It's unbelievable, but this next week marks twenty years since I've graduated from high school! wow. I cannot fathom that, where has the time gone? I cannot even recognize the person I once was compared to the person I am today. A trip down memory lane...

Graduation in 1988

1988-1989 One year of college at our local community college toward a degree in Interior Design - decided that although I enjoy design, I really didn't want to continue as a career working with other people's taste and design

1989-1992 Three years of college at Illinois State University for a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Summer 1992 "Moved" to Boulder, CO to look for work while staying with some friends - realized that I didn't want to do Social Work with a Bachelors and was afraid of burn out - cost of living in Boulder very high - unable to find a good job - heard of a nanny position back home - Came back, interviewed, and got the job as a nanny to three children ages 1-4

Fall 1992-1997 Full time nanny for same family, bought a small house, did Christian youth work

Fall 1997-1998 Kids in school full time - took a job as a special ed teacher assistant - continued to watch the kids on school holidays

Summer 1998 Decided to go back to school for Special Ed - received IL tuition waiver for Special Ed

1998-2000 Finished second Bachelors Degree in Special Ed

Spring 2000 Job fair at ISU - first table I sat at was the district where I received a job and still am teaching in

Fall 2001 Licensed in foster care with State

Spring 2001 First foster care placement

Fall 2003 Switched to private agency

Spring 2004 "Bo" placed with me at 3 days old

Spring 2005 "Jakala" placed with me at 3 1/2 years old

October 2006 "Bo" became Braeden officially as his adoption was finalized

November 2006 (Currently Liam) was placed with me at 9 months old

September 2007 "Jakala" became Olivia officially as her adoption was finalized

Years to come... who knows how God will work in our lives to change and become the people we are meant to be