Update Post

I am supposed to be doing an update post once a month on our adoption site, Adoption Voyages. I have been a tiny bit slack in that area because I put everything on Facebook and here on this blog. Anyway, I finally did an update....four months after returning home. Instead of doing the same post on this blog, I'm just going to give you the link to it. If you would like to read it, click here!

But just because I think she's so darn cute and I can't imagine doing a post without a pic of her, here is a picture of my favorite little ladybug on Halloween!!

What would God have you to do?

November is designated as National Adoption Month in hopes of raising awareness for the orphan crisis here and around the globe. We feel like once you are aware of something, you are responsible to act. We would ask that you think about how God would use you to help an orphan today, which doesn't always mean adoption. Here are some reputable agencies and organizations that would love not only your financial support but also your prayers.

Adoption Agencies:

The Open Door
Small World
Lifeline Adoption

Organizations:

Caring for China(sponsors Ruthie's orphanage)
Half the Sky
Show Hope
Brighton Their World
Love Without Boundaries

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'~Matthew 25:40

Adopting a child won't change the world, but for that child, the world will change.

"...Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act..."~Proverbs 24:12

What can you do to help the least of these?

Huge Giveaway!!

Over at Ni Hao Y'all, Stefanie is hosting a 30 Days of Giveaways during this holiday season. Follow the link to see how you can enter to win too! Oh how fun...I love me some giveaways!!

Oh Happy Day!

We are celebrating today because our friends were handed a special little bundle in Harbin, China earlier this morning. Miss Chloe is Ruthie's age and they live here in our town, so we are thrilled that these two precious girls will get to grow up together! Congratulations Patrick, Deann, MaCayla and Hannah!!! If you would like to follow their journey, click here.

Chloe Grace

Chloe Grace with her Mommy, Daddy, and sisters MaCayla and Hannah

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.~John 14:18

One Less

This is an amazing song about adoption that gives me chills everytime I hear it. This is the story behind Matthew West writing the song. Once you've heard the story you should head on over to itunes or youtube and listen to the whole song. Very powerful about the call that God places on us to care for the widows and orphans. As I listen to this song, I rejoice in the fact that our Ruthie is One Less...

One Less by Matthew West (The Story Behind The Song) from emicmg on Vimeo.

Lyrics to One Less by Matthew West

There's a child
Been abandoned out on the street
Now she's waiting for someone to be her miracle

There's a wife
Somewhere halfway around the world
Begging God for a litte girl she can call her own

Well worlds collide
And colors fade
And a man and wife
Brought their little girl home today

And there's one less
One less
One less broken heart in the world tonight
Yeah there's one less
One less
There's one less broken heart in the world tonight

We are called
To the widows and the orphans
But it's easy to ignore their silent crys
Oh but every single time
Somebody reaches into the darkness
Makes a choice to help the helpless
They let mercy save a life

And there's one less
One less
One less broken heart in the world tonight
Yeah there's one less
One less
Yeah there's one less broken heart in the world tonight

Well the truth is we are all the orphans
But love has left the 99 just to find the one

So let worlds collide
Colors fade
Let your life
Be the miracle today

One less
One less
One less broken heart in the world tonight
Tonight I know there's one less
One less
One less broken heart in the world tonight

One less child without a home
One less birthday gone forgotten
One more soul rising from the bottom

One less night alone
One less child without a home
One less birthday gone forgotten
One more soul rising from the bottom

One less
One less
One less broken heart in the world tonight

Happy 11th Birthday Anderson!

I can't believe my baby boy is 11 today! Where does the time go? Happy Birthday Anderson! We love you and wish you the best, always!

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!!