DH and I decided not to get each other gifts this Christmas. Even though it was our first as husband and wife we are looking at the bigger picture. We both want to adopt a child soooooooooo bad and we all know how expensive it is. We have been saving our money and planning ways to be financially ready for the day we got THE CALL to come get our forever child.
God has a way of working things out and he placed an opportunity for the adoption money in front of us. Four months ago DH and I found an adoption agency we were both super excited about. The wait time was short. They housed all social workers AND legal admins in the same location. It was pretty much a one stop shop. With all that comes a higher cost and we went to the bank to borrow the ridiculous amount of money. We were denied for the amount requested. Afterwards we were both stressed. We kept circulating ideas about how on earth we were going to get the money together to push our paperwork through to the marketing department of this agency we loved so much. DH and I are both teachers so it's obvious we don't make tons of money. We didn't choose our careers for the money. We chose them because we both have a desire to teach children.
To make a long story short, after we were denied we gave it a couple weeks and decided to search for a local adoption agency that suited us. We found one. We finished all our required paperwork (including home study) in only 3 weeks!! (We are not joking around with this adoption business) Three weeks ago we went to the SAME bank requesting the SAME amount in loans for adoption and we were APPROVED!!!! There were no questions, no down payments, no nothing. We were approved with flying colors! Now, this told us a couple different things.
1. We obviously were not meant to go through the first agency for our forever family.
2. God does have a hand in everything we do and we know it's all in His timing.
So now we wait for THAT call to say we have been matched. In the meantime, now that most of the stress is now gone thanks to God and the people at the bank, DH and I decided to give each other a Christmas present and we booked a trip to Mexico! We will be boarding Carnival Paradise in April (our spring break) heading towards Cozumel and Grand Cayman. This will be our honeymoon/Christmas gift/de-stresser trip all in one and we are so looking forward to enjoying some time together...just the two of us :)
Wedding Day
26 December 2012
24 December 2012
Day 66
I can't believe it's already been 66 days that DH and I have been waiting on our child to come home. I keep trying to look at the cup half full. 66 is closer to 100 than to 0. When I say it in months it seems shorter so I choose to count the days by just that. Days. As far as I know we've had 2 birth mothers view our profile, but we haven't been matched yet. We're both just happy at this point that someone is interested enough to even consider us as parents to their precious baby. We can't wait until we find that ONE birth mother who does choose us to raise her child. We have so many plans for our future family. We've talked about vacations, room decorations, baby names, family gatherings, events, etc. that we want our child to be a part of. We are both very close to our families and bringing a new addition into our circle will only add to the love that already exists. Our hope is that by next Christmas we will be able to celebrate with our new baby.
So far DH and I have had Christmas at work, Christmas with my mom and sisters and their families, Christmas with my dad and sisters and their families (my parents are divorced), and tomorrow we will have Christmas with DH's parents and his siblings and their families. I've eaten so much food and candy that my diet has went out the door and up a flight of stairs! I'm not complaining though because through all the food and candy there's been so many new memories made. DH and I have spent our first Christmas together as a married couple. I couldn't imagine making these memories with anyone else.
I hope that everyone continues to pray for the sweet children who lost their lives a little over a week ago. Pray for the families who must make it through the holidays without the laughter of their babies. Pray that God will be with each one as they struggle through such a difficult time.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season :)
So far DH and I have had Christmas at work, Christmas with my mom and sisters and their families, Christmas with my dad and sisters and their families (my parents are divorced), and tomorrow we will have Christmas with DH's parents and his siblings and their families. I've eaten so much food and candy that my diet has went out the door and up a flight of stairs! I'm not complaining though because through all the food and candy there's been so many new memories made. DH and I have spent our first Christmas together as a married couple. I couldn't imagine making these memories with anyone else.
