Soft, kissable plump cheeks.  A tiny, snub nose.  Pretty bow-shaped lips.  Huge dark eyes underneath almond-shaped lids.  A round moon face.  Silken jet-black hair that falls in wisps, bangs framing her face. 

That is our daughter, Jia Lin Grace, who is one-and-a-half years old.  She joined our family just six months ago from China.  It is amazing how fast the process went:  the only reason it did is because Jia Lin was born with special needs (deafness); other than her lack of hearing, she is as healthy as a horse.  Yet nobody wanted her, so this is how we got her.

And we couldn't be any happier than we are right now.  Jia Lin has brought us much joy in the short time we have had her.

Jia Lin joins big sister Ezrah Noelle, who is three, and big brother, Hanson Douglas, who is five.  Both Ezrah and Hanson adore their baby sister; they always want to play with her.

We tell them to be easy on Jia Lin, as she is still feeling her oats as a new American.  She isn't used to the hustle-bustle that is the norm of American society; we must be patient with her and help her with learning her signs so we can communicate.  She isn't used to having a family and so we must take things one step at a time.

Wherever we go, Ezrah, Hanson, and Jia Lin go with us.  Somehow everyone knows us.  They've heard about our new baby coming from China, and everyonen wants to see her.  I can't blame them:  Jia Lin is just so darned cute!  LOL

I often wonder if Ezrah or Hanson are jealous of the new family member, but they don't seem to be:  they are more than willing to help mommy and daddy out during bath or diaper time, or willing to play with her when mommy or daddy are busy.  They love her so much; they love having a baby sister.  I just hope this peace continues; there's no telling what things may be like when Jia Lin is a little older, when she enters her terrible two phase ...  then they might change their minds.  LOL

We knew when we heard Jia Lin's story that we wanted her.  It didn't matter to us one iota that she was born deaf.  That just made us more determined to want her as our own, and we didn't give up until Jia Lin was safely in our arms.  It's hard to believe that she's been with us for six months!  We got her just before Christmas Day.  She was our Christmas present from God.

At times it isn't easy (Jia Lin has a temper), but with God's grace, we will make it through the bad days.  We will do all we can to ensure that our newest child has the life she deserves and that we help her whenever she struggles. 

*to be continued.*