Visiting Biltmore Estate

On Sunday, after Loren and Bobby's wedding, Hank and I visited the Biltmore Estate before heading home.  It is an astounding setting and beautiful home, one that truthful looks more like a castle, set in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains.  It boasts 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and, during a time when very few people had electricity or running water, Biltmore house had both.  To say it was a sight to behold would be an understatement.

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the terrace

A small sampling of the vast gardens

Mr. and Mrs. Spiller

One of my dearest friends married the love of her life this weekend in Asheville, North Carolina.  It was a beautiful weekend filled with special moments leading up to their wonderful wedding and fun reception.  Congratulations, Loren and Bobby!  We love you both and can't wait to see what God has in store for you as Mr. and Mrs.

Me, Loren, and Blair

Before as Mr. and Miss

After as Mr. and Mrs.

Kevin, Mary Ellen, Mary, Kimber, me, Blair,

Phillips, Hank, Matt, Kara and Mark

Beautiful lighting and reception

Mr. and Mrs. Spiller

Sorority sisters after we embarrassed Lo with our wedding song

Meeting Aubie

Hank took Adair to The Club on Thursday night to meet Aubie.  As you can imagine, Aubie is one of Adair's favorite things about going to and watching Auburn games, so she was thrilled to meet him in person.

War Eagle!

We took a little road trip to Auburn this weekend for the Mississippi State game.  Despite the heat, it was a fun day and a very exciting game.  I did not go to Auburn, but it's always good to visit and we always leave wanting more.  We hope to venture back to plains at least once or twice more this season.  On November 19, my alma mater (Samford) is Auburn's opponent for Homecoming.  This is a rare event and we plan to be there to support our teams, despite that the outcome of the game is fairly obvious.

First Day of 3-K

Adair started 3-K on Thursday at God's House Kindergarten.  This is a new school for us this year and I think we are all going to love it.  It is a very quaint and warm school.  They focus on the gospel everyday and desire for the children to learn about Jesus.  I love that Adair will be exposed to the Bible outside of home and church.

Her teacher's name is Miss Beth and she is precious.  Adair already loves her!  Two of her best friends from church are also in her class and I know she will come home every day after school saying "Sarah Kathryn this and Caroline that".  It should be a fun year full of learning, encouragement and growth.

Craft Note:  If you are curious about her bag, I made it and it was SO easy anyone can do it.  These little tote bags come in a pack of three for $6.99 at Hobby Lobby. 

If you would like to give it a try, here's how I did it.

Supplies:
Canvas tote bag
Template for letters (from Word)
Heat and Bond Light
Fabric scraps
Embroidery thread
Scissors
Needle
Iron

Steps:
1)  Print an outline of the letters you want in the right size in Word and cut them out
2)  Pick out your fabric, cut squares of fabric a little bigger than your letters, then iron the Heat and Bond Light onto the backs of the squares following the directions on the package
3)  Trace your letters on the Heat and Bond Light side of the fabric (make sure you face them the right direction)
4)  Cut out your fabric letters
5)  Iron your letters onto your bag following the directions on the package
6)  Use embroidery floss (I used 3 pieces together) and hand stitch around each letter; you could also embelish with buttons, fabric flowers, etc.

Introducing Our Daughter

Many months ago, we told you about our heart for China and today we are excited to introduce you to the daughter God has given us through adoption.  Here she is, the newest member of our family...we proudly introduce Emalyn Mae Qing.

 Our first unofficial family picture

Emalyn with her big sister

 

Emalyn is 15 months old and has a first degree cleft lip.  She is tiny for her age, but seems very healthy.  Her cleft lip seems to be mostly cosmetic and doesn't seem to interfere with her eating or babbling.  Her file says she is well liked and fairly on target for her age, developmentally.  Qing is part of her Chinese name and it means "celebrate".  Which we will do for the rest of her life! 

 

It is surreal not knowing every detail of her life and growth and needs and likes/dislikes.  Everyday I try to imagine what she is doing, if she is eating well, sleeping well, well loved, played with...it is hard not knowing much for sure.  Please pray with us that God would prepare her heart to meet us and that He would prepare our hearts, too.  A friend who has an adopted sister told me that her mom always prayed that someone would cry when they took their daughter from her orphanage.  I love that, because it says that someone loved her enough to shed tears because they wanted what was best for her, a forever family, but they would miss her.  I want that to be my prayer for Emalyn.  I pray that someone with her now loves her enough to cry when she meets her forever family.

We are so thankful to be at this point so quickly and we pray that the next steps move along as quickly as the ones before them.  We can't wait to hold our daughter in our arms...to love her up close instead of a world away.

If you would like to read our full referral story or follow along as we make our way to China, visit our adoption blog at http://www.alongroadtomeetyou.blogspot.com/.