First a Pearl, then Three Rubies!!: December 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

A Very Special Fairy Godmother!

9:19 PM |

One year ago today I reached out to thank a special mom with a heart for orphans who helped us find our way to Sienna Grace... When I sent that email I had no idea that God would use this special woman once again to bring another daughter into our family!!! We thought we were "done!" Six days later we locked the file of a precious little girl named YuQiao. Seven months later in the Nanjing Civil Affairs Office, Emme Jade joined our family forever! It has been an amazing year!! We are beyond thankful for our tiny blessing and for the messenger God used to bring her into our family! Thank you ~E!

Happy New Year!

(I have updated the Pearl River Sponsorship Needs Here!)

Labels: Emme Jade | 12 comments

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Day 2011 In Pics!

8:01 AM |

I love how Ainsley is carrying Emme Jade, and the "middles" are holding hands!

Experiencing her first glimpse at Christmas morning in Jie Jie's arms!

This was a big hug to Ainsley for the jewelry boxes she got them both!

Daddy & His Girls!

Grandma and YeYe sent Emme Lulu! She loved it!

These Sisters are getting so close.. It's fun to watch!

This adorable little outfit came from Little Grandma!

Our little ballerina has her own ballet bag now! (And a cute tutu too!)

Jie Jie was so sweet and patient with Emme.... They spent a lot of the morning playing with Emme's new doll!

Ainsley asked for a phone this Christmas.... This was not exactly what she had in mind...

But, once she realized it worked, she decided it was pretty cool!!!!

It was a very sweet morning for all of us!

8 comments

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Another Tooth Fairy Visit for Sienna Grace!

9:24 AM |

I promise I have more Christmas Day photos to share! But, Sienna Grace deserves top billing today! Her second top tooth finally came out!!! This makes a total of four for her!!! This was very exciting because as she describes this loss she flung it out while wiggling it with her tongue!!! This happened while Jeff and I were on our date Monday. We got the sweetest call from our very excited daughter!!!! And, we heard Ruby yelling in the back ground.. "It's a bleeder!" Poor Ruby is just waiting for it to be her turn!!

Labels: Sienna, Tooth | 5 comments

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day!

8:34 AM |

It was a precious first Christmas for Emme Jade!!! Santa and her sisters did a great job of making it all special!! Apparently we wore her out too, because she is still leeping (8:41am!) More pics soon! I am going on a fun date (all day!!!!) with my hubby!!!!

Merry Merry!!

Labels: Christmas 2011 | 9 comments

Sunday, December 25, 2011

A Very Merry Christmas Eve!

12:20 AM |

"Their Stockings were hung by the chimney with care....."

"They went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service, and out to dinner at The Melting Pot where they had a very special toast to a precious little girl who is celebrating her first Christmas this year!"

"Their Mommy gave them all matching nighties before they went to bed..."

"Their special Daddy read to his fancy girls, "Fancy Nancy's Christmas Book""

"The 4 Sisters posed for a rare photo with Mrs. Claus in it..."

"And, every precious little girl in this house went to bed with barely a peep... My guess is visions of sugar plums are dancing in their heads!"

Merry Merry!!!!

Labels: Christmas 2011 | 8 comments

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

7:00 AM |

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

~Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Labels: Christmas 2011, Christmas Card Photos | 6 comments

Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Catch-up!!

10:14 PM |

I will admit it is hard to believe that Christmas is here.. Perhaps it is the lack of snow as a backdrop, or the pace we have been going at recently... The girls are ready... And, I think the Elf on our shelf is ready for a break from this crazy house!! As for Mrs. Claus... Let's just say she has a few loose ends to tie up!

Since I have been busy with "Fill Their Stockings With Hope" I have been remiss in posting about what the girls are up to... Here are a few highlights and some great news on Sienna's health to report...

The Pearl has been busy getting the girls excited for Christmas! She has been a great help to me.. I don't know what I would do with out her! I can't believe how much she has grown up in the last year! We had a fun night out together Monday! Dinner and Christmas shopping! It was so fun to hang out with my daughter with the great taste! Today we attempted a photo shoot with the "littles!" Let's just say Ainsley was a very good sport!! I was pretty good too! :)

Ainsley has been invited to be on a volley ball team this winter!! She is going to be one of the youngest on the team! We are excited for this opportunity for her to learn and excel! I will try to be a little more quiet on the sidelines. At least for the first game!

The Angel and The Bunny were in their first Christmas Play at their school on December 8th. They worked so hard on all of their songs, and they did a wonderful job!

Sienna received an early Christmas present from Dr. Steve on Wednesday! Sienna's blood levels have been at normal levels for 15 months post splenectomy!!! This is truly answered prayer! He has cut her loose for nine months! You can probably tell she is growing like a weed! She is anxiously waiting for one of her front teeth to fall out. She even asked Dr. Steve to pull it out for her. He immediately grabbed a piece of kleenex and went for it.. Unfortunately he had to deliver the news that she still had a few days to wait! Perhaps Santa and the Tooth Fairy will be stopping by tomorrow night!

