I was layed off. I packed my desk and left-upset. Not that I loved my job, but I liked the people there, it was close to home and I feared how it would affect our adoption plans.
A friend of mine who was layed off that day said to me as I walked out the door "One door closes, another one opens. You'll see-something will happen with the adoption". I shook my head. Nothing had been happening in weeks and I now worried about being able to afford ads.
I had tickets to see Grease at a local dinner theatre that night. I did not feel like going, but I already paid for the ticket. I showered, but on my game face and went out with the Moms from Jac's school. It was our ladies night!
In the middle of the play, my cell phone starts lighting up. I'm getting a call from a strange area code - 603-could that be New Hampshire?? We did have an ad running there this week. I could not run out of the theatre to get it, so it went to voicemail. I listened to the message at intermission-it was a very nice sounding woman who wanted to talk to me about our ad in the paper.
The rest is history. How my life changed in one year! Just when I was at my lowwest, I got "the call". Your life can change with one call! April 27th will forever be a special day!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I feel so blessed....
I feel like the luckiest woman alive. I have two healthy happy children, a husband that loves me and supports me (even when I get these crazy notions) and friends that care about me. I may not be rich in a material sense, but I consider myself very very wealthy for all that I do have.
I feel especially lucky when I think of how just about one year ago, we received a call that would change our lives. We were blessed with a birthmother and situation that was just perfect. A terrific woman wanting to make an adoption plan, driving distance away, a healthy, beautiful baby, only two weeks from first conversation to birth, everything went smoothly legally, we got to stay in a nice New England city with stores and restaurants, the weather was great, our families drove up to see us in the middle of our ICPC wait, it was just perfect. I never dreamed we'd be so lucky. There were days I doubted we would even be chosen.
It scares me to think of the "what ifs". What if she didn't see our ad? What if she didn't have the courage to call us? What if we did not take the chance and commit because we had no medical information on the birthmom? What if the birthmom changed her mind?
Almost a year later and I am still pinching myself that it all happened and happened so smoothly. When I look at my baby, I just want to cry with happiness. She has changed our entire family's outlook. We are complete now, we are happy and not still searching and waiting for a little one to join our family. We feel relief, gratitude, and love.
Our angel was sent to us, just when I was at the end of my rope and tired of dealing with failures, medical issues and fear. She even looks like an angel. I know she was sent to us by God and that we needed her as much as she needed us.
I always say how unlucky I am-never win anything, things don't go my way, etc. It's been over 11 months and I have not complained once about being unlucky. All the material winnings I was thinking of don't matter. I no longer complain-I'm not unlucky....I am BLESSED!
I feel especially lucky when I think of how just about one year ago, we received a call that would change our lives. We were blessed with a birthmother and situation that was just perfect. A terrific woman wanting to make an adoption plan, driving distance away, a healthy, beautiful baby, only two weeks from first conversation to birth, everything went smoothly legally, we got to stay in a nice New England city with stores and restaurants, the weather was great, our families drove up to see us in the middle of our ICPC wait, it was just perfect. I never dreamed we'd be so lucky. There were days I doubted we would even be chosen.
It scares me to think of the "what ifs". What if she didn't see our ad? What if she didn't have the courage to call us? What if we did not take the chance and commit because we had no medical information on the birthmom? What if the birthmom changed her mind?
Almost a year later and I am still pinching myself that it all happened and happened so smoothly. When I look at my baby, I just want to cry with happiness. She has changed our entire family's outlook. We are complete now, we are happy and not still searching and waiting for a little one to join our family. We feel relief, gratitude, and love.
Our angel was sent to us, just when I was at the end of my rope and tired of dealing with failures, medical issues and fear. She even looks like an angel. I know she was sent to us by God and that we needed her as much as she needed us.
I always say how unlucky I am-never win anything, things don't go my way, etc. It's been over 11 months and I have not complained once about being unlucky. All the material winnings I was thinking of don't matter. I no longer complain-I'm not unlucky....I am BLESSED!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
My princess turned 11 months old today!
