Where have I been? I reached the milestone of writing in this space for 12 years and then dropped off the face of the blog. Wanna know what happened?
Changes.
Good Bye Classroom
With many tears, I said goodbye to my school and my students in May. I put in notice that I wouldn’t return in the fall as their social studies teacher.
Seems I can’t disconnect completely. I’ve let my principal know I’m available as a substitute teacher on occasion. I hope she takes me up on it.
So what am I going to do instead?
Hello Hospitals
Advocating for Family to Family Support Network with Founder Rebecca Vahle and patron former Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
Day 1 centered on the Capitol and Day 2 featured a White House meeting. Day 3 includes talking about adoption reform with lawmakers. Plus dropping in on a House Committee meeting and getting gussied up for a gala.
How to Advocate
CCAI (Congressional Coalition of Adoption Institute), started our morning with a legislative seminar. We got tips on how to talk with legislators about what we think should happen with the state of Adoption. We then broke into small groups, each one led by a CCAI representative.
With Chuck Johnson of NCFA (top), and Leesa and Mike Worley of Colorado Springs.
Mine was Chuck Johnson, President and CEO of the National Council for Adoption. We headed first to the office of the Senator who nominated me for the Angels in Adoption® award.
Following Monday’s events, the story of Tuesday has four parts: the pinning, a meeting with White House staff, seeing my fairy blogmother, and being a guest in the home of a former Senator.
Pinning Ceremony
Angels nominated by a Senator were recognized at a breakfast ceremony in the Russell Senate building. (Angels nominated by a Representative had a lunch ceremony over on the House side.) My friends and colleagues Dixie Weber, Janelle Ison, and Rebecca Vahle accompanied me.
