Month 12
This diary entry is going to be a bit different - we have decided to write this as we wait for the phone call from Sarah and Chris to see if we have been matched with the children at the matching panel!! We were not expected to attend so I am here at home and Jeremy is at work waiting for me to call him.
It is now 11.45am and the panel was set for 10.45am!!!
We had a great time in Hong Kong and really relaxed and totally chilled out. Our hotel was amazing and the fireworks for Chinese New Year were stunning - they lasted 26 minutes!
Whilst we were away there was a court hearing for the Freeing Order to place the children for adoption. Sarah called us on the day to inform us that as the children's birth mother had contested the application and the court hearing had been adjourned until Tuesday 7th March. Obviously we were a little disappointed but not entirely surprised as both Sarah and Chris had told us that this is usual practice.
When we came home we visited a local school where we would like the children to go. As both children have suffered neglect in the past they have delayed speech and learning difficulties so we wanted to find a suitable school that could help the children develop. The school we visited was lovely and all the staff were so friendly and helpful. As the school was not in our catchment area we had to contact our local council and ask for permission to allow the children to be placed in the school. We received a letter back last week to say yes and they have reserved a place for them.
Jeremy has been busy decorating the house and has had some great help from Tom and my Dad. One room is pink and the other is blue - can't wait for the furniture to arrive now and to get everything ready for the arrivals.
We have also been busy taking photos and making up the albums ready for the matching panel.
The phone is ringing - here goes...
It's Chris and she has told us that YES we have passed the matching panel!!!!! The panel members were very positive apparently, and the outcome was unanimous. Sarah has also spoken to me and congratulated us both and has promised to call back later when we have taken the news in!!! It is a really strange feeling and still doesn't seem quite real.
We are going to be parents to Rachel who is five and her brother Simon who is three.
I have called Jeremy at work and he is delighted, I have also texted and emailed all friends and family!! All we need to wait for is the Judge's decision which may occur next week.
Our day has just got better - Sarah has called back and gave us the news that the birth mother is no longer contesting the Freeing Order so it is more likely now that the Judge will grant the order next week!! Everything is now set that we will hopefully meet our children on Monday 13th March!! This is amazing news and we are very happy. We do feel sorry for the birth mother and her decision was obviously very brave and hard for her to make. We have plans to meet her after we have met the children. This is going to be a very hard meeting but also a very worthwhile one for the future when the children ask about their past.
So now all we have to wait for is next Tuesday and just hope that the Judge Frees the children for adoption and doesn't make us all wait any longer.
Sarah and Betty have been visiting Rachel and Simon and have been preparing them very gradually with stories and games about having a new Mummy and Daddy - they won't actually see our photos and albums until a few days before we meet them ourselves. The transition is going to be hard for them so we all need to take things slow.
Jeremy's sister has offered to make our video and we need to get that done this week ready for the children to see.
So next month's diary will hopefully be from four people and not just us two - just keeping everything crossed!!!!
Clare and Jeremy
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