Fingerprints: Check!

We turned the fingerprinting for Immigration into a nice overnight trip. The hardest part of the entire trip was having to leave our Tater Tot at the kennel.

On Monday, we loaded the car and drove to Birmingham in the afternoon. Caity and I got in a spelling lesson and a literature lesson on the drive. We used Tony's new GPS (thanks Mom!) to find the location of the Immigration support office. We were supposed to be there at 9:00 a.m. the next morning. So we relied on Maggie Magellan to show us the way and we found it. We backtracked from there to find a hotel.

We crashed early because Tony wasn't feeling well. Thankfully he felt a bit better the next morning and we got to the office in PLENTY of time. Enough time to do a history lesson in the parking lot! :)

Promptly at 9:00 we walked into the office and presented our paperwork. There were probably 5 other customers waiting ahead of us amidst rows and rows of chairs. But we noted these people were all seated next to each other in the front row - NO SPACES between them. Hmmmmm......

After the guard checked our id's and our "invitation"...he directed us to exactly the chairs he wanted us to sit in....next to the other people. And I mean he told Tony where to sit and then me. As one customer was called, we were directed to move down a seat. It was very amusing! Kind of a cross between "Mother May I" and "Musical Chairs."

While we were sitting, we both started chuckling at the sign that was posted in several places nearby - it read:

"Remain seated at all times until your number is called.

Unless the pot calls you to the little girls or little boys room."

I so wish I could've taken a picture for you! We listened - but never did hear the pot calling us! And yes - they told Caitlin exactly where to sit in another row!
We did as we were told - and submitted our prints and were on our way. Took about 30minutes.



To make it fun, we decided to run up to the Birmingham Museum of Art and tour the Pompeii exhibit. It was fascinating and tragic all at the same time. We were all moved by the beauty of the blown-glass vials and jars that survived, the intricate gold jewelry and especially the casts of the fleeing people and the dog that was chained. We learned a lot and spent two hours touring the exhibit. Tony has been to Pompeii and tried to explain the vastness of the devastation to us - but it really is hard to imagine if you haven't seen it.

We are on a high note at the moment and feel like Ty is getting closer and closer!

Keep praying!

Wish #70

This wish comes once again from Fabienne and Patrick in Belgium.

I started a swap of squsihes on the One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt Group that was a "Red Thread Swap." People in the adoption community speak of the "red thread" a lot. It is the invisible thread that weaves in and out of our lives and is symbolic of the miracle that we feel adoption is. People talk about their "red thread stories" and how the "red thread" is once again working its magic. I thought it would be fun to have some red prints in Ty's quilt to kind of "tie" things together visually. So a group of about 14 of us swapped red prints!

This was the first red print that I got in the mail. I love that it is a Christmas print! It will always remind me of the time of year when we were working on collecting for Ty's quilt, about the gift that is adoption and the gift of our Savior's birth. And it will be something so beautiful to share with Ty!

Patrick and Fabienne write:

Meillerus Voeux
Bests Wensen
Frohe Festtage
Season's Greetings

a' toi petit Amour ainsi
qu'a va famille

Patrick et Fabienne Lambillon Belgique

Wish #69

I love this fabric! Origami cranes in bright asian florals and prints float on a black ground. It is happy and sophisticated at the same time. (like me - ha!)

This arrived from the One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt group - and this is the wish that was sent:

"While we try to teach our children all
about life, our children teach us what
life is all about."

May you add many leaves to your family
tree....

Mikulus Family
Karrie and Chuck
Chuck Jr, Dana, Danielle, Tyler
Alyssa-Lauren, Myles Kazakhstan 2005
Sierra Vietnam 2007
DTV 9/2007

The Mikulus Family is waiting on another one from Vietnam - and if I count correctly that would make 8 precious leaves on their family tree! I think they do know what life is all about! Thanks!

Wish #68

My friend Keri is such a kick! We were all stationed together in Oklahoma (great assignment for making friends!) Our daughters attended the same preschool, hunted the same Easter Eggs and dressed up in the same high-heel shoes while their Moms had a ball gabbing and laughing. Keri is one of those friends that I could talk and laugh with for hours on end.

Keri has been stationed in Hawaii for a few years...poor thing. Her hubby has been away for the past year - but I konw Keri. She is ALL CAUGHT UP on her scrapbooks probably and has already made her three girls their matching Easter attire. She is a great Mom!

