We had a pretty good night last night. It was our first as a new family of four. Alexis mourned a little off and on, but that was to be expected. Her little cry is very sad. To say she was unsure of us is a bit of an understatement. I can completely understand. We have taken her from everything she knows. She’s not scared of us, thankfully. She’s just a bit unsure. It will get better with time.

Today is Registration Day! It is the day that the Chinese government asks us if we wish to keep her and swear to take care of her for the rest of her life. She has already won our hearts, so the answer will be pretty easy. Monica got to use her first hair bow with Alexis, so that’s a pretty big deal for her. Alexis didn’t mind. We grabbed some breakfast and loaded into the same private van we used the day before to pick her up. We returned to the district office where the orphanage director and nanny was waiting along with a stack of paperwork for us to sign. The nanny was so happy to see Alexis. She came over and held out her arms to try to pick her up. To all of our surprise, Alexis shook her head no. That made Monica very, very happy inside. The nanny feigned being upset and went to tell the director what she’d encountered. They both seemed happy that she was attaching to us  so quickly.

At some point, David came to get us and have us answer questions from the Chinese official who was handling our case. She asked us if we wanted to keep her. Absolutely. She asked us why we would adopt. We told her about all that we have to give to another child and wanted to freely. She asked why China. Monica and I both froze. The truth could get us in some hot water and we really hadn’t thought much about a good alternative story. So, I told the truth. We spent time looking at other countries, including domestic adoption. We felt like God was telling us there was a child in China that needed us and our family to take her in. David’s eyes got big and he said something that sounded like, “Ooooooo.” Then he told her our story. She looked at him and glanced at us several times. We just kept smiling. Then her next question: “Do you have a plan for what you are going to do for her medically?” Whew. Either David didn’t tell the truth, or we found someone who could appreciate our faith and beliefs. We’d have to find out later. Oh, and yes we have a plan for her medically. The Chinese official was very happy that we had insurance to help cover the medical expenses that lie ahead. Then, we commenced to signing about a half dozen documents.

We offered our gifts to the Chinese workers and then spent the better part of two hours awaiting the paperwork to be finished. While we waited, the kids played in a little playroom that was by the desk we were working at. Alexis really loved the rocking horses and Christian had a great time racing her on them. She thought he was hilarious. She enjoyed everything but the slide. She laughed when she went down it once, but she didn’t want another trip. She was back to the rocking horses.

Once the paperwork was completed, we had a swearing-in ceremony of sorts with the Chinese official. She had very kind words to say to us (according to David’s translation) and sent us on our way. We took some pictures with the orphanage director and nanny and everyone was on their way.

     

Another monumental day for the Floyd family in this journey. Now, more waiting for documents and more travel to complete more documents, and then we head home. That’s still two weeks out. We have a lot of site seeing and bonding to go through between now and then.

NOTE: While we were signing papers, Christian grabbed the camera off the table and began snapping pictures. The one above of Monica and I holding hands is one that completely surprised me. He has so much compassion and understands the depth of this process. To even think to capture an image like that astounds me. I am very proud to have him along on this journey with us. We couldn’t have asked for a better son.