Some Cute Kids

So Thankful

It's a beautiful Thanksgiving day. Many things to be thankful for... of course the classics: our home, our family, our friends, food on the table, good health, wonderful church.

This year I am also thankful for my newest son, who should be a legal Haut next week. My oldest son, who is hunting with his Daddy and Mr. J.J. this morning. My eldest daughter, who was eager to go eat breakfast with Nana and Grampa Don early this morning (I love how my children adore their extended family). And my sweet baby girl, who insists she is still a baby, often battling Daniel for her spot on my lap. We did finally move her out of her crib last week, a month shy of her 3rd birthday. She is such a great snuggle bug.

I am thankful for my super husband who is a hard worker and diligent provider for our family.

I am thankful for my growing photography business. Not only do I thoroughly enjoy the work, God knew we were going to need the extra income with our growing family.

I am thankful for my awesome chiropractor who makes my back feel so much better...and my mom who lets me get to the appointments sans children.

Thank you Lord, for you faithfulness and kindness. Thank you for all you have provided.

Watch out Bambi!

Yes. That is my son on the right. Holding a RIFFLE. Dressed in hunting garb.

Today, Isaac had a ball on a day long hunting adventure with Mr. J.J. and Drake. He was so excited to go spend the night last night, and be a "real hunter" today. Sniff, sniff. My baby's growing up.

And upon his coming home, I was greeted with tales of deer brains being stepped on and smeared on the floor. You can see many more pictures of the hunting adventure on Buffie's blog.

Filed!

Today we signed many adoption papers and proceeded to file the papers at the clerk of court! It was a fairly anticlimactic end to a wild ride. Driving the same route I would drive when taking Daniel to his traumatic visits with his birth parents, I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving... praising God for answering my pleas to save my son. I dreaded those visits. Looking back, I know God was the only way I managed through.

For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him.
So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:27-28

After signing the paperwork at DSS, we went to the courthouse. The clerk of court is located just across the hall from the courtroom that we spent so many dreaded hours. The courtroom where where we witnessed how sin and addictions can destroy families. The courtroom that was so difficult to face month after month, not knowing the future of the baby boy we loved as our own.



Fifteen minutes in the clerk of court's and we were done. We were eager to get out of the courthouse with our 4 children in tow. Eager to leave the drama behind, at least for a little while.

Part of me is scared of another foster to adopt experience. It is SO hard. Yet SO worth it! I know God will help us through whatever our future holds. Fostering/adopting has blessed us in huge ways...we have a new son! What a blessing! So, we will simply wait, and see what new journey God has planned for us over the next year. And of course, lavish love on our newest son!!!

A Conversation with Lulu

I had a quick trip to Wal-mart tonight with just Lauralyn and the following conversation transpired:

L: Mommy, how can I marry God when I'm so small? (this is the second time she has talked about wanting to marry God)

me: Well, honey, if you get married, you will have to marry a man.

L: I don't want to marry Isaac, he's too mean.

me: You can't marry Isaac anyway, it's against the rules to marry your brother.

L: Well, can I marry Pastor Chris?

me: No, he's already married.

L: How about Aidan?

me: No, you can't marry your relatives and he's your cousin.

L: But who can I marry? There are a lot of girls and no boys.

me: There are plenty of boys... but you are not even 5 yet, so please don't worry about who you're going to marry. I just want him to be kind and love Jesus. God will pick someone just right for you.

L: Okay, fine. I guess I'll marry Drake.

(Hahaha, Buffie :-)

Free at last!

We received the greatly anticipated news that our Little Man is LEGALLY FREE for adoption earlier today! Praise the Lord!

We are scheduled to file the adoption papers at the courthouse on Friday, Nov. 20th. It generally takes about 2 weeks to have the clerk sign the adoption decree and send it to us, so we are looking at the first week in December for Little Man to become an official Haut!

We are forever grateful to those of you who prayed for us over the past 18 months! It has been a long and bumpy journey, but the adoption of our son far overshadows the tears and difficult moments.

Soon to be an official family of 6...
~ The Haut House
Noah, Beth, Isaac, Lauralyn, Kristin, and DANIEL

It's Fall Y'all

Are you ready?

I'm not.

I will miss the leaves.



I'm not a huge fan of winter... even in the mid-south.

Bleak days. Cold that chases us indoors only to go stir crazy.

The Christmas lights get me through the month of December.



I'm savoring these final days of warmth.

Afternoons spent outside, with no coat.

Hmmm. That makes me think about our need of coat and boot organization in the entry. Six coats, six jackets, and too many boots and shoes all in our entry.



Don't get me wrong... I LOVE every pair of shoes... every jacket, every coat.

I look forward to the day we need to add another set.

I take a deep breath every time the phone rings. Staring at the number to pop up on the caller I.D. Will it be DSS calling to place us with a baby? Or will it be DSS calling to tell us an appeal has been filed? Or will it be my mom asking some random question. Oh, no... that reminds me I forgot to vote! Ugh. Such a sad excuse of a patriotic American. Sorry, Mom.



At least I took some pictures of my kids today. I have had the cobbler's syndrome lately (you know, the photographer's children have no pictures).

If you think of it, be praying no appeal will be filed in the final days of our wait. We are down to about 4 days I think... I am hoping for good news come Monday or Tuesday. Noah and I got our TB tests today, and the physicals are scheduled for Thursday (all needed for adoption). Can you believe that in one month's time our Little Man may officially be Haut?

Exciting times...



...well, mostly.