*I have to explain this picture...  Jeff represents The Walt Disney Company's Video Game division.  We took this for some of his co-workers...  Ruby is not playing Turoc... yet!

Here is what I am thankful for today:

• That my movie for Ruby Mei is done!!!!  I have gotten several requests to post it here.  I would love to, but due to some really personal footage from Jeff's trip to Yugan I just can't.  I am going to work on a shorter version to post when our referral anniversary comes in two months!  I am thankful for all of you that helped me with music selections!
• That tomorrow is the one year anniversary of precious Kate Emerson coming into the 3 Peanuts family.  I was blessed to be a part of celebrating her arrival from the beginning, thanks to our RQ October LID family!
• That Heather also received her referral one year ago tomorrow for sweet Hannah!
• That sweet Ellie turned 2 yesterday and she got to celebrate her first birthday in the states with her Mom & Dad!
• For the reminder on Tuesday at BSF that, "Our fears of in-sufficiency disappear when we trust in Christ's sufficiency!"
• That precious Madison has the very best Cardiologists in the country taking care of her tiny little heart this morning.  And, for all of the people willing to pray for this very special child!
• For my four 5th graders, and our special small group time last night!
• For Jeff and all he does for our family.  He has been working so hard, and he just keeps going.  I am grateful that he has stayed healthy through this crazy month of travel and meetings.
• For the start of my Mom's 76th year!  She is so healthy and active.  It is such a blessing!
• For the wonderful conference we had with Ainsley's teacher.  We have been blessed with a very special little girl.
• For Ruby sleeping through the night for the last two days!
• For the kisses that Ruby has learned to blow!  She is so precious!

Lastly, I am so thankful that we have a warm house with a working heater!  This weather has been so bitterly cold, even for someone who grew up in this crazy weather.  One really should ask, why do we live here?  Trust me when I say it has been brutal!!

I am going to have coffee this morning with a good friend I met through our adoption journey.  I am looking forward to that today!

Happy Thursday,

Diana

I am a day late in posting this for my Mom!!!  All I can say is I hope I look this fabulous when I am 76!!!!  We love you Mom!  And, we are so grateful that we got to celebrate your birthday early when you were here....  Blessings for a great year!

OK - Spring is a stretch, but it is 40 degrees here today!  After almost 2 weeks of sub zero weather and more on it's way Wednesday it feels like a heat wave!  I bought these fun hair "bobbles" for Ruby during a Chinese New Year Celebration two years ago.  I found them today after her nap.  Ainsley and Jeff are out, so Ruby and I are playing "beauty shop!"  While she lets me, I will continue to indulge myself!  Really, what is cuter than pigtails on a toddler?

So maybe I am guilty of enjoying the little things in life like shoes, handbags, and jewelry!

Not much new here. Ruby has been struggling at night again, so once again the concealer is my best friend. I am sure it has something to do with the mouthful of teeth she has. Since "Show & Tell" Ruby and I have visited Ainsley's class twice this week for me to take some pictures of the kids for their silent auction donation. Today when we walked in all of the kids said, "hi Ruby!" She joyfully replied with a great big 'Her Rubiness' "HI!" Her vocabulary consists of: "Hi", "Bye", MOM (just like that!), "Dada", "Bop", "Aya", and a lovely grunt for "yes!" She has the head shake down to a tee for yes and no! Honestly, the girl communicates better than I do with 7 words!! She continues to make me laugh all day long, except when she is wrapped around my leg squaking for something she wants!! At night it is all about MOM, so when Jeff is not home that gets tough.

We had a proud parent moment on Tuesday night when we hosted an impromptu dinner for 15 of Jeff's employees/vendors here. Ainsley rose to the occasion and acted the way we all pray our kids will act with a bunch of adults around. She used eye contact, was conversational, and helped with her sister. She enjoyed herself, and we were so pleased to see that she does listen to the things we try to teach her!!! I did have to laugh when she came home and asked me how she could help me get ready for the party... I asked her to "swift" the floors.... She sweetly replied, "Not really what I had in mind....Do you have something else I could do!!!" I guess I have some work to do still!!!! She has started piano lessons and it seems to be off to a fairly good start. Of course she doesn't understand why she has to practice, because it is "so easy!" HELP!

Basically, it has been a week of getting caught up while Ruby naps, and running when she is awake. Just another day in the life of this stay home Mom!

Unfortunately, the "China movie" I created is too long to post here. But, just know it has been a lobor of love that I absolutely loved working on! I am amazed at how raw my emotions are everytime I watch it from beginning to end! For those of you waiting, I can't wait for you to cry those tears someday too! Until my next post, take care!!!

