FFF - Love

This week's Favorite Foto Friday theme is love. I decided to make mine "Love at first sight."

This is what I saw the first time I laid eyes on my Johanna. It was August 3, 2007 and it was "love at first sight."


The first time I saw Johanna in person was at the airport in Guatemala. It was "love at first sight" all over again.

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!!!!

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.

First Dr. Appointment

Yesterday Johanna had her first dr. appointment since being home. She was so good. I sure hope that continues. She laid on the table very still while the nurse took her vitals. The nurse said she had never had a baby lay that well.

Dr. Stewart peeked in to say hi and and told Johanna how cute she is. I reminded the good doctor that she was suppose to be talking in Spanish to my baby. (She had told me previously that she would teach Johanna Spanish.) She then started talking in Spanish and Johanna got so excited.

We sat in the little room for quite awhile before the dr. came back - no surprise, huh? Johanna was very good during the wait. She also did well while the dr. checked her out. Dr. Stewart said she is very healthy and doing well developmentally.

Then we were off to the lab. I really think I got the best baby Guatemala had. She didn't even flinch when her tiny finger was stuck. She absolutely loved the Winnie the Pooh band-aid.

Getting vitals checked by the nurse


Checking Johanna's temperature


Being "cheesey" for Mama


Getting checked over by the doc

Baby is Packed!!

I have everything packed and ready to go for Johanna. Now Mom and I have to fit clothes for five days into these two suitcases too. That may be a trick.

We are driving to Amarillo, Texas on Easter Sunday, sometime in the afternoon. We fly to Guatemala the next morning. I HATE flying but this trip will be so worth it.

What The News Says Is True

Have you heard on the news, or other shows, how poor Americans' geography skills are? Well, it is true!! Mom just called her Visa card company to let them know we would be out of the country and possibly using the card.
Here is the conversation:
Service Rep.: Where are you going?
Mom: Guatemala
Service Rep: What country is it in?
Mom: Guatemala is the country. It's south of Mexico.
Service Rep.: Oh, you're going to Mexico.
Mom: No, we are going to Guatemala. It is south of Mexico.
Service Rep: How do you spell that?

I hope the airline people are better informed about geography. I would hate to end up somewhere my baby isn't.

Johanna's Special Onsie

My niece Brooklen goes to a very nice school about 10 miles south of town. Each year they do the best fundraiser. Each child draws and colors a picture. The child then takes the picture home along with an order form. They sell their artwork to family and friends on items such as shirts, mousepads, mugs, bookbags, etc.
This year I bought a long-sleeved shirt with Brooklen's picture on it. I also bought two luggage tags with the picture on them. They are bright yellow and will be very easy to spot when I finally travel to and from Guatemala to get my baby girl.

My favorite thing I bought is pictured below. It is a onsie for Johanna. I had the words "Mommy's Sunshine" put under the picture. I just love it!!!

One Year Later

Last year December 3 was on a Sunday. It was during praise and worship time at church that I heard God speaking to me. He was telling me that in a year I would have my own baby girl.
Here it is, one year later. I have my baby girl!! She is still in Guatemala but God is faithful. My baby will be home soon. I can hardly wait until I can actually hold her in church during praise and worship time and teach her to praise God who brought her to me.
Yesterday one of the songs we sang in church really spoke to me about this journey I have been on. Here are the words . . .

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom
Or the strong man boast in his strength
Let not the rich man boast in his riches
But let the humble come and give thanks
To the One who made us, the One who saved us


Chorus:
I will boast in the Lord my God
I will boast in the One Who's worthy
I will boast in the Lord my God
I will boast in the One Who's worthy, He's worthy

Bridge:
I will make my boast in Christ alone
I will make my boast in Christ alone
(Repeat twice)

©2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
CCLI song #4662350

Blog Changes - YAY!!!

I have had to make some changes to my blog. These are changes I am very happy to make. "Becoming Family" - Baby William, "Worth the Wait" - Olivia Grace, and "Waiting For Brody" - Brody Boy, have been moved to ADOPTIONS COMPLETED!! I am so happy for these families.

I also have the pleasure of adding the blogs of four new friends who are currently adopting from Guatemala. If you haven't already, check out these new blogs. They are "Adopting Ariana", "Bringing Home Ava Bella", "Anthony's Adoption", and "Isaac Charles McGee".

On Angel's Wings to Guatemala

I am so excited!! I found someone to take a package for me to Guatemala. It was going to cost me about $200 to Fed Ex the package to Guatemala. Today I Fed Ex'd it to Indiana for $42. The Hart's are going to take it to Guatemala and give it to Victor. Victor is going to get it to my attorney. My baby Johanna should have it sometime the week of November 12.
Thank you so very much to the Hart Family for doing this for me. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your baby girl!!

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.

Clean Up Time

I need to finish adding blogs to my list at the side and take off some that don't need to be there. If you want to stay on my blog list or want to be added, please let me know. I will probably be dividing into three groups, those adopting from Guat, those who have already adopted and have their children home, and other blogs.

