Ainsley & Hannah

Inspired by a very special Ohio State freshman volleyball player we love, Ainsley has gotten the volleyball bug!!! She was given the opportunity to be part of a growing volleyball program coached by the volleyball coach of one of our local high schools.. She and her friend Hannah are the youngest on the team with a group of 13 year olds!!! Last week they hit the courts for their first Saturday "rally" of three games, 9 matches!! They might have looked smaller than their team out there, but wow did these two determined girls hold their own!!! You would never have guessed they were the youngest on the team! Ainsley even brought them back in the last match to almost tie it to win! I did my best to be a little quieter this time!!! (I think I was holding my breath!)

She practices two nights a week now, and will have these big tourney's every other weekend until April. I have to say Jeff and I are loving this sport!!! And, as our dear friend Joanne said, you can't beat the weather conditions for volleyball!!!

Ainsley we are very proud of you, and we can't wait to see your skills and your leadership grow as you learn the life skills that only sports can teach you! It's going to be an exciting season!

We have lovingly referred to Sienna Grace as our "Hot & Spicy Girl" since the day we met her... Not only did it describe the food of her Province, it described her personality perfectly... I have described her as tough and tender... I expect she will always be those things... But, we are beginning to see more and more of the sweet Sienna... It's been almost two years (March 1st) since we met our girl.. And, wow are we proud of how much she has grown, accomplished, and matured!

We had our first scare this week since Sienna's splenectomy on September 30th, 2010. She woke up with a high fever on Wednesday morning... We had been warned that when this happens to take it very seriously.. Instead of going to the hospital I took her to our Pediatrician.. Let's just say we were one phone call away from getting admitted to Children's Hospital. Thankfully, Sienna's Hematologist was available to give direction to our Pediatrician... They were able to administer Rocephin (in the form of 3 awful shots) to her in the office so we didn't have to go downtown. Thankfully by the next morning her white counts were back down, hemoglobin up, and she was looking like herself again! Praise God! By 3:00 yesterday she was feeling so much better and bored without Ruby that she asked me to do a photo shoot!... It was a sweet time with my beautiful girl!

When Ruby got home from school yesterday she brought home a "take home" folder of homework for Sienna.. The two of them disappeared into my office for almost 1 hour.. Ruby went through every page with her so patiently.. I honestly think Ruby could teach Kindergarten!!! :) Sienna was back to school today celebrating her 1/2 birthday with Ruby and her class! She was so excited when we told her she could go!

Sienna Grace ~ I think "Sugar and Spice" is an amazing combination on you!!! I know God is going to use your amazing story of grace in remarkable ways! We love every layer of beautiful, spicy and sweet you!

Last week I was asked to do a 30 minute presentation on our experiences in China for Ainsley's class. So I had two late nights of going back down memory lane, starting with our first trip for sweet Ruby in 2007.... I took this picture of Ruby Mei on May 10, 2007... We had just had her for two days.... To this day, it is one of my favorites of our precious little girl! We are thankful for the way God called us to Ruby. God began a work in us on that amazing trip.... It has been a blessing to watch His plans for her, and for our family, unfold...

One Year Ago on a freezing cold Saturday in January, we said goodbye to our loyal and faithful first born dog, Caymus... Our hearts broke that day, and they still do when we are reminded of her.

So many of you sent me/us such encouragement on that day, and the days that followed.. Some of you reached out in such personal ways, and I am so grateful... Caymus was a special dog.. She loved us deeply... And, in turn, we loved her back... Life is not the same with out her... And, her sidekick Piper still misses her best friend... Me too....

Tonight we will toast our girl, with her namesake!!!!! Cheers Caymus!!! Thank you for everything! You might not be here with us, but you will forever be in our hearts! And we know the treats are plentiful and the sun never stops shining where you are!

Well I know it is not Chinese New Year Yet (official day is January 23rd) but since Emme is having surgery that week I wanted to get a few pictures of her in her China silks! It was 50 degrees here today (yes in Minnesota), so I took advantage of it... She was chilly without her coat so I just snapped a few.. But, I love them.. Her precious smile just makes me.... well smile!!

I know some of you are so great about going all out for Chinese New Year! Definitely something we need to get better at over here!!! I am so thankful that we were actually in China during Chinese New Year in 2010. It was amazing!

March will be the two year anniversary of this crazy two-some becoming sisters... You may recall it was not an easy road.. It was a journey of twists and turns, highs and lows, loving and forgiveness. It is a reminder that the best things in life are worth fighting for..

Yesterday I took these pictures.. The girls had been invited to a last minute play date with a school friend. They were so excited.. I asked if I could take their picture.. They ran out on the porch (it feels like spring in MN) and snuggled into each other... What I love about this picture is it's not posed... It is a capture of two little girls that love each other very much... Friends, roommates, and most of all sisters! Answered prayer!

Any doubts we had about putting them in Kindergarten together have been erased. They are doing so well in the same class... Their teacher told us they take care of each other, pray for each other, and play well with the other children too. Quite honestly like twins, I think they would be lost without the other one... I am so proud of them...

I don't want you all to ever think it is perfect over here... Ha Ha!! It is LOUD!!! But, this relationship is one that I honestly have been on my knees about many times... And, I truly see them growing closer each day. It's a special bond that was created by a red thread.. And as the saying goes, it may twist and tangle.. But, no one is ever going to break it!! They are pretty special together!!! One sensitive and sweet, one tough and tender. The perfect couple! :)