Time is just flying by-my baby turned 11 months today! Where has the time gone? My life has really changed in the past year. It's scary how fast time is going by and how quickly the kids are growing!!!
We're planning a one year old birthday party and can't wait to celebrate it! I still pinch myself that it's real and that she is ours. She's a fireball! Full of energy, giggles and smiles! Always on the go, no moss will ever grow under her feet. I can already see she will be the daredevil of the family!!
Here are a few pictures I took today!!! Move over Rachael Ray-here is the Food Networks newest sensation!
We're planning a one year old birthday party and can't wait to celebrate it! I still pinch myself that it's real and that she is ours. She's a fireball! Full of energy, giggles and smiles! Always on the go, no moss will ever grow under her feet. I can already see she will be the daredevil of the family!!
Here are a few pictures I took today!!! Move over Rachael Ray-here is the Food Networks newest sensation!
Friday, April 18, 2008
It felt so good...
to visit my friend at the hospital last weekend and see her new baby-and NOT feel bad. I was truly happy for her and for the first time, it was OK for me to walk into the maternity floor and not feel sorry for myself. This was the first time I've had to visit a friend in the maternity ward since our baby has arrived. Trust me-having our baby has made all the difference in the world. I am so happy and so complete now-I can't even describe the feeling. I can go visit new babies, go to baby showers, go to one year old birthday parties, go to baptisms and NOT feel bad!!! For the first time in years, I can enjoy!
This particular friend has an older daughter and her and I were due the same week in 2006. We joked about being in the hospital at the same time. Unfortunately for me, that was my first miscarriage, her daughter will be two this August. Every time I see her toddler, I can't help to think what could have been for me.
Fate and destiny led us to our baby and she was meant to be ours. Everything that happened to me the past few years happened for a reason. She was meant to be our daughter. She is our angel sent from heaven and she (as well as her older sister) make me happy every single day!
This particular friend has an older daughter and her and I were due the same week in 2006. We joked about being in the hospital at the same time. Unfortunately for me, that was my first miscarriage, her daughter will be two this August. Every time I see her toddler, I can't help to think what could have been for me.
Fate and destiny led us to our baby and she was meant to be ours. Everything that happened to me the past few years happened for a reason. She was meant to be our daughter. She is our angel sent from heaven and she (as well as her older sister) make me happy every single day!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Happiness and Sadness.....
That's what I see when my grandparents visit us. They live 2 miles away and we see them a few times a week. My grandma is 81, but grandpa is 91. He still drives, cooks, cleans up, plays bingo and cards, reads the paper and of course watches his Yankee games. He's in great shape for his age and his mind is as sharp as a tack. His hearing is another story! In November, he had a minor stroke that miracously left him with no side effects. I worry about him a lot. He shuffles his feet more and more and stumbles and I swear a fall will be what brings him down.
I am so happy he got to see my baby. When 2006 brought me two miscarriages and he was 89, I was so afraid he would not be alive to see my 2nd child. It bothered me on a daily basis. Happily he did get to see her and enjoys playing with her. Of his eight great grandchildren, I think she is his favorite. He's in awe of Jenna. On one hand, he is so happy to see her and gets such a kick out of her (she totally plays up to him) and on the other hand, I see a sadness in his eyes. He knows his years are numbered and he won't get to see the kids grown up, graduate college, and get married. Sometimes I am afraid when I say goodbye to them, it could be the last time. We're very close and I will be devastated when they pass.
I guess that's part of growing old-the happiness of experiencing many years of life, but the sadness in knowing that the sun is setting on his life and he won't get to see the newest generation fulfil their dreams. I just let the kids see their great grandparents as often as possible and pray they continue to live relatively healthy lives.