Fellow Guatemama

This is so neat!! Today I took one of my little daycare boys to his swim lessons. There was a little boy in the same class that didn't look like his mama. I was pretty sure he was adopted so I asked his mom. And He is from GUATEMALA!!! I am so excited to meet someone from my own town with a Guatemalan child. She said they are adopting a second little boy and got a referral in March. She seemed about as excited as I was. She also knows of one other family in our town with two children adopted from Guatemala. Maybe we can all get together sometime when we both have our new babies home!!

Making Progress Again!

In the mail today I got a copies of my home study agency's new license and the SW's new license. 15 minutes ago I dropped them off at the Fed Ex box to go to Topeka for authentication. Also in the package is a copy of my I-171H. I should have them back by the end of the week unless the government has a big vacation this week. Next they will be off to the Guatemalan Consulate in Houston. With that, my dossier will be FINISHED!!
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

I'm So Smart!! & It's Off - Again!!

Fed Ex delivered my psychological evaluation today. It came from Washington and has the Washington state seal on it. It is really neat. The best part is what was said about my intelligence. The Dr. said that I am "above average" in intelligence. I know all you married people are going to rush out and get the evaluations now. These are only required for singles adopting. So sorry.

As soon as I got the evaluation I stuck it in the next envelope with my dossier to go to the Guatemalan Consulate in Houston. It is already in the drop box. With it are the envelope to send it on to my agency. One more thing done!!

Changes to My Blog

I made some changes today in the "Blogs I Visit" space. I have changed it to "Friends Adopting From Guatemala." Under it I have tons of blogs. These are only people currently adopting. If you have already adopted, I will add another list for you. I still need to move out the blogs of those adopting from elsewhere. It took me so long to add to the list that I am not going to do the moving-out right now. I added the names of the mother and child next to the blog name, uless a name was in the title. If I have a name wrong or spelled incorrectly, please let me know. If you would like to be added to my list, please let me know that too. If a link does not work, tell me please.

Dossier it Authenticated!!

On Monday, May 21, my dossier went to Topeka for Authentication. I got it back already this morning!!! Those guys are sure quick! I wish everything in this adoption would move that quickly. I am learning a lot about being patient though. I know that the daughter God has chosen for me, may not even be born yet so I have to wait. Now I will send my dossier to the Guatemalan Consulate in Houston so they can authenticate it too.

For those not familar with the process, the top picture is of my documents with the statements from the Secretary of State (Ron Thornburgh) saying that the notaries I used are actual notaries for the state of Kansas. The second picture show a page from Governor Kathleen Sebilous stating that Ron Thornburgh is the Secretary of State. I guess the Governor doesn't need anyone to say she is who she says she is.

I had 15 documents authenticated at $7.50 each for a total of $112.50. For the Guatemalan authentications it is $10 each - - - $150!!! No wonder international adoptions are so expensive.

Dossier to be Authenticated

This is for real this time. I FINALLY got it dropped off in the Fed Ex box. It will be overnighted to Topeka.

I got my approval from my agency coordinator that my dossier was fine. I got my last "Witness Statement" this afternoon. THEN came the most difficult part... getting it ready to send.

I typed up a cover letter to go with the dossier, wrote a check, prepared a return envelope and airbill, packed it all in the Fed Ex envelope and headed off to the drop box. Three blocks from my house I realized that I had forgotten to include my birth certificate. Back to the house.

I re-typed the cover letter, wrote a new check and made up a new envelope to send it all in. On the way to the car I realized that I hadn't stuck my birth certificate in with the dossier. Back inside. Now I finally have it all in the dropbox.

I hope this authentication process goes fast. For Guatemala I also have to send it to the Guatemala Consular in Houston. After that it goes to my agency.

My fingerprints will be done on Friday, June 15 in Kansas City. That is the soonest I can get it done. Then I will be waiting for my I-171H and my dosser to return to me. This is a lot of waiting!!!

What's Going On

It has been awhile since I posted so I thought I had better catch up. I am still working on my dossier for Guatemala. I am waiting on one reference and the two witness statements. I should get those from friends this week.

I heard from USCIS about fingerprints but need to try to schedule another time. They letter I received said we can go to Wichita on any Wednesday for fingerprints. Wednesday is not really good. Mom works at Wal-Mart on Wednesday afternoon. It would also not be good for daycare. A Friday would be much better. I am going to see about making an appointment even though the lady on the phone said I couldn't make an appointment.

Other than that, nothing else is going on. I am continuing to try to raise money. We are planning for a big garage sale but don't have date yet.

Making Changes

I had a couple of changes to make on my blog since I have changed countries. Tomorrow I will put on things about Guatemala, now that I have removed the Kazakhstan stuff. I also went through my filebox and shreaded a bunch of papers. My whole dossier has to be redone. I think the new one will be easier and I will hopefull have it in Topeka by Wednesday.

I will be adding new blogs to my list of "Favorites" too. I have started visiting more blogs of people adopting from Guatemala. I will add those to this site.