So, Devin and I recently told our family that we had some news to share with them. The obvious choice is that I am pregnant. So we told them first thing that this is NOT the news.
Before we got a chance to tell them what it really is, we had some pretty wild guesses as to what it people thought it was. I thought I should document as some of they were just that great. Just a few of the many, many, out of control guesses.
*We were becoming polygamists
*We were getting our own TLC show
*I had a book deal (since when do I write books??)
*We got new tires for the van
*Devin now owns 51% of the Kroger Co. (that'd be great)
*I was getting my tubes tied
*We were flipping our duplex
*We bought a new lawnmower
*Hallie is skipping a grade
*Devin's going to quit his job and be Mr. Mom full-time
*We were starting our own religion
*Devin himself guessed that I was dropping the big D on him (not even close-- and he was just being funny to the family, he really did know the news already...of course. We make joint decisions in this family.)
*We won the lottery and decided to take everyone to Disneyland (I wish!)
*And...the top guess is that we were moving to Wisconsin. In fact, my grandma flat out believed this one because that's what she had been told. Nope, not moving to Wisconsin, just for the record.
Perry family news coming soon.
Showing posts with label officialness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label officialness. Show all posts
September 15, 2014
December 22, 2013
Changes (Part 1)
Life is a never ending saga, is it not? Things don't always go the way we want to them to go or the way we plan them to go, but nevertheless, things seem to work out the way they are supposed to. We are in one of those eras of life where we are going, "What in the world? This isn't how we planned things to go!" We can't see the end from the beginning yet, but we are hopeful that things will work out the way they are supposed to for our family. I have an unusual (for me) amount of confidence about the decisions we have made recently, so I guess that's good at least.
But let me back up.
You all know that I started school this past summer to pursue my MSW. In doing so, my goal was simply to stay at LDS Family Services and get a pay raise for the time being, plus having my MSW would allow me much more flexibility to work outside of Utah should Devin get a job somewhere else (a likelihood we were ready and willing to embrace). Devin put pursuing a career job on hold for another year while I was in school so that he could be home with the kids during the day and work at night. Isn't he a trooper? The school thing is a big time commitment with traveling to Salt Lake for classes as well as my practicum for 20 hours per week. Luckily the practicum is local. Anyway, this has been a sacrifice for all of us, but particularly for Devin. However, we figured that it was one year and we can do anything for one year. And might I add, I only have one semester left. YIPPEE!!!
It was my first week of school this fall semester and my first week at my practicum when my boss at LDSFS called me and told me that I needed to come in and meet with her AND her boss. I was really perplexed. I had never in my almost 6 years at LDSFS been called in to meet with my boss's boss. I had no idea what to expect when I went into meet with them so I was incredibly nervous, as you can imagine. My co-worker Koleen had also been called in and we went into the meeting together. It was then (this was the last week of August) that we were told that LDSFS would be restructuring the way they do adoption services, so they would no longer have jobs for SSW's (those of us with Bachelor Degrees) starting Dec 20. We were told that we would have the couple months to wrap things up there. We were also told that a big announcement was going to come that week to all of our adoptive couples that LDSFS would no longer be working with adoptive couples, but would be referring them the community to get a home study done, which they could then bring in to LDSFS to be published on their profile-hosting website. The reason for this was to put more emphasis on finding and serving expectant parents, which in turn would serve adoptive couples as well if more expectant parents are looking at and choosing adoption plans.
I was totally blindsided by all this information. I immediately starting crying at the thought of losing my job. It has been such an incredible job and I couldn't imagine myself being happy working anywhere else. I asked about the possibility of them considering letting me stay since I would be getting my Master's a short 4 months after my job disappeared. (Remember they were keeping anyone with a Master's Degree). I was told that my situation had been brought up specifically, but that they were firm that I would have to go in December. I was told that the only slight possibility they could see of allowing me to stay was if I were to switch internships and intern there; then if there was a job at the end of the year, they would hire me back on as an employee.
I was really upset about this news because I had desperately wanted to intern at LDSFS and had been told that I could do so all summer long by both the school and by LDSFS up until a week or two before I had to have my practicum submitted. LDSFS then came to me and told me that they wouldn't pay me as both an intern and as an employee. I volunteered to just be paid as an intern (a pay cut) and to maintain my current caseload with my intern hours plus keep up the responsibilities of my clinical internship hours. I was told no. So all the sudden I was being told that I would be able to intern there afterall? What?! This made no sense and upset me even more. I didn't take any time to make that decision and immediately told them that I would not break my commitment to my current internship. Plus, given that I wouldn't likely have a job at the end of the year anyway (LDSFS has had a hiring freeze for ages), I wanted and needed to develop other skill sets for future hiring potential. (My internship is in the substance abuse/addiction area and that is completely different from anything I have ever done).