I hope that everyone continues to pray for the sweet children who lost their lives a little over a week ago. Pray for the families who must make it through the holidays without the laughter of their babies. Pray that God will be with each one as they struggle through such a difficult time.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season :)
12 December 2012
Day 55
Today makes 55 days since DH and I have officially been on the waiting list for adoption. Yesterday, I received an email that our adoption worker received a phone call from a girl who was due in 3 weeks and had just decided to make an adoption plan for her baby. Our adoption worker emailed all "waiting" families stating that that the birth mother had viewed all profiles that were online. There are a total of 7 families online through our agency. Our worker was going to meet with the birth mother in person yesterday and discuss the adoption plan. I haven't heard anything since...
We were told when we started the whole process of adoption that the estimated wait time through a private agency is anywhere from 1.5-2 years. I know we haven't been waiting that long, but this is the second time we have received word that our profile has been viewed by a birth mother. Is it false hope? Should we get excited? Should we just be happy that our profile is being seen? DH and I requested that our worker let us know when our profile is viewed. We did this for several reasons. For one, we wanted to make sure our agency was what they stated they were, an agency that truly lets the birth mother choose the family to place the baby with. We didn't want to be #216 on a list. Second, we wanted to see if we were viewed multiple times and still weren't chosen what was the cause. Maybe change pictures? Details? New adoption book? New online profile? Obviously, those that have been down this road know where I'm coming from. DH and I are learning this is quite a journey. We just can't wait to get the call saying we've been matched! We are even excited to adopt and keep our profile open for another child. We are excited at the opportunity to raise a baby together :)
On the diet front, I've been at it for 2 weeks and 2 days and am down 7.6 pounds and holding steady. I realize I've hit the point where exercise is going to have to come into play. Have I mentioned how much I HATE exercising???? Well, I do!!! I now have 39.4 pounds to lose until I reach my goal. Prayers are much appreciated...
We were told when we started the whole process of adoption that the estimated wait time through a private agency is anywhere from 1.5-2 years. I know we haven't been waiting that long, but this is the second time we have received word that our profile has been viewed by a birth mother. Is it false hope? Should we get excited? Should we just be happy that our profile is being seen? DH and I requested that our worker let us know when our profile is viewed. We did this for several reasons. For one, we wanted to make sure our agency was what they stated they were, an agency that truly lets the birth mother choose the family to place the baby with. We didn't want to be #216 on a list. Second, we wanted to see if we were viewed multiple times and still weren't chosen what was the cause. Maybe change pictures? Details? New adoption book? New online profile? Obviously, those that have been down this road know where I'm coming from. DH and I are learning this is quite a journey. We just can't wait to get the call saying we've been matched! We are even excited to adopt and keep our profile open for another child. We are excited at the opportunity to raise a baby together :)
On the diet front, I've been at it for 2 weeks and 2 days and am down 7.6 pounds and holding steady. I realize I've hit the point where exercise is going to have to come into play. Have I mentioned how much I HATE exercising???? Well, I do!!! I now have 39.4 pounds to lose until I reach my goal. Prayers are much appreciated...
09 December 2012
Weekend Wrap Up
My husband and I decided this weekend would be our "lazy" weekend. We dropped my step son off on Friday evening after school so he could spend the weekend with his mother. DH and I decided to have a nice dinner at Red Lobster...YUM! We enjoyed our dinner together and drove home to spend the rest of the evening watching Christmas movies snuggled up in our favorite oversized chair.
Saturday we slept in late, which was super nice. We ate some lunch, napped, and ate again. On Friday before I left school 2 of our students (we are both teachers) invited us to come watch their Christmas play. I was so touched and felt so honored that these girls thought enough of us to ask us to watch their special performance. So DH and I headed out Saturday evening to watch the 2 hour event. It was AMAZING! I'm so proud of these 2 young ladies and the message they are involved in witnessing to others.
Today, DH and I didn't make it to church. I've been down in my back for 2 days now and it's been hard to move around as much as I'd like. We spent the day today watching the rain, watching some football, and cooking some yummy food (thanks Pintrest)!
Things with the diet have been going pretty well. Tomorrow I will have my 2 week weigh in. As of this morning I'm down 7.6 pounds!!!!!! I'm excited to see some pounds gone!
