#24, 25 & 26 The Laureijs girls from Amherst, NS!

From Mei Lin's extended Chinese family, Christelinda (age 6) writes the following to Mei Lin:

Hello Mei Lin,
Are you having lots of fun? I like you. You are one of my favorite babies. We saw you in China, in the Beijing hotel, on the Great Wall, in the Forbidden City, in the bus and in the airplane. I think ladybugs are special. Last summer a ladybug sat on my hand and one crawled up on my jacket. This was one of my very favorite stories when I was a baby. I hope you see lots of ladybugs too!

10 little ladybugs sitting on a vine, along came a butterfly - then there were 9.
9 little ladybugs skipping on a gate, along came a caterpillar - then there were 8.
8 little ladybugs looking up at heaven, along came a bird - then there were 7.
7 little ladybugs resting on sticks, along came a grasshopper - then there were 6.
6 little ladybugs flying near a hive, along came a bumblebee - then there were 5.
5 little ladybugs sleeping by the shore, along came a fish - then there were 4.
4 little ladybugs climbing up a tree, along came a turtle - then there were 3.
3 little ladybugs drinking up dew, along came a duck - then there were 2.
2 little ladybugs basking in the sun, along came a frog - then there was 1.
1 little ladybug sitting all alone, along came a breeze - then she was HOME!!



And from Fumairia:

Dear Mei Lin,
When I was in China with you, one of my favorite places was the Beijing Zoo. I saw the PANDA bears! They are black and white. I know you didn't go to the zoo so here are some Panda Bears for you to see.

5 little panda bears sleeping in their house. They are lazier than a mouse.
4 little panda bears eating bamboo leaves. Having to share is one of their pet peeves.
3 little panda bears sitting quietly on a log. They are thinking about reading your blog.
2 little panda bears going down the slide. Seeing all the children makes them want to glide.
1 little panda bear looking very smug. Waddles over togive you a great big HUG!



And finally from Mei Lin's QuJiang sister and cribmate Quleanja:

Dear Mei Lin,
I know you like listening to music and singing as much as I do...so I wanted to send you some musical notes. You will always be my special QuJiang sister. I think it was amazing that we met our Forever Families on the same day.
Your friend, Quleanja

Three of the sweetest girls you could ever meet!

#23 Renee Coughlin PEI

From my friend Renee, she writes:

I wish for you to always have love and respect for you mother and father.

Thanks Renee...love the bears and kitties!!

#21 & 22 The MacKinnon Family of Cornwall PEI

From the truly wonderful MacKinnon family, Chris, Tammy, Caleb, Dylan and Alyssa Li!

Their wish for Mei Lin:

We wish you the power to dream.
A rainbow of finger paints.
A date for the prom.
We wish for you the knowledge that you can do anything.
We wish for you to grow in more than inches.
We wish for you to never stop wondering.
Never stop learning.
We wish for there to always be a whisper inside your head: you are smart, you are capable, you are strong.
This is what we wish for you.



And from their beautiful daughter Alyssa Li (age 3) and a Chinese sister on PEI!

She wishes for Mei Lin:

We have so much in common. My wish is for us to grow up and be friends. My wish is for you and I to grow up strong and confident in who we are and where we came from. My wish is for you and I to always know we are cherished, loved and accepted by our families, friends and people all around the world. Always remember you are surrounded by people who love you, no matter what.
Love Alyssa Li

Thank you MacKinnon family!! You did a beautiful job with the scrapbooking Tammy!!

#20 from Deanna and Kent Easter PEI

This one comes from fellow adopters in waiting Deanna & Kent. We wish you luck throughout your process.

They also wrote to Mei Lin "Legacy of an Adopted Child" which is written out below under #18 Sandra Laughlin. I love this poem...and I think Mei Lin will enjoy it too someday.

#19 from Nikki Poirier in Alberta

This piece is from my friend Nikki who moved away last year and I miss dearly! She was able to meet Mei Lin over Christmas.

She wrote to Mei Lin:

You are such a wonderful and special little girl. You have blessed Natalie and Daniel's life in a way that is so hard to explain. I guess it can only be understood fully when you have a child of your own.

