Every once and a while, R will wake up screaming and run down the hall as fast as she can to our room. She's completely terrified. She always says she hears a noise. Each time, I can find nothing that is the source of the noise and have chalked it up to having a nightmare or something.
Last night we were doing the typical bedtime routine of my staying in her room with her for 2 songs. (We play music for the girls until we go to bed. I try to limit it to 2 songs, but usually she can get me to stay for 3. Anyway, I digress...) The baby monitor/night light made a "feedback" sound, not once but twice while I was in the room. It's never done that before while I was in the room, and the second time, I asked her if that was the sound she hears sometimes in the middle of the night.
The look on her face told me it was. As much as my little girl's face can go white, it did. Poor baby! It is a freaky sound, and I can imagine that if one is two years old and hears it in the night that it would be really scary.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Year
A year ago, I was totally stressing out. We'd completed everything for our dossier and homestudy and were only waiting on child abuse checks from our state to clear to get on the waiting list for our daughter.
I just remember the overwhelming stress of wanting to be on the waiting list, wanting to have some control, and wanting to feel like everything was going to be ok. We honestly didn't think we'd get a referral until March or April 2010 and travel to bring our girl home at the end of this school year. A year ago today we were allowed to mail our dossier to our case manager for review. I remember that I had so much anxiety about it that I could hardly function. I don't really know why. It was our second time around, and we'd been so meticulous about everything.
What a difference a year makes. Our sweet E has been home over 4 months! That in and of itself is a true and absolute miracle. And she's amazing, just like her sister. I have a different job and am interviewing for another one in 2 days. We've been to Ethiopia again, and again, our lives are changed forever. We have two children who are a lot closer in age than we thought they'd be, and now I am starting to forget what it was like to only have one child in the house.
This morning, when the girls were having breakfast, R was saying something about how she doesn't like it when her sister cries. "When E cry, I cry. Make me sad, Mom," she said. My girls have grown to love and care for each other over these 4 months.
I'm not saying that everything has just worked out perfectly since E's homecoming. We've had to become a family and overcome illness, learning to balance the needs of two children, depression, and sadness in these four months. But we've come through a lot of that. E's sickness is gone, the balancing gets easier daily, the depression is starting to go away with some medication, and sadness is starting to fade.
Adoption is awesome and wonderful, but it is hard and born from loss.
Even still, I look ahead to our next adoption in a few years with excitement, joy, and determination to bring our next child(ren) home!
I just remember the overwhelming stress of wanting to be on the waiting list, wanting to have some control, and wanting to feel like everything was going to be ok. We honestly didn't think we'd get a referral until March or April 2010 and travel to bring our girl home at the end of this school year. A year ago today we were allowed to mail our dossier to our case manager for review. I remember that I had so much anxiety about it that I could hardly function. I don't really know why. It was our second time around, and we'd been so meticulous about everything.
What a difference a year makes. Our sweet E has been home over 4 months! That in and of itself is a true and absolute miracle. And she's amazing, just like her sister. I have a different job and am interviewing for another one in 2 days. We've been to Ethiopia again, and again, our lives are changed forever. We have two children who are a lot closer in age than we thought they'd be, and now I am starting to forget what it was like to only have one child in the house.
This morning, when the girls were having breakfast, R was saying something about how she doesn't like it when her sister cries. "When E cry, I cry. Make me sad, Mom," she said. My girls have grown to love and care for each other over these 4 months.
I'm not saying that everything has just worked out perfectly since E's homecoming. We've had to become a family and overcome illness, learning to balance the needs of two children, depression, and sadness in these four months. But we've come through a lot of that. E's sickness is gone, the balancing gets easier daily, the depression is starting to go away with some medication, and sadness is starting to fade.
Adoption is awesome and wonderful, but it is hard and born from loss.
Even still, I look ahead to our next adoption in a few years with excitement, joy, and determination to bring our next child(ren) home!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Pet Peeves and Job Update
I'm, umm, particular about language. I'm not going to necessarily go around correcting everyone, but let's face it. I'm an English teacher by trade and for quite a while, I was paid to grade/correct my students' writing. I love the English language and the art of speaking and writing it.
With that said, here are two language things that drive me INSANE:
1. Pronouncing the word "important" as "in-poor-dant." I heard it pronounced that way in a commercial on the radio as I drove to work this morning.