I am so happy he got to see my baby. When 2006 brought me two miscarriages and he was 89, I was so afraid he would not be alive to see my 2nd child. It bothered me on a daily basis. Happily he did get to see her and enjoys playing with her. Of his eight great grandchildren, I think she is his favorite. He's in awe of Jenna. On one hand, he is so happy to see her and gets such a kick out of her (she totally plays up to him) and on the other hand, I see a sadness in his eyes. He knows his years are numbered and he won't get to see the kids grown up, graduate college, and get married. Sometimes I am afraid when I say goodbye to them, it could be the last time. We're very close and I will be devastated when they pass.
I guess that's part of growing old-the happiness of experiencing many years of life, but the sadness in knowing that the sun is setting on his life and he won't get to see the newest generation fulfil their dreams. I just let the kids see their great grandparents as often as possible and pray they continue to live relatively healthy lives.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Losing my religion....
I already lost my religion in June 2007. My Roman Catholic church refused to baptize my baby because she was adopted and the adoption was not finalized. They called the Archdiosese of NY in front of me-as it if made me feel better. They were afraid of getting sued if the birthmother wanted her back. I had papers from my lawyer that stated irrevocable consent had been signed and there was no way we would ever lose custody of our daughter. Her birthmother was Catholic and was happy we were baptizing her. I practically begged-to no avail. The Monsignor told me not to worry, nothing will happen to the baby. I didn't think anything would. My father said they were fishing for a bigger donation. I left the rectory with a deep sense of sadness. Would Jesus have refused to baptize an innocent baby? Why is the baby being punnished-she did nothing wrong. The Catholic church should be more worried about being sued over children being touched and molested by priests! That's the reality!
I was shocked and devastated. I had been attending that church faithfully for 15 years. I contacted the church where I went as a teenager and was married at-they wanted a letter from my parish-so I was back to square one. I contacted another local church that I head baptizes adopted children. They said they would gladly do it. I made the arrangements, did make a donation and was happy to have my daughter baptized at 4 months old instead of a year old, which is how old she would have been had I waited until finalization papers came through. I was so happy. They did not know me from a hole in the wall, I never was a parishioner there, but they were very nice to me. The priest even wore vestments with children on them. It was very important to me that she be baptized at a few months old.
Christmas and Easter have come and gone and I still cannot step foot in my parish. Seeing the Monsignor who refused to baptize her upsets me. My family says I am over reacting. I don't think so. I was was the one who was denied to my face. My dilemma now is what to do? Do I return to my old church and try to get past it? Do I start to attend the church that did baptize my daughter even though it's out of the way? Do I start to research becoming a Protestant?
It's things like this that make Catholics question the church and convert to other religions. People cannot believe it when I tell them they would not baptize her. I have many friends who have had the same problem, while in other parts of NY, adoptive parents can baptize their children whenever they want-even if the adoption is not final.
The Catholic Church needs to be consistent in how they handle baptizing adopted children. For now I have lost my religion and don't know how to find it again. The Pope is coming to my part of NY next week-do I care-NO!
I was shocked and devastated. I had been attending that church faithfully for 15 years. I contacted the church where I went as a teenager and was married at-they wanted a letter from my parish-so I was back to square one. I contacted another local church that I head baptizes adopted children. They said they would gladly do it. I made the arrangements, did make a donation and was happy to have my daughter baptized at 4 months old instead of a year old, which is how old she would have been had I waited until finalization papers came through. I was so happy. They did not know me from a hole in the wall, I never was a parishioner there, but they were very nice to me. The priest even wore vestments with children on them. It was very important to me that she be baptized at a few months old.
Christmas and Easter have come and gone and I still cannot step foot in my parish. Seeing the Monsignor who refused to baptize her upsets me. My family says I am over reacting. I don't think so. I was was the one who was denied to my face. My dilemma now is what to do? Do I return to my old church and try to get past it? Do I start to attend the church that did baptize my daughter even though it's out of the way? Do I start to research becoming a Protestant?
It's things like this that make Catholics question the church and convert to other religions. People cannot believe it when I tell them they would not baptize her. I have many friends who have had the same problem, while in other parts of NY, adoptive parents can baptize their children whenever they want-even if the adoption is not final.
