Here are some quick pictures of our new little bug...she is sooooo sweet!Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Update
Today marks the first day of 38 weeks of pregnancy! The doctor told us on Tuesday that she doesn't forsee baby coming until after 39 weeks. I hope she's right because Shane will be out of town this weekend and our doctor will be gone until the 16th of the month! I guess there really isn't a lot we can do about it...when she's ready, she's ready!
I also have some news on the job situation. A few weeks ago, Shane was out at a private school in Whitefish (Whitefish Christian Academy-WCA) for work. I had interviewed at this school last year so Shane and I both know the superintendent and some of the staff. The superintendent, Todd, asked how I was doing and if I was enjoying Stillwater...so of course Shane told him the truth about my job situation being up in the air and about our frustrations with the school. About a week later, I got an unexpected email from Todd asking if we could meet and discuss the possibility of a job opening at WCA.
Anyways, I met him for coffee a couple days later and discussed a 2nd grade position that they might have open...of course I was thrilled! After that, everything happened pretty quickly. He found out that the current 2nd grade teacher was not coming back next year, posted the position on the internet for a few days and asked me to fill out another application. On Tuesday of this week, I went to the school to turn in my application and he called me into his office. Right then and there he offered me a contract to teach 2nd grade next year! I was kind of shocked...not really expecting it to move so quickly. Of course I told him I would take the job and would be in on Thursday to sign the "official" contract...there was no way I was going to let this opportunity go, especially since things with Stillwater were still so up in air.
Obviously I was completely filled with relief! Then the next day, Wednesday, my boss asked if I could meet with him to discuss my maternity leave. After discussing that situation, he unexpectedly offered me an open 3rd grade position at Stillwater...when it rains it pours, right? I told him I needed to think about it (of course I had already signed the contract at the other school, but he didn't know that. I decided to make him wait a little...)
Shane and I discussed the situation and went over the pros and cons of each school. We are both really upset with how Stillwater handled the situation with my job and the lack of information and reassurance regarding other positions. In the end, I made the final decision to leave Stillwater and go to WCA. Although I will be sad to leave all the wonderful friends I have made, I feel really good about my decision and I can't wait to teach 2nd grade!!!
Shane and I discovered, once again, if we put our trust and faith completely in Him, amazing things will happen!
I also have some news on the job situation. A few weeks ago, Shane was out at a private school in Whitefish (Whitefish Christian Academy-WCA) for work. I had interviewed at this school last year so Shane and I both know the superintendent and some of the staff. The superintendent, Todd, asked how I was doing and if I was enjoying Stillwater...so of course Shane told him the truth about my job situation being up in the air and about our frustrations with the school. About a week later, I got an unexpected email from Todd asking if we could meet and discuss the possibility of a job opening at WCA.
Anyways, I met him for coffee a couple days later and discussed a 2nd grade position that they might have open...of course I was thrilled! After that, everything happened pretty quickly. He found out that the current 2nd grade teacher was not coming back next year, posted the position on the internet for a few days and asked me to fill out another application. On Tuesday of this week, I went to the school to turn in my application and he called me into his office. Right then and there he offered me a contract to teach 2nd grade next year! I was kind of shocked...not really expecting it to move so quickly. Of course I told him I would take the job and would be in on Thursday to sign the "official" contract...there was no way I was going to let this opportunity go, especially since things with Stillwater were still so up in air.
Obviously I was completely filled with relief! Then the next day, Wednesday, my boss asked if I could meet with him to discuss my maternity leave. After discussing that situation, he unexpectedly offered me an open 3rd grade position at Stillwater...when it rains it pours, right? I told him I needed to think about it (of course I had already signed the contract at the other school, but he didn't know that. I decided to make him wait a little...)
Shane and I discussed the situation and went over the pros and cons of each school. We are both really upset with how Stillwater handled the situation with my job and the lack of information and reassurance regarding other positions. In the end, I made the final decision to leave Stillwater and go to WCA. Although I will be sad to leave all the wonderful friends I have made, I feel really good about my decision and I can't wait to teach 2nd grade!!!
