Our Journey

Lilypie Trying to Conceive Event tickers Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers

Monday, March 26, 2012

Spring Break?

So today is the first day of "Spring Break" for Kim, and what's he going to do? Go to school and work. Ha ha Well, I don't get a Spring Break from my job, so at least he can get some things caught up before his students come back.
I don't have an update about our home study, because there is nothing new. Absolutely nothing, no news whatsoever. Ugh. I am still frustrated about the whole deal. At first (when we started in Sept.) I was hoping to be finished by Christmas. Then as Christmas came and went I was hoping to be finished by March... Well, now I just hope we are approved by the end of the school year. Then maybe we can get an inquiry approved during the summer and maybe, possible have a placement by the new school year.  Maybe, but I doubt it.

I was off from work all weekend... but I went in to catch up with Amber twice on Saturday. It's like I don't know what to do with myself.  I probably should have been at home doing laundry or dishes or cleaning. But Kim was playing golf and I was just 'there'.  I think this is going to be one interesting, long summer.

 ~A~

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Things Looking Up

So the primary elections have come and gone. Thankfully for us, the school sales tax was voted to remain for 2 more years and there will be some new faces in the local offices. That really means a sigh of relief for me. I know that the worst is still possible, but at this point doesn't look probable.

This has been a very stressful week for me at work. I guess you win some and loose some. Sometimes I just have to think, "what in the crap were they thinking?"! People do some stupid stuff.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

All old memories are not necessarily pleasant

So this week I've been catching up with some high school friends of mine, talking about families, jobs, etc., and Old Times.  The last time I was hanging out with both of these girls is a time period that I have honestly tried to forget about. We have all been in situations that we wish we could take back or cover up, yeah, this is one of mine. Don't get me wrong, it has nothing to do with these gals! It has to do with the relationship I was in at the time and how our friendships intertwined with our relationships. Oh how I thought I was "in love"! Bahahahaha. I was "in" something alright! Anyway, it ended badly and I was totally and utterly crushed... for about 3 to 6 months. It's hard for me to look over the bad times, and find the good ones because all those memories are intermingled.


One of my struggles as of late is the fact that I feel like I need to interact with more people my age, aka, I feel like I'm not getting all the nutrition I need from my spiritual diet. I love love love my church family, but I am the only one over 18 and under 40 in attendance on a regular basis. I miss my class in my pre-marriage church where there were 4 or 5 people my age and we had discussions about our lessons! I miss talking with people my age about stuff people my age are going through, like kids and jobs!
The bad thing is I've been having these feelings for about 2 years. I really want to visit somewhere that meets at a different time than our church, so I can still attend and be able to fulfill my role as music leader.
But I also have a huge fear of going to places where I don't know anyone or know my way around. I can go to Talladega Superspeedway all by myself on race day and it not bother me, because I know my way around, but someplace I've never been, and I clam up big time!

Any suggestions?

Monday, March 5, 2012

Alabama Primary Elections... what it means for Kim's job

We've been under a lot of stress and riding the emotional roller coaster over the past 10 months. Although things have calmed down and smoothed out some since then, we are about to be taken on a ride yet again.

Next Tuesday is the Primary Elections in Alabama. It's a big deal in Cherokee County this time. There are many candidates running for office, which is totally awesome. My college American Government professor Ms. Cheryl Gorham would be proud at all the people that are taking an interest in the voting process!

But the main things that are weighing on my mind are:
     1) Who will get the nominations for Board of Education Superintendent?
     2) Will the Continuation of the 1cent Sales Tax for the schools get passed?

Are you wondering why I am concerned about these? Last July our world was turned upside down. The Board of Education voted to close the Career/Tech school where Kim worked and to close him program, basically fire him, and 2 others, as part of a cost cutting measure. Part of this was made possible by State legislation saying that 'BOE's had the right to dismiss teachers if they were "bad teachers" even if they were tenured.' That means that if they think you're not up to par, they can get rid of you.

Thankfully the citizens of this county were outraged, mainly because they were not informed of even the possibility of the school closing as a cost-cutting tool, and the County Commission came to the rescue with the emergency 1 cent sales tax to make up the revenue difference that the state budget cuts had caused, starting this whole process. The school was kept open, employees that were "fired" got their jobs back, BUT those who worked more than 9 months a year would have to be cut 1 month's pay. We personally took a several thousand dollar a year loss.

Around this time is also the time we found out about our infertility issues. Needless to say, last summer was not a fun time for the Nichols.  So, it is a very real possibility that this mess could rise up like the tail of a scorpion and strike again.  If worse comes to worst, Kim has a great Career/Tech background. He can go to work in any Body Shop immediately. He can find a job, unlike some of the core academics teachers out there. We are praying that God has His mighty hand on this county and these election, and will watch out for our little family. 

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday morning service about United Methodist Children's Home

This morning was a very special morning at our church. We had the PR rep from the United Methodist Children's Home come and speak with us about their ministries. Ms. Cherry Johnson was very informative as she told us about the Group Homes the UMCH sponsors. We learned that the UMCH works with DHR in efforts to do what is absolutely best for the children.

One thing that kept popping up in her presentation was how the UMCH encourages the kids to further their education, in either college or a Technical program. It seems so funny to me how everything can just intertwine like that. It seems that our weekend has been full of supporters for Career Tech Education. Thankfully!

I cannot wait until I have a child that Kim and I can show how to do stuff! Like how to play golf, how to work on cars, how to look after our animals, etc. I wish the day would come soon!