Sunday, April 27, 2008
Home away from home.... NASHVILLE!
We have been enjoying a fabulous weekend with old friends in Nashville! So many memories have been made here... We were married here, Ainsley was born here, and life long friendships were created here! Thanks to everyone for welcoming us home! We love you all and miss you tons!
Blessings,
Di
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thankful for my Parents today!
Diana Jo - 6 months
44 years ago, my beautiful mother gave birth to me at 7:30am via C-section. I can imagine perfectly my handsome Dad pacing the halls of the hospital in Hammond, IN. He tells me this story often... After they came in to tell him that he had a new daughter, they broke the news to him that her tongue was tied, and that it would need to be "snipped!" If you knew my father, you would know that this news would not be taken lightly. To this day he worries and watches over his "babies!" long distance like the doting and loving father he has always been! Ironically, that "tongue-tied" baby girl went on to be a Speech Communication's Major, and spent her professional career talking for a living. I am not usually at a loss for words, very often! I am sure Jeff would agree with that statement!
This thankful Thursday post is dedicated to my parents:
- To Mom for bringing me into this world so gracefully
- To Mom & Dad for giving me so many opportunities as a child
- For all the times you watched me fall (literally on the ice and in life) and gave me the courage and the confidence to pick myself up again
- For encouraging independence
- For being there in the peaks and valleys of my life
- For celebrating the wins, and the blessings
- For always being willing to help, no matter what the need
- For demonstrating the importance of sacrificing self to help others
- For the love and time you give to friends, family, organizations, church, etc.
- For teaching me the importance of respecting authority, loved ones, & most importantly God
- For loving me unconditionally
- For loving your Granddaughters so deeply
My list could go on and on.... Most importantly I have been blessed to be raised by two parents that have been married for almost 55 years. Who put others before them, and who until the end of time will love all three of their children for who God created them to be!
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6
I love you!
Diana
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
More Surprises!
Cake anyone?
Rubber Gloves with style!
This morning, Ruby and I had a breakfast date with Miss Liz, of the infamous, "Camp H!"
When we arrived, I asked the hostess to point me to the table where the cute blonde was waiting.. When I turned the corner, there was the world's biggest balloon on the table, and Liz along with my dear friend Jenny. Next came Sally, and then Robyn. These are the incredible friends that have been with me thru the highs and lows of life in the past few years. These are my amazing family group Mom's. All special, and all like sisters to me. It was such a fun breakfast and another fun surprise for the birthday week.
For those of you who know me well, you know that the tasks of the everyday household chores do not speak my love language. But, now that I have the world's CUTEST rubber gloves and matching apron, I may be inspired to find joy in the meal planning, the laundry and cleaning the bathrooms! Can I just say that my new SHOE cake server with the Ruby Red heel is fabulous. It may never leave my counter! Definitely worthy of display, don't you think!? I LOVE it! Thank you Liz!
OK - time to go.. I have some new chocolate with caramel on the inside to partake in while 'Her Rubiness' is sleeping! Thank you ladies for making this such a special day! I love you all!!!
Tomorrow is actually the 4th time I will turn 40! Thank you for all of your sweet messages! I did the math today, I will be a young 60 when Ruby Mei heads off to college... OUCH!
Blessings,
Diana
Monday, April 21, 2008
Growing older, and trying to do it gracefully....
The Party Planners
Loving her swing set!
Getting ready to hit the monkey bars!
Yes, Jeff is under her! This is right before she did a chin up!!!
The girls I love!!!!
Blessings,
Diana
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Red Thread Connections
The Pearl & The Ruby Waiting for Guests
Big Sister Rachel
Ava
Piper
Ellie
Ruby Mei & Amelia Coloring together.... so sweet!
Sarah
Twins Kaitlyn & Kyleigh
Paisley
Rui Rui
Amelia
Charlotte
Olivia
When we were waiting for Ruby Mei, I was blessed to meet many people along our road to China.
Many of them have been mentioned here before. Our red thread is like a spider web that reaches both locally, and across the country. When I originally joined the October 2005 LID group some other Minnesotan's reached out to me and invited me to lunch, (thanks Amy O.) That first lunch group, has now grown to multiple families that are now home with their precious children, or are still waiting for their gifts from China. Other great connections have been made through our agency AWAA, Ainsley's school, and other avenues that I never imagined.
Jeff and I, with the help of Ainsley & Ruby, hosted a fun event Saturday night for several of the local families in our area. We had a great turn out, and lots of fun. When we closed the door to the last of our guests we felt so blessed to be a part of this overall red thread. All of the children were so beautiful and precious. Clearly they are all adored and loved!!
Once again, we pause to give thanks for our journey that has brought us so much joy! We look forward to more fun events with families near and far...
Blessings,
Diana
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thankful Friday!!
"I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."~Psalm 13:6
This photo sums it up for me today!!!!
I am having major internet issues, so for those of you trying to contact me, I should be up and running again late Monday! I hope you all have a great weekend!
I am having major internet issues, so for those of you trying to contact me, I should be up and running again late Monday! I hope you all have a great weekend!
>Blessings,
Diana
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Last year on this day....
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!
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