Mia's 92nd Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from my mom. Since I'm adopting Mia as a single woman, she'll have no paternal side of her family. So Lao Lao Jazmyn will be the only grandmother she has. But she will have a wonderful set of surrogate grandparents in Chris and Paul Perkins who are my best friend Lisa's mom and dad. "Lao Lao" is the Chinese word for maternal grandmother. My mom has taken to calling herself that. Not sure if that's what Mia will call her or if she'll just stick to "grandma". Anyway, Lao Lao Jazmyn included a really cool fabric that represents the Chinese calendar. Each year in the Chinese calendar is associated with an animal. 2006 is the Year of the Dog.

Her card reads "Krista, the first time you see Mia's face you will know what this means. I felt it the first time I looked at you." Below that is a quote from Elizabeth Stone which says "Making the decision to have a child- it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body." She included another quote from Rachel Carson that reads "If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
Her wish "My wishes for my granddaughter Mia are: A lifetime of health and happiness, peace and prosperity, love and laughter, cuddles and cookies! From Lao Lao Jazmyn"

I love it. Thanks Mom! I mean.... Lao Lao Jazmyn.

Mia's 91st Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from Craig and Carla Stiver and their two children, Josie and Charlie. Craig and I have worked together for many years. Craig and Carla are original members of the Annual Bengals Tailgating Adventure. Click here to see what I'm talking about. They are great people and are blessed with a beautiful family. I love this fabric and the way that Carla presented the wish. It's gorgeous! Their wish reads "Mia, May life bring you tremendous happiness, wonderful opportunities, close friendships, and great adventure. But through it all, always remember one thing... you are loved by many. May God bless you."

Thanks Stiver Family!

Mia's 90th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from Teri. She is one of our secretaries at work. Teri is also a fellow penguin lover so it was appropriate for her to think to include penguin fabric in Mia's quilt. She also made her wish card very patriotic to showcase Mia's American side. Her wish card includes the lyrics to a Bob Dylan song. Very cool!

May God bless and keep you always.

May your wishes all come true.

May you always do for others

And let others do for you.

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung.

May you always stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous.

May you grow up to be true.

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you.

May you always be courageous,

Stand upright and be strong.

May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy.

May your feet always be swift.

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of change shift.

May your heart always be joyful.

May your song always be sung.

May you stay forever young.

Thanks Teri!

Mia's 89th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from Chris W. She works with me at Erma's House (my second job). I love this fabric. For one, it's my favorite colors but it also has this very pretty shine to it. Lovely. Her wish for Mia is "May you share a life enjoying the simple things." She also included a translation of that phrase in Chinese. Chris included a favorite poem by Fannie Stearns Davis.

"For A Child"

Your friends shall be the tall wind,

The river and the tree;

The sun laughs and marches,

The swallows and the sea.

Your prayers shall be the murmur

Of grasses in the rain;

The song of wildwod thrushes

That God makes glad again.

And you shall run and wander,

And you shall dream and sing

Of brave things and bright things

Beyond the swallow's wings.

And you shall envy no man,

Nor hurt your heart with sighs,

For I will keep you simple

That God may make you wise

I love it. Thanks Chris!

Mia's 88th Quilt Square: Waynesville, Ohio

This is from my cousin Hope and her family. Hope is the daughter of Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob who's wish is right below this one. They all live right next door to each other in Waynesville, Ohio. Hope and her husband, Brian, have 3 daughters Chelsea, Christie, and Charity. Their wish reads "Dear Mia, Our family's prayer for you is that you will always know love, health and happiness. Children are a gift from God and we know that because of this gift your mommy has been given, the two of you will enjoy many joy-filled days through the years. Know that your family is always here for you. We know that you will be a blessing to all who know and love you. With love from your cousins." She also included two bible verses.

"You (God) alone created my inner being. I will give thanks to you for who I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place."
Psalms 139:13, 14 & 16.
"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks Hope!

Mia's 87th Quilt Square: Waynesville, Ohio

This is from my Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob who live in Waynesville, Ohio. They included a pretty red floral fabric. Their card includes "Psalm 100: The Psalm of Thanksgiving". It reads "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations."

Thanks Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob!

Mia's 86th Quilt Square: Ontario, Canada

This is from my new blogger buddy, Catherine, who lives in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of weeks ago when I traveled to Detroit with Connie and Stacy for our "Blogger Momma's Meet Up". Catherine is another single-mom-to-be who is waiting for Hannah. She has a LID before mine so I'll get to watch Hannah come home and gain from her been there-done that wisdom. Check out her blog at Catherine's Chatter.

She included a lovely yellow floral fabric. Her wish card reads "Welcome Little One! You trace a soft finger across tiny sleeping eyes and wonder... God Gave you to me? Congratulations on your new baby! A sweet little gift from the Lord." She also included this verse from Psalm 127:3 "Children are a gift from God..."

Thanks Catherine!

Mia's 85th Quilt Square: San Luis Obispo, California

This came from fellow June06 DTC group members, The Grammer Family, in San Luis Obispo, California. They included the lyrics to a John Denver song on their wish card along with this "Our wish for you is joy and adventure with friends and family."

Thanks Grammer Family!

Mia's 84th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from another detective on my squad, Debbie. She picked a beautiful asian looking fabric with butterflies. She found a Chinese translation of Mia's name that is across the top of the card. She included a poem called "Brand New Little One" by Linda Lee Elrod which reads "She's your brand new little daughter. So enchanted, sweet and smart. With a coo, she'll have you smiling. With a laugh, she'll own your heart. It's the time for hugs and kisses. Reassurance when she cries. It's the time for making moments full of love and lullabies. For these golden days of childhood come and go so very fast. Hold her tight and love her dearly. Make these precious moments last." It's perfect....

Thanks Debbie!