It is now official....

With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.

-         Chinese Proverb

 

It is official…under Chinese law; our daughter is now officially adopted!   As of September 6, 2010 at about 10:00AM Chinese Time we can officially introduce….Madeline Tian Zi DePrince.  We went to the Fujian Office of Civil Affairs, were interviewed by a government official…and promised we would provide her with an opportunity for a good life and to never abandon or abuse her.  We signed about 10 documents and also put our right thumb print (in red ink) on each document.  Maddie also had to put her footprint in red on the document as well.  We then went to the Notary Public Office, to be interviewed again, and sign some more papers.  After all of that, it is official…under Chinese law she is our daughter and we are her parents!!!  Yes Mommy and Daddy once again…and we can tell you she is our princess!

 

We also learned today that her Chinese name, Tian Zi translates in English into "Beautiful Sky."   I know we are prejudice, but we see nothing but beauty in this little one.   At times she is very scared, but seeks us for comfort; at times she looks at us and seems to think, "Oh they are still here?"  But, she is beginning to accept us, calls Becki "Mama"…she is also calling little Anthony, 'guha guha'the Chinese word for big brother…and  really likes to snuggle with Daddy and her big brother…As we look at her, and her smile begins to show, as well as her personality,  we see the meaning of her name come true, she is full of life, and beautiful like the sky….and now her beauty is part of our family.

 

Check out some pics above…we will be posting more tomorrow…

 

Anthony and Rebecca