Where to start?!?! Sweet, beautiful Xiu Mei! Quiet and still at first.  Now, little smiles and big smiles are slipping out.

We walked into a conference room at the Guangxi Province registration office yesterday, and there she sat on a couch between two orphanage officials.  Sweet little, round face and big, black eyes.  She clutched a small orange and a plush, strawberry purse full of candy (supposedly to share with big sister and big brother, but she didn't want to hand it over).  Brave little girl.  I cannot imagine being in her position.  I know this is all good, but she has no idea.  Everything she has ever known has changed.

She has cried, and it is soft and quiet and heart-wrenching.  She likes to have her forehead rubbed.  She loves playing in the bath tub!

This girl loves her noodles! And warm milk---she drinks a cup down, almost without a breath.  The Chinese do not give anything cold to young children (that's bad for the digestive system).  No ice cream at least until age 6.  She likes soft toys and adores her big sister.  Still a bit nervous around Nathan and Mark.

Her name means "beautiful, graceful plum".  Mei Mei means "little sister" and a variation of that, "Moi Moi", is a nickname she is known by.  Her good friend, nicknamed Bing Bing, was adopted by an American couple just two weeks ago.  Also, her friend Min Min, 2 weeks ago.  We have renamed Faya (the VERY excited big sister, who is bouncing off the walls) "Boing Boing".

While riding back to the hotel today, our wonderful coordinator/guide gave us each a stick of sugar cane to celebrate.  (Sugar cane is a major crop in Guangxi Province).  We learned to bite and chew (sweet and very moist) and then spit out the fibrous part. Very delicious!

Next door is a huge Walmart.  Everything you could ever need is there, except you have to recognize it.  Also, squid, live frogs (not for pets), chicken feet, and so much more! Chicken feet are good for your skin, I've learned.

The adoption was finalized today.  Mark and I will celebrate tonight with a glass of champagne, but we are tired and don't want to leave the children, so it will be room service in pj's.  God is good. We are so blessed.

Hotel Lobby---Decorated for Chinese New Year

A BIG smile!!!!

Chicken Feet!

 Octopus and Squid at the local Walmart