Love Those Target Bargains!

This morning I went to Wal-Mart and then to Target to see what toys they had on sale that we could use in our daycare. I did find some good stuff but the best thing I found is something for Johanna. It was just over $50 off. See it below.

Happy 5 Months!

Johanna Faith,
Today your are five months old. Even though I have never met you, I miss you so very much. I took your latest pictures to church with me this morning and everyone I showed them to is excited to me you. Many people are praying for you and that you will get to come home soon. You are going to be so loved by so many people here.
I love you very much already.
Mommy

I'm A Christmas Tree

I got this from a friends blog.
I am a traditional Christmas tree.
I like that!!

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Pray for Foster Sister

Yesterday I found the family that has the other baby in Johanna's foster home. Johanna's foster sister is about 9 months old. I was thrilled to find them.
Today they got bad news. They got a kickout of PGN. This is not an easy fix either. Apparently the birth mother has two birth certificates. The attorney has to have one of them cancelled. This has to be done by a judge and the family was told it usually takes several months. Once this is done it's back to PGN. PRAY FOR A MIRACLE!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!

New Pictures!! Update!!!! IN PGN!!!!!!!!

I got updated medical and photos today. I knew they were coming today. I got a sign from God yesterday when my Pastor accidentally said our Christmas program was going to be on July 23 instead of December 23. Johanna's birthday is July 23.

Johanna weighs just over 14 pounds!! I emailed my coordinator and asked "What are they doing to my baby? She is a chub!" She gained 5 pounds in 2 months. The attorneys said she is the happiest baby they have ever worked with. I like that!!

Another great thing is that WE ARE IN PGN!!!!

Below are the new pictures of Johanna with her Christmas package.

Taking a look at her Christmas loot


Getting dressed in her Christmas dress


Look at those chubby cheeks!!


In her Christmas dress with her new toy


I got all of this for Christmas???


Eating the foot of one of her Christmas Outfits

A Screaming Merry Christmas

Do you want to know how to have a "Screaming Merry Christmas" at your house? I am selling these adorable Monkey, Pig and Frog slingshots and they DO SCREAM!! I actually have one of each in my daycare playroom and the kiddos love them. I am selling them for $5 each. Shipping is $2 for the first one and then $.75 for each additional one. If you are interested, please email me. If you have a Paypal account you can pay through my Chipin and then let me know what you want.

Could Be Good News

The following is from the JCICS site from Friday, December 14. It would be great if the Guatemalan congress adopts this. Even greater if I get into PGN next week.

During the week of December 3rd, Joint Council strongly advocated with key stakeholders for a positive resolution to the grandfather clause (Article 56 of Decree 77-2007). As part of our call to both the Guatemalan administration and Congress to clearly define a ‘grandfathered case’, Joint Council submitted a definition to the Guatemalan Congress, the Berger administration and the U.S. Department of State. In addition, we educated members of the U.S. Congress on this critical issue.

As part of our advocacy, Joint Council fully supports the following definition and process.

A case would be eligible for the grandfather status provided that by December 31st 2007 the case had:
a Power of Attorney (POA),
the POA was registered with the Supreme Court,
the Acta de Requerimiento had been issued
The case would be officially grandfathered upon its registration with the Central Authority during a 30 day period beginning December 31, 2007. The 30 day period represents 30 business days.
Cases already “in” PGN (cases where an Aviso has been issued) would be considered to be automatically registered with the Central Authority thereby negating the need for a separate and additional act of registration.
Recognizing that PGN is registered with The Hague as a competent authority, all eligible cases would be registered with the Central Authority via the PGN.
Through our ongoing dialogue with the Guatemalan government and the U.S. Department of State (DOS), it is our understanding that the key stakeholders including DOS are not moving towards a definition that would limit the grandfathered cases to only those cases that are “in” PGN by December 30, 2007 (a full and complete file submitted to PGN for review). There appears to be a growing agreement, including a draft legal opinion by PGN, with the definition outlined by Joint Council. While Joint Council is cautiously optimistic that this type of a grandfather definition will be officially sanctioned, we also believe that we must remain diligent in our review, assessment and advocacy.

Joint Council does remain concerned that the recent elections have left a void in leadership within the Guatemalan government. As a result, obtaining a clear ruling from a competent authority is increasingly difficult. We also have concerns as to the registering of cases with the Central Authority, given that no such authority will exist until sometime in mid-January, at the earliest.

Please know that Joint Council, as previously stated, will remain diligent in its pursuit of every child’s right to a permanent, safe and loving family. We are intimately involved in the process in Guatemala and are committed to ensuring that all children who have been referred to a family will be able to have their adoption completed. As we see the Guatemala 5000 through to a successful completion, Joint Council will continue its engagement with a goal of seeing the functional implementation of the new adoption law.

