Anniversary Getaway

Earlier this week, David and I went away for a few days to celebrate our one year anniverary a little early. David surprised me by planning a romantic getaway to the Inn at the Biltmore Estate. It was amazing! We had a balcony room that overlooked the beautiful mountainside. Our room was lovely and we enjoyed all the amenities of Biltmore Estate. We toured the Vanderbilt homestead one day and browsed the shops in Asheville the next. On the last evening, David planned a romantic dinner for us at the fancy restaurant at the Inn. It was the best meal we've ever had! We had a table with a fireside and mountain view. Our waiter was so attentive and kind to us.

Beautiful Biltmore Estate. We were overhwhelmed at the magnitude of this home! We enjoyed our visit, but we really enjoy our own cozy little home.

This is the Inn, located just a few miles from the Vanderbilt home, on the Biltmore Estate property. It was beautiful!

Our room had a great balcony with a picturesque view of the mountainside.

My handsome husband!



Cheers!

Belly shot at 23 weeks... Laura Madeline is really growing... and so am I!

This is a balcony just outside the lobby. They have so many lovely places to sit and enjoy the view.

This was taken just before our special dinner. It was a romantic dinner just for three!

Lots of cozy sitting areas... and lots of fireplaces to snuggle in front of!

They have a book in the lobby called the "Nonsense Book." It was patterned after the Nonsense Book in the Vanderbilt home. Guests were asked to write poems, silly sayings, and short stories for others to enjoy.

I love my husband! We had such a wonderful getaway! Thank you, David, for planning such a special anniversary trip for us!

Cathy and Craig Came to Visit!!!!

This was definitely a highlight of our year. Our dear friends, Cathy and Craig Horlacher, came all the way from PA to visit us for a long weekend. It was such a joy to host them in our home! Cathy and Craig are so special to us for a number of reasons. Let me give you a little background...

Cathy and I met nearly five years ago at Living Hope Church in Harrisburg, PA (formerly my hometown). Although we had heard a lot about each other (Living Hope is a small church and there weren't very many single adults at that time), we were introduced at a rehearsal for a drama that we were both participating in at church. We chatted for a bit afterward and decided to go to Panera Bread for a cup of coffee. Four hours later, we felt as though we had known each other for years! Have you ever had a kindred spirit? Cathy is definitely among God's sweetest gifts to me and we have shared a rich friendship over the years.

When God called me to North Carolina 4 years ago, we wept many tears, but prayed that the Lord would safeguard our friendship for years to come, despite the miles between us. He did just that! In fact, we have watched him weave a common thread of grace in our lives over the past few years.

In September of 2005, I returned home for a quick visit and Cathy (along with our friend Ann) met for lunch again at our favorite spot, Panera Bread. Of course, the topic of marriage came up and we shared our thoughts with each other. Now, these ladies were among the most content ladies I have ever met. While they both had a deep desire for marriage, they understood God's great gift of singleness as well, and excelled at cherishing their single years.

At that lunch, we agreed to pray and fast one day each month for each other... that God would bless us with husbands. Well.... God in His faithfulness answered our plea and we were all married within the next three years. Now, Ann is expecting her first baby in May, I am due in June, and Cathy is due in August. Praise God for His unmerited kindness to us! We marvel at God's work of grace in our lives and, also by His grace, enjoy sweet fellowship despite the miles.

So, here are a few snapshots of our wonderful weekend with Cathy and Craig. We couldn't possibly be more grateful for their friendship!!!

Cathy and I made a quick stop at the maternity store in the mall. Cathy is only 13 weeks pregnant, but we enjoyed trying on the fake bellies under our maternity clothing. This one's a little lumpy. :)

Now, that's more realistic!!! I can hardly wait for baby Horlacher to arrive in August. Cathy has been a nanny for more than ten years and she is going to make a wonderful Mommy!!!

Of course the pregnant ladies needed a snack mid-afternoon, so we made a quick stop to Cook Out. It was a chilly day, but we really enjoyed our burgers!

We made a quick visit to see David's parents, whom Cathy affectionately calls her "Friends-in-Law." John wasn't home, but we enjoyed our visit with Jane!

We marvel at the Lord's kindness to us!

Day at the Park

A few weeks ago (I'm really behind on our blog updates), we spent a Sunday afternoon at a great park in Kannapolis. Here are a few shots of our afternoon together.

Snow Day!!!!

We had a snow day here in North Carolina yesterday. No school for the kids!!! Here are a few shots of the day...

There was actually enough snow to cover the ground!

Dray and Kenzie in their cold weather gear.

Who are those masked snowball throwers?

Kenzie's snow angel

Dray's snow angel

This is actually a photo from a few weeks ago. Addyson Marie Ruszczyk and her mommy came to visit me for an afternoon. What a sweetie!!! She couldn't possibly be any more beautiful!!!

Kenzie made David a special birthday cake from her EZ bake oven a few weeks ago. Maybe someday she'll be a pastry chef!!!