To Love Endlessly

We had such a surprise in the store today.  There is so much to share, yet sometimes it's best to let the pictures do the talking...

Magical moments with Patti and Little Miss all the way from way down south. To read more about this sweet family click here.

A Lot of Stars

A few weeks ago, we asked our customers to help us make stars. 

They are starting to come into the store so I am putting them up on the design wall.

They are going to be all sewed together to make quilts for wounded service men and women.

I like that idea.  Do you want to see how many came in today?  Click HERE.

Forever in Holland

My dearest Sarah,  I remember a time many years ago, when I could look at one of the first signs of spring and see simply flowers.

With their tall green leafy stems, their round pointy petals in a kaleidoscope of colors, I could stare at them for hours and still see only tulips.  And then you entered my world.  Your arrival rocked me to the core for a short while.  My firmly grounded feet felt like they had all of a sudden encountered murky soil.  With each new step, I was unsure of my future. Our future. Before I could fully embrace your existence, I had to endure a series of tests and trials.  Not all of them pleasant. In fact, I still carry the pain of a few to this day.  Yet, God had a plan for us Sarah.  For you and me sweet girl.

I will never forget the first time another more experienced mom shared with me the poem, Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley.  It gave me a new found hope. I wasn't sure I was in agreement with the idea that I was heading to Italy, yet I sure knew I wasn't planning on hitting Holland either.  I had a future mapped out.  It included a Career. Money. Status. Maybe even Fame. I was headed for great things. I was sure of it. Your extra chromosome wasn't written into that plan.  It took me a few months, but eventually I threw that old plan away. Truthfully, for a few years though, I hated the sight of tulips.  Gradually, I grew to appreciate them and what they stood for. A different place. Still beautiful, but different. 

We have been through a lot precious girl. I've held you in my arms far too many times not sure if your next breath will come.  Just this afternoon as we were driving down the highway, I looked back through my rear view mirror, and wondered if your fragile body was going to recover from a desperate coughing spell. One that forced us to pull off at the next exit. I asked my God, why? Why today? Why after all these years?

Then we turned the corner and there they were. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them. Scarlet and pale yellow tulips. We are in Holland Sarah. Forever in Holland. Beautiful, beautiful Holland. 

If only I knew back then what I know today. That the miracle of your birth was just the beginning for me. A fresh start to a grand and glorious life. I do wish I had realized sooner, that you were sent to teach me. To allow me to see the light through your eyes. To feel your love, a love like none other. It is so pure. So precious. So unconditional. If only I had been given just a glimpse of the bright and beautiful woman you were to be. I'm learning sweetheart. I need your patience for me to truly appreciate the plan that was outlined for us. God has known all along where we are going. 

Later today, we have a meeting. A discussion that will help shape the future, not just our future, but the future of others on this vast Ohio State University campus. You are a pioneer girlfriend. How very blessed I am to be invited to ride a long.

As I look over your shoulder and see the infamous Ohio Stadium, I am reminded of the times you needed to be removed from the game festivities due to breathing issues, once involving a police escort. It makes the symbolism of the tulips today even greater. You are larger than life itself Sarah. Helping to change the world. I am truly privileged to be your mom, and oh so very grateful that my plane landed in Holland.  

Happy Easter

Remembering Carly

Carly Elizabeth George

1-2-2002 ~ 4-23-2010

We miss you sweet friend

Shhh...

...it's still a little secret...but it's really, really, really, really, really good. Coming to a shop near you in September.  WHAT??? Did I just say September?  How can I wait that long?

Calling Nurse Sarah

by Joyce...last night I went to urgent care to have my shoulder examined. I came home in a lot of pain and sporting a dreadful sling on my arm.  You can read more about it here if you like. But that's not really the point of this post.

What I really want to share with you is how extremely helpful Sarah has been.  The first thing she did when I got home from the doctor is she went up into my room and brought me pj's and a robe to change into.  Then she got the quilt out that we have always used when the kids are not feeling well and gently wrapped it around me and carefully tucked the corners around my legs. She went into the kitchen and brought me some snacks and then sat in the big chair to watch television with me.  She often got up and came over to me to rub my head, reposition the pillow and check the strap on the sling. It melted my heart it was so sweet and totally unprompted.

This morning when I got out of the shower she was already dressed, sitting on my bed, with the sling in her hands ready to help put it on me.  She was so helpful at the store...until...she spotted me with the sling off.  Then she ran upstairs to tell John and TJ that I was not cooperating:) 

I've started calling her Nurse Sarah, to which she responds with a big, proud grin. Priceless moments for sure for this lucky momma.

