A fresh coat of yellow paint has brightened the bedroom walls. Stuffed animals and cute decorations fitting for a new daughter are already a part of the room.

Everything is almost ready for Lilly Brannigan to come into this world.

Like most expecting parents, Bekki and Jay Zornes are getting more and more excited as the due date nears. But unlike most, they have been going through this process much longer than nine months. They hope to soon bring an adopted infant Chinese daughter into their family.

"It is kind of like a normal pregnancy," Bekki said through a beaming smile. "We are waiting just like any other expectant parents."

Jay, a financial planner, and Bekki, a first-grade teacher at St. Lawrence, have been married for seven years. A few years ago, they decided that they wanted to expand their family that up to that point had only included their cats.

"We tried to have kids for a couple of years and it didn't work out. We came to terms with it," Jay said as he and Bekki sat in their Ironton home holding hands. "We feel that adoption is what is meant for us. This is what God has planned for us."

About two years ago, the couple attended an international adoption workshop in Columbus. Before they had completed the ride home, they had made up their minds to adopt a baby girl from China where many female children are abandoned and need good homes.

"At that point we didn't know what we wanted to do. . . .," Jay said. "Once we went to the meeting, it just kind of clicked with us."

After starting the paperwork in July 2002 through A Helping Hand adoption agency of Lexington, Ky., they originally expected to finalize the adoption with a visit to China in April or May of 2004, but may get a chance to welcome a daughter as soon as February.

Right now, a specific child has not been identified for them but that does not hinder the sense of anticipation.

Though it has been a roller coaster emotionally and a endless barrage of paperwork, physicals, certifications and more, the Zornes family is now counting down the days until Lilly will get to come to a new home.

"The kids at school have asked about it. It is something that everyone is really interested in," Bekki said. "It is new and something they want to learn more about."

Throughout the long process, they said they have never felt alone because they have received tremendous support from their friends, family, co-workers, church congregation and other families who have adopted.

"I can't imagine going through something like this without our friends," Jay said. "We laugh and cry together."

Jay and Bekki both want to share their story because they know there are probably other families out there who are in a similar situation and may not know what options are out there. Bekki is also keeping a journal of the process so that she can share the story with Lilly as well.

And although many people ask about the cost of adopting from overseas, which in their case may cost around $20,000, they agree that it is impossible to put a price on something like this.

With the holidays approaching, the Zornes family is getting increasingly excited and can't wait for the opportunity to bring their little girl home sometime next year. Both are left struggling for words to describe how it will feel when they finally hold their child in their arms. "It will be the best Christmas present ever," Bekki said. "But, it might come in May."