The Plan

Okay, I know all of you "Mom's already" are going to laugh at this post. I'm ready for it. I had a plan for Sunday morning. I knew just how the morning was going to go so we could get to church on time and have an uneventful time there.

We would wake up between 7:30 and 8:00, eat breakfast, get dressed and leave for church. Johanna would enjoy the praise and worship time. When Pastor Neil got up to speak, Johanna would take her bottle and sleep through the sermon. I guess I forgot to give the plan to Johanna.

I heard her scratching at 6:30 (she is sleeping in a pac-n-play in my room right now). I thought I would bring her to my bed and we would cuddle for 30 minutes. WRONG! She was soaked! Upstairs we went for a bath and breakfast. Since we were up so early Johanna fell asleep at 7:30 for about an hour.

We got to church in plenty of time and Johanna did enjoy the music. I gave her a bottle at the beginning of the sermon but she didn't want to nap again in the morning. She wanted to preach. Needless to say, I didn't get to hear the sermon this week.

Johanna - all ready for church

Let's go!!

What you have been waiting for!!!

I know you all have been waiting (patiently) for pictures. Here are some from our first day. I will try to post more tomorrow.

Meeting Mommy at the airport.


First feeding from Mommy.




She sleeps on her tummy and often on her face.




Cuddling with Mommy.

She is WONDERFUL!!!

Well, I am here in Guatemala. Johanna is sleeping so I am going to post really quick. I can't put pictures on yet though.

Johanna and her foster mother met us at the airport yesterday. Boy, was that a surprise. She is a very good baby but sometimes looks lost and starts crying. It is so obvious she misses her foster family. She was very close to her foster father so everytime she sees a man she wants him to old her.

Last night she slept all night, 8 to 7 this morning. I didn't sleep. I was awake constantly checking on her. She sleeps on her tummy and often on her face too. I guess she doesn't know about SIDS. She sleeps very still too. I would put my hand on her back but couldn't feel her breathing so I would jiggle her a little to make her move. I know, I have those "first time mom" qualities.

Our embassy appointment was this morning and was long. Johanna got very restless but we made it through. I think we are going to the market after lunch. I'll try to write more later and maybe even get some pictures on.

Last Birthday Away

Today Johanna Faith is 8 months old. This is her last monthly birthday away from home and me.

Happy 8 months my sweet baby girl. I love you so much and I am finally coming to get you. Grandma and I will see you tomorrow. I am praying you have a smooth transition. I know you will miss your foster family and they will miss you too. I will love you with all I am and be the best mother you could ever have.
See you tomorrow,
Mommy

Mission Accomplished - Finally

I finally finished the nursery. Mom and I got the border up last night. The day before we switched the light fixture in the ceiling. I still have to find some things for the two bare walls but that will have to wait until after Johanna is home.

I also got the car seat installed in my car yesterday. I am REALLY READY for my daughter to come home.

20,000 Visits

Wow!! That is a lot! That is how many visits I have had since I got my referral on August 3. Thanks a lot to all my friends, family and faithful blog-followers.

Kisses In The Wind

KISSES IN THE WIND
I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams,
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.
I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long,
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.
Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.
May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.
Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.
May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.
--Unknown

Another New Diaper Bag

A friend of mine sells Purse-ona purses, bags, etc. I went to a "Purse Party" on Saturday and bought another diaper bag.

My new Purse-ona diaper bag.


Inserts with the bag - clear plastic pouch, flowered pouch, and changing pad.


The back of the bag has a big pocket with lots of small places to hold things.

Am I Capable? - A Word From God

Last Tuesday night I went to a night of praise, prayer and prophecy at my church. The praise and worship was awesome of course. During that time the Pastor and Elders of my church were in the back of the sanctuary in prayer. They were praying for God to speak to them, giving them words for the people gathered at church. God had a word for me!! Pastor Neil gave me the word from God.

Pastor Neil said that lately I have been questioning myself, asking "Am I capable?" Yes, I had been asking that sort of question just the last couple of days. God had three questions for me to answer. 1. Do I love God? 2. Am I willing to serve Him? 3. Am I going to raise my daughter to love and serve Him? Pastor Neil said that if I can answer "yes" to all of these questions (and he knew I could, he said) then God is telling me that I am capable. It was soooooooooo AWESOME!!!

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.

Abraham is Smiling

Abraham, What are you smiling about?



Yes, we got PINK!!! The appointment is March 25 at 8:00 a.m.

The girls and I decorated the front porch. They all had to have PINK ribbon in their hair too.

Wearing of the PINK

Yes, I am wearing my PINK clothes again tomorrow. I am certain I will be getting PINK tomorrow. I have bought cookies with pink frosting, pink streamers and even found little pink fuzzy bags for the girls. I guess a boy can have one too if he wishes. I still have to buy pink balloons. We are all ready to celebrate tomorrow.
COME ON PINK!!!!!!!!!!

FFF- COME ON PINK!!!

This is my very first contribution to "Favorite Foto Friday". Today most of the daycare kids, my mom, my niece Rachel and I are all wearing PINK for Johanna. The little boy in the front has PINK stripes on his plaid shirt. Thanks to all the moms for supporting me and Johanna in this way.

Hello!! US Embassy?

EDITED TO ADD: The dna is already at the embassy!!!

I just checked Fed Ex and our (Debbie Weeks' and mine) dna results have arrived in Guatemala City!!!!
I am wearing my PINK "Expecting from Guatemala" shirt on Friday and even my PINK underwear. LOL
I am going to request all of our daycare children wear PINK on Friday too. At least the girls.

DNA on its Way!! Let the Stalking Begin!!!

I just got an email from the "Angel" at the lab. My dna is going to leave today for the United States embassy in Guatemala. I will be stalking the Fed Ex site to keep track of where the dna is. Then I will be refreshing my email constantly waiting for the PINK!!!
Praise the Lord!!!