First Snow

Christmas Eve we woke up to snow on the ground. It wasn't actually our first this winter but the first worth dressing and going out in. Some friends from church gave Johanna a wonderful snowsuit so out she went. She didn't know what to think of it at first but soon decided it wasn't going to hurt her.

Okay, I'm out here. I can't move so what do you want me to do now?

Hey! Where did Baby Jesus go?

Baby Jesus!! Are you in there??

I don't want to be an angel!!!

Hmmmmm . . . what do I do with this?

You want me to taste this,Mommy?

I don't think I like the taste.

Is there a polar bear in there??

I need to get this white stuff off of my mittens.

Get this off of me!!!

I've had enough of this stuff and I'm ready to go inside.

FFF - Favorite Foto Friday

I'm a little late getting my Favorite Foto Friday post done. Below are two pictures of Johanna before church last Sunday morning. She is wearing a very special Christmas dress.



Here is my niece Xaviera wearing the same dress 13 years ago.

New Foster Sibling

Johanna's foster family is expecting an addition to their family any day now. I am very excited for them but also know that this is a difficult time for them. They have four children ages 6-14 and that can be expensive, as we all know. The father works as a custodian in an apartment building, I think. They are a very nice family and took the best care of Johanna. I am so thankful for them.

I am going to send them some money to help with hospital costs of the new baby and delivery. However, with my addition of Johanna, I don't have a whole lot to spare. I am hoping to get some others to donate something to send to this wonderful family. I have a Paypal account at gails1107@cox.net If you would like to help, even just a little, please donate and leave me a comment letting me know you did.
Thanks!!

FFF - Santa Baby

This week's Favorite Foto Friday theme is anything I like. I chose pictures I took of Johanna Sunday before church. I tried to get pictures of her sitting in front of the fireplace. Either I or my camera are too slow.

When God Speaks . . .

It was two years ago today that God spoke to me about my baby girl. I am not one of those people who can put on the blog the Bible verse about Hannah praying for a child. Not that I didn't want to be a mother, I just didn't pray and ask God for a baby. I had looked into international and domestic adoption a little but nothing serious.

On this day in 2006 God told me I would be holding my own baby girl in church soon. I didn't really know if I could believe it so I answered back. "God, I'm not married!! I'm not even dating anyone!! How can I have a baby of my own????" God had a plan and it then hit me. I was to adopt. By the end of that year I had signed on with Little Miracles International Adoption Agency. When God gives the directions, it is best to waste no time.

I looked at Guatemala and felt and urge toward there but ultimately decided to go with Kazakhstan. I started getting the paperwork ready, did the home study and even started buying baby girl clothes. At one point my adoption coordinator thought Kaz wasn't going to work for me and suggested I switch to Guatemala. No. I was going to Kazakhstan. Then I started feeling very restless about my choice.

My dossier was complete and I was almost ready to hit the Kaz list when I KNEW that wasn't right. I quickly emailed my coordinator and asked if I could switch to Guatemala. Not a problem. Then I was at peace. This was the first of May.

August 3, 2007 I got the referral for a beautiful baby girl from Guatemala. Right away I knew she was my Johanna Faith!! Now as I look back, I know why God called me to adopt this wonderful baby. Johanna was born July 23, 2007. About Dec. 4, 2006 her birth mom may have realized she was expecting a precious baby or maybe she already knew but then made the decision to give her up. At that moment God spoke to me!!!!

Thanksgiving

My mom, Johanna and I went to Topeka to my aunt and uncle's for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time!! Johanna was so good through all the running around, family, shopping, etc. She enjoyed playing with her cousins Levi and Sydney and helping her cousin Kyle practice being a daddy for his coming baby.
Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner.



Ready for the after Thanksgiving Dinner walk.


Cousin Sydney helping Johanna take off her coat after the walk.


Playing blocks with Cousin Levi.



Johanna really likes her (my) Uncle Willard. She would climb right up on his lap with no problems. She even got him to read one of her favorite books.


Friday we went shopping at a mall in Kansas City. Johanna did great until I took her to see Santa Claus. She wanted no part of him so I have no picutres. She did however, enjoy the carousel for the most part.




Part way through the ride, she decided she wanted off.


By the end of the ride I was completely holding her.

Half and Half

No, this post isn't about cream. It is about a significant moment in mine and Johanna's life together. Today marks the day when Johanna has spent half her life away from me and half her life with me. Johanna was 8 months and 1 day when I first held her in my arms.

Johanna has grown a bunch since coming home and has learned so much. I am amazed at how smart she is. She will try to say almost anything I ask her to say. She also knows about 12 animal sounds. She loves books and can't get enough of me reading to her. I don't think I really knew what it would be like to love someone as much as I love her. This motherhood thing is so awesome!!! I thank God daily for the big change He has made in my life through giving me Johanna.

Johanna Faith,

Your Mommy loves you so very much. I know I tell you this several times a day and I hope and pray you really understand it. You have had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of others around us. I pray that you will grow to be a mighty woman of God and fulfil whatever God has in store for your future.

FFF - For Crying Out Loud

This weeks Favorite Foto Friday theme is "Crying Out Loud." I don't have many pictures of Johanna crying but not because she doesn't do her share. Be sure to look at yesterday's post, if you haven't already, to see the much happier Johanna.



Now, this is really "crying out loud." Grandma and Mommy were trying to get Johanna to show her latest feat, climbing onto the couch. Johanna wanted no part of it and let us know.

Happy Girl

Before tomorrow's Favorite Foto Friday I want you all to see that Johanna really is very happy. Not that I think you would think otherwise. LOL

Entertainment

Saturday morning I was cleaning the bathroom. Johanna needed something to entertain herself while Mommy cleaned. She helped herself to the t.p.

FFF - Favorite Family Foto

This weeks Favorite Foto Friday theme is Favorite Family Foto. I don't have very many of Johanna and I together but below are two of my favorites. These pictures are from my pick-up trip. I am giving Johanna a bottle for the first time. I love looking back at these pictures. She was so little and cuddley. I can't believe how much she has grown!!!

Trick-or-Treat!!

My little pink poodle is ready to go trick-or-treating. We just went to a local nursing home and a cousin's house.




Trick-or-treating at one of the nursing homes. I forgot Johanna's pumpkin so a nurse gave us a bag to put the candy in.



This is what happened to Johanna's first pumpkin. The squirrels loved it!!!


This is my niece Brooklen. Her grandmother (not my mother) made her a flapper dress for Halloween. It is so cute!! Brooklen is 11 years old and is Johanna's closest first cousin in age.

Swimming!!

Johanna and I started a parent/tot water class at the YMCA last week. We are the only ones in the class. Johanna did very well. She loved the splashing and even did some kicking. I was really surprised when she put her mouth in the water and blew bubbles too.
Meeting the instructor, Angie.


We moved to the other side of the pool for a minute so Grandma could get a closer picture. Johanna didn't want to kick on that side though.

FFF - Friends

This weeks Favorite Foto Friday theme is Friends. Johanna is so blessed to have 8-10 friends come over every week day. Below are two pictures taken this week of Johanna with some of her friends.

Laying in Ryan's lap and watching t.v.


Pushing Jordan on the scooter. They are great friends and this is one of their favorite activites.

FFF - Octoberfest

This weeks "Favorite Foto Friday" theme is "OCTOBERFEST". I had to take Johanna out for a photo shoot just for this post.
If you would like to see more FFF posts, visit Sarah's blog at
www.kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com (If someone can tell me how to add the link to my blog, I will greatly appreciate it.)