I got the sales pitch of all sales pitches from The Pearl and The Emerald yesterday! I knew it was coming, and I had to keep from laughing out loud when they said, "We have been waiting our whole lives to have a sleep over! Can we do it tonight?!" Honestly, how do you say "no" to that! As I have mentioned before these two dolls have been pals since they were six months old! Now they are both almost 7 and such great friends. I am happy to report that the sleep over was successful! Once they figured out how to fall asleep (thanks to help from Daddy!) they slept through the night! They have moved from the couch where they were just enjoying cartoons to now getting ready in matching Hannah Montana shirts to go play at The Emeralds house! I am off to put frosting on the cinnamon rolls!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live." 

John 3:16

• That God is in her life!
• That she has a wonderful family and sister!
• That she has beautiful dogs!
• That Jesus died on the cross for our sins!
• For good friends who care about her!
• That Spring is here!

I am thankful for all of the above too, and for the fact that in one week from today, I will be looking at cactus and green grass with the smell of fresh flowers and suntan lotion filling the air!

Happy SPRING!!

Diana

We were reminded all weekend of what Christ did for us! We took Ainsley to "The Son of Man, Son of God" play at our church on Saturday night. It was an incredible production of Jesus's life, crucifixtion, and resurrection! We feel very blessed to be able to share these truths with our children! And, for the teachable moments they give us!

After church yesterday we took the kids to see the Easter Bunny. As you can see, 'Her Rubiness' decided to check out the bunny from afar. After Santa, I was not going to push it. All in all it was a busy, but fun weekend! We look forward to four more days of school, and Easter weekend. We are counting down the days until we head to AZ for a much needed (in my opinion) warm weather vacation! We have a Winter Storm Warning for today! Always to be expected in March in Minnesota!

Well I am anxiously awaiting today to see photo's of new families being created in China. It is Gotcha Day for three lovely Mom's I have met because of Ruby Mei. I am praying for Paisley, Sarah, and Audrey who by now are with their parents and hopefully getting settled in for their first nights together! I will never tire of the gift of new families being created in this way!

Blessings for a great week!

Diana

Ruby must have gotten the inside scoop on how to hunt for Easter eggs from somebody, because she was all business in her squeaky shoes when they they said, "ready-set-go!!" She just put her Easter bag in position on the crook of her arm, and off she went! I am not sure if finding the eggs or discovering there was really candy inside of them was more fun. It was one big messy chocolate fiesta for 'Her Rubiness' today! She is definitely going to be my sugar girl! Like mother, like daughter!

We almost did not make this fun event this morning because the battle of the car seat has begun. Well it really began a few weeks ago, but I thought it was behind us. Ruby has learned very quickly that when it comes to a stand off, I am patient (sometimes) and stronger than she is.... Let's just say she was mad as a hornet until we reached our destination. I have to give her credit for her stubborness. It can be very impressive!

Needless to say, I won the battle, and we had a fun morning. It is a blessing to see her try all of these new things! She really seems to enjoy being around other children too. She even shared her M&M's with precious Hope! Way to go Ruby! Jeff & Ainsley has a night together at our lakehouse. So it was just Ruby & Mommy today!

Blessings,
Diana

As you can see we had some fun around here today!  When it finally hits 52 degrees after a brutal winter it feels like summer!  Due to some frozen drainage pipes between our house and our neighbors, an impressive lake formed this afternoon.  Well of course seeing this through the eyes of a 19 month old, a three year old, and two six year olds it was a not a flooded street, it was a water park!  My good friend and neighbor Kristi, and I let the kids be kids for a while after school.  They had a blast splashing around and making the most of a beautiful day!  As you can see Ruby was not to be left behind.  She charged right in with no fear!

Next I walked upstairs to tell your Daddy. Somehow I was able to blurt out, "You are going to know who your new daughter is today!" That clearly got his attention! Your precious Dad just held me while 17 months of tears landed on his chest.

What followed was a flurry of emails, phone calls, visitors and wonderful guest book messeges. I don't think I slept until Thursday when your Dad returned. We celebrated you at a special dinner with your big sister that night. Six days later we finalized your beautiful name.....

I tell you all this because I so desperately want you to know how much you were loved before you came home. God was so faithful when he answered our prayers. You were so worth the wait! God picked you to be my daughter. What a privilege! I promise to do my very best raising you to be the child God intended you to be. Don't ever doubt for one single minute that you are special, wanted, and loved!

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One year ago today we were up at our cabin playing in 15" of snow, checking in on RQ, and praying that our LID of 10/24 would be including in the next batch of referrals.  All rumors were stating that we would miss the cut-off by one or two days.  I believe by the power of prayer we were included.  Ruby's referral was dated the day that I sent out an urgent prayer request about being in!  On March 5th 2007, at 4:30 am, I would find out that indeed 10/24 was included!  It WAS the cutoff date!  I am working on a special post for our dear sweet Ruby Mei for Wednesday!