INTRODUCING LILY

Home From China

2010-11-23T15:55:00.000-06:00

We arrived in Beijing after a long flight on Saturday Nov 6. It was so smoggy when we arrived, it was hard to see the buildings. The smog made it hard for me to breath. We met our guide at the airport. There were 2 other couples on our plane and we took a bus to our hotel. The next day, we had a chance to take in some sights. We took a richshaw ride through old Beijing. We visited a home of one of the residences there.

The next day we had a early flight to Guiyang, we arrived at our hotel, and then shortly later, we were taken to a govenment office to get our Daughter. As we arrived, there was a man feeding a baby, we were told that it was our daughter and I could take pictures. Lily was place in my arms, and she didn't cry at all. She took to me and Brian. We had to fill out alot of paperwork, but after 2 hours we were able to take Lily to our hotel. We officailly became parents that day. Later I left Lily with Brian while I went with our guide to get supplies. I met up with the other couple that were adopting from our province. They are both Chinese, but live in Canada. David speakes Manderin, so he was very helpful translating for us.

The next few days we checked out some sights of the city including a Buddist sactuary. On the way to it, we were able to see alot of Maccacs (monkeys). People would give them drink bottles and they are able to open them and drink from it.

We left Guiyang on Friday and arrived back in Beijing later that night. Lily was a good traveller except for the liftoff and landing.
The following week, we had paperwork to get done, and did alot of sightseeing. Including The Great Wall of China, Taninemum square and the Forbidden City. We we shopping at the Jade factory, where Brian bought me a bangle braclet. We shopped at the Silk factory and the pearl market.
Our hotel room was not that good. I couldn't turn of the heat. I felt like I was in a Sauna for the whole week we were there. Also the smoke seemed to seep through the vents. China isn't a very healthy place. We were leaving our hotel, and right next to a No smoking sign was a man smoking. They hope to change this, they are going to try enforce it in the future.

Our flight home was delayed by over 4 hours. We just barely made our connecting flight. We were all suffering from colds, and due to the cold, my ears were in alot of pain flying into Winnipeg. My dad met us at the Airport. I was a long day of travelling, but I was glad to be home. I haven't slept a whole lot since being home. I am still trying to get Lily to sleep in her crib, but since she slept with her foster mom, this has been a hard thing to change. Hopefully overtime she will get use to it.

Overall we are all doing good despite the colds. Lily is fitting in just right into our family. I would not change a thing.

Lily's Nursery

2010-11-03T16:42:00.000-05:00

Lily's Friends Waiting for her to come home

A Gift from Johnny Reid's Tartan Army

Reading and Cuddling Nook

Leaving for China

2010-11-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

Brian and I are getting ready to leave for China on Friday. I've been busy shopping, organizing and packing. I hope I'm ready. It will be a long flight with a 4 hour lay over in Vancouver. Monday will we Gotcha Day for us. We can't wait to see Lily and hold her in our arms.

The Wilsons Mine All Mine

2010-09-25T21:42:00.001-05:00

This song by The Wilsons has touched my heart. The words are exactly how I feel. I can't wait to be Lily's mom. Lily you are already loved even though I haven't met you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8RuEKF9K_c

LEAVE FOR CHINA

2010-09-17T17:21:00.002-05:00

Brian and I leave for China on November 5. We are leaving a day earlier, so we can get adjusted to the time difference. We have 15 other couples in our group going to various provinces.

Johnny Reid

2010-09-17T16:40:00.000-05:00

INTRODUCING LILY: Introducing Lily LiuHao

2010-09-06T23:33:00.000-05:00

INTRODUCING LILY: Introducing Lily LiuHao

GUIZHOU CHINA

2010-09-06T22:48:00.003-05:00

We travel to Guiyang to get our daughter. She was born in Kaili City. We hope to travel there to see where Lily was born.