Keri sent this awesome navy Hawaiian print. Their are some surfboards scattered across it that have a vintage feel to them. I love it! She is so funny - she didn't send a wish - but did write this:

Honour,

Happy quilting!
Sorry I didn't mail this
right away. The fabric
was too cute to cut off
such a small piece, so I
sent you the whole yard!
:) Keri

It will be some Happy Quilting and will take me "hanging ten" to get it all done!

We haven't seen each other in a long time - since they were stationed in DC and we managed a quick trip. I have a fond memory of my Dad holding Hailey's hand as we walked to dinner. I miss hanging out with you girl!

Wish #67

And another wish from the Pugh/Odee/O'Hearn clan. This one is from Carol's sister Cathy and her husband Steve.

Cathy and Steve LOVE animals. And they are very involved in fostering dogs and cats and frequent the adoption fairs to find the perfect families for their foster "kids." So...their fabric....is wonderfully appropriate for their situation and ours!

We do worry about Ty's transition into our family from a pet perspective (among others!) In China, dogs are not family pets typically. So, having a dog in your home is a very different concept to these children. We hope that Ty and Tater will bond quickly. I think that this quilt square will help him realize how we feel about dogs in our family!

Cathy and Steve wrote:

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails,
and puppy dog tails.
Thats what little boys are made of.

Live well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Cathy and Steve Odee

Thanks guys!

Wish #66

This is another of those wishes that is so perfect and goes straight to your heart. (aren't they all!)

This squish is from Mr. David Pugh, the Dad of my best friend Carol (see Wish 65 and the most adorable Baby Kelly) The Pugh/Odee/O'Hearn clan really outdid themselves - and I know that Ty will grow to love you all as much as we do.

Mr. Pugh sent the most beautiful purple batiked fabric with subtle floral designs. The color is so rich and so very appropriate. We lost Carol's Mom, Diane, a few short months after my Dad passed away in 2005. It was a heart-wrenching year...but made easier (if you can call it that) by these friendships. Well, Mrs. Diane's most very favorite color was of course...purple. And one of her favorite spots in her hometown of Janesville, WI was Rotary Gardens. We visited there and it is just a wonderful, happy place filled with one gardening delight after another.

So Mr. David sent this purple fabric and a photo of Rotary Gardens with the simple, yet profound, words of Mr. Spock from the original Star Trek episodes:

"Live Long and Prosper"

I adore this wish. I couldn't hope for more for our son and I am glad that Ty's quilt will symbolically include both of the Pughs.

Thank you!

A Welcome Invitation

Today we received the equivalent to Wonka's Golden Ticket in the mail - at least it felt that way for us!

We have been patiently waiting and wondering, "Where in tarnation is our Homestudy in Alabama?" And today we found out - it isn't in Alabama anymore! It actually made its way to Immigration in Atlanta!

We had mailed our application and fees to immigration months ago, thinking that the homestudy would quickly follow. I can only imagine it sitting on some poor soul's desk in their inbox FOREVER. I used to detest the things that just sat in the BOTTOM of my inbox!

So this delighted person (my vision!) received the rest of the paperwork and was able to issue our "invitation to be fingerprinted by Homeland Security." Yes - we will be fingerprinted AGAIN! We were given an appointment in Birmingham for January 15 at 9:00 a.m. We will probably go up on Monday night and spend the night so that we are sure to be there!

And then we wait for that last magic piece of paper for our dossier - our permission to bring Ty home, issued by the Dept of Homeland Security/Immigration. Let's hope for a 30 day turnaround!

THIS is how we wanted to start the year!

We are so anxious, because as soon as we are DTC (Dossier to China) we can send care packages to Ty!!!!!! And Valentines, and Easter gifts, etc!!!!!

Wish #65

I have a best friend that is walking down this EXACT same path with me. She and her husband are adopting the (second) most precious boy in all of China. In spite of all the ups and downs, delays, moves, etc. we are on virtually the same timeline. A dream come true would be to have our Consulate Appointments in Guangzhou, China near the same time and share the miracles together! But - I will settle for both having these boys in our arms as soon as possible.

