First a Pearl, then Three Rubies!!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Orphans No More.....

8:50 AM |

Many of you know that November is National Orphan Month... The word touches my heart deeply. I have been blessed to intimately love on three little girls who once wore this label... Orphan.. It seems impossible!

The sad reality is that there are 150 Million plus orphans in the world. One is too many... How do we change that?... Perhaps it's just one orphan at a time...

God calls us to help the "Least of These..." I am in a Bible Study this month where we are reminded to take care of the widow and the orphan.. This is a command for all of us. We can't save the world, but we can help whether through going, praying, supporting, sponsoring, feeding, clothing, celebrating, adopting... There's room for all of us to make a difference!

Tonight I will post here and on the Pearl River blog the kick-off to "Fill Their Stockings With Hope 2013." I will be partnering with two of my favorite Mom's again on this to raise money for, "the least of these" in China.. My prayer is that you will find a way to support this wonderful event again this year. Last year God blew our "stockings" off in the way He provided for our orphans.. Praying for His blessing on our upcoming December event.... So, I hope you will check back and participate when the fun begins!!!!

"And whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me.."

~Mathew 18:5

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Monday, November 11, 2013

Halloween 2013

1:43 PM |

I think I will be constantly apologizing for my blogging tardiness as we close out 2013! I am starting to accept that this is the season I am in... It's an exciting time of busy-ness for the girls and for me. As we count down the days in November, we have much to be thankful for. Soon I will be announcing our Christmas Fundraiser for Pearl River Outreach. I hope you will join us again for this important event.

Until then, a few belated photos from our fun Halloween! Emme was thrilled to have Bella join us again this year. Ainsley was off with her friends, but I was able to grab a few photos of our big girl too!

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Road Trip To IC!!

9:24 PM |

How is it that it's been 3 weeks since I posted... Fall is blowing by too fast.. The chill is here reminding us that winter is on it's way. We even had snowflakes today!

We did take the time to soak in one of the best parts of Autumn.. Homecoming at Illinois College with Aunt Bop! We took our first long road trip (over 3 hours) with all four girls. I am happy to report they all did great!!! Jacksonville is an approximately an 8 hour trip from our home.

We rolled into the President's House in time for Ainsley to join Aunt Bop to judge the IC talent show! Ruby and Sienna decided that the best rip sticking in the world is at Aunt Bop's. The driveway at Barnes House is perfect for biking and boarding!!

There were many highlights to this fun weekend... We kicked it off with the nieces being in the Homecoming Parade with Aunt Bop Sautrday morning! Even Mr. Handsome was in on the fun driving their convertible! I chose the roll of photographer for the first mile!

From the parade we headed to the Alumnae tent to get ready for the Football Game. I am happy to report that IC won their Homecoming game! The Middles and the Little were in heaven when they were invited down to the field to hang out with the cheerleaders!!! Ruby closely studied every move, and was ready to be a flyer if they would have let her!

The girls loved meeting the Homecoming Queen and sweet Kenzie their favorite cheerleader. Kenzie got hurt on a bad landing, so Emme took it upon herself to be part of her training team! She made sure the ice stayed on her knee!!

We loved this special visit back to IC with all of the girls.. We hope to make Homecoming in Jacksonville a tradition!!

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Thursday, October 3, 2013

"President Bop!"

2:00 PM |

Overnight, like Cinderella at the ball, my sister went from Aunt Bop to President Bop! There was no fairy Godmother at this transformation, but there were many friends, family, students, colleagues, and other supporters there celebrating this huge day! Jeff, Ainsley and I made this trip to Jacksonville, IL. The middles and the little stayed behind at "Camps H and M!" I am not sure who had more fun!

My sister, Barbara, was inducted on Saturday, September 21st as the President of Illinois College. She became the 14th president and the first woman to earn this honor. It was an incredible weekend! My brother and I agree that being part of the "first family" is a pretty awesome place to be! We are so proud of our sister! So thankful that my parents were able to be there too. So many special memories from our time in Jacksonville!

We fell in love with IC that weekend. We can't wait to go back!

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Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Gold Team!

11:17 PM |

The Pearl is back on the court for the fall!!!! This time she is sporting #9 for her school.. She's back together with some of her favorite pals which makes practices and games more fun! We are really seeing Ainsley improve in her volleyball skills.. She worked hard over the summer!!! She's been given the opportunity to play outside hitter on her new team!!! It was pretty exciting to see her record her first "kills" at their first match last week... ( I am not sure if Ainsley or her Daddy was more excited!!!) We love watching our girl play!!!

Ainsley is playing with Bella's big sister, Sarah, this fall... There were two pretty cute cheerleaders cheering on their bigs Thursday!

The activities are in full swing over here.. So far so good!!!

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Pre-K!!

11:03 PM |

Wednesday it was finally her turn... The one hour open house did not cut it on Monday... She was ready for the real deal.. Pre-Kindergarten.. All day! Three days a week! She had her book bag, her lunch, and her cuteness.. She could not wait to get in the car.. For our 15 minute drive she kept asking me how much longer... She asked me so many sweet questions... "Will I make new friends?" "Will my teachers like me?" "What are we going to do all day..." Her new school encourages drop off.. Even the first day.. So, that is what we did.. I coached her to say "good morning" to who ever greeted her at the door... When it was her turn, she kissed me on the cheek and said, "I gonna miss you Mama.." Then she jumped out of the car, and I heard her say with her sweet raspy voice.. "good morning!" And, then she skipped along, big smile on her face, right into the new exciting chapter of Pre-K... She left me in the rearview mirror with a thankful heart.. Thankful for this little girl who brings us all so much joy.. How can it be that just two years ago she was in an orphanage waiting for her forever?