Introducing Lily LiuHao

2010-09-06T21:56:00.002-05:00

After 4 long years of waiting, we decided to switch to the waiting child program in June. On August 19 we were approved and added to the list for a waiting child. After just a few days, on Aug 23 I received a call at work that we had a proposal for a little girl in China.

LiuHao lives in the Guizhou province and was born in Kaili City. She will be 1 year old on Oct 28. We are so excited to be travelling to China on November 6. We will be there until November 18.

Lily's Ladybug Quilt

2007-06-26T20:08:00.001-05:00

I just finished Lily's first quilt. Here are a couple of pictures of it. This Quilt will go in her nursery.

New fabrics received for swapping

2006-11-10T15:15:00.000-06:00

These are new fabrics I purchased to use in different swaps.

This fabric I am using in The Province of China swap. There are 34 provinces and everyone in this swap does a little bio on the province and the fabric should represent that province.

Ladybugs

Celebrated 3 Months being Logged IN

2006-11-10T15:12:00.000-06:00

We have been logged-in for 3 months now. We are probably looking at another 10 - 11 months to get our referral. Hopefully things will speed up and we will hear sooner.

Samples of Fabrics

2006-08-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

The Asian fabrics are being used in my Asian Group swap in OHGWQ user group. I will be doing an all Asian Theme Quilt.

Here are some samples of fabrics I am using for my 100 Wishes Quilt exchange and I will also incorportate some of this material in my own quilts.

These Ladybug squares I got off ebay, They are already pre-cut. I have 30 pieces to put in my Ladybug Quilt.

A nice poem

2006-08-14T19:01:00.000-05:00

Green said "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority.

"Blue interrupted "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing.

"Yellow just chuckledOrange started next to blow her trumpet "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.

"Red could stand it no longer he shouted out "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.
"Purple rose up to his full height He was very tall and spoke with great pomp "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey.

"Indigo finally spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.

"And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening-- thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, Rain began to speak

"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The Rain continued

"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow.

" And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

Friendship is like a rainbow - Red like an apple, sweet to the core. Orange, like a burning flame, never dying out. Yellow like the sun that brightens your day. Green like a plant that keeps on growing. Blue like the water that is so pure. Purple like a flower that is ready to bloom. Indigo like the dreams that fill your heart.

Thank you for your friendship!

Our home

2006-08-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of our home. We live in a nice neighborhood. Perfect for raising a little girl. We have a large backyard for her to play in.

100 Wishes Quilt

2006-08-05T11:53:00.000-05:00

I have started on a 100 Wishes Quilt. It is also known as Bai Jei Bei in Chinese.

This tradition began in Northern China. When a new child was born, family and friends would give the parents pieces of fabric, generally from clothing they’d worn, to the new parents to create a quilt from the 100 pieces of fabric (wishes). The quilt was meant to wrap and warm the child in good wishes and the energy of the people who were around the child. Parents adopting from China have taken on this tradition by creating One Hundred Good Wishes quilts for their children, and many parents who have/are adopting from other countries have taken on this tradition as well. With each fabric piece that is given to the new parents, a wish for the child is also sent, written on paper so that the child will always know the wishes made just for them.

Once I receive a 100 wishes and squares, I will make a beautiful keepsake for our daughter.

Cindy, Brian and Lily's Names in Chinese

2006-07-30T16:13:00.000-05:00

2006-07-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

Waiting for Lily

Our journey for Lily started in October during dinner, when my husband brought up the idea of adopting from China. He has been thinking about adopting for quite awhile, so when he asked me about my views on it I was little stunned. We don't have any children of our own but the idea was a lot to take in. We discussed different countries to adopt and did some research before deciding that this was the right direction for us to go. Just before Christmas we started the process to adopt from China and it has been the best decision we have ever made.

On Christmas day 2005, we told my family. They were so excited for us and my parents can't wait to be grandparents again. My sister is excited to be an Aunt and to welcome a new cousin for her twin sons.

We are very excited to be parents and can't wait to welcome Lily to our home. We in the regular program and have requested a girl between 6 months and 2 years.