July 10 - Adoption Day!

Today is the day that Melody legally became our daughter! We continue to be awed and humbled by this incredible gift. I pray that God will make me worthy to be her mother and that He will love her through me as I attempt to raise her to follow Him. That's a tall order!

Here are my two precious girls playing in the baby tub provided by our hotel, just before heading out for the morning:



The adoption took place back at the Civil Affairs office where we first met Melody. First we answered questions for the Civil Affairs director. Then we stamped our thumbprints and Melody’s footprint onto the paperwork.





Melody’s orphanage director was there for this part of the process, and we were able to get a picture with him.



Next, Larry went into another room to take care of the financial aspect of things. Then we had a family photo taken for Melody’s adoption certificate. Finally, we met with the notary to answer some questions and sign the final forms. In China, a notary is more like a judge than what we think of as a notary in the US. After that, the adoption was complete! As Dimple said, “Congratulations, you are official parents!” She was also impressed that it only took 1 hour. I guess it can get long, depending on the number of people there on a given day.

Our next destination was the supermarket. Melody zonked out on Daddy on the way.



Finally we headed back to the hotel. They even provided a cake for Grandma in honor of her birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma!



We spent the rest of the day in our hotel room playing and being together. We ate bananas and crackers with peanut butter for lunch and we had noodles and cake for dinner. It was a wonderful day and we’re so thrilled that Melody Joy SiWei Potter is finally and forever ours!