My best friend wrote:

Ty -
Since the first time we heard Rascal Flatts sing this, you were in our hearts. As you wish upon the stars...know that we are looking at those same stars and are, more than anything, praying for you and loving you.

"I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
I hope you find God's grace in every mistake
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too!" ~Rascal Flatts

This just shows how sympatico we are, my friend! When I set up Ty's blog - music was a must and this song was a definite. It was in my heart from the first moment, too.

Carol and Cal - we love you guys and just don't know if we could do it without you! Someday, we will ALL be together...your Goddaughter Caitlin and our son's Ty and Kelly. It will be more than we can ever hope for!



And everyone - please pray for this family and for them to be united SOON. Baby Kelly, we can't wait to hold you and show you how much you are loved! Isn't he adorable?!

Wish #64

I apologize for not updating the site sooner - but we had no new news on Ty's paperwork and we were in a bit of a funk. So we waited with the rest of the Christian world and celebrated the miraculous birth of our Savior...and how meaningful that was this year! We came back from our holiday refreshed, with purpose and surety in God's time.

This squish arrived some time ago and I am thrilled to post it. The Gibsons are some prayer warriors we met in Colorado Springs when we were stationed there and some of the coolest folks around. They would be included in that group of military folks that we could EASILY be stationed with again! They wrote:

Dear Ty,
Welcome to America! May you be as blessed by this family as they are blessed to have you. Would you do us a favor? Would you take care of this family for us until the Lord sees fit to move us closer together??? :) God sends his special angels to earth to take care of us and we think you are just the "Angel" to fill this job.

"I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request."
1st Samuel 1:27 NLT

Much Love,
Steve, Lonnie, Ashlee, Christopher & Andrew Gibson
Bellevue, NE

I love these words because it is so wonderful to me to think that Ty has a job, a future and a purpose in this world. So often we hear people (innocently) comment about how we are such wonderful people for "rescuing" this young boy. What they don't realize is just what Steve and Lonnie wrote - that Ty is important and has a role in our family. He isn't helpless or weak. We aren't heroes or miracle workers. We are just a Christian family, with amazing friends and family, that are walking down the path that God has put us on. And so is Ty. And so are you....

Another Delay

So - we thought we were on our way, that our paperwork was screaming down the magic paperwork highway that leads to united families.

We were wrong.

We were notified by our Home Study agency...that they were missing some paperwork. Two of the three requested documents I had copies of and took care of easily. The other document was a physical on Caitlin. This document needed to state that Caitlin was free of communicable diseases and basically healthy.

No problem - except that we couldn't get Caitlin into the doctors on base for 2 1/2 weeks. Thankfully, we called around and called in a favor, and we only had to wait 3days. But keep in mind these things:

1. We had asked for a meeting a month prior to this to go over all paperwork and ensure that nothing was missing. So that if there were things missing, they could be worked CONCURRENTLY with the clearance paperwork. CONCURRENT is apparently a radical concept.

2. This physical required a notarization of the doctor's signature. Once again, called in a huge favor to find someone that could do this for us.

3. This made me wonder, IF a child in our home had Hepatitis B for instance, it sounds as if we could not be approved by the state of Alabama to adopt more children. Many children are born with HIV and/or get Hep B in orphanage settings. Both of these diseases, while serious, are manageable from everything I have researched. It was just a sad thought to realize that this could really be a limiting factor in adoption.

So - we got this paperwork done and are now waiting for the ICPC office in Alabama to approve our Home study and then send it to Immigration in Atlanta where we begin that process. (more fingerprinting and more processing) We were informed today that we just "have to wait so we don't jeopardize" our home study agency's relationship with the ICPC office and prevent them from getting any "inside help" in the future. I think maybe we could USE some of that "inside help" if there is any!!!!!!! It could take a month for ICPC to approve us. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........

So...my friends....we wait and are grateful for the chance to celebrate Christ's birth during this time of Advent. How appropriate - for Advent means a time of "expectant waiting." Yes....we celebrate Advent!

Wish #63

This wonderful panda fabric is from Canada - french-speaking Canada and thankfully this family provided a translation! Whew!

Welcome to you,

We wish you a life full of love,
happiness and laughter with you
parents.