I hope everyone has a blessed week! :)
Saturday we slept in late, which was super nice. We ate some lunch, napped, and ate again. On Friday before I left school 2 of our students (we are both teachers) invited us to come watch their Christmas play. I was so touched and felt so honored that these girls thought enough of us to ask us to watch their special performance. So DH and I headed out Saturday evening to watch the 2 hour event. It was AMAZING! I'm so proud of these 2 young ladies and the message they are involved in witnessing to others.
Today, DH and I didn't make it to church. I've been down in my back for 2 days now and it's been hard to move around as much as I'd like. We spent the day today watching the rain, watching some football, and cooking some yummy food (thanks Pintrest)!
Things with the diet have been going pretty well. Tomorrow I will have my 2 week weigh in. As of this morning I'm down 7.6 pounds!!!!!! I'm excited to see some pounds gone!
I hope everyone has a blessed week! :)
02 December 2012
Day 45
Almost daily I log onto this blog, a savior in so many ways, to read stories of those I've connected with about adoption and infertility. I enjoy catching up on the blogs I follow and reading the day's events in the lives of each one. Some are sharing stories and pictures of their little ones via adoption and some are sharing stories of the pain they still endure years later from choosing adoption. As the Christmas season approaches I pray that each story is heard and that God helps those who are still in pain see the light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that He continues to bless those whose families have been created by adoption.
By husband and I have been "waiting" for 45 days now. We spent yesterday doing most of our Christmas shopping. We walked around the mall and went into so many stores. We bought for us and we bought for others. We browsed shoes, accessories, clothes, and everything else imaginable. Lucky for me DH is an awesome shopping buddy. More then that, he just enjoys spending time with me, something I've wished for my whole adult life.
We traveled in and out of different stores and had fun just holding hands and walking through the mall. As we passed by baby items we would say "if it's a girl..." or "if it's a boy..." I know we are only at day 45, but the final day where we are matched can't come soon enough! We are going through a private agency (not an attorney) and our social worker has told us not to dwell on the wait time. She clearly stated the average wait time was 1.5-2 years. I do find moments of reading stories where I can't wait til I can share MY story of a happy ending, my chance to become a mommy. DH and I are excited for what is to come. We are excited to be parents together. We are excited for a future of several children.
I don't know what God's plan is for us, but he has blessed us beyond measure! Even with the struggles of infertility and sometimes not knowing where I am supposed to be or what I'm supposed to do with my life, He places things in my path along the way to show me I'm heading in the right direction. Please pray that the wait time continues to go smooth and painless. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
By husband and I have been "waiting" for 45 days now. We spent yesterday doing most of our Christmas shopping. We walked around the mall and went into so many stores. We bought for us and we bought for others. We browsed shoes, accessories, clothes, and everything else imaginable. Lucky for me DH is an awesome shopping buddy. More then that, he just enjoys spending time with me, something I've wished for my whole adult life.
We traveled in and out of different stores and had fun just holding hands and walking through the mall. As we passed by baby items we would say "if it's a girl..." or "if it's a boy..." I know we are only at day 45, but the final day where we are matched can't come soon enough! We are going through a private agency (not an attorney) and our social worker has told us not to dwell on the wait time. She clearly stated the average wait time was 1.5-2 years. I do find moments of reading stories where I can't wait til I can share MY story of a happy ending, my chance to become a mommy. DH and I are excited for what is to come. We are excited to be parents together. We are excited for a future of several children.
I don't know what God's plan is for us, but he has blessed us beyond measure! Even with the struggles of infertility and sometimes not knowing where I am supposed to be or what I'm supposed to do with my life, He places things in my path along the way to show me I'm heading in the right direction. Please pray that the wait time continues to go smooth and painless. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
29 November 2012
28 November 2012
CHRISTmas Cards!
Since being married in August of this year, DH, C (his biological son), Mollie (my fur baby) and I went to have our Christmas cards made so each person close to us can view our mug shots in front of a tree. One of my dear friends is an EXCELLENT photographer and she managed to get perfect pictures of our little family to capture this first Christmas together sharing the same last name.
After school today DH, C, and I went to view our "proofs" and design our card. We are sooooooo excited to get these ordered and sent out in the mail along with every other American sharing wishes of joy and comfort through the holiday season. Cheers!