2. Pronouncing the word "laptop" as "lab-top." Many students in my district say it that way. Heck, even a teacher who was born and raised in this district says it that way.
On the job front, I have an interview next Thursday for that position I posted about several weeks ago. It seems like "they" already have their pick, and it is not me. Honestly, though, I think that's ok. I'm fine with being a coach (it's amazing how much nicer work is now that my child isn't 7,000+ miles away from me; more on that some other post), and this other position in the curriculum office would be an 11 month contract instead of a 9 month one. While this has some advantages, it is a big sticking point for me. I don't know if I want to give up that much time with my girls for the sake of a job.
On the other hand, more months working would mean more income, which would mean more money saved for our next adoption!
Thoughts, y'all? On pet peeves or the job?
Cute pictures of the girls will be posted soon. I know that's why most of you visit the blog anyway, right!?!
With that said, here are two language things that drive me INSANE:
1. Pronouncing the word "important" as "in-poor-dant." I heard it pronounced that way in a commercial on the radio as I drove to work this morning.
2. Pronouncing the word "laptop" as "lab-top." Many students in my district say it that way. Heck, even a teacher who was born and raised in this district says it that way.
On the job front, I have an interview next Thursday for that position I posted about several weeks ago. It seems like "they" already have their pick, and it is not me. Honestly, though, I think that's ok. I'm fine with being a coach (it's amazing how much nicer work is now that my child isn't 7,000+ miles away from me; more on that some other post), and this other position in the curriculum office would be an 11 month contract instead of a 9 month one. While this has some advantages, it is a big sticking point for me. I don't know if I want to give up that much time with my girls for the sake of a job.
On the other hand, more months working would mean more income, which would mean more money saved for our next adoption!
Thoughts, y'all? On pet peeves or the job?
Cute pictures of the girls will be posted soon. I know that's why most of you visit the blog anyway, right!?!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
International Adoption
I've adopted two children internationally, and although life isn't always sunshine and roses, that doesn't mean it hasn't been successful.
My two girls, R and E, are the light of my life. We have been so blessed by their being added to our family. I cannot imagine our lives without them.
I have thought a lot about this situation with the child sent back to Russia. I don't know the specifics of the circumstances that caused the family to "return" him to Russia. Regardless of what they were, it is heart breaking. And now I see that Russia has closed their doors to Americans adopting from their country. I hate that the completely wrong actions of one family are responsible for this.
Today I read that bloggers are supposed to post about their adoptions. I adore my daughters, adore their birth country, and adore being an adoptive momma.
I'm here tonight to say to whoever is reading this, international adoption works. It works for our family and countless others.
My two girls, R and E, are the light of my life. We have been so blessed by their being added to our family. I cannot imagine our lives without them.
I have thought a lot about this situation with the child sent back to Russia. I don't know the specifics of the circumstances that caused the family to "return" him to Russia. Regardless of what they were, it is heart breaking. And now I see that Russia has closed their doors to Americans adopting from their country. I hate that the completely wrong actions of one family are responsible for this.
Today I read that bloggers are supposed to post about their adoptions. I adore my daughters, adore their birth country, and adore being an adoptive momma.
I'm here tonight to say to whoever is reading this, international adoption works. It works for our family and countless others.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Why is it always at Panera?...
... that I seem to get comments about my kids? Last night, after I picked up R and E at my friend M's house, we met my parents in M's town at Panera for dinner. They've been gone for 2 weeks, and the girls have missed them so much (and vice versa).
We got there fairly early, like around 4:45, which is good, as the place isn't too crowded yet. We get our meal and begin to eat.
A woman comes and sits behind us and opens up a laptop. She starts talking to us and the girls. I can tell she's curious about them big time. Throughout our meal she keeps talking to the girls, my parents, and me.
While R and my mom are in the restroom, my dad mentions something about Ethiopia and how big E is compared to just a few short months ago when we met.
The woman perks up again and starts asking about the girls, like when they came home, etc. She says it looks like they're adjusting well. I say that yes they are for the most part.
She pauses and says, "This may seem nosey, but why was she (E) taken from her birthmother?"
Ok. Umm, yeah, big time nosey.
I said something like, "she wasn't taken from her birthmother. She was relinquished by her birthmother."
