Thank You, Winter Blossom April Secret Pal!

Thank you to our WONDERFUL Secret Pal, Erica Dick! The books she sent along to us were so special, and none of them are books that we already have! Ken and I sat down together and read all of them! We received the sweetest book entitled Mama, How Long Will You Love Me? The illustrations and the words in it are so beautiful. Next, we received one called A Blessing From Above, and I got misty after reading it! Oh, my goodness! It is so adorable.

I have been wanting the Five Little Ladybugs book, and now I can want no more because my secret pal came to the rescue! Also, we received Dragon Dance, a wonderfully colorful book about Chinese New Year. I have always loved Dr. Seuss, and Erica sent us his Amazing ABC Book. Last, but not least, we received a really creative book called What Makes a Rainbow? We love everything!

You were so generous and kind, and your lovely note was so special. We will save it for Jade's scrapbook. I will definitely practice reading snuggled up with the pups as you suggested.
Thanks again for being such a thoughtful secret pal.

A Special Poem

"Dear Sweet Daughter"
Author: Gayle Leubecker

Dear Sweet Daughter,
As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.
My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed. New visions fill my head.
Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.

And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round.
Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas.
They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.

As you grow in your mother's womb, carefully knit together,
You're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your mother says good-bye,
I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.

Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be.
But still I know the Father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands,
And though we're half a world apart in very different lands,

I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows
But til He says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every night on bended knee.
For God will hold you in His arms until you're here with me.

Jade's Room

As I mentioned in a previous post, my 84 year old grandfather made Jade a lovely little bench for her room. He even asked us for paint so he could paint it the same color as her room! Here it is...

Then on Easter Sunday after brunch, he asked Ken and I if we could stop down his house afterward because he wanted our "opinion" on something. Little did I know he had another beautiful gift that he made waiting for Jade. He made her a birdcage and inside, he put "the bluebird of happiness." It was truly special.

Last, but not least, we also bought a lovely wooden panda for her room at a craft show. None of the wood is painted- it is actually different types/colors of wood pieced together!

Our 100th Squish!

We received one more beautiful square in the mail today and then I made Jade her 100th squish! Hooray! I felt it only fitting that the first one and the last one in the 100 be from us.

Now starts the second group of 100!

I give you...Jade's 100th squish!



"He could tell
by the way
the animals walked
that they were keeping time
to some kind of music.
Maybe
it was the song
in their own hearts
that they walked to."

~Laura Adams Armer
Waterless Montain (1931)

Always listen to the song in your heart.
Love,
Mommy
xo

Quilt Update

I can't believe we are up to 98 squishes for Jade's quilt! I posted the latest ones today on her quilt blog. I was really falling behind in doing that. I thank all the people who have so kindly sent us squares so far! They are all so beautiful and special.

I have decided to try to get to 200 squares to make 2 quilts for Jade. One will be a keepsake quilt and the other will be for snuggling and using. My friend said to me,"I don't know which quilt I want to be in- they both sound nice!" I said, "Then give two squares and be in both!" He seemed pleased with that!

Also, our school nurse, who is an avid and talented quilter, told me she will make the quilts! I am overjoyed! She really "gets" how special they are and she really understands what a quilt means and all that goes into it. I know the quilts will be beautiful when they are finished!