Forever Family Day (Gotcha Day)

It was one year ago today that we met our beautiful daughter Mia Mei. I can't imagine our lives without her. People say what a lucky little girl she is, but we are the ones who are lucky!

This is Mia's referral picture.

This is a picture of her in China.

This is her just a couple of weeks ago.

Last post-adoption homestudy update!!

Do you know what that means? NO MORE ADOPTION PAPERWORK!!! Our last appointment was today at 10:00. The social worker was very nice. It was a good way to end all this. Seriously, no more paperwork hanging over my head. I feel so free!!

Happy 4th of July!

Fun morning at the glacier

Guilt

I swear, after this summer I'm moving up north of Fairbanks, buying some land and living off the grid!! I really would too, but I couldn't do that to Mia.
We are bringing my mom up to visit using airline miles. I have her scheduled to stay a week. She is not happy about this as she would like to spend about 51 weeks up here with her new granddaughter. However we live in a 875 square foot house with two bedrooms and one bathroom. A week is about the limit we can handle visitors. Plus, only GrahamSolo's mom and my mom have been invited because this is the summer we really want to bond with Mia. We are both not working for the summer and are focusing on doing things as a family. Her "Gotcha Day" the day we first met her, is July 26th. It's hard to believe she has still spent more time in China than in the US, but she has. She's still adjusting but getting more comfortable everyday. So I do feel kinda bad that my mom can't stay longer, but that's how it's going to be. But then I got a email from my aunt pouring on the guilt about how my mom loves Mia so much and would love to stay longer. Oy vey, I'll be so glad when this visit is over!
Then I will be looking into real estate north of Fox! Just kidding. Unfortunately.

Death by Home Depot

We've decided to turn our garage into a rec room. Our house is 875 square feet and its just a little too small for two adults, one toddler and two horrible dogs. So we are insulating and dry walling and storing everything that was in the garage in our 875 square feet house! Graham is doing it all himself except for the electrical. Mia and I are trying to stay out of the way during the day so he can work. But sometimes we will go to Home Depot with him. But Mia is like me, I think I want to go so I can get out of the house, but then I walk through the doors and immediately regret my decision. Last time we went Mia was so bored it almost killed her. See!

A New Friend

We were at the park last week and there was a man and a little girl about Mia's age at the playground equipment. The man came up to us and asked where Mia was from and we told him "China" he said his daughter was too! She is only about three months older than Mia and is as cute as a button. She has really light hair with some reddish highlights like Mia and she is tall like Mia too! We invited them over for a play date today and they had so much fun! My friend Anna and her two babies came over for a while too and we all sat outside in the sun and visited while Mia and her new little friend played. It was so nice.
I guess I'm just so excited because it's the first adoptee the same age as Mia that we've met here in Juneau. The family is very nice and I look forward to having the girls play together more!