(There is a big difference, I am thinking.)
And I say nothing more.
I read somewhere (I think maybe on another blog) about 6 months or a year ago the following:
"Children who are adopted do not owe you their life stories."
That's all I could think about last night as this woman asked a very personal and private question about my daughter's background.
Lady, many of my friends and a lot of my family don't know the full story of my daughter's life. (Heck, I don't even know it all.) What makes you think I'm going to tell you, a complete stranger?
I know this woman probably meant no harm and wasn't thinking when she asked the question, but it is not fair to expect that just because a child is adopted that we need to share (what can be painful) stories of how she came to her family with complete strangers.
We got there fairly early, like around 4:45, which is good, as the place isn't too crowded yet. We get our meal and begin to eat.
A woman comes and sits behind us and opens up a laptop. She starts talking to us and the girls. I can tell she's curious about them big time. Throughout our meal she keeps talking to the girls, my parents, and me.
While R and my mom are in the restroom, my dad mentions something about Ethiopia and how big E is compared to just a few short months ago when we met.
The woman perks up again and starts asking about the girls, like when they came home, etc. She says it looks like they're adjusting well. I say that yes they are for the most part.
She pauses and says, "This may seem nosey, but why was she (E) taken from her birthmother?"
Ok. Umm, yeah, big time nosey.
I said something like, "she wasn't taken from her birthmother. She was relinquished by her birthmother."
(There is a big difference, I am thinking.)
And I say nothing more.
I read somewhere (I think maybe on another blog) about 6 months or a year ago the following:
"Children who are adopted do not owe you their life stories."
That's all I could think about last night as this woman asked a very personal and private question about my daughter's background.
Lady, many of my friends and a lot of my family don't know the full story of my daughter's life. (Heck, I don't even know it all.) What makes you think I'm going to tell you, a complete stranger?
I know this woman probably meant no harm and wasn't thinking when she asked the question, but it is not fair to expect that just because a child is adopted that we need to share (what can be painful) stories of how she came to her family with complete strangers.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Kids
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Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself what an absolute miracle it is that I am the mother of two beautiful children.
Like for example, when R tries to unlock the front door and run out of the house without permission and then has a meltdown when I don't allow her to do so and put her in timeout.
Or when E, while sleeping, pees out her diaper all over my shirt and jeans while I'm stuck talking to our very nice but very chatty and oblivious neighbor.
Umm, awesome.
And then, I think about how much my heart longed to be a mother. And how much my heart ached to hold them tight when they were in Ethiopia and we were waiting. I think about the miracle of two small girls, born in Ethiopia to two other woman, now my daughters and greatest gifts.
I sometimes get really frustrated with R. She's stubborn, and so am I. When this happens lately, I stop what we're doing, and I say, "R, how old are you?" And she says, "Twwwwoooo!" in the cutest voice I've ever heard.
Or, I look up from clearing the table and my E smiles her silly girl smile and says, "Cheese!" I forgive her for dropping her full cup of water on my broken toe. (Oh, yeah, I broke my toe falling down the stairs on Easter morning.)
I'm a mom. I'm nothing great and have done nothing special. I'm just trying to do the best I can for them. Sometimes, I get impatient, sometimes I yell, and sometimes I just want to cry, too.
But at the end of day, when I am putting them to bed, I tell them over and over again that I love them, that I'm so happy that their daddy and I adopted them, that they are beautiful and amazing and sweet and funny little girls.
And I know that despite my flaws, I was meant to be their mom. In that, I find comfort.+055.jpg)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Uncanny
Does the little girl on the cover of this book remind you of anyone? (Hint, see the little curly-headed princess in the banner above...)
Anyway, my husband recently brought this book home for R. He said, "I bought a book for R today, and it is uncanny." What a weird way to describe a children's book, right? At least that's what I thought.
Until I looked it.
Anyway, my husband recently brought this book home for R. He said, "I bought a book for R today, and it is uncanny." What a weird way to describe a children's book, right? At least that's what I thought. Until I looked it.
Umm, did they model this book off my child without my knowing it? Impossible, as it is has been out since 2002 or 2003... But it sure does look like my "big" girl, and it even has a page with a drawing of two sweet babies that looks like it could have been taking place in my living room.
