At Mark’s suggestion, we got out of the house today and headed to Valley Forge Park. The day is beautiful, the leaves are beautiful, such a pleasant day to be outside and enjoy fall. It was good to take a deep breath of God’s creation. He has been speaking to me in very tangible ways lately–for which I am so grateful. We’ve had a rough time these last few weeks with the adoption process. Still praying to know who our little girl is before Christmas and travel this spring. The wait and the review of files has become increasingly difficult. I was not prepared for how hard it would be.

12 years ago on November 1st, Mark and I met at a McDonalds in Breezewood, PA and he told me loved me for the first time. He said he knew then we would get married–only 2 months after we had met. Every year since, we celebrate “I love you” day with a trip to McDonalds—it’s pretty much our only trip to McDonalds all year long.

Yup, we really ate there.

Our 3 bundles of love celebrating “I love you” day with us.

Drew ordering his own ice cream (thanks to the free coupon Aunt Megan sent to us for Halloween)

clearly enjoying it

Halloween is a big deal around here. Evan literally talks about Halloween year round. Drawing haunted houses and bone guys are his specialty.

Friday involved a couple Halloween parties at school. And, of course today was trick or treating. We had about 70 trick or treaters come to our house (even though it was lightly raining on and off). And, our kids didn’t do so bad themselves. Note the holiday tradition of sorting and trading. What a greedy holiday this is, really. Despite the literally hundreds of packages of candies on our floor, the kids weren’t volunteering any to us. They did not go for the “dads-always-get-all-the-peanut-butter-cups” line. But, they are all asleep now….perhaps a couple would not be missed.

Ashlyn’s kindergarten Halloween party that followed their parade.

Evan’s 2nd grade Harvest party. The elementary school doesn’t do any Halloween stuff. Sort of a bummer, I think. I have such fond memories of parading around and seeing everyone’s costumes.

Evan’s 2nd grade class

Our 3 trick-or-treaters: Zebra, wizard, and a vet (despite buttons of a cat and dog and a real name tag that said “veterinarian,” everyone said he was a doctor. Evan corrected every single one of them, of course)

The first official candy trade

Psalm 128: The LORD Rewards His Faithful People