After school today DH, C, and I went to view our "proofs" and design our card. We are sooooooo excited to get these ordered and sent out in the mail along with every other American sharing wishes of joy and comfort through the holiday season. Cheers!
26 November 2012
Diets Stink!
I have been telling my husband for a few months now that I'd love to lose 40 pounds. After weighing myself on the scale this morning that total is now up to a whopping 47 pounds!!!!! So, today makes Day 1 of the new diet plan...
After reading another bloggers post I gained some motivation to get this weight loss thing happening, and SOON! The fact that she has lost 41 pounds and seems to be doing well with her diet forced me to look at my own eating habits a little closer. Since Thanksgiving has came and gone I'm determined to make it until Christmas Eve (I plan on pigging out on Christmas Day) trying as hard as I can to stay on the straight and narrow. I figure if I blog about going on this diet then I'll be more accountable if it all goes south.
So here's to the next month of grumpiness, hungriness, not happiness, BUT LESS of me!
After reading another bloggers post I gained some motivation to get this weight loss thing happening, and SOON! The fact that she has lost 41 pounds and seems to be doing well with her diet forced me to look at my own eating habits a little closer. Since Thanksgiving has came and gone I'm determined to make it until Christmas Eve (I plan on pigging out on Christmas Day) trying as hard as I can to stay on the straight and narrow. I figure if I blog about going on this diet then I'll be more accountable if it all goes south.
So here's to the next month of grumpiness, hungriness, not happiness, BUT LESS of me!
24 November 2012
21 November 2012
Thanksgiving!
Typically every year I log onto my facebook account and, along with the rest of mankind, I do my 30 days of thanks. I list one new thing each day I'm thankful for. I didn't do that this year. I've started Blogging and connecting with people from all over the place. I've read stories from families, birthmothers, adoptive parents, and those who struggle with infertility. These are things I connect with. As my husband and I patiently (sometimes impatiently) wait for our "match" to meet our baby, this Blog offers a refresher on the whole situation. So it is here that I want to share my 30 days of thanks...
1. My God! He hears my every prayer and blesses me beyond what I deserve!
2. The power of prayer. I pray often, and am heard always.
3. My husband. God placed this amazing man in my life to be my calm, my heart, my best friend.
4. My family. While we're loud and crazy, we're close and have more love then a circle can hold.
5. My sweet Mollie (dog). She's heard me laugh, cry, scream, and yell and yet she STILL loves me!
6. My job. I love teaching and sharing new experiences with my students.
7. My ability to connect with my students. Teaching in a poverty area poses new problems of its own. My students will share their stories with me and I feel honored they choose to do so.
8. My home. Currently my husband and I rent, but we are fortunate enough to have jobs to help us pay for this.
9. My car. It's not much, but it gets me where I need to go!
10. My church. It's a small country church, but the preacher is such a man of God and delivers messages each Sunday to a congregation of those who need His word.
11. My colleagues. I work with the best people around! We are all there to serve our kiddos and they help me more then they know.
12. Electricity. There are many families who don't have the luxury of having heat during the winter months.
13. Adoption. While it's a long process, I'm thankful that it will someday provide me with a family I've always dreamed of.
