I know I've said it before in my blog, but hats off to all of you working moms! I'm still trying to figure all of this out. When I got up this morning, I prayed that Eli would feel good enough to go to school.... but of course.... it's Tracy's world....No. Such. Luck. I had to "call in" to work. I sent a text to my principal, and I was terrified because I was recently sick for 2 school days, for which I had to stay home, and I thought he was going to burst something in his head every time I had to call in. I hate to feel like I'm letting someone down. I hate to feel like I'm not meeting anyone's expectations, but by the same token, as a mom, I have to do what my kids need me to do for them, and that has to be my first priority.
Today, Eli needed to stay home, go to the doctor, get on meds, and be under the humidifier, so that's what we did.... and what really chaps my butt? Men don't really ever have to make these decisions between career and kids. That's why I feel like it's easier to work for a woman. First quarter, I worked for a woman principal who was sooooooooooooo understanding about kids' needs. She's a great lady.....clearly she had been a working mom, herself. Oh well, I'm sure eventually I'll find the right fit. Eventually I'll find the right balance and the right job that will allow me to have the best of both worlds.
Currently, I'm looking into getting my Master's degree. I'm starting to get a lot of advice from a lot of good sources. I would love to be a Guidance Counselor, so I think that's the ultimate goal, but I just got off the phone with a counselor from EIU who has a Elem Ed program at Parkland. After talking to him, it sounds like getting yet another Bachelor's degree, first, may be a good route to go. So I would have a B.A. and a B.S. , and THEN start work on my Master's. There's really no down side to this other than the amount of time it would take, and I'm not getting any younger. (Although with all of the classes that I already have, it really wouldn't take that long.) So...these are the things rattling around in my head right now. Hopefully I'll have more insight next week.... I'm going to an informational meeting Parkland is holding, so I guess it was the right time to start asking questions. (Like I always say, it's not my timeline...it's His.)
Eli is turning six this week! I can't believe it. It doesn't seem possible that he is 6 years old! I have been emailing back and forth with his birth mom, trying to figure out when we can meet for his birthday, this year. She's such a wonderful person. I could not imagine my life without Eli, and I can not imagine what she went through in giving him to me. It takes a very special person to be able to place their child for adoption. She will tell you that she has never looked back. She is so pleased with her decision, and so happy that I'm his mom. She and I have an indescribable bond. We are both Eli's moms, but in very different ways. We both want only what's best for Eli. When you set yourself aside, and look at what's best for someone else, amazing things tend to happen. I won't tell you her story, because it's hers to tell, but for my side of the story, our decision to adopt, and everything that followed was nothing but a blessing to our family.
Eli's birth mom is an amazing person, who for her own reasons, was considering adoption for her baby. She had worked with Danny, and knew our family. She saw us as good, loving, stable parents. She wanted her baby to have lots of siblings to play with....boy, did we fit that bill. The adoption process was, for us, as easy as it gets. (Still stressful with all of the hoops you have to jump through, but overall, it was a dream.) Everything happens for a reason.... so many things had to happen in order for Eli to become a part of our family, and yet, it all just fell into place. I feel so blessed by Eli and his birth mom. We are so very lucky to have her in our lives, and for Eli to know that she loves him....it was never about not being loved or wanted. That's important for him to know.
She planted a rose bush for Eli right after he was born, and each year, on his birthday, she gives me a rose from that bush.... it still brings tears to my eyes. I know how hard it was for her to walk out of that hospital without a baby, and for her to go home and plant a rose bush for him.... well.... it just really leaves me speechless.... like I said, she's an amazing lady.
I have so much more that I could write about, but so little time. I'm helping Nick with a paper on Adoption....I have a sick kid home, I swore I'd do laundry today, and it's almost time to pick up Stret from school.... who can we petition to add an extra day into the week? (A weekend day, of course!)
Life's short. Buy the shoes ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment