Saturday, May 31, 2008
Random Silliness!
Party in Ainsley's Room Last night. Invite Only!
Baking with Mom!
The Vision in my Rear View Mirror!
Off to the Cabin!
CUTE in my new Jean Jacket from Miss Sarah!
Happy Weekend! We are off to the zoo this morning with some of the Red Thread Group. Then it is Little Katie's Birthday Party for Ainsley!!!
Blessings,
Diana
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
TULIPS!
Ruby & I got to take in the beautiful blooms at the University of MN Landscape Arboretum this morning. We had such a wonderful time walking their amazing grounds!
Soon Ainsley will be out of school, and she will be able to join us on these fun "no agenda" days!
I am very thankful for days like today!
Blessings,
Diana
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
"Cinderella"
Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella Edition" of the "This Moment" album released today. This song had an important message when it was written. Obviously, even more important now. When you see it in the stores, pick one up! Give it to your husbands/Dad's/Uncles for Father's Day!
I love this song! (Playing now here!)
-Diana
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Summer Cabin Memories Begin...
Ainsley's first fish of the year!
Ruby's reaction to big sister's fish!
Loving her new Barbie "Big Wheel!"
The Beautiful Pearl!
The Beautiful Pearl lost her 2nd tooth last night!!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Chapman Family......
Today we as a family, along with the Adoption and Christian Communities grieve the tragic accident that took the life of Steven & Mary Chapman's youngest daughter Maria last evening. You can read more about it here. And you can see a sweet video of Maria with her Daddy, and send them a note here.....
As I have mentioned before the Chapman's have a very special place in our Red Thread Story. Their heart for Chinese Adoptions, along with their friends Geoff & Jan Moore, we were inspired to follow our call to bring Ruby home. Through their Orphan Ministry, Shaohanna's Hope they have helped thousands of children find loving families. We are so grateful that they are being lifted up today by so many people, and that they are in Nashville surrounded by family and their tight-knit Christian Music Community along with their church family.
So, our hearts break for their precious loss, and for their son who was also involved. We pray for God's comfort as they move forward and accept what has changed their world in such a devastating way.
In honor of Steven, you are hearing his song, Cinderella playing. This song was written for his precious girls and for all of you very special Daddy's out there!
I am thankful today for the gift of life, and the hope and promise of eternal life! Please say a prayer for this family today!
Blessings,
Diana
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Happy Days are hear again....
So the song goes when we turn on to the road that leads to our cabin.... "Happy Days are Here Again, we're back up at the lake again, we're back up at the lake again, Happy Days are Here Again...."
"We" (OK - Jeff) spent the day up north yesterday getting our boats in the water for the boating season to begin. Not exactly the warmest weekend on record to do it, but the good news is they are in. We are ready for Memorial Weekend!
Last year Ruby was so small, and not walking yet. This year, not only is she walking, she is willing to wear her life jacket so she can be on the dock with everyone!! Ainsley passed down the Barbie Fishing Pole to her Friday night! That pole has seen a lot of fish on it's hook in the past.. I see a lot of fun Daddy/Daughter moments this summer!
Can't wait to turn onto Crooked Lake Road, and sing our song a lot this summer!
Blessings,
Diana
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Ruby Tuesday Re-cap!!
Like so many of you have many blessings to be thankful for. Probably with the latest news in China, I am mostly thankful that Ruby is home safely with us today.
I am also thankful for the internet and that those of you with children waiting for you that you are able to get news that they are "OK!" Thank you Jenny Bowen from Half the Sky for your organization and for your communication!
I also have gotten news that a dear friend of mine is coming for a visit this summer with her family. I am very thankful & excited about that!!!!
I have a heavy heart for the suffering our friends Scott & Michelle are dealing with. I ask for prayers for unwavering faith for them to get through this. Not only is Scott not responding as they hoped to Chemo but their youngest child has a terrible virus that took Michelle to Urgent Care. One may ask how much can a Mom take.... Well, I am thankful to say that God equips us to DEAL with our reality as long as we turn to Him. That is what Michelle is doing, and she is doing it so amazingly well.... I am thankful for her strength today!!!! And, I am thankful for the other Mom's I know that are doing whatever we can to ease her burdens.... That is what we are called to do and it is such a gift and blessing not only to the receiver but to the giver!
So much to be thankful for, yet so much to be on my knees about today!
Blessings,
Diana
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Earthquake Relief Fund
Thanks to those of you who have emailed or called us in regards to the recent tragedy in China. Thanks to "Half the Sky" we are learning more about the Orphanage Children in this area. Two of my adoption friends have daughters from this area, so this disaster is very close to home. Ruby's Province is in the southern region of China, and therefore was not affected by this earthquake. My heart goes out to all of you waiting parents, and families with referrals at this time waiting to travel. And to those of you with loved ones there, that you are trying to reach. Below is the link to "Half the Sky's" site. You can donate specifically here to help the children in this area!
In cooperation with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, the ministry responsible for disaster relief in China, Half the Sky has created the HTS CHILDREN'S EARTHQUAKE FUND. Your donations to the fund will be used to provide emergency and long-term relief to children in Sichuan and Chongqing affected by the quake. If you wish to make a gift, please visit the dedicated donation site for quake relief.
Thank you,
Diana
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Pearl's First Piano Recital!!!
Jeff and I were so proud of Ainsley yesterday! She had her first piano recital and she did such a wonderful job! It was a life lesson in practice makes perfect! She had worked very hard for this day, and she was prepared! But, we were most proud of was how flexible she was. She was nervous before the concert started. She was slated to be the 4th performer. Well, at "curtain" time, she ended up being the first performer. As her name was called she walked up to the stage, and said "hi" my name is Ainsley and I will be playing "Follow the Rainbow, and Honey Bee March." She had practiced these two pieces in this order. However, her teacher opened her book (which was there just-in-case) and turned the page to her second song. Like a pro she did not skip a beat. She played the second song first, and it was flawless. During the applause, she turned to me with the biggest smile that I will never forget! She went on to play "Follow the Rainbow" beautifully!!!! Ruby happily watched her sister with a sucker in her mouth in the arms of Aunt Bop! It was a wonderful morning, and just another example of why I love this girl so much!!!!
I have had a wonderful Mother's Day!! My weekend even included a date with the other Ruby in the family, Jeff!!! It was so much fun to go out to dinner and a movie! We think the last movie we saw together, was almost two years ago. Definitely, pre-Her Rubiness!!!
I hope you are all celebrating with your kiddos, or dreaming about your first Mother's Day with the tiny gift that will someday be revealed to you! Last year, I celebrated Mother's Day in China with a much needed Starbucks run in Guangzhou!!
Blessings,
Diana
Friday, May 9, 2008
Lucky Mommy!
When I was waiting for Ruby, I came upon a fun adoption site, called "Adoption Mama" that sold cute fitted t-shirts. The one I ordered said "Lucky Mommy!" with a small ladybug on it.... I wore it once in China shortly after we met Ruby, and just again the other day... This shirt causes me to smile and take pause of just how lucky I am...
We had a great Ruby Tuesday yesterday, and I thank you all for your well wishes! Some of you have followed us so faithfully during both our wait and even now. You have blessed me multiple times over by your prayers, your sense of humor, and your loyalty! Thank you!
Not only did I celebrate the delivery of my second child yesterday, I was also blessed by Ainsley and her class at the most precious Mother's Day party a Mom could ever ask for. The room was decorated so beautifully. The kids had worked so hard on gifts for us. They recited a poem about Moms that was so heartfelt, and then they sang the song, "You are so Beautiful" accompanied with sign language. Precious does not even begin to describe how priceless this was.
I have so many friends, many of you here, and my own mother and mother-in-law who inspire me to be a better Mother! Thank you for that. On this Mother's Day Weekend I give thanks for my two blessings from heaven. What an honor to be your Mom.
Happy Mother's Day from this "Lucky" Mommy,
Diana
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Celebrating Ruby Tuesday!
One year ago this beautiful tiny blessing joined our family forever!
Some of our favorite photos of Ruby Mei while in China!
One year later, like the meaning of her name she is Precious & Beautiful!
Excerpt from "Journey to Ruby Mei" Video
For one year now we have replayed "Ruby Tuesday" in our minds. We have walked the steps to the elevator in the Nanchang Civil Affairs Building that took us to our daughter. We have anxiously scanned the room for her. We found her in a sea of babies... The only one with barrettes in her hair that said the word, "love." We have experienced the magic of having one of God's children handed to us by a loving nanny who is saying the words "this is your mama" to her. We have walked in circles on that 26th floor repeating the words "I love you" in Chinese to our new child to ease her grief. We have experienced loving someone so unconditionally that it has consumed us. We have traveled thousands of miles together, and we would repeat it again in a heartbeat to have this precious child complete our family. We have been blessed by this journey!
There are so many things to say, but we think the Chinese said it best in this Ancient Proverb:
"An invisible Red Thread connects those that are destined to meet regardless of time or place. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break."
Ruby Mei, there is no question that you were destined to be our daughter and we were destined to be your family. It has been an amazing year as we have watched you blossom and grow in your trust and amazing love for us. We cherish each day together and the memories that have already been made. We thank God for choosing you for us and us for you!
Happy Ruby Tuesday precious girl! We love you,
Your Mama, Daddy & "A"
P.S: Ruby's Adoption Site has been updated today too.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Destination China - One Year Ago!!
One year ago today, Jeff and I set out for the trip of a life time, with one goal in mind, to bring our Ruby Mei home. Even to this day we get emotional when we think of the blessings that were poured out on us during our journey. As we prepare to celebrate this amazing time for our family it is fitting to give thanks to all of you who supported us along the way. To those of you who prayed for us, who signed our guest book faithfully, who cared for and loved Ainsley while we were away, to AWAA for orchestrating it all, and finally to God for giving us the patience to wait, and for blessing us beyond what we deserve with our little Jiangxi Jewel!
I hope you will check back on May 8th for our One Year Anniversary of "Ruby Tuesday!"
Blessings,
Diana
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thankful Thursday!
Happy May Day! I wish I could say I have had the time to create beautiful May baskets to deliver today, but that is definitely not the case... Funny how a four-day trip can keep you busy for four days when you return! I can tell you that we really did have a great time away. The girls were fantastic! No drama traveling, which is always something to be thankful for. Ainsley is always a rock star when we fly. Not always the case with her little sister. But, Ruby rose to the occasion on both flights and did great! Even with an un-expected 3 hour delay to get to Nashville. I believe that was my birthday gift from 'Her Rubiness!'
I truly have so much to be thankful for. But, mostly I want to give thanks for my faith, and for good health for our family today. My heart is heavy this week as I watch closely a very good friend that I have mentioned here before, faithfully walk thru her husbands cancer battle. Scott has had some major setbacks and immediate Chemo began for him again on Tuesday. While I know there are moments she feels like she can not take one more thing, God gives her the strength to face the next hour. Michelle does not realize this, but even in her suffering, she is blessing everyone around her. She is humble and beautiful both on the inside and the outside. I feel very fortunate to be here to help if I can, but mostly to witness a family that is living out their faith even during the most difficult of times. What a testimony they are to all of us!
So this verse is for Michelle today:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
Love,
Diana
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