Friday, February 27, 2009

Going to go private...

Our adoption agency has recommended that blogs are private, at least until we pass court and Chloe is officially ours. So, I'm going to have to go private with our blog. I wish I didn't have to, but I don't want to do anything to jeopardize our sweet little girl's adoption.

So, I'll wait a few days to go completely private. If you want to be able to read the blog after that, please send me an email to: tmnewman@chartermi.net, or leave me a comment below and I'll send you an invitation. Please, don't hesitate to do this as I know how wonderful it is for me to watch families go through the process.

Thank you! (And yes, I'm still floating on Cloud 9!)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Video...

Isn't she amazing? :)

Wow.

WE GOT THE CALL TODAY!!!!!!

We have another baby girl!! I'm so excited! There aren't enough exclamation points to use at times like this!!!!!!!!!! It's been a few hours and I'm STILL shaking.

So much for 2-4 months!

She was born on 1/4/09. She weighed just under 6 lbs and was 19 inches long. Her name will be Chloe Mei. Mei is actually her birth grandma's name, and it means littlest sister, beautiful and Rose (Sara's middle name) in Chinese! She's absolutely beautiful. Sigh. I'm SO happy. :) :)

Here's the pics I received of her today. We got a video too, but I still need to figure out how to make it work.

Yahoo!!! We have a baby girl!!!

(Amidst our joy, there is a young woman in Taiwan who is hurting tonight for her infant daughter. If you could, please pray for Chloe's birthmom and family tonight. Thank you.)



Sunday, February 22, 2009

Book Review

I like to read, a lot. I'm not a "deep" reader most of the time, however. I have two kids, an adoption, and college I'm struggling through, so light reading is about all I can handle, and it's what I enjoy most.

That said, take my book reviews for what they're worth. :)

I really enjoyed the Twilight series. Nothing earth shattering or life changing, but easy, entertaining books with likable characters. I've just finished Stephanie Meyers (who wrote the Twilight series) first adult-directed book called The Host. I LOVED it. First of all, there was no majorly adult-only material in the book. No bad language, minimal violence and no sex scenes. Secondly, it's a very original concept that was done well. It's very entertaining. I often judge a book by how much I look forward to reading it (I read at night before bed). Every night I looked forward to reading this book, and now that I'm done with it, I miss it. In fact, the book I'm reading now is a major disappointment compared to the Host.

So that's it...my review in a nutshell. :)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy Family Day, Jacob!

Seven years ago today, Todd and I were in Colombia receiving the most precious gift...our son. We finally became a family.

This picture was taken when Jacob was one year old. Not when we got him, but isn't he CUTE??? :)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Two to Four Months...

That's the latest estimate from our agency for a referral for us. I thought it would be sooner, so I'm bummed. I guess it's time to chill out and enjoy life, instead of waiting for the phone to ring all the time.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Caught the bug...


Well, after watching some bloggie friends get some great deals on diaper bags, I was feeling the itch to hunt for one myself. So, today we happened to be at TJ Maxx and I found THE BAG. I've been aching for a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag since before we adopted Sara, but could never bring myself to shell out the money to buy one. WELL, we found one...for $49! And I LOVE it. I'm so excited. Todd was so sweet to call it my Valentine's Day present too. :) I just checked...they're going for over $80 on ebay right now. Yay! Happy Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Just for fun...

Saw this on another blog and thought it looked like fun. :)


The rules are simple: bold the things you've done. Explanations are optional. Fun is guaranteed.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (Lake Michigan)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (a little Spanish, anyway)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee


That was interesting...clearly I need to travel more! :)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Another New Look...

Thought I'd change up the blog again. This background (thanks to The Cutest Blog on the Block) is called "Like a Ladybug." And since ladybugs and the color red are lucky in Taiwan, maybe we'll get some good news! :)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Blessings...


I have a very good friend right here in our town (about 3 miles away actually) who has also adopted two children from Colombia (Hi Lori!). From the very same orphanage in fact. My kids love her kids, and play together often. Her little guy (J.J.) and Sara adore each other and play wonderfully together. Here they are today...snuggled up watching a movie together.