Today the first of 3 books I ordered arrived. They are books made from my blog. Thanks to Christy who shared the website. Volume II arrived and Volumes I and III will probaly arrive on Monday. It turned out so nice and it has been fun to read back through the posts. Here is a link to the website!
www.blog2print.com
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Two Years!
It is hard to believe that today marks two years since Natalie came home!! Lately it has felt like a lot longer:) I had read somewhere that when children turn 5 they are going through so many changes and just really becoming aware of who they are. We have had some ups and downs, but overall I see a lot of growth in Natalie. I have sent off for my blog to be made into a book and the "books" should arrive any day now. I was talking about it today so I looked back on my blog and began to re-read it. Wow! God has done (and still continues to do) some incredible things.
I've made it through my first week of work at the new job. Everyone has been so kind and helpful. It still amazes me how quickly I get home at the end of the day.
Easter has really snuck up on me this year. Probably because I have been so focused on the job situation. I am so grateful to be able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that we have in him!
Please remember my friend Lora in your prayers. She has lost 2 family members this week.
It is late but I will do my best to share some pictures from our day out last Friday soon!!
Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed!!
I've made it through my first week of work at the new job. Everyone has been so kind and helpful. It still amazes me how quickly I get home at the end of the day.
Easter has really snuck up on me this year. Probably because I have been so focused on the job situation. I am so grateful to be able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that we have in him!
Please remember my friend Lora in your prayers. She has lost 2 family members this week.
It is late but I will do my best to share some pictures from our day out last Friday soon!!
Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
It Finally Happened
Okay, I know I have been really, really stressed at my work and I know that stress can really take a toll on you. But I have picked Natalie up at school 3 or 4 times and was greeted by the same secretary each time and this never happened before. I knew it would eventually. So today I get there and go in the office and tell her that I am here to pick up Natalie. Now I know there are over 600 students at this school and she does not know everyone, but come on, at least have the courtesy to ask or at least think about what you are going to say. She picks up the phone, calls Natalie's teacher and proceeds to inform the teacher that Natalie's grandmother is here to pick her up. AHHHHHHHHHH!!! I very firmly said, I am her mother. The woman never batted an eye or even apologized. How rude!!
I have learned over the years to never assume about anything. When I go in to see a patient and there are other people in the room I always ask, Are you family? Most of the time, the person will volunteer something along the lines of, I'm her daughter, sister, etc. My friend Lora suggested going the extra step if they only reply yes, by asking how are they related. Old men marry young women, older women marry younger men, some people have hard lives and it is reflected in their faces, but no one wants to be told they look older than they are. If someone feels the need to make a comment, at least err on the cautious side.
I realize that a lot of people marry young and their children marry young, but just as many people marry older, are not able to get pregnant until older or are in their second marriage.
I really don't think the comment would have bothered me as much if the woman had made an attempt to apologize. I would like to think maybe she was so mortified that she didn't know what to think and that it will be a lesson she learned and next time I show up, she will remember that I am Natalie's mother, not grandmother!!
I have learned over the years to never assume about anything. When I go in to see a patient and there are other people in the room I always ask, Are you family? Most of the time, the person will volunteer something along the lines of, I'm her daughter, sister, etc. My friend Lora suggested going the extra step if they only reply yes, by asking how are they related. Old men marry young women, older women marry younger men, some people have hard lives and it is reflected in their faces, but no one wants to be told they look older than they are. If someone feels the need to make a comment, at least err on the cautious side.
I realize that a lot of people marry young and their children marry young, but just as many people marry older, are not able to get pregnant until older or are in their second marriage.
I really don't think the comment would have bothered me as much if the woman had made an attempt to apologize. I would like to think maybe she was so mortified that she didn't know what to think and that it will be a lesson she learned and next time I show up, she will remember that I am Natalie's mother, not grandmother!!
Bittersweet
That is how I would describe my last day of work. On one hand I was glad to be out of the environment that had become so difficult because of one person, yet it was so sad to say good-bye to many of the residents, their families and my co-workers. I am looking forward to being closer to home and walking into a place where already I feel appreciated. I know there is no perfect job, but I have seen God's faithfulness over the years in providing good jobs and good co-workers-many who become good friends. So I just continue to trust him concerning this job.
