Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Quilting Bee
For the last few months I've been sewing like crazy. It's worked out well, since my sewing kick corresponded with my mom's urge to get rid of fabric she bought but hadn't used (seriously, don't let my mom or me in a fabric store. We always end up buying fabric for stuff we never end up making). Back in September when I went to visit, we went through everything and found quite a few nice fabrics, as well as panels for baby quilts, so I took them home and went to work. In two weeks time I had made 5 baby quilts, all fairly simple. One of the quilts I had started a few years ago and decided it was time to finish.
So here's a few of the quilts I finished a few weeks ago:
This one was my fave, the one I had started a few years ago and finally finished. It has a cute baby-blue flannel backing with fire-trucks, ambulances, & police cars:
One of my best friends, Lynae, is expecting a baby boy, Caleb, in March. The walls of the nursery are a bright yellow, and she wanted that incorporated in the quilt as well as a race car theme. I found a great flannel with race cars to use as the backing, and the other fabric's matched perfectly. Here's the quilt I just finished today!
And now that I'm feeling nostalgic, I think I'll post a pix of the quilt I did for Andrea, Lynae's daughter:
So here's a few of the quilts I finished a few weeks ago:
This one was my fave, the one I had started a few years ago and finally finished. It has a cute baby-blue flannel backing with fire-trucks, ambulances, & police cars:
One of my best friends, Lynae, is expecting a baby boy, Caleb, in March. The walls of the nursery are a bright yellow, and she wanted that incorporated in the quilt as well as a race car theme. I found a great flannel with race cars to use as the backing, and the other fabric's matched perfectly. Here's the quilt I just finished today!
And now that I'm feeling nostalgic, I think I'll post a pix of the quilt I did for Andrea, Lynae's daughter:
Well that was fun! I have a few "expectant mothers" in mind for the quilts I made, and I'm planning on donating the rest to a local foster care agency. It gives me joy to know that babies will be cuddled up in these quilts soon!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
My new job
Woo hoo! Yesterday was my last day at BoA. Today I started my new job as a .... drumroll please... a housewife!!! Ok, well at least for the next few months. I get to go home (to Fresno) this week, and the week of Thanksgiving, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm signed up to volunteer time with childrens minstry at our church. I can't wait to finally catch up with my friends that I haven't seen or talked to in forever. And maybe, just maybe, I'll finally get through the huge pile of clean clothes that never seems to get hung up. Do you know what I'm talking about? The pile that goes from the dryer to the basket, than pulled out of the basket the day you need to wear it and has to be ironed 3 times to get all the wrinkles out?!? I know I'm not the only one :)
No sitting on the couch eating bon bons and watching soap's for me!
No sitting on the couch eating bon bons and watching soap's for me!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Dream
Last night I had a dream that felt so real I woke up feeling disoriented. In my dream I was in another country, traveling to visit up the child we were apparently adopting. I was in a bus than in a taxi and then finally arrived to the area where they had the children. It was there they handed me a 18 month little girl, with light red hair a brown eyes. I just sobbed and sobbed, feeling so relieved to finally have the child I'd been longing for, my child in my arms. In the dream I held her and sang to her and played with her for a little while. When it became apparent that we would have to leave, I held her close and told her I would be back for her, and not to be sad that our home would be waiting for her. Even thinking about it now gives me chills.
I have learned that infertility is a part of who I am but it doesn't define me. The anger toward God that I struggled with, over the last few years especially, has dissipated as my dream of having children has changed. I know I will never become pregnant, be able to feel my baby move inside me, or experience child birth. But after eight years of mourning that broken dream, my dream has changed. I know someday I will have a houseful of children that probably look nothing like me or Alex, or each other for that matter. I can't wait for that day to come. I can't wait to get the referral of a waiting orphan and travel to their birth country to pick them up. I'm excited to find out more about surrogacy and see if that's a good path for us to take. I'm looking forward to become a foster mom and my home being a safe haven for children who need one.
Since Kristi & Doug are adopting from China right now I get a little taste of what the process will be like. We are getting excited as the wait is finally starting to seem not so endless. If all goes as planned she should be getting her referral by May. We are getting the baby blanket done, her bedroom furniture put together, and I went with Kris to register at Baby's 'R' Us. I'm excited for what parenthood has in store for them and waiting in anticipation for my new little niece.
I'm also feeling my "biological clock ticking". We’ve been married 6 years now, and nearly all of our close married friends have children already. We made a decision last year for Alex to pursue medical school while we are still “young” which means children are going to have to wait until the he starts residency, which is four years away. I'm aware that by making the decision to go through medical school we would be putting the dream of children on hold for a little while longer. And I'm okay with waiting. But when I wake from dreams like the one I had last night, I long for the little ones that someday will fill my aching empty arms.