Big Kisses,

or

Bienvenue a toi,
Nous te souhaitons une vie pleine d'amour,
de bonheur et de rires au pres da tes parents

Grosses bises,

Sandra et Cyrille Tondu

Wish #62

Check out this great fabric for a little boy!!! Blue Camouflage! Does it get any better?? And Tony has to wear Camo almost every day ...but not cool blue camo!

"Life is not measured by the breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our
breath away."

~Anonymous~

The Hoglunds
Bonanza, OR

What a fantastic quote. This quote reminds me of the Van Morrison song on the Playlist below - about Steal Your Heart Away. I can think of several moments that have taken my breath away...and I can't wait for more!

Wish #61

Now this was a great wish to get. It is a Chinese Culture wish and teaches of Arbor Day in China. So the sage-green, leaf-filled fabric is perfect.

The card reads:

March 12 is Arbor Day - a day on which trees are
planted and people are reminded of the
importance of nature. it is also the anniversary of
Sun Yat-sen's (1866-1925) death, the founder of
the Republic of China who initiated national tree
planting schemes in 1915.

A Chinese Proverb warns: "No shade tree? Blame
not the sun but yourself."

According to a 1981 NPC resolution, all able-
bodied Chinese citizens older than age 11 have an
obligation to plant three to five trees every year.

The Hepners ~ Tuscon, AZ ~ MeiLi gotcha day 8/6/07

Wish #60

Who doesn't LOVE a party!?! This fabric just looks like a good time. It comes from another family from the One Hundred Wishes Quilt Group. The Arsenault family selected a black background fabric filled with happiness! There are colorful party hats, streamers, stars and polka dots all over the fabric.

I can't help but think of all the birthdays that Ty will be able to celebrate. Not only his own - but his sister's, Mommy's, Daddy's, Aunts' and Uncles', Cousins, Grandmother's (MaeMae's!). Life holds so many gifts for us all! Can't wait.

Their wish is in French (I think) and I typed it as they wrote it and then I attempted a translation (with the help of www.bablefish.altavista.com).

Petit Tresor

Une vie remplie de douceurs
d'amour, de rires, et de
beaucoup de calins, voila
nos voeux pour toi!

Que cette courtepointe te
berce, te console, te
rassure et surtout, qu'elle
te mene vers des reves merveilleux.

Amities,

Marie-France
Francis
Jonathan
Anne-Marie

The babelfish translation:

Small Treasure,

A life full of softness and of love,
laughter, and of much snuggles,
These are our wishes for you!

That this quilt rocks you,
comforts you, reassures you and
especially, that it guides you
towards marvellous dreams.

Friendships,

Marie-France
Francis
Jonathan
Anne-Marie

Wish #59

Now this is one SPECIAL wish! This arrived in the mail from our "Aunt Tina." Aunt Tina has known my husband for all of his years. When he was very young, he stayed with her and her family for quite awhile. She even claims to have potty-trained him! When we got married, Aunt Tina came to Louisiana (in JULY!) and cooked all Tony's favorites for our rehearsal dinner. It was perfect and held at home - where we could all really spend time with each other. She has been there for so many important things and we love her so much!

She selected two fabrics and her enclosed note ask that we choose which to put in Ty's quilt. Well....I love them both! So Aunt Tina will be represented twice! Who could choose between Thomas the Tank Engine with his "I think I can" attitude and busy bees with pots of honey on a denim fabric. Both are perfect and will be precious on Ty's quilt.

Aunt Tina wrote:

Dear Ty,

I'm so happy that I can be part of your family.

Wo Ai Ni

Aunt Tina

I love this Aunt Tina - the Wo Ai Ni means I love you! Can't wait to see you too! We miss you!

Wish #58

This sweet print is from the David family in Oklahoma. It has a nostalgic feel to it - of old times in China. Children are dressed in traditional clothing surrounded by pagodas and parasols and Asian flora and fauna. They write:

The Child must know that they are a miracle, that
since the beginning of the world there hasn't been,
and until the end of the world there will not be,
another child like them. ~ Pablo Casais

Hugs and kisses,
Darrell and Vivianna David
Broken Arrow, OK LID April 2007

Wish #57

This is a sumptuous print! It is a tea colored fabric adorned with Asian women and furniture with hints of gold scattered throughout. Our son comes from a culture so rich in tradition.