Happy Friday!
Diana

Ainsley has "Show & Tell" at school on Fridays. Yesterday, she asked her teacher if she could bring Ruby for her "Show & Tell!" So, off we went this morning to school with 'Her Rubiness' in tow! Cute doesn't begin to describe what I witnessed today!!!! Imagine Ruby walking into a room of first graders, toddling around, getting a little girl to get her a chair so she too could be included in attendence, and opening the desk of the boy next to Ainsley and innocently digging through it like she owned it! Next imagine Ainsley going up to the front of the room and placing her little sister on the teacher's "big" chair so she could say, "This is my little sister Ruby, she is 1, any questions?" Then a sea of 1st grade arms go up with cute questions like:

• What does she do? "She likes to climb on things!"
• What does she like to eat? "Everything!"
• Does she ever bug you? "Yes - when she goes in my room and makes my desk messy"
• What else does she like to do? "She likes to Swift the floor for my Mom!"
• What are some of the silly things she does? "She makes a silly face we call kissy face!" As if on cue, Ruby Mei pursed those rosebud lips and the crowd went wild!!! Not just once, but about 10 times!!! She enjoyed the attention and took full advantage of her audience!
• Last question from the teacher... "Class do you think Ruby is quiet or outgoing?" Overwhelming response of "OUTGOING!!!!" Smart bunch!!

'Her Rubiness' left the class, with a very proud Big Sister, waving to her adoring new fans! It was priceless. UNFORTUNATELY, no camera.. But forever, I will remember this precious day! God just knew that these two would be an awesome pair! So fun to be along for the ride as the bond gets stronger everyday!!!!

Happy Friday! ~Diana

What started out as a simple thank you note, hand print project, turned into Art 101 at the kitchen table.  Wow did she have fun!   And, I must say she is not bad with the sponge brush!  Forget the hands, she wanted some skilled tools!  Ruby now officially has her first work of art proudly hanging on the fridge!  Thank you God for washable paint!  I wonder if it will come out of my hair?  I knew there was a reason I did not shower yet today!!!!  Well "Little Monet" is sound asleep after her fun morning!  And, I have a list of procrastination to get to before "The Pearl" gets home!

Last February we had many signs and "dreams" that it would be our final month of waiting for our referral for Ruby Mei. I remember at the time being so anxious about the cutoff. OK - maybe obsessed is more honest. I stalked the "RQ" site like many of my fellow October LID friends hoping for good news. All of the rumors said we would miss the cutoff by 3-5 days. I kept praying for peace with whatever happened. One morning late in the month Ainsley woke up and announced to me that we would be getting our referral soon. When I asked her why, she said "because I just had a dream about my pretty little sister in a pink tu-tu!" It was the only dream Ainsley had about her mei mei while she waited so patiently. Her dream was prophetic. Our LID was the cutoff when we got "The Call" about Ruby on March 5th.

So when Chrismas was approaching this year, I wanted to do something really special for Ainsley from Ruby Mei. Ainsley has come so far as a big sister in the last seven months. Truthfully, the transition from only child for almost six years, to sharing the spot light over night wasn't easy. But, over time, she has come to love Ruby with a vengence. She is proud of her and protective. Last week she announced to me that she is so lucky to have a little sister that is also her best friend. Answered prayer.....

So to Ainsley, from Ruby, was this photo this year. Ruby is a constant reminder to Ainsley that prayers are answered and dreams do come true! What a blessing to see this picture by Ainsley's bedside now.

I love my girls, and each day I realize the priviledge it is to be their Mommy as we navigate the journey of parenting and sisterhood together!

Blessings,
Diana

2007 will definitely go down as one of the most amazing years of our married life. It was full of hope, joy, tears, and answered prayers. Of course the highlight will always be our March 5th referral for Yue Meng Ru and our trip to China where we had the most incredible Ruby Tuesday! We rejoiced in the highs, and found blessings in the lows. We said goodbye to our brother-in-law Jack and we said hello to our preicous Ruby Mei! We waited faithfully for a diagnosis while Jeff was sick, and we marveled at God's grace for our family! We give thanks for the most incredible friends and family who prayed for us, celebrated with us, welcomed us home from China, and helped us when Jeff was sick. We also humbly say "thank you" for all of our guest book messages. You will never know how much we truly appreciate them!

It was an incredible year, and we look forward to what 2008 will bring!

Happy New Year!
Diana & Jeff