Coming Up for Air

Hi, everyone,

We're still here and doing well! We've been knee-deep in many things these past few weeks, and as of last Wednesday, we've officially been home for one month. Part of us feels like we still have one foot in China and one foot in the US, wrapping up final details of Maia's adoption and preparing for post-placement reports and just trying to still adjust and get somewhat on top of things. We are simply overwhelmed and so incredibly grateful for all of the kindnesses that have been shown to us by family and friends. I want to say thank you SO much for everything, and I'm preparing to write special thank you notes this weekend. I've been spending just about every waking moment with Ava, Maia or both at the same time or taking them to medical appointments and such, and when that time is spent and bedtime arrives, Ben and I finally have time to eat and catch up! Then, there's the cat to let out, the dog to let in, and laundry and dishes to clean. I do feel like I'm finally "coming up for some air," and we're getting more and more settled and marking things off a pretty lengthy post-adoption list.

We went out on our first date night last night to "A Night with the Chapmans" in Knoxville. It was an intimate performance and story-sharing night with Steven Curtis, Mary Beth, Caleb and Will Franklin. Mary Beth and Steven shared very openly and genuinely about their grief and hope about losing precious Maria in 2008. Mary Beth has written a book called, "Choosing to SEE," and it is honestly one of the best books I've ever read. Warning though, get your kleenex ready. She is so transparent in the book and reveals many of her lifelong struggles and how God changed the plot to her story so many times and how she's learned to trust Him, no matter what. They are choosing to SEE the Lord in the tragedy of losing Maria and cling to His promise that they will see her again someday in Heaven. I hope to share a more intimate story with you soon about something Steven told us last night.

The girls are doing really well, and Maia is a hoot! I'm looking forward to posting "the month" in pictures since we've been home. We've got some precious pics of Ava and Maia together.

Have a wonderful fall weekend, and I'll be back soon. Ava's napping AND Maia is napping (within 30 minutes of eachother just today), and it's time to bathe and do the dishes.

Love to all!

Emily