This wish is from the same friends that sent the previous nursery print wish. This time we were swapping Asian Prints. Their wish this time:

Many people will walk in and out
of your life, but only TRUE FRIENDS
leave footprints in your heart!
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

We wish you a lifetime of health,
love and happiness.

Isabelle & Stephane
LID 3/25/2006

Wish #56

This square is a nursery print of sorts. It is a patchwork of blues, greens and yellows with ducks, hearts, numbers and bunnies. It is a cheerful print that I know will make Ty smile and maybe ask questions about babies here in America and marvel at the items available for babies.

That is the other wonderful and indirect use of this quilt. It will open the door for so many conversations we can have together...for years to come. It will bless all of us over and over. I can see us sitting on Ty's bed looking at it - unable to speak to each other too much. And then he sees a square that really interests him and has to pantomime the question to me. And we end up in a game of charades trying to communicate with each other!

This quilt is such a gift. A gift of love, a gift of bonding and communication, a gift of belonging. Thank you all.

The future belongs to those
Who believe in the beauty
of their dreams.
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

With love,
Isabelle & Stephane
LID 3/25/2006

Wish #55

Check it out! Another happy blue print!! This one is filled with children celebrating a Chinese festival. There are boys and girls, fireworks, dragons, stilts and lanterns.

I am so glad that Ty will be able to hold this reminder of his past, present and future in his hands and I hope that one day, he will smile at the thought of all three of those!

Great thoughts come from the heart.
(Chinese Proverb)

May you have a welcoming, loving heart!
Tinin & Tono Carrillo, Mayaguez, PR
(waiting for our daughters from China)

Thank you Carrillo family. We also love this wish because Tony's mother came from Puerto Rico not far from Mayaguez. And note that the Carrillo's are waiting for DAUGHTERS - yes, plural! How exciting!

Wish #54

This is another one of those happy prints! This bright, blue fabric is dappled with flowers and Chinese lanterns. And you all know that I am a sucker for those Chinese lanterns. They truly transport me when I think of them. I am also transported by the northern lights, fireworks and fall leaves. I haven't experienced lanterns in China (yet) or the Northern Lights (yet)- but I hope to. Fireworks and fall leaves remind me of very specific times in my life. Red wine does too...but we won't talk about that ;)

The Bower family writes:

Life has given
to you the
beautiful gift of
a precious child
to love.
And to your child
it has given
the gift of a
forever family...

Bower Family
Oregon
LID 9-8-06

Wish #53

I love this aqua-colored fabric imprinted with golden dragonflies! Caitlin loved it too (her favorite color is Aqua, favorite stone and favorite word are aquamarine, and is going to name her daughter Beryl, which is another word for aquamarine)!

Sue Strane from Pittsburgh, PA sent:

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~ Christopher Robin to Pooh

May all your dreams come true.
Sue Strane
Pittsburgh, PA USA
DTV (dossier to Vietnam) 5/24/07
OHGWQ Group

Who knew that Christopher Robin was such a philosopher - really all of the A.A. Milne characters. Sometimes I need Christopher Robin to whisper those words in my ear during this process!

Wish #52

This words in this wish really struck me with their simple truth. I belong to many yahoo groups to help us prepare for this journey to China and journey of attachment. I see listings of SO many beautiful children and see so many of these children's files being returned to China. It breaks my heart to think that they may not get a chance to have their "forever family" find them.

On our agency's list there is a beautiful 12 year old girl who is perfectly healthy. Once a child reaches age 14, the social welfare system in China no longer provides for them. They are on their own. I do not know or understand how many of them survive. And I also know that not all of the children in their social welfare system are listed with agencies. If they are too ill, they are not listed. They never have a chance to "blossom." It is probably almost a one in a million chance that one of these children is chosen to join a family that can love and provide for them.

On May 1st a new set of guidelines went into effect in China that tightened the basic requirements to apply to adopt these children. There are income requirements, length of marriage requirements, body mass index requirements, age requirements and many more. While all of this is completely understandable and good, it really limited the existing interested population of potential parents. Prior to May, I watched the children on each list be spoken for almost immediately. After May 1st, we have had to really campaign to find families that meet the requirements and are interested in these beautiful kids.

Please reflect on the words that came from the Hinkle family and accompanied this happy, cherry blossom printed fabric.

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."
Confucius
I wish you the vision to see all that is beautiful around you.