The Job I Applied For

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to w ork variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 . Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, and an embarrassment the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.

Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that
college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy
it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Meeting Butterscotch

I had to get Johanna's big horse out of the garage. To get the car in the garage the box had to be moved and was sitting on top of the freezer. I couldn't get into the freezer. I decided to move the box downstais but wanted to see what the horse was like first. My mom thought we should put it together and let the daycare kiddos see it. Caleb and Reagan were upstairs to help.


You say there is a horse in the huge box?


Where is the head?


My mom and my niece Rachel trying to wire the head in.
Reagan is holding out her finger and saying the horse bit her.


The huge box is a lot of fun!!

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!!!

Just Waiting

And waiting is something I am really tired of. I wouldn't mind it so much if I were waiting while something is going on. But nothing happens. I got PA Dec. 2 and am waiting to get into PGN. Haven't heard anything from my attorney. Waiting over two months for updated photos and medical information on my daughter. That is the waiting I am most tired of.

Make a free ecard!

Merry TossMass!!

www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm

You will have to copy paste.

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

Celebrating PA?

This morning I was thinking about the pre-approval process and what it means. I was wondering, "Is it really something to celebrate?" This is the process where the U.S. Embassy looks over all the papers to decide if the child to be adopted qualifies as an orphan. So yesterday I got the pre-approval from the embassy that says, "Yes, the baby you want is an orphan." I was kind of sad about it this morning. Sure it is a great milestone in the process but being an orphan is not really a good thing. Then this afternoon I visited my friend Tami's blog and she had this video on there. It is "Orphans of God" by Avalon. I guess it is okay to be an orphan on the earth. There are no orphans of God.

Pre-Approval!!!!

Day 45 since dna got to the embassy.
I just checked my email and pre-approval was there.
I was told I could go into PGN almost right away!!
I am soooooooooo excited!!

TAGGED!!

I have been tagged by Melissa who is adopting Sunbeam from Guatemala. Sunbeam will soon be home too!!
Anyway, I have to list 8 interesting things about myself. It may take me awhile to finish this post.

1. I have been to all states except Vermont. My mother and I love to travel in the summer and we usually do a lot of driving.

2. I live with my mother and she is my best friend. I lived in Palm Beach County, Florida for about a year and a half after college but moved back home. My dad died almost 10 years ago so this living situation has worked out well. Rent is cheap too!

3. I do home daycare with my mother for a living. We have 12 children every day. I also am Sparks director at my church on Wednesday nights for the Kindergarten thru 2nd graders. Mom and I also work in our church nursery every Sunday during 2nd service. I must like kids.

4. I have 3 older sisters and 1 younger brother. I have 15 nieces and nephews. I have 26 great nieces and nephews and 1 due in January. I have 1 great-great nephew.

5. In 1983 I won a 7 day, 6 night trip to Hawaii. I had just turned 19. My mom and brother went with me.

6. I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Maggie. She sleeps with me, follows me through the house and lays by me if I am sitting on the couch. She is going to be extremely jealous when Johanna comes home.

7. I am terrified of flying!! I hate it!! Can I take a boat to Guatemala?

8. I was a huge Wizard of Oz collector but have sold almost all my collection to pay for my adoption.

I am tagging Kelly, Courtney, and Annie. Looking forward to seeing what is interesting about you all.

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".

To Guatemala For Christmas

I had so much fun shopping for Johanna yesterday!! I am already wanting to shop some more and send down another package after the first of the year. I bought all size 3/6 months clothes and I sure hope they will fit. Below are the things I bought and a few I got last year after Christmas on clearance when I knew I was going to be adopting a baby.
"Grandma's Little Angel" outfit

"Baby's First Christmas" outfit with bib and hat

Fisher Price pastel key-like baby toy. I got this yesterday at Kohl's and loved that there was a whole collection of pastel toys. I also got the stacking rings in pastel but will keep them here until Johanna comes home.

Christmas sleeper and two bibs

"Baby's First Christmas" Stocking

This is an outfit I got on an online site. It is Italian.

These are "First Christmas" pacifiers. Believe it or not, I want my baby on a pacifier.

I saved the best for last. I couldn't find a dress exactly like I wanted but I found about six dresses at Kohl's that I liked. I showed them all to my mom so she could help me decide which on to get. It came with tights with hearts on them and I also got little black shoes.

Happy 4 Months Johanna!!

