We're in Guangzhou!

Ahhhhhhh Starbucks!
What a welcomed sight!
Anyway, we spent our last part of Nanning at the mall, in search of nothing in particular...other than maybe some air conditioning (which of course was not on). Mira was able to ride a Minnie mouse ride which was entertaining fr her.
Then we were off to the airport to move onto the next part of our journey. On the way to the airport, Amby our guide sang me a song...it was very beautiful. It was a song from the Beijing Olympics. It was a very nice jesture, he explained to me that "a man will sing to girl if he want to marry". so, Greg I'm sorry, I think I got engaged!
Tammy, this parts for you girl... I USED MY FIRST SQUATTY at the airport, and my pant legs stayed dry...woooohoooo!
Mira did awesome on the plane, in my opinion. Other than the poor guy next to us had to look at every picture of our family at least 3-4 times!!
We checked into the Holiday Inn with no problem, it is incredibly spacious, clean and has air! I may not have mentioned that we have been DYING here...so humid and hot! We met our guide Becky and another CHI family.
Today, which is Saturday, we had Mira's medical appt...she did great. Very cooperative...easy peasy. After that Becky took us to a jewelry wholesale market....unbelievable.... 5 stories of vendors, over 1500 in one place. Then we went to Shaimin Island to do a bit of shopping. We HAD to stop at Starbucks and have a cold beverage, I think Mira is hooked, on shopping and Starbucks. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed being on the island, I met a few Christian shop owners which of course is rare. I have to say a few things: it seems like the shop owners like to tell you they are Christians because they are unable to be so open about their beliefs. I want to send a huge recommendation to all who will be traveling here...visit Jenny's and Jody's....they are wonderful women who will give you a great deal!!
We made a few purchases then back to the hotel. We are beat!
Papa Johns Pizza delivered right to our hotel tonight for dinner! Delicious!
A few things about Mira....
~ sweet as candy
~ VERY adaptable
~ acts as if she has known me FOREVER!
~ eats almost everything, has only turned down broccoli since we met
~ can count to 5 in English
~ can use sign language for bathroom, all done (easier to communicate)
~ likes to high 5, fist bump and does the peace sign on both hands if she is excited
~ she weighs about 26 pounds
.~ she wears a 3T (she is soooo tiny)
I am so excited for tomorrow... There is a Christian Church on the Island and we will be going. The service is done in Mandarin and English...can't wait!
To close this post out, I have a heavy heart this evening for Mira's birth mother. I do not know what her circumstances are or were but I know she is missing out on an AMAZING, DETERMINED.....PERFECT little girl. But for her decision, I am thankful.






























Love to all from China
Xxoo
PS...please say a prayer for my brother, he is a Marine and is leaving for Afganistan this afternoon... Prayin for you my little bro...keep lookin up!

Vanessa


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"The HERE".....(kitty kitty kitty)

Final night in Nanning

Let me start by saying, this wouldn't fly in the USA!!!
Every night since we have been here we have stayed "safe" or cautious food wise. Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds etc.... Since this was our last night here we decided to venture outside of the box. Behind our hotel, the Nanning Marriott (which is very nice, clean, amazingly courteous staff) there is a what we at home would call restaurant row. We were told there was an Italian place that had good pizza so we went out in search of. We found the place that seemed rather hip, 3 stories, icicle style lights. The HERE. Upon entering they told us to be seated upstairs (FYI...no handicap friendly anything...anywhere) so we went upstairs and the waitress said we could be seated on a large L shaped couch with 2 very small tables. The place is very interesting, very eclectic, an array of decor from Mexico to China to Italy and many many statues & pillows of cats. We began to look at the menu which had a great variety of items to choose from. We began to notice there were photos of cats throughout the menu....this seemed odd, very odd. Not as though they were a meal option, like with a price or anything..just pics. We ordered our dinner, Kara had wine and I got a soda (no ice). They arrived at the table armed with a small bottle of wine, 2 shots of Tequila & my coke. When we asked what the shots were we were told "free"! Apparently, it was warm tequila, apple juice and an apple slice...doesn't sound very Italian. Anyway, suddenly Mira began saying "meow meow"... Can you believe they had LIVE cats roaming this restaurant?!?! I was in absolute shock... The health department would shut the doors! Better yet, my mom would have leaped from the second story to get the heck out of there! So this sighting of live animals got me a bit freaked out, I began to inspect the place pretty well...it was very clean. Possibly cleaner than some at home. The food was EXCELLENT!! The prices were cheap and to top it all off, another adoption couple we met along the way came in a joined us. It was an awesome night and I am glad we ventured out to The HERE.

