It's not often a Minnesota child can say their school was closed because of snow.   But today was the golden ticket for many kids in our area..  Very early this morning school delays and cancellations were being reported throughout the state.   Like most children, our kids were thrilled with this news.  Especially Ainsley who dodged a math test for one more day!!

But the real reason that this day is special for our family is because six years ago, Jeff and I received the news that would change our lives in such an incredible way..  We found out that we had a beautiful daughter waiting for us in the Jiangxi Province of China.  Her name was Yue Meng Ru, she was in foster care, and she was only 7 months old.  Our social worker started our call by telling us our little girl was worth the wait!!!!  Amy had no idea how true that prophetic statement would prove to be! March 5th, 2007 will forever be one of the happiest days in our life as a couple.  We remember every detail of that day...  It's a story we hold dear to our hearts, and a story that we love to share with one precious little 6 year old.  At the time, we had no idea how God would use adoption in our lives.  It has been a journey full of blessings!  Ruby Mei fits her name perfectly..  She is precious and beautiful!  And, we are so thankful she was chosen to be ours!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him."

1Samuel 1:27

Three years ago in Changsha, Hunan we met this little firecracker!

She Xia Chang (Tung Tung) was four months shy of five years old that day.  It was an emotional and hard day for all of us.  But, especially for a little girl desperate to go back to the foster mother she loved.  She lost all she knew that afternoon, and it was heartbreaking.  

I went back to see what I wrote last year on this anniversary.  So much of what I said that day is still true now.  Sienna will always be our spicy girl from Hunan.  God has wired her so differently than me.   God has taught me so much in my three years being her Mama.    Some too hard to eloquently describe.  Has this been easy?  Honestly, no..  Has it been rewarding..  Absolutely!  Three years later we still have our battles, she and I.  She is strong willed, and so am I..  She wants to control me..  I don't like being controlled..  If I am totally honest, I think God gave me Sienna to refine and sift me, not her!   Through her I see my strengths and my weaknesses as a mother, as a teacher, as a role model.  Through her I see how much work I personally have to do.  Through her I have seen the miracles of God's grace.  I have seen His miracles in physical and spiritual healing in her life..  She is a portrait of  "beauty from the ashes".  I guess I could summarize her with one word, amazing!  Sienna has been forced to make a lot of choices in three years.  Ultimately she has chosen to trust.  Possibly the hardest thing anyone will ever ask her to do.   Remember that Mulan line..  "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all!"  That is our Sienna Grace!

 Hands down this child LOVES me big!    I am the one she trusts enough to fall apart on.  The one that she whispers, "I missed you today", the one who waits up for me in her bed when I am away.  On the days when I feel like I have failed with her, God always takes me back to the beginning..  To the Journey of Sienna Grace that is a reminder that He called us to her!  He practically gave us a road map to her front door.  It is this adoption that has stretched me, and allowed me to see clearly that when you obey you are blessed.  On the hardest of days, she brings me closer to God.  She reminds me that I can not do it alone..  And, when I think I can, something happens to bring me back to my knees.  It is this child that has strengthened my relationship with Jeff too..  Mr. Handsome is the strong Daddy that Sienna needs.  She respects him like no other...  She is at her best when he is near.  I am so thankful for the stability we have been able to give her.

Two days ago I took her out for a little photo shoot...  I think these pictures tell their own story.  They show the depth and layers of Sienna Grace.  The happy, the sad, the silly, the crazy, the funny, and the beautiful.  She is my deep thinker.  My diary writing girl.  She has a journey like no other in our family.  While she shares China with Ruby and Emme Jade, she does not share where she came from.  She had a family.  A foster mother who loved her.  I believe her memories are fading now of those days.  I know that is hard.  Hopefully, my trip back to Hengshan will bless Sienna in an amazing way.  She's not ready to go back.. but this Mama is. 

Sienna Grace is more confident today than she was then..  She has come so far!  Thanks to her family and a sister and roommate that loves her so unconditionally she has grown.  To this day I marvel at how God chose Ruby to be Sienna's virtual twin.  That in itself is a beautiful story of God's plan for each one of us.  Two little girls, opposite in many ways, who were born to be sisters and best friends!   Their truly is a red thread woven around the story of Sienna Grace.

Sienna's eyes have a depth to them.. When we met Sienna in Changsha she was so sick from her Thalassemia..  Her eyes and skin were yellow.  Today she has been transfusion free since September, 2010.  We celebrate what God has done in her body.

Today I celebrate the milestones we have met since March 1, 2010.  We celebrate who Sienna is, and who God is calling her to be.  I can't help but to reflect on my role in all of it.  I admire the tough and the tender, the sweet and the sassy girl that was chosen to be ours!  Happy Forever Sienna Grace.  You are SO LOVED!!

