Mother's Day was a special day to celebrate not only the blessing of being a Mom, but to dedicate Emme Jade to the Lord at our church.  Jeff and I stood before our congregation with Emme and eight other families and promised to do our part in raising our daughter up in a Christian home.  Each time we have done this with our kids I am overwhelmed with the responsibility I have been given.  The responsibility to do my part in raising them in the way they should go.  Faith is an individual journey.  And my prayer is that each of our daughters will walk with the Lord when they grow up!  With faith all things are possible.  Jeff and I can only help to show them the way.  Ultimately it will be their choice to live their lives for Christ.  That is my prayer for each of them!  God has blessed our family through natural birth and adoption.  What a joy it was to celebrate that on Mother's Day!  And, a double blessing to have my Mom with me this year!  She has always been a role model in sharing her gifts and sacrificing herself for others.   Thanks Mom!

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they
are old they will not turn from it."  ~Proverbs 22:6

Today I was invited to a very special Mother's Day party with Emme at her pre-school.   The tables were decorated so beautifully, and the gifts the children worked so hard on were displayed so sweetly.  Emme was so excited to pull out my chair, and serve me cookies and strawberries...  It was perfect!

I was blessed by my three year old with one of the most precious gifts I have ever been given.  The poem attached to it brought me to tears...  It hit me how fast my babies are growing up.  I don't think I will ever look at fingerprints on my windows in the same way.  What a gift they truly are!

To All the Mom's I love, near and far!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Emme has two new friends that just moved in next door.  They are twins!  It has been fun to see Emme so excited about the "babies!"  (They are 2...)  She immediately connected with the brother of the twins.  I am starting to see a pattern with Emme...  Her favorite friends (besides her sisters) are all boys!  Remember precious  "Golden Boy" from Yangzhou?  If not, I am linking one of my favorite posts about these two best friends here!  

I think Emme has already figured out that friendships with boys are less complicated!    Even when you are only three!  :)  Don't get me wrong, she loves her new buddy's sister too.  But, it's G's hand who she grabs first!  It's too cute!

  Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Nanchang, Jiangxi Province

Like every mother I remember the moments that led up to meeting our beautiful baby girl for the first time.  The type of delivery room for this birth was a different setting, but  the feeling when she was placed in my arms was the same. Love at first sight. Adoration at first touch. The feeling that I would love her fiercely and protect her forever was overwhelming. It was a beautiful moment in our lives... The type of moment only God could design for our family. She was tiny, innocent, scared, and so incredibly precious.  Our hearts changed that day.  She had us at "Ni'Hao!" and quite honestly she still does!

Ruby, we love you more than words on a blog can ever express!  God has used you already in a mighty way!  We are so thankful for five years of loving you!  And, we pray that we can always encourage you to use the gifts that God has blessed you with!  You are sweet, sensitive, and strong!  You are special!!  Because of you, adoption has become a part of all of our stories.  You have encouraged us to open our hearts in a special way!  

Our prayers were answered when we met Ruby Mei!  What a blessing she is!

How are we celebrating tonight...  Dinner at Ruby Tuesday's of course!!

Happy Anniversary Ruby Mei!  We love you!!

These photos are from the little shoot that my awesome assistant helped me with this week.  The assignment was "Portraits."  We got some sweet ones of the "Little Bean!"  Thank you Ainsley!!

I hope you are all enjoying a great weekend...  Three weeks until our kids begin their summer!!!  Do you think they are counting down the days?!!  More soon from our crazy house!  Including Emme Jade's Dedication on Mother's Day!!!!!  I can't think of a more special way to celebrate!!