Orphan Care and Plane Tickets

We had an Orphan Care Meeting at our home tonight with a great bunch of people. It was really encouraging--just a great blessing to be with others who also have a heart for the fatherless.

Well, I was all happy and proud of myself getting plane tickets last night...only to wake up to a vague email and no actual ticket confirmation. First guy said not to worry--after I waited on hold about 45 minutes, took a shower and everything. He said we would hear within 24 hours. So I felt confident to wait for news...but then reality set in. I was getting worried that something was not right with our three tickets. Mahaela already had a ticket # issued. Then another phone call a few hours later when I couldn't take it any longer. Blood pressure sky-rocketing! It was maddening. The only thing he could tell me was that there was no way I was going to get confirmation because Delta would not agree to the fare that I had already given my credit card payment for. I've seen the "bait and switch" when you go to actually pay, but I have never had it after you actually submit payment. Completely Bait and Switch! But after 12 hours had passed tickets continued to climb as there were very few seats left on our flights. He told me it would be $800 more to book the same itinerary (and again wait up to 24 hours for actual ticketing.) Crazy. Thought I was having a head bleed! Called back again after I cooled down a bit and then listened to the whole story again from another Expedia agent. Coming up with a price was like throwing a dart at a moving dart board...she quoted about 3 prices and finally came up with I would owe another $475. I had just a few more hours before I would need to cancel Mahaela's ticket if I thought we couldn't be ticketed on the same flights. So I just had to buck up and pay the difference. So funny, not funny-haha, that I spent hours trying to find the best deal and in the end I just bit it and didn't even care any more! Tonight, I at least have flight ticket numbers and confirmation numbers. Seems like everything is ok. Called Delta to remind them that she is a minor traveling with us because we were ticketed separately. I will call Air France to tell them the same later.
I'm so thankful to have two weekends ahead of me before we leave, although tomorrow will be busy with games. Such is life. Wish I could have two Saturdays every week!

CHA-CHING!!

I just purchased airline tickets. Probably not a smart idea at this time of the day, but I just wanted to get it done. We leave in a day less than two weeks! Yippeee!
$4199.90 total cost for 4 tickets. Overall, I am happy because Bill through at a budget for tickets a while back and I stayed well under that. We paid about $1500 per ticket for our first flight over in July. This time we were about $1000 per ticket. Mahaela's ticket cost more than ours! I really got the flights that I wanted which is always great. No 6 am flights, nice layovers, no unnecessary stops--how I like to fly!
Now, if you are looking to fly to Bulgaria, don't compare our numbers straight up...what I was getting around to saying is that we are making a stop in Paris for 2 nights! It's a real bummer to fly all the way to Europe and not see as much as you can. Since Aubrey will be with us, we really wanted her to see something else. This whole experience is a chance of a lifetime on so many levels. Bill and I will celebrate our 40th birthdays with this little jaunt. We both turn 40 the week after we get home, so this is how we justify it. But still, we are flying to Paris and Sofia for about $500 less per ticket than our first trip.
Every step makes it feel more real. Thanks to many of you for the well wishes, prayers, and comments. They are all appreciated.

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!