Ruthie's Party

A Two-year-old child is so many things --
A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings,
A hugger of Teddies,
A sweet sleepyhead,
And someone to dream for in bright years ahead...

The beautiful Birthday Girl

The amazing cake made by Mrs. Mary Loyd(it was as yummy as it was gorgeous!)

Ruthie's "smash" cake!
Ruthie, Elizabeth and Julie
Ryan and Ruthie
My niece, Caroline, and Ruthie
Ruthie and Julie
Coloring...ladybugs of course!
Sidewalk chalk
Ruthie and her cake
She LOVED the slide!
I love how excited she gets about every new thing! I want to look at life like she does.

She clapped for herself after blowing the first candle out..so cute!


Most of our local China friends. Aren't they beautiful?!
Ruthie with my mother
Opening gifts later at home

The Birthday Girl was pooped!


May all your wishes and dreams come true, sweet girl! We love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Girl!

Two years ago today in the Shaanxi province of China, a lady gave birth to a precious child that she knew for whatever reason she couldn't keep. I can't imagine what making that decision felt like or how hard it must've been for her. I have thought of her all day and wondered if she thought of that baby today and if she ever wonders what happened to her. I have prayed for her in hopes that she has found peace with her decision and knows in her heart that the baby she couldn't keep has a family and a home where she is loved beyond measure.



One year ago today, that same sweet baby girl was in an orphanage in Xianyang City celebrating her birthday with her crib mate. The nannies at the orphanage planned a party complete with crowns for the guests of honor, a huge cake and a handmade birthday card signed by all the orphanage workers. I have prayed for the nannies today, that God would allow them to keep loving the sweet children of China and preparing them oh so well for their forever families. I have also prayed for the children at Xianyang City Social Welfare Institute, that God would provide all of them with loving families soon.



Today that sweet girl is turning two....at home! She is now with her family and is experiencing all that goes along with having a birthday with your family. She has been awakened with what was probably not a very pleasant rendition of "Happy Birthday to you!" and has continued to be seranaded all day by different people. She has spent the morning being loved on and played with by her Mommy and Daddy. She checked the mail where she had some birthday cards. She had lunch with her parents and several friends where Miss Caryn came ready with an oatmeal pie and candles. She has had a home cooked meal with some of her favorites(rice and pork chops) with her family and birthday cupcakes for dessert! She will have a huge birthday party in a few days where she will be blessed by many people who have prayed for her, cried for her along with us while we were waiting and who truly love all that is Ruthie. I have thanked God today for this miracle whom I call my daughter and for the honor of being her mother. Happy Birthday precious Ruthie! I love you!

Tutu Cute!

This little outfit was given to me by a friend and it really makes my heart smile. I mean really, can you get any more girly than a huge pink bow, a pink tutu and a pink shirt with your name in rhinestones??? I didn't think so!!

Mommy and Me!

Ruthie has gotten very clingly in the last week or so and there is no place that she would rather be than in my arms. This is fine with me and believe me...I'm eating it up, however, there are things that have to be done around here and my arms can only carry her 24lb. cute self around for so long. So, this is her new daily position. It satisfies her(in fact she sees the carrier and begs for it), I can do a few things around the house and her weight gets distributed among my neck, shoulders, back and arms!! Other than feeling like I am 10 months pregnant with a 24lb. baby, it's a win/win situation for us both!

I've been HOME for one month......

.....and it makes me smile so BIG that my cute dimples pop out!!!

Big Brothers are GREAT!

In the last month or so, I have gained a family which includes two amazing big brothers! The ladies at my orphanage told me that I was going to have two brothers but I had no idea what they meant or how wonderful it would be! My brothers play with me, take me for walks, throw my ball with me, jump with me on the trampoline, we swing together on the front porch, they read me books, they swim with me, make me laugh and hold me when I'm sad. What more could a little girl ask for? I miss Jon Milledge and Anderson because they are gone for a long time everyday now to someplace they call school but they sure are happy when they get home and see me and I certainly feel the same! I think every little girl ought to have big brothers especially ones like mine...they are the best!!

Love,
Ruthie

Me playing and dancing with Jon Milledge(and yes, dancing with your diaper showing, with one shoe on and one shoe off is the latest in toddler fashion...in case you were wondering!)

Watching TV with Jon Milledge

Anderson reading me a book

Swimming with Anderson

WOW!!! They have big shoes...I mean shirts to fill!!

One Month with Ruthie!

Today marks one month since that amazing day in Xian, China when I was handed the most precious baby girl. In some ways it is hard to believe that it has already been a month and in others it seems like Ruthie has always been with us. She is doing great as we are still settling in to life with a toddler...again! She has decided that the only person she really wants is her Mommy, which is fine with me but it breaks my heart for her Daddy. She LOVES him...from a distance! I know this is part of her attachment/bonding process and it will get better with time. She is picking up new words and signs everyday. I am also pretty sure that she already understands most of what we say to her. She loves to find shoes and clothes around the house and try to put them on. It doesn't matter whose clothes they are and most of the time she is successful in getting them on some part of her little body. She is going to be a dress up queen! She has got the cutest little personality and makes the funniest faces. She keeps us laughing most of the day! Tonight at dinner she copied us when we were praying. She folded her little hands and closed her eyes but kept peeking to see if it was time to eat yet. Then she said something that was supposed to be "Amen". So cute!
We are so in love with this little girl and can't imagine what our lives would've been like if we hadn't been given the opportunity to be her family. We are so blessed!

July 4, 2010

August 4, 2010

She makes my heart skip a beat!

One month ago, I met just one of my big brothers.....

....today I know and love them both!

First time on the trampoline...I love it!