Today my sweet baby girl is four months old. I was hoping to get Pre-approval for her birthday. I am so ready for her to come home. I did some Christmas shopping today for the package I am sending down for her. I will post pictures tomorrow.

I love you Johanna.

Christmas Shopping

I do have a lot to be thankful for but this year am skipping the traditional Thanksgiving celebration. Mom and I are hitting the road tomorrow. Friday morning we will join the crowds of people shopping in the malls!!!

I will be looking for a Christmas dress to send to Johanna and other gifts for her. My friend Shannon is taking some things down for me. Hopefully she will be going down to pick up her baby girl Analise in the next couple of weeks.

Too Much Stress

I have had the most stressful day and it had nothing to do with the adoption. One of my niece's passed away this morning. She was a step-daughter of one of my sisters. She wasn't in real good health but this was a complete shock to allof us. She left behind five children ages 10 to 18. The four younger ones will probably have to go live with their father about an hour away.

I also have a nephew who is 16 who is about to go into the hospital. He has been anorexic and has lost so much weight. We are pretty close and it hurts me to see him hurt and to see how scared he is.

Well, if I can make it through this week I should be able to handle this adoption process, I think. Now I just need some good news, like PA.

PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY!!

I got this from another adopting family's blog. Please pray for the family below.

I just got an e-mail from one of my friends who is in China right now. One of the families in her group has experienced a tragedy that is so hard to comprehend. The wife Sandi and her husband Dennis have been married 18 or 19 years, and this is their first child. Hannah (who is being adopted in China) is their daughter, and they were preparing to return to the States when Dennis fell ill.
Dennis was struggling to keep his blood glucose levels in check while in China and fell in to a diabetic coma yesterday. He died in Guangzhou two nights ago.
Sandi’s mother and brother are trying to get emergency visas to get to China to help out, and now there is concern that the US government (via the Consulate in Guangzhou) would deny Hannah’s visa to return to the States with her mother, as her father’s death affects the status of her adoption (on paper only, though).
Please pray for Sandi, Hannah, and their shock & grief. Please pray that the Consulate would not deny Hannah’s visa and that they would be able to return home unhindered, and for all arrangements for Dennis’ body. I ache for them….this just seems unfathomable! PLEASE PRAY!

Pregnant? NOT!! - Just fun!!

Below is a link for an online pregnancy test. I am going to have a 14 pound baby boy and Arnold Schwartzeneggar is the father. (I know I probably didn't spell the last name correctly.) My mom is going to have 13 pound baby girl and the pool guy is the father. She is soooooooo lucky!! You will understand if you see the pool guy.
http://www.thepregnancytester.com

World's Greatest Grandma

Yesterday my mom and I were setting up for garage sale when I came across something. There was a HUGE box in the garage under a table. I thought it would be a good box to set some items on. I had no idea where the box came from. Then I realized it was a new box with something in it. My brother and sister-in-law often store Christmas presents at our house so I thought that was what it probably was. I asked my mom where it came from. She got this silly look on her face and replied, "Oh, I don't know. Where did it come from?" Then I read the box. Below is a picture of what Mom secretly bought. She really will be the greatest Grandma!

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!!

Really No Update

I asked my agency for an update and all I got was that I am still in family court. I am also still waiting on Pre-approval. Dna was received at the embassy about Oct. 17 so I guess it has only been 12 days. I HATE THE WAITING!!!!

Fave Foto Friday

This is my first time to do a "Fave Foto Friday." This "foto" doesn't really have anything to do with my adoption but it is something that will be in Johanna's future. This picture is of four of our smallest daycare kiddos in their Halloween costumes. They got to wear them to the library yesterday when we went for "Wee Readers." They are from left to right: Reagan - KU Cheerleader, Caleb - Hobo Clown, Cole - Cowboy, and Mariah - Frog.

Johanna is 3 Months Old!

Happy 3 Months my sweet Johanna Faith. I hope I can have you home before too many of the months past. I love you very, very much!!
Mommy

Johanna's Birth Mom

I got the dna results from Lab Corp on Saturday. With the results came a picture of Johanna with her birth mom. It is the last time the birth mom will see her. It is a bittersweet picture. I owe Maria so much and I will pray for her.

I was surprised at how young she is. I knew her age but when I saw her picture it hit me more. She looks like a teenager, so young and so innocent. I can tell from her face that she loves this baby and I will let Johanna know that. I hope that someday Johanna and I can travel to Guatemala to meet her, when Johanna is ready.

DNA Done!!!

EDITED TO ADD: Just got the results emailed from my agency, the match is 99.9999%!!


I emailed Lab Corp and received a reply this morning. My dna is done and the results will be in the mail today. YIPPEE!!!

