Today I am thankful for the picnic I was invited to yesterday!  Her Rubiness and I were outside because I wanted to take some photos of her...  Well, she had a much better idea...  She ran in the house and came back with her Dora Picnic Basket.  Then she took me down to the picnic table that is part of our play set in the back yard.  She laid out all of the pieces, and even had me put my napkin on my "knee!"  Then she proceeded to serve me a taco, and some milk!  It was delicious!!!!  She truly is the gift that keeps on giving!!!

I am also thankful today for some very special blog friends, prayer warriors, and fellow adoptive pals:  Kim, Lisa, Leslie, Jenn, Heather, Jenn, Shauna & Stefanie!   Thank you for inspiring me to do more!  And, thank you for sharing this adoption and parenting journey with me!

Lastly, I am thankful for my husband, who reminded me last week that " If we don't use our ears to listen, how will we ever hear Him?"  He amazes me!  I love you honey!

Blessings on this Thankful Thursday!

We had a great family weekend!  Saturday night was our annual pumpkin carving party with our family group.   It was Ruby's first pumpkin party, since I recall she slept through most of it last year.  Ainsley had so much fun teaching Ruby to say "party" and then asking her to repeat is ALL day!  When it came time for the actual event, Ruby was so excited to be hosting!!!  She was a little shy at first when the guests arrived, but it didn't take long to embrace the fun!

Ruby woke up at 4:15 this morning.  When I went in to check on her, she said... "Mama more party please!"  How cute is that?  I had to break it to her that the party was over, and that all of our friends were home sleeping.  This seemed to sink in, and she went back to bed too!

We were up early after a late night, because the four of us participated in the flag festival that kicked off Missions Week at our Church.  We carried the China Flags proudly!  I will post pics later of that!  It was a very special morning for our family!

Well, Miss Ruby is upstairs very un-happy about being in her bed.  So, I better go check to see if she is looking for "more party!"

Blessings for a great week!

-Drinking chocolate milk on the couch in the morning

-Letting me help her pick out what to wear for school

-Hating when I try to brush her hair...

-Bedtime Stories

-Being tucked in at night

-Rushing to school together

-The daily reminders of the things she knows to do...

-Me telling her not to forget to say thank you!

-Negotiating with me about piano practice

-Running errands with me

-Asking me if she can have a snack

-Being frustrated with me for going over her spelling words again

-Rolling her eyes at me when I sing, "This is the day the Lord has made, Let us be glad and rejoice in it..."

-Driving to school with me as her bus driver

-Watching Dora for the 100th time with her sister in the car

-Having her picture taken way too often

-Asking the sweetest questions because even at 7 so many things are new

-Tipping over in the canoe on a beautiful fall day!

For some reason when I took this photo the reality of this big responsibility of being her Mom struck me.  She inspires me to want to be a better parent and role model.  I am very thankful that she let's me make mistakes as her Mom.  She has allowed me to practice on her.  Not all of it has been pretty!  I know I have a lot of room for improvement!  It is a privilege to raise this special little girl.  And, let's be clear, it is a challenge some days too.  But, what a gift she is, and I am grateful that God has trusted me to "raise her in the way she should go..."

So, on this thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the one we call "The Pearl!"

"You've been handed a piece of history in advance...

A gracious gift you send to a time you will not see...."

~Dr. Tim Kimmell, Author of Grace Based Parenting

Blessings,

Well, I have not had time for Ruby Tuesday Ramblings in a while.  Being a working Mom was harder than I thought.  Not because the work was hard, it just doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging!  My six weeks of employment has come to an end.  Thanks to my boss, it all went well!  Ruby really struggled for a while with separation from me, etc., but she is doing great now.  She has been sleeping really well again at night, and we are so grateful!

I have to brag on Jeff for a minute...  He has made it possible for his two employees and new Mom's to come back to work after 6 weeks with their infants!!!!  Yes, it is like a mini day care over at his office.  Pack n' Plays, Swings, mobiles, diapers, etc....  Isn't that awesome?!!!  The Mom's are thrilled, and the babies are doing great!  They have privacy when they need it, and they have their precious kiddos right next to them why they work.  I think it is an amazing thing he is doing for two great Mom's!  It shows how much he appreciates them!!

Ainsley is doing great at school and we are very proud of her.  We had her first conference, and it was full of good news.  She has started ballet, and she is loving it.  It took us a while, but after all of the twirling and dancing in front of her mirror we decided this was probably her thing!  We continue to battle over piano practice, but who doesn't!  The frustrating thing is she is really good at it.  But, the harder it gets the more she pushes back.  Ainsley has a gift for procrastination and negotiating.  Not sure what that will equate to someday, but my guess is something great!  For now, she is making me a crazy person!!!  :)

Ruby continues to make us laugh out loud!  A very sweet Mom I don't even know came up to me yesterday in a 2 year old class we go to once a week.  She said, "every time I see Ruby she makes me smile..."  Me too!  Today we go to BSF where Ruby attends a class with young two year olds.  It is such a blessing to see her embrace learning about God.  At dinner now, Ruby prays for us...  She says three words with her hands folded together...  "God, tanks, A-men!"

So sweet..  She will not go to bed now without us praying with her... Again so sweet.  It takes me back to what her life could have been like in China.  Would she have known God?  It is one of our greatest joys to teach her about Him!

Well, I need to get going...  So much to ramble about, but I guess that will be another Tuesday!

Blessings to you as you venture out today!

P.S:   Anyone else ready for the elections to be OVER!

We had a great weekend, and a little adventure at the lake house this past weekend!  The weather was picture perfect.  It was so nice to just be outside!  The adventure happened when we decided to go on a family canoe ride!   All was well, until we were heading back to our house...  We went under a tree limb, and the next thing I knew there were four of us in the water!  To say Ruby & Ainsley were a little shocked is an understatement!!!  Mom & Dad got the canoe back in order, and we paddled home in record speed!  The girls recovered after a hot bubble bath and hot chocolate!!!!