Anyway, it is hard to find picture books with black children as main characters. If you don't have this one already you should go out and get it. It's one of R's favorites right now and not just because the main character looks so much like her!
What books do you have that you think are great for you, your children, or both?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Love, Simply Put
(See the post below for a few pictures from Easter if you haven't already!)
Today, we had a break through at our house. My R, during lunch, looked at her sister, puckered her lips, and made an "mmmm" sound at her sister.
I realized that she was trying to give her sister a kiss. I pushed their chairs closer together, and my babies gave each other 2 kisses.
Beautiful.
This may seem like no big deal, but it is a huge thing, really. Just 3 months ago, when E first came home, R would have never done this. Heck, she wouldn't have done this even 3 weeks ago.
Also today, A and I were watching the girls play together. (They were "making soup." Adorable.) A said to me, "Can you imagine life without E?"
"No, I can't."
"Can you imagine if we would have waited a few years to adopt again?"
"No," I said, "good call on starting our adoption when we did."
"Good call," he said, "on adopting two girls."
I told him that I knew they would need each other. And they do.
People (especially in the adoption world for whatever reason) have questioned why we decided to adopt 2 girls instead of a girl and a boy. I have two brothers and my entire life, wanted a sister. I thought it would be important for our girls to have same-gender siblings. They are going have experiences no one else in our family will have, being Ethiopian, adopted, and in a transracial family. I know there were many times as a kid and teenager, I wished I had a sister to talk to and wanted that for my girls. Hence, two Ethiopian princesses instead of a princess and a prince. (For now. We're not finished!)
I love that my girls have each other. They are only 15 months apart, and I think this is going to be a very good thing. When we received our referral for E, I must admit that I was concerned that R wasn't even 2 yet and that E was already 8 months. When we started this process, we'd "planned" (like you can plan in adoption--haha) for our girls to be about 2 years apart in age.
It is hard, sometimes, very hard to have a 1- and 2-year-old, but I already see the benefits of their being so close in age.
I love that my "big girl baby" and my husband are so in love with our "little girl baby."
I love how A and I chose to build our family.
Today, we had a break through at our house. My R, during lunch, looked at her sister, puckered her lips, and made an "mmmm" sound at her sister.
I realized that she was trying to give her sister a kiss. I pushed their chairs closer together, and my babies gave each other 2 kisses.
Beautiful.
This may seem like no big deal, but it is a huge thing, really. Just 3 months ago, when E first came home, R would have never done this. Heck, she wouldn't have done this even 3 weeks ago.
Also today, A and I were watching the girls play together. (They were "making soup." Adorable.) A said to me, "Can you imagine life without E?"
"No, I can't."
"Can you imagine if we would have waited a few years to adopt again?"
"No," I said, "good call on starting our adoption when we did."
"Good call," he said, "on adopting two girls."
I told him that I knew they would need each other. And they do.
People (especially in the adoption world for whatever reason) have questioned why we decided to adopt 2 girls instead of a girl and a boy. I have two brothers and my entire life, wanted a sister. I thought it would be important for our girls to have same-gender siblings. They are going have experiences no one else in our family will have, being Ethiopian, adopted, and in a transracial family. I know there were many times as a kid and teenager, I wished I had a sister to talk to and wanted that for my girls. Hence, two Ethiopian princesses instead of a princess and a prince. (For now. We're not finished!)
I love that my girls have each other. They are only 15 months apart, and I think this is going to be a very good thing. When we received our referral for E, I must admit that I was concerned that R wasn't even 2 yet and that E was already 8 months. When we started this process, we'd "planned" (like you can plan in adoption--haha) for our girls to be about 2 years apart in age.
It is hard, sometimes, very hard to have a 1- and 2-year-old, but I already see the benefits of their being so close in age.
I love that my "big girl baby" and my husband are so in love with our "little girl baby."
I love how A and I chose to build our family.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter!
Today is our first major holiday with E home. Easter was also our first holiday with R home (only 2 years ago!), so it is extra special.
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I love this picture of my beautiful little girl playing my grandfather's piano, which is now at my uncle's house.
And my E. Isn't she precious? (She walked 4 steps today! I can't believe how big she's getting.)
The whole family... not the best of the girls, but that's ok.+034.jpg)
Monday, March 29, 2010
I really hate not having answers...
...for E about her past and story.
