To my fellow blog friends that believe in the power of prayer like I do, this post is for you.

Yesterday, Madison Kathryn came into the world. Her parents and big sister are dear friends to us. Precious Madison was born with a severe congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart. On Tuesday, October 1st at 9:30am central time this precious baby will undergo the first of three surgeries to re-build this damaged chamber in her heart.

Thankfully, a very astute ultra-sound technician caught this early in Julie's pregnancy. This allowed them to move Julie to the hospital that is affiliated with the Minneapolis Children's Hospital where Madison was taken immediately after delivery. Based on her weight (8 pounds) and the fact that she was full term also makes her condition more favorable. The doctors have given Julie and Todd an 85% survival rate for Madison's condition. Obviously, there are all sorts of risks on a baby this tiny. Please pray for peace for Julie and Todd as they face the days ahead, wisdom and brilliance for the heart surgeons, loving caregivers in the NICU, no infection or any other illness that could put Madison at more risk. As a mother my heart breaks for Julie while she yearns to hold, comfort and protect her new daughter.

If you are able to take the time to pray for baby Madison, thank you! I know God has great plans for this special little girl!

Blessings,
Diana

AFTER....She was a little shaggy, so it was time to get Ruby a real haircut. She did pretty well considering she was at a salon and not at a place that caters to kids... Let's just say Brie's glitter jar and the cheese in my purse were welcome distractions. She looks adorable!

When I was pregnant with Ainsley I remember praying that she would have a beautiful singing voice. Why you ask? Well, my Dad was a professional singer back in the 50's. A real live famous crooner, that made you turn up the radio. I have always been in awe of his talent, and even more in awe of his humility about it. This gift of voice was passed down to both my brother and sister. Somehow, I was skipped when that talent was being passed out. So, I live vicariously through my daughter who seems to have a heart for music. The fun part, is she likes a variety of music from worship and praise songs, to Highschool Musical! Even more fun is that she loves to make up songs. A budding song writer in the family? Perhaps! The good news is Ainsley can carry a tune. Answered prayer! Is she the next Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill (well she was born in Nashville) or Nicolle Nordeman? Not sure, but she looks like a natural with the guitar in her hands. I guess it is time to invest in some lessons!

Regardless of what she grows up to be, we will continue to pray that as parents we can realize what gifts she has and how we can help her learn to use them. For now, we get to have a front row seat at some great concerts in our house. Ainsley is one of our greatest gifts, and we feel very blessed to have her in our lives!

Today was one of those gorgeous warm fall days! We spent a few hours at a local apple orchard! The Honeycrisp Apples are in season, and they are delicious! Ruby dove right in as you can see. I am pretty sure I heard her say "YUM!" It was a great day of apple picking!

Apple crisp for dessert tonight, and then Ainsley and I are going to make some homemade apple sauce to freeze! I just love the fall! Hands down, my favorite season in Minnesota!

Blessings, Diana

The other thing about my brother that I love is his humble heart. He would never talk about his accomplishments. So, what kind of little sister would I be if I didn't take this opportunity to brag about him on my blog? This past weekend, Mark qualified for the 2007 Nationals when his "client" Diva won the open Mark was running her in. They will be heading to northern CA in November to see what The Diva can do! Congratulations!!!

Mark is the handsome tan guy on the right in the picture with Diva. And, the second picture is one of my most treasured photographs. I took this when Ainsley was almost two. She and I were visiting Mark, and she wandered up on the mound during one of his training sessions! PRICELESS.

I love you,

This happens to be one of those rainy afternoons where I actually get to sit and take a breath. There is always something to get done, but for now while Her Rubiness sleeps I want some me time... Lately, that usually means I am catching up on something on my "to due" list. I have finally finished thank you notes from July (not kidding), and I just finished a big digital photo album project from our trip to China. Both of these were things I really wanted to get done. There will always be laundry, etc. I find none of those mundane tasks fulfilling at this moment. I would much rather be here, typing away about Ruby Mei.

The picture above was taken by me on Mother's Day in China of Ruby. It will always be one of my favorite pictures of her! It speaks volumes about her fun and inquisitive personality! There are so many things I adore about this child. Today my favorite is her sense of humor that is evolving. She literally makes me laugh out loud! When Jeff comes home at night, he usually gives me a kiss hello. Ruby will then imitate it by giving me a kiss, and then her Daddy a kiss, and we do this repeatedly until she tires of the game. I hope she never truly tires of it, because it has become one of my treasured memories of our time as a family. Other favorite things that I feel very blessed to be experiencing with this tiny gift of ours:

• Her smile that lights up her entire face, and whatever room she is in


• Her laugh, that just makes you giggle in delight too


• Watching her try and try again when she falls down as she learns to walk


• The look of excitement and accomplishment she has when she successfully takes more than one step in a row


• How excited she gets when her Daddy comes home


• They way she kicks her legs with glee when she gets put into her Mama's arms


• Watching the way she looks at her big sister everyday


• Hearing her say "MOM"


• Watching her bond, trust and attach to us - amazing!
  

Weekly someone will ask me how I like being home? Do I miss work? Sure, there are some things I do miss about my career. Room service in a great hotel is at the very top of my list right now! But, mostly I am grateful that at this moment in time I do have the opportunity to be home to spend these "firsts" with Ruby. When I really get the time, I hope to do a blog entry on my transition from what I call, "The briefcase to the diaper bag."

