Through the Eyes of Parents

I have to say BUSY is the word that has so defined our lives since we started working as teachers.  Once a few more responsibilities are added on, it's as if every waking hour has all but vanished.  The exception is summer (minus the most recent one), one week in the spring, and Christmas break.  As the years have passed and we've become more efficient at work, the free time we would have gained has been offset with having to go back to school to renew certification or having to go to school to teach in a different area, etc.  Well, this summer was a huge eye-opener for us.  ALL we did was work on fixing our home.  Like, we went "out" for fun twice.  SOOOO dumb.  I mean, we're glad that we did it -- it was just the manner in which we chose to do it.  We were left with no time to be human.  Thankfully, we both realized that it really was a reflection of what our lives had become all year around for the last five years.  There are things that we have no control over - especially when it comes to work, but when we do have a choice, we are mindful of some things that need to change.  Starting next year...hehehe. = )  There will be some big changes when baby comes home! 

Some other changes have to do with church.  We've spent the last couple years stepping back from what is commonly known as "church" and really began a process of working through our issues.  In our hearts, we felt like church was becoming a tool to convert people.  A show to emotionally kidnap people.  A place where people shed their questions to fit in and seem faithful.  Ugh.  Neither one of us claim to know the answers to this church problem, but we, I guess I should say I (since Aaron's not peeking over my shoulder) have never felt more "real" in my faith since we left the church (we continued to listen to sermons online, meet with our small group, etc.).  One reason is because we took the money that was going to our church and redirected it to organizations and causes that we know God cares about.  What joy that brings!  Hmmm, we stop going to church and as a result, we got to partner with God and others to feed those with nothing, care for orphans, rescue children and women from the sex industry, etc.  Honestly, I don't know if my desire to adopt would have been so deep if we wouldn't have left the church and immersed ourselves in this journey to seek a greater understanding of our faith.

We know there's a purpose for "church", but we're not willing to narrow our definition of church to a weekend service in a building.  As soon-to-be parents, we know that there's value in belonging to larger group of believers.  Since May, we've felt that our rogue Christianity was coming to a close and began looking again for a community to join, but this time, through the eyes of parents.  Oddly enough, we've found a place that fulfills that desire for community we have for our future children AND happens to be a good match for the two of us.  No fancy music, no god-like rising star pastor, no push to conquer the world...it's plain, and real, strangely traditional and liberal at the same time, and concerned with meeting the needs of others.  And, to my pleasure, beards, vests, and flannel can be found in every row!  So, I guess this is our coming out post. 

More specific to the adoption, I'm excited to post new numbers in the next week or so. All of us waitlisters should be receiving an update soon.  Many families are preparing to go pick up their new member/s in December (four just got back this weekend).  I can't even describe how amazing it is to see babies and kids come home forever.  For my friends and family who read this...you must spend a few minutes and google some gotcha videos.  Watch them...your heart will be touched!

NUMBER 23

We were supposed to get our number on Friday, but after reviewing our file, AGCI wanted an additional letter to validate some of our income.  Talk about a let down...those who know me, know that I hate phones.  I looked at the stinking phone every minute -- all day long.  I kept my email open and checked between taking attendance and every other task that was even near my computer.  So, one can imagine how NOT FUN it was to hear our caseworker say that they wouldn't put us on the waitlist until they received that additional document.  Ugh.

Well, today is Monday, and a very good Monday it is.  We are 23!  It's a nice, early birthday present for Aaron.  :)  Now, for the most part, we get to sit back and WAIT.   No more post office runs, writing letters, getting stuff notarized...that's a big yay for me!  I'm having a difficult enough time running my normal life. 

On Thursday, I stayed home from school because I couldn't quite shake a cold.  I was cleaning our closet (yes, even Aaron's side...like a good wife) and I caught sight of these little slippers that my parents bought us a long time ago.  I decided to bring them down and leave them next to our bathroom so that every time we walk into our bathroom, we'll see them.  Sometimes it reminds me to pray for him and his family.  Sometimes, they just make me smile.  Because surely, my son will be just like his mom -- anti-shoe!  So I leave you with a picture that makes me giggle.