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