Friday was my last day at work- Crazy. I've been working for the school district since 2003 when I first moved to accept my first teaching job- elem. sp. ed. I also got my own apt- it was a sweet time in my mid-twenties. Aaron and I met and fell in love at our school district- romantic, I know! We were working at the same elem school, dated, got married. We built a house. 2 years later, I accepted the district's preschool director/lead teacher position, and we talked of kids filling our home. 3 years later, I accepted a part-time position, which gave me more time for our adoption, while also being a good job as I transition to being a SAHM- which is NOW happening!!
So yesterday, Dec 4 was my last day of working regularly. I will still work here and there, when one of his grandmothers can watch him for a short time after the cocooning. I am thrilled to accept my new position as Gebre's Mommy!!
I emailed all the teachers to let them know, so my day started with their precious, sweet, supportive responses. LOTS of hugs!!
The office staff have been a sweet part of our journey, too, asking our waiting list #, asking if the referral has come. Oh, the sweet day that I walked in on our Referral Day 9/10, and announced... "We got the Call!!!" They swooned over him. Then, they'd ask about a court date, then it came! Then, they'd ask if we passed, then it happened. Then, we were surprised with travel dates, tentative then confirmed. They celebrated each step of the way. One is a precious and hilarious 70-year-old woman from South Africa- she's like a British Grandma to me. Not kidding- I truly feel like her granddaughter.
They handed me a huge bag, full of diapers, wipes, and a Baby Gap gift card...
A teacher friend handed me a beautiful baby blanket that she knit for him over the Thanksgiving Break.
Some of the students' parents brought in gifts...
the softest, sweetest little bear outfit.
gift cards.
a precious new Willow Tree.
a taggie blanket.
a stuffed animal taggie duck.
gift books.
a "mute button" pacifier.
an embroidered burp cloth.
a keepsake box.
Then, one of my co-workers for the after-school program came over the walkie-talkie, and announced "Winter Drill, I repeat, Winter Drill". I was thinking, I have no idea what this is- we practice fire drills, tornado drills, and lockdowns, but "winter drill"?? So like a "rebel", I continued to work on the tasks for me to close out my time there. A few minutes later, another co-worker walked in to cover my front desk position, and said I was needed in the cafeteria...
...So I walk in to see all 25 kids sitting together at a table, waiting for me, and three in front holding oodles and oodles of homemade cards and pictures. "Have a great baby!!" was on top, made me laugh! They all together yelled 1, 2, 3... "THANK YOU, MRS. WHITNEY!!!!" cheering, hollering. Then, one of my co-workers starts chanting "SPEECH, SPEECH, SPEECH..." So I explained to the kids that today is my last day, how I will miss them all, but that Aaron and I are leaving for Africa on Tuesday to adopt our baby boy. Their mouths dropped open with "Africa". We played a few guessing games about what mode of transportation will we use to get to Africa, how many hours does it take to fly there, what kind of animals we might see there... Then, ALL 25 kids and staff all gave me the world's largest group hug- it was so funny!! A few kids started singing ..."For she's a jolly good fellow, for she's a jolly good fellow, for she's a jolly good fe-e-low, which nobody can deny"!! :) oh my goodness.. Then, my co-worker's wife, walked out of the teacher's lounge carrying a cake that we all shared!
...they are too much!! I had already done all my crying, so just enjoyed the sweet farewells with kids, their parents, and my my co-workers.
What a send-off this day has been!!! I will miss them all, and the principal, teachers, and kids asked me to bring him up to meet them. I sure will, once I know he is ready to meet lots of excited kids and new faces. :)