Today, I opened the front of my planner, which still has the hastily-written notes I scribbled as we got the call with our referral for E. On it, it said something about the region she was born in-- Kembata-- and the village-- Doyodena. Although I was at work, I stopped what I working on and began again to fruitlessly search for information about where my child was born.
Until today, I'd been able to find NOTHING about the village. Then, in searching for some information about Kembata, I found the name of a village...
Doyogena or Doyo Gena.
It clicked. It is in the Kembata region, and I've heard from others that sometimes there are misspellings. Of course there are. Maybe even a typo as someone put the information into a referral document.
I know it's not much. But it is something. Something I can share with my daughter about her past, family, and first 8 months of her life. And maybe it is a beginning for me to be able to find more.
Without publicly sharing my daughter's personal story, it is obvious that E was older when we got her referral and when she came home. She was 8 months old the day we were matched with her. For those first 8 months, she lived in Doyogena. I know a little (and by that I mean next to nothing) about her birthfamily and was blessed with pictures of her and her birthmother on a CD we received in Ethiopia.
But that's it.
It is so different than with R. With her, I know where she was born. I know where her birthmother's family is from (Gondor). I saw with my own eyes where she lived for the first few weeks of her life before coming to my agency's home and becoming our daughter. I even know which crib, which room, etc. And, we met her birthmother. There are holes in R's story, but these holes and gaps do not compare to the ones in E's.
I struggle with not knowing more. I struggle with what I will tell my daughter some day when she wants to know details of her story I can't tell her. It is hard to describe how it feels to not even know the accurate name of the place where your child was born or be able to pick it out with certainty on a map.
To know little to nothing about her time there breaks my heart. It makes me feel restless, and it makes me feel guilty. Don't I owe it to her to find the answers? I think so.
My sweet, precious E. She is just a tiny little girl now, but some day, she'll be 8 or 12 or 20 or 33 and want to know more.
I know that loss and heart ache come with adoption. I felt it with R's adoption (and still do in many ways), but it did not prepare me for what I feel when it comes to huge void in E's story.
Today, I opened the front of my planner, which still has the hastily-written notes I scribbled as we got the call with our referral for E. On it, it said something about the region she was born in-- Kembata-- and the village-- Doyodena. Although I was at work, I stopped what I working on and began again to fruitlessly search for information about where my child was born.
Until today, I'd been able to find NOTHING about the village. Then, in searching for some information about Kembata, I found the name of a village...
Doyogena or Doyo Gena.
It clicked. It is in the Kembata region, and I've heard from others that sometimes there are misspellings. Of course there are. Maybe even a typo as someone put the information into a referral document.
I know it's not much. But it is something. Something I can share with my daughter about her past, family, and first 8 months of her life. And maybe it is a beginning for me to be able to find more.
Without publicly sharing my daughter's personal story, it is obvious that E was older when we got her referral and when she came home. She was 8 months old the day we were matched with her. For those first 8 months, she lived in Doyogena. I know a little (and by that I mean next to nothing) about her birthfamily and was blessed with pictures of her and her birthmother on a CD we received in Ethiopia.
But that's it.
It is so different than with R. With her, I know where she was born. I know where her birthmother's family is from (Gondor). I saw with my own eyes where she lived for the first few weeks of her life before coming to my agency's home and becoming our daughter. I even know which crib, which room, etc. And, we met her birthmother. There are holes in R's story, but these holes and gaps do not compare to the ones in E's.
I struggle with not knowing more. I struggle with what I will tell my daughter some day when she wants to know details of her story I can't tell her. It is hard to describe how it feels to not even know the accurate name of the place where your child was born or be able to pick it out with certainty on a map.
To know little to nothing about her time there breaks my heart. It makes me feel restless, and it makes me feel guilty. Don't I owe it to her to find the answers? I think so.
My sweet, precious E. She is just a tiny little girl now, but some day, she'll be 8 or 12 or 20 or 33 and want to know more.
I know that loss and heart ache come with adoption. I felt it with R's adoption (and still do in many ways), but it did not prepare me for what I feel when it comes to huge void in E's story.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thank God.
Some ET adoption friends of ours had court last night. And they passed. In any normal situation, this would be wonderful, amazing news.