A few days after the big conversation at LDSFS, I was riding the train to school and sat next to my former co-worker Lauren. Lauren and I talked about the changes that were coming and how there was going to be a need for people to provide home studies in the community since LDSFS was not going to be doing so any longer. Lauren had recently quit LDSFS and had been told all the same information that I had been given, so she was in the loop. We decided on that train ride that we were the perfect people to provide home studies, since we have been doing them for years and would be in a position to make the change not-so-difficult for our former clients since they know us and are comfortable with us. I don't remember officially saying that this business idea was what we were going to do on that train ride with Lauren, but it felt right and within weeks, we had a business plan and had begun the formation of our new business, Utah Adoption Specialists. (Check us out on Facebook! We also have a website coming that should hopefully be up in January. Yay!) We recruited Koleen to join us since she would be losing her job as well. There were a lot of ups and downs with getting the business going, but we will have to talk about those another time.
And, now I am sick of writing, so there is going to have to be a part 2. :) Wouldn't it be nice of that was just the end of the story and we all lived happily ever after? But of course life doesn't work that way. More like twists and turns and drama all the way. This has been no exception!
But let me back up.
You all know that I started school this past summer to pursue my MSW. In doing so, my goal was simply to stay at LDS Family Services and get a pay raise for the time being, plus having my MSW would allow me much more flexibility to work outside of Utah should Devin get a job somewhere else (a likelihood we were ready and willing to embrace). Devin put pursuing a career job on hold for another year while I was in school so that he could be home with the kids during the day and work at night. Isn't he a trooper? The school thing is a big time commitment with traveling to Salt Lake for classes as well as my practicum for 20 hours per week. Luckily the practicum is local. Anyway, this has been a sacrifice for all of us, but particularly for Devin. However, we figured that it was one year and we can do anything for one year. And might I add, I only have one semester left. YIPPEE!!!
It was my first week of school this fall semester and my first week at my practicum when my boss at LDSFS called me and told me that I needed to come in and meet with her AND her boss. I was really perplexed. I had never in my almost 6 years at LDSFS been called in to meet with my boss's boss. I had no idea what to expect when I went into meet with them so I was incredibly nervous, as you can imagine. My co-worker Koleen had also been called in and we went into the meeting together. It was then (this was the last week of August) that we were told that LDSFS would be restructuring the way they do adoption services, so they would no longer have jobs for SSW's (those of us with Bachelor Degrees) starting Dec 20. We were told that we would have the couple months to wrap things up there. We were also told that a big announcement was going to come that week to all of our adoptive couples that LDSFS would no longer be working with adoptive couples, but would be referring them the community to get a home study done, which they could then bring in to LDSFS to be published on their profile-hosting website. The reason for this was to put more emphasis on finding and serving expectant parents, which in turn would serve adoptive couples as well if more expectant parents are looking at and choosing adoption plans.
I was totally blindsided by all this information. I immediately starting crying at the thought of losing my job. It has been such an incredible job and I couldn't imagine myself being happy working anywhere else. I asked about the possibility of them considering letting me stay since I would be getting my Master's a short 4 months after my job disappeared. (Remember they were keeping anyone with a Master's Degree). I was told that my situation had been brought up specifically, but that they were firm that I would have to go in December. I was told that the only slight possibility they could see of allowing me to stay was if I were to switch internships and intern there; then if there was a job at the end of the year, they would hire me back on as an employee.
I was really upset about this news because I had desperately wanted to intern at LDSFS and had been told that I could do so all summer long by both the school and by LDSFS up until a week or two before I had to have my practicum submitted. LDSFS then came to me and told me that they wouldn't pay me as both an intern and as an employee. I volunteered to just be paid as an intern (a pay cut) and to maintain my current caseload with my intern hours plus keep up the responsibilities of my clinical internship hours. I was told no. So all the sudden I was being told that I would be able to intern there afterall? What?! This made no sense and upset me even more. I didn't take any time to make that decision and immediately told them that I would not break my commitment to my current internship. Plus, given that I wouldn't likely have a job at the end of the year anyway (LDSFS has had a hiring freeze for ages), I wanted and needed to develop other skill sets for future hiring potential. (My internship is in the substance abuse/addiction area and that is completely different from anything I have ever done).
