Saturday, August 30, 2008

When It Rains It Pours

Not that we couldn't use a bit of real rain around here...

Most of you already know the recent events of whats been happening in our household, but I figured I'd post it, too. Last spring I accepted a new teaching position in my school district. I was going from my cushy job as a resource teacher at the High School to the SDC teacher at the Middle School. A job ten times harder + students going through puberty.

After my trip to WA I was pretty wiped and spent my last week of vacation reading fun books that I'd been depriving myself of because I can NEVER put them down once I pick them up. The week that school started I was gearing myself up for the huge challenge ahead of running a special day class and supervising 6 staff. That same week my car needed over a thousand dollars of repairs after a failed emissions test. Ian had decided to share his nasty cold with me on the same day that I was going in for my much anticipated first prenatal visit since losing Andrew. I had been feeling pretty crummy with nausea even before the cold.

Well, the nurse nor the doctor could find a fetus on the ultrasound. It got worse from there. Not only was I not going to have a baby, this was some weird genetic mutation that would turn into cancer if not immediately removed and would deprive us of the opportunity to try again for about a year. I was furious, talk about feeling betrayed. One week later Ian and I were in OR for them to remove what they call a "Complete Molar Pregnancy." Lucky us, we've gotten another rare reproductive problem with devasating consequences. Here's a site with more info if you want it: https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/healthency.do?hwid=hw165877
Some have said that at least we didn't have a baby to mourn this time. I suppose that's true, but we thought we did, we hoped we did.

This has been another extremely difficult time for us. After about two weeks I'm starting to feel physically better. I really don't understand why we are being deprived of the opportunity to be parents. We've been trying really hard not to dwell on it, and, just like last time, my blessings make themselves apparent every day.

I KNOW Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me, I don't understand their lack of intervention in the growth of our family, but I know they are there. My job, of which I was so worried about going well, has turned out phenominally well. My students are great and the aides in my room are terrific and work together. Adminstrative support has been bounteous. The fact that I have a job has been a tremendous blessing because I have to be 'on my game' every day I'm there and that means I don't have time to think about my personal problems. My ward family has been so supportive. I feel calm and that things will be okay. Little things happen every day to let me know that I am loved and appreciated. Who could ask for more than that? ..except maybe a child.

I think that when it rains trials, it pours blessings as well. It's just up to us to recognize them in the blur.

Back to WA










Well, after a stressful and informative month of summer school at my new job I got to fly up to Washington to visit my mom (whom I hadn't seen since Andrew's funeral) and family. The weather on Camano Island wasn't great, but it was good to see mom again. The weather in Ferndale was terrific. So, if Ian and I ever move back to WA we'll be avoiding anywhere between Seattle and Mt. Vernon. The trip sure made me appreciate our warmer climate in northern California.

Mom and I got to see lots of wildlife in her yard and feed the deer some apples. They apparently got so full that they had to go rest on the front lawn. Becky and family came down one evening for a campfire (Brrr!) and Marisa couldn't get enough of the train in the guest room.

We also went up to the Walker's in Ferndale and got an extra special treat to see Grandma, Daniel (after about 3 years!) and finally meet Miles. I sure wish we could spend more time with all of you wonderful family peoples. Dad and William helped my Mom and I learn how to play golf most of an evening. London was adorable on the trampoline with Uncle William and Daniel. Plus we got lots of yummy cherries and raspberries. Love you guys!

The rest of the pictures are on my picasa page.