In this case, it is beyond amazing and wonderful... You see, S and T have been waiting a very long time. They got their referral for their beautiful son in August.
And then, the wait truly began. The problem is that their son was from a region in which there was some corruption concerning adoption and ET officials. There was a VERY LONG investigation, and thankfully, their son's paperwork was legitimate and ethical.
In typical ET fashion, there were more issues.
They needed a signature. One signature stood between them and being assigned a court date. This seems simple enough, but the complication was that this particular official would go to work a day or two and then disappear again for a month or more.
So they waited and waited and waited.
Months passed.
We got our referral.
S and T still waited.
We were assigned a court date.
S and T still waited.
We passed court and received travel dates.
S and T still waited.
We brought our daughter home.
S and T still waited.
Then, finally, they got the news that the paperwork had been signed and they had a court date.
And, last night, while we slept, a court in Ethiopia made Y their son.
Finally.
Thank God.
In this case, it is beyond amazing and wonderful... You see, S and T have been waiting a very long time. They got their referral for their beautiful son in August.
And then, the wait truly began. The problem is that their son was from a region in which there was some corruption concerning adoption and ET officials. There was a VERY LONG investigation, and thankfully, their son's paperwork was legitimate and ethical.
In typical ET fashion, there were more issues.
They needed a signature. One signature stood between them and being assigned a court date. This seems simple enough, but the complication was that this particular official would go to work a day or two and then disappear again for a month or more.
So they waited and waited and waited.
Months passed.
We got our referral.
S and T still waited.
We were assigned a court date.
S and T still waited.
We passed court and received travel dates.
S and T still waited.
We brought our daughter home.
S and T still waited.
Then, finally, they got the news that the paperwork had been signed and they had a court date.
And, last night, while we slept, a court in Ethiopia made Y their son.
Finally.
Thank God.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Back to Work
Ok, so we're on day two of my being back at work. E did really well yesterday for my friend M, and the only time she was scared/confused is when she woke up from her nap and didn't know where she was... So that's really good.
I thought I'd be able to ease back into things for the first week, but my schedule is already full of meetings, and I have a list of tasks already! But, I do just have this week and next before spring break! So that is nice.
So far, the worst part is getting up at 6am again.
I am hoping that E continues to do well and that she is able to bond with M and be happy while Momma is at work.
I thought I'd be able to ease back into things for the first week, but my schedule is already full of meetings, and I have a list of tasks already! But, I do just have this week and next before spring break! So that is nice.
So far, the worst part is getting up at 6am again.
I am hoping that E continues to do well and that she is able to bond with M and be happy while Momma is at work.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day
The girls and I went to the zoo with my friend A and her sweet daughter E... so fun!
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Here is a funny picture of R showing me what the alligator was doing.
The others are ones of my happy, beautiful E. How I love that child!+079.jpg)
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Monday, March 15, 2010
Another Potential Job
On Friday, a job was posted for my district. It is actually for a position through the county I live in, but it is for working in my district.
I'm totally applying for it. It is a curriculum job, and I think I would really enjoy it. If I'm being honest, I like my coaching position... but I really do not like having to work in 2 buildings for what I do. (The other coaches in my district only work with 1 building and have about 1/3 the staff and less than 1/2 the students I deal with.) I constantly feel like I'm bouncing back and forth between buildings because... well, because that's what I actually do!
This position would be working on school improvement throughout all the buildings in my district (7 total). It is right up my alley.
The resume and cover letter have to be submitted by March 25, and interviews will be after that. I can think of at least 5 other teachers who will probably apply for the job... but I have nothing to lose by applying, and who knows? I might actually get it.
I'm totally applying for it. It is a curriculum job, and I think I would really enjoy it. If I'm being honest, I like my coaching position... but I really do not like having to work in 2 buildings for what I do. (The other coaches in my district only work with 1 building and have about 1/3 the staff and less than 1/2 the students I deal with.) I constantly feel like I'm bouncing back and forth between buildings because... well, because that's what I actually do!
This position would be working on school improvement throughout all the buildings in my district (7 total). It is right up my alley.
The resume and cover letter have to be submitted by March 25, and interviews will be after that. I can think of at least 5 other teachers who will probably apply for the job... but I have nothing to lose by applying, and who knows? I might actually get it.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
I'm cooler than cool!
So, if you know me in person, you know I'm super-cool, right?
