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

Voting

Jose and I voted last weekend. They have early voting here in Texas, which is pretty great. You can vote at any early site anywhere in the county. How handy is that? I looked at my electronic ballot several times just to take it in. To reflect on what my vote meant for me and for our country (no matter the outcome it has been an important election season). I left the polling site giddy thinking about the possibility of what could be...

I know that not everyone will cast a ballot similiar to mine (especially here). But that's the beauty of voting. We each get to make our own decision as to who we think will best represent us, our families, our communities and our country.

I made Jose take my picture after we voted. I know I'm a dork.

Why it's hard to live in Texas some days...
In the middle of week 15.

Texas State Fair

This weekend was our annual trip to the Texas State Fair. It's crazy that we've lived here long enough to have a annual trip. We enjoyed watching the people and eating the fried food. Maybe next year Baby Barto will be joining us.

Entering Week #14

Tag

I was "tagged" by Rebecca at http://adoptioncubed.blogspot.com/. I have to write 7 random things about myself (I'm too lazy right now to figure out how to make the cute tag picture go on my page or link Rebecca's name to her blog.)

1. Tonight on my way home from work I caught my fingers in my car window and then couldn't get my brain to work right to roll the window down. Now I'm having a hard time typing.

2. One night I decided to go to Europe with this on again/off again boyfriend and 24 hours later I was there. That relationship didn't last but the trip sure was great.

3. I wore flip-flops with my wedding dress.

Here I am with my darling sister and brother. (This was the best picture that I could find of my feet that would upload.)

4. Although I'm totally into the Presidential election, I have no idea what is going on locally.

5. I will stop to watch My Super Sweet 16 if it's on while I'm flipping channels.

6. I get nervous when I have to do mental math, especially when I have to make change.

7. I made up my own major in college - Communities and Social Justice.

I'm not good at passing this stuff on, so if you haven't been tagged and want to be, go for it!

Entering Month #4

We are on our way into month #4.

Here are some of the predictions for our referral date:

Suzie - Oct. 17th or 23rd

Theresa -Oct. 28th

Jose - Oct. 24th (only because I wistfully asked, "when do you think we'll get our referral?" And he said, "three weeks from today." So of course I counted and ended up with Oct. 24th)

Me - Nov. 24th (plus this is when my mom is here and how neat would that be?)

Mom - In her own words, "I'll go with November 24th, too, because if we double our wishes out into the Universe, maybe it will help!!! But remember it's in the details, so be more specific - November 24, 2008! November 24, 2008!!! Monday - November 24, 2008!!!!!!!"

Alison - Dec. 2nd

Dad - Dec. 7th


Here is a picture from our fun-while-we-wait-and-pretend-like-we-are-in-college-again-adventure in New Orleans.

Imagining Baby Barto

I've been spending a lot of time imagining what life will be like when Baby Barto arrives. As I go through my daily routine, I think about Baby Barto in it. What will it be like when we go shopping, out to eat, get up in the morning, go to breakfast, hang out on a Friday night, go to work, come home from work, go to my students' sporting events? I imagine the three of us cuddling in bed on a Saturday morning and then heading out on some adventure. I realize that there will also be moments when we will be up at 3am with a sick child and be freaking out. There have been days when I'm at school until 6 when I realize I need to start practicing being more productive at work. I know that there are ups and downs to parenthood. But watching the joy of my friends and family as they parent has convinced me that there seem to be enough ups to soften the downs.





As part of our fun-while-we-wait campaign, we drove to College Station last Saturday to see a Texas A & M game. Those are some serious fans.

Leaving Week #12