The Catholic Church needs to be consistent in how they handle baptizing adopted children. For now I have lost my religion and don't know how to find it again. The Pope is coming to my part of NY next week-do I care-NO!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Lia Sophia-I'm on my way!!!
I'm on my way! I had a great Lia Sophia starter party last Friday night. Over $1,000 in sales and two bookings!!! I earned lots of free jewelry I will use for samples!!!
My first party where I am the advisor is on April 18th and then my next one is April 25th! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! I met my manager and trained with her on Friday. I received my starter kit and love the sample jewelry they sent me! I went out to Staples and bought some supplies I will need for my business.
I feel like I am really in a good place with this now! I would love to get more bookings lined up and then I would be feeling great. I went around to local supermarkets, post office and laundromats and left flyers I made up on their bulletin board. I have been spreading the news of my new business by word of mouth and so have my friends and family!
I will do everything in my power to make this business successful! I don't want to go back to a 9-5 job. I want to be available for my kids everyday!
Here's my Lia Sophia Website for anyone that wishes to browse! I'm happy to help anyone in Westchester, Putnam, or Dutchess county, NY as well as nearby CT or NJ!
Joanne's Lia Sophia website! www.jewelrybyliasophia.com
My first party where I am the advisor is on April 18th and then my next one is April 25th! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! I met my manager and trained with her on Friday. I received my starter kit and love the sample jewelry they sent me! I went out to Staples and bought some supplies I will need for my business.
I feel like I am really in a good place with this now! I would love to get more bookings lined up and then I would be feeling great. I went around to local supermarkets, post office and laundromats and left flyers I made up on their bulletin board. I have been spreading the news of my new business by word of mouth and so have my friends and family!
I will do everything in my power to make this business successful! I don't want to go back to a 9-5 job. I want to be available for my kids everyday!
Here's my Lia Sophia Website for anyone that wishes to browse! I'm happy to help anyone in Westchester, Putnam, or Dutchess county, NY as well as nearby CT or NJ!
Joanne's Lia Sophia website! www.jewelrybyliasophia.com
Sunday, March 30, 2008
It's official-I am a Lia Sophia Advisor!
Well, I had my starter party on Friday night and it was a big success. Almost $1,000 in sales and orders still coming in and two bookings. I am lucky to have such supportive family and friends! I made up some fliers and will put them up locally on bulletin boards. I also have some other ideas to book parties-that's my main priority now-lining up the parties!!!
I should be getting my starter kit this week and can't wait to see the jewelry in it. I have to call my manager and arrange for some training sessions. I am determined to be successful at this I want to remain a stay at home mother. I don't want to "have to" send my kids to daycare. I know horror stories from personal friends, especially with infants.
I will flaunt my display jewelry and use it as a tool to strike up conversation about Lia Sophia. I know it takes time for a new business to "take off" so I have to tell myself I will keep focused and not give up if I don't see immediate results!
Wish my luck. I am hoping this decision will change my life-for the better!!
Here's my Lia Sophia website-as soon as I get an official LS site, it will appear. For now, I have a temporary site:
Joanne's Lia Sophia website
I should be getting my starter kit this week and can't wait to see the jewelry in it. I have to call my manager and arrange for some training sessions. I am determined to be successful at this I want to remain a stay at home mother. I don't want to "have to" send my kids to daycare. I know horror stories from personal friends, especially with infants.
I will flaunt my display jewelry and use it as a tool to strike up conversation about Lia Sophia. I know it takes time for a new business to "take off" so I have to tell myself I will keep focused and not give up if I don't see immediate results!
Wish my luck. I am hoping this decision will change my life-for the better!!
Here's my Lia Sophia website-as soon as I get an official LS site, it will appear. For now, I have a temporary site:
Joanne's Lia Sophia website
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Have a laugh-Church Bulletin Bloopers...
They're Back! Those Wonderful Church Bulletins! My favorite it about the Weight Watcher meeting!
Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services (Summer, 2007 Release).
----------------------------------------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
-------------------- ------ --------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing:
"Break Forth Into Joy."
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
-------------------------------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow..
------------------------------------------------ ---------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------- ------ -----------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".
Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services (Summer, 2007 Release).
----------------------------------------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
----------------------------------------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
-------------------- ------ --------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
----------------------------------------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
----------------------------------------------------------
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
---------------------------------------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
----------------------------------------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
----------------------------------------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing:
"Break Forth Into Joy."
---------------------------------------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
---------------------------------------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
---------------------------------------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
---------------------------------------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
---------------------------------------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
-------------------------------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow..
------------------------------------------------ ---------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------- ------ -----------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
---------------------------------------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
----------------------------------------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
---------------------------------------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day!
Yesterday we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. We were more excited about it then ever! An Italian family care about St. Pat's Day-since when??? Since our youngest daughter came along!! She is part Irish and we want to make sure we celebrate her heritage with her! About two months ago, I bought her a cute "My first St. Patrick's Day" shirt and then her Godmother gave her a matching bib that says "Kiss me, I'm Irish!" She looked so cute. Unfortunately we did not go out yesterday as my older daughter had a nasty stomach bug. She wore her green shirt, but did not want to be in the pictures-I have to say-she looked as green as the shirt! So without further ado, here are the pictures of my little girl who will be 10 months old in a few days!!!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
What's happening to Ebay???
Ebay is undergoing a lot of changes-not all for the better either! On February 20th, they revamped their auction fees. Charging you less to list, but more if you item sells. I guess it makes it less risky for little sellers like me to list items for sale. But for companies who sell high priced items, it's time to get out!
Portero.com is a local company that sells high end used items-we're talking mink coats, diamonds and even yahts! They have been selling on ebay for years with over 10,000 positive feedback. I went to see what they had for sale and they are no longer selling on ebay. They haven't sold anything there in a month from what I can tell. I went to their site and they are running auctions right from their site, so no more fees to ebay! I can't say I blame them. They were probably selling tens of thousands of dollars worth of items a week. The final fee values were adding up. I don't know if they are getting the exposure they did on ebay, but there stuff is still selling consistently.
I then went to check a few more of my favorite sellers and they either had nothing to sell, or had changed their name. It sounds like, with the price structure changes, a lot of people don't want to sell on ebay. There are not many choices. Other auction sites may be free or lower cost, but you don't get the traffic and volume of ebay.
I loved Yahoo auctions and then it closed this summer. There is definitely a need for a major auction site to replace the ailing and failing ebay.
Just wait-in May some major feedback changes are coming that has everyone in an uproar. Sellers can't leave buyers any feedback but positive! Gee that sounds fair. I sell something, you buy it and never pay me and I have to leave postive feedback??
Someone needs to fix Ebay soon, before it tanks!!!
Portero.com is a local company that sells high end used items-we're talking mink coats, diamonds and even yahts! They have been selling on ebay for years with over 10,000 positive feedback. I went to see what they had for sale and they are no longer selling on ebay. They haven't sold anything there in a month from what I can tell. I went to their site and they are running auctions right from their site, so no more fees to ebay! I can't say I blame them. They were probably selling tens of thousands of dollars worth of items a week. The final fee values were adding up. I don't know if they are getting the exposure they did on ebay, but there stuff is still selling consistently.
I then went to check a few more of my favorite sellers and they either had nothing to sell, or had changed their name. It sounds like, with the price structure changes, a lot of people don't want to sell on ebay. There are not many choices. Other auction sites may be free or lower cost, but you don't get the traffic and volume of ebay.
I loved Yahoo auctions and then it closed this summer. There is definitely a need for a major auction site to replace the ailing and failing ebay.
Just wait-in May some major feedback changes are coming that has everyone in an uproar. Sellers can't leave buyers any feedback but positive! Gee that sounds fair. I sell something, you buy it and never pay me and I have to leave postive feedback??