14. The experience of fostering children for a year. I am excited to adopt and return to fostering children again!
15. Food. Again, many families don't have this luxury and I'm thankful I can afford to make what I want to eat.
16. Health. Overall, I've been pretty healthy and I'm thankful God chose me to be this way.
17. My amazing friends. I have a close group of friends I would do anything for!
18. My open mindedness. I'm thankful I can see the world for what's there and not focus on the things that don't matter.
19. Internet. It gives me a way to connect with people from all around.
20. Christmas. I'm thankful we have a holiday dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ.
21. Photographs. I love the memories made at different times and places.
22. My television shows. It seems minor, but I love tv. I love reality shows.
23. My past. Without it, ups and downs, I wouldn't be where I'm at now.
24. Hair color. I love changing my highlights, adding reds and blonds, and browns!
25. Cell Phones. I'm thankful that I can connect with my friends and family at any moment.
26. The USA. I'm proud to live in a place where I can do things as I wish.
27. Doctors. I'm thankful we have these people to "fix" us when we're broken.
28. Music. It has a way to reach in and touch the soul.
29. Vacations. I love taking a vacation and experiencing different places and spaces.
30. THIS BLOG!!!!! It has helped me on so many levels and in such a short period of time.
And there you have it! My 30 days of thanks! I hope each and every one of you will take the time to pray and give thanks for all that God has blessed you with! :)
1. My God! He hears my every prayer and blesses me beyond what I deserve!
2. The power of prayer. I pray often, and am heard always.
3. My husband. God placed this amazing man in my life to be my calm, my heart, my best friend.
4. My family. While we're loud and crazy, we're close and have more love then a circle can hold.
5. My sweet Mollie (dog). She's heard me laugh, cry, scream, and yell and yet she STILL loves me!
6. My job. I love teaching and sharing new experiences with my students.
7. My ability to connect with my students. Teaching in a poverty area poses new problems of its own. My students will share their stories with me and I feel honored they choose to do so.
8. My home. Currently my husband and I rent, but we are fortunate enough to have jobs to help us pay for this.
9. My car. It's not much, but it gets me where I need to go!
10. My church. It's a small country church, but the preacher is such a man of God and delivers messages each Sunday to a congregation of those who need His word.
11. My colleagues. I work with the best people around! We are all there to serve our kiddos and they help me more then they know.
12. Electricity. There are many families who don't have the luxury of having heat during the winter months.
13. Adoption. While it's a long process, I'm thankful that it will someday provide me with a family I've always dreamed of.
14. The experience of fostering children for a year. I am excited to adopt and return to fostering children again!
15. Food. Again, many families don't have this luxury and I'm thankful I can afford to make what I want to eat.
16. Health. Overall, I've been pretty healthy and I'm thankful God chose me to be this way.
17. My amazing friends. I have a close group of friends I would do anything for!
18. My open mindedness. I'm thankful I can see the world for what's there and not focus on the things that don't matter.
19. Internet. It gives me a way to connect with people from all around.
20. Christmas. I'm thankful we have a holiday dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ.
21. Photographs. I love the memories made at different times and places.
22. My television shows. It seems minor, but I love tv. I love reality shows.
23. My past. Without it, ups and downs, I wouldn't be where I'm at now.
24. Hair color. I love changing my highlights, adding reds and blonds, and browns!
25. Cell Phones. I'm thankful that I can connect with my friends and family at any moment.
26. The USA. I'm proud to live in a place where I can do things as I wish.
27. Doctors. I'm thankful we have these people to "fix" us when we're broken.
28. Music. It has a way to reach in and touch the soul.
29. Vacations. I love taking a vacation and experiencing different places and spaces.
30. THIS BLOG!!!!! It has helped me on so many levels and in such a short period of time.
And there you have it! My 30 days of thanks! I hope each and every one of you will take the time to pray and give thanks for all that God has blessed you with! :)
18 November 2012
Jesus In The House!
We had such a wonderful service at church this morning! Our church has some special guests to sing and their music and lyrics touched home. I related to several of the songs they sang. And I needed that this morning...
Yesterday, DH and I got a "slap in the face" from his ex wife. A woman who has struggled moving on without B. When B and I started dating we knew almost instantly we were destined to be together. So our relationship moved at lightening speed. We became serious quick, got married quick, moved into our home together quick, and started our adoption process quick. It had been 8 years since DH was serious with someone again. This was hard for his ex to understand. Even after so much time had passed there were still moments of holding onto to a future for them.
Please pray for us and for her as we start a battle that shouldn't be happening. Pray that each side is heard and that the truth does remain solid. DH and I have been so happy waiting and planning and focusing on our adoption and we don't want this to deter that. Thanks!
