Friday, April 26, 2013
Zhanjiang.....
Too late to post about our day, but I did want to share one special photo! I waited
a long time to love on this precious child.. Gabriella blessed me by taking my hand and going for a little walk.. While I sang, "Jesus Loves Me" to her she grabbed my arm and motioned me to wrap it around her sweet little neck.. So, that is how we walked... I will never forget this special time with this precious little girl!

Thursday, April 25, 2013
The Beauty In China...
In all of my trips here one thing remains the same for me. The landscape and the people pull at me to take their photograph. It seems that wherever I go the life around me pulls me in.. I see beauty, joy and heartbreak everywhere.. There are dirty roads filled with garbage, and rain stained muddy country roads leave clay on my shoes and a mark on my heart.. These roads led me to my daughters. Therefore they are part of me now too. I stare deep into the un-trusting eyes of a child as I motion to see if I can take their picture... I am drawn in by the beutuiful wrinkles on elderly faces and the humbleness of it all. Weathered hands and dirty fingernails are for some reason so beautiful to me.. In the hustle bustle of the big cities I see the contrast of the young and old.. The flurry of people getting where they need to go.. Street sweepers, mopeds, fruit vendors, squatters and so much more... Beautiful women, beautiful children, bright colors, noises, smells, etc.. All calling to me to find a way to remember... My joy comes from capturing it.. I don't want to forget... I never will... This week we have experienced it all.. What a gift...
This is my opportunity to share some of what I am seeing behind my lens... Hopefully, these sweet faces and images will draw you in too.. Look beyond the lens with me and enjoy the beauty!

This is my opportunity to share some of what I am seeing behind my lens... Hopefully, these sweet faces and images will draw you in too.. Look beyond the lens with me and enjoy the beauty!
(If you want to see photos of the children we have been loving on, please head over to the PRO Blog.. It's been amazing thus far!!)

Sunday, April 21, 2013
The Shanxi Province, Beautiful Xi'an...
I have been blessed to travel to China four times in my life. The first three journey's were to bring my chosen daughters home to their forever's with our family. This time, God has called me back to love on what some may consider, "The Least of These.." It's hard to imagine anyone could ever think that about a precious orphan. But the sad and heatbreaking reality is it is true.. Many of you know our story of how Pearl River became not just a non-profit organization, but a part of our family. For that I am grateful.... At the time I didn't know the plans set before me... I didn't know I would become a part of the PRO team in such a rewarding way! I didn't know my daughter Sienna would be a Bamboo Baby. I didn't know I would ask my amazing friend Jennifer to help me in a volunteer way, and that ask would lead to her daughter, and to a long distance friendship that blesses me every day. I didn't know that one day another adoption Mom friend, sweet Paige, would call me and ask me to sponsor a precious little girl named Lili... That one call set in motion the adoption of a precious little girl that God placed on her heart long before Paige even knew it. And, I certainly never expected God would orchestrate a trip for all three of us to travel to China with our U.S. based PRO team. But, God knew... We are two days into our trip and it's been special, hilarious, memorable, and very entertaining! We have traveled together on buses, vans, trams, and even bicycles. We have clocked endless hours talking already.. So much the flight attendent yesterday smuggled us wine from first class so we could really enjoy our girl time! The entire time we have been pinching ourselves that we are here together for such an awesome reason. To love on "the least of these..."

Jennifer and Paige
We have had some blog worthy hilarious moments on this trip already.. At the top of my list should really be titled, "Blondes Really Do Have More Fun in China!." You see my friend Jen, has this new sassy doo... Her super model look stirred quite the paparazzi of commotion today. One thing the Chinese love to do is stare at you if you are a foreigner. Especially when you are a blonde. I felt like a rock-star in 2007 when Ruby and I were in Wal*Mart. We were surrounded by people taking our picture on their cell phones.. Ainsley and Jeff have had their share of photo shoots here too. At home we would think this is strange. At here it's just good material! I knew today when we set out on our adventure that Jennifer would be sought after.. You don't see tall beautiful blondes here often! Well, it started at the Tercotta Warrior Museum.. After the first few pictures of Jennifer, I started counting.. By the end of the day we were up to 10 red carpet requests. The most hilarious was the random man that blantantly got her on video on the City Wall.. It became funnier each time. Especially when the peace sign was involved!!


Jennifer and Paige
We have had some blog worthy hilarious moments on this trip already.. At the top of my list should really be titled, "Blondes Really Do Have More Fun in China!." You see my friend Jen, has this new sassy doo... Her super model look stirred quite the paparazzi of commotion today. One thing the Chinese love to do is stare at you if you are a foreigner. Especially when you are a blonde. I felt like a rock-star in 2007 when Ruby and I were in Wal*Mart. We were surrounded by people taking our picture on their cell phones.. Ainsley and Jeff have had their share of photo shoots here too. At home we would think this is strange. At here it's just good material! I knew today when we set out on our adventure that Jennifer would be sought after.. You don't see tall beautiful blondes here often! Well, it started at the Tercotta Warrior Museum.. After the first few pictures of Jennifer, I started counting.. By the end of the day we were up to 10 red carpet requests. The most hilarious was the random man that blantantly got her on video on the City Wall.. It became funnier each time. Especially when the peace sign was involved!!