Someone needs to fix Ebay soon, before it tanks!!!
Friday, February 29, 2008
She wore a raspberry beret.....
the kind you buy in 2nd hand store. That's all I could think of yesterday when my daughter had this outfit and beret on! She looked so cute, I just had to post this picture. I even got a smile out of her. She smiles often-just not for the camera!!! Really-she is a happy child!
Happy Leap year everyone!!! You can only say this once every four years!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
I've decided to sell.....Lia Sophia
After analyzing both direct sales jewelry companies to death, I finally decided last night to go with Lia Sophia! I feel really good about my decision and the woman I signed up under is terrific. My starter show is March 30th at my house. I have lots of other friends I want to invite, so I may have a 2nd show on my own in late April.
What led me to choose Lia Sophia is the name of the company is known, the quality of the jewelry is better than other direct sales jewelry companies and the cost to start is much more "doable". Lia Sophia costs $149 and I can sell my kit back if after a few shows, it's not working out for me. Premier Designs was going to run me about $1200 to start. I want to recruit and getting ladies to cough up over $1000 makes recruiting very difficult.
I have some terrific ideas on how to book shows and get new customers, and I can't wait to hit the ground running!!!! I'm very psyched!!! Here's to being another Lia Sophia success story!!!
What led me to choose Lia Sophia is the name of the company is known, the quality of the jewelry is better than other direct sales jewelry companies and the cost to start is much more "doable". Lia Sophia costs $149 and I can sell my kit back if after a few shows, it's not working out for me. Premier Designs was going to run me about $1200 to start. I want to recruit and getting ladies to cough up over $1000 makes recruiting very difficult.
I have some terrific ideas on how to book shows and get new customers, and I can't wait to hit the ground running!!!! I'm very psyched!!! Here's to being another Lia Sophia success story!!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Just a plug for my friends hoping to adopt...
Just a friendly plug for my adoption buddies, hoping to adopt independently very soon! If you look to the right side of my blog, you will see links to their adoption websites. These couples are homestudy ready and waiting to adopt. I hope you keep them in mind if you know of a woman thinking of placing her baby for adoption in the near future. They are all wonderful couples who will make (or already are) terrific parents.
I am always hoping to help friends adopt. I was successful in directly helping one couple, who are friends of ours in the fall of 2007. I wish I could help them all.
I do what I can. If I could personally match each and every one of them I could. I love nothing more than to help people and make them happy! Even words of advice or encouragement to my adoption buddies are appreciated when things seem rough. Folks who adopt independently face lots of challenges on their road to becoming parents. Phone calls in the middle of the night, checking ads in newspapers only to find it ran with a mistake, placing ads and hoping for the best, dealing with scammers, etc. It's a lot and it can get stressful. It's all worth it in the end. When your son or daughter is placed in your arms, everything bad that happened to you along the way disappears and all that remains is happiness. Some potential adoptive parents get discouraged and give up on their dream-don't! You will be parents AS LONG AS YOU DON'T GIVE UP!!!!
Help these couples become FAMILIES!
I am always hoping to help friends adopt. I was successful in directly helping one couple, who are friends of ours in the fall of 2007. I wish I could help them all.
I do what I can. If I could personally match each and every one of them I could. I love nothing more than to help people and make them happy! Even words of advice or encouragement to my adoption buddies are appreciated when things seem rough. Folks who adopt independently face lots of challenges on their road to becoming parents. Phone calls in the middle of the night, checking ads in newspapers only to find it ran with a mistake, placing ads and hoping for the best, dealing with scammers, etc. It's a lot and it can get stressful. It's all worth it in the end. When your son or daughter is placed in your arms, everything bad that happened to you along the way disappears and all that remains is happiness. Some potential adoptive parents get discouraged and give up on their dream-don't! You will be parents AS LONG AS YOU DON'T GIVE UP!!!!