Yesterday, DH and I got a "slap in the face" from his ex wife. A woman who has struggled moving on without B. When B and I started dating we knew almost instantly we were destined to be together. So our relationship moved at lightening speed. We became serious quick, got married quick, moved into our home together quick, and started our adoption process quick. It had been 8 years since DH was serious with someone again. This was hard for his ex to understand. Even after so much time had passed there were still moments of holding onto to a future for them.
Please pray for us and for her as we start a battle that shouldn't be happening. Pray that each side is heard and that the truth does remain solid. DH and I have been so happy waiting and planning and focusing on our adoption and we don't want this to deter that. Thanks!
17 November 2012
National Adoption Day!
I logged onto facebook this morning and witnessed several of my friends proclaiming this awesome day! They're writing about THEIR success stories with adoption, their struggles, their end result of happiness and family.
My husband and I have been "waiting" for 29 days now. I know wait times seem to be anywhere up to 2 years, but I certainly hope we don't have to wait that long. I'm excited to celebrate in this day when I become a mommy through adoption. I respect and love sharing in the joy my friends, both near and far, have been given because of adoption. I just know it's not the same level of joy and excitement as the day it'll be when I receive my own forever family.
Please pray the wait continues on this fast path and that soon a birthmother will choose us to parent her child :)
My husband and I have been "waiting" for 29 days now. I know wait times seem to be anywhere up to 2 years, but I certainly hope we don't have to wait that long. I'm excited to celebrate in this day when I become a mommy through adoption. I respect and love sharing in the joy my friends, both near and far, have been given because of adoption. I just know it's not the same level of joy and excitement as the day it'll be when I receive my own forever family.
Please pray the wait continues on this fast path and that soon a birthmother will choose us to parent her child :)
14 November 2012
Too Busy To Breathe!
I can't even begin to express how busy life has been in the Bowen household! From dreams involving wild animals (yes, real animals) to preparing for our Beta Induction ceremony involving wild animals (my students) my husband and I have spent the majority of the last 6 days (including a day off to celebrate and honor our veterans) getting everything in order for our Junior Beta Club Induction Ceremony at school. This is our first year as co-sponsors and we are trying to create a ceremony our students would remember.
My students are my babies. Since I was told I would never be able to bear children, I've seen my students as my children. Some days we fight and bicker. Some days we are sharing our new stories. Some days we bounce good and bad off each other. I love my kids. I love my job. I love knowing that I'm making an impact in the lives of some kids that are exposed to things most adults should never experience. These students are the reason I love my job!
Plus, with staying extra busy at school, the wait time is going faster!!! Today makes 27 days DH and I have been "waiting" for our child. I just only hope and pray the wait time continues to run smooth...
My students are my babies. Since I was told I would never be able to bear children, I've seen my students as my children. Some days we fight and bicker. Some days we are sharing our new stories. Some days we bounce good and bad off each other. I love my kids. I love my job. I love knowing that I'm making an impact in the lives of some kids that are exposed to things most adults should never experience. These students are the reason I love my job!
Plus, with staying extra busy at school, the wait time is going faster!!! Today makes 27 days DH and I have been "waiting" for our child. I just only hope and pray the wait time continues to run smooth...
07 November 2012
Birthday Blessings :)
My handsome husband, my other half, my soul mate, my friend, my lover, my calm turns the big 33 today! I can't express how blessed I feel to share this special day with him. We haven't been married long, and in fact our relationship was quite short. Here's THAT story...
Four years ago I began my teaching career at a middle school that was a couple of hours away from my family. Now anyone who knows me knows just how close I am with my family. I accepted the position and moved to an apartment with my sweet Mollie dog, where I would teach 6th graders about math for the next year. At the end of the school year I had accepted another year where I was, scared that if I didn't I wouldn't get offered a job closer to home (plus I loved my school). Three weeks before school started I was called in to interview for a job that was 15 minutes from home. I went in for the interview, not sure how it would turn out. I was offered the position the very next day! My teacher friends know just how hard it is to find a teaching position when there are so many awesome competitors out there! I called my previous school and let them know of my decision. Because they are incredible people they let me out of my contract and I signed on with my current school. It was here that I would meet my future husband.
