tell me what I need to know."
B: (Laughing at me again)

Unfortunately we can't stay until her birthday which is February 4th. How I so wanted to be able to celebrate her 1st birthday there with her. Oh well..we'll be there close enough.

After I hung up with Brandi, I immediately called John.  Then.. I think I started skipping down the hallway towards the office. I started squealing again, telling my supervisors about the court date. I literally started jumping like a rabbit from the office back to my classroom. I was totally high for the rest of the day.

December 4: I think I have all the pics that I want to put in the baby's photo book. I've chosen a few for the birth family but will work more on that next weekend.

Can you believe I haven't gotten our travel itinerary yet?

Thanksgiving in Review

This past Thanksgiving it was nice and quiet. My 3-day work week was extrememly busy so I was very glad to be able to decompress on Thanksgiving Day. John worked his regular shift and then worked his overnight part-time job. I did absolutely no cooking!! We ordered a Farmhouse Feast from Bob Evans and I only spent a couple of hours heating everyting up. Unfortunately I wasn't able to even enjoy it that evening because of an upset stomach. It only lasted until Friday evening.

My coworker said something to me the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that just made me smile. She said "This is the last Thanksgiving without your baby." She's absolutely right. That's why it was okay that John and I didn't spend a lot of time together that day. We see the bigger picture and that picture includes Baby E. in it.


Here is a recap of everything that I've been thankful for for the month of November:


1: I am thankful to come home to a roof over my head and food in the cupboards.


2: I am thankful that I can hear my alarm clock in the morning, hear my granddaughter ring the door bell when she gets dropped off every morning, & listen to my praise music on the way to work.


3: I'm thankful that I can put one foot in front of the other without the aid of a crutch, cane, walker or wheelchair...and without any pain!


4: I'm thankful that after 7 years of marriage, my husband and I still enjoy each other's company and can make each other laugh.


5: I'm thankful for the great ladies that I work with at G School. Everyday that put forth their best. I want you to know that your hard work is greatly appreciated!


6: I'm thankful that while I'm sleeping I am being looked after, protected and kept safe by my Heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus!


7: I am thankful to all of my wonderful family and friends who have given us love, support and encouragement throughout our adoption journey.


8: I am thankful that all day, every day, at any time of the day, there is clean, clear water in my home (cold or hot).


9: I am thankful that drama and chaos DO NOT rule my day. An uneventful day is a good day!


10: I am thankful that I was able to fill up my SUV tank (from E to F) for $6.50!! Yahoo!! Thank you Fuelperks :-)


11: I'm thankful for my Grandfather, son-in-law, husband and the thousands of other men & women who risked their life for this country. Without them I might still need permission and papers to go about on my own. I'm thankful that I can walk into a store through the front door, go wherever I want to go, and sit in a restaurant with my husband and have a good meal. Thank you Veterans!!


12: I'm thankful that I am granted traveling mercies everytime I get in my G school bus to take the kiddos to and from school.

13: I am thankful for quiet days filled with relaxation :-)


14:  I am thankful that we RECEIVED OUR ADOPTION REFERRAL!!


15: I am thankful for all the hugs that I get everyday from all my kiddos, in my classroom and the other classrooms. Those squeezes make my day :-)


16: I am thankful that my car starts every time I turn the key in the ingition.


17: I am thankful for my neighbor, Lisa. She has been the one who has notarized ALL of our adoption paperwork from Day 1! After a 10-12 hour workday, she would come over in the evening with a smile on her face and sign/stamp whatever, even if it was just one piece of paper. She's truly a blessing...thanks Lisa! :-)


18: I'm thankful that even though I'm congested, sneezing, coughing, and achy, God is restoring my health to 100%.


19: I'm thankful for being with my husband exactly 9 years today.. Anniversary of first kiss and getting engaged on this date. He's the best...Love you babe! :-)

10 months old

Today our Baby E. is 10 months old. It puts a smile on my face to wonder how she's doing, how much bigger she's gotten since the referral pictures.

We're thinking about you Baby. You're in our prayers. We can't wait to meet you sweetheart :-)