Well, I just got home from going to the grocery store and to Old Navy with the baby...
Umm, I just discovered that my fly has been down, probably the entire time. And, don't worry, the bright blue underwear I'm sporting today contrasts nicely with my dark blue jeans!
I guess it is a good thing I only saw one person I know when I was out.
So, yeah, I'm cooler than cool.
Well, I just got home from going to the grocery store and to Old Navy with the baby...
Umm, I just discovered that my fly has been down, probably the entire time. And, don't worry, the bright blue underwear I'm sporting today contrasts nicely with my dark blue jeans!
I guess it is a good thing I only saw one person I know when I was out.
So, yeah, I'm cooler than cool.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Family Stuff
Ok, I've mentioned before that my sister-in-law is not my favorite person. Maybe I've not said that directly, but I am now. She's selfish and takes advantage of whomever she can to get what she wants.
Currently, my in-laws are going for custody of my niece, who is going to be five in August and who is definitely "special needs." Why? Because my niece, E, lives with them while my SIL, L, no longer does. My brother-in-law is now also seeking full custody of his son and lives with the in-laws, too.
My SIL makes me so angry. Is that wrong? I don't know. Sometimes life is hard. Being a mom is hard. And I'm sure that being a mom to E is really hard. But does that mean that my MIL has to do it for her?
I knew it would happen that eventually the in-laws would have to take custody of E. And, if my SIL can't get her act together, when they die, we will have to become E's guardians.
Currently, my in-laws are going for custody of my niece, who is going to be five in August and who is definitely "special needs." Why? Because my niece, E, lives with them while my SIL, L, no longer does. My brother-in-law is now also seeking full custody of his son and lives with the in-laws, too.
My SIL makes me so angry. Is that wrong? I don't know. Sometimes life is hard. Being a mom is hard. And I'm sure that being a mom to E is really hard. But does that mean that my MIL has to do it for her?
I knew it would happen that eventually the in-laws would have to take custody of E. And, if my SIL can't get her act together, when they die, we will have to become E's guardians.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Ignorant
Some people are so ignorant. I have a friend whose cousin recently brought his Haitian son home. This past weekend, they had an open house for the family to meet the new son.
Some of the family was talking about the child's birthfamily. One remarked that the boy was so handsome that his birthfather must have been white.
Umm, what?
Seriously?
What kind of ignorant comment is that?
People drive me crazy. There are so many underlying issues with this comment that I don't even know where to begin, so I just won't even try.
All I can say is that I'm glad my friend's cousin lives in Korea (teaches English there) so his son will not have to be around this family much at all.
Some of the family was talking about the child's birthfamily. One remarked that the boy was so handsome that his birthfather must have been white.
Umm, what?
Seriously?
What kind of ignorant comment is that?
People drive me crazy. There are so many underlying issues with this comment that I don't even know where to begin, so I just won't even try.
All I can say is that I'm glad my friend's cousin lives in Korea (teaches English there) so his son will not have to be around this family much at all.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sometimes the Past Catches Up with You...
... in the form of a former student you bump into at McDonald's. (What'd ya think I was going to say?)
So weird.
Today, I was having lunch at McDonald's (requested by the kids) with my friend M, 2 of her girls, and my 2. As we were getting ready to leave, I caught the eye of a woman reading a book to her baby girl. I noticed that she was staring at me (I was hold E, and that happens all the time), and I saw we had the same board book.
As M, the girls, and I were leaving, the woman walked towards us. Suddenly, I realized this "woman" was a former student, a girl I haven't seen since she was 17. It is so strange when someone who you remember as a teenager is suddenly an adult, with a job, two kids, and a husband. Really, though, this "girl" is only about 5 years younger than I am.
When this girl was in my class as a sophomore and junior, she kept a journal for extra credit. She'd write about all sorts of things, and I'd comment back to her. She was certain she was going to marry her boyfriend, and he'd become a politician. She would have made a great politician's wife, I always thought, although I didn't think she and the boyfriend were a good match.
Seeing her today, though, I'm glad her life's turned out differently than the way she'd dreamed it would be. For one thing, the boyfriend (a very smart kid when he was my student) is now in jail, along with his father, for ROBBING A BANK. Nothing like holding up a bank to strengthen the bond between father and son, right?
