Hello!
Regardless of my many good intentions to update this blog regularly, it rarely happens! If you do check this out for news, please hang in there. Eventually, it gets updated!
Since the last post, we have all settled well into back to school and Fall. I have always loved this time of year. The crisp, autumn air, apples and all of their gifts (applesauce, crisp.......) and then of course there is the symphony of colors to appreciate. I adore decorating for Fall and always feel my very best during this season. Did I mention I love the fall?!!!?
Victoria has begun her second year of high school and is loving it! I am so happy to see her so content and involved in her studies, friends and school life.
Mara-Grace is in the middle of a growth spurt which caused her to outgrow every pair of shoe she owns in one week flat! Literally, overnight, she outgrew her shoes. All size 7's. So, off to the shoe store we went. It was confirmed that her toes just pass the size 7 line. So, she now is into a size 7.5. She was quite proud to try on shoes and we bought two new pairs. We have her fall and winter boots already purchased (size 8) so they should fit well. Even her clothes seem to be shrinking rapidly! Mara used to be longer in the top than bottoms. Now she is quite proportioned! She has outgrown her size 2's and is into 3's now. PJ's, I always buy a little bigger. It will be interesting to see how much she has grown since May when she has her 3yr check-up next month.Mara-Grace will soon be having her birthday party. The theme is FARM. For obvious reasons (described in past posts)! When I asked her what picture she would like on her party napkins/plates she told me pig. Surprise surprise!!!! Then she said cows. So, pigs and cows=farm theme! I made her invitations again this year and they are in the shape of a farm house. I will take a picture and post it when I get a chance. Mara was quite thrilled, and most impressed to mail them to her cousins at the post office. Very exciting indeed!!!!!
As I mentioned, Victoria is back to school and loving it. She has also joined a volunteer youth committee that will do work and fundraising for 3 local hospitals. She is really excited about this. She also has joined a church youth group which meets once a week. Her girlfriends are also involved, so it is something that she is greatly enjoying. She is also taking her bronze medallion and cross which preps her for life guarding. This is something that will be beneficial to have but it isn't something she is overjoyed about taking. Enough said on that note! LOL If passed, she will be finished this portion of training right before Christmas.
Mara-Grace and I have been attending a weekly playgroup for internationally adopted children. We are really enjoying it and it will run until the end of November. There is also a Mothering matters playgroup which I am thinking of joining when the other playgroup ends. The most exciting part of this fall has been that Mara-Grace has met Kyli! Kyli came home to her family from China this past summer and lives about 8 minutes away from us. Kyli and Mara have so much in common and they have been having a blast together! It is so sweet to see them playing together. Kyli and her Mom came over to our house to play, and we have been meeting at the park a morning once or twice/week. It is truly wonderful to see them playing so well together.
Another special event this fall was a last minute, 2 nights away at Chateau M. I haven't stayed there since I was a child, and have always wanted to go back. I didn't want to be negative, but there were so many lay offs at Kev's work since the summer and things were incredibly stressful to say the very least. Sadly, over 2800 jobs were lost. Thankfully, Kevin's was spared. We couldn't be more thankful. All of this to say that when he was given the getaway through work, it was much appreciated. Unfortunately for Kev, he spent most of the time there working (we were just thankful he had work). I must say though that I had a glorious time with my girls. It was beautiful weather, accommodations and the scenery is breathtaking. I would love to go back and relax. The girls and I went hiking, did a few trails (Tori was sure she saw a bear-GOSH), played mini-putt, had a picnic etc.... Treasured times. 
Another incredible accomplishment in our household these days is our towers. LEGO towers! Kev and Mara have built them right up to the living room ceiling. Here's proof!!!!
There you have it, a little update from our house! May you have a beautiful, cherished Thanksgiving! xoxo
