Winter

This face says it all.

The Evolution of Emilees Room

I live in two time zones, now. You have brought me 14 hours into the future. Before dawn here, it is your early evening. Is someone holding you? Looking into your shining black eyes? Or, do your eyes search - hungry to reflect a mother's love? My eyes ache to look into yours for the first time and then again and again. With your birth, you marked June 28thforever in my consciousness. I look at the calendar, and calculate, my daughter is 7 months old today. Yesterday, I learned your name – Xu Jin Xiu- my bright and shining baby girl. Half a planet away and fourteen hours in the future, my consciousness seeks yours offering my time. Time reaching back to your ancestors and mine.Time reaching forward to the children you will share your time with when my time is past.

What Emilee will look like in a few years....

The Children of China

There's an unseen tie that binds them,

A red thread that will not break.

They are woven in a tapestry

It took five thousand years to make.

Their eyes are wide with wonder

Tiny hands reach out to touch

The faces of the families

Who have wanted them so much.

The daughters of China, they fly across the seas,

Off to unseen places and possibilities.

They are gifts to those who cherish them

By those who just could not.

Acts of hope and faith and love

That we never will forget.

They were given up for reasons

That most will never know.

Now they're daughters to the families

Who have come to take them home.

And someday they'll too be mothers

And have children and a home.

Thread by thread they will tie the knots

To weave new tapestries all their own.

The daughters of China, they fly across the seas,

Off to unseen places and possibilities.

They are gifts to those who cherish them

By those who just could not.

Acts of hope and faith and love

*****

Written By Tim Chauvin

Above is the full page ad, where a weeks worth of babies ads were circulated

Jin Xiu is the bottom fourth picture

Jin Xiu's Finding Ad

Since 1999, the orphanages in China are required to run a provincial newspaper advertisement for children that are found and brought to their orphanage. These ads contain information about where and when the children were found and which orphanage is caring for them. Originally these were text-only ads, but most provinces now include photographs in their ads. These photographs are usually the earliest available pictures of the children. Here is Jin Xiu's finding ad. I am guessing that she is less than 1 month old.

There is an adoptive father who locates finding ads for families and he was able to find Jin Xiu's. The picture is not very good but I am thrilled to have it. I also received a letter certifying that the finding ad for Xu Jin Xiu was published August 30, 2005, in the Nanfang Farmer's Daily and is the 1,664th picture ad for 2005.

I also received translation of her add:

Ad # 1664

Xu Jin Xiu

Finding Date 6/28/05

Found at the gate of the Xu Wen County Orphanage

She was a newborn baby when found.

She looks very different but after looking at the eyes I am certain this is her. I also made sure to match the chinese characters in her name, which are the first three characters and they match!!!

Xuwen

Profile

Xuwen County is located in the southernmost part of China Mainland; bordering South China Sea in the east and Beibu Gulf in the west; being separated from Hainan by the 18-nautical-mile wide Qiongzhou Straits. Coastal line is 372 kilometers, covering an area of 1,779 square kilometers with a population of 680,000.

In Yuanding VI, Han Kingdom (111.B.C), the county was established, capital was in the rear of islets, integrated with Shiwei, Erqiao and Nan wan (Touwang Village, in ancient times), where leans on Shiling Mountain, Passage in the east to South China Sea and adjoins the Pacific Ocean, adjacent to southwestern Asian countries. Creator's preference concentrated on her, thus the superior Port came into being thanks to Providence, then became the starting Port for Sea-Silk-Road. She has experienced two-thousand-year ups and downs. Plain Customs and folks seem to remain. Scenery is charming. Ancient wells, commercial port and docks have testified history. Now the old battle field, where the PLA across Qiongzhou Straits to liberate Hainan has been sanitary sea and blue sky. Seagulls crying, trade ships sail here and there frequently, (adjacent to a mound) Guangdong-Hainan Railway Ferry Wharf stands grandly. Ancient and contemporary landscapes converge; Culture and economy combine; a conjunction of human civilization and cream of nature.

