Great Cartoon!!

You all are welcome to copy and paste this cartoon. I got it from a Kazakhstan adoption blog.

More Guatemalan Friends

I met another family with children from Guatemala tonight. Mom's name is Tara and her children are Jackson and Andi. They are both from Eagle's Nest and are four years old. I didn't meet the dad.

We went to a dog training class tonight. Across the way I saw a cute little hispanic looking boy. We have a huge hispanic population here but this boy looked different. He had Asian-looking eyes. My Johanna has Asian-looking eyes and there was a discussion about it on one of the Yahoo groups recently. I knew this boy had to be Guatemalan. The mother was caucasion. I finally had to go over and be nosey. I asked the mother and told her about my adoption.

Tara was as excited to meet me as I was her. She even introduced me to her children and told them about my adoption. They both thought it was pretty neat too. I am excited too go back and see them again next week.

2 Fortune Cookies

I don't really believe in fortune cookies but I do enjoy reading them for fun. Last night I read one for me and one for my mother. Oh Boy!! Maybe there is some truth in them.

This is what mine said. "Your happiness is before you, not behind you! Cherish it." Okay, that makes sense. I am adopting a beautiful baby so happiness is still to come. I can go with that.

Some background before I tell you what my mother's said. My dad passed away almost 10 years ago. His name is still on a lot of my mother's accounts because it is too much of a hassle to have it taken off. However, some accounts have my dad's and my name on them. We have no idea why that is. The other day my mom called the gas company about her account and they wouldn't deal with her because the account was in Dad's and my names. I had to get on the phone and have Mom's name added so she could take care of business. While I was on the phone I asked the gas rep. to please send the bills to Dad since the account is in his name. She didn't get the joke.

Now, on to Mom's fortune . . . "Your spouse's bills are yours and yours are yours"
Freaky, huh?

2 Months Old

Johanna Faith is two months old today. Oh, how I wish I had her home. I also wish I would get some more news about her and some new pictures. I have received nothing since the referral. I did get an email from my agency Friday saying they had heard from my attorney. I needed to send 4 signed copies of the G-28 and I-600. That's it. I guess there was no update. I'm really getting bummed about it.

Love A Bargain!!

I just have to share these adorable dresses that I found on a clearance rack Sunday. They are both size 24 months so Johanna may be able to wear them in a couple of years. Together they only cost $15!!! I just love a bargain!

Secret Blog Pal

Thank you so much Secret Blog Pal!! The gift you sent for me and Johanna Faith couldn't have come at a better time. I have been feeling blue the last couple of days and this gift has lifted and renewed my spirits.

This gift came in an adorable baby box. It is a beautiful white and lavender sleeper and a wonderful blanket to match. The blanket is satiny on one side and soft-furry on the other. I can hardly wait to see Johanna with this lovely blanket.

Thanks Mystery Shopper!

I just got my monthly report from my Bookcodex shopping fund raiser. Once again the "mystery shopper" has come through. I made $16.14 on the office supplies you bought last month. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

Please Help

Since I don't have anything new to report as far as the adoption process goes I decided to speak on something that is on-going. That would be raising money for this adoption. So far I have done the following: garage sale, popcorn sale, ebay (ongoing), loan from Mom, cashed in aluminum cans (ongoing) save all change (ongoing) and I will be selling candles this month.

I have three ways here on my blog for money to be donated. One is the ChipIn. It is at the right side of the blog. Money can be donated directly to my Paypal account from yours. I have set a goal of $10,000 to raise by the end of the year.

Also on the right side of this blog is a shopping link. At this place you can shop at a variety of stores and a portion of the money will go to my account. This is where Holli G. got that beautiful Princess that Miss G. sleeps in. (Thanks Holli!) There is also a mystery buyer that buys office supplies from there. (Thanks Secret Buyer!).

The last way to help on my blog is the easiest. I have little white boxes from Adsense on my blog. I get a very small amount just by having people click on those and look at the sites. The amount may be small but it can add up to a lot!!

If you are interested in looking at what I have for sell on ebay, my seller id is xavie617. Take a look and tell your friends and family.

I hope to have some new photos and information about Johanna soon. Until then, the money raising must go on.
Thanks!!!

The Biggest Loser - TONIGHT

Go Jez!!!
My friend Jez is going to be on "The Biggest Loser" this season. We have been making plans to watch it every week and have been looking forward to this season. Two little girls in our daycare call Jez their "big brother." I guess they have adopted him. Some of the girls in our daycare even did a cheer for Jez and sent it to the show. I hope it gets aired sometime.
BE SURE TO WATCH AND CHEER FOR JEZ!!!!!!!!!!!

$1 A Bag

While we were in Winter Park Colorado over Labor Day Weekend, we came across a mini flea market. I think it was some young moms who decided to get together. Most of the things there were for babies and young children. There were strollers, pack n plays, and highchairs but none of them were pink. I am holding out for all pink since this will probably be my only little girl. Actually, my only child.

One of the "vendors" was ready to pack it up for the day and go home so she was really trying to get rid of her things. She was selling most things for $1 a bag. Below is what I got for my $1.


4 dresses: The two long-sleeved are Old Navy and are so cute. Mom picked out the green sundress. I'm still not sure if I like the color but maybe it will be cute on.


6 Sleepers: These are various sizes and all just adorable.


3 One-Piece Outfits: The Elmo is a 3T so we won't be using it for quite awhile.


5 Individual Pieces

There was one vendor who had baby clothes for $2 - $5. She had some really nice stuff and had I not been on a vacation, I probably would have bought more from here. I bought the outfit below from her. I thought it would be a great "Coming Home" outfit.

Slushbag Fabric

I really have nothing new to post on the adoption front so I will show what I am doing to get ready for baby. One thing is buying fabric for my Slushbag that I won on Sig's blog. The site for the Slushbags is www.slushbags.blogspot.com
Tara is the lady who makes them and they are so neat!! She has different fabrics to that she uses but I chose to go find my own. The light pink fabric has crowns/tiaras on it and says "Princess" in the dark pink. I think this will be one BEAUTIFUL Slushbag.

All In The Name

Johanna Faith
That is the name God and I have chosen for my daughter. Why am I bringing this up again? Tomorrow is the presidential election in Guatemala. Adoptions in Guatemala are up in the air. But, God is gracious (Johanna) and I have to keep my "Faith" that God will complete what He and I have started. I am so glad my daughter will have the name that exemplifies what this adoption process has meant to me and the areas I have grown and still will continue to grow in.

I'm A Winner & New Friends

Yesterday I was the winner in Sig's weekly blog give-away. I am so excited!! I get a $20 gift certificate to Slushbags. I haven't decided yet what bag I am going to have made. Tara makes very nice bags so, if you haven't seen them, go take a look. I will post a picture of my bag when I get it.

On one of my Yahoo Groups I asked if anyone was using the same agency as me. I got three replies from people using them right now. And guess what!! We are all in about the same place in the process!! Leah doesn't quite have her dossier finished yet. She is single and lives in Mexico, working for the U.S. Kelly and her husband recently signed their POA and live in MO. Julie's little girl is two weeks older than Johanna. She signed her POA in Guatemala and meet her baby girl while picking up her 8 month old son. I am so glad to have made these new friends and to have someone real close to share the experience with.