#55 in honor of ...

Chloe Grace, Michelle and Neil Robinson's daughter-tomorrow is their Forever Family day in China!! Thank you, Rebecca, for the awesome "squish" for KG..it is serving dual purpose today!

20 squares in 12 days..54/100!!

Lots of catching up to do!! Thanks to all of my fellow adoptive parents and friends for the contributions to KG's quilt. We have 54 out of 100 squares and good wishes!


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Quilt Squares to Date...34/100

Wow, I am so impressed by the creativity. We're on #34..well on our way to 100 good wishes!

*If you'll hover your mouse over the picture of each "sqwish" (like that? square and wish all rolled into one!), I've added captions that include the contributor's names. (The first time you try, you may have to left click the mouse one time.) There are 15 slides.

KG will treasure this keepsake for her entire life..and I'll come up with something snazzy to encourage her to pass it on to her children, too!


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Thanks to all of you for helping me create something so special for our daughter.

Wishes from Daniella, Joe, and Joseph

For those of you following along, remember Daniella? Daniella is a new friend that I've met since the start of our journey. Daniella and Joe had fingerprint appointments the same day we did with the USCIS..we hit different bumps in the road along the way, but we always felt we would be on the same path... and, we now share the same LID! Daniella, Joe (her hubby), Joseph (their son), and Boo (their precious pup) were also at our adoption agency reunion in Orlando. They live in Ft. Myers and we look forward to getting to know them even better! It is likely we could travel together because we also live close to one another!!

The Stark Family Wish for KG

We consider them family. This wish is from Jen, Scott, Jake, and Cade..and soon, they will have Lila. I met Jen about 6-7 years ago, just after I met Brad. Brad has known Jen much, much longer... Jen has a brother, James, who was Brad's best friend through school and after college. Jen and Scott are also adopting from China..and we're hoping that we get to travel to meet our daughters together, too! Jen and Scott are so much fun, and their boys are precious!!

Blessings from Ladybugs/Red Thread Believers Group

I'ts been too long since my last post - bad, bad, blogger I am. Anyway, in my attempt to catch up, here are the blessings I've received since I left for Atlanta last week...they are from members of my yahoo group of other adoptive parents - also waiting for their children from China! We all agreed to share scriptures and/or blessings rather than simply wishes, just as something a little extra special for our children.

A Wish From the Fawcett's

There is no question about it. Gracie is SO loved, already! Isn't this the sweetest fabric and wish for her scrapbook?! Laura is a VERY dear friend - she has a very special place in my heart. Laura is so thoughtful, kind, loving, intelligent, warm, the list could go on and on... and we have shared some great times together over the years.

I met Laura during a pretty difficult time in my life. I was just getting started in my real estate sales career (very green), so committed and anxious to make it work (as we all know it is much harder than the average person thinks it is!!!), when my Mom was diagnosed with stomach cancer-very suddenly. (There is a happy ending...) Of course my life, as I knew it, changed like the wind. I dropped everything. I am the only child, and I wanted to do everything I could for my mother- I was also the only person she had to help her through it. (KG's Grandaddy passed when Mommy was 19 yrs old, and the rest of Grandma's family is in Japan). I don't want to discount the fact that we have cousins from my Dad's side of the family in Atlanta, by any means, but they each have their families and jobs, too.

Anyway, after taking a few weeks away from my new career, my Mom came to live with us for a month or so. I can truly say this was the most frightening time of my life. Reality hits HARD when you are all of a sudden taking care of the one person who took care of you as a child. Whew..its hard to talk about, so I'll make it shorter-maybe a story for Gracie another time.

When my Mom started getting better, I was at a crossroads with the career. I had obviously lost steam, and wasn't sure if I had the energy to start a new business on my own. We went to a conference together, and Laura was instrumental in encouraging me to "just do it". She knew I could do it, and be successful...so here I am. Laura continued to follow up with me, and was just there when I needed someone the most. Thank you, Laura, you are amazing. Thanks for the confidence and the words of encouragement. When I see your sweet face to this day, I remember those things you said and did. You have been a constant light in my life - never fading or changing in any way.

Afterall, its not the things people say that make the difference, its the things that you do.

Quilt/Wish from Jan Byrd

KGC is how the envelope was addressed. I love it! Inside the card was a story, if you will, written by Constantine P. Cavafy, entitled "Ithaca":

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, the angry Poseidon-do not fear them: You will never find such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a find emotion touches your spirit and your body. The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, the fierce Poseidon you will nevr encounter, if you do not carry them within your soul, if your soul down not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, when, with such pleasure, with such joy you will enter parts sen for the first time; stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony, and sensual perfumes of all kinds, as many sensual perfumes as you can; visit many Egyptian cities, to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind. To arrive there is the ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let itlast for many years; and to anchor at the island when you are old, rich with all you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have set out on the road. She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you. Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what these Ithacas mean.

Thank you, Jan! This is very special to us. You are a very dear friend.

A Wish from Your Grandpa

Gracie,

You'll never know just how excited your Grandpa is about you coming home to us. Grandpa and Linda sent this wish for you. It is a contribution to your quilt.

Your Grandpa adores your Daddy. When we met, he was so warm, and welcomed me with open arms. He loved me because your Daddy loved me, before he even knew much about me. He already loves you so very much! Grandpa has a huge heart and you'll get a big piece of it for the rest of your life!

The first wish for Gracie

The Parekh family contributed their fabric to Gracie's quilt last week. I met Shona and Mayank last year when I assisted them with their first home purchase in Atlanta. They were relocated to our city all the way from Singapore. The Parekh's have 2 precious girls, a beautiful son..and one on the way - due around my birthday! Thank you for your contribution. I am starting the scrapbook and can't wait to watch the quilt unfold.