The 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

The contestants this year were Shay, Shanle, Tim, Jenny, Jon, Angie and Jack. Vote for your favorite on the poll to the right.

1. Shim

2. The Pirate Pumpkin (P.P.)

3. Deja Vu

4. Starry Night

5. Swoosh

6. Frankenstein (this might possibly be Jack's pumpkin) :)

7. Haunted Ghost House

HILARIOUS

My sister called me today and told me about a clip on Sesame Street that she'd seen. The song was written by Sesame Street's head writer for his daughter from Ethiopia. So funny!

Fall Fun

I'm probably the only person in East Tennessee who has not chosen fall as my favorite season. Even though I do like fall, my favorite is actually spring. Maybe it's because Jack was born in the spring. Anyway, it's my favorite. And winter is my LEAST favorite.

Back to fall. We had a big day lined up this past Saturday to do the usual "fall" things. There was a lot of talk about a pumpkin patch just outside Maryville, so our plan was to do the real pumpkin picking this year. Well, Jon came down with a bug, and we settled for make-shift fundraiser pumpkin patch at a nearby church. They had the prettiest pumpkins! I'm attaching just a few pictures.

We also went on our annual beach trip. The weather was perfect...80 degrees and sunny every single day! Pictures to come soon on that. I do think it's important to make note of some improvements that can be made for the following year. So far on my list...

1. Don't forget the camera.

2. Or Jack's shoes.

3. Always keep medicine handy. (in case we get the stomach bug again)

4. Eat more seafood. (like 3 meals a day instead of 2)

Adoption update: Still waiting on that court date. If there's one thing we learned from the timing of the referral, it's that God knows best! As badly as we want those sweet boys home, God's timing is always perfect. As my dad said the other day, "The good thing is, you don't even have to worry about it!" And right he was.

The annual pumpkin carving contest begins tomorrow! Competition will be fierce this year. Shanle has been taking a woodcarving class, which puts her skill above everyone! We'll put a poll on the blog so you can vote. It only adds to the fun.

Stay tuned for the pumpkin carving pictures as well as an adoption opportunity for our family that involves YOU. More details to follow on the blog and on facebook.

I Like Mondays

I'm probably the only person that does though. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the weekends, but something about getting everyone off and cleaning the house on Monday morning is refreshing. A sunny beautiful Monday morning definitely makes it that much more enjoyable. I am not a person that enjoys too much routine nor am I a creature of habit. I just like Mondays.

Waiting. Patiently. And other stuff.

This week, hopefully, we'll hear about a court date for the boys. We keep thinking that it may be today. So, maybe today, we'll hear something. :) We're still thinking about names. We think we have the top two candidates, but are open to suggestions.

In other news, and I will probably jump from subject to subject quickly and randomly, Jack moved into his new room Friday. It's not completely finished yet. Pictures to come very soon though. We had a great night of praise last night which focused on Redemption. In a few days, I'll post a link and you can watch it on the church's website. We're so glad that God has us serving at Sevier Heights. Hopefully many more years to come. Our annual beach trip is coming up! One of our FAVORITE times of the year! Charleigh, who was an itty-bitty 2 week old last year, will be running, eating sand, and splashing in the waves. Can't wait!!! Avery will make her grand appearance this year. I have a feeling she will be a beach bum! It will be so hard to leave these little girls after spending a week with them. Whew.

I was writing Jack's Bible verses on his dry erase board to learn this week, and one of the verses was the same as last year. I remember this particular verse because he could never say it right. The verse is from James 2:10. It says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." It was slightly shortened last year though. I believe when he got into his class and said the verse, it went something like this, "Whoever fumbles the ball gets just one point." Not even close. Funny though. We'll try harder to learn it word for word this year.

Back to adoption stuff for just a second, we have a friend from college who has also decided to adopt from Ethiopia. We've only kept in touch through facebook, but now since they've decided to adopt, it's kept us in closer touch, which I am so thankful for. If you get a second, you should read Kelly's blog.

I guess that's all for now. Have a great fall day!