The initial port of the ancient Silk Road

It is located in the northwest of the northern port of the ferry of Guangdong-Hainan Railway. Around the region of Erqiao, Nanwan and Shiwei Villages there was the Xunwen County set up in 111 AD in Western Han Kingdom. The site covers an area of 25,000 square meters, where has unearthed relics of brick, tile, bronze ware, porcelain, Pearls and ornaments, etc. In November 1993 and December 2002 to January 2003 the provincial archeological institution, municipal museum and the Cultural Administration of Xunwen County jointly made the large-scale exploration after the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and checked that the site was of the early Western Han Kingdom. In November 2001 the Counselor's Office of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Cultural Research Association, Cultural and History Exhibition Hall and the government of Zhanjiang City jointly held the large-scale symposium of South Chinese Port and Marine Silk Road. The expert group again made an investigation on spot and confirmed that the port was the beginning of marine Silk Road of Han Kingdom.

Village of Longevity

Jintu Village of Xilian Town is the poorest one among Xuwen before 1949, but the poor named their village “Jintu”, meaning the golden land. After the founding of the PRC, the village has taken great changes and the life of native villagers has been getting better and better. Its special ecological environment contributes to the village of longevity with over 170 people aged 70 or older, over 150 people aged 80 or older and 7 people aged 100 or older. Entering the village, you will learn effective methods for nourishing the elder, keeping longevity and good health.

)(http:// www.xuwen-china-fpa.org)(

Jin Xiu's Orphanage--Xu Wen County CWI

This is the outside of Jin Xiu's Orphanage. It was sent to me by a fellow Xuwen Mom (Thanks Marianne )

Andrew

Joseph

WITH GREAT JOY

I AM HONORED TO ANNOUNCE

MY DAUGHTER

EMILEE MADISON JINXIU

This is what I know so far

Chinese Name: Xu Jin Xiu

Last name: Xu after her orphanage XuWen

First name: Jin

Middle name: Xiu

Meaning: Splendid and Beautiful ( I agree)

Birthdate: June 28, 2005

Checkup on June 29, 2005

7.04 lb

19.31 inches

Check up at 4 months (October 2005)

12.1 lb

25.02 inches

Development

First Month:

could watch the light, blink when there was a sound and folder her hand when it was touched

Second Month:

She could turn her head after ringing a bell, movement of hand and feet when happy. Would cry when she was wet and hungry. Does not like being wet or hungry.

Third Month:

Was able to support her upper body with forearms while lying on stomach, keeps her head up, rolls overShe likes when people talk to her and moves her lips to imitate Responds to Nannies voice and smiles a lot

Forth Month:

She could hold a toy in her hand and reaches for toys in front of she utters words like Ma and Ba

She loves to smile and is very affectionate She is active, , loves music, and a deep sleeper

A favorite among the nannies the call her "Xiu Xiu"

Emilees One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt

There is a Northern Chinese tradition of the "Bai Jia Bei" or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." , When a baby was born, family and friends would donate to the child's mother fabric scraps from old clothing with a wish for the baby. To welcome and celebrate a new life, the mother would make a quilt for the child from the scraps. It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from all of the families and friends who contributed the fabric surrounds the child when she is wrapped in the quilt. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation. This idea of the 100 Wishes Quilt really touched me. What a wonderful way to have everyone participate in the celebration of Emilee coming into our lives. The quilt would be a community quilt of love and wishes waiting for her to be snuggled in it. Besides for tradition, she will someday be able to see how much she was wanted and thought about even before she came into our family. On December 27th, I sent out a letter via email and postal mail to our family and friends explaining what the Bai Jia Bei is and how they can participate. To my surprise, the responses were swift and overwhelming. Everyone wanted to get involved. I even joined a 100 good wishes swap group on line to share squares and wishes with other families that were going to China this year to get their daughters. Their squares would represent; to the mothers making the quilts, a bond between mothers that have waited and wished for our daughters to come home and to you a sisterhood of knowing that in the blanket there were squares and wishes of other families just like Emilees, who came from the same country and share your same history.

After a long decission I finally decided on a pattern and stiched them together.

As you can see the project got out of hand. I had so many squares and I didnt want to leave anyone out.