"The Flower that blooms in adversity, is the most rare and Beautiful of all!"  ~Mulan

I must admit sometimes it feels like yesterday when I met Ruby Mei for the first time..  She was 9 months old and all she had was her two little bottom teeth.  That was almost 6 years ago!  Five days ago Ruby was determined to say goodbye to her first front tooth..  She wiggled and wiggled it until she finally pulled it out herself on Sunday night!!  She proudly ran up to find us to share her big toothless news!!!  What caught me off guard was how I reacted.  I wanted to cry!  This from the Mom who does not spend a lot of time looking back.  I love the "what's next" in our journey as a family.  In fact I look forward to it...  But this one smacked me in the face that our baby girl is growing up... Way too fast by the way!  Funny how one lost tooth can cause you to reflect!

Soon there will be two front teeth missing on our cutie!!!  And when that day comes, I will celebrate this milestone with Ruby Mei..  Quite honestly, her enthusiasm is contagious!  And, I will snap a few more photos to remember this precious and priceless time! I am thankful to have a front row seat!

If you opened this today because you thought I was announcing another adoption, you will be disappointed!!  No, this time, I am going to love on 21 orphans!  I have been given the opportunity of a life-time to travel back to southern China with Pearl River!  Not only am I going to visit our PRO children and their foster families, I have been given the opportunity to meet Sienna's foster mother.  I can't even wrap my heart around what that day will be like for me.  I am being given the chance to thank the woman who loved my daughter so deeply.  A special woman who I know still grieves that loss.  I will be given the chance to share with her how Sienna still talks about her "China Mom."  How the little spicy girl she raised for 4.5 years is thriving, growing, and blossoming.  Sienna has special memories of this special woman.  And, I will do my best to let her know she will never be forgotten in the heart of one special little girl.  Perhaps one day, Sienna will make this journey back to Hengshan too.  That is my prayer for her.

I am going to share this experience with three special Mom's.  Before adopting I never knew their names.  Today they are three of my closest friends.  Two of these amazing women, (Jennifer and Paige) will be standing in the the houses that their daughters once called home too.  Sharing with the women who knew their daughters intimately in the first chapters of their lives.  These special foster mothers will hear about how beautifully Gracie Joy and Janie are doing now.   I will stand back, camera in hand, and do my best to capture this poignant time in their lives.  I tear up just typing this!

April 19th, Jennifer, Paige, Christina and I will meet in Chicago.  We will head to Beijing and then south to Hunan.  This trip will be a journey like no other.  So different to experience China in this way. 

When the time comes I hope you will follow along.   I know I am going to fall in love 100x..  And, I anticipate my heart will break more than once..  I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us!  One thing is for sure..  21 little children are going to be smothered with love from the four Mom's that are coming!!!  I can not wait!

Last night, along with our friends Jody and Rick, we hosted a Chinese New Year Party!  We rang in the "Year of the Snake" in style..  Beautiful decorations, great food, delicious drinks, fellowship and fireworks!  Such a blessing to celebrate this special Chinese holiday with our families!

Thanks "M" family for hosting such a fun party in your beautiful home!

And thanks to all of our friends who celebrated with us!  

Here is a glimpse into Jody's beautiful decorations and a few party shots too!!!  

From our family to yours, may you be blessed with happiness and prosperity in the New Year!

Do you see the snake?

I love this room for a party!  Jody has a gift for creating magic with her parties.  Just one week ago it was covered in pink tulle for Bella's ballerina party!  Last night it took me back to Changsha three years ago!  Jody's attention to detail created the perfect stage for a special night!!

The traditional red envelopes for the children!

4 special China girls!  Sienna, Ruby, Bella & Emme Jade

"The Emperor" aka Mr. Handsome!

Aunt Bop is greeted with a big hug from Ruby Mei!

Our Spicy Hunan Girl and Jiangxi Jewel enjoying the food!

Emme had the time of her life...  This child LOVES a party..  I think she said "Hooray" 100 times!
She is with her sweet pal, and Bella's big sister Sarah, here!

Emme Jade and Bella Grace celebrating their first CNY together!  Hopefully there will be many more!

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!!

Emme was invited to the sweetest ballerina birthday party on Saturday.  It was extra special because it was for her very sweet friend, Bella Grace.  Some of you may remember that Emme and I met Bella and her amazing Mama at the beginning of the school year.  This friendship for the four of us has been full of blessings since "Ni Hao!"  Jody let me photograph Bella's party.. (Ok - I begged her to let me!)  I may have had just as much fun as the darling ballerina's.  It was a magical, day full of little girls twirling in tulle!  Happy Birthday beautiful Bella Grace!  You are a very special blessing to one little girl I know  and love!