Sunday, Ainsley and I were in Ruby's room while she hammed it up for the camera. About a month ago she refused to look at it. Now, she gives us the "tilt" or she cups her hands on her face. I am taking advantage of it while I can! As you know, I love taking pictures of my girls!

Today seems to be an appropriate day to feature Ruby Mei here. One year ago we we were celebrating Ruby's "delivery" with the most beautiful baby shower. Unfortunately, six hours after that celebration Jeff and I received a call we had been expecting. My brother-in-law Jack lost his battle to Parkinson's that night at 9:15pm. Ruby will always represent the circle of life in our family. When God takes away, he blesses you in some other way. Ruby Mei is that blessing to her Aunt Bop! We celebrated Jack's life today with Barb and some of her dear friends. We were so grateful to be a part of her day. Thankfully, we see the light coming back in to Barb's world. God has been so faithful.

So today I remember the gift of joy and the hope that a new baby can bring, even on the saddest of days! We give thanks for the timing of Ruby's entrance into our world and the smiles and hugs she has given her very special Aunt throughout the year, especially for the kisses shared today!

We love you Aunt Bop!

• The beautiful concert that I attended with my sister on Sunday night to benefit Parkinson's. The anniversary of my brother-in-law's death from this awful disease is April 15th. I am thankful that I am hear to celebrate Jack's life with her.
• So many of you have asked me about how Baby Madison is doing. Daily she reminds Julie and Todd of the miracle she is. She had to have another un-expected procedure two weeks ago where a stint was inserted so her heart would not have to work so hard. God protected Maddy again, and she is doing great! We continue to pray for protection. We are thankful spring will be here someday so we can start spending time with Maddy. Risk of infection has been too great, so the last time I really saw her was when I took her pictures.
• I am thankful for Jeff, and the weight he carries around here. I am blessed with a husband who gives 150% both at work and at home. I tell him all the time, that he is the best "wife" I have ever had! Last night, he helped Ruby get back to sleep at 3am. Thanks honey!!
• I am thankful for the way my 5th grade girls blessed me last night... We only have four weeks left. They reminded me last night just why I do this!! This verse is very applicable to what we have been studying, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1Sam 16:7
• I am thankful for the China Special Needs program, and how it has grown with the long wait. What a blessing to see Maggie and Hudson blossom in the last 10 days. Tomorrow they begin the next chapter of their journeys, their trips home!!
• I am thankful for two TV shows, that we actually can watch as a family, "Extreme Home Makeover," and "American Idol." We all look forward to these nights together! Who do you think is going home tonight?
• Lastly, I am thankful that it is Masters weekend! Jeff and I were lucky enough to attend this event in 1999. We have such great memories from our weekend in Augusta, GA!

Ruby's parents are desperately seeking sleep these days!!! I don't write about it a lot because in the big picture it is so temporary. It is rare when a night goes by that we are not awakened by crys in the room next to us. Sometimes, she settles down quickly, other times one of us (usually me by choice) is comforting her and doing whatever it takes to get her back to sleep quickly. Thankfully, Ainsley could sleep through a train going through her room, so she never wakes up too.

When we received Ruby's referral last March, they described her as a moderate sleeper. That description has proved to be accurate ever since meeting her in Nanchang. The good news is that she has come so far since that time. She is on a great schedule here, and she takes a daily 2-2.5 hour nap. Today is an exception because she is not feeling well. The last two nights have been really rough, and we have a doctor's appointment at 4:45 to rule out an ear infection, etc.. She usually goes down for bed easily (again with the exception of the last 2 nights) but as stated she usually does not sleep through.

Thankfully, I do believe that this will get better. My foggy memory reminds me that Ainsley experienced some of this too. I guess I was just a lot younger then!

What I want to say is that just last night I was reminded what a gift this child is to me and to our family. I wouldn't trade the dark circles under my eyes for one day without this little girl. Being a mother has taught me a great deal about sacrificing self. Some nights when I admit I wish I didn't have to get out of bed at 2am, I quickly remind myself what a privilege it is to be the one that gets to take care of Ruby Mei.

This poem by Marueen Hawkins says it all for me:

Hi!  We are home safely from a great five days in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ!  The weather was perfect!  And, we loved the resort we stayed in!  Ainsley swam until she turned into a fish, and 'Her Rubiness' learned quickly that five days with no agenda other than her nap was pretty fun!  She loved the baby pool (other than the time she submerged herself completely!)  Ruby was a trooper because she came down with a nasty cough and cold the minute we arrived.  I can't say Jeff and I feel very rested since we had the little cutie in our bed around 2am every night.  All in all, our time away as a family of four was great!  We are already planning next year's get-away!