Help these couples become FAMILIES!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Angie's sporting a bump
Seems undeniable. Pictures of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at Saturday's 2008 Film Independent Spirit awards conceal nothing. It seems pretty obvious one (or two) babies are on the way! She looks great, why not just go public??? End the speculation and tell us?? I know there may be health reasons or concerns with the pregnancy, but when you are one of the most public figures in the world-there is nothing you can hide. My gut feeling is that they wanted to adopt more kids, but being an unmarried couple is hindering that, so they are growing their family the good old fashioned way!
Here's a picture from February 23rd-you be the judge!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My little fireball turns 9 months old!
Today we celebrated a mini birthday of sorts-my little fireball, as we call her turned 9 months old today!! I can't believe 9 months have passed so quickly! Tomorrow she goes for her checkup-so we will find out her height, weight and she will get a few dreaded shots!
My sweetie had a great day today-she visted her aunt and uncle and played with her cousins. She also saw grandma and grandpa, Uncle Lou and great grandma and great grandpa. The funniest part of the visit was when she was in her walker. My sister's dog, who is a shi tsu was sniffing her in her walker. She loved him. Finally, she just reached out and pet him. It was so cute and she was in no way afraid. I wish I had my camera! She was fascinated by the dog! I played with my neices Wii for the first time too! It was interesting-but I like real sports better!
Here's my sweetie on the couch and taking control of the remote! It's hard to get a picture of her-she never sits still anymore!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Deciding between direct sale jewelry companies
I have been considering doing direct jewelry sales for a while. I am deciding between Lia Sophia and Premier Designs and I really need to talk to each of my contact at both companies before I make a final decision. Both companies have positive and negatives. I guess it just comes down to my decision based on all the information I have gathered!
I have no problem with public speaking and feel I can do a good job of putting on a show. I know lots of women who like to wear good costume jewelry and don''t mind investing the money in a few good pieces. I enjoy wearing some nice costume jewelry and I can be my own model when I am out and about! Having shows at night or on the weekends works for me-I don't have to pay for babysitting. These jewelry companies do carry the potential to make a lot of money, some women are making 6 figures. I will be happy if I can make a few thousand a month!
I am excited, but undecided about which company to join! I hope to make a decision soon!
I have no problem with public speaking and feel I can do a good job of putting on a show. I know lots of women who like to wear good costume jewelry and don''t mind investing the money in a few good pieces. I enjoy wearing some nice costume jewelry and I can be my own model when I am out and about! Having shows at night or on the weekends works for me-I don't have to pay for babysitting. These jewelry companies do carry the potential to make a lot of money, some women are making 6 figures. I will be happy if I can make a few thousand a month!
I am excited, but undecided about which company to join! I hope to make a decision soon!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Not a very insightful post today-just wanted to mark Valentine's Day and share a few pictures I took of the girls this morning. That's the great thing about girls-you can buy pink and red outfits with hearts and it's OK!
We are so happy this year to be celebrating this Valentine's day with our two forever Valentine's-our daughters!!!!
We are so happy this year to be celebrating this Valentine's day with our two forever Valentine's-our daughters!!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sad story-Mom leaves baby in trash at hospital restroom!
Here's a sad but true story that happened in Texas. A woman leaves her two kids home alone. She comes to the hospital with a scissor, delivers a baby in the restroom of the ER and dumps it. You are in a hospital-at least carry the baby to the ER for treatment. The baby was 6 weeks early, but he would have had a chance with immediate treatment. Thank goodness a custodian found him! He's now fighting for his life and is on life support as the mother appeared in court today. What's wrong with people. She is now lying and telling people she didn't know she was pregnant-she already had two kids-I think she knows what pregnancy feels like! This baby is a life, a person. I know 20 couples that would have adopted him in a heartbeat. You were feet away from the ER ward, carry him there and get him treatment. What kid of a person would throw a baby in the trash like garbage. We have safehaven laws for infants in all 50 states. A hospital is a safehaven! What kind of a world do we live in??? This makes adoptive parents like us cringe, knowing how much you treasure a baby's life, while others discard it like yesterday's news. Here's the newspaper article:
Mom leaves baby in restroom trash!
