Mia's 117th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from my partner at work, Rod. We've been partners for 2 years. We work on a squad of nine people but somehow we were perfectly matched. We're like peanut butter and jelly. We just go well together. He makes coming to work much easier. He's been on this journey with me from the beginning. Unfortunately, he's just as bad a procrastinator as I am. Which explains why his is one of the very last quilt squares I received for Mia. Even though he's known about the project from day one. But that's my partner for ya. LOL! I've been very blessed to have worked with him and hope to continue this partnership as long as he'll have me.

He wrote "Believe in rewards that await you, believe in the harvest in store. Believe that spring will awaken, believe you'll be sowing once more. Believe that there's a tomorrow, where no one cares if you can't dance. Believe in the future's promise, each new day brings a new chance. Believe you can make your goals happen, they're just dreams with a deadline attached. Believe that you have the power, believe that you're more than a match. Believe in a shared existence, you're not alone this is true. Believe that right now there is someone, who believes in the wonder that's you."

Awww thanks "Uncle" Rod!

Mia's 116th Quilt Square: West Jordan, Utah

This is from fellow blogging family Troy, Robin and Sarah of West Jordan, Utah. Their blog is Sarah's Adventures. They adopted Sarah from Jiangxi, China in November 2005. She's a cutie, too.

They included a quote from Lao Tzu which reads "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength. Loving someone deeply gives you courage." And their wish for Mia reads " May your life be full of love giving you great strength to move mountains and immense courage to live out your dreams." Very nice.

Thanks Troy, Robin and Sarah!

Mia's 115th Quilt Square: Newark, Delaware

This is from fellow blogger, Stephe, in Newark, Delaware. Her blog is Giorgia Danette, which is the name she has chosen for her future daughter. She's logged in a few months ahead of me so I'll be able to watch her journey as she travels to China.

Her wish is a poem called Dreams which reads "One last road to travel... one last way to go. One more day to forever...just to let you know. The wait will soon be over...the journey now is almost through. And now this comes to let you know...dreams really do come true."

Thanks Stephe!

Mia's 114th Quilt Square: Enon, Ohio

I'm a little late in getting these last few stragglers up but here they are. This one came from my blogger buddy, Sam, from Enon, Ohio. She gave it to me last month when we had dinner at her place. She hasn't finished her wish yet but sent the fabric along so I could get it to my grandmother.

Thanks Sam! I'll update when you send the wish. :)

Mia's 113th Quilt Square: Wilmington, Ohio

This is from my cousin Debbie, her husband Dennis, and their kids, Derek and Darcie, from Wilmington, Ohio. I love this fabric. You can never go wrong with pink when it comes to me. Debbie's letter to Mia reads "I saw this heart fabric and thought it would be perfect for your quilt. The hearts reminded me of your mom and how you have been in her heart since she began the adoption process. She loves you so much already and can't wait for you to get home. You are in all of our hearts and a part of our family already. When you look at the hearts on your quilt, remember how many hearts you are in and how many people love you and that you will always have a huge family to love you and take care of you." She also included a quote from Confucios that says " Where-so-ever you go, go with all your heart." I love it!

Thanks Debbie!

Mia's 112th Quilt Square: Centerville, Ohio

This is from my Aunt Norma and Uncle Howard of Centerville, Ohio. (Although I'd guess that Aunt Norma did all the work.... smile.) She included a cute Care Bear fabric. The scrapbook page is adorable. She cut out each of these little Care Bears from the fabric. That had to be tedious. She also included these cute little plaques to make it even prettier. They read "We hope that you are always Happy. Always look for an Adventure. We hope that there is always Hope in your life. Always Believe in yourself. We know that you will always be surrounded by a loving family." Very sweet.

Thanks Uncle Howard and Aunt Norma!

Mia's 111th Quilt Square: Lake Wylie, South Carolina

This is from Scott and Natalie Ward of Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Natalie contacted me after finding this quilt blog. She commented on how much she liked the way I documented all of these wonderful squares and wishes for Mia. They're adopting a daughter from China and were logged in 9-8-06. Natalie is just starting on the quilt square collecting. She asked if she could reference this blog as an example when she sent out her requests. Of course, I told her to go for it. I remember when I first started this and tried to explain it to others that had never heard of the idea before. It was so much easier to show them instead of explaining it. So I borrowed other blogs, too. She sent the sweetest letter thanking me. You're very welcome, Natalie.