On a completely different note, Jeff is on his first business trip since being sick. I just talked to him, and he landed safely in San Francisco at the gate right next to where we departed to bring Ruby home from China! She became a U.S. citizen at that airport when her little feet touched the ground. He said he felt really emotional as he passed our gate. I know the feeling! Finishing our China photo album brought up so many special memories for me too!

Oh, well enough with the ramblings.. Time to sign off. Ruby is calling!

Blessings,

Diana

Well I am already thankful that it is early and I am up after sleeping from 10:30 - 5:00am!!!! I love being up early before the rest of the house is up. There is nothing like starting my day with two cups of coffee and quiet time! Since my homework this week at BSF is to read the entire book of Matthew I have a lot to do! But, before I dig, in I just want to give thanks today for:

• That I did not have to do the "Ruby Dance" last night!!!!!! I think lots of fresh air and exhaustion from her first steps wore her out! The dark circle look is not good on me! Thank you for praying for us!
• That I have the opportunity to work with 5th and 6th grade girls this year at our church on Wednesday nights starting next week. I am really excited about this!
• For my very special girlfriends (you know who you are) that encourage me daily in my walk. And, for the incredibly thoughtful friends that they are!
• For the first steps that "Her Rubiness" took yesterday. The look of joy (that was not captured on film) was priceless.
• For Ainsley's third great week of school. I am so proud of her!
• That Jeff is back to work, and that he looks healthy!!
• For Autumn in Minnesota, one of my very favorite times of the year!
• For hearing the voices of my Monday Night Prayer Group friends again after our summer hiatus!
• For parents that are 75 and 80 and healthy and that they are able to travel and be here for Grandparents Day with Ainsley in early October!
• That today is Thankful Thursday and that I have so much to be thankful for!

I hope you have a great day! ~Diana

Okay, I know it is not Thursday yet, but I need to state that today I am thankful for coffee, cover up, and the fact that big sunglasses are in style again!!!! I have some serious circles under my eyes from doing what we lovingly call "The Ruby dance" for the last three nights. I can set my clock by Ruby at night lately. At 11:30 her alarm goes off and she is in-consolable. I am not sure if it is night terrors because I don't know anything about them. At 2:08 last night she finally gave into going back to sleep. I know I am not the only adoptive or bio Mom experiencing this right now. I am open for suggestions. Ruby was doing absolutely great until Jeff got sick. In the last two weeks she has slept through the night two times, but most nights I am up doing the "Ruby dance." Unfortunately, I can not leave her to cry it out, because when it escalates to a certain level she gets sick. We have been to the dry cleaners three times in the last month. Poor baby. It just breaks my heart when she is so upset. During the day she is happy, easy, content. She naps like a dream baby too. She goes to bed pretty easily at 8:00 until the "dance" begins at 11:30. Thankfully, the big sister sleeps through it all. In fact, since we came home from China, Ainsley has not woken up once. Oh, to be 6 again. Poor Jeff, he is so exhausted! I was handling my lack of sleep pretty well until last night. Last night I was praying so hard that she would just run out of gas. Any suggestions? We see her doctor tomorrow, so I am anxious to talk to her about it.

On a different note, Her Rubiness took 9 steps today!!!! I don't know who was more excited, Ruby, Mom, or the Kindermusik teacher where this all took place! I have a feeling I am just days away from having a true toddler!!! She is now napping after all of the excitement this morning!

I hope those of you reading this are getting your beauty rest. I am off to research night terrors!

Blessings, Diana

FYI: That gorgeous sweater on Ruby was handmade by my old college roommate, Maureen! And, those cute loafers are made by Trumpet who also makes the adorable socks Ruby wore in China... Those sassy patent leather shoes are her first gift from her "fancy" Aunt Lisa!

What a blessing this little girl has been to our family. Just four short months ago, we held our second precious daughter for the first time in the Jiangxi Province of China! God taught us a lot of invaluable lessons while we waited for Ruby Mei. Most of all He taught us about faith and unconditional love. We are beyond grateful that we were called to the journey of international adoption.

Enjoy!

(Music: "A Beautiful Sound" album, by Geoff Moore, Song "Swept Away")

During my wait, I had the blessing of falling upon one of my very favorite adoption journies,
http://myadoptionwebsite.com/MiaMeiLi/index.html. Jenny Hampton and her husband are Americans living in Italy with their three precious daughters. Jenny inspired me for many of the pictures I took of Ruby while in China, and for Ruby's adoption video that plays in my head, that I have yet to create.

Jenny along with the help of her older daughters Hanna and Maggie, have written, illustrated and now had published, "Mia's Strawberry Patch!" "This book celebrates difference while portraying a tender message of acceptance, self-esteem and love." Jenny is donating 100% of the proceeds from this project to "Half the Sky!" You can read more about Jenny's project at her blog Hamptons Abroad, http://www.hamptonsabroad.com/miasstrawberrypatch.html

"Mia's Strawberry Patch" is available at amazon.com. I hope you will order a copy for your collection, and for Christmas or adoption gifts for everyone you know!

Thanks Jenny for making this project come to life! I am so excited for you!

Blessings,
Diana