I have to confess that I am really enjoying being at home for the last several days. But that is not quite right, as I have gone shopping, ran a bunch of errands and been home only part of the day. I am making progress on one of my many clean and sort projects. I was also able to sit down and order books made from my blog. What a keepsake that will be for Natalie some day.
Today we are going to have a special lunch and go see the Transportation Museum. I'll post an update later!
I have to confess that I am really enjoying being at home for the last several days. But that is not quite right, as I have gone shopping, ran a bunch of errands and been home only part of the day. I am making progress on one of my many clean and sort projects. I was also able to sit down and order books made from my blog. What a keepsake that will be for Natalie some day.
Today we are going to have a special lunch and go see the Transportation Museum. I'll post an update later!
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Journey
In May of 2005 I left my job as a manager and moved to my current job. When I started that job, I also started my adoption journey. Through the ups and the many downs, my co-workers Lisa and Felicia cheered me on and encouraged me in the dark, disappointing days. My friend Lora who worked with me at the previous job also was cheering me on. Two years ago, Lora came to work at the facility I am working at. In May it would have been 5 years since I started working there.
Felicia, Lisa and Lora have been such a support in the 3 years prior to Natalie coming home and in the 2 years since she has been home. They were there to meet me at the airport, gave me a shower and just listened while I shared the trials and the joys. Not only have they been great therapists to work with, but they have been my friends and my support.
On Tuesday March 23, I will leave my current job and my friends. So many things have changed in the last 2 years and especially the last 2 months. I have had the joy and privilege to work with some great therapists, nurses, nurse's aides, dietary staff and patients and their families. Due to some complicated issues, I don't feel like I can ethically continue in my current position. This is no reflection on the company I work for or the vast majority of people I work with.
It has been heartbreaking to think about not being there any more and it has been a struggle. But the Lord has given me a peace and comfort in knowing that this "journey" is drawing to an end. I am so grateful that I had these wonderful women with me on this journey to becoming a mom and then the first 2 years of being a mom.
I don't think I can ever fully express what their friendship and support has meant to me.
I will miss them dearly, but I am so thankful that they were there with me through it all!
Felicia, Lisa and Lora have been such a support in the 3 years prior to Natalie coming home and in the 2 years since she has been home. They were there to meet me at the airport, gave me a shower and just listened while I shared the trials and the joys. Not only have they been great therapists to work with, but they have been my friends and my support.
On Tuesday March 23, I will leave my current job and my friends. So many things have changed in the last 2 years and especially the last 2 months. I have had the joy and privilege to work with some great therapists, nurses, nurse's aides, dietary staff and patients and their families. Due to some complicated issues, I don't feel like I can ethically continue in my current position. This is no reflection on the company I work for or the vast majority of people I work with.
It has been heartbreaking to think about not being there any more and it has been a struggle. But the Lord has given me a peace and comfort in knowing that this "journey" is drawing to an end. I am so grateful that I had these wonderful women with me on this journey to becoming a mom and then the first 2 years of being a mom.
I don't think I can ever fully express what their friendship and support has meant to me.
I will miss them dearly, but I am so thankful that they were there with me through it all!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March
I haven't posted in awhile, because honestly, there has been a lot of difficult things going on. I'm not going to write specifically about those at this time. Perhaps later on. Today I am trying to sort through piles of papers and trying to get organized in my bedroom/office. This room is always the last one to have anything done to it. As I was going through the pile, I came across a book of "Words to Live By." There are some really encouraging quotes in this book and I wanted to share some of them with you. They are ministering to me and perhaps they will minister to you. Also please keep my friend Karen in prayer as her father passed away yesterday.
"God will either lighten our load or strengthen our backs." Pearl Medler
"If God is the captain of our fate, our boat may rock, but it will never sink." Jessie Brown
"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter." Jim Vaske
"If fear knocks at the door, let faith go answer it...and no one will be there." Mrs. Chester Top
"Worry is like a rocking chair-it will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."
"Facts do not cease to be facts because they are ignored."
"God will either lighten our load or strengthen our backs." Pearl Medler
"If God is the captain of our fate, our boat may rock, but it will never sink." Jessie Brown
"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter." Jim Vaske
"If fear knocks at the door, let faith go answer it...and no one will be there." Mrs. Chester Top
"Worry is like a rocking chair-it will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."
"Facts do not cease to be facts because they are ignored."
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