Happy 1st Birthday Kelsey Meilu!

Today is Kelsey's 1st birthday! We are sad that we can not physically be with her but our hearts are there celebrating the miracle that she is! Kailee and I went shopping yesterday and bought a very special jewelry box and had her name engraved on it. We can't wait to give it to her. Tonight we will have a cake and make a wish for her. Kailee will be in charge of blowing out the candles! A very important job!

Kelsey was born June 30, 2008, the "Year of the Rat". The "Year of the Rat", began on February 7, 2008. Which also happened to be our 4th Wedding Anniversary.

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor invited the animals for a party. The first of 12 to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and lastly, the Pig. All the animals were named after the 12-year cycle that governs Chinese life thereafter.

Various versions of the Rat's story are particularly revealing about his character. One version has it that, towards the end of the journey, the animals had to cross a celestial river, and the Rat asked the Ox to ferry him across. When they arrived on the other side, the Rat jumped down off the Ox's head and that's how gained first spot in the order of the Chinese zodiac.

Those born in the "Year of the Rat" are clever, ambitious, creative, hard-working, fastidious, charming and sociable, but can be a bit stingy when it comes to sharing their wealth or possessions.

Rats are compatible with Dragons (Mommy), Monkeys and Oxen, but should avoid Horses at all costs. Daddy was born the Year of the Rooster, Kailee the Year of the Dog. www.squidoo.com

About Guiping Social Welfare Institute

Guiping SWI is located in the Guangxi Province and also has a new training center. Guiping SWI is home to 100 elderly and homeless residents and approximately 45 children. Less than half of those children are in a foster care program. Information taken form Red Thread Charities website.

Red Thread Charities Currently at the Guiping SWI

About Red Thread Charities:
Founded in 2006, RTC is a Minnesota non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide training to orphanage staff and facilitate medical and developmental care for children so that they can reach their full potential. In light of its mission, RTC sends a team of physicians, physical, occupational and speech therapists to China every year. The team not only provides for the immediate health care needs of orphaned children and training for their caretakers, but it also establishes working relationships with local health care providers so that they may continue to deliver quality care for these children.

RTC is currently serving two orphanages – Lanxi Social Welfare Institute (SWI) in southeastern China, and Guiping SWI, located in southwestern China (Where Kelsey is today!). RTC's plan is to provide training and support at each orphanage for three years and then move on. After three years, the programs they set in place should be self-sustaining.

RTC is providing support for the orphanage’s on-going foster care program, hiring and training additional caregivers and working with a physical therapist and a special education teacher. Red Thread Charities is currently working at Guiping SWI. How lucky for Kelsey!

Something Miraculous…

I spoke to my father on May 27th and told him all that was going on. He, like the rest of us, was just as shocked by the news. He let me talk and unload all that was going on in my head. Then he said to me "There is something Miraculous around this all. You have to go to China to get her."

He is so right. There is something Miraculous around this all! Our family has been so wonderful and supportive. My Sisters, Mother and Aunt all cried when they heard the news of Kelsey Meilu.

Life since then has been stressful, crazy, hectic and wonderful all at the same time!