My first year at BCMS was pretty smooth. My team was close, I met some very welcoming people, and my students were awesome! It wasn't until my second year that my teammate, DH, started opening up more. We started our friendship by playing pranks on each other, which the kids LOVED! These playful games turned into conversations. Long conversations. These conversations turned into texts. And more texts. Finally, DH expressed how he felt and our relationship became existent.
Although our dating time was short, we both knew immediately what we had found was the storybook romance. We both fell. We fell hard. We had spent so much time talking and laughing and knowing each other outside of school and yet everything we knew was what we each wanted. Now back to the present...
This man I call my husband has shown me that I have so much to be grateful for. I count my blessings often and today is no less. I am thankful that I get to spend the day sharing celebrations with this amazing man whom I love more then words. The man that will someday (hopefully soon) be the father of my child(ren). Happy Birthday babe! And here's to many more :)
Four years ago I began my teaching career at a middle school that was a couple of hours away from my family. Now anyone who knows me knows just how close I am with my family. I accepted the position and moved to an apartment with my sweet Mollie dog, where I would teach 6th graders about math for the next year. At the end of the school year I had accepted another year where I was, scared that if I didn't I wouldn't get offered a job closer to home (plus I loved my school). Three weeks before school started I was called in to interview for a job that was 15 minutes from home. I went in for the interview, not sure how it would turn out. I was offered the position the very next day! My teacher friends know just how hard it is to find a teaching position when there are so many awesome competitors out there! I called my previous school and let them know of my decision. Because they are incredible people they let me out of my contract and I signed on with my current school. It was here that I would meet my future husband.
My first year at BCMS was pretty smooth. My team was close, I met some very welcoming people, and my students were awesome! It wasn't until my second year that my teammate, DH, started opening up more. We started our friendship by playing pranks on each other, which the kids LOVED! These playful games turned into conversations. Long conversations. These conversations turned into texts. And more texts. Finally, DH expressed how he felt and our relationship became existent.
Although our dating time was short, we both knew immediately what we had found was the storybook romance. We both fell. We fell hard. We had spent so much time talking and laughing and knowing each other outside of school and yet everything we knew was what we each wanted. Now back to the present...
This man I call my husband has shown me that I have so much to be grateful for. I count my blessings often and today is no less. I am thankful that I get to spend the day sharing celebrations with this amazing man whom I love more then words. The man that will someday (hopefully soon) be the father of my child(ren). Happy Birthday babe! And here's to many more :)
05 November 2012
Day 17
Today makes 17 days my husband and I have been officially "waiting" for our child. We have worked so hard and so quick to make sure we get to the point where it's all in God's hands and his timing. While we both know the wait will be so worth it in the end it doesn't make that wait time go any faster. A good friend of mine was recently "matched" and will be bringing her baby girl home around the end of December. Reading stories like these, as well as others I've read on this blog, is what gives my little family hope that we will grow and we will be parents to our child together. In the meantime we wait.....
03 November 2012
The Windy City...
It's THAT time of the school year again...
My husband and I have spent the last 2 days with 55 7th graders visiting The Navy Pier, Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Rainforest Cafe, and The Museum of Science and Industry. Now mind you, this was an 8 hour bus ride and there were 55 VERY excited 12 year olds.
This was a trip I took on as a sponsor last year. B and I are very involved in school and love the opportunity to show our students new experiences. This year was no different. The weather was perfect. The kids were so well behaved. The food was delicious and the kids made memories, which makes up for having to sleep on the hard floor. Here are a couple pictures from our trip...
Navy Pier
Rainforest Cafe
My husband and I have spent the last 2 days with 55 7th graders visiting The Navy Pier, Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Rainforest Cafe, and The Museum of Science and Industry. Now mind you, this was an 8 hour bus ride and there were 55 VERY excited 12 year olds.
This was a trip I took on as a sponsor last year. B and I are very involved in school and love the opportunity to show our students new experiences. This year was no different. The weather was perfect. The kids were so well behaved. The food was delicious and the kids made memories, which makes up for having to sleep on the hard floor. Here are a couple pictures from our trip...
31 October 2012
And It Continues...
