Donations for Orphanage

I wanted to put this out to all my local friends who may read this blog...I love the three of you, LOL! I would like to take a suitcase of donations for the orphanage. I took clothing and other items the first trip and would like to do the same this trip. Here are items they can use as ideas:
undershirt
pajamas
tights-apparently boys and girls wear these all winter long!
hats
warm clothing-sweat suits, pants, shirts
socks
The children are up to 4 years old at her orphanage, so infant to 3T sizing would be great.
There are so many other items, but my brain has frozen at the moment!
Anything we bring them will be so appreciated.
We are leaving November 25--Thanksgiving Day!

Buy a T-shirt

Our nephew and niece, Steve and Emily, are in process to adopt a little boy from Ethiopia. We are so excited for the journey they are on and can't wait to meet their little boy someday.

Check out her blog and buy a tshirt! www.emhauter.blogspot.com
They are doing a fundraiser through Ordinary Hero (OH). OH is an amazing organization, doing amazing things for orphans. They have really cool tshirts, too! Check them out, you may find one of their shirts is "what you never knew you always wanted!!"

Travel Dates

Praising the Lord today! After a crazy back and forth communication with agencies, we have our travel dates. We will arrive in Bulgaria on Sunday, November 28th. Gotcha Day will be Nov. 29.
I feel like I have had a full time job today of working on the computer trying to find airfare. We usually do it all ourselves, but the one way ticket of a minor is causing a problem. Plus, the search engines consider their fares already discounted and do not give further discounts for children--as I was told by an agent today. Hopefully we will secure something soon. We are quickly approaching the end of the 14 day advance fare incentive.
As of the weekend, I thought we could travel as early as the 21st. Now today, I find I have just a little more time. I bought a crib over the weekend and primed a dresser tonight. I will paint it tomorrow. That will be a nice project to cross of my list.
In less than three weeks we will have Mahaela in our arms. I can't wait for my kids to meet their new sister. They are gonna love her. As Lindsey reminded me the other day, she already loves her! Makes me smile.

Still waiting to pack our bags

No, we do not have a travel date. I actually am trusting that even though we do not know the dates yet, that it is not necessarily being pushed out further. It may just mean that we have shorter notice. Each week that goes by feels like this snowball effect of much to do and less time to do it in...which is pretty accurate.
Looking forward to the next two days. No school today or tomorrow, but still busy. My day started by leaving the house at 9am and returning at 11pm. It required three trips to Peoria and beyond and traveling 200 miles! It's exhausting/I'm exhausted. We constantly say, "This is why we can't get anything done!" And it's true, we don't. Tomorrow is a bit more of the same--too chopped up to get much done at home. I am hoping to completely move Lindsey into her new room and begin cleaning out what will become Mahaela's bedroom. I will be happy with the weekend if this gets accomplished. I can dream!

I am getting another package together to send Mahaela. Just waiting on translating a message to send to her. She will have her third birthday soon. Sorry we couldn't be together for it.

Looking forward to an Orphan Care meeting at Grace Church to celebrate Orphan Sunday. I will have my own little party in my heart this Sunday celebrating the one little orphan that is no more!
I will for sure post when we know our travel dates...when I know, you'll know...you may hear me screaming (mostly for JOY mixed with a little panic!!)

Could this be the month??

We are missing this sweet little girl...

We can't wait to return to Bulgaria to pick up little Mahaela,

and leave the doors of this orphanage with our daughter, an orphan no more!

I feel some relief that the month of October is over. We realized fairly early in the month that October would not be the month that we would be able to return to Bulgaria. We are still holding out hope that November could be the month. So I am happy to see November finally here.

Saturday ended the football season for both Ryan and Jake. Aubrey continues to play basketball, but life will be a bit more simplified. Still a lot of driving, but less stress, and maybe a few meals at home in our future.
My to-do list is very long...as you would know if you just stepped one foot into my house. Too many loose ends to call my life anything but UNRAVELED! I am hoping to methodically tackle as many items on the list as I am able the next week or two.

I did receive something that makes me smile...an email from a caregiver of Mahaela. I had sent M. a package and I also emailed the caregiver a little note. I had an email address from the caregiver sending me some photos of M. from her phone. So I had a new friend translate a letter for me that I sent on to the orphanage. The response I got was sweet and friendly. They said they were speaking every day about Mahaela's mom and dad coming to get her and taking her to America. Now, she has no idea what that really means, but I like knowing that they are preparing her as best they can. We also sent a photo of our family and a photo of M. that I "scrapbooked." She said they liked the photos.
I intend to send another package this week for M. Birthday. Not sure what to send, but it will include candy for her to perhaps share with the other children in her group. I just need to think of some other things???

Still no word on traveling. We do have another week of waiting for the mandatory 14 day wait after the court hearing. Then birth certificate will be applied for.
Can't wait to hear dates of when we can travel!

We Passed Courts

Bill said, "...and then there were 5!" We have successfully passed court in Bulgaria. It is official, Mahaela is a Hauter!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Jesus!

We are so blessed and thankful. Today is a great day, but now I just want her home.

John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." I am constantly reminded through this whole adoption that Jesus has done this for me. He has adopted me into His family. He sought me out and made me a child of His...a child of the KING.

God provided for us the seed, the willing heart, the willful obedience, the perseverance, the stamina, the guidance, the opportunity, the blessing--all that has culminated into Mahaela joining our family. Praise the Lord!

I am posting a video of photos from our first trip to Bulgaria. We left Bulgaria 3 months ago today. Now, we anxiously await our travel dates.

Mahaela JoMae Hauter given to us October 25, 2010...

Court Date Scheduled

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!