Busy, Busy October!

Happy Halloween everyone!!  I realized this morning that it has been awhile since I had posted anything, and that there was SO much to catch up on as we have had a very full month of October.  So as I sit here sipping my coffee with pumpkin spice creamer (yum!) and nibble on an Almond Joy I snuck from my daughter's treat bag, I thought I would take a minute-- or 30-- and catch everyone up on our goings on.

First let me start out by saying that with regards to our adoption, we are unfortunately still in limbo.  No news of any kind as to the special needs list that was supposed to come out two weeks ago, or when the country in EE-- which is presently re-vamping their adoption processes-- will open back up.  We have been told December at the earliest, perhaps January instead.  So we are at a standstill right now, which is extremely frustrating.  The saying "no news is good news" does not apply here.  We would love to hear something, anything, about what is going on over there as we sit here and try to be patient, waiting to travel to our babies.

Prayers for that, as always, are greatly appreciated!

So, on to the things that have kept us busy, and my mind otherwise occupied, this past month.

As you know, our daughter Schuyler turned 13 on October 19th-- a very big milestone!  Well, our son Evan turns 16 on November 22nd-- another very big year to celebrate!!!  Thinking we might be gone to Europe by the time his birthday actually rolled around, we planned his party early this year so as not to miss the festivities!  So, we had two parties for two children in two weeks.  Craziness!  But, a ton of fun. 

Evan got to start the day by playing paintball with his dad, brother and a few friends.  Then it was back here for some hot dogs and hamburgers, a bonfire while roasting marshmallows, and a movie.  He really enjoyed his day and I think a fun time was had by all.

Next up was another big day for Evan-- he got his braces off!!  After two years he is braces-free and has some beautiful, straight teeth. Yeah!!!

Before......









After!!!!!.......

This past weekend was another full one-- it was supposed to be even more full than it turned out to be but because of wet weather our soccer games were cancelled.  Can I have a teeny tiny "yeah!"??  So we got to hang out at home during the day on Saturday which was great, because the night before we did this......................

Every year for over a dozen years the Lewis's have had a Halloween party which all the kids from our church have attended.  This year we went with our Greaser, Vampire, Cowgirl, Baby, Nerd and Lego block!  It was a blast, as always!!  There were hot dogs, games, a bonfire, hayride and of course, trick-or-treating for the littler ones 5th grade and under. 

Grayson and I on the hayride!



Just some of the candy to be given out!!!

So of course that was a late night, which is why I was super glad it rained all night long and soccer was cancelled the next day.  Because, on Saturday the kids still had this to do............

Yep-- a 5K race!!!!

The annual Jack-o-Lantern Jaunt!!!

Five out of our 6 kids, and Tim, decided to run this!  Kierstyn opted to sit this one out on the sidelines with Mama-- she doesn't enjoy running as much as the others and is saving her get-up-and-go for the Santa Scramble in November.  :)

Off they go to sign in and pick up their goodie bags complete with race day t-shirt!

Signing in and getting the chip for their sneaker to record their time as they cross the finish line.

Ready to run!

A glimpse at some of the trophies.

It was FREEZING out there as we stood and waited to line up.

 Finally!  Ready, set....

GO!

You can see Charlotte Motor Speedway in the distance.

Gray flying by halfway through!

Schuyler and Daddy keeping pace together.

They started coming in....Gideon first of our clan...

Grayson second.....

Then Evan....

Georgia....

Next Schuyler....

And last but not least Daddy, who opted to take it easy on his leg. 

They all had strong finishes and we were SO proud of them all!!

Grayson and Georgia were especially happy!!

Grayson placed FIRST in his age group and

Georgia placed FOURTH in hers!!

Yeah to all my babies for such strong effort!

After the race was over, we headed off.  But never ones to sit still for too long (haha!) we dropped Georgia at a Girl Scout sleepover, the three teenagers at a Halloween party of their own, and took our last two with us to a bonfire at a friend's house!  I know, we are crazy.  No, we just have crazy busy lives which blessedly are filled with friends!  For that we are grateful! 

It was soo weird heading to our friends' house with only two kids in the car too!  Strange for us!!  :)

So today, I am getting off this computer and heading into the kitchen to bake up some yummy treats for tonight-- some decorated sugar cookies, frosted pumpkin spice cookies, and pumpkin dip!  There will be lots of ghouls to feed tonight as we head over to another friend's place for pizza and trick-or-treating! 

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!!