They are two of the most loving, caring and understanding people that I know in my life. They also love you more than words can ever say. They are so truly blessed to have you in their lives and in turn you are just as blessed to have them. They will always love you unconditionally and will always be there to support you through all the ups and downs in your life.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your parents always and I am looking forward to getting to know you and to play a part in your life. Always know that you have family and friends surrounding you, loving you and supporting you because we all love you very much Mei Lin.

God I miss you Nick!

#18 Sandra Laughlin PEI

This piece came from our friend Sandra, and I know how special and dear it is to her so it means very much to us. It is a piece of material from a shirt that her dad always wore. Her father died in a work related accident and she has held onto it for the past 15 years. She said it is very important to her and therefore important to share it with such a special little girl.

Her wish to Mei Lin:

My wish for you is to enjoy all the freedom this country has to offer and always follow your dreams.

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember, the other you call your mother. Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun. The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it. One gave you nationality. The other gave you a name. One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim. One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears. One sought for you a home she could not provide, the other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied. And now you ask me, through your tears, the age-old question unanswered through the years. heredity or environment, which are you a product of? Neither, my darling, neither. Juest two different kinds of love. ~ Author Unknown

Thank you Sandra. I love it.

#16 & 17 from Lee-Anne in Austrailia!

These 2 pieces are from my blogger friend Lee-Anne all the way from Austrailia! She has been in the adoption process since January 2005 and is still waiting to see her childs face. www.bellaangel.blogspot.com

She writes:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

BELIEVE in yourself
GRACE to forgive
HOPE hold onto your dreams

Thank you Lee-Anne...we hope you have good news soon and you travel sooner than you think!

#15 from Cousin Kyle Ford PEI

This piece is from Mei Lin's second cousin Kyle. It is a piece of material from a pair of PJ's he wore when he was little...he's all grown up now!!

Kyle wishes Mei Lin lots of luck!

Thank you Kyle!

#14 from Great Grammy Ford

This is a piece of my grandmothers old night gown.

Her wish for Mei Lin:

I wish you all great things in life!

Thank you mom Ford...it is very special to me.

#13 Grammy Gamble (my mom and friend)

This is from my mom, she cut out a piece of my baptismal dress from 33 year before.

She writes to Mei Lin:

Hold onto your dreams; they are as precious as laughter; they are eternal, like stars.

YOU are a very special star in this world,
Go out and shine on...
and shine on...
and shine on...

Thank you so much mommy.

#12 Gene Murray & Laurie Aylward of PEI

From our good friends Gene & Laurie

Their wish for Mei Lin:

A life full of happiness, friends, good times and bad (it helps you appreciate the good more),

"Sing like nobody is listening, dance like nobody is watching and live like there is no tomorrow"

Thank you Lu Lu and Gene!

#11 Sherry Tremblay from Ontario

This quilt piece came from my friend Sherry who I worked with at Allied Signal Aerospace. She chose this piece of cloth because her grandmother made her this blanket when she was a baby and blue is her favorite color.

Her wish for Mei Lin:

Love, Peace & Joy

Thank you Sherry, it means everything that you would send Mei Lin such a special piece of cloth for her quilt.

#10 The Leger Family from Boundary Creek NB

This quilt piece came from Danny, Cindy, Connor, Brett and Isabella Leger. The Leger's adopted Isabella last January from China, her adoption story was one of the first that I followed. She and Mei Lin are the same age and Isabella's birthday is 3 days after Mei Lins.

Their wish to Mei Lin:

The Sun is your birthmother, who gave you life.
The Star is YOU, of course!
And the Heart is your mom's, your forever mom, who loves you, and cares for you, and makes a home with you.

I know adoption can be hard to understand, It can be a struggle to make sense of your feelings, but I believe your feelings and experiences will someday make you a strong and brave-hearted woman. You will also be the BEST of both your moms--Stars shine!

Thanks to the Leger family!

#9 from The Brants PEI

This quilt piece comes from the Brants! Jennifer, Jeff, Savannah, Baby (she is due any day) and Tya (the baby they will be adopting from China in 2008).

Jennifer was kind enough to make the trip out to drop off the quilt piece and wish in person...it was a short visit but we were glad to see her and wish her well with her new baby! Mei Lin gave her a big hug and kiss!

To Mei Lin they wrote:

"When a child is born invisible red threads extend from the child's spirit and connect to all the significant people who will be part of the child's life. As the child grows the threads shortn, drawing closer those people who are destined to be together." ~ Ancient Chinese Belief

Welcome to PEI Mei Lin...this wonderful little island, your home. We wish you happiness, love, peace, fun and laughter.

