Yesterday, the boys, grandma, papa and I went to our favorite mountain town, Blowing Rock. It was their Halloween Festival and even though it was chilly, we had a great time. Batman and Robin ran all over the town and got to trick-or-treat at all the little shops. Capel rugs gave out free rugs to all trick-or-treaters! That was a first...I am not sure the boys were all that thrilled with being handed rugs in leiu of candy!
Mike, was under the weather with a stomach bug, so we had to leave him home. I took lots of photos, so he didn't feel like he was missing out on the day! Here's just a couple of my favorites....
I'll be on a plane to Miami and then on my way to Port-au-Prince, Haiti! I get to meet our little girl for the first time!!! I am so excited but at the same time, I know it will be the most difficult experience ever to leave her there when I leave. I get to bond and visit with her for 3 days but then I have to hand her back to the orphanage staff without knowing when I'll see her again...
I started my malaria pills yesterday (they taste like metal, yuck!) and this week, I'll be gather up more supplies to donate to the orphanage staff (nail polish, vaseline, lotions, anti-fungal creams, clothes, shoes, etc) I can bring two fifty pound suitcases with me without charge, so I am loading them up to the max.
It all seems so surreal! This is Avery's photo lisiting from www.rainbowkids.com from back in March when we first saw her on their adoption site. She has already changed so much and I am so thankful I get to meet her in person, take photos, and hug her for 3 days straight!
When they ask for an electric blanket to sleep with and it's 60 degrees out. Caden said, "Mom I bet we won't go outside for recess tomorrow if it's this cold. Is it supposed to snow?"
Just in case you missed it on YAHOO!, this is one of the funniest (okay, it's really not funny!) wedding video I have seen in a long time....I can't even imagine this and I am a swimmer!
http://video.yahoo.com/network/100284668?v=3710199&l=4418225
This was sent to me by my sister, Meredith, this morning! She always knows how to make us laugh.... Preston didn't recognize Avery, without any hair!
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/JZuQciPmc6whooiX
Tomorrow is Boss's day, in case anyone has forgotten! I have a great boss, so we are giving him a suprise party at work. I am going to make this delicious apple pie, thanks to Sarah. I may have to make two, so we have one for home...although that would be dangerous, especially if it turns out anywhere as yummy looking as hers did! Anything with warm caramel on top has to be good!
A few people have been asking if they can give me donations that I can in turn bring to Haiti. Because of baggage restrictions, I can only transport one extra suitcase full of goodies. So, instead if you would possibily consider either a monetary donation ($10 is huge help!!) or sending food items to the address listed in the link, that would be such a great help. Some of the specific food needs are: spaghetti, rice, peanut butter, beans, tuna, powdered milk, formula, and other shelf staple items. November rent is due for our Creche (orphanage) and they count on volunteers to help "Raise the Rent". You can order coffee (who doesn love great coffee?) and some of the proceeds will help with rent, or you can just hit the paypal button and make a donation that way! Because of the various hurricanes that hit Haiti this season, the needs are greater than usual. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Caden and Daddy ventured off to the Bank of America 500 last night and he loved it. He got to meet Mr. "The King" Richard Petty (thanks to SUSAN WILLIAMS!) and enjoy the sights and sounds of NASCAR. Not only did Caden meet a racing legend, he also learned that Mr. Petty was a movie star, and Daddy's former boss. We wondered if the King might be upset Caden was covered head to toe in #2 (Kurt Busch) but he didn't seem to mind! The picture quality isn't the best (cell phone camera)... 
Are just precious. Avery is about 16.5 pounds and 13 months old. She is on the petite side and her eyes are so big and bright! We just love these photos and her smile! Can't wait to meet her in 3 weeks...
Since I am traveling to visit Avery in less than a month, everyone has been asking when she'll come home. I borrowed this timeline from another family adopting from Haiti. We are currently in IBESR ,and have only been there for 2 weeks...so you can see we have a long ways to go. The hardest part is each stage can vary greatly in the amount of time it takes to get through it. The biggest miracle for our family would be for Avery to get here around May/June when I am off for the summer! That would be just perfect!
Timeline:
1) First Legal - 1 to 4 weeks
2) IBESR - 3 to 12 months
3) Second Legal - 1 to 4 weeks
4) Parquet- 1 to 14 months
5) MOI- 1 to 3 months
6) US Visas issued - While this is a 24 hour step for Canadian citizens and less than a week for French citizens, it has taken up to several months for American citizens. (This is not a Haitian step but one carried out by representatives of the adoptive parents' home country.)
