Swatch #28

This is from Paul's mom or Mattine's grandmother. We are so thankful to have received this fabric for her quilt. Paul's mother is an amazing woman. I love that she wishes that our little one will be bold and colorful, modern and artsy. I think she will- be all those things and more.

Swatch # 27

This is from my dad. He did an awesome job at picking out a very appropriate fabric for our quilt. I have no idea how he found this one. I love the words he chose. In looking over all the messages it is amazing to see all the different roles people will play in our daughter's life. It is so apparent the places in life all the special and wonderful people will take her. It is all very touching and we feel so blessed. Thank you dad!

# 26

This is the "official" fabric from my mom. She wrote the most perfect wish for our daughter- one that is directly from her heart. I love the fabric and it is just perfect!I love you mom!

Swatch #23-25

These beautiful fabric are from my mom. These are the runner-ups. I love them all and especially the individual sentiments- each one special and unique. I know my mom is really excited about this. It is so wonderful to see everyone's enthusiam.

Swatches # 20-22

This girly collection is from Nancy. Very bright and colorful. The one fabric has little princess crowns on it. Adorable!

# 19

This is from Amy. Our first "Lilly" pattern and there is no one better to provide this than Amy. I love Amy. She is kind and generous and oh- so funny. Amy is always optimistic and bright and I hope that she teaches Mattine how to run her first lemonade stand!

Swatch # 18

This is from my step-mother. It is very feminine with lot of flowers. I am so thankful that there will be loved ones in her life that add this aspect because I lack quite a bit in this area. We are thrilled that everyone is so excited about Mattine joining the family. And I am also excited to know that someone will be looking out for her "PINK" side. With me around, she will need all the help she can get.........

# 17

This is from my dad. He passed away last September. My step-mother and sister put this swatch and wish together on his behalf. I couldn't have asked for a better gift or wish for our little girl. I truly wish she would have known my father but I feel confident that I (we ) will be able to tell her wonderful, vibrant stories about her grandfather. Paul and I speak of him on a daily basis so she will "know" and love him as though he were still here. I miss you dad..........

"Success is not measured by what you have, but what you have in your heart."

Swatch #16

This is from a really funny girl I know named Monica. She always keeps me laughing, usually at myself! This is our first piece of fabric with ladybugs on it. The ladybug symbolizes good luck or the granting of wishes. It is very common amoung the adoption community as a way to celebrate the goodness which is headed into lives. I think Monica was a little nervous about the girly colors in the fabric but I love them. She keeps reminding me "You know you are getting a girl, right? And girls love pink?" Yes, I know........ all little girls adore pink!

Lucky #13 (#14 and #15)

This is from my best friend and her family. We have been friends since I can remember and I couldn't imagine "T" and her family not being a part of this experience with us. They enclosed a picture of their family which includes two little ones, Trent and Reese, who will grow to be fast friends with our little girl. She also enclosed three fabrics. Let's say one is from each of the children and the third is from Tiffany and Rob, her husband. Stay gold.

Dreams by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with Snow

Swatch #12

This fabric and message if from Ilissa, a wonderful and funny friend that I see several times a week. The butterflies in the print are bright and colorful and she choose this fabric because each butterfly that we see in the world is unique. Butterflies are special just like little girls. Everyone has an opportunity to make their own mark. We will encourage our little one to celebrate her own, unique self!

Swatch # 11

This swatch is from someone very dear to me because they are very dear to my mother. I have known Irene for such a long time and she is truly a lovely person. I don't think "Auntie I" will mind if I share her beautiful sentiments ... Dear Mattie: Once upon a time, your mommy and daddy closed their eyes and quietly made a wish to have you in their lives. They searched and searched for you- halfway around the world. And each step of their journey finally led them to the blessed moment they first looked into your eyes and they knew they had found their greatest joy, their greatest love. I wish you strength and courage to face each day, love and laughter to light your way, and all the things bright and beautiful all the days of your life. I choose this fabric because it reminded me of the many hills your parents climbed on their search to find you and to happily bring you home. I love this fabric!

# 10

I love circles and dots. Ashley gave us this pink number with lots of circles. In her card she wrote about the Circle of Life and referenced the chorus from "The Lion King" which says,

It is the CIRCLE of life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the CIRCLE

The CIRCLE of life

You are right Ashley, the dot is so much more than just a dot.

# 9

This fluttery fabric is from Miss Elaine. She wrote a beautiful poem for Mattine. This is my favorite line, "Carry the sun inside of you and reach out for the dreams that guide you." I think that is a sentiment we should all carry in our thoughts everyday.

This is Jackson.

How did he get in here? Every time I open a package or piece of mail he thinks it is for him. "Maybe someone mailed a bone in the package", he asks. Needless to say, he is just as excited to see the fabric swatches come as we are. Jackson has grown quite a bit since we got him last year and he has far surpassed our black lab Clewiston who is five in both weight and height. I would have snapped a picture of Clew as well but if you knew her you would know that she is too shy for pictures and always just ends up being a black flash on the print.

!

# 8

This cheery swatch is from Aunt Elsa and Uncle Bill. They have heard us talk about this process from the very beginning and have been so supportive. We love the flowers!

# 7

This turtle themed fabric is from none other than Wendy. She is a sweet and fun-loving individual who absolutely loves the sea and all of it's creatures. Wendy voluteers at the the Marine Life Center and is especially nuts about turtles. I love hearing about all of her underwater escapades. She really found a way to make this project special and she know how much we will make the ocean a part of our little one's life. Thank you Wendy.

Swatch # 6

And the squares just seem to be rolling in. This one is from Julie and she wrote a very special message about faith. This process has tested our faith many times but in the end we knew in our hearts that at the right time it would all fall into place- It just hadn't been our time yet. So, with being said I think faith is a most fitting sentiment to send to our daughter. Everyone who knows me understands that I am not the most patient person. I think my next square that I contribute will be about patience because this process has not only tested mine but more importantly has taught me that good things come from having some patience. Thank you Julie.

The Rick's Contribute Swatch #4 & #5

My sister and her husband, (affectionately referred to as the Rick's), dropped off their squares this weekend while visiting us from Maryland. We had a wonderful couple of days and celebrated my sister's 25th birthday with lots of good food and many laughs. I must say that we were quite impressed with the artisitc presentation of the squares and we know that the sentiments are heart-felt by both. I am sure that "Aunt R" will be primping our little girl to new levels of beauty while "Uncle N" reminds her that it is totally cool to be a girl who plays every sport. We couldn't have asked for better role models for her.

Swatch # 3

This groovy pattern is from Lisa and David. We just love the hip colors and your sentiments were lovely. I am sure she will love this square.