There are no words to describe what a difference a year makes!   Last Christmas we were "waiting," this year we were enjoying every minute of God's perfect plan for our family!  What a gift God gave all of us in 2007!  We continue to thank Him for choosing both the Pearl and the Ruby for our children!

Today we received a wonderful gift in the mail. The return address on this very special card reads, From: Yugan Social Welfare Institute of Jiangxi Province China. This is the SWI that was responsible for Ruby Mei for the first nine months of her life. They are the ones who chose loving Xi to be her Foster Mother until we could bring her home. These are the special people that brought Ruby to Nanchang for "Ruby Tuesday." These are the loving women who gave us a photo album and locket for Ruby that we will be able to share with our daughter one day. These are the caretakers that deliverd our care package to Ruby before we ever met her. These are the loving hands that take care of orphans everyday until they can be placed with their forever families.

This beautiful card reads: "Every time at the joyful festival we doubly miss our relatives and we hope the whole world can enjoy this time together. The faraway distance can't stop us from missing you and your family. Since the Christmas day is coming, let us send you a softly frangrant wish. May the melodious bell of Christmas Eve bring you and your family happiness and health, we also hope everything goes well for you. May the white snow of the Christmas Day send our best wishes to you.

Thanks for your unselfish offer to her! Merry Christmas!"

~The Staff of Social Welfare Org. in YuGan County

No words can justly express how much I appreciate this gift for our family today! Ironically, I received three translated documents this morning that I have been waiting for to send two packages to China. I have put together photo albums and letters for Ruby's Foster Mother, and for Mei who was involved in finding Ruby. I hope they will be as blessed by our gift as we have been by their's today!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Yugan!

Love, this thankful Mom....

Today I am thankful for four years of memories with our Family Group. In 2004 we started a tradition of doing Gingerbread Houses with the kids. It has turned in to quite a fun competition. This year, Ainsley and I were solo without Jeff. He stayed home with Ruby who was not quite ready for this event!! Anyway, let's just say our roof looked like we had been in an earthquake! We needed Daddy for the construction portion! It was fun anyway! As always, the Lowe Girls took home the prize for best house! I just love seeing how the kids have changed in four years. Ainsley is only 3 1/2 in the top photo!!!!!

This is a very special group of parents and children. We are so thankful for the way they have blessed us! And, I am so thankful for the memories we continue to create together!

Love,
Di

Last night we witnessed the bond between Ainsley & Ruby like never before. We took Ruby to Ainsley's Christmas Musical at school. I was confident she would make it through the performance because she loves music. 'Her Rubiness' did not disappoint! Sure, there was a bit of a goldfish diversion, but for the most part she sat attentively, bounced up and down, and clapped on cue!

But, the most magical & precious moment of all, was when Ruby saw Ainsley on stage. She started screaming, "Aya, Aya, Aya!", waving her hands, and smiling like crazy! Then, in an instant, she almost did a dis-mount over the chair in front of me to get to the stage. There was no doubt in anyone's mind in our section, who Ruby's big sister was! It was the most special moment I have seen between these two sisters, and there have been many!

Up until this point, we have never heard Ruby call Ainsley anything. She points when we say, "where's Ainsley?" or she will go to her room looking for her, etc. but she has never attempted to say her name. After the concert, we kept saying "where's Aya," and she would get a big smile on her face, and point to Ainsley!" My guess is she will be big sister Aya from now, until eternity!

I am still smiling when I think about how Ruby's adoption continues to be such a precious gift to our family. Last night a very exhausted "Aya" went to bed with a big smile on her face because her little sister knows her name! PRECIOUS!!

Happy Weekend! ~Diana