Snowcation pt 2

Well, apparently my snow dances were working...it's just they all worked at once!! After a week off of school, we went back for another week and two days...until the next snow storm hit! This time, it was another three days off. This is getting dangerous; I'm getting very comfortable and used to all these days off. Guess we'll be celebrating the 4th of July in school this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowcation

I've been faithfully doing my snow dances all winter.

Nothing!

Not one snow day in December. Not a delay in January. Halfway through February, I was starting to face the reality that a snow day just wasn't going to happen for us this school year. I was facing the reality that I was going to have to suck it up and push through these most difficult days of teaching in February and March without a break.

...until "Snow-cation 2015" hit! Twelve inches hit, negative temperatures, and melting / refreezing of the roads gave us an entire week home. It has been heaven on earth! An unexpected week with my boys, beautiful scenery, an absolute dream come true!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

 

Neonatal Follow-Up

Today it was back downtown for another neonatal follow-up. Your six-month appointments with them had gone wonderfully well and we were very hopeful and prayerful that today's would go just as smoothly.

First on the list, check the weight and height. We were so ecstatic to learn you both made the chart...and not on your adjusted age charts either! You are both catching up beautifully and your size (while still a little on the tiny side) is comparable to your full-term peers. 

Next it was time to check your developmental milestones. Our doctor was just blown away with all your two could do. Not only had you hit all of your adjusted milestones, but again, you were hitting milestones of those of your full-term peers, and passing your full-term peers with your motor-skills.

While I was one proud mommy with these updates, I am just so thankful and amazed at God's power. We had been prepared for the many different health risks you could face in your lifetime. We had been prepped with the idea that most likely, specialists would be needed to catch you up. We had been told to expect at least two years of neonatal appointments; two years for you to catch up to your full-term peers.

And yet, today we left the neonatal specialist for the last time today!! One year ahead of schedule, you have graduated. Not because of anything we did. Not because of anything you did. But because we serve an amazing and living God who continues to write the miracle of your lives! Thank you, Lord!!

 

It Is Well pt. 2

"Far be it from me to not believe; even when my eyes can't see. And this mountain that's in front of me will be thrown into the midst of the sea...So let go my soul and trust in Him...It is well with my soul." These were the words I was singing in January, trusting God that He had a plan for our family. It has been such a strong desire for me to stay at home with you boys, but I just wasn't sure if that was possible...

It's amazing the way God works in our lives. He has done so much for me over the years, yet with each answered prayer I'm just as humbled and in awe as if it were the first.

We have been praying for awhile for a way and for guidance with some pretty big decisions concerning my career. I have had a pretty good year professionally and it looked like some new positions could be available for me. And yet, I have so missed being at home with you boys this school year. 

So, we did the only thing we know to do, we've prayed and prayed. 

A few weeks ago, it seemed like God was answering our prayers. My dream job (outside of the classroom) was probably going to be opening up at my school. Along with that, a friend of mine let me know she was ready to come back to teaching and would I be interested in somehow job-sharing with her. I felt like this was just all to perfect not to be from God.

I emailed my boss, letting her know I wanted to chat with her to let her know where my head was for the next school year (I wanted to be out of the classroom as a leave or if available, maybe part-time / job-sharing the dream job.) Our schedules just weren't matching up, but on a random Friday morning she grabbed me to chat real quick. After telling her where my heart was and how torn I was, she let me know, as a mom who took time away when she had small children too, how much she appreciated those years at home and encouraged me to do what was best for our family. As far as part-time or job-sharing, she also let me know that wasn't going to be possible. She just didn't see that position working as a shared position and all her part-time positions were taken.

I left her office feeling crushed. Wasn't this job opening up from God, a perfect way for me to continue working, yet only be part-time?? And if nothing was available at all, could our family survive without any second income whatsoever?  I was devastated and felt like I would maybe have to continue working full-time next year (even though I knew that's not where my heart was).

After the initial sadness, I trusted God must have something better for us. We decided that we would make it work somehow and I would still stay at home.

That very next Monday morning, she and I both had meetings on a committee we share away from the classroom. She immediately came and sat next to me, "Ok, this is what happens when I have a whole weekend to think, but we just can't lose you! So, I've created a job for you, if you want it..." She then laid out this amazing job, right up my alley, that would be one to two days a week. I pick the days!

I couldn't believe it. I wanted to jump up and down; I wanted to hug her; I wanted to scream and cry! You'd think I'd learn not to limit God. I thought all opportunities were lost and He said, "Just trust me. I know your heart and your desire."

So, I have eagerly started the countdown to summer! I am sad to leave my passion and the classroom, but I know I'll be back one day. Right now, being home and taking care of you boys is so important to me and your daddy. We know we only have a few short years before you'll be in school yourselves, so we are going to soak up these precious moments before they pass too soon.

It Is Well

I heard this song today from a friend of mine who is also living with infertility and continuing to trust God that her prayers will be answered; her miracle given to her. It instantly touched me and brought me back to our own struggle. It made me so prayerful for the many women I know who so badly want to be mothers. It made me prayerful for the women who will never have the chance to experience the beauty of pregnancy. I once lived in a state of, "Why me?" pity. I now find myself in a state of humility, asking, "Why me?" Of all the women living with infertility, crying out for God to give them children, why did He answer my cry? I am so thankful that He gave your dad and I the chance to parent you two. I'm not sure why us and not others, but I know God's plan is perfect for each of us. So, I pray for my friends still struggling (whether still waiting for their babies or whether already mothers because the pain of infertility is probably always going to be in the back of our minds).


"Far be it from me to not believe; even when my eyes can't see. And this mountain that's in front of me will be thrown into the midst of the sea...So let go my soul and trust in Him...It is well with my soul."

How difficult, yet how powerful to be able to utter these words in the midst of our mountains. Whether our mountains are sickness, problems at home, stress at work, or conflict within ourselves, we need to always utter, "So let go my soul and trust in Him...It is well with my soul."

Happy New Year

I cannot believe it is already 2015! Where are the years going?!

I have always been a lister and a goal setter. Yet, I've never been much for new year resolutions. Maybe it's because I'm constantly setting goals and reflecting on where things are in my life. The start of the new year (and time home with you boys on Christmas break!) does have me very reflective this year.

I have loved my two weeks home with you so very much. I have tried to soak up all the small moments I could, but it has me longing for even more! So, I go into 2015 with a prayerful and open heart for more time with my babies.