Wanted to post a more recent photo of Mummy and Daddy...

Well here we are... having a great time at Aunty Raeleigh and Uncle Owen's ... how handsome is this man? My best friend in the whole world. And will make the world's best father... you are one lucky girl. xxx

What we want our daughter to know...

Our daughter will know:

That she is loved – there will never be any doubt just how wanted she is. We will tell our child “I love you.”

That we will demonstrate that love through our actions, every day.

That as hard as it may be (for us) we will always choose to be your parents before we are your friends.

That we will make the hard choices so that you will make the right choices when the time comes.

That we will allow you to learn from your mistakes and be there with big hug when you do.

That we will move Heaven and Earth to do what is best and right for you.

That we will always be on your side when you are right – and supportive when you are wrong and help you learn to tell the difference.

That nothing will be more important, ultimately, than what is best for our family.

That we will, to the extent that any parent is able, protect you from the known, anticipate as much as we can of the unknown and do our very best to help you to grow safe and healthy.

We’ll make sure you have good doctors and that you go to them.

That we will instil good hygiene habits with you.

That more often that not we will eat a healthy home cooked meal together at the dinner table.

That we will allow you to voice your opinions and concerns as an equal in family discussions.

That we hope to lead by example in how to treat people – we will model compassion and justice in all our interactions with other people.

That we show that, though we are the parents, we have as much to learn from you as you do from us.

That we will listen to you, and we will talk to you, you will be part of all of our major decisions.

That we will drive you to rugby, or gymnastics, or language school, or nippers, or horse riding, or ballet or surfing. What ever you want to try, we will support. We will sit in the first row of every sporting event, concert, game, science fair and play that you are in.

That we will help with homework, meet with your teachers and be active participants in your education.

That we will show you the same respect as what we expect from you.

That we will celebrate your heritage and culture, that we will embrace China as we hope you will embrace Australia.

That you will be able to ask us anything about your background, culture, history, adoption and birth parents – this will always be an open book for us to discuss.

That we will laugh often and have a whole lot of fun – together.

That the best things in life are worth waiting for, and that you are proof of this.

This is our promise to you.

Love Mummy and Daddy xxx

Here's your family...

Hello Precious,

Some photo's of your family - they all can't wait to meet you darling girl...

Here's baby Aidan - your cousin - this is him at our house in the middle of winter when it is very cold.
Here's Mummy and Nana and Aunty Leigh and Uncle Ian and Ellie Rae during their visit to Australia - Aunty Leigh and Uncle Ian are very special to Mummy - and will love you lots and lots when you get here. They have a little girl - Ellie Rae who will be your friend and can't wait to meet her cousin from China.

And here is your Daddy with Raf and Kenya (your puppy dogs) on our block of land in Gundaroo. We will start building our house next year and hope to have it complete for when you come home...

Love you my darling - hope you enjoy the photos of your family.

Mummy xxx

Can't Concentrate...

Hi Gorgeous,

I wanted to tell you just how much I think about you. I am at work, but all I do is think about you... all day. I wonder where you are right now, I think about your nursery, I think about our trip to China, I think about bringing you home and introducing you to everyone, I think about all the work we have left to do now until we are approved to adopt you, and it just seems like it is so far away.

You are a much wanted and desired child by both Daddy and I... we already have waited such a long time for you, and we still have to wait for another year (I think). Daddy and I talk about you all the time, we even have a nick-name for you, it's like you already exist in our lives. I guess the truth is, that we know you do exist somewhere, and at one point in time our lives will come together and we will become a family.

All our love,
Mummy and Daddy xxx

Aidan's Christening...

Hello baby girl,

I am now 'photo-happy' having been successful in posting a picture of the rocking chair I bought for your room - I can't wait until the day I can post a picture of me and you sitting in that chair!

Well on the weekend Daddy and I became God Parents to Aidan Samuel - your cousin. We went up to visit Lao Lao (Nana) and Yi (Aunty) Debbie and Jiu Jiu (Uncle) Gordon for Aidan's Christening and had a wonderful weekend with family. Some of them asked about you and everyone is very excited about your impending arrival into our family.

Well here is my first post of Mummy and Daddy - it's not a great photo - but is one of a very happy time we had in Bali - about this time last year, and yes we are drinking 'dirty-beer' - Bintang - the great beer of Bali! So the first photo of us is with drink in hand... The photo was taken in the bar of the hotel we stayed at, and is a good memory for us.

Now I am 'photo-happy' I will be able to post lots of photos of us and of your family.

Love you, thinking of you where-ever you are (about to be born I expect).

Mummy and Daddy xxx

Our Rocking Chair

Hello Princess,

Here is a photo of the rocking chair for your room. This is a bit of a test really - to see if I can actually put a photo on here!

Mummy x

Baby steps...

Hello baby girl,

Well Daddy and I have taken another small step toward you and this week we started the assessment process with the Social Worker from DoCS. This will be the bit (other than the waiting) that I will find stressful. The Social Worker will want to ask lots of questions about us, about what mine and Daddy's family was like growing up, what school was like, how we met, what our financial situation is like, why we want to adopt you, how we feel about having a baby from China and how we will look after you. It's a very intrusive process, and sometimes I feel a bit resentful that parents with birth children don't have to be asked the same questions - after all we have been through, we now have to open up our life to a complete stranger. I do however understand the importance of this, to make sure you will come into a loving and caring family who will be able to give you everything you need.

The first meeting went well, and Daddy and I both liked Alison the Social Worker, we felt very comfortable with her, and had a good laugh - she has a similar sense of humour. Next time we see Alison will be in 2 weeks and she will come to our house and have a look to make sure it is suitable for you. We think it will be OK - the only problem I can see is a pot-belly stove that we will have to block-off somehow so you don't burn your hands.

Daddy and I have also bought a couple of bits of clothing for you - things we saw and couldn't resist (like the 'Security' outfit and a T-shirt that says 'Beautiful Girl'), and this week I have made my first e-bay purchase - a rocking chair for your room, that we can use together.

I think about you all day, every day my sweetheart.

Love Mummy xxx