My track out is almost over and I ask myself, "Where has the time gone?" I can't complain too much though, it's been a wonderful break. It feels like I've been away from my kids for months... not just a few weeks.

We had our second home study meeting Tuesday and it went very well. Walt (our case manager) met with Steve first and then with me. In all it lasted about an hour. I think because we did such an outstanding job on our paperwork, he really didn't have much to ask us. I have to think that we're the exception and not the rule when it comes to the amount of information and details provided in our autobiographies. I guess it paid off to put so much time and effort into them! Walt said that he thinks we're a delightful couple and that we're very transparent. He feels that who we are is seen very clearly and we're not putting up a front about who we are. It's quite a compliment and means a lot.

In my last posting I mentioned that I had applied and interviewed with Scholastic for their Teacher Advisory Board. Well, I didn't think I was picked because last Saturday I still had not heard from them. So on a whim on Sunday, I checked my school email and to my surprise, there was an email from Carol congratulating me on being selected! I am one of fifteen teachers across the United States that was selected! I will be working with two women from Scholastic (Ann Marie and Megan) and they represent the Arrow Book Club. That's the club that I'll be working with as a fourth grade teacher.

I booked my flight to New York City and I'll be leaving on the 25th and will arrive at LaGuardia airport. I'll be staying at the SoHo Grand hotel and it's already booked and paid for by Scholastic. The entire trip is paid for by them!

So, I decided to contact Carol and let her know about the adoption and basically leave it up to her if she wanted me to stay on as an advisor, or give someone else the spot. I don't know when we'll be matched, and don't know when I'll be leaving work. I don't want to take the position and then leave teaching and leave Scholastic high and dry. So I sent her a long email explaining everything and she wrote back right away and asked if she and I could talk. So she called me and told me that she actually adopted her daughter 23 years ago and completely understood where I was coming from. She was very appreciative of my being open and honest and said it spoke highly of my character. She said she didn't think the adoption process would impact my ability to fulfill my commitment to Scholastic and she asked me to stay on board! I am so excited now!

I got an email from Ann Marie and she'll be coming to NC to visit my classroom on the 18th! She and Megan will be coming all day and will be there to take pictures and see what a typical day looks like for me. They're sending a package of books before they arrive and they want me to wait to open it until they're there. My kids are going to be so excited! They're also providing lunch for the entire OG staff! I think it's wonderful!!

So I sent an email to everyone else that's on the Advisor Team and we've been exchanging emails and contact information. We're all staying at the same hotel and none of the Scholastic events start until Friday, so a bunch of us will be meeting up for dinner on Thursday. It should be fun and I'm getting more and more excited!!

I haven't heard anything about Teacher of the Year yet. Who knows... I'll keep you updated if I hear anything.

Until next time...
>^..^<

New Year, New Me Part 2

Well... it's almost been a week and things are going strong! I am very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and writing down EVERYTHING that I eat. It's been enlightening to see just how much sodium is in food! Obviously processed food has more, and I'm trying to steer clear of processed foods.

I've been able to do my Wii Fit each morning and Thursday I stayed home for my internal ultrasound appointment, and did the Dance Dance Revolution 2. Talk about buring up some calories! I was sweating like crazy!

Speaking of my appointment, it went well. I had a slight melt-down because I hadn't thought about what I'd do, or how I'd react if he found something bad (tumors, etc.). Steve had meetings all day and wasn't able to go with me, and I was really nervous. Fortunately, he said everything looked normal, and nothing stood out to him. He said that his best guess is that it's something hormonal.

I go tomorrow for my OB appointment. I am nervous about it because she'll have my blood results and his results and we'll be talking about what to do next. Hopefully she'll be able to prescribe me something to restart my system and get me ovulating.

Speaking of ovulating... I feel like now that I've got a good start to my new lifestyle, I want to focus on losing weight and getting healthy before trying to make a baby. Don't get me wrong, if it happens that'd be great, but I think I'd be a whole lot better off if I lost some weight first and just focused on that for a while. I get very fixated on certain things and then they drive me crazy. Trying to get pregnant has been one of those things, and I'm ready to move onto something more productive with my fixation. I'm going to give 100% effort to me... and my health... and then worry about pregnancy stuff later.

Steve is being very supportive about all of this. WHICH IS AMAZING! I am no longer drinking regular soda... and really, have only had soda twice and it was Coke Zero and Diet Coke both times- and he and I shared it. All the rest has been skim milk and a whole lot of water. I've found my cravings for sweets and sugars have kinda diminished and I am not eating as much as I used to. I hope to be able to report some great things as a result of all this soon!

I have a lot going on this week. Tomorrow I go to the OB for my post-blood and post-ultrasound appointment. I'll try to get on and post more about that tomorrow. Tuesday I have my mentor practicum class... and pray that I pass! Friday is the OG staff party and should be fun and then there's no school Monday! WHOO HOO!!

Keep me in your prayers!!!
Until next time...
>^..^<