Squish #16- Benton, AR, USA

Squish #16 is from Paul and Jeannie Ottens is from Benton, AR, USA. They're our friend, Paula Powell's parents. Thank you for this squish. It's precious. I never expected one with her name embroidered on it.

The wish:
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Wishing you a lifetime of hugs, kisses, and giggles.

Paul and Jeannie Ottens
(Paula's Mom and Dad)

Thank you so much for the squish!

Squish #15- Midlothian, TX, USA

This one is from Michael and Kendra Willoughby in Midlothian, TX.

The wish:

"Some people say I have attitude- maybe I do. But I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does- that makes you a winner right there."
-Venus Williams, US Tennis Champion

May you always believe in yourself and the potential that resides within you.

Michael and Kendra Willoughby
Midlothian, TX
LID 03/22/07

Squish #14- Mount Gilead, OH, USA

This squish is from Phala and Troy in Mount Gilead, OH, USA.

Here's the wish:

After God created the world, He made man and woman. Then, to keep the whole thing from collapsing, He invented humor.
By Guillermo Mordillo

Our wish to you is a long life filled with humor, laughter, and joy.

Phala and Troy of Ohio.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #13- Roswell, GA, USA

Squish #13 is from the Campbells in Roswell, GA. It's a cute little princess print.

The wish:
"The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear."
-Zen Wisdom
Our wish for you is a life full of contentment.

Jeff and Pam Campbell
LID 10/19/06
Waiting for Julia
Roswell, Georgia

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #12- Spokane, WA, USA

This one is also from the Wisenors.

The wish:
Reese-
May you always fight the good fight- and fight fair.

All good wishes,
The Wisenors
Katie, Tad, & Sam
Spokane, WA
paperchasing Vietnam 7/07

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #11- Spokane, WA, USA

This one is from the Wisenors in Spokane, WA, USA.

Here's the wish:

Best wishes for a happy & long life to Reese!

May you always swim in safe waters.

All good wishes, The Wisenors-
Tad, Katie, & Sam
Spokane, WA
paperchasing Vietnam 7/07

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #10- Lake Orion, MI, USA

This one is from Jason & Jaime Kinser from Lake Orion, MI, USA.

The wish:

We wish you a life filled with just enough good things to sustain.
We wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
We wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
We wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
We wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
We wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
We wish enough hellos to get you through the final goodbyes that will come in your life.
We wish you enough!

Jeff & Jaime Kinser
Lake Orion, Michigan

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #9- Levelland, TX, USA

This is from the Miller Family in Levelland, TX, USA.


And the wish:

We wish you...

Fu Good Fortune
Lu Prosperity
Shou Longevity
Xi Happiness
Cai Wealth
Ai Love

The Miller Family
Allen, Angela, & William
(Adopted from Taiwan in 2005)
Levelland, TX

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #8- Benton, AR, USA

This squish is from Paula Powell in Benton, AR. She's a friend of ours, and also a member of Families with Children with China- Central Arkansas.
Cute panda fabric!
The wish:
"A heart is not judged by how you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
Wizard of Oz
We wish you a lifetime of happiness and love!
The Powell Family- Benton, AR
Waiting for Ben- 2007
http://bringingbenjaminhome.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #7- Mishawaka, IN, USA

Squish #7 comes from The McMinn family in Mishawaka, Indiana.

And to the wish:

May your life be filled with perfect haircuts and good hair days!!

The McMinn Family
Laura, Paul, Hunter, and Lily (Hunan, China)
Mishawaka, IN

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #6- Maumelle, AR, USA

Squish #6 comes from my Irish dance teacher, Mrs. Judy of the McCafferty School of Irish Dance.

Here's the wish:

Hi Reese,
I hope to one day meet you and share with you a little bit of Irish culture!

Mrs. Judy.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #5- Sherwood, AR, U.S.A.

This one is from Greg, Kelley, Caleb & Hannah Kelley.

This is a beautiful blue Asian children print.

Here's the wish:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...
But by the moments that take our breath away!

Treasure those special moments that life has to offer.

Greg, Kelley, Caleb & Hannah Kelley
Sherwood, AR
Waiting for niece/cousin Mari-Grace.

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #4- Sherwood, AR, USA

This one is from Kammy's parents, David and Ann, in Sherwood.

Here's the wish:

"When you look for the good in others, you discover the best in yourself." (Martin Walsh)

David & Ann Krisell
Sherwood, AR
waiting for grand baby Mari-Grace


Thanks for the squish!

Squish #3- Sherwood, AR, USA

This squish is from Kammy Krisell in Sherwood, AR. She's a fellow member of Families with Children from China-Central Arkansas. She's waiting for Mari-Grace (LID 08.18.06). Her Dad knew my grandfather; they worked together.

Squish #3 is a lovely Asian festival print.

Here's the wish:

Reese KaiJin---
You are a miracle...created by God...worth more than silver & gold. You are precious. You are loved. You will never be alone! May your life be blessed with joy, laughter, family, & friends.

Love,

Kammy Krisell
Sherwood, AR
LID 8-18-06 for Mari-Grace

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #2- Arlington, WA, U.S.A.

Another squish from our dear friend, Stacey.

Squish #2 is a beautiful Chinese painting style.

The wish:

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see."
From The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Dear Reese,
May you cherish your Chinese heritage and always be proud of who you are.

With love and good wishes,
Stacey, Rachel, and Erin Joy Simmons

Thanks for the squish!

Squish #1- Arlington, WA, U.S.A

The first "squish" (square+wish=squish) is from our good buddy, Stacey, in Washington state. She has a little girl with port-wine stain too.

Squish #1 is Americana print. It has a nice long wish too.
Here's Stacey's wish for Reese:
"Welcome Home" by Michael F. Anderson

Tonight as you lay sleeping for the first time in your bed,
I feel there's something lasting and profound that should be said,
But nothing I can think of seems quite fitting so instead,
Welcome home, my child, at long last, welcome home.

Welcome home from every yesterday, from every then and there,
To the now and evermore that's here for you.
Welcome home to true belonging, to together times we'll share,
And countless family thing that we will do.

Welcome home to every hope and dream just waiting to be yours,
To hands that long to guide you as you grow.
Welcome home to all the memories we'll make of every day,
To loving ties, however far you roam,
To joys we'll give each other, to the blue skies and the gray,
To all these things and more, now welcome home.

Tomorrow when you wake up a brand new life will start,
A life in which you'll always be a very special part.
So sweet dreams, and one more from the bottom of my heart...
Welcome home, my child, forever...welcome home.

Dear Reese,
May you find peace, happiness, and joy in your life and always remember that you are loved.

With all our blessings,
Stacey, Rachel, and Erin Joy Simmons.

Thanks for the squish!

100+ Good Wishes Quilt for Reese KaiJin

100 Good Wishes Quilt (Bai Jia Bei)

This is a little late coming. I had thought about it earlier in the adoption process and nothing had come of it. But a friend of ours is adopting a little boy with port-wine stain from Guangdong, and is making a Bai Jia Bei, 100 Good Wishes Quilt, for him. And this has renewed my urge to have one for Reese KaiJin. She may not sleep with it (as she is nearly physically attached to her fuzzy blankets) but it would make a nice thing to put in her cedar chest that she may get when she's older, for her to save for when she has children, etc. It's a really cool idea. I'd love to have help with this. It'd mean a lot to me, and to Reese KaiJin.

What Is It:
Parents in northern China make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt, to welcome and celebrate a new life. Friends and family contribute a square of cloth and a wish for the baby. The pieces of cloth are made into a quilt, and the good wishes go into a memory book. The quilt is said to contain the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed.

What to Send:
* One 8"x8" or larger square of washable fabric. It can be new, embroidered, or "used and meaningful" fabric. The kind of fabric you send is part of what makes the quilt so special. 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend is preferred as it washes and sews easier.

* A card (such as an index card) or a sheet of paper with a good wish for Reese and a scrap of your fabric (glued to the paper). Your wish can be anything you want it to be. It can be something you wrote or a favorite poem, quote, or anything else that you would like. It can be as complicated, simple, decorated, or plain as you want. Please remember to sign your wish and put your location (it'd just be fun to look back and see where they've come from).

I plan to scrapbook the wishes in her "baby book" scrapbook. I'd like to collect at least 100 squares but more are welcomed and appreciated.

Will you help Reese KaiJin see quite how much she was waited for and all the good will everyone wants for her when she gets older? Will you send her a wish?

If you would like to contribute to the quilt, please email me at xiii.the.black.cat.xiii@gmail.com and I will send you my information.

Thanks so much for everyone's help.

If you are collecting for a quilt, let me know and I'll do my very very best to get a square and a wish to you.

Thanks again!