The Hinkle Family
Cedarburg, WI
Waiting for our daughter from China

If you are curious about adopting from China and would like to see some of these children's' photos or read their stories - please let me know. I know that adoption is a gift of God, one that He used throughout the history of believers to place the right people in the right place to do His will.

Happy Birthday Ty!

Dear Sweet Ty,

It is your birthday and this is the day above all days that I wanted to have you here with your family. We wanted to celebrate that special day that you were brought into this world. The day that God chose to bring you into His creation so that you may gift and bless us all.

We have already sung the "Happy Birthday" song - and sung it in your language - hoping that your ears and heart can somehow know that we love you and are celebrating today with you. I do believe that your foster family is celebrating this day with you - I have to believe that.

We can't wait to see you, smile with you, hug you and celebrate with you. You have a lifetime of birthdays coming and you will never be without your forever family for any of those birthdays to come.

Happy Birthday, dear Son.

We love you more than you know,
Your Mommy, Daddy and Sister



Dear Friends,

Can you sing for Ty today? Please do -

I will write theword to the Chinese Birthday Song phonetically with our birthday words underneath so that you can sing along!


Joo Nee Shung Zhur Kwi Luh
Hap py Birth Day To You


Joo Nee Shung Zhur Kwi Luh
Joo Nee Shung Zhur Kwi Luh
Joo Nee Shung Zhur Kwi Luh-uh
Joo Nee Shung Zhur Kwi Luh!

Now - make a wish that this paperwork slides through the system and we are united with this precious boy!

Good News!

Well friends - it seems that all the extra, extra, super-duper thorough clearances are in...and as expected and predicted - we are still qualified to adopt this precious boy that needs his forever family so badly.

The night before Thanksgiving - (all creatures were stirring in preparation for the Thanksgiving meal!) and an email from our social worker quietly slipped into my email inbox. It stated that all paperwork was in and that on the following Tuesday, everything should be sent to the ICPC office in Alabama (Interstate Compact Office - all home studies in Alabama must go through here) and then be sent to US Immigration.

I think that these important emails should come screaming into our inbox with some wild song or noise accompanying them - like "The Eye of the Tiger" or maybe the sound of coins cascading out of a slot machine. Something - to indicate that some of the most important news of your life is sliding into your electronic sphere.

So - a mere 29 days after the delay - we got our good news. And we predicted a 30 day delay at best. So...we are beating the odds. And I'll take that for today. There is, of course, more to the saga....and I will catch you up on that very soon.

Wish #51

This wish is another one that is special beyond words. I'll just give you a tissue alert right now!

Caitlin's birthmother and her family sent fabric to welcome our Ty. She is one of the most selfless, thoughtful and gifted people that I know. She writes beautifully - both in a literal sense and a figurative sense. Her handwriting is so lovely. And then the words that are written on the page just speak straight to your soul. And although it isn't shown here, her poetry is amazing. She wrote:

Dear Ty,

You are a special boy and you are bringing something very special and unique to this family, the same way Caitlin did.

You have a past, a history, which is recognized and will be treasured. The silky black and gold cloth represents your past, your life before the Zuccos finally found you.

Now, you have a great big family full of people who already love you so much. You are a unique and wonderful boy, an important part of your family. You are a son and a little brother and a grandson. You should know that your parents loved you long before you were even brought into this world. They have been waiting, just waiting, to show you everyday and always. Your big sister Caity will defintely look out for you. She's very smart and she cares about you a lot. Your grandmother does as well. She loves you so much that she will want to give you lots of hugs. The brightly decorated blue cloth represents your present and future, your life as a much loved member of the Zucco family.

The important thing about family is that they will always be there for you. Our wish for you, Ty, is the following: May you always feel the love that surrounds you!

Love,
The DeGouff Family

This is just perfect. I told you all she writes from her heart and it couldn't be more perfect. Lauren, we love you so much and always will. Your words and contribution are so meaningful. Thanks!

Wish #50 - HALF WAY THERE!!!!!

Wow - the 50th squish! And it is super! The folks that sent this fabric are part of the fabric of our own lives. The Franks/Salters have been a part of our family far before I was born. My Grandparents and Mrs. Lois and Mr. "Woodsy" Salter were friends. My Granddaddy and Mr. Salter hunted together and fished together (there is a HILARIOUS story about them fishing one night and checking their lines....) My Grandmother and Mrs. Lois drank coffee together and shelled peas together. They all taught school together in Zwolle, LA and they all served in their church together. And they raised their daughters together....

