My Babies

Four years ago I taught all Spanish One classes. This was intended to be an 'easy' teaching schedule because I was planning on being on Maternity Leave during the Spring semester. I remember explaining to my students, then Freshmen, that if they didn't like me they were in luck because I would be gone during the Spring adn they would have a substitute.

As the wait increased and increased, my students grew up. Now, they are Seniors. I only have 3 more days with them. They have been with me during this whole adoption process. They've asked SO MANY TIMES, "Mrs. Fenton, when are you going to get your baby?' They've been concerned for this child every step of the way.

Two weeks ago I got to introduce these students to the picture of my Ally. They are excited for me and still ask, "Mrs. Fenton, when are you going to get your baby?"

As a teacher, I'm lucky enough to have students like my Seniors who have compassion, great senses of humor, maturity, and sympathy for certain depressing situations. Don't let any teacher try to fool you. No teacher stays in this profession because of the summers off. We stay in this profession because we enjoy our students. Students make us want to come to school. Without great kids, no teacher would enjoy their job.

So, for a certain group of kids, they've been students of mine each day of their high school year. I don't know what I'm going to do when they graduate. I will miss them horribly.

Our Baby Shower

Today my sister Whitney and my step-mom Amy threw Ryan and me a baby shower. I've had visions and plans of what I wanted our shower to be, and luckily I was able to bring everything to fruition. Our closest friends and family attended. They gave us so many lavish and generous gifts. We are truly blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

This was the delicious cake! My sister ordered it, she did such a great job! It was strawberry-flavored. Yum!!!

I had the Engineering class at school enlarge a map of China for me. Ryan and I took a picture of Ally's head and glued it on the map next to Nanchange which is the Province she was born and has lived. (I apologize for the glar, but I had to use a flash.) We titled it "Where is Ally?"

This is me standing next to Ally's 100 Good Wishes Quilt.

Ryan and me opening up gifts with the help of Abby. She had a blast!

More me and Abby opening up gifts.

This is the room where we ate all of the goodies. We had bright tableclothes, gerber daisy arrangements(artificial), and jar votive candle holders on each table. It was VERY festive!

This is what greeted people as they entered the building. Ryan had Ally's "buddha" picture(which is what I have nicknamed it) enlarged.

It's a new day.

The past 4 days have been extremely difficult. On Thursday night Ryan and I were elated with seeing our daughter for the first time, 24 hours later we were both at the hospital when one mother saw her daughter alive for the last time.

I don't try to know why, it just makes me angry.

Over the past four year I've wanted this adoption to just happen already! At the beginning of the school year I thought I would be in China at this time and have the whole summer off with my baby. But, maybe God does have a plan. If I had been in China when the accident happened and not been here to support my kids, I would've been heart-broken.

So, it's time to start focusing on getting our Ally home to her Mommy and Daddy. This morning I over-nighted to our Kentucky agency(KAS):
1)The Letter of Acceptance
2)The Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter
3)The Letter of Seeking Confirmation
4)The Family Profile

Next on my agenda is to print out a VISA application and begin to understand what I need to do to get those finished for Ryan and me.

I think tonight I'm going to email someone from Red Thread China about sending a care package to Ally. For those that don't know, a care package usually has an outfit, some candy for the nannies, a baby blanket, a disposable camera, and a translated letter from the adoptive parents. We can also request additional information about our daughter from the orphanage. The price is very reasonable too.

Some sadness....

Two days ago I was on top of the world. I had finally seen my daughter's face. Ryan and I sent 'birth announcements' to all our friends and families. Last night we drove to Lexington to celebrate my niece Abby's 8th birthday then we went to Babies 'R Us and started a gift registry. Once we got back home we realized we needed some cat food. We were in the check-out line at Wal-Mart when a student asked me if I had heard about the accident.

Four of our band kids were involved in a terrible car accident, only three survived. Brittany Cordray, a Senior, one of my colorguard girls passed away. I met Brittany when she was only 11 years old. She was trying out to be in the Harrison Co. Marching Band's Colorguard. She was SO SHORT. It was hard for her to spin a flag without the pole hitting the ground. Six years later she became one of our captains.

I'll remember her laugh most of all. It was loud and contagious. Many times on the guard bus I would have to turn around and ask Brittany and Rachel to quiet down. They loved to laugh.

Brittany would do anything I asked of her, as a guard member and captain. She performed her heart out each and every time she took the field. I LOVED to watch her perform, she was pure perfection.

Being a teacher is difficult. We have students who hate school, hate teachers, are surly and rude. It's those rare times when a student smiles, says thank you, lets you motivate them, and encourages those around them. Although rare, it's these exact moments that dignify my job. Brittany made me love my job!

I have been blessed to know this child for the time I did. And, I will always remember her.

This was taken at Senior Night this past fall. Brittany was escorted by her parents, Mike and Pan into the field for recognition.

This picture was taken less than a month ago at the Senior Prom. Brittany is the first girl on the left. Her dress was so punkish-cute, short and sassy, just like her.

This picture was taken at the Football Homecoming this past Fall. My niece Abby was the Little Miss HCHS. She stood on the field with the band during the "tunnel" pre-game festivities. Brittany is on the far right.

This picture was taken at our annual "night before State Finals" guard get-together in Mrs. Fenton's hotel room. Brittany is the young lady in the blue shirt, second girl on the right.

Introducing Ms. Allyson Marie Fenton

Here's our beautiful daughter...................

This is her Daddy's favorite

Look at those long fingers!

It's a girl!!!!

I received the phone call this afternoon. She was born on Nov 8, 2009 (only 6 months old!). She is in the YuganCounty Orphanage in Jiangxi Province. Her name is Yue Mei Dong. More info later........

Still waiting and Piggly Wiggly.

Last night Ryan and I received an email from Emily, our China Coordinator, she was letting us know that West Sands as of yesterday's mail, had not received our referral. So, we're still waiting. I can't wait until I can post some good news on this blog! It kind of feels like the Pony Express is bringing our referral package. I hope those ponies hurry up!


Onto another totally unrelated topic........................Have any of you ever heard of the grocery store chain the Piggly Wiggly? I had never seen one until I went to college. I rarely shopped there while at Murray State, I had no reason to. Well, each year when our family goes to Hilton Head, South Carolina for summer vacation, we stop by Piggly Wiggly to stock up on supplies. Last summer my sister and I really wanted to buy a t-shirt from there because they were so 'different' for lack of a better term. Fast forward to a few months ago when one of my students got back from Spring Break from Savannah, Georgia. This young lady came to school wearing a Piggly Wiggly shirt. She got excited that I knew exactly what the store was. So, we decided that today we would both wear our Piggly Wiggly t-shirts. We're going to take a picture(I'll post on here later.)

Oh, the excitement of my little world...............................................