The 100 Good Wishes Quilt top is done

My mom came in today and we finished putting together the quilt top for our daughter's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It turned out so beautifully! I just wish my daughter was here to be wrapped up in it. All in good time, I guess...

I chose this pattern because it kind of reminded me of a basket weave - all the love being woven around her to keep her warm and loved all night long.

And as is tradition in Amish quilts - it's not supposed to be perfect. It should always have at least one flaw in it. As neither of us had made a quilt before - there are plenty of those to go around! Just don't look too closely!

Thanks mom for all your hard work. I love you!

Now, I have to call the quilter who will be doing the long-arm quilting on her machine. Fun times!

My mom sewing on the last of the sashing

the finished 100 Good Wishes Quilt

My mom modeling her handiwork

Me modeling the finished quilt. Love it!

A little excitement

Well, when you can't get excited about the adoption (which has been moving as of late at a snail's pace), at least we have the Green Bay Packers to celebrate with! We're Super Bowl bound!! An exciting game right down to the last seconds. Go Pack!!

My mom is a busy little beaver!

I was just informed today that my mom finished sewing the last of the strips/rows for our daughter's 100 Good Wishes Quilt. On her next visit here, we just need to sew them onto the finished part of the quilt and then add the top and bottom sashes to the quilt. I can't believe that it's almost done already. After that, I just have to meet up with the lady who will be doing the quilting. Exciting!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I just want to say a big "Happy Birthday" to my dad! Hope you're enjoying your day!

His favorite subject is food (but I think that goes for anyone in my family). This photo was taken of me making him his favorite Filet Mignon with a Peppercorn sauce - gotta love flaming alcohol!

Wishing you all a wonderful new year!

This is the time to reflect on all you're thankful for and make resolutions for the new year. I have a wonderful husband, a comfortable house and an amazing family. There's really only one thing missing - our daughter(s)! May 2011 finally be OUR YEAR!

Wishing you and your families a very Happy New Year!

Starting the 100 Good Wishes Quilt

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or “100 Good Wishes Quilt.” It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

Well, yesterday I went to my parent's house so my mom and I could do round 2 of making our daughter's quilt (I forgot to take pictures when we first started it)

I am so happy with the pattern and how it's turning out. I was in charge of trimming the blocks to the correct size for the pattern I created and then my mom did the sewing (the hard and long part!). This pattern will have 108 squares which I figure means more love was put into it!

Well, without further ado, here's where we're at... We're about half way done with the front. Yeah! I'm going to have to find someone to do the actual quilting of it. I can't wait!

My mom sewing rows together

My mom and I modeling the quilt so far

why family is good...

Thanks to my baby sister for this year's birthday card - never laughed so hard... Just had to share... See, getting old is so much fun!

Tax Relief

On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 (HR4853), extending the current tax cuts through the end of 2012.

The Middle Class Tax Relief Act also extends the adoption tax credit which currently stands at $13,170 for qualified families.

This is a huge relief for us and definitely one for those behind us in line. Just one less thing to worry about. Yeah!

Matches Arrived!

It's official - matches have arrived and the official cut-off is May 29, 2006. A 6-day referral batch. We were hoping for the CCAA to finish off May 2006 this month, but as is usual - disappointment abounds.

We now have 46 more referral days to go before we're matched with our daughter. Little baby steps closer. So close, but yet so far.

You Would Think I Would Learn By Now...

...that after 4 years of the constant ups and downs of this adoption that I should just keep my mouth shut when people ask me the dreaded question as to "when" we think this adoption is happening. I had finally started feeling kind of optimistic that maybe we'd have a referral this summer? Now, fast forward a few weeks since Thanksgiving and NO REFERRALS coming out of the CCAA. Rumors are abuzz that maybe no referrals until maybe January. The last set of referrals came out on November 1st, so it's been a while. As to the reason why - well, who knows?! It's the CCAA - because they can  is the reason why. Is there some hidden "quota"? I don't know - only the CCAA does. Is this frustrating - YES!

If you find my optimism, please mail it to me ASAP. Thanks.