A fun day in Guangzhou

At the U.S. Consulate

Nice afternoon walk in a beautiful park

So happy to be at this point in the journey

Sisters forever

Grandmommy aand Granddaddy and all their Jacoby girls

Finally no coat....well not wearing the coat:0)

Mommy and the "littles"

Fun times with our travel group

Mia sharing a kiss

The three Guizhou girls...connected for life

Addie and her new friend Ella

Wonderful day...all appointments are finished. Randy and I promised during our oath ceremony that all documents were accurate and true.  It was wonderful to be in an office surrounded with Americans and American personnel in the consulate office.  We are so close to returning home.  This excites us but yet we are saddened at the same time.  Tonight we had a "hall' party with our travel group.  Such a sweet time of fellowship as we reminisced and looked forward to times of reunion.  These families are so special to us..just like family.  We laughed and laughed as we had a little photo session with our new little ones.  They were all little "hams'" as they posed and interacted with each other.  Their antics were so cute...kissing each other on the cheeks...sitting in a row just clapping and clapping their precious little hands.  What a joy to watch and witness what nine days has accomplished.  Nine days filled with love, security and family.  Mia has had a wonderful day.  Lots of time was spent outside walking through a beautiful park.  She loves to be carried...just fine with us:0) and goes quite freely among Ahnna, Abigail and myself.  We laugh because she is so quick to fall asleep on our shoulders after she has been playing and laughing...she is a deep sleeper...Praise the Lord!!!!  The day has been special because it has led us forward..deepening our bonds of mother, father and sisters.  Nine days..that's all it's been and she has us wrapped around her sweet little fingers and we pray she is minute by minute understanding our deep love and connection with her.  Oh what a special day we have had.

Seven Days Together

Seven days together...seven days becoming family...seven days of walking on a path filled with tears, fear, anger, smiles, recognition, security, peace, belonging, joy all coming together to transform a  26.1 pound little dark eyed girl.  Oh to never ever forget every moment we have witnessed.  I just can't comprehend the power of God's healing hand.  His word proclaims healing and we have seen His work displayed in Mia's heart and soul.  She continues to blend into our family.  We are amazed at so many similarities between she and Addie.  Both have a huge zeal for life....they are lovers of action and excitement.  Mia loves to be on the go.  Each day while we are in our room she will bring us her coat...if she isn't already wearing it and motions for us to go to the door.  Once out and about she is a continuous sponge...taking everything in with such determination.  We are amazed at just what she continues to do with her hands...very quickly she perfected dipping french fries into ketchup....McDonald's french fries that is!!!!  We love to watch her eat because she LOVES to eat.  I know she was never allowed to have food at her fingertips as we have allowed her to have.  It is a tender sight to see how she gobbles and even hoards at times knowing how little she probably was allowed to eat.  At this point we let her snack all throughout the day...to help her find security in knowing we will provide for her every need. She is very secure in being with Ahnna, Abigail and now ME.  She and I have crossed some huge hurdles and now I am sweetly rewarded with precious time holding her hand or holding her..even to the point of her little head cuddling on my shoulder.  Randy continues to build her trust each day.  He now receives her little waves hello and smiles as he interacts with her so tenderly from a distance.  My parents are also being allowed to interact as well.  She always smiles when she sees them and at times "calls" for them if she sees them at a distance.  Her little legs are so quick to climb, run, and today climb and slide down slides as we enjoyed a park on Shamian Island.  We could describe her as fearless...but she repeatedly reaches to be held and loved.  Kisses are shared freely.  We are smitten.  We are so thankful to be at this point...walking forward.  We are excited about home being not so far away...many miles may separate us but it is your prayers we know connect the distance.  Much Love and goodnight from Guangzhou.

Mia's first McDonald's french fries

Sisters enjoying Shamian Island

Ahnna and Addie teaching Mia computer skills

Addie modeling her new umbrella

Mia and her first time to slide

Having so much fun

Holding my baby girl while she sleeps

Not much else I can say about this!

Finally in Guangzhou

Hello from Guangzhou.....finally.  We are weary...still cold...but we are many steps closer to coming home. Traveling from Guiyang was extremely taxing and exhausting.  Even with exhaustion we are not missing what is happening in little Mia's heart. She is becoming more trusting( even though she needs to have her coat and shoes with her most of the time)...more social...more accepting of each of us.  She laughs, giggles, gives kisses, holds our hands..eats around the clock...if we let her :0) But most of all, we all sense she is beginning to understand who we are becoming to her.  We have captured some tender moments with each of us...even a camera couldn't catch those special times.  These are special days as we are all learning to become family.  Wounds are still so real...healing is still so needed.  We are on that road though and are so excited about continuing the journey together.