I have to share a sweet note from this appointment so I don't forget.. There was a doctor doing her fellowship with Dr. Steve. She asked Sienna about school, and her friends. She said, "Do you have a best friend at school?" And, Sienna replied, "Yes, her name is Ruby!" Keeping the girls together this year was the right decision. We have really seen their friendship grow in the last three months.

Emme Jade also hit the stage for her first pre-school concert one week later... As we expected she was comfortable on stage... She might not have known every word and action, but she sure looked cute up there! We were so proud of her!

Jingle Bells is one song Emme does remember.. Everytime we sing it, she starts shaking her imaginary bell! So cute!

This precious outfit was a gift for Emme Jade... She loves the pom pom's on this sweater..

I know some of you are curious about what is going on with Emme's health.. We are meeting with her Neuro Surgeon again next week to determine when her surgery will be. The wonderful news is her Uro-Dynamics tests were normal!!

Last, but certainly not least, sweet Ruby Mei! Ruby is busy being busy! She is doing so well at gymnastics and school. We are amazed at Ruby's ability to learn and recite, and remember everything and anything that is thrown at her. Keeping Ruby challenged is going to be our biggest challenge! She was the best bunny in the manger I have ever seen!

So, that is our pre-Christmas summary! We look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior.. And what a blessing it will be to celebrate with Emme Jade this year!

Merry Christmas!

Labels: Christmas 2011 | 6 comments

Thursday, December 22, 2011

You Filled Their Stockings With So Much Hope!!!

10:21 PM |

On behalf of our Pearl River Team and our Bamboo Babies (pictured below), I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by here and make a donation to Fill Their Stockings With Hope! Your generous gifts will make a big difference in the lives of some very special orphan children that are waiting to be a part of a forever family! I also want to thank Lisa and Stefanie for inviting Pearl River Outreach to be a part of Fill Their Stockings With Hope! I have loved working with you two amazing women!! We prayed God would blow the doors off our first event, and He did just that! It is a priceless blessing to know how many little lives will be touched by all of our efforts!

The Bamboo Babies would like to congratulate this weeks winners:

Mega Mom Bundle ~ SueAnn R.

Southern Sassy Pant's & Macy's Gift Card ~ Patricia M.

(Patricia, please email me at diana@pearlriveroutreach.org)

I can't close this post without telling you we do have eight (now 6) precious Bamboo Babies that need sponsorship in 2012. So, if you are interested, please email me at diana@pearlriveroutreach.org

The cost to sponsor one of our children is $35 per month. We do ask for an annual commitment, with a monthly or quarterly payment option!

Here are our babies that need support:

Caroline - Zhanjiang, Guangdong

DOB: June 20, 2010

*Needs 1 More Sponsor

Thank you Tomback Family!!

Zander - Changsha

DOB: February 2, 2009

The Last Day Of "Fill Their Stockings With Hope" 2011!

6:00 AM |

WOW!!! Is all I can think of to say as I begin this final post for Pearl River's part of "Fill Their Stockings With Hope!" You have blown us away by how you have generously blessed our kids, and we at PRO want to say thank you! Thank you for caring about our precious orphans in China who wait for their chance to be forever loved. Thank you for the opportunity you are giving us to make a difference! It is truly a gift of hope and love you have given the children this season! It has been a privilege to be a part of this special event! It's not over yet.. You have one more opportunity to bless the babies at Pearl River Outreach!!!

With a VERY thankful heart I introduce our last give-a-way bundle for the Bamboo Babies:

$65 Gift Certificate to Southern Sassy Pants!

I found this fabulous Etsy store when I was preparing to bring Sienna home. Ann made her a gorgeous blanket... Since then I have bought several blankets and pillows from Miss Ann for my girls and for gifts. I honestly can't say enough about how much I love her work.. Not only are her blankets beautiful, they are soft, cuddly, and they wash great! As I post, my girls are laying their heads on their Southern Sassy Pants pillows, and snuggling with their beloved blankets! Ann's items are all custom made, and personalized!

And, lastly a give-away that is perfect for everyone!

A donation that really does not need any explanation other than, "Have fun Shopping!"

$100 Gift Card ~ Macy's

This offer will close on Thursday at 11:59pm and winners will be announced Friday morning.

Click below to donate to have a chance to win our last amazing bundle! 100% of all proceeds donated here will go to Pearl River Outreach, a non-profit program that offers medical training, and foster care to orphans in China. *Please note that if you would like to donate more than $5, there is an arrow down button next to the yellow give button.

If you can't donate today, but would like a chance to win, please leave your name and email address in the comments section for me.

Lastly, don't forget to visit Lisa and Stefanie! I am going to miss working with these incredible women!

So, on behalf of our Bamboo Babies: Harlow, Quinn, Gunner, Harper, Zander, Lola, Lili, Asher, Liza, Grayson, Cayden, Noah, Caroline, Emerson, Gabriella, Aiden, Joseph, Mason, Olivia, Jamison and Jordan... Thank you for blessing us with your great big hearts!! And thank you Ann and Jill for your generous donations today!