I love the mailman!

We received the most precious gifts in the mail today for SweetPea. My amazing sister-in-law made a beautiful doll and adorable clothes, too.

Here's the letter slightly edited for content and privacy:

Hi Losiloni,
I made this doll after getting the idea from a google search I did on Ethiopia adoption. Seemed like lots of people were looking for African dolls. and since I actually grew up with a black doll my mom made for me, I thought I'd try to make one! (I'm still amazed that she made me a black doll, and we lived in an all-white area of Washington State!) Anyhow, I loved my doll and she traveled the world with me. All my sisters had dolls, too, and we played with them up in trees, down by creeks, changing their clothes, tea parties... you name it. My mom couldn't find the pattern for the doll she made for me and my sisters, but there was a smaller version, so I tried making that one. I think it turned out pretty similar to mine. I made some hasty clothes and my mom made some, too! The good ones are from her :) And G & L helped, too; stuffing her and holding pieces while I tried to sew them. The "suitcase" is an old purse from my sister E.

Also, these dolls get dirty and fall apart, etc. But if there's ever a repair you want me to do, there's a life-time gift certificate on that. My doll (Missa) was repaired by my mom quite a lot and then I started doing it myself:) and she had some pretty funny looks over the years. Now she has a completely rubbed out face and only a couple of nubbins left for hair. But she's still beautiful to me.

Just out of curiosity, I'd love to know what SweetPea names her and if she plays with her. So let me know about that down the line, okay?
Love,
A
Isn't she amazing? When I saw the doll and all of the clothes I almost cried. It really is one of the sweetest gifts ever.