Our Neighborhoods Most Wanted

by Joyce...Ok here's the guy...at our bank...geesh this stuff is getting out. of. control. I send my son here everyday to do our banking. Makes you think twice...

something this fool didn't do. Nothing like leaving your fingerprints directly on the counter of the bank you are attempting to rob. And how about the shirt? Nice identifier, don't ya think?

Now, in more frightening news.  The car in our neighbor's backyard.  Turns out it had nothing to do with the bank robbery.  Oh no. It was apparently involved in a kidnapping.  Officers have shot and killed the kidnapper according to the latest news reports.  Do you see how close that car is to the playset?  Thankfully, the children were inside at the time.  What is happening to our neighborhoods?  What is happening to the people around us?  It just doesn't seem right.     

Scared Straight Photos

by Joyce: For all of you calling...here are some photos. Yes indeed a police chase ended on our street today...well more accurately it ended in our neighbors back yard. I truly do not understand how anyone believes they will get away with bank robberies in this era of technology. Cameras are everywhere. And even more quizzical is why would you pick a cul-de-sac on your escape route. I will have to hand it to you though...some great driving skills making it through the two houses.

Moving onto another part of the story...this is why I hesitate ever leaving Sarah home alone. I've been scared straight once again.

Too Sick? Not.

by Joyce...Does this look like a girl that is too sick to go to work?

I think I've been scammed. Seriously though, it is springtime in Cleveland, Ohio. 75 and sunny one minute. 30 with blowing wind and rain the next. Back to sunshine followed by tornado warnings. Hello asthma. Bring on the steroids.

I've been meaning to write this for sometime. We have not been good bloggers lately. I am sorry we have not been commenting much. We still try to do a lot of reading though. The quilt store has just taken over our life. It is doing so much better than we could ever have anticipated, but it is tiring for sure. Please know that we still love you all so much and have not forgotten you. Wishing you all a happy spring.

I Have the BEST Readers

So I received another package. Can you believe it? First I opened the envelope. There was a great picture of a family and a note inside.

The note said, Sarah, I know how much you like Zac Efron so I hope you like this plate. I started reading your blog when we were adopting our little boy with Down syndrome from Hong kong. You are such an inspiration, I hope you have a great day. Addie Talley.

OMG, Did someone say Zac Efron?

Oh here is that part where I was shrieking and shaking the plate up and down I was so excited.

Here is a better view. Is this just the greatest!! Thank you so much Addie. You can read all about the Talley family HERE. Please go leave them some love, they've had a hard couple of weeks. I have the BEST readers ever.

I'm Shrieking!!!

One of the Good Guys

If you haven't seen this, you should watch it.

PLEASE VOTE FOR KATE

Remember my friend Kate Spain. She came to the grand opening of our store.

Well something really exciting is happening. It is called March Madness. No not basketball. This is for fabric. The whole world is trying to decide the best designed fabric collection. And Kate's collection called Central Park is in the finals!!! It is down to just two. PLEASE click this link and vote for Kate Spain's Central Park. Hurry it is almost over.

It's Movie Night

Just One Star

I have been very busy at the store packing kits.

First, I have to fold the directions.

Then I put it into the bag. It is just the perfect size.

Next I put in one pile of pre-cut fabric. My mom works on the cutting part. Then I seal it shut.

My last task is to put on a store label. I made 48 of these kits so far.

Finished. This is for a very important mission. It is a project to make quilts for men and women serving in the military who have been wounded. You can read more about it on our store blog.

It's Blue and White...

...and it matches my blue wheelchair. I had to get my handicap tag renewed.

My mom could not believe it had already been five years since we got the old one. I remember when we did it too. It was the year we were going to the water park where the old Sea World was. The parking lot was so far away I could barely walk it, but the lot to park in with a handicap tag was very close and it was always empty. It comes in really handy at Ohio State football games too. Well, that is what was in my envelope.

I Got a Letter

I just got home and there was a letter for me in the mailbox. It is from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

I wonder what it could be...

Yes!!!

The Judge said Yes. Evan is coming home!!!

Please go leave Angie, Clark & Evan some love.

Wait is Not No

My mom and I have been following this story very closely. Angie and Clark want to adopt sweet little Evan. Look at her smile. She is so cute. They are going to see the judge again today. We hope the judge says YES!!! I am going to be working to finish a quilt today to have it ready for Evan. I hope she is coming home to her forever family really soon.