October 25 is the day our little girl will become a Hauter, Lord willing!
We are still working out travel details and praying hard that it all works out as there are many details to work through. Life is just complicated with work and 4 other kids and all it requires to leave it all to travel half way around the world. I know it will "work out." I just want to feel completely at peace with it.
We are really excited to have this court date. Bill has said many times..."I can't believe I am going to be the father to another little girl" and she won't know it and we won't even be with her again for some time after. But, she will legally be ours. I would love to walk up to that orphanage on that Monday evening and take her out for ice cream to celebrate!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Our little girl has a name! (and a blankie)
This blankie belongs to Mahaela JoMae Hauter!
That's right. That is our little girl's name. While in Bulgaria, we signed the papers necessary to give her this name. Jo and Mae are her grandmother's middle names. I have rolled this name around ever since I took driver's ed and heard the name of my instructor's little girl, Nashira JoNae. The name JoNae stuck with me and I began writing baby names even back then--over 20 years ago and well before I would marry Bill. But I knew that if the dream of living happily ever after with Billy Hauter ever came true, that the name JoMae would make perfect sense, someday. Now we finally get to use it. Her first name has a little story behind it that I will share later.
This blanket was a work of love that I really enjoyed doing for our little girl. My grandma, who's name was Joanna made all of her great-grandchildren a blanket. She crocheted one for each of my kids. I looked at each blanket that she made my other children and wondered what she thought about as she worked each one. She died a few years ago, but I thought of her a lot as I made this. I really loved each one and wanted one for our littlest girl also. So, less than two weeks later, here it is completed. Now what am I gonna do with my spare time??
I've been praying for Mahaela and thinking about her so much. We are trying to be so patient in waiting for our court date. Hoping the next week or so brings us the news we have been waiting for.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A few photos of our first 4 children!
A few snapshots of the kids...something to fill these pages until I can post adorable photos of our Bulgarian Babe!
Ryan, who is a die-hard Cardinal fan, played as a Cub during summer baseball league. His team got first in the play-off tournament and it was so fun to see him play and win. The last 3 games were intense and Ryan pulled off some amazing plays. So fun to WIN!
Jake sitting at his desk in 3rd grade. My little boy is getting too old, too fast! Third grade feels so old as he seems to have more responsibility and is taking it so seriously. Lindsey is bringing home papers now that I remember just doing "yesterday" with Jake.
Aubrey taking a self-portrait. She got a perm this summer and we have blamed everything on that perm. She is so grown up, notices boys alot, has occasional teen attitude, etc. Don't let your teen daughters get a perm--everything changes after that!
Lindsey...Moxy-girl! She is so big, I can't stand it. Here she is first day of Kindergarten! She is so excited and ready to go. She says something everyday that I should be writing down that is just worth remembering for a lifetime. Here's one from yesterday...she said a "not-so-nice-girl" at recess on the "black top" told her that her shoes were ugly! I asked her what she said back. She said to the girl "I was thinking about getting different ones." I thought that was pretty clever..."sticks and stones may break my bones" kind of a come-back. By the way, they are adorable maryjane purple crocks--not ugly! (And yes, she is missing a tooth, but it was well overdue to come out after repeated trauma.)
Back to School 2010. They all are in school, full day. Now waiting for a new little one to fill my time!
Ryan, who is a die-hard Cardinal fan, played as a Cub during summer baseball league. His team got first in the play-off tournament and it was so fun to see him play and win. The last 3 games were intense and Ryan pulled off some amazing plays. So fun to WIN!
Jake sitting at his desk in 3rd grade. My little boy is getting too old, too fast! Third grade feels so old as he seems to have more responsibility and is taking it so seriously. Lindsey is bringing home papers now that I remember just doing "yesterday" with Jake. 
Aubrey taking a self-portrait. She got a perm this summer and we have blamed everything on that perm. She is so grown up, notices boys alot, has occasional teen attitude, etc. Don't let your teen daughters get a perm--everything changes after that!
Lindsey...Moxy-girl! She is so big, I can't stand it. Here she is first day of Kindergarten! She is so excited and ready to go. She says something everyday that I should be writing down that is just worth remembering for a lifetime. Here's one from yesterday...she said a "not-so-nice-girl" at recess on the "black top" told her that her shoes were ugly! I asked her what she said back. She said to the girl "I was thinking about getting different ones." I thought that was pretty clever..."sticks and stones may break my bones" kind of a come-back. By the way, they are adorable maryjane purple crocks--not ugly! (And yes, she is missing a tooth, but it was well overdue to come out after repeated trauma.)