My beautiful pal... (On the inside and out!)
This is one of my favorite photos from the day... The reason... It's the first real sign of Spring I have seen.. I left 12" of snow on Thursday morning....
We all appreciated our itinerary today.. Our amazing Guide, and Pearl River liasion, Julie planned a very special day. She kept us so busy we forgot how tired our jet lagged bodies were! Our first stop was the Teracotta Warrior Museum in Xi'an. I am not quite sure how to describe how amazing this site is. Can you imagine being an emporer and spending your entire life planning your after life? For those of us who believe in God, it's almost impossible. But, today we witnessed his vision, and it was incredible. We even met the farmer who discovered the underground city! Over 6000 warriors were found. Many have been restored, while some are still buried and waiting to be excavated. The attention to detail is beyond impressive!
We all appreciated our itinerary today.. Our amazing Guide, and Pearl River liasion, Julie planned a very special day. She kept us so busy we forgot how tired our jet lagged bodies were! Our first stop was the Teracotta Warrior Museum in Xi'an. I am not quite sure how to describe how amazing this site is. Can you imagine being an emporer and spending your entire life planning your after life? For those of us who believe in God, it's almost impossible. But, today we witnessed his vision, and it was incredible. We even met the farmer who discovered the underground city! Over 6000 warriors were found. Many have been restored, while some are still buried and waiting to be excavated. The attention to detail is beyond impressive!
Probably my favorite pictures to take in China are of life here... Every corner is a story... On our way to our van, I saw this man taking a break... I pointed to my camera and he quietly nodded his head in approval... I love his smile.. He looks like he does not have a care in the world!
I couldn't resist capturing this picture of this Grandma and her baby.
This woman was just enjoying her break.. She too was happy to allow me to photograph her.
Julie made sure we had foods today that Xi'an is famous for.. We had our first "Chinese Hamburgers." I was not too sure about this menu choice, but I did enjoy it.. However, our dinner was award winning.. Xi'an is known for their dumplings.. Here dumplings are an art... They are decorative and so delicious... I don't know how many they brought out, but they were all photo worthy, and excellent!
The highlight of our day was our bike tour on the city wall.. Brick by brick this 7 miles of wall was built by hand. The uneven bricks, and the sites of the city below were amazing.. This was my first time site seeing on a bike in China. It was such a fun afternoon!
We ended our day in the city square by the Bell Tower.. As you can see it is gorgeous at night!
Tomorrow we leave for Changsha, and we really begin the journey God has placed us on.. I can't wait to see the faces of the sweet one's that we are here to love on... The ones some call the "least of these" The ones that because of Pearl River Outreach do have the gift of hope and a future! It's a privilege to be part of this.
More soon from Hunan!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Blankets Of Love!!
The packing has begun!!! Ten more days....
Read HERE about the sweetest of gifts I received yesterday...

Sunday, April 7, 2013
Toothless!!
It's actually been a week since Ruby let her big sister Ainsley "twist" (yank) out front tooth #2! The night we got home from Spring Break the two disappeared into Ainsley's room... Ruby had been waiting for days for that tooth to come out!!!! Well the big sister did not disappoint!!! She worked her magic just in time for the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny to make a visit!!!

I am in LOVE with this precious smile on our preious girl!!

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Ruby Mei
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Friday, April 5, 2013
Disney World - Part II
We have almost been home a week and I am finally posting photos of our last days at Disney World. We really had a great time.. The girls did so well!!! It was a busy few days as we navigated the crowds and the parks. We spent two days at Magic Kingdom and one day at Hollywood Studios. We loved them both! "The Rocking Rollercoaster" has our vote for best ride!! I think the "Toy Story" ride might be right up there too. Even for Mr. Handsome!!
Here is a look at our last three days at Disney World!

Monday, March 25, 2013
The Princesses Dine Together!!
From the Bibbidy Bobbiti salon we headed over to Epcot for lunch with the Disney Princesses.
There were so many precious moments when the girls each saw their favorite Princesses. They met Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, and Cinderella. One of our favorite memories will be when Princess Emme lept 5 feet into the arms of a surprised yet poised and gracious Cinderella!!! I will never forget it.. She had been waiting to meet, "Giga-rella!" And, her enthusiasm was contagious... She even got a lipstick mark on her cheek from her favorite Princess!
I don't think you are ever to old to experience the magic!! Feeling very blessed to have a front row seat this week!

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Disney2013
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