Her card reads "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential and fight for your dreams. You are the center of your universe and you can make anything happen." Their wish for Mia is to "reach her full potential in life. Have fun and enjoy even the smallest things."

Thanks Scott and Natalie!

Mia's 110th Quilt Square: Chula Vista, California

This came from fellow blogger, Leda, and her family in Chula Vista, California. She just left yesterday for China to finally meet her daughter, Kaylee! I'm so excited for her.

She sent along a beautiful princess fabric in my favorite colors... pink and green, of course. Included are the lyrics to the Lee Ann Womack song "I Hope You Dance". I love the message in that song. Her wish for Mia is "In your life, we hope you always choose to dance!" She even included a tiny photo of her sweet Kaylee on the card.

Thanks Leda! Congratulations on your new daughter!

Mia's 109th Quilt Square: Australia

This came from fellow blogger and China waiting mom, Lee-Anne, who is all the way over in Australia. She's waiting for her daughter-to-be who she'll be naming Bella. I love that she included a square of fabric with a penguin on it for me. And that she included the one with the koala for her. It'll always remind me of her since you can't think "koala" without thinking "Australia". She also sent along a cute little wish card that simply says "Destiny".

I love it. Thanks Lee-Anne!

Mia's 108th Quilt Square: Wautoma, Wisconsin

This came from my maternal grandparents, Myra and Don, in Wautoma, Wisconsin. My grandmother is a very talented quilter. She'll be making Mia's quilt. So not only did she give us fabric but she made a block for the quilt. This fabric was from matching dresses that she made for my sister and I. I can't believe that she still had the fabric more than 30 years later! My grandmother wrote that this picture was her favorite of the two of us. It had to be 1974. My sister was born in January of that year. We're 2 years apart so I'm probably almost 3 in this pic. I'll include it in Mia's scrapbook. I'll update this post later when I get their good wish for Mia.

Mia's 107th Quilt Square: West Milford, New Jersey

This is from another set of fellow adopters and bloggers, Heather and John, of West Milford, New Jersey. Their blog is Digging A Hole To China. They were LID 12-29-06 for their daughter, Gracie Mae.

Included on the card is a quote from Marianne Williamson which reads "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. "

Their wish for Mia is "Whenever you have doubts in yourself, at any time in your life, read the above quote! You are so very, very special and so very, very loved! Always remember that, and always remember to love your very special self just as much as everyone else does!"

That is beautiful! Heather actually cut out all of those little pieces that are on the card from the fabric. That must have been tedious! And we appreciate it.

Thanks Heather and John!

Mia's 106th Quilt Square: Ontario, Canada

This is from fellow bloggers and China adopters,Mark and Michelle, from Ontario, Canada. Their blog is called Waiting for Pumpkin. They sent a cute fabric with one of my favorite colors... hot pink. This is a color that'll be included in Mia's own nursery bedding. Their card reads "Sing like there's nobody listening. Dance like there's nobody watching. Live like there's Heaven on earth. Love like you'll never get hurt. We wish you a life filled with much joy, laughter, health and happiness."

Thanks Mark and Michelle!

Mia's 105th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from my brother, Travis, his girlfriend, Kristy and her son, Braeden. My mom tells me that my brother picked out the fabric himself and searched for it because he wanted something Asian. The card got to me. He gave it to me on Christmas when I was already feeling just a little bit sad about not having Mia home. So this quote got me all teary and emotional.

"My heart felt something missing. At the time, I didn't know that "something" would become my reason for living. I don't know why our life together began so far apart. How could I have known a faraway land held the missing beat of my heart? From distant places with stranger's faces, our hearts were destined to meet. Without you for me and me for you, our lives would not have been complete." ~ Crystal Dawn Perry

That is so true. Then he included one from Oprah Winfrey which reads "Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother." And another from Richard Bach "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life." I absolutely believe both of these things. Couldn't have been more perfect. Their wish for Mia is health, happiness, love and laughter.

You done good! Thanks Travis, Kristy and Braeden. I love you.