Shane and I discovered, once again, if we put our trust and faith completely in Him, amazing things will happen!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sorry!
Changing table...Thanks for the help Jess...quite the adventure
Possible outfits for Madison's homecoming
Pretty sure I'm gonna pop!I know, I know...it's been a long time since my last post. Things have been a little hectic around here. We've been doing a lot to make sure the house is ready when baby finally arrives...which, I found out today could be anytime from this week to next month!
I had a doctor appointment this morning. I'll spare you the gory details and put it in less graphic terms: Everything looks really good and though I'm not dialated yet, everything else is ready to go in terms of baby's position and the position of my reproductive system in general:)
Then the doctor sent me to the birth center so I could be hooked up to the monitors and tested for fetal movement. Baby hasn't been moving as much lately...the doc said it was probably just tight quarters but she wanted to make sure...anyways, off we go to the birth center. They strapped me all in to the heart rate and movement monitors and told me I needed to hang out for about 20 minutes while they monitored everything.
About 20 minutes later, the nurse came in and said, "are you feeling these contractions that you're having?" I had been feeling some cramps in my belly and my lower back but they were different/stronger than the Braxton Hicks I had been having and I wasn't quite aware of what actual contractions felt like (I guess it's a good thing I now know what they feel like!). She stayed in the room with me and examined me while I had a couple contractions...she said they were definetly real thing and that I should continue to monitor them for regularity/duration/intensity whenever I feel one. Based on what she was seeing today, Baby could come any day now or she could hold out for another month...guess we just patiently wait!
I still feel great and other than the occasional crampiness...which I guess I can start calling contractions, I don't feel any different than before...just really anxious! Mama and Papa can't wait to meet this little one! It's so sweet because I can tell Shane is getting so excited/anxious to meet her...he is always asking how she's doing, rubbing my belly, giving her raspberries...cute stuff like that!
I am so excited to hold her and see what she looks like and touch all her little fingers and toes, but I think one of the things I am most excited about is seeing her papa hold her for the first time...I try to imagine what that will be like and I just can't even picture how special it will be for me to see.
Anyways, I will try to keep up on this a little better, things have just been a little crazy with work/life in general...I have a feeling they will only get crazier in the next few weeks:)
Friday, March 26, 2010
You've Gotta Be Kidding Me?!?
So yesterday, I had a meeting with the superintendant of the school I teach at. He talked to me for 15 minutes about the ideal structure of middle school and that he was so happy that the middle school teachers are finally a team (which has apparently been a problem for the past few years). He said he is so pleased that the 6th, 7th and 8th grade teachers work so well together and that it is obvious that the students are benefitting from it...Great! I thought, Glad I can be a part of that! Then he dropped the bomb. The school has to cut $100,000 in expenses for next year..."unfortunately, Rachel, your salary is one of the expenses."
Excuse me?
So after 15 minutes of praise and encouragement I'm thinking...sweet! He's going to offer me a raise! Nope...not the case.
Now, after 1 amazing year at Stillwater, I am back on the job market...of course, this is the worst time to be looking for a job. Not just a teaching job...ANY job! Ideally, I would love to stay home with baby and if we could make it work I would...(maybe this is God's way of telling me that He wants me to work as a mommy instead of a teacher) I just don't think we could make it work financially...plus...after paying (and still paying) thousands of dollars to be a teacher...I am NOT ready to give that up! Teaching for a year certainly confirmed the fact that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my profession and I truly do want to work!
So far, I have gone through the whole gammet of emotions. I was super sad and felt like a failure...although I have been assured by many coworkers that it has NOTHING to do with my performance...I am simply the newest employee and lowest on the totem pole:( Then I was just plain mad...I was so angry at the administration...why me? I'm a good teacher, I devoted so much time, energy and emotion to my job and I KNOW I did it well! Finally, after being angry, I feel like I am starting to accept it and now I just think it's silly.
