How are we celebrating this bewitching holiday? By picking up both of our wicked mothers from the airport today! Okay, okay…. they aren’t wicked, but they are two of my most favorite witches. Alright they aren’t witches either. Fine, fine - I’ll be nice. But we sure are excited to have them here!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and enjoy all those adorable tricker or treaters and pounds of yummy candies.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a strictly adoption related blurb. This is one topic I’ve had stored away for awhile, not sure when I would bring it out for discussion. After all it will be awhile before we’re worrying about this, but I still find myself thinking about it. So a few questions and my thoughts. (For those of you waiting and, thus, unable to answer all of the questions - please respond to whichever ones you can).

TIMELINE
(1) How old was your child when he/she was referred to you?
(2) How old was your child when you travelled to meet them?
(3) How old was your child when you brought them home?

PREFERENCE
(1) What age child did you request and why?

Frank and I go back and forth on this issue. I feel very strongly that I want our first child to be as young as possible because I would like us to experience the “baby” time. After the first adoption, I’m not sure that we will be so picky. Frank would really like to adopt a child 3-5 years old at some point. So there is a very good chance down the road we will be doing that, as well.

In an earlier post , I mentioned my mini-homesickness breakdown. It wasn’t quite a breakdown, but it did involve some tears. Really it just comes down to missing Michigan and my family. Knowing that it is fall back home only makes it worse.

Fall is my absolute favorite season in Michigan. I absolutely love the crisp air and cooler temperatures. It seems they always come right when everyone is tired of the summer heat. Some of best things about fall that I was dreadfully blue about not having around are:

1. All of the lovely fall colored leaves, which makes for amazing scenery everywhere you go.

2. Wearing a hooded sweatshirt outside for the perfect temperature combination… no coats necessary, yet.

3. Walks in the woods with a crunch, crunch, crunch of leaves underfoot.

4. Hot apple cider.

5. The bright, white football lights glowing in the black night sky.

6. Choosing the perfect pumpkin.

7. Answering the door to find children dressed as black cats, goblins, princesses and pirates.

8. The reward of jumping in a big pile of leaves after working hard to rake them.

9. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner with Mom.

10. Visiting the apple orchard and treating ourselves to warm cinnamon donuts.

11. Frank’s excitement at going hunting with Jason.

12. Eating stews with fluffy dumplings, apple pie and spicy chilis.

13. Hearing the whistles from the local high school’s varisty football game (and cheering for them on my big, red box - go bobcats!)

14. Celebrating Frank’s and my birthday with our family and friends.

15. The soft glow of hand carved pumpkins.

No worries, though. Frank was there for me with hugs and warm tea. Besides, next Fall we’ll be back in the States. Miami is not quite Michigan, as far as the fall experience goes, but it’s one step closer.

So a big CONGRATULATIONS to Marie and Shane!! They received a referral and are traveling at the end of the month to meet Bryson! YAY!

On another note, the rain has been falling here for the entire week. At first I was happy about it because it makes it seem more like fall back in Michigan. However, I have realized I have become a “fair weather friend” to good ole Michigan weather. (bad joke, I know.) I am quickly growing tired of the grey skies and missing my sunshine…. especially since this week I actually have time to go to the beach. Figures. I will admit that I do love the booming thunder and huge lightening bolts that hit the water, though. Anyways, I really hope it goes away before my Mom and Mother in law get here for Halloween week.

Rachael has inspired me to start a food diary. I am a woman on a mission. Well, yesterday I was. Today I got a little side tracked by Frank’s begging for brownies via email. See it’s extension time (mini-tax season) so I have barely seen him in a week. As a result, I gave in to his requests and baked some delicious chocolate brownies. This, of course, meant that I had to enjoy them with him while he was home for his one hour break. I’ll be sleeping by the time he gets home. But, I digress and tomorrow is a new day…. a day for food journaling. Oh joy. Diets. Well, I better go watch Greys Anatomy to cheer myself up. Is it bad that a tv show is the highlight of my week?

Sometimes I think I’ve got the greatest husband in the world. He didn’t do anything amazing this week, just the usual. Working like mad because it’s mini tax season here, cleaning the house because I was way too busy with exam time, and supporting me while I had a mini homesickness breakdown. (More on that to come….) So, here’s to my knight in shining armor, who by the way patiently sits and watches Desperate Housewives with me every Sunday night.

Yes, I swear more vacation stuff is coming up…. it just takes so darn long to upload those pictures and well, I’m lazy. So for now - I’m posting this fun stuff! It seems it’s all the craze these days!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Chebby Logo

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Cherry Garcia Oreo

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
C-Ell

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Pink Pig

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Leigh Flint

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Ell-Ch

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Black Frappe

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Bobby Lee Hayward (I SWEAR THAT’S TRUE! HAHA.)

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
Lovely Snickers (ooh la la - think Lovely Knickers - haha.)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Lee Thomas (yes, there are a lot of Lee’s in my family)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Weiss Washington

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Peony

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Nightgown

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Waffle Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Scrapbook Thunderstorm Tour

As if that’s not enough about me…. I also took Rachael’s Fall Quiz. Here are the results. I’m honestly not quite sure how I feel about them… ya know, the dead thing doesn’t excite me very much.

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.