Back to School 2010. They all are in school, full day. Now waiting for a new little one to fill my time!Waiting to hear a little longer...
I was informed that it will be after October 1st before we hear of our court hearing being scheduled. There is a bit of a backlog, as I understand it, due to judges taking their vacations and courts slowing down. So after judges return to work they have to wade through cases that are waiting to have their turn in court. I expect to hear something after Oct. 1. They will hopefully get a quick court date, but it could really be scheduled even a month or so down the road. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is still a bit too dim for me! I can't wait to see our little girl again--our little Hauter girl--and have her all to ourselves--to attempt to meet her needs and just love on her.
For some reason, I have really given up on learning Bulgarian. Maybe I am wrong, but I feel I won't be that effective with it anyway. I'm sure I will come home in a complete panic and be searching online for how to say all kinds of things. But for now, I have misplaced my Bulgarian Phrases CD and the wind is out of my sails about it all. Can I get by with...It's ok, yes, no, sit, thirsty, hungry, pee, and Mommy and daddy love you?! Isn't that about all any 3 year old needs to know?? I guess after the first trip I got a good feel for how we communicated. There wasn't that much translating going on between us. We were just content being and playing together. I hope hugs go a long way! (Someone needs to talk some sense into me if I am completely wrong!)
So it continues to be a case of "hurry up and wait" a little longer. And all along I have been overnighting every mailing...(do you want it there by 10 am or 2 pm? Oh, 10 am for sure, because that could make all the difference in the world...and in the end it is sitting in the same pile as those who saved themselves the extra bucks and skipped the overnighting--oh, the irony!) There is something comforting about doing everything you can in your control to make it happen sooner, even if it doesn't really help at all.
I hope to post again in a couple weeks that we have a court date and it is much sooner than later...stay tuned.
For some reason, I have really given up on learning Bulgarian. Maybe I am wrong, but I feel I won't be that effective with it anyway. I'm sure I will come home in a complete panic and be searching online for how to say all kinds of things. But for now, I have misplaced my Bulgarian Phrases CD and the wind is out of my sails about it all. Can I get by with...It's ok, yes, no, sit, thirsty, hungry, pee, and Mommy and daddy love you?! Isn't that about all any 3 year old needs to know?? I guess after the first trip I got a good feel for how we communicated. There wasn't that much translating going on between us. We were just content being and playing together. I hope hugs go a long way! (Someone needs to talk some sense into me if I am completely wrong!)
So it continues to be a case of "hurry up and wait" a little longer. And all along I have been overnighting every mailing...(do you want it there by 10 am or 2 pm? Oh, 10 am for sure, because that could make all the difference in the world...and in the end it is sitting in the same pile as those who saved themselves the extra bucks and skipped the overnighting--oh, the irony!) There is something comforting about doing everything you can in your control to make it happen sooner, even if it doesn't really help at all.
I hope to post again in a couple weeks that we have a court date and it is much sooner than later...stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Missing my girl
More and more I am thinking of her. She is woven like a thread through my day. I think of her at various times just as I do my other kids. I am looking at her picture and wishing I knew more of her. I really can't wait to know all the details of her personality--that which makes her unique. I can't wait to hear her sweet voice again and see her cute little walk. The weather is turning cooler and I am longing to snuggle up with her.
Baby, I'm missing you tonight.
Baby, I'm missing you tonight.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Meant To Be
Oh, I have found a great song...It had "0" views on youtube so it must be very fresh. It is by Steven Curtis Chapman and is a song for a new Veggie Tales movie about adoption--although I can't find a summary about it's theme yet. Thanks to a Facebook friend who works with SCC for posting it. Check it out--kids adopted or not need to hear it's message.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Have you considered...(the cost)?
Mostly to our family and friends:
In reference to our adoption, this question was asked of us...It began with "Have you considered...?" It was in reference to something specific and it was not asked by anyone that we consider to be family or dear friend. The bottom line is...have we considered what this will cost?
