Well - I've never been very good at keeping secrets......
We've decided on the name "Ebony Grace" for our daughter! I had a huge list of names - which I didn't think would happen - then I came across a photo of little friend of mine from some years ago and her name was Ebony. I mentioned it to Graham and he felt really comfortable with it! The second name bears no explanation I'm sure.
It's Saturday today and we've just finished painting half the inside of our home. We started early in January. Ebony's room is done and it's just wonderful. I'll try and post a photo when I can.
The journey to Ebony is slowing down a bit - it seems the China program is becoming very popular and the result is longer waits. Although I felt a bit frustrated at first - I've settled back into accepting it and am just enjoying preparing our home for the arrival of this precious little girl. I'm probably not bubbling over in the same way I was at Christmas time, but I know that time will come again. We're expecting to receive allocation (this will be when we get a copy of her file including a photo) in approximately May and then we'll travel about 7 weeks later.
I'll keep you posted!
Jen

2006 is finally here!

Now it’s finally arrived! The year we will bring our daughter home to live with us. I can’t describe the excitement I feel. I’m going to be a Mum! Here’s what I wrote in the early hours of Christmas Eve morning in the form of an email to the FCC (Families with Children from China) group:

[Hello everyone - here I am wide awake at 3.45 in the morning! Just thinking and dreaming of what next Christmas will be like. It has been a journey of some 25 years where there has been so much pain, surgery, invasive procedures, tears and frustration and now I sit here and can truly contemplate a year ahead when I will actually become a "Mum". It's hard to comprehend, yet I feel like my whole life has led me to this place. Finally I'm allowing myself to feel excited and it's the most wonderful feeling. This is the first Christmas for so, so many years, that I can feel real, deep, unexplainable joy and it's the most wonderful feeling. I can't even imagine what it will feel like when we see the photo of the child that has been chosen for us - the one that I know will be worth every moment of the wait. So here's to all my friends out there in FCC land - no matter what stage you are at - and there are many. The time is coming - and it will be here before we know it. To the first time Mums (& Dads), the second time Mums (& Dads) and the Mums (& Dads) in waiting - have a beautiful Christmas either with your precious family or whilst you are waiting with eager anticipation. Bless you all for your incredible wisdom and support - I don't think I could have done this journey as well without you - as a matter of fact, I know I couldn't have! Jen (& Graham) Boote Batch 22 3.55am 24/12/2005]

Welcome to 2006 my precious daughter – wherever you are - I know you are alive and waiting somewhere and I’m feeling REALLY alive and desperately waiting for you!....oh! and by the way - we've decided on a name! but it's a secret for the time being........

Thank you God for Your faithfullness to us . Without You, none of this would be possible.

Us at the Grand Canyon on Gra's birthday 21/10/05

 

The beginning

It doesn't really matter how we came to be at this point - we haven't been able to have children and it's been a long and hard journey. In May 2004 I had lunch with a special friend of mine, who has shared some of my infertility struggles through her own difficult journey. She and her husband were leaving to move to overseas in a matter of weeks. When we talked, she mentioned something about adoption. I had talked about this in the past, but Graham just wasn't ready. The conversation with my girlfriend started and finished and I didn't think much more about it until, a couple of weeks later, Graham and I were in Bali and it came to my mind. I mentioned it to Graham and all of a sudden - he was ready! As soon as we arrived home, I went into action and found the next Inter-Country Adoption Information Session was on the 2nd August (which was about 2 months away). We registered - went along - and nothing has been the same since. We both knew China was the best choice for us - not that we had many because of our ages - particularly Graham's. So we started the long process of paperwork - medicals and cheques! We were required to do our life stories - mine ended up about 19 pages and Gra's was about 13. It was a lot of work. Through a miracle, we were able to get into Education Sessions a little earlier than normally possible - so this part of the process was over by early December 2004. As soon as Education sessions were over, we had to do our Country Project. I really enjoyed this part - although we were under quite a bit of pressure to get everything done and in by Christmas. It happened. By the end of April we had completed our 4 Social Worker visits and were told we would be recommended to adopt. We were relieved and thrilled. Then more paper work and finally on 3rd August 2005 our file left for China and we became part of Batch 22. We have 3 other couples from our Education Sessions - Col & Mandy, Ruth & Chris and Kate & Jim - along with Richard and Wendy and a very brave single - Vicky. Now we wait! Our "batch" met all together on the 6th November - which was really exciting. We took 4+ weeks in Sept/Oct and travelled over to British Colombia/San Francisco/New York/ Niagara Falls/Chicago/Miami/Grand Canyon/Los Angeles. We had such an incredible time - our last trip together with just the 2 of us! Graham's letting me pick a name (we're fairly sure we'll get a girl) - so I'm working through that issue - and contemplating the nursery. We've been given some furniture - which has been such a blessings. So that's it in a nutshell to date - keep posted for more!

Our Journey to our daughter in China

This is the story of our journey to our adopted daughter in China. The journey so far has been a rocky one with lots of bends and obstacles throughout the years - but we know it will all be worthwhile. Our names are Jen and Graham and we live in Montrose - Victoria - Australia. Most of the posts will be of Jen's thoughts and feelings throughout the weeks and months ahead. We're glad you have joined us and pray you enjoy our journey. "We asked the Lord to give us this child, and He has given us our request. Now we are giving her to the Lord, and she will belong to the Lord her whole life" 1 Samuel 1:27,28