Sorry Grandpa!  But, we are all OK!!!!  :)

Never a dull moment here!

Blessings,

I finally figured out how to post large photos like some of my Mamarazzi buds!!!! I have all sorts of questions about Flickr.. But, for now, I am just going to enjoy this little victory!!!

Fast forward one year, and we had another great day apple picking.  It was absolutely gorgeous here today.  77 degrees!  Oh, how I love October in Minnesota!  The difference this year, was Ruby could grab the low branches, pull off the apples, and run around the orchard!  When we told her we were heading to the orchard in the car, she said, "SWEET!!"  Yes, things have changed in a year!!!

As you can see Ruby was more in the picture mood than she was last Saturday.  She even snuggled with the pumpkins!  

Right now I have Apple Cobbler in the oven, and cinnamon & vanilla ice cream in the freezer!

"SWEET!"

Blessings,

I have been blessed to witness so many answered prayers lately, that I just felt like it was time for a faithful Friday post.  This verse above is one of my favorites.  I clung to it while I waited for Ruby Mei.  

Susannah is home today sleeping in her own new bed..  IF you had any question before if there was a God, hopefully this has changed your heart.  This little girl inspires me!  And, her mother too!  

Ruby is going to bed easier, and she has done really great this week.  I know it is because of prayer.  A huge praise at our house!! 

Ainsley is doing better in math, more answered prayers.

A friend of mine in Michigan's sister does not have breast cancer...  Answered prayer!!!!

Jeff had a FANTASTIC physical on Monday..... Answered prayer!

With so much happening around us out of our control lately, I am grateful for the moments where I can see God all around me.  Like yesterday, when I took these photos of our Minnesota Fall!

Blessings today!

She would have gone to bed in the outfit..  We had lots of tears when she realized the leotard was not staying on for bed...  Kim, do you see "Kate Bear" with her?

As challenging as the Ruby Two's can be some days, she is absolutely adorable when she is happy and full of life!!!  Another day, where Jeff and I give thanks for our two precious sisters!

The newest sentence for today from Her Rubiness, "Peese Mom, mour noo-noo's!"  Interpretation, "Please Mom... More Noodles!"  Didn't I say she was adorable?..  Most of the time anyway!  :)

I have to close with a big shout out to Jane in Nashville! HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND!!!  We Love you!

Blessings,

Little Grandma & Ruby Mei

Ainsley & Little Grandma at Grandparents Day!

Ainsley's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Willett

Grandpa Dick & Grandma Jan with Ainsley

Partners in crime....  Amanda & The Pearl!

Yesterday was "Grandparents Day" at Ainsley's school.  I think it is so special that they take an entire day to honor the special Grandparent relationship.  The kids work for five weeks on a concert and other special activities for these special people in their lives.  Arlene had to leave a little bit early to catch her flight.  Thanks Grandpa Dick & Grandma Jan for adopting Ainsley in the afternoon!  Dick & Jan belong to Luke & Jake, of Camp H!

Our girls are blessed to have 5 special Grandparents who love them very much!  And, a few adopted ones too!

Lastly, I included the photo of Ainsley & Amanda up there, so I would remember this cute second grade story...  These two were front row and center on the risers next to each other in the concert...  While they did a great job singing their hearts out, they also were doing a little chatting and giggling between songs...  I was in the classroom after the concert when I took this picture.  I asked them what they were "chatting" about on stage..  They looked at me, and said with serious faces, "You saw us talking?"  Well HELLO!!!... Front and center, and cute as can be.  I am pretty sure every one saw them...  Can't wait to hear what the music teacher says to them on Tuesday!!!  :)  No clue where she gets the gift of gab from...!

Blessings,

Today was the perfect weather to hook up with some of our "Red Thread" friends for a fun autumn themed morning.  The main attraction for my girls was the petting zoo.  Ruby coveted the corn in her pocket for the animals like it was gold.  We also went on a fun hay ride with the entire group.  A new adventure for our girls!

Ruby is missing from the group photo, because she was having a melt down...  She wanted no part of the fun....  It reminded me of some of the red couch experiences I hear about at The White Swan...   Unfortunately, we are back to struggling at night, and she and I did the Ruby Dance from 1:15 - 4:00am last night.   I always hate to use the excuse that "she's tired" for bad behavior...  But, today this was definitely the case...  I keep telling myself it is a phase...  However, this phase is hanging around way too long....  This Mom is TIRED again...

Oh well, Ainsley is on a play date, and Ruby is sleeping (of course!) so I think I may take a break too!

Blessings,

If there are any Mac users out there who recommend a different product for editing photos that a novice can learn, I would be interested to hear about it!

Have a great weekend!

This really should be a "Wordless Summer Wednesday" photo.. She is not my child, but she is a Minnesota girl. I love this photo!

Thanks to Danielle for my new blog look! I felt the need to embrace the season! And, thanks to the amazing Lauri for the photo contribution. Truly one of my favorites of the pearl & the ruby!

As you all know, I think Lauri is very talented. She has entered one of her favorite summer photos in to a contest to win some software she would love to have in her arsenol of photography weapons. I am happy to brag about her here, and to ask you all to take a peek and cast your vote if you have time today! You can vote for precious Mattea HERE! She is photo #137 on page 11, (Stef just let me know, she may show up on another page other than 11.) You may want to skip over to Lauri's Blog today too to see the CUTEST blond jumping on a "bed" photos! They will make you smile!

Happy Fall!

Diana

P.S: Susannah's surgery went well yesterday!!! Her precious toes are pink!!!! Another miracle!!