Jordon who owns Georgia Grace Designs is kicking off a fundraiser for Ivy Joy on Monday, January 28th.  You can read Jordon's post on the event, here!  Will you, can you, help spread the word on your blogs and Face Book?    Some of you may not know that Mary is a Trunk Keeper for this precious clothing line!  So her friends at GG are teaming up to make a difference for one precious little fighter we all know and love.

Thank you Jordon!!

<center> <a href="http://georgiagrace.bigcartel.com/cart" target="self"><img alt="Georgia Grace" src="http://i.imgur.com/Pt0uMfv.jpg?1" /></a></center>

The Ice Houses on our way up to the cabin...  One Question.. Why?

Just a few sweet pics I took today of "The Little Bean!"  Where has the time gone?    As she will tell you she is almost 4.5.  Our baby girl has been home for 17 months already.  Next week will be the anniversary of her tethered cord surgery, and her earned "Agitated Empress" status at Children's Hospital!  She is doing so well in every way.  I wish I could express in words how joyful this little girl is.  Clearly God protected her spirit.  She spent the first full three years of her life in an orphanage.  She shared a room with 20 other children..  She never fed herself a meal before we met her...  I think God protected her sweet little heart, and He put some very special caregivers in her life until we could bring her home.  We are so thankful for that!

Emme is a tiny little peanut.  28.5 pounds and wearing a size 2T (barely). There is nothing tiny about her though..  She might be little, but she is no pushover.  She is loud and funny!  She can stomp her feet to voice her feelings with the best of them!!!  She has learned the words, "I am MAD" when she is frustrated..  There is something incredibly funny about it when she is standing with her arms folded in front of her..  Adorable even when she is MAD!  Most of the time though, Emme is happy and sweet.  She loves to help and to please.  The first one to help me with anything.  Serving other is definitely one of her gifts...  Can't wait to see what God has planned for our sweet girl!

Emme's favorite things:  She loves babies (seriously any baby we meet.)  She loves, her Daddy, her Mama, her sisters (especially her "A-gee!"), learning about Jesus, "My Bella," school, baby dolls, her pink teddy, chocolate, and all things girly!  When we pull into the school parking lot she gets a big smile on her face and says very enthusiastically, "Thank you Mama!"  When I pick her up or I have not been home to tuck her in she will say dramatically, "I missed you Mama!"  Emme Jade has taught me to be joyful in all things...  I love how God uses the tiny and mighty to teach us, refine us, and to inspire us!  Emme Jade - you are SO LOVED!

During December I hit my 1000th post on this blog...  My intention was to write about the magnitude of what that equates to for me.   But, life got in the way, and I never got to that...  Perhaps at #1100 I will stop to reflect..  Five years, three adoptions....  I have a lot to say.

But for now, I continue to be amazed by the red threads that God has woven around my life since our wait for Ruby Mei. It's like He grabbed my heart and tied a beautiful red bow around it.  Some of you may wonder how I know Mary Sammons...  It's a long beautiful God story really.  But, the summary of it is that she was in China adopting Lexi when Sienna's best friend was being adopted...  God connected us through Nadi's Mom, Jill when they got home.... These Mom's met in a playroom in Hunan.  Only to find out they were from the same town, and went to the same church.  (Coincidence?  I think not!)  When we went to China to adopt Emme Jade it was Mary and Jill that loved on Sienna and Ruby for 10 days.  These two Mom's are a living example of sacrificing self for God's glory!  They have taught me so much!

In five years I have met some pretty amazing women and families.  Some that I get to call friends in "real life" now.  Treasures to me....  Through blogs, friend connections, etc. I have followed families to and from China.  Some multiple times.  I don't think I will ever tire of watching families created in this way.  If you want to follow a special family who is in China now,  check out my adoption friend Shay's blog.  They are bringing two children home.  Their 4th and 5th from China.  Amazing!

Over two years ago, I was introduced to a special couple that were in China adopting their adorable son, Max.  I don't even remember how I found them, but I am so glad I did.  While they don't live in Minneapolis, they are close enough that our families have met.  Julie and I are also in the same photography class.  Yesterday, I was blessed to visit with them in Rochester where their new daughter Ellie was recovering from open heart surgery...  And, the red thread here..  Ivy Joy!  It was Ivy's story that touched Julie and Eric and encouraged them to open their hearts to a heart baby too...   It was a blessing to meet this very special little girl!  If you have not been to Julie's blog, it will touch your heart.  Julie's blog is here!

"Baby Ellie" as we call her over here.. Playing with stickers that Emme Jade picked out for her!

One of the many adorable and heart melting faces of "Baby Ellie!"
By the way, Ellie is home tonight..  Less than 4 days after open heart surgery!!

It's hard not to fall in love with Ellie the second you meet her..  Her story is so special.  A reminder that God is in all the details.  And, that He protects those who wait...

Many of you have visited my blog since we were just a family of four.  Thank you for that.  I am thankful for how much my heart has grown in 1000+ posts.

For those of you checking on Ivy Joy.. Surgery is scheduled for 7am tomorrow morning!  I look forward to hearing great news soon!  Please keep checking Mary's blog for updates!

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of
time, place or circumstances.  The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break."
~Ancient Chinese Proverb

Ivy Joy Update!
Flight for Boston is leaving at 2:00!!!!! She's breathing on her own, and flying in her cushy car seat!!!! (Thank you Lord!) They are on a medically equipped plane, in-case there is an emergency!! Mary will be in touch tomorrow! Until then, keep praying for a safe flight and a hopeful plan! Thank you!

God Willing, the very precious Ivy Joy is going to Boston tomorrow, via air ambulance.

Read more on Mary's blog.. If you can, please leave a comment...  This is such a difficult time for their family!  

Team Ivy...  It's time to get your shirts on and do what we do best..  Pray!