I remember when I posted this picture of Mei Lin while we were in China...I received a message from Jennifer saying how much she loved this picture. And she tells me that she gave the same piece of material to The Clows baby Kennedy (who are now in China) and to Shane & Debbie Gallant who are waiting for a referral from China...both who have made quilts for their children.

Thank you to the Brants!

#8 from The McInnis Family PEI

This piece of fabric comes from Tina, Grant, Keegan & Emma McInnis. I used to work with Tina, she is a really sweet gal!! Her kids also sent Mei Lin a little valentine!!

Their wish for Mei Lin:

We wish you much happiness with your family, as well excellent health.

Thanks McInnis Family, I love this piece of fabric!

#7 from Noella & Dale Nicholson PEI

Noella & Dale are also adopting from China. Noella left me a note with the fabric telling me that this small piece of fabric contains lots of love and well -wishes.

Here is what they wrote to Mei Lin:

What it Means to be Adopted:

Teacher Debbie Moon's first -graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had different hair colour than the other family members.

One chile suggested that he was adopted, and a little girl named Jocelyn Jay said "I know all about adoptions because I'm adopted".

"What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child.

"It means," said Jocelyn, "that you grew in your mother's heart instead of her tummy."

~George Dolan~

Thanks Noella & Dale - good luck to you both!

#5 & 6 from The Battaglia Family Naperville, IL

A block of lovely roses for a lovely rose of a girl!

The Battaglia family adopted Mei Lin's "Qujiang Sister", Jenna LeQiao in November of 2005 at the age of 10 months. The girls are from the same orphanage and are only a month apart in age. We have recently become aquainted through email and hope that one day the girls may keep in touch as well.

Here is Jenna LeQiao's wish for Mei Lin:

Little bits of fabric sewn into your quilt, form a warm and loving blanket from which memories are built. And when you seek peace and comfort in the quiet of the night, may it keep you warm and snug until the mornings light.

And from the Battaglia Family:

We wish you always:

Happiness to fill your heart, wisdom to fill your mind, and confidence in faith to fill your spirit. May you live your life being your true, authentic self.

Thank you Battaglia family!

#4 from Lori Bulger & Family PEI

I worked with Lori a few years ago and turns out she is sister to Deb who is adopting from China, she made a beautiful scrapbook page with chinese characters and ladybugs for Mei Lin's wish:

I wish you always;

Happiness to fill your heart, wisdom to fill your mind & faith to fill your spirit.

May your life bloom with the love that's showered on you daily.

She also sent Mei Lin some stickers and chinese postage stamps!

Thank you Bulger Family!

#3 from Helen & Dale Muttart PEI

Helen & Dale live in the community in where I grew up and I work with Dale at Hemphill GM...miss you Dale!

Here is what they wrote to Mei Lin:

"The Chosen Child"

We chose you Mei Lin for our own, so you are especially dear. We found you when you were alone, you brought us heaven here. All babies come close to the heart, but you dear child walked in. You have become a precious part of us, our closest kin. Adopted isn't what we say, you're chosen is the word. Through every hour of every day, our "Thank you God" is heard.

Beautiful.

Thanks Helen & Dale!

#2 from Lorraine & Rowan in Saskatoon

This piece came from Lorraine & Rowan...originally we were supposed to travel to China to get our babies together...but our journey took us in a new direction. Lorraine & Rowan are waiting for their referral from China and hope to travel before the end of the summer.

Their wish for Mei Lin is: Live, Love, Laugh...sweet & simple!

Thanks Lorraine & Rowan!

#1 from Debbie & Shane Gallant PEI

We received our first quilt piece last May from Debbie and Shane Gallant. Debbie and Shane are waiting for a referral from China and hope to travel within the next year. Here is what they wrote to Mei Lin:

You first came to us in an envelope with letters, forms and such, just two tiny pictures with nothing warm to touch.

You grew in our imagination, in our hearts and in our minds, you brought us greater joy than we ever thought we'd find.

A phone call started labor pains which lasted til we met, strangers brought together a day we won't forget.

You bloomed as you were planned in our hearts, our lives, our home. Our child of chance, of plan, of will, you're now our very own.

Thanks Deb and Shane!!