It doesn't hurt to have the most amazing husband in the world either! He has made sure that I know that it's the school's loss, has nothing to do with my teaching and that no matter what, we will make it work. He also said something that made a lot of sense and really made me think...he said that I need to look at all the amazing things I have gotten out of this 1 year. The great friends I have made, the experience and the fact that teaching at a Christian school has strengthened my faith, brought me to a new, amazing church and taught me a whole lot about what it means to be a Christian. As I think about what he said, I realize, he is so right. No matter what, it will work out! I am confident in myself and I thank God that I have such a supportive and amazing family
So right now, I will just finish out the school year (at least until I go into labor), take care of myself and baby (that's more important than any job) and thank God for what He is blessing me with right now.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
I also can't help but think about Paul writing to the people of Philippi while he was locked in prison. He was so joyful and eager to share what he knew. I can't imagine being locked in prison and being constantly joyful...I am the one who cringes when I meet people like that:) In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he says:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7
Thanks to my family for all the support, love and encouragement! I couldn't do it without you!
Excuse me?
So after 15 minutes of praise and encouragement I'm thinking...sweet! He's going to offer me a raise! Nope...not the case.
Now, after 1 amazing year at Stillwater, I am back on the job market...of course, this is the worst time to be looking for a job. Not just a teaching job...ANY job! Ideally, I would love to stay home with baby and if we could make it work I would...(maybe this is God's way of telling me that He wants me to work as a mommy instead of a teacher) I just don't think we could make it work financially...plus...after paying (and still paying) thousands of dollars to be a teacher...I am NOT ready to give that up! Teaching for a year certainly confirmed the fact that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my profession and I truly do want to work!
So far, I have gone through the whole gammet of emotions. I was super sad and felt like a failure...although I have been assured by many coworkers that it has NOTHING to do with my performance...I am simply the newest employee and lowest on the totem pole:( Then I was just plain mad...I was so angry at the administration...why me? I'm a good teacher, I devoted so much time, energy and emotion to my job and I KNOW I did it well! Finally, after being angry, I feel like I am starting to accept it and now I just think it's silly.
It doesn't hurt to have the most amazing husband in the world either! He has made sure that I know that it's the school's loss, has nothing to do with my teaching and that no matter what, we will make it work. He also said something that made a lot of sense and really made me think...he said that I need to look at all the amazing things I have gotten out of this 1 year. The great friends I have made, the experience and the fact that teaching at a Christian school has strengthened my faith, brought me to a new, amazing church and taught me a whole lot about what it means to be a Christian. As I think about what he said, I realize, he is so right. No matter what, it will work out! I am confident in myself and I thank God that I have such a supportive and amazing family
So right now, I will just finish out the school year (at least until I go into labor), take care of myself and baby (that's more important than any job) and thank God for what He is blessing me with right now.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
I also can't help but think about Paul writing to the people of Philippi while he was locked in prison. He was so joyful and eager to share what he knew. I can't imagine being locked in prison and being constantly joyful...I am the one who cringes when I meet people like that:) In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he says:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7
Thanks to my family for all the support, love and encouragement! I couldn't do it without you!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Photoshoot
I had a good friend of mine come take belly pictures of Shane, baby and me on Saturday. We did some at the house and some at the lake in Whitefish...it was really fun and she got some great shots! I am so happy with how they turned out and they will be great memories to keep forever! Thanks Elenie!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
27 Weeks
Everything has been going really well in the last few weeks and I'm starting to feel really energetic! Baby girl moves a lot these days and I can feel her higher up in my stomach rather than really low like she has been. She is 15 linches long now (all stretched out) and weighs about 2 lbs...just a little thing still, but VERY active! I think I felt hiccups the other day, that was pretty fun!
Gins and Rins (Cooper and Gus, respectively) have been feeling a little left out these days so I decided to include them in my pictures...they like my belly and are usually very gentle around me. The must sense something...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
6 Months
Had a doctor's appointment yesterday...everything is right on track! I got to hear the heartbeat again, but it took Doc awhile to find it because baby girl was moving like CRAZY! At one point, baby must have been a little irritated with the whole looking for her heartbeat thing because she kicked the microphone...so cute! Anyways, I have some more pictures for you faithful followers!
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