Spring Tennis Ladder

This past spring Finley participated in a tennis ladder program. There were about 18 players in his under 10 orange level 2 group.  Once a week they would play three mini matches (1 set or until 25 minutes was up).

Finley and two other friends from our club played in the same age group which was really fun. We played at different locations each week. 

This was a great way for Finley to get in some match play with other beginner tennis players like himself.

Kids in the group move up or down the ladder based on how well they do. Finley finished number 1 in the ladder three weeks in a row! We were so proud of him! At the end of the ladder was a mini tournament. Finley was the number 1 seed and got a bye the first round. 

His first match in the second round was actually his toughest of the whole tournament! He played a little girl who was much bigger and stronger than him. Finley ended up pulling out the win though 4 - 2. 

Finley's second game was against a little boy just his size. They had traded matches earlier in the ladder and were a good match up. Finley ended up wining again 4 - 2. 

We were really hoping Finley would get to play Joy, another little girl from our club in the finals, but unfortunately she lost in the semis. His final game was against another little girl who he had never played. Here they are checking the ball mark during one of their matches :). 

Finley ended up wining 4 -1. The other little girl was playing in her fourth match and I think she was just spent!

Here is Coach Kevin, Joy, and Finley. Adam's Farm tennis represented well in the ladder and the end of season tournament!

We were so proud of Finley for playing so well and wining the tournament. He's still got lots of work to do and areas to improve in, but he is having fun playing tennis and getting better every day! We have already started another summer tennis ladder and Finley finished number 1 his first week out there! So proud of my mini Rafa!

Biltmore Getaway

After being away for almost two weeks straight helping to take care of my mom and brother, David and I decided to take a little getaway!

We have always wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate and we finally bit the bullet!

We felt a little bad to leave Finley behind, especially after being away so much, but we promised to take him along next time!

We started the morning exploring the gardens and grounds of the estate. 

It was just beautiful! And check out this leaf the size of David! 

We took a trail to a beautiful lake and waterfall. 

We were supposed to get rain the day we were touring, but we lucked out and it didn't rain the whole day!

The Biltmore Estate is a 250 room 'chateau' built by George Vanderbilt. 

This is the beautiful dining room with a 70 foot ceiling and two fireplaces.

The massive organ which overlooks the dining room. 

Can you see the hidden door in the wall in the breakfast room? Finley would have loved this!

Here we are on the terrace. I've never really been a mountain girl. I've always preferred the beach, but with views like this and beautiful cool weather, I think I could get used to it!

My favorite room in the house was the library. But is that really a surprise? It houses 10,000 different volumes and is home to some really old books and even first editions of the classics!

The ceiling of the library is just as impressive!

On the left are costumes from my mom's favorite movie Pride and Prejudice. On the right is the master bedroom. I was surprised at how small the beds were!

The massive iron chandelier was also impressive and located in the center of the winding stair case. On the right is in the basement of the house where all the workers worked and slept. 

What mansion would be complete without a bowling alley? Of course, you (or your servants) had to reset up the pins yourself each time. 

And the Biltmore even has an indoor swimming pool. Although without any windows it is kind of creepy! Plus I am not sure I would trust the underwater lights/electricity situation. 

Here is the main kitchen which cooked all the meals. It reminded me so much of Downton Abbey as we were touring the servant's quarters and work areas. 

With our package we were able to get an audio tour of the house which we highly recommend. It explains a lot and gives you great details! After touring the grounds, house, winery, and village, we headed off site to eat and stay at the Grove Park Inn.

This is definitely the most we have ever spent on a meal and a hotel room. The outside and lobby of the hotel were simply spectacular!

And we had a super romantic dinner on the terrace which gave us this beautiful view. 

We walked around the hotel and grounds for a bit enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery. 

It was almost David's birthday so we counted this expensive getaway as his birthday present as well!

The huge fire in the lobby with rocking chairs in front of it was so romantic and inviting to sit in front of. We had several recommendations to stay in the old part of the hotel. It was unimpressive and super old. I would recommend visiting the Grove Park Inn and eating there, but not necessarily staying the night. We much preferred staying at the Biltmore Village hotel the night before.

There is a legend that the Grove Park Inn is haunted by the 'pink lady' who wore something like the outfit above the night she died when she accidentally fell to her death from one of the hotel balconies. Finley loved hearing about this and wants to go stay here so he can see a ghost! This kid is way braver than me! 

Our second day in Asheville was super rainy so we didn't get to explore the downtown city as much as we had hoped. Overall, it was a wonderful getaway and a much need break from the stress and chaos that was the past couple of months. We definitely plan to go back again, maybe at Christmas, and this time with Finley man!

Green Hornets

During the midst of Mimi's surgery and recovery Finley wrapped up another great season with our Green Hornets team!

Our team had another exciting season! We finished third in the league and ended up playing the Red Flash, our nemesis in the finals of the tournament!

Unfortunately we ended up losing 3-2 in the finals. You can tell by the faces in this picture. 

The boys played their hearts out and we were so proud of how much they improved over the past two seasons. 

Plus they earned trophies as the runner-ups, which is always a plus. 

Next season Finley moves up to the U-10 league! I can't believe it. He is growing up too fast. Not sure if David and I will coach his team again . . . we will see! 

A new Kidney for Mimi

After five years on dialysis, and much prayer, fasting, and pondering, my mom finally relented and allowed my brother to donate his kidney to her. I know it was one of the hardest things she has ever done in her life because she didn't want to harm him or make his life harder or more difficult in any way, shape, or form. But we are so glad that she accepted this gift and allowed him to be her donor.

The surgery went very well and my brother's kidney started working immediately! We are so grateful to him and the sacrifice he has made to help improve the quality of life for my sweet mama. 

My brother was able to go home after only one day in the hospital! My mom had to stick around for a whole week, but both are on the mend and continuing to improve every day.

While we aren't out of the woods yet, my mom has been feeling so much better and stronger than she has in the past five years on dialysis.

We've still got a long road ahead of us and a few minor things to sort out, but the big picture is good. The new kidney is working great and we are so blessed and thankful for this amazing gift and second chance at life!

And this amazing person right here, my selfless, loving, caring brother - is our hero! 

Praise be to God for all the many blessings He has reigned down on our family.