A few days after the big conversation at LDSFS, I was riding the train to school and sat next to my former co-worker Lauren. Lauren and I talked about the changes that were coming and how there was going to be a need for people to provide home studies in the community since LDSFS was not going to be doing so any longer. Lauren had recently quit LDSFS and had been told all the same information that I had been given, so she was in the loop. We decided on that train ride that we were the perfect people to provide home studies, since we have been doing them for years and would be in a position to make the change not-so-difficult for our former clients since they know us and are comfortable with us. I don't remember officially saying that this business idea was what we were going to do on that train ride with Lauren, but it felt right and within weeks, we had a business plan and had begun the formation of our new business, Utah Adoption Specialists. (Check us out on Facebook! We also have a website coming that should hopefully be up in January. Yay!) We recruited Koleen to join us since she would be losing her job as well. There were a lot of ups and downs with getting the business going, but we will have to talk about those another time.
And, now I am sick of writing, so there is going to have to be a part 2. :) Wouldn't it be nice of that was just the end of the story and we all lived happily ever after? But of course life doesn't work that way. More like twists and turns and drama all the way. This has been no exception!
January 16, 2013
It's Official
Yep, Yep. I busted out my favorite title of all time.
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While I am still a committed BYU fan, I AM going to be starting school at the University of Utah in May. I got word right after Christmas that I got into their advanced standing master's of social work program. Wahoo! Best Christmas present ever. Thanks to all my co-workers who helped me write my essays...I am pretty sure that's what got me in. :) I knew it was competitive (about 1 in 3 get in) so I was really trying to prepare myself for let down, just in case. But....good news is always welcome!!
I have thought about doing my master's degree for sometime now and this year is the year. It is always interesting to see the path that our lives have taken. So far, it hasn't quite been what I expected, but I have the knowledge that Heavenly Father is in charge and that we have followed the path that He would have us do. When Devin and I were first married, we were both in school. I graduated in 2008 and went right to work. He finished in 2011 and we dedicated ourselves to our adoption process. We all know how much that consumed us...but I started thinking about going back to school on my end after we had been home with Flor for some months. I think because it has been a big goal of mine and I am always preparing and planning for my next goal, it just felt right to start considering it more seriously.
I love that Devin and I have an equal relationship in that both of our goals and needs are considered when we make big decisions. I know Devin would love to move on from his current job, but he is willing to sacrifice and stay there another year so that I can go to school. The big reason that I chose the U's program is that it is only a year....I think I can do anything for a year, right?! He will be home during the day with our kids, so we will continue to not need outside childcare. I am grateful that he is so supportive of my desire to further my career and talents. Before you judge me (cause I have heard it already), know that this is something we have prayed about considerably and something we feel really good about. My primary role in life is that of a mother, but I also feel that I have been given specific talents that I need to develop in my personal/professional life. We feel so good about this decision.
I attended the orientation today and left feeling so excited. I am really passionate about social work and have the desire to learn as much as I can in order to help in whichever areas I may find myself in the future. I really enjoy working-- it is so fulfilling for me-- so in reality, I probably will continue working, even when it is not "necessary" for our family. I love part-time work like I have now and hope to continue to work in fields that are flexible in schedule. With my Master's, I will have many more opportunities than I have now. I could do part-time therapy once or twice a week in the evenings after Devin gets home once he goes to a regular 9-5 job. I just get really excited thinking about all the different possibilities. So...here we start!
It will be interesting to see how the schedule pans out, but I do know that the summer will be for "bridge courses" held M-Th for 2 1/2 months, and then the fall will consist of 3 days a week at an internship and 2 days in classes (Thursday and Friday.) Since we just got the FrontRunner (high speed train) here, I will take it to SLC and back for class days and then get an internship somewhere right here close to home.
One part of the process is to choose a "concentration"- one area where my studies will be focused. There are seven choices and I really find them all so interesting, but I think I will put mental health as my first choice. The other choices are child welfare in social work, forensic social work, substance abuse social work, global social work, aging in social work, and health in social work. I need to put down a second and third choice in case the first doesn't work out. I haven't decided on that yet...the only one that doesn't really interest me is the aging one.
