Fall is here!

I absolutely ADORE fall weather.  We got married in the fall...October 14, 2006, and that day in Nashville was 72 and sunny.  We were in the high 90's last weekend, then all of a sudden, fall came.  Monday, we turned off the air conditioning in the house and opened the windows.  I love the smells and socks and leaves of autumn.  It's as if the world is slowing down again from the crazy summer pace and heat and is finally cooling off.  Justin and I have recently picked up running (well, jogging for me), and it is amazing what a 30 degree difference can do for a person's run pace! 

We went to Memphis this past weekend and were so excited to meet up with another couple who is adopting from Taiwan!  Their little boy, Jack Everett, is already buddies with Amber Joy!  We even have a picture of them together. ;)  David and Sherra are such great people and we are looking forward to a very long friendship!

On a different note, fall always reminds me of certain times in my life and memories: fires and s'mores, raking leaves and then jumping in them, candy corns, Gatlinburg, blue jeans, Cracker Barrel putting out Christmas decorations, and apple or pumpkin scented candles.  One of the things I remember most about my Nanny, my mom's mom, is her big soft cozy king-sized bed, especially in the fall.  It was big enough for all four of us: me, my sister Amber, Nanny, and Dedaddy.  We slept all snuggled up together on Friday nights (that was typically when Amber and I spent the night) under a sheet, about 3 blankets, and an avacado green bedspread.  We LOVED that bed.  They had two other bedrooms in the house, but we never slept in there.  On Saturday morning, Dedaddy would get up before we were awake and go down to Hardee's and get us our favorites: gravy and biscuit and a plain biscuit with grape jelly.  Then we would play at their house and watch TV and go with Nanny shopping at the Big K.  Those are some wonderful weekend memories.

I have been thinking a lot about Amber Joy and the memories she will make.  I want so much for her to look back on her childhood and smile.  I want her to hear a song and recall where she was when she first heard it...to jump in a pile of leaves...to go through a corn maze...  We want so much for her.  But most of all, we want her to feel secure in her identity in Christ.  She has curious eyes.  She is excited about life.  She kicks and coos and smiles and we know that she will be the joy of our lives.  Please continue to pray for her.  There is not a moment that passes when we don't think of her. 

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