Mia's 104th Quilt Square: A Special Place In Georgia

This is from my new bloggity buddy, Pug Mama, over at the Awaiting Ava blog. She and her husband, Big Daddy, their twins, J and J, and their daughter, A, are LID 3-8-06 for the future Ms Ava. She sent two different fabrics. The pugs are in celebration of her pug, Jeter. Her card quotes Swept Away by Geoff Moore. It reads "I would say your name a hundred times a day like speaking words of faith and with a mixture of hope and fear and trustI prayed for strength to wait and dreamed of how I'd feel the day you'd be in my arms. What once was just a dream is now reaching up to me and I hold her in my arms. Father, thank you for the way you held her all those days that we had to be apart." Her family's wish for Mia is "May all your dreams come true!"

Thanks Girl!

Mia's 103rd Quilt Square: Franklin, Ohio

This is from my cousin Lisa's daughter. So I guess that makes her my second cousin. Missy and her husband, Chip, just recently added a sweet baby girl named Laila to their family. She included a fabric with stars on it. Up in the corner she wrote "My wish for you .... that you dance even though you are horrible and that you sing really loud even though it's worse than your dancing~it just makes you happier."

She included a beautiful note that reads "Dear Mia, I am so excited for you. You have been so blessed. God has put you into the hands of a wonderfully loving and caring mother. We took our time choosing our fabric. We wanted something that incorporated our family and yours. We chose this because it was the color of our wedding- pink and black. We want you to have as much love forever as we felt on that day and even more now since the addition of Laila. We also chose it because it looks like the night sky that held the stars that you and your mommy wished upon in hopes that you would find each other. The same sky that held your dreams each night even though you were in China and Mommy was in America. All our love.... Missy, Chip and Laila."

The big coincidence here that nobody knew until now is that I often look at the stars and think about Mia. I say little prayers for her and her birthmother while looking up at the stars in the night sky and then I say "I love you Mia. More than all the stars in the sky." True story. I swear. So this makes this particular fabric even more special to me because it will remind me of the time I spent waiting and dreaming of my daughter.

Thanks Missy! And Chip and Laila, too!

Mia's 102nd Quilt Square: Franklin, Ohio

This is from my cousin, Lisa, and in a special way, my dear Aunt Anne as well. She included a very important piece of fabric. Her note reads "Mia, This is not the prettiest piece of fabric but it's very special to me in 2 ways. 1- it has my favorite color in it ~purple!! 2- It is cut from a spring tablecloth my mother used. I lost my mother March 25, 2006 so this is something of hers for you. I wish you could have met her. She had the best laugh." Her wish for Mia is "May you always find humor in any situation and learn to not sweat the small stuff. Always treat your mother with love and respect. She knows best... even when you will be 16 and think she couldn't possibly understand at all! Just remember, she was 16 at one time. She loves you so much and she hasn't even met you yet. Enjoy each other. Have fun! Welcome to our family!"

Thanks Lisa!

Mia's 101st Quilt Square: Columbus, Ohio

Nope. I'm not stopping at 100. I'm only stopping when no one else wants to contribute. So until then, we're still going....

This is a very special story and piece of fabric. This came from my cousin and his wife, David and Bec, of Columbus, Ohio. Their two sons, Willem and Spencer, were adopted from Guatemala. The fabric was given to them by one of their son's foster mothers in Guatemala. They wanted to send this very meaningful piece of fabric as a way to share our children's heritage and cultures. Several of the cousins in my generation have contributed to the diversity of our family through adoption. We have children that came to us through Guatemala, Korea, soon China and even domestic adoption from the good ole' USA. I think it's truly amazing to have one family who's been touched so many times through the wonderful joy of adoption.

Bec included a great story by Kathryn Creedy that was published in the Washington Post in 1998 called "The Velveteen Mother". I wish I could repeat it here but it's 3 pages long. The summary of it is that she is a single woman who adopted 2 beautiful daughters and she is defining what it means to be a "real" parent. That is some of the misguided terminology that all adoptive parents have heard at one time or another. The story really touched me because it is so similar to my own thoughts and my own path to motherhood. Here's just a part.....

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day. "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
Real is also when you get lucky enough to have a child to love.
~ The Velveteen Mother

I really love this story. Thanks Bec! And David, Willem, and Spencer, too!