So, wish me luck in the next year. It's gonna be a crazy one for sure!
And, I will end with a cute, completely non-related story:
My cousin Cortney called me today to report that her daughter Avery (age 7) came home from school and told her mom that they had talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and diversity/being nice to those who are different in class that day. She proudly told Cortney that she raised her hand and told her class that she has a cousin named Flor who is brown and we are just as nice to her as we are to everyone else. She also said that she would let Flor sit next to her on the bus because she is no different (they must have talked about Rosa Parks too). Cortney was happy to report that we are a fully accepting family and that bus trips will not be a worry for us. Haha...so cute. High five, Aves, for being so awesome!
And...don't worry, for the one of you who asked-- the Disneyland pictures are coming!
I have thought about doing my master's degree for sometime now and this year is the year. It is always interesting to see the path that our lives have taken. So far, it hasn't quite been what I expected, but I have the knowledge that Heavenly Father is in charge and that we have followed the path that He would have us do. When Devin and I were first married, we were both in school. I graduated in 2008 and went right to work. He finished in 2011 and we dedicated ourselves to our adoption process. We all know how much that consumed us...but I started thinking about going back to school on my end after we had been home with Flor for some months. I think because it has been a big goal of mine and I am always preparing and planning for my next goal, it just felt right to start considering it more seriously.
I love that Devin and I have an equal relationship in that both of our goals and needs are considered when we make big decisions. I know Devin would love to move on from his current job, but he is willing to sacrifice and stay there another year so that I can go to school. The big reason that I chose the U's program is that it is only a year....I think I can do anything for a year, right?! He will be home during the day with our kids, so we will continue to not need outside childcare. I am grateful that he is so supportive of my desire to further my career and talents. Before you judge me (cause I have heard it already), know that this is something we have prayed about considerably and something we feel really good about. My primary role in life is that of a mother, but I also feel that I have been given specific talents that I need to develop in my personal/professional life. We feel so good about this decision.
I attended the orientation today and left feeling so excited. I am really passionate about social work and have the desire to learn as much as I can in order to help in whichever areas I may find myself in the future. I really enjoy working-- it is so fulfilling for me-- so in reality, I probably will continue working, even when it is not "necessary" for our family. I love part-time work like I have now and hope to continue to work in fields that are flexible in schedule. With my Master's, I will have many more opportunities than I have now. I could do part-time therapy once or twice a week in the evenings after Devin gets home once he goes to a regular 9-5 job. I just get really excited thinking about all the different possibilities. So...here we start!
It will be interesting to see how the schedule pans out, but I do know that the summer will be for "bridge courses" held M-Th for 2 1/2 months, and then the fall will consist of 3 days a week at an internship and 2 days in classes (Thursday and Friday.) Since we just got the FrontRunner (high speed train) here, I will take it to SLC and back for class days and then get an internship somewhere right here close to home.
One part of the process is to choose a "concentration"- one area where my studies will be focused. There are seven choices and I really find them all so interesting, but I think I will put mental health as my first choice. The other choices are child welfare in social work, forensic social work, substance abuse social work, global social work, aging in social work, and health in social work. I need to put down a second and third choice in case the first doesn't work out. I haven't decided on that yet...the only one that doesn't really interest me is the aging one.
So, wish me luck in the next year. It's gonna be a crazy one for sure!
And, I will end with a cute, completely non-related story:
My cousin Cortney called me today to report that her daughter Avery (age 7) came home from school and told her mom that they had talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and diversity/being nice to those who are different in class that day. She proudly told Cortney that she raised her hand and told her class that she has a cousin named Flor who is brown and we are just as nice to her as we are to everyone else. She also said that she would let Flor sit next to her on the bus because she is no different (they must have talked about Rosa Parks too). Cortney was happy to report that we are a fully accepting family and that bus trips will not be a worry for us. Haha...so cute. High five, Aves, for being so awesome!
And...don't worry, for the one of you who asked-- the Disneyland pictures are coming!
October 31, 2011
It's Official!
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| Happy Halloween from the sister and brother! |
Finally, finally, FINALLY...(can I get a hallelujah...........)
MF HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN ASSIGNED TO OUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, this is a big deal. This is the step we have been waiting for since September. This is the one that almost drove me out of my mind. This is the one that I have only mentioned here on the blog about a thousand times now.
So relieved to be past this point! So, the question is of course, what's next?