My sweet girl is still having problems with her back! After a late night visit to the vet a couple nights ago, two shots, two prescriptions, a $205.00 vet bill, and an exhausting next day at work she seems a little bit better. The things we do for our furbabies...*sigh*
29 October 2012
Sick Girl :(
I came home from school today only to find my sweet Mollie Rae not feeling well. Some may not understand. This dog IS MY LIFE! She's my sweet, cuddly, loving girl and has followed me for almost 11 years listening to every happy, sad, miserable, elated story I've had to share. She's listened to me talk about boy problems, infertility problems, and she made me feel so much better without saying a word! Please say a prayer that my sweet girl starts to feel better soon!
28 October 2012
Chili and Steelers!
This weekend has been such a relaxing weekend at home with my husband! It's well deserved. We go so much and so hard Monday through Friday. We've both learned in our time as teachers that our job is NEVER done. This weekend we have put all work aside and focused on being lazy...together :)
We made our weekly trip to Wal-Mart and Kroger yesterday to buy the ingredients for a yummy white bean and chicken chili recipe I found on Pintrest. It was soooooooo yummy! My husband had never seen any of the Twilight movies so I forced him into watching them all this weekend. Now that's true love :)
We are finishing this weekend with an awesome Steelers game even though we are a house divided. The hubs loves his Bengals while the wife loves her Steelers. Guess we can just agree to disagree on that!
Here's to a wonderful end to a wonderful weekend! :)
We made our weekly trip to Wal-Mart and Kroger yesterday to buy the ingredients for a yummy white bean and chicken chili recipe I found on Pintrest. It was soooooooo yummy! My husband had never seen any of the Twilight movies so I forced him into watching them all this weekend. Now that's true love :)
We are finishing this weekend with an awesome Steelers game even though we are a house divided. The hubs loves his Bengals while the wife loves her Steelers. Guess we can just agree to disagree on that!
Here's to a wonderful end to a wonderful weekend! :)
25 October 2012
Our Adoption Profile Book
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Our Story...
Where shall I begin...
I decided to start blogging, hoping this would pass the time while we wait...and wait...and wait...and wait...My husband and I are trying to grow our family through adoption. We have so many emotions we are experiencing and have enjoyed reading other blogs from families who are going through the same thing. The wait. The call. The acceptance. The delivery. The "new" family.
Many moons ago I became aware of a condition I have, a type of Mullerian Disorder, which allows me to produce everything necessary for a baby, with the exception of a correctly working uterus. So basically I can create, but cannot house. We have explored our options and found that we have 2, surrogacy or adoption. At the stage in the game we are at now we want both (cake and eat it too). So...we began our journey...
Four weeks ago my husband and I buckled down and in 2 weeks had everything complete per our adoption agency request, homestudy and all! We worked hard and spent hours filling out papers, sorting through papers, medical exams, background checks, profile book, etc. And as of 2 weeks ago today we were "officially" approved to be on the waiting list!!!!! Today, our agency received our profile book in the mail and our website went live!!!!!! Needless to say it's been a happy day in the Bowen household :)
I decided to start blogging, hoping this would pass the time while we wait...and wait...and wait...and wait...My husband and I are trying to grow our family through adoption. We have so many emotions we are experiencing and have enjoyed reading other blogs from families who are going through the same thing. The wait. The call. The acceptance. The delivery. The "new" family.
Many moons ago I became aware of a condition I have, a type of Mullerian Disorder, which allows me to produce everything necessary for a baby, with the exception of a correctly working uterus. So basically I can create, but cannot house. We have explored our options and found that we have 2, surrogacy or adoption. At the stage in the game we are at now we want both (cake and eat it too). So...we began our journey...
Four weeks ago my husband and I buckled down and in 2 weeks had everything complete per our adoption agency request, homestudy and all! We worked hard and spent hours filling out papers, sorting through papers, medical exams, background checks, profile book, etc. And as of 2 weeks ago today we were "officially" approved to be on the waiting list!!!!! Today, our agency received our profile book in the mail and our website went live!!!!!! Needless to say it's been a happy day in the Bowen household :)
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