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!

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>