Under 300

I want to send out a big shout for my "Loser" friend Jez. As of tonight's show, Jez is under 300 pounds. That is so wonderful!!! I did not even recognize Jez when I first saw him on the show tonight. He looks so different already.

I was disappointed the black team didn't win the challenge tonight. I wanted Jez to get video from home. Three of our little daycare girls did a cheer for Jez that his mother videoed and had sent to him. I was really wanting to see it on tonight's show. Maybe next time.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK JEZ!!

Tagged!!

I have been tagged by my blogger friend Ellie. Here it goes!
Jobs I Have Had
Checker/Cashier
Pizza Hut
Burger King
Wal-Mart Bakery
School Bus Driver
Elementary Teacher
Daycare Provider

Places I've Lived
Kansas
Nebraska - College
Colorado Springs - 8 weeks of student teaching
Palm Beach County Florida

Foods That I Love
Sunflower Seeds
Chicken
Pasta
Mexican
Seafood

Places That I Would Rather Be
Guatemala with my baby girl
Disney World
On a Train going anywhere

TV Shows I Watch
Boston Legal
The Biggest Loser
The O'Reilly Factor
Desperate Housewives
Lots of Fox News

Books I Love
The Bible
The Family Nobody Wanted
Anything by Beverly Lewis

I Am Tagging
Sharon - Olivia's Mommy
Kelly - Nicco's Mommy
Kim - Mommy of Dmitri from Kazakhstan
Melissa - Sunbeam's Mommy

Moving Along

I was so excited about the new pictures and the slushbag that I forgot to update on the adoption process. I got an email from my agency coordinator last week too. She said the dna was taken and the birth mother interview was done. YEA!! Things are finally moving along.

More Beautiful

I may have a problem when I get my daughter home. If I carry this slushbag/diaper bag and the baby both, people won't be able to decide which is more beautiful. Thank you so very much, Sig - for having the giveaway in which I won this beautiful bag and Tara - for making this bag for me.

A Great Day!!!

Today has been a great day!! Yes, I got my slushbag!! It is beautiful but you will not get to see it until later this week. Why? I have some different beautiful pictures to show you. Johanna is now 2 1/2 months old and weighs 9 pounds.

Hi Mommy!

I love you Mommy!

Charge It!!!

Mom thinks I am going nuts. I am sitting here on my laptop and I start clapping and bouncing. What could I be looking at that is so excited? Our Target account. Yes, the dna has been charged. How funny to be excited about a high account balance.

DNA Receipt

Yesterday I got an emailed receipt from Lab Corp. Finally, dna may be taken!! I hope the results are to the embassy super-quick. Pre-approval has been coming less than 30 days after dna results are at the embassy. Come on DNA & PA!!!

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.

2 More Days - - - BREAK!!!

This is where I am going on Friday!! (Just 2 more days of daycare.) This is a time-share in Winter Park, Colorado. My mom, a niece - Rachel, a nephew - Rodrick, and I are going. We will spend Saturday in W.P. doing whatever we can find to do. I know they have Colorado's largest Alpine slide there so I hope to do that. There is also 2-level maze. That sounds like fun!! On Sunday we have a wedding to go to in Denver. Monday is a free day again. I am sooooooooo looking forward to getting away for awhile. Another plus is - the high temp up there during the day is only about 75. Wow!! I haven't seen that during the day in a long time. I have to dig out the blue jeans. I do hope I have internet access so I can still keep up on how all of my wonderful blogland friends are doing.
TWO MORE DAYS!!!!

My Daughter

Today I was at a store and writing a check. I stopped, trying to think of the date and the cashier told me it was the 26th. As I was driving home I thought, "I should have remembered the date because my daughter is 1 month and 3 days old. Then it hit me. I had called her "My Daughter." I don't think I have ever called or thought that before. I have called her "my baby" or "my Johanna" or just "Johanna." It was so awesome when I realized I had called her "MY DAUGHTER" without even thinking about it. It just warmed my heart.
I love you Johanna, My Daughter!!!

One Month Old

Today my Johanna Faith is one month old. Oh, how I wish I could hold her and love on her. I wonder how much she has grown. I wonder if she is a good baby. I wonder if she is happy.
Johanna,
Mommy loves you so much.

Can This Ever Be A Nursery?

Below are pictures of the room that will someday be Johanna's. Right now it is a total mess!! Two of the walls are still concrete and need drywall put up. There is no ceiling, just sheets. This room is used for some guests and for storage. The bed is covered with cake pans I still need to get listed on ebay. My niece, who stayed in this room last year while going to school, still has lots of stuff in here. Will this room ever be a nursery? I sure hope so!!