This girl was a student of mine during a time in which I hated everything about being a teacher. When I left that school for a new job, I thought I'd teach just another year and move on.
I was young, very insecure, and, to be honest, mistreated by the administration. Seeing that girl today reminds me of that very painful time in my life.
Was I the best teacher she could have had? No, but I worked hard, and I wasn't awful, although I believed myself to be at the time.
So, tonight, I'm thankful that I managed to rise above that painful part of my life and have some success in my career. I'm thankful that this former student of mine is happy in her life. And, I'm thankful to know that she made the effort to come over and talk to me when I didn't recognize her.
I guess that means I wasn't too horrible of a teacher then, right?
So weird.
Today, I was having lunch at McDonald's (requested by the kids) with my friend M, 2 of her girls, and my 2. As we were getting ready to leave, I caught the eye of a woman reading a book to her baby girl. I noticed that she was staring at me (I was hold E, and that happens all the time), and I saw we had the same board book.
As M, the girls, and I were leaving, the woman walked towards us. Suddenly, I realized this "woman" was a former student, a girl I haven't seen since she was 17. It is so strange when someone who you remember as a teenager is suddenly an adult, with a job, two kids, and a husband. Really, though, this "girl" is only about 5 years younger than I am.
When this girl was in my class as a sophomore and junior, she kept a journal for extra credit. She'd write about all sorts of things, and I'd comment back to her. She was certain she was going to marry her boyfriend, and he'd become a politician. She would have made a great politician's wife, I always thought, although I didn't think she and the boyfriend were a good match.
Seeing her today, though, I'm glad her life's turned out differently than the way she'd dreamed it would be. For one thing, the boyfriend (a very smart kid when he was my student) is now in jail, along with his father, for ROBBING A BANK. Nothing like holding up a bank to strengthen the bond between father and son, right?
This girl was a student of mine during a time in which I hated everything about being a teacher. When I left that school for a new job, I thought I'd teach just another year and move on.
I was young, very insecure, and, to be honest, mistreated by the administration. Seeing that girl today reminds me of that very painful time in my life.
Was I the best teacher she could have had? No, but I worked hard, and I wasn't awful, although I believed myself to be at the time.
So, tonight, I'm thankful that I managed to rise above that painful part of my life and have some success in my career. I'm thankful that this former student of mine is happy in her life. And, I'm thankful to know that she made the effort to come over and talk to me when I didn't recognize her.
I guess that means I wasn't too horrible of a teacher then, right?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Changes in ET Adoptions
Well, it looks like starting today, Ethiopia is going to require adoptive parents to go to Ethiopia twice-- once to attend court and once to bring their children home. Also the US is going to require some checking into each child's case before an embassy appointment can be assigned.
Here are my thoughts:
1. (Selfish) Thank god we brought E home before these changes took place.
2. I do understand that this is to put in place procedures to make sure adoptions are ethical.
3. Two trips= more money and more time off. Would this be feasible for us again? It is such a long trip. Would I want to make this trip twice?
4. Families will be able to bring their children home on an IR3 Visa, meaning they will automatically be citizens when they come home. No messy readoption and applying for certificates of citizenship.
5. If we were on the waiting list right now, I don't know what we'd do.
6. Just one more reason why international adoption is risky (but so worth it!). So much is out of our control...
I'm sure I'll have more to say about this later, once I've thought about it a little more. I know we are no where near a place in which we even want to adopt again right now and couldn't even if we wanted to because our agency makes families wait 9 months before starting another adoption.
Here are my thoughts:
1. (Selfish) Thank god we brought E home before these changes took place.
2. I do understand that this is to put in place procedures to make sure adoptions are ethical.
3. Two trips= more money and more time off. Would this be feasible for us again? It is such a long trip. Would I want to make this trip twice?
4. Families will be able to bring their children home on an IR3 Visa, meaning they will automatically be citizens when they come home. No messy readoption and applying for certificates of citizenship.
5. If we were on the waiting list right now, I don't know what we'd do.
6. Just one more reason why international adoption is risky (but so worth it!). So much is out of our control...
I'm sure I'll have more to say about this later, once I've thought about it a little more. I know we are no where near a place in which we even want to adopt again right now and couldn't even if we wanted to because our agency makes families wait 9 months before starting another adoption.
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