At 10:15 PM on Saturday night I got a call that S went into labor. S is the first birth-mom that I have had the pleasure of working with (the majority of our adoptions are CPS and not relinquishment). I headed to H-town, ran into the adoptive parents as I was walking in, and baby was born around 1 AM. I stayed there until about 4AM, and was back at 10AM. I then stayed the majority of Sunday. I was there when the baby was discharged on Monday and today I visited the baby in her new home. This baby will always have a special place in my heart as she is my "first." Needless to say, her adoptive parents are beyond thrilled. They have asked me to be "tia." Most importantly, they finally have a baby to call their own. And S is doing extremely well. She never once regretted or hesitated about her decision to give the baby up, and she is completely at peace. To me she is a hero. She made the right choice to give her baby up for adoption, hands down. I am on a baby high this week, and I am praising God for this gift of love! On the way home from the hospital on Sunday I saw a rainbow. It just confirmed the whole experience. I would love to post a pic of the family of three, but I need to protect their identity. I will post a pic of me and the baby though - as you can't see her full face in this pic. She is an angel!

Last night I finished the Twilight Saga. Let me tell you girls, these four books are a must-read. At first I was opposed to reading them. Both Hannah and my SIL Brooke had read them and loved them and encouraged me to read them. But, I thought the story of a vampire falling in love with a high school student would be ultra-lame and cheesy. Well, I was SO wrong! These books are amazing and you will be addicted!!! (And don't worry, the vampire is not evil, so don't worry that I am loving some weird books.) The books are hard to explain - so I will just tell you that if you haven't read them that you need to drop everything and get yourself a copy - or borrow mine. I will tell you that you will feel like a 17-year-old while you read them (as it is targeted to that audience) but it is a worthy guilty pleasure. The movie is great too - but read the first book first as the movies leaves A LOT of stuff out that you will need to know. The movie soundtrack is a lot of fun (thanks Hannah for giving it to me) as well. I am sad that I am done reading the series, as I have thoroughly enjoyed it (and I am not ashamed to say so!). I do plan on going back and re-reading the books in the future, and I don't say that about many books! I was excited to hear that the author Stephenie Meyer has another book in the works which is a part of the saga, only written from a different viewpoint. I found it here: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html I think I will wait until it is in print to read it, but I might not be able to wait that long...;-) In any case, I loved these books so much that they definitely earned a spot in my blog. Let me know if you have read them - as I am sure there are many who share my affection for this series.

Last weekend was a three-day-holiday and I was blessed to be able to fly up and visit one of my best friends, Hannah. I always try to make it to WA to see her once a year (in the three years since we have lived in NJ together) and it always seems to be cold when I go. The first year was March, the second November, and this year January. Next year, no matter where I am living, I hope to see WA when it is warm and green. In any case, we had a super fun time. We saw a movie (Twilight :-)), ate at fun places, went shopping (I got shoes and two very cute bags), went to church, talked/laughed a bunch (of course!), and went to Leavenworth for a day trip. (See pic below.) I enjoyed my time and it went by really fast. Thanks Hannah for your hospitality!

This is why I didn't vote for him... I am not saying he is bad guy. I just cannot choose anything but life, and I honestly think that we all are going to be held accountable for that. It also breaks my heart that my money is now going to fund something I do not believe in nor support.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_abortion_ban

Beloved cousin and friend.

My cousin Scott. Pray for our family. We have broken hearts.

http://www.cbs47.tv/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=91742@video.cbs47.tv

Oh Jersey-kitty!

This morning I was super-excited that I woke up earlier then planned and that I felt rested. I decided to get up and make the most of it and get some chores done before church - that way I wouldn't have to worry about them for the rest of the day. I got everything I wanted to done and I stepped into my shower right on time. When I got out I put on my robe and went to look for my cat. I wanted to put him outside before I dried my hair and brushed my teeth. I called for him and kept on calling him. I looked for him in all of his usual places and could not find him. I was getting irritated because the clock was ticking away and he was ignoring me. Looking back I guess I could have just left him and went ahead and got ready but at that point I was so mad that he was disobeying me that I had to find him and give him the boot. I re-checked every room and kept on calling him. Finally, when I was in my guest bedroom, I heard the jingle from the bell on his collar. I had found him! I heard it under the bed so I crouched down and peeked under it. I didn't see him. I called him and heard the bell again. But, where was he? Then I saw the lump move. A lump that was in the box springs. As he walked this sagging lump from under the box springs moved. I was so confused - how did he get in there? Then I discovered a hole. That little stinker had made a hole in the bottom material and climbed up in there. I was equally mad and equally laughing. Well, he had climbed up in there but obviously didn't know how to get out. So, I spent the next few minutes trying to coax him out. By this time he was purring and batting at me through the hole - the whole thing had turned into a game for him. Finally I was able to get him out. It meant I missed church though...there was no way I would be ready in time by then. To make up for it I watched a church service on TV but it wasn't the same. Anyway, funny story. I will be sure to keep the door closed to that room when he is in the house from now on!!

I am starting off 2009 with a quote I read yesterday that really impacted me.

"'Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ be after me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left.' Surrounded by Christ, we will pass safely through this world to the next." -Patrick of Ireland & Ann Spangler

Praise the Lord that "in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17b) God be glorified in 2009 (and always!).