Dead or Alive...

I taught a sweet girl last year who happened to have autism. She added fun and excitement to every day...sometimes not in a good way but I definately miss having her in my class this year. When she realized that I wasn't at her school this year she freaked out saying "Oh no! Mrs. Kennedy is dead!" Well my old VP and EA decided to bring her to visit me on Friday to prove that I was, infact, alive. It was so good to see her, as she's a student has left a profound impact on me. Apparantly her visit didn't prove to her that I was alive. She went back to her school and told the kids that she had gone to Heaven to visit me!

A moment I'll never forget...:)

First Day!

What a great day! I love the first day of school. I love to see the kids come in, excited to find out who their teacher is, discussing the events of their summer with their friends. I love that this day represents a fresh start and the possibilities are endless. I love to think about where these guys will be in June...how much bigger and smarter they'll be! I love fresh pencils, books, desks, clean classrooms.... I love my job!!

Crushing Cancer....One km at a Time!

This weekend I will be participating in one of the most amazing events-The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. This will be my third time participating in the 60km walk, and I have know that it will be just as life-changing as my first two walks. Walking with my bestie (and her mom, who is going to kick our butts!) is going to be an honour. We walk through thick and thin in life....this walk illustrates that for me! I can't wait for 60kms of games, giggles and gossip!!!!

I began walking to honour the memory of my sweet Grandma who fought breast cancer with more courage and grace that I have ever seen. I saw the looks in the eyes of my family as we said good-bye to a woman who lived her faith with every breath, in all circumstances. I listened as my Grandma said good bye to her youngest daughter, knowing that would be her last opportunity to tell her daughter everything she wanted for her life. I saw how hard it was for my mom to worry about her mother and father. I see the loneliness in my Grandpa as he lives out his days without his wife. I never want to see that happen again. Not to my mom, my mother-in-law, my sisters, my friends, to me. I knew that I had to do something big to stop this terrible, terrible disease.

This year a little girl in my class lost her mom to that same terrible disease. While I know that progress is being made in the fight against cancer, little girls are still having to grow up without their mommies and that can't happen anymore. Some of my greatest friends have little ones, and I'll be walking with them in mind...hoping and praying that they will get to see their little ones grow up to have little ones too. I think about myself now too. I have waited so long to become a mommy and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I am there to see my little guy grow and develop and learn and love.

For my Grandma, for two little girls who are learning how to live without their mommy, for all of the amazing women who I am blessed to know, for my son's momma...this walk's for you!!

I Would Die For That...

I had a friend forward me the link to this song, and I just had to share it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfGqOx2iDQ (just copy and paste it...thanks to Em for updating the link)

You may not be a big country fan...just listen to the words and watch the video...it just begins to describe the years of suffering I went through...so many of us can't put our thoughts and heartache into words...I hope this helps to describe it.

Gettin' Ready for School...

Summer (what summer???) vacation is coming to a very quick end. It has truly been one of the best summers of my life beginning with an amazing end the proudest school year I've had, the best news I've ever received (our adoption approval letter), two amazing weeks at Omagh (I was sad to miss SPCC this year!), an awesome week visiting my aunt and uncle (and sweet Karoline) in Northern Ontario, and a phenomenal week of summer camp put on by our church. Throw in a few visits with family and friends...and it couldn't have gotten much better. I was busy ALL of the time...but it was the best kind of running around...spending time with people I love and making a difference in the lives of others. Summer '09...you were fine!!

I was lucky enough to get a full-year job at a brand new school right around the corner from my house this week. Seriously awesome to be able to walk to work every day and to teach the kids in my own community. I love to teach so much!!! I can't wait to meet my students on the first day and get to know them. I can't wait for those "aha" moments when I know that something has really clicked. I can't wait to see them grow, and talk and share as the year goes on. I love, love, love my job. I would seriously do it for free!!

This also got me thinking that I probably won't make it through the school year. Our call from Russia could come at any time (and yes, I still need to mention this to the principal, which I'm nervous about...). It's honestly causing me to freak out a bit!! It's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I'm worried about all of the unknowns....coming from my safe day-to-day life and adding a new little boy into the mix (not to mention the insane process that's going with it!!) Do all waiting mom's feel this way???

Phew...moment of freak out over!!

Shopping...

I did it. I bought the baby his (we will most likely be matched with a boy), first outfit this weekend during a family girls shopping trip to the states. My sweet sister in law had pulled out a cute pair of pajamas that she wanted to buy for me. That got me looking through the shelves myself. I literally couldn't hold back the tears as I thought about the "little man" who would be wearing the overalls and shirt that I picked out for him one day. I still can't believe that it's my turn. I am beyond blessed!

I have also loved having my nephew and neices talk about the adoption with us. I love it that they're not afraid to ask: My 8 year old nephew asked at the dinner table "So, anything new on the adoption? Is it going to be a boy or a girl because we need some boys around here." I (surprisingly, I know), tear up every time I hear them pray for the baby from Russia. I have a feeling that you'll be able to mop the floors with my tears the first time I watch them all play together.

God is very good!

Roots

My Grandpa turned 80 this week. We're having a party on Sunday to celebrate with him, and I've been working on a slide show of pictures to show during that time. One of the pictures that my mom dug up while searching for photos was this one of my Grandma, her parents and older brother.

It was so neat to see a picture of my Grandma as a young child and notice the similarities in many of my cousins and my sister. Looking through all of these old photos got me thinking about the blessing that is my Grandma and Grandpa.

I have been so blessed to have had so many amazing people impact my life in positive ways growing up. My grandparents especially have helped to shape and mould me into who I am today. My Grandpa has a faith that is unshakeable. He knows this reward is in Heaven and he lives with that attitude every day despite the tremendous amount of loss he's experienced in the last 10 years. I'm going to devote another post to my Grandma later on. I am honoured to be their granddaughter, and I am so thankful that I will be bringing a child into our home knowing that he or she will grow up like me: knowing that he's got grandparents who love and care about him; who will spend time simply loving, and teaching and playing with thim; grandparents who will help to raise him to be a man (or woman) of God; grandparents who will spoil him simply because he's their grandchild.

We are more than blessed. Happy 80th Grandpa!!