My "kids"

When my students ask me if I have any children, I usually reply "Yes, 106." I love being a teacher. As a child, I played teacher in the classroom my mom created for me in the hallway. My classroom had two desks and a chalkboard. I taught real students and imaginary ones. During college, I was accepted into our education program, but never officially enrolled because I didn't want to take the extra year needed to finish my degree (do I ever wish I had spent that extra year. I ended up taking three years later on to earn a teaching certificate).

During college, my focus was always on education and kids, so I decided I needed to try something new after graduation. My two best friends and I headed off to San Diego where I took a job at La Jolla Playhouse, a regional theater for performing arts. After about six months, I was forced to listen to my heart when I realized I spent much of my non-work time tutoring two Korean brothers, babysitting my boss' kids, reading at a community center and teaching English to a recent immigrant.

Since then, I have worked with girls in the juvenile justice system, been an AmeriCorps volunteer in a charter school in Chicago, taught emotionally impaired students in Detroit and now I teach Texas Studies to 7th graders. My students have given me purpose on some of my hardest days. And they have served as a distraction during this wait. Planning lessons, arranging field trips and attending sporting events keeps me busy. Thanks kids!

This is my co-worker Carli and me at the Girls' City Volleyball Championship this year. (We won!)

Entering Week #20

Thanks Mom!

My mom is an organizing, decorating, cleaning queen. Somehow this genetic trait skipped me because I am not so great at any of those three things. I do what is necessary to keep the house looking somewhat decent. My mom's house and yard always look amazing. So, this week my mom came to town to help us get ready for Baby Barto and to celebrate Thanksgiving.

We totally cleaned out Baby Barto's room. I think the best comment of the week was "You better learn the Heimlich maneuver for when Baby Barto starts choking on the dust bunnies." In my defense, they were behind a dresser, but they were quite impressive. My mom sent all my childhood books, so we put those on the shelves. We bought a dresser that Baby Barto should still be using when he/she becomes Teen Barto. We even ordered a crib (which should arrive in 6 to 8 weeks - which will come first a referral or a crib?). After we scrubbed, we had to find new places for all the stuff that came from that room, which then required organizing and cleaning of various other rooms in the house. It was quite the productive week.

We did squeeze in some time for fun too (although my mom would say all that cleaning and organizing was fun). We went to a potluck with other Ethiopian adoptive families in the area. We had lunch with my friend Carli from work and ate Jose's yummy Thanksgiving meal.

I am a lucky gal to have such a great mom who will spend her vacation time helping me organize and clean. Mom, you are the best. I can't wait to introduce Baby Barto to Grandma Sharon.

Started like this...

Moved all the extra stuff here

Found new homes for all the extra stuff in time for Thanksgiving

Baby Barto's room

Leaving Week # 19

Making room for Baby Barto

Baby Barto's future room currently is our guest room/Jose's dressing room. We need to create some space for Baby Barto and all the stuff that seems to come with babies. This weekend we did a serious Goodwill, 1/2 Price Books run.

Donated this

to make room forSold these

to make room for
Entering week #18

Pep Talk

Today at school I gave my kids a pep talk about staying focused, raising their grades and taking advantage of the opportunities offered to them at school. My students aren't the only ones needing some motivational words. I have found myself engaged in some pep-talk lately related to our wait.

Things that roll around in my head ...

1. "If this is the hardest thing going on in your life now, you're pretty lucky. Look at all the tragedy in the world, this isn't so tough is it?"

2. "If the baby doesn't come until spring, you won't have to give the TAKS test." (The TAKS tests are the awful high stakes tests we give our kids and administering them is a tense yet mind-numbing week. This piece of pep is good for a quick pick me up. I seriously hate giving those tests.)

3. "If you take maternity leave in the spring, then it can just flow right into summer and you won't have to pay for daycare until the fall."

4. "Look at how quickly the last four months have gone. The next 2 surely will fly by too."

5. "You have been to Santa Fe, Michigan, California, Cambridge, Colorado, Austin, College Station, New Orleans, Minnesota and Mexico in the past year. These outings will change once the baby comes, so enjoy yourself."

6. "When the baby comes, it won't be as easy to_________________ (fill in the blank with sleep-in, go to yoga multiple times a week, watch TV after a long day, run quick errands, stay late at school and other such activities), so relish these moments because your life will soon be very different."

7. "Calm down, it will happen. It's all part of the plan."

8. "Let it go. Stop obsessing over it. Trying to calculate when it will happen won't make the phone ring any sooner."

9. "Look at the unofficial list. Things have slowed down. Adjust your expectations. Tell yourself you'll likely get the referral by February. That's really not far away and then if happens sooner, you'll be surprised."

10. And of course the good old stand-by: "This moment is all there is. This moment is all there is. This moment is all there is."

And I was tagged by Theresa to post my 4th photo from my 4th file on my computer. This is the 4th picture of the 4th file that actually would open and download onto the blog.

Spring in Michigan.

Leaving month #4

Babies 101

Jose and I attended a baby care class today. I enrolled us for this class back in August when Nov. seemed far away. This fall has just zoomed along. The class took place at the hospital complex where some not so great stuff has happened to us, so it was hard at first to be there among all those pregnant ladies. Then I reminded myself that I had coffee for breakfast, my jeans are actually too loose and I had wine last night and that cheered me up a bit. We also had lunch with a couple who just moved to Dallas and got so caught up in talking we were a little late to the afternoon session. We exchanged info, so hopefully we'll hang out again.

A little peace & love from Texas...

About to enter week #16