The answer is "YES!!!" To be honest only Bill really considered the facet that we were being asked to consider. I had considered the question, but it was so quickly dismissed in my mind.
This is what I did consider...I considered how this adoption might affect my comfort, my life, my children, my husband, my marriage, my future, my relationships, my soul.
Then I considered how our adopting a child would affect all those around me that I love--especially how it would affect each of my children. In thinking through all these things to consider, I needed to hear if what we thought God was asking us to do was actually God--His leading. God did not deviate--when He called, He called.
Have we considered the COST? The adoption of our little girl may cost us dearly. The financial cost is nothing--it's like buying a car. I've bought a few, I know we will pay it off! (I do understand that buying a car is significant money, but most people still afford themselves the luxury.) It's not money that I'm talking about. It will most certainly cost us comfort and will certainly change many things in our lives...But God is in it, so whatever the cost, the blessing of obedience will far outweigh the price we are asked to pay.
I think about our decision to have Lindsey. We wanted a fourth child and had always planned to have a fourth child, but I remember very clearly thinking and saying that I could not do it without our friends and family. Maybe some would say that if you can't do it alone, you should maybe not do it at all. As I have said before, I have prayed many times with Lindsey and thanked God for giving her to our family--she is a joy. I hope we don't make these decisions selfishly, but instead willingly accept the children God has for our family.
I can't help thinking how much better and more joyful our life is because friends and family share in our burden and responsibility of raising our children. Bill and I and our children all benefit from our dear friend's and family's love and involvement in our lives. We are all better because you pray for us, visit us, babysit while we leave for a night or a week, drive carpool, give rides, send cards, sit on sidelines, cheer, share a meal with us, clean our messes--the list could go on forever. There is bringing up a child, and then there is BRINGING UP A CHILD. Those we love have helped us without a doubt to BRING UP A CHILD.
So I have considered what it will cost all of you for us to bring another child into our family. If you all continue as you have, it will cost you something for sure. My prayer is that the blessing of our little one in your life will be your reward.
Thank you for all you mean to us and all you do for us. We love you all!
In reference to our adoption, this question was asked of us...It began with "Have you considered...?" It was in reference to something specific and it was not asked by anyone that we consider to be family or dear friend. The bottom line is...have we considered what this will cost?
The answer is "YES!!!" To be honest only Bill really considered the facet that we were being asked to consider. I had considered the question, but it was so quickly dismissed in my mind.
This is what I did consider...I considered how this adoption might affect my comfort, my life, my children, my husband, my marriage, my future, my relationships, my soul.
Then I considered how our adopting a child would affect all those around me that I love--especially how it would affect each of my children. In thinking through all these things to consider, I needed to hear if what we thought God was asking us to do was actually God--His leading. God did not deviate--when He called, He called.
Have we considered the COST? The adoption of our little girl may cost us dearly. The financial cost is nothing--it's like buying a car. I've bought a few, I know we will pay it off! (I do understand that buying a car is significant money, but most people still afford themselves the luxury.) It's not money that I'm talking about. It will most certainly cost us comfort and will certainly change many things in our lives...But God is in it, so whatever the cost, the blessing of obedience will far outweigh the price we are asked to pay.
I think about our decision to have Lindsey. We wanted a fourth child and had always planned to have a fourth child, but I remember very clearly thinking and saying that I could not do it without our friends and family. Maybe some would say that if you can't do it alone, you should maybe not do it at all. As I have said before, I have prayed many times with Lindsey and thanked God for giving her to our family--she is a joy. I hope we don't make these decisions selfishly, but instead willingly accept the children God has for our family.
I can't help thinking how much better and more joyful our life is because friends and family share in our burden and responsibility of raising our children. Bill and I and our children all benefit from our dear friend's and family's love and involvement in our lives. We are all better because you pray for us, visit us, babysit while we leave for a night or a week, drive carpool, give rides, send cards, sit on sidelines, cheer, share a meal with us, clean our messes--the list could go on forever. There is bringing up a child, and then there is BRINGING UP A CHILD. Those we love have helped us without a doubt to BRING UP A CHILD.
So I have considered what it will cost all of you for us to bring another child into our family. If you all continue as you have, it will cost you something for sure. My prayer is that the blessing of our little one in your life will be your reward.
Thank you for all you mean to us and all you do for us. We love you all!
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