Leaving the arctic.....Guiyang

Passing time by playing with luggage at the airport

Asleep during takeoff

Being a big girl at her medical exam

Special moment with Mia's doctor at the Medical Clinic

Sisters

Cold and bleak days will Not dampen what the Lord is doing in the life of His little one.

We laugh as we realize one so young sure has a lot of power as we are all cramped in one little room as she sleeps peacefully in the adjoining room...all by herself!! We are relieved Mia finds peace though when she is resting.  The road getting to that relief is bumpy but once she gives in, she is peaceful.  We are slowly learning what works best for her frightened little soul...as much as I want to hold her to comfort her before she drifts away, this is not what she wants.  I lay her down in her little bed as she fights against herself trying to find that comfort and familiarity she once knew.  In her little hands are the little pink elephant and tan puppy we sent to her in her care package...I guess they are what remind her of her home and hands that use to care for her.  It seems maybe we turned some small corners today in respect with how she is relating to Randy and I.  Randy fed her her breakfast and the two of them gained some comfort with each other....providing those basic needs...these are huge steps forward with these precious little ones who are torn away from their security. Randy craves for her attention  It is so precious to see her little by little let go of her fear and begin to welcome him into her heart.  He is patient though...so patient and knows time will heal and will then grow the bond of daddy and daughter.  Sometimes my patience is not so strong as I wait for her to not just see her as her provider but know me in her heart as the one who has been given the name of Mommy.  We spent some special moments together in the Provincial Museum today.  The beginning  was rocky but we both endured and for the moment she seemed content with my love.  She loves to walk and go up and down stairs...she is so confident with steps...she must have had a lot of experience with them in her home...never misses and step and absolutely no wobbling!!!  Even though she loves to be mobile she is just not confident of being out of arms.  Our moments were so rewarding today because there were several times I needed to set her down for this and that and those little arms reached up to me to pick her up again.  Those were baby steps...but steps I will not forget.  Little gems of her personality keep emerging as we learn more and more of just who Mia is.  She is very concerned about any of her skin showing..most of the time she has to have her coat on even when we are in our room and likes it zipped up to her chin.  She adores her shoes and must always be wearing them..even to bed!  We comply and of course know this is a way she is finding comfort.  Her little hands are so quick to do such intricate things.  She can screw a lid onto a water bottle...wind string around her finger...snap, zip, button...many things I'm sure she has been exposed to in some way.  At times when I see her entertaining herself with just a little string, I am reminded of how little she probably had to play with and a piece of string was enough.  As we prepare to leave Guizhou tomorrow night...we are a little saddened to think we are taking Mia away from her birth province.  Her life here would have been a struggle.  If Love Without Boundaries had not found her and supported her surgeries her life would have been horrific...a life of forever abandonment and rejection,  Praise be to our God He whispered the call of adoption into our hearts.  The faith to walk forward along this unknown path hasn't always been easily found and held...but is what has compelled us to keep moving. And that weakened faith though is what led us around the world to a  frightened abandoned little girl...our daughter...Mia Kate Jacoby

People burning incense in the inner courts of a Buddhist Temple 

 Mia with her pink elephant and her beloved snack bag

 Mommy, Addie and Mia coloring

Exploring the city

Mommy and Mia

A famous pavilion in Guiyang 

Three sisters

Precious

Loving thee steps

Tai Chi anyone?

The Jacoby girls walking through the Monkey Park

Enjoying a stroll

Our travel group

Just the two of us

Addie and Mia

Three sisters

Happy 2013 from Guiyang, China

I think we are finally adjusting to China time. Yesterday we all kinda felt like zombies, but after a good night's sleep...all 6 of us feel like we are returning to normal. (our new normal) Yesterday brought many smiles and giggles from Mia. We are starting to learn about her personality. She can be very serious and has eyes that penetrate that drives us to wonder just what she's thinking. We have also seen a strong spirit of independence. Seems like she acts so much older than her young age. It is evident that she has played hard and can throw a "wham" pretty easily. She responds well to our direction and seems so interested in everything around her.  Our day was spent mostly in our rooms relaxing and adjusting to how our family is changing. Last night brought new waves of grieving as she laid in my mom's arms whimpering and crying for "mama." Those moments are very hard because all we can do is just say it's okay and love her through it. We are encouraged by her progress even though it's slow and pray that today we will walk forward even more. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers, we could not be here without your thoughts and whispers to our Father. Today brings a day of touring, first in the "Monkey Park." Not quite sure what to think about this adventure since there are monkeys roaming around freely. :0) I'm afraid we could call ourselves party poopers when it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve, we just couldn't do it, so so tired. Enjoy your celebrations and we are excited about joining with you all in this new year as we walk forward in the steps God ordains.

First morning to play 

Sisters playing 

 Hands in her pocket!

Daddy and his "littles"

 Fast Asleep after a trip to the market

Asleep in Mema's arms

Fast Asleep

 Happy Girl!!