The blanket has become a family blanket because I can wrap my whole family in it.

Now that I have the top finished I still have to put it together and quilt it.

Josephs Science Fair Project

West Point, New York

Grandma and her Boys

The Gift of Life (author unknown) * I didn't give you the gift of life, But in my heart I know. The love I feel is deep and real, As if it had been so. * For us to have each other Is like a dream come true. No, I didn't give you The gift of life. Life gave me the gift of you~

My Nephew Joseph-11 1/2 years old

my nephew Andrew--7 years old

China In My Mind In my mind, I am in China. I am holding you, your tiny little hand, in mine. You are not sure, but I am. Your beautiful dark eyes stare at me, in wonder. I say to you, for the first time, hand on heart...'Mama'. You touch my face, and again I say...'Mama' - Hopeful you can understand. What memories you hold in your heart - I will never know. What fears, what loneliness, what hurt has lived in you - you cannot tell. But, I can tell you - that time is done. In my mind, I am in China. Your Grandma is crying, and we are, in awe. Your apple red cheeks glow with the first smile given, just for us. The enormity of the moment hanging - Just above. The finality, sure and content in my heart. In my mind, I am in China. We are a family and waiting for you across the ocean Many cousins, Aunts and Uncles long awaiting you. A family tree you join, A place for you, from time beginning. Today my arms do not hold you - Your smile is still unseen - Still, you live in my heart, in my mind, In this world!...Somewhere. The calendar crawls, and the days, trudge - a flicker of news propels me. And again, in my mind, I am in China... I am in love... And you are forever welcomed home. ----S.A.J.

The Bracelet This scarlet cord around my wristSymbolically it standsWith sev'ral precious meaningsThroughout the woven strands.Three different colors make the string:There's reds! ~not one but two.Each stand for someone special:One me, the other you.The interwoven golden threadsThroughout this scarlet stringRemind us there's a Greater Love(They represent what destiny will bring).Fate had connected us long ago, before we were,Before all time and spaceIntricately entwined our livesUnder gods love and guiding grace Before the bracelet was tied on me It had two ends that were apart They represent our lives together That when united created our start The circle represents our bond Entangled together, unbroken and strong It’s a symbol of my love for you So you know where you belongWhen I come to get you,The birds will sing that day The sun will shine upon us When I bring you home to stay!But now I wait impatiently Until the day arrives When you will be my daughter And fate finally unites our lives

Andrew

Joseph

Red Thread Proverb

They say that when a child is born,

an invisible red threads reach out from the child's spirit

to all the important people who will enter her life.

As she grows,

the threads shorten,

drawing her closer to the people who love her.

I looked up into the sky last night

And saw a shooting star.

I thought of you and made my wish,

So close but yet so far.

I’ve been dreaming for many years.

Of seeing all your charms.

All I know is that you’re here,

In my heart and soon my arms. Your room is almost ready.

The toys have all been bought.

Memories are waiting to be made,

Lightening bugs to be caught. I’ve dreamed of you all my life,

And now my dream is coming true.

For 32 years I’ve been empty

just Waiting for you. Words cannot describe the love,

That I already feel for you.

Just know that soon I’ll have you home,

To start our lives anew.

---SAJ

The Baby Shower

Celebrating Andrews 7th Birthday

The Cake

My friend and Business partner Stacy made this amazing cake.

Alexandria taking her belt exam

My Beautiful and Talented God Daughter, Alexandria, taking her belt exam

Longing For Emilee All the years of longing will soon come to an end. We will celebrate with family we will celebrate with friends I will show my darling Emilee how much she is loved and blessed Not only by her mommy But by her family and friends who are the best Yes, even before they met you they truly loved you so and couldn't hardly wait for me to get the word to "GO" I can't wait to see you and hold you in my arms I promise I’ll do my best to keep you from all harm To become a young lady is what I wish for you I’ll do all that we can to make your dreams come true

My Niece /mariel--8 years old

The Most Beautiful Things in the World

The Most Beautiful Things in the World

The most beautiful

things in the world

cannot be seen,

nor touched...

But they are felt

in the heart.

-Helen Keller