I have learned that infertility is a part of who I am but it doesn't define me. The anger toward God that I struggled with, over the last few years especially, has dissipated as my dream of having children has changed. I know I will never become pregnant, be able to feel my baby move inside me, or experience child birth. But after eight years of mourning that broken dream, my dream has changed. I know someday I will have a houseful of children that probably look nothing like me or Alex, or each other for that matter. I can't wait for that day to come. I can't wait to get the referral of a waiting orphan and travel to their birth country to pick them up. I'm excited to find out more about surrogacy and see if that's a good path for us to take. I'm looking forward to become a foster mom and my home being a safe haven for children who need one.
Since Kristi & Doug are adopting from China right now I get a little taste of what the process will be like. We are getting excited as the wait is finally starting to seem not so endless. If all goes as planned she should be getting her referral by May. We are getting the baby blanket done, her bedroom furniture put together, and I went with Kris to register at Baby's 'R' Us. I'm excited for what parenthood has in store for them and waiting in anticipation for my new little niece.
I'm also feeling my "biological clock ticking". We’ve been married 6 years now, and nearly all of our close married friends have children already. We made a decision last year for Alex to pursue medical school while we are still “young” which means children are going to have to wait until the he starts residency, which is four years away. I'm aware that by making the decision to go through medical school we would be putting the dream of children on hold for a little while longer. And I'm okay with waiting. But when I wake from dreams like the one I had last night, I long for the little ones that someday will fill my aching empty arms.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cassy and Janna do San Francisco!
I have been missing my best friend, Cassy, something terrible since we moved. And because of her work schedule and financial reasons she hasn't been able to come up and visit. So I was thrilled to find out a few weeks ago that she was coming to visit for her birthday! Of course we had to plan something big, so we decided that a day in San Francisco was the thing to do.
She came up Monday night and we went out to dinner to celebrate her birthday (10/25) and Alex's bday (10/27) as well as my quitting my job(see previous post). Tuesday I had the day off so we took the ferry from Vallejo into SF. We spent the day window shopping on Pier 39, watching the sea lions, and walking around Fisherman's Wharf. We talked so much my jaw was hurting by the time we were ready to head home. There's nothing quite like spending a day with your best friend.
She came up Monday night and we went out to dinner to celebrate her birthday (10/25) and Alex's bday (10/27) as well as my quitting my job(see previous post). Tuesday I had the day off so we took the ferry from Vallejo into SF. We spent the day window shopping on Pier 39, watching the sea lions, and walking around Fisherman's Wharf. We talked so much my jaw was hurting by the time we were ready to head home. There's nothing quite like spending a day with your best friend.
Cassy & I on Pier 39 (see the sea lions behind us?)
Taking a break from shopping
Even sea lions itch!
Cass watching our fave free entertainment
Our ferry coming to take us home
"Port of an Francisco!" the "S" was burned out
Enjoying the view leaving the city on the ferry
Bye, Bye, B of A!
I put in my two weeks notice on Monday. My last day at BoA is on November. And no I do not have another job lined up. I plan on working at a temp agency because that will give me the flexibility I would like, so I can go home and visit my family much more!
And as kamikaze as this all sounds, Alex and I are both a peace with it. He is the one who encouraged me to give my notice this week. Last week was horrible (to say . the least - I came home from work on friday in tears.)I have refrained from talking about my job on here because this is a PUBLIC blog and I wouldn't want to post things that could get back to my boss. Lets just say it has been a VERY STRESSFUL position for me, to the point where I have been physically ill. So this is a much anticipated and very exciting change!
And as kamikaze as this all sounds, Alex and I are both a peace with it. He is the one who encouraged me to give my notice this week. Last week was horrible (to say . the least - I came home from work on friday in tears.)I have refrained from talking about my job on here because this is a PUBLIC blog and I wouldn't want to post things that could get back to my boss. Lets just say it has been a VERY STRESSFUL position for me, to the point where I have been physically ill. So this is a much anticipated and very exciting change!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
One step forward...
I have great news that I almost forgot to tell ya!
A few weeks ago I applied for a position with Sonoma County. It's an "Project" administration position that only last 24 months, but has full county benefits a EXCELLENT pay. By excellent I mean take my current salary and double it. That's the starting pay. I applied for this job and answered some very detailed questions about my previous skills and past experience in administrative work.
I must have done well on the application because I found out today that I'm invited to take the written test. They are only doing the test one day and from what I understand, the applicants who score the highest are invited to a interview.
Now I'm asking for all your prayers that I do well on this test! If you send me an email I'll let you know the date and time.
PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!
A few weeks ago I applied for a position with Sonoma County. It's an "Project" administration position that only last 24 months, but has full county benefits a EXCELLENT pay. By excellent I mean take my current salary and double it. That's the starting pay. I applied for this job and answered some very detailed questions about my previous skills and past experience in administrative work.
I must have done well on the application because I found out today that I'm invited to take the written test. They are only doing the test one day and from what I understand, the applicants who score the highest are invited to a interview.
Now I'm asking for all your prayers that I do well on this test! If you send me an email I'll let you know the date and time.
PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!
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