As a side note.... Wanna know how small the world really is?? We met a couple staying here in our hotel, who adopted the sweetest little 22 mo old girl. As the mom, Amy and I began talking we discovered that they live in MD, Howard County to be exact but get this.....we went to the same high school!! Yes, she graduated a few years before me...what would be the chances of being the only Americans (literally) in the city and growing up in the same small town?? Awesome!
We leave from Nanning on Fri am (your time at home) to head to Guangzhou, this will be a welcomed change for us.
Mira is fantastic as can be, she is all kid and acts as though she has lived with me forever! She is testing limits but what child doesn't. I know I am thankful tonight for modern technology. I have been able to skype with my family 2 times a day. And because of this, Mira has her daddy "baba" wrapped around her little finger. The first thing I taught her affection wise was to blow kisses...she blow baba kisses over and over... It just melts his heart...he actually just beams at her sight! Can't wait to unite them in just 8 more days!
A huge thank you to those emailing, praying and sending notes from home...it definitely makes this trip a little easier. I must say, adoption isn't for the faint of heart BUT...WOW...really amazing lessons and blessing come with it! I wouldn't change this opportunity for the world!












Until next time!
Vanessa


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A few things I know......

~I am grateful to kara for being with me, this is a tough trip!
~ I am grateful for my mom who is willing to be with my girls
~ I miss my girls like crazy!! And you too Greg!
~ I would pay $150 for a chick fil a sandwich right now! (seriously)
~ I wish I could see sunshine, rained everyday since we left
~ Mira is the sweetest girl....she loves her sisters (via skype!) and her baba
~ she is determined, smart and lovable!
~ she knows her name and will say it occasionally
~ she speaks to me in the softest voice, I wish I knew what she was saying!
~ we serve an amazing God who blesses us abundantly, if we allow Him!
~ I am ready for a change of scenery, looking forward to Guangzhou
~ kara and I agree we would pay $100 for a cup of Starbucks!

Mira had her first Happy Meal yesterday and she loved it! My girl is a dipper just like Sami.... Every French fry went into sweet and sour sauce!
Here are a few pics..... She is amazingly cute, funny and easy going! She's a natural Newman!














In love, in China!
Vanessa


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Visit to civil affairs....

Today we had to go back to the CA office which is where we met & picked up Mira yesterday. This was a bit of an emotional experience. The director of the orphanage is Mrs. Huang, she was Mira's mama there. So Mira said her final good byes with her and another nanny. But Mira clearly told them I was her mama! We left there and went to the notary & then back to our hotel.
We took a much needed nap & then went to the executive lounge for a snack..then off to dinner...Pizza Hut is our new favorite. Limited dining options unless you will eat Chinese food. KFC or Pizza Hut. Mira is an amazing eater, she loves rice, onion rings, French fries, mango juice & lots of fruit!
Tomorrow is a free day, we may go do some sight seeing with our guide & driver if the weather is good.
I continue to be amazed at the power of prayer, this sweet girl has made this transformation with such bravery and I know it is because God listens to... And answers our prayers.
So tonight I leave you with a few pics!











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Good morning!

How cute?
Slept like an angel last night!!






God is so good!.....all the time!
Vanessa

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Location:Xinbin Rd,Nanning,China

Tonight...there is one less orphan

What an amazing day....
There were several other families at the CA office. Mira was 2 nd to last to arrive. In she walked wearing the most adorable Minnie Mouse snowsuit with little clips in her hair. I almost passed out! She is ADORABLE!!
She was incredibly scared, wanted nothing to do with me. She backed out of the room and hid behind the wall.
Something new to note....Mira doesn't speak Mandarin OR Cantonese. She speaks a local dialect that only locals know. She doesn't understand my guide and he doesn't understand her....perfect!
So eventually she became interested in the photo album of her sisters and her baba and the dogs...she continued to avoid me at all costs. Then it was time to leave so I held her hand and carried her down the steps...she cried all the way!
Then she shut down. For about 45 minutes.
As soon as began skyping with Greg she came out of her shell...now she calls me mama, kisses me, covered me up with a blanket in bed. She skyped with her sisters and identified them a dede (day day)!
She came very clean dressed in 3 layers on top and just snow pants (no undies) on bottom and yellow rain shoes. I gave her a bath which she liked, washed her hair and rubbed cream on her dry little skin. She loved the attention and just observed everything!
Off to dinner...my girl was hungry! She ate a yogurt, and bunch of fruit, rice w/ gravy and mushrooms.
I gave a backpack of goodies which she is very fond of, she is extremely particular in many of her actions.
As bedtime came I took her into to potty and she sat right on the toilet and peed, like she has used a western toilet before...I was warned that she only used a squatty. Then I decided to start the bedtime regimen of brushing her teeth....my girl clearly understood how to brush spit and rinse!
I have no doubt in my mind that Mira was loved and well taken care off. I know she loved the nannies at the orphanage and I know she can bond. What more could I ask for?!?
PTL~ tonight there is one less orphan!
wishing I could just come home now...but I will savor every minute I have of one on one with Mira until we can leave!
Thanks for all who are praying, please don't stop now... it is an amazing comfort to know there are people from coast to coast praying for us!
And now what you really want........



















Grinning the biggest mommy grin you could imagine,
Vanessa

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3 1/2 hrs til we meet Mira....

Kara & I just returned from the mall... We picked up a stuffed animal for Mira. We also ventured out to Walmart again to get her some juice. Now we just wait.
The weather here continues to be dreary, hoping to see some sun before too long!! It's funny because the locals say it is winter here still... It is in the upper 50's and HUMID. They walk around bundled up with hats and scarves!
The next posted is gonna be exciting as we hope to have video of the gotcha moment! Praying for peace for us all.




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