"Mrs. Wray...why were you and your husband looking at carpet at Lowe's on Saturday?"

'Out of the mouths of babes!' This is just what one of my sixth graders asked me this afternoon during Reading class! We had taken a break from our work after going over their grade reports and their final exams, and just in casual conversation, one of my kiddies raised her hand and revealed that she had seen Mr. Wray and I picking out carpet on Saturday morning. Not a big deal, right? RIGHT! Except for the fact that I couldn't keep a straight face - NOR could I think of a little white lie to tell!

I didn't quite feel ready to tell them that I was pregnant and buying carpet for our nursery! But, whether it was a deep yearning to finally tell my students, or me just not being fast enough to change directions - they started to realize that I had something to say...but was holding back!

God love 'em...As I turned all shades of red and immediately started to sweat, I told them that I had a secret! Some of them instantly said "I know what it is! or "I think I know, Mrs. Wray!"
I started by telling them about a conversation I had had with one of them early in the year... One little boy had asked me why I wore my necklace with two baby feet around my neck every day. After explaining to him that I had a baby that died before it was born, and seeing the sadness that this brought to even a 12 year old boy, this student has since had a very special place in my heart.

So I guess, in a way, I was very excited to tell his class the news today! They were so excited! You wouldn't think that 6th graders, especially those that are 'too cool for school,' would care about their teacher being pregnant - but the hours that I have spent with these kids - teaching, learning, exploring, listening, sharing, laughing, and loving them - I suppose they feel just as much a part of my life as I see them to be.

Not minutes after spilling the beans, I dropped a pile of papers on the floor. One gentleman stood from his seat in the back of the room, came to front, picked up the pile, handed them to me and said,
"Let me get that for you Mrs. Wray, I don't want you bending over and getting tired!"
LOVE HIM!

One fellow even said,
"You know, Mrs. Wray, a few weeks ago I thought you just didn't seem like yourself...I wondered what was wrong..."

Another confessed,
"Mrs. Wray, I've known for a while! I was standing outside of your door when you told Mrs. Shepherd! I could tell by the way she hugged you that something good had happened. Then, I saw you looking at a baby website on your computer!"

BUSTED!

We had an amazing and FUN conversation that lasted until the end of 4th period! So much for Reading class today!!
They had millions of questions:
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"What will you name it?"
"Will you name it after ME?"

They also had a few words of advice:
"Mrs. Wray - You're about to get really moody! Make sure you tell us when you're having one of those days!"
"Believe me, you don't want a boy! My brother is a real punk!"
(And my personal favorite...)
"I've seen my Mom pregnant twice - she looked like she swallowed 3 watermelons! You'll probably gain a lot of weight!"

Well then...
The only down side of sharing the news this early was that I'm still not completely out of danger yet! There are still so many things to worry about...and I hate that! I told them bits and pieces about having an unhealthy pregnancy and THAT was the reason that I hadn't told them. Even though they understood, I'll never forgive myself if something happens this time around and I have to tell these kids that it's all over with...

We ended our class period with a question...
'Mrs. Wray, are we allowed to tell people?
Oh dear...
I gave them permission to talk about it amongst themselves, with me, and with their families at home! I begged them to PLEASE not tell any of their peers for at least another week! I explained to them that I want to get to the 12 week mark and maybe even see the doctor again before we all start blabbing - but we'll see how that goes... After all, they're only kids... I hope I didn't overwhelm them today...

Someday, I'll look back on this day as one of my favorite days of the year...I just know it!
My students are my world! I spend 180 hours or more with them each year! They are a part of me and I take pieces of them with me every where I go... I want them to be involved in my life and I want them to feel like they are part of my world...

I have a feeling that this secret won't stay a secret for very long...
I wouldn't be surprised if kids in other classes start staring at my stomach next week - after someone spills the beans this weekend...
Oh well, I'll forgive them...
It's a huge secret to keep - believe me!