Mia's 100th Quilt Square: Powell, Wyoming

Made it to 100!!! Woo-hoo!
This is from my Dad who lives out in Powell, Wyoming with his wife, Dianna and my half brother and sister, Ryan and Lauren. Ryan just started college and Lauren is a senior in high school.
My Dad picked out this Cherokee prayer blessing for Mia. It reads "May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there. May your mocassins make happy tracks in many snows and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder." Their family's wish says "Our wish for Mia is a long and happy life full of love, laughter, many friends, and security in your new family."

Thanks Dad, Dianna, Ryan and Lauren! Wish you lived closer.....

Mia's 96th-99th Quilt Squares:New Lebanon, Ohio

These are my most favorite squares of all! I told my sister early into this project that I wanted the kids handprints for the four corners of the quilt. So here are Mia's cousins' wishes (with a little help from Aunt Carla obviously... LOL!) Check out her blog, Tales of the T's, to see their adventures.

My oldest nephew, Tanner's, wish reads "If you can give your daughter only one wish, let it be enthusiasm!" Then he wrote "My wish for Mia is enthusiasm!" and signed his name.

His brother, Travis, included a quote from Albert Einstein which is "Imagination is more important than knowledge." That's one smart 6 yr old! His wish for Mia is "Imagination". And he signed his name across the bottom all by himself.

Our little princess, Tatum, says "No joy on earth brings greater pleasure than a precious girl to be loved and treasured. Tatum's wish for Mia is to be loved and treasured (and spoiled rotten likes all princesses should be!) Then she signed her name on the bottom in perfect almost-4-yr- old penmanship.

Baby Teagan had a lot of help with his. But he said "Hey, what do you expect? I'm not even 2 yet!!" His card says "The laughter of a child is the light of the home! Teagan's wish for Mia ... lots of laughter."

I love these! Their handprint squares will be showcased on Mia's quilt and their wishes will be treasured forever. It'll be so fun to look back on these one day and remember how they waited for their cousin and how excited they were to finally meet her.

I love you T's!

Mia's 95th Quilt Square: New Lebanon, Ohio

My sister, Carla, waited until we were down to the wire, as is usual for our family. But pulled it off at the last minute. :) She included the cutest fabric with a red haired princess. My sis and her daughter, Tatum, are both red heads. Her wish card reads "Like star dust glistening on fairies' wings, little girls' dreams are of magical things. Krista, this fabric reminded me of my red haired fairy princess. For your raven haired princess, I wish eternal love, every day joy, and magical dreams! Love Aunt Carla".

Thanks sis!

Mia's 94th Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

Another scrapbooker and fellow police department co-worker, Cindy A, sent this one. She included the most adorable sticker that says "Babies! What a wonderful way to start people!" and it has a little Asian girl on it. Up in the top corner is a Chinese proverb which reads "If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through."

Her wish reads "May today and every day of your life bring you hopes for tomorrow- because hope gives us all our reason for trying. May each new day bring a feeling of excitement, joy and a wonderful sense of expectations. Expect the best and you'll get it. May you find peace in the simple things, because these are the ones that will always be there. May you always feel secure and loved. May you realize the importance of patience and accept others for what they are. With understanding and love, you'll find the good in every heart. May you remember good times and forget sorrow and pain, for the good times will remind you how special your life is. Let your life speak. Above all, be happy with yourself."

Very good advice! Down at the bottom she wrote the same thing my mom put on her wish card "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." I guess this is something all moms have figured out already. I can't wait for that day.

Thanks Cindy!

Mia's 93rd Quilt Square: Dayton, Ohio

This is from a fellow detective at the police department, Marylou. She's a scrapbooker. Can't ya tell? She did an awesome job on her page. She told me that the fabric was left over from a mother's book she had made when her own daughter was born so she wanted to pass it on to me. The fabric has little sunflowers so that is her theme for the scrapbook page. Up in the top corner she included a quote from Helen Keller that reads "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. That is what sunflowers do." At the bottom it says "The French word for sunflower is Tournesol. Translated it is "Turn with the sun." Her wish says "Wishing you as much love and happiness as your heart can hold. God Bless."

Thanks Marylou!

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!