1) File our I-800. This usually happens right away, but in our case will not happen until next week because (of course) Ecuador goes on holiday starting tomorrow. Our agency here needs to get the document from them showing the official assignment and that isn't going to happen when they are on holiday. Any delay that can happen is bound to happen in our case, we are quickly learning. The I-800 should take 2-3 weeks before we get approval. This is the second part of the immigration process on the US end (the first part, the I-800A took three months, remember that beauty?)
2) After I-800 approval, we file another form, the DS-230 (please remember all these forms- there will be a quiz later) and send our in-country fees (a mere $2195). The National Visa Center (NVC) here cables to Guayaquil, Ecuador, our approval and the rep there starts the visa process for MF. Once the visa is approved, my understanding is that the visa consulate there cables their approval back to the US and then issues a travel date.
3) Travel. Hmmm...when will this be? We are still telling ourselves January- though there is a small chance it could be sometime in December. Depends on how fast things go. I am not opposed to traveling in December and spending Christmas there, as I have mentioned. I think having a simple Christmas there, spending time in the orphanages, would be an amazing experience for our family. Anyway, what I really hope is that we can be there in time for MF's birthday-- Jan 6. I would be heartbroken to miss her 7th birthday. I have only been there for her 1st so far and missed every other.
Of course I feel really happy with this new progression. So much RELIEF. But, to be honest, I have had to play a lot of "name that emotion" with myself lately because I am feeling so many things, some of which (more than I care to admit) are negative due to the difficult nature of this process. But ultimately, I recognize that I am not in charge and though I can't see the reason behind the delays now, one day I hope to gain understanding.
Devin has become my personal therapist (the last occupation he would ever pick...ha ha, poor man!) and he does so well to help me see the good in the situation. I really would be insane without him. One thing we have talked about is that I can definitely now empathize with my clients in a way that I could not before. Sure, our situations are different. But at the same time, I understand the agony of wanting a child more than anything (mine a specific child, theirs just a child in general) and the terrible pain that comes with the waiting process. I think I can honestly say that I know some of what they go through, but I also recognize and admit that what they face is much harder. I think these new insights will hopefully help me to be more compassionate and caring in my work with couples facing the mountain called "infertility."
Anyway, way more rambling here than I intended, but hey, you get what you get!
Thank you AGAIN, everyone, for your prayers in our behalf. We have felt them and have felt buoyed up and encouraged because of them. We are so appreciative. Continued prayers that the process will continue smoothly and that we can travel quickly to bring our daughter home would be great.
May 5, 2009
It's Official
I can't count the number of times I have used that title. It just cracks me up. Okay, It's official that Hals is one big girl!! Here are her stats, since I know everyone was dying to know:
Height: 26.5 inches (90%)
Weight: 18 pounds 4 ounces (90%)
Overall, not as large as I was expecting! But still, one large girl.
March 2, 2008
It's Official
I can't tell you the number of times I have used that title for a post. But this time, I really mean it!!! 
Devin and I are going to Chicago for Stefani and Ronnie's wedding in May!!!! We got our tickets all squared away today and I couldn't be more excited. Let me just tell you that I love to travel and there is something about getting out that makes life so much better.
Devin and I are going to Chicago for Stefani and Ronnie's wedding in May!!!! We got our tickets all squared away today and I couldn't be more excited. Let me just tell you that I love to travel and there is something about getting out that makes life so much better. I have never been to Chicago, so for anyone who wants to give me ideas on what we should see and what we should do, feel free! I am looking for suggestions. I am a mastermind planner, so by the time this trip happens, you better believe that I will have down a minute by minute itinerary with exact travel plans and such. Can't have it any other way.
As a side note, even though Stef most likely will deny this, I am 100% responsible for this union (well maybe I will give some credit to Camille too). Ronnie was one of our friends our beloved freshmen year. He moved out after that school year to go to law school in Louisiana. The next year, Stefani moved in with us and we became great friends. We then gave Stef Ronnie's email address or vice versa and they started writing love letters, then they started dating, and now they are getting married!! WAHOO!!!
September 2, 2007
It's Official
Well, I have decided (with the help of my friends) to take up blogging again. We will see how good I am at keeping it up through the school year and what not, but here is to a fresh start! YAY! Also, I am turning my blog into a blog for my husband and I, although I can already gaurantee that he will not be blogging all that often. But yep, now you can keep updated on our lives, if you care to know!
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