Mom leaves baby in restroom trash!
Friday, February 08, 2008
A sad week for me...
I know I should be happy and overall I am. This week is a tough week. Two years ago today, I found out the baby I was carrying had no heartbeat. It was the first of two back to back miscarriages. I was 9 1/2 weeks pregnant and everything had been going so well. My doctor even got approval for the C section I was going to be having at the end of August, 2006. I had been having very sharp abdominal pains on February 7th and 8th and decided to see the OBGYN. I never in a million years suspected I had a miscarriage. I didn't even bring my husband with me. I cried for days, my eyes were swollen for a week.
I scheduled a D&C on February 10th. I wanted to get it over with and move on. I didn't want to wait for the inevitable to happen. I was too scared. I couldn't believe it was happening and actually went to the office the day before the D&C and asked them to check again to see if there was a heartbeat. I was grasping at straws, but wanted to make sure they were right before I had the procedure.
Weeks later I would find out that the baby was a girl and had a chromosonal abnormality which caused the miscarriage. It was Turner's Syndrome (also known as 45X), a common cause for miscarriage and it occurs in female fetuses that are missing an X chromosome. The news brought me little comfort.
My gut said the baby was a girl right from the beginning and I was right. I immediately pictured this little girl with big black eyes and jet black hair-but she was not meant to be.
My future held other plans for me. A little more than a year after this tragedy struck, fate had intervened and had a very beautiful blonde haired, blued eyed angel was waiting for me-my daughter. Her adoption is a story of fate, destiny and love. I believe my lost angels helped her find me so quickly so that I can start to heal. We believe she was conceived on the day our lost angel would have been born. Jenna's birthday is exactly 9 months after my angel was due.
Last year was very hard-it was the first year after it happened and I was no closer to a 2nd child. This year, I am thrilled to say I am a mother of two girls, but I can't say the loss still doesn't hurt. It does, just a tiny tiny bit less then the year before. As long as I live I will never forget my lost angels. A little part of me will always hurt. I believe I will see my lost angels one day in heaven. I can't wait to see if they look like what I pictured them to.
This song reminds me of my angels-I still cry every time I listen to it-LeeAnn Rimes-Probably Wouldn't be this way:
I scheduled a D&C on February 10th. I wanted to get it over with and move on. I didn't want to wait for the inevitable to happen. I was too scared. I couldn't believe it was happening and actually went to the office the day before the D&C and asked them to check again to see if there was a heartbeat. I was grasping at straws, but wanted to make sure they were right before I had the procedure.
Weeks later I would find out that the baby was a girl and had a chromosonal abnormality which caused the miscarriage. It was Turner's Syndrome (also known as 45X), a common cause for miscarriage and it occurs in female fetuses that are missing an X chromosome. The news brought me little comfort.
My gut said the baby was a girl right from the beginning and I was right. I immediately pictured this little girl with big black eyes and jet black hair-but she was not meant to be.
My future held other plans for me. A little more than a year after this tragedy struck, fate had intervened and had a very beautiful blonde haired, blued eyed angel was waiting for me-my daughter. Her adoption is a story of fate, destiny and love. I believe my lost angels helped her find me so quickly so that I can start to heal. We believe she was conceived on the day our lost angel would have been born. Jenna's birthday is exactly 9 months after my angel was due.
Last year was very hard-it was the first year after it happened and I was no closer to a 2nd child. This year, I am thrilled to say I am a mother of two girls, but I can't say the loss still doesn't hurt. It does, just a tiny tiny bit less then the year before. As long as I live I will never forget my lost angels. A little part of me will always hurt. I believe I will see my lost angels one day in heaven. I can't wait to see if they look like what I pictured them to.
This song reminds me of my angels-I still cry every time I listen to it-LeeAnn Rimes-Probably Wouldn't be this way:
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