Joanne and my Mom have been friends for a LONG time. They played ball together and rode horses around town together. And Joanne was the Maid of Honor at my folks' wedding. All this before I even met them ;)

I was raised knowing that these were special folks that loved us very much. Recently, Mrs. Lois moved to Houston to live in a retirement community closer to Joanne and her husband Lon. When they were cleaning out Mrs. Lois' house, they came across this fabric and sent it for Ty's quilt. This touched me so very much. With tears in my eyes, I read:

"I prayed for this child, and
the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27"

The love of a family is one of life's greatest blessings.

We welcome you with love!

Lon, Joanne and Lois

Dear Lon, Joanne and Lois - life HAS blessed us greatly with you. Thank you for sharing that love with Ty. It is a wonderful legacy of love.

Wish #49

This squish is from another of my treasured friends from Travis, AFB. Wally started as a Mah Jongg buddy and then became so much more - and we got into all kinds of things together! She is a mean poker player, woman of exquisite taste and fabulous sense of humor! The fabric she and her husband Tim selected is a rich, blue print filled with stars, moons and the Earth. They wrote:

The Earth, Moon and stars are
within your reach. Welcome to
your new family and friends...

Wally and Tim Grosz

Of course, she couldn't stop there - and included the best All-American scrapbook supplies one could ask for. It will all be the perfect accent to Ty's book of wishes. I can't wait to get going on it.

You all have no idea how these wishes for our son, the fabrics for his quilt and the uplifting notes mean to us. They really keep us going and keep us encouraged.

Wally - Just love you guys! Thanks the mostest!

Wish #48

What a happy fabric! This bright, blue fabric is filled with toys of days gone by. It is so nostalgic and quaint. This was sent by the Foley family and their wish is:

"The glory of friendship
is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile
nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spritual inspiration
that comes to one
when he discovers that
someone else believes in him
and is willing to trust him." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

May you always be surrounded by loving family and friends.
Carolyn, Todd and Vivian
Bellevue, WA
Waiting for Audrey: LID 1/4/07

These thoughts from Emerson are very meaningful to me and I am so glad the Foley family sent them. Caitlin was born at Emerson hospital in Concord, MA - home of Walden Pond and the home of noted Ralph Waldo Emerson. Love the area and the inspirations of Massachusetts in the fall and Walden Pond in the mornings.

This isn't an easy process to go through. And there is just about no way in the world that we could do it without our dear friends, our family - and the unconditional support and conviction that our faith in Christ provides.

Wish #47

My Asian Print swap group is such a treat! This is a sub-group of the One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt Group that is on Yahoo Groups! It is an encouraging group - they really do finish their quilts and post photos when they do!

Today when I opened the mail box, Sue Strane from Pittsburgh, PA had sent this fantastic red print with a golden, metallic dragon all over it. He is a majestic, fire-breathing sort of dragon! Her wish matched the fabric perfectly:

With strength to move mountains and spirit to take on the world - Xiang Yu

May you always conquer the world
sue Strane
Pittsburgh, PA
DTV 5/24/2007

Thanks Sue! We hope you are soon united with your child from Vietnam.

Wish #46

This was a very happy wish to receive! This a family we met when stationed in Colorado Springs. We met them at Sunrise Methodist church, where David and Karen brightened so many church services by sharing their musical gifts. In addition to being musically talented, they are incredibly fun folks. The fabric they sent is so appropo - a black print filled with bright, colorful musical notes and notations.

Their wish was:

Our wish for Ty is that he will find something in life that he TRULY loves to do - something that he is passionate about! For the Rice family, it is music. Welcome to your new family, Ty. ~ The Rices

Created especially 4 Ty by: Morgan Rice

Can you see how the wish is framed on the card? It is surrounded by a white satine ribbon border that repeats: I heart music note - translation: I love music!

We love the wish. Please add David Rice to your prayers. He is currently stationed in Afghanistan and away from his wife Karen and his wonderful kids Morgan, Rachel and Jonathan. Thanks for remembering us during a time when we should be remembering you. Much love and prayers!