100 Good Wishes Quilt

is BEAUTIFULLY complete!!

This quilt actually started over 4 years ago when we learned about the custom from other adoptive families.  Creating a Bai Jai Bei (100 Good Wishes Quilt) is a tradition in the northern part of China to welcome and celebrate a new life.  It is custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth with a wish for the baby.  All of the fabric is then sewn together into a quilt.  It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from the family and friends who contributed the fabric surrounds & protects the child when they are wrapped in the quilt.  The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

We started collecting squares & wishes in 2007.  All of those early squares came from families we have only met online through our common bond of adoption.   After receiving our referral for Eva in February, 2010 we sent a letter to family and friends, not only announcing our precious new daughter, but requesting their contributions of fabric.  We were so blessed by everyone's enthusiasm with our project and we received well over our goal of 100 pieces; some coming from as far away as France!  

Seeing all of the colors, textures and patterns, that when looked at individually may appear to not go together, now all sewn as one into something so beautiful is breathtaking.  It's much the same way that I view how God sews families like ours together through adoption.  Taking people that may not always look like they belong together on the outside, and knitting our hearts so tightly together that we beat as one.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Eva's quilt.  I know she will come to treasure it, and the love behind it, as much as we do!

Eva,

You have been loved by us before you were ever born. 

You bless not only our lives, but the lives of those around you. 

May this quilt, and the wishes that come with it, always surround you

in the warmth of that love!

Mom, Dad, Noah & Nicholas

SIX Months!!

WOW...Six Months!  Even we can't believe it!!  It is amazing as I look at our little girl today...



and see how much she has grown & changed over the short, six months since she became ours.



She has gone from a scared, quiet, often times angry little girl to a happy, talkative, inquisitive ray of sunshine.  She truly lights up every day of our lives!! 



I wish that I had a gift of words and a way to express what the last six months have been like.  As I reflect on our weeks in China, I now see them with new eyes.  Those were some of the happiest and hardest times in my life.  The happiest I'm sure are obvious...after 4+ years of waiting, we were finally holding Eva, experiencing her culture and beautiful country. What I didn't realize at the time was how tired I was before I ever even got to China.  The five months from the day of referral to travel were emotionally draining, then add jet-lag, living out of suitcases and a child who I wasn't sure that I could ever make happy, often left me feeling as fragile on the inside as Eva looked on the outside.  



But God has been so faithful to us!  There is surely something to be said for the comforts of home and being surrounded by the love of family and friends.  It refreshes the soul and almost immediately I began to feel stronger and more relaxed.  Maybe Eva sensed that or she just somehow realized that she too was home, because even her demeanor quickly began to change.  We were no longer seeing the daily fits of frustration & confusion we experienced in China but instead the smiles & giggles started coming more freely and unsolicited each day.  A whole new world, filled with love, had opened up for her to explore and grow!



Over the past six months each day has grown more "routine" and Eva has been nothing short of a perfect fit for our family.  She's now more comfortable not only accepting, but returning, a kiss and a hug.  Hearing lots of "hold you" during the day from her gives me the chance to continue to make her feel safe and hopefully to know that I will always be here to take care of her.  Her brothers adore her and she them.  Anytime she sees a school bus during the day, she starts hollering "bus" and then calls for her brothers by name.  She's so excited when they get home in the afternoon!  Plus that means "DaDa" is not far behind!!



She does still have trouble getting to sleep both at nap and bedtime, but I love this extra time that we share together.  Rocking her at night and seeing her sleeping peacefully in my arms convinces me beyond any shadow of doubt that she is truly where she belongs...HOME!!



We are truly....Berry Blessed!!

Christmas 2010 & Happy 2011!

This, of course, was an extra special Christmas for our family.  After waiting through four years of Christmases and wondering when Eva would be home, what an amazing gift it was to all be together Christmas morning!  As well as Eva has appeared to adjust and how she just seems to go with the flow, you can't help but wonder what really goes through her mind with all of the new events she shares with us.  She did seem to really enjoy all the Christmas festivities...the lights and music (favorite being "Jingle Bells").  Just this morning as I got her out of her crib and we walked towards the living room she asked "presents?".  She has also now begun calling some of the babies that she sees "Baby Jesus"! 

We created so many wonderful memories that I couldn't possibly list them all, so I did a countdown of some of our favorites:

10.  Pretty Hairbows collected from online Friends through Bow Exchanges over the Years



9.   Sweet Smocking



8.   Eva's answer to ANY question about Santa..."HoHo, I cried!" 

7.   Decorating Christmas Cookies with Friends and Family



Thanks "Lech's" for having us over!

6.   Spreading a little Christmas cheer to children at Eva's orphanage.  We are so blessed to have Eva with us and can't help but think about the children still at the orphanage waiting for their forever families.  Noah & Nicholas collected books from family & friends that we shipped to China.



5.   Christmas Programs at Church

Children's Choir Christmas Program (Noah's in purple as one of the Wise Men)

Christmas Eve Service - PJ's with the Pastor

4.  A kitchen to cook & eat all she wants and other new toys that make us smile!



3.  Matching Mother/Daughter Bracelets..Extra Special since Daddy made them!



2.   Big Brothers to help show you how it's done; and

#1.  Spending our First Christmas as a Family of Five!!

Our family has truly been blessed this 2010!!  There may have been some tears and frustrations but more than anything we have overflowed with happiness.  We have been blessed by family and friends who have prayed for us and a God who has abundantly answered those petitions. 



Although we know there may be challenges ahead, especially considering Eva's possible eye surgeries; it is with great anticipation that we look forward to what God has planned for us in the year ahead! 



We wish all of you a very Happy New Year and a Blessed 2011!



"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11