I-600!

For many in the adoption process mailing the I-600 is a big step. It is getting a sealed copy of your homestudy and mailing it with another check of course to the USCIS (US Immigration). They will process my request to bring a child into the US from Ethiopia and I should receive clearance any time in the next 8 weeks. It is a large step forward in my process. I'm singing little songs today as I put my envelope in the mail. :)

I can't wait to get to the Denver Police Station and get my criminal clearance report and then I will be able to finish my dossier... the OTHER LARGE step in this process. All in all, when I come home every night to my kitties and dog, I imagine my other life that will be there soon.

Oh, and the kitchen renovation is ON! In two days they ripped out my wall and it is SO exciting. The house is coated in a fine powder and I have to live among boxes of dishes... but I can't wait for it to be complete. More than anything it finally feels more like HOME. :) Happiness.

First "parent training class"

Wow-- five hours is a long time to sit and listen. Especially about trauma/learning disabilities/fetal alcohol syndrome.... and everything else in the world that could be wrong with my child. I think since this is session 2, session 1 MUST be more positive-- it's just that I haven't been to that one yet. I also overheard another parent (who has several adopted children) talking over break, they said that 98% of the people in this room will get children like that-- gesturing to the board of learning disabled/traumatized children and that we need to accept that our children won't be like other children. And I get that. There is a chance with every child. There are good parents and bad. There are people who want to devote special playing time with their children every day. And there are those who don't. I don't think anyone goes into adoption lightly. This is a lot of work and time and money and struggle. I guess I just keep repeating the same thing I've said to people who worry about the "type" of child I will get-- life gives us all sorts of things, we deal with it as we can. I am a positive person with love to give to a child. I think that is the bottom line. I will deal with the issues and problems as they arise to the best of my ability. I will be educated going in as well. Hmmm.... I'm still happy. I am still on the right path for my life. Yesterday I imagined life in my house besides my kitties and dog. I can't wait.

I'm baaack...

I have returned from Scotland. Tired. A little under the weather. But good. I asked students if the year's worth of fund-raising (over $97,000) was worth it. They replied, on the first day in London, it was all worth it. We spent 2 days in London and 12 in Edinburgh, Scotland. We performed 4 times at a professional venue and here's the best part... We were reviewed by the Scotsman (THE paper to get a review in) and were awarded 4 out of 5 stars! Pretty much unheard of for a high school show. The review was brilliant. Here's the link to it if you want to read it: Scotsman Review

We got the review the day after our first show so our run was special as people from all over came to see our show, and not just American high school kids who were part of the festival. The best part about it was that this was an original show and they GOT IT. They understood what our message was so clearly. I feel like we were beyond successful with this journey and it truly changed my students' lives in so many ways.

Monday was the first day back to school (jetlagged, yea!) Today was the 3rd day and I told my beginning students (7th and 8th graders) about my adoption plans. A few had already heard but for the most part they were excited. I have just one more document and then I'll be done. I'm very excited about getting it all turned in. I also will take my first parenting class this Sat. at IAN. I've heard the best parts of these classes are to meet other parents going through the same process.

Exciting times! Back to school! :)

Hard week

Ugh. That's how I am feeling. I am finally letting the stress down of trying to finish the dossier before I go to Scotland on Monday. I realized today that it is not possible and even though I made it a deadline for myself, I simply cannot do it. I need to feel OK about that.

This week was tough. Starting back to school is always hard. I always forget how much energy it takes to stand and talk for 8 hours. Granted that's not what I did this week, but working for 6 hours a day on the show before going to Scotland was similar. There was lots of drama within a few relationships with students I was also trying to process and work on rebuilding. Though, no one knew that but me. And taking grief from my family of how much time and energy I give to the students (and as my mother tells me over and over-- without any extra pay) is taxing. Like I try to justify for them it is my passion, not my "job." I truly try to make a difference to the kids I teach. And it is unlike any school I've ever worked for. Building relationships with students when they are 12 and staying connected to who they are and what they need as they grow and change so radically until they are 18. Every day-- for two hours (or more if they are in a show with me) for seven years. I realize that many times the relationship blurs to more of a parent. And with that comes "breaking the rules" and "testing the boundaries" even more. I know my relationship with my mother when I was 15 was not a positive one. Sometimes kids start treating me like "mom." Which I guess will be handy when becoming a mom... I am very thankful for the lessons in parenting I have learned as a teacher. Being consistent (which is so hard to do), setting boundaries, and following through with consequences. I have to live by what I tell my students-- doing the right thing isn't always popular or doesn't always feel good. That will be huge to remind myself when I have a child.

I was stupid with my own emotional and physical energy this week as well. After rehearsal I would have meetings with various students, parents, or teachers getting ready for the trip and school year to begin-- which starts the morning after we return. And then coming home and reworking scenes in the show or music or movie cues. Helping to reshape pieces, or connect new pieces to the existing show. Reordering the whole show. Creating powerpoint presentations for the students about the contract and the rules they must follow while there. I was up until 1AM every night, working. Solid. Trying to prepare all to the best of my ability. On Thursday my voice started going. So I have a little summer cold that I am battling with vitamins. I think I should go take a nap and then do all my laundry to pack for tomorrow's journey. Laying low today will make a huge difference for the trip. I advised the students last night to all go home and get some rest as well--chagrined to hear several were going out "to party." I just pray they sleep on the plane ride there! :)

Here I go, off to the big blue yonder...

The Inconvenient Truths...

This week has been crazy. Basically, I am back to school-- 3 weeks early. On Monday night I leave for two weeks to go to Edinburgh, Scotland with 46 students and 10 parents/teachers to participate in the largest Theatre Festival in the world. We were nominated and "won" the opportunity to be one of 50 high schools featured at the Fringe through the American High School Theatre Festival organization. We created our own original show and have been working on it since January. We performed it for the first time in May and the second for a full audience tonight. We hadn't performed it since May until this Monday. We've been in rehearsal all week from 9-3 daily. I have two more papers to get done before my dossier is complete. I need to get on it ASAP. I am planning to do one of them tomorrow and if I can, I'll do both -- I don't know if the police station will be open to get the clearance. And then bright and early Monday take it all to the Secretary of State to get certified. Ahhh.. That's the plan. I just don't know if it will work. So I will be blog-less until I return from Scotland on Aug. 17. Cheerio!

PS-- the title of our original show is "The Inconvenient Truths" :)