Portales

Billy and I just got back in town this evening from a great long weekend with his parents. We ate like royalty, seriously my mother-in-law even made her famous apple pies so I could eat them gluten free!! This was no small feat as the Pamela's baking mix texture and consistancy is completely different from wheat flour and she made gluten free gravy!! Yuuummmm :-) The more time I spend around them the more comfortable I am with the title mom and dad. They make it incredibly easy with their kindess and servant hearts. We have been blessed this fall with all kinds of great "excuses" to see them. Already looking forward to the November to celebrate the Holidays. We gave them the link while we were there, so hi mom and dad :-)



Billy drove the 8 hour trip through flat west Texas and got in late Thursday night. I was glad we got our appointment with the caseworker from the children's home out of the way Friday afternoon as I was a bit nervous about this part. Heidi was made to do this job. She was so comfortable, she set me at ease. Next thing I know I'm asking about anything I'd heard, read or seen or TV about adoption to see what was fact or myth. Billy and I agree we both feel much more comfortable about the whole process after speaking with her. We also talked to one of the house mother's at the children's home after Sunday evening service since she has two adopted children as well. This phenomenal woman in an effort to connect to her children's heritage made an underground railroad quilt she proudly showed me. The quilt, the family and the story are just amazing.

After our lunch meeting, off to the quilt festival. I took pictures of all 170+ quilts ( don't worry won't post them all here). I will post our aunt's on Billy's side which won an award at the show. Aunt Kathy also gave me some great tips as she's been quilting for over 50 years


Saturday morning, I went back to the quilt festival and took a couple of mini classes. Then we all headed over to ENMU, Billy's alma mater to enjoy the Peanut Festival. I soon learned Portales is the peanut capital of the US. Dad had something called a Navajo taco, huge! Mom & dad know just about everyone there. I think it's so sweet to come from a small town. A sense of belonging, history and community. Maybe I'm just romanticizing it because I'm from the DFW area, which is by no means small. There was lots of fun carnival food, exhibits, songs and my sweet mom bought me this bouquet of roses made out of wood:


I was freezing out there and the cold seemed to follow us all the way home. Burrr, wasn't it in the 90's Wednesday?? Billy and I spent a bit of time enjoying the crisp fall air.. (The pose was cute until I asked Billy to hold it too long to get the pic, still worth it ,hehe)




By the way, have thoroughly enjoyed my first week helping look after Rachel, she is such a joy, the days fly by :-) I'll post pics later.