Life while we wait and pray!

Yesterday, August 19th, turned out to be a very different day than we thought it was going to be a few weeks ago. It was scheduled to be when Alex had her full femur Rotationplasty, In Baltimore, MD. When we first found out that there was an insurance issue Brent and I kept it quiet at home because it was not immediately clear that this would mean a scheduling delay. As more and more time went by and we were still working on the issue, we received confirmation that surgery would have to be rescheduled. Alex was counting down the days so it was important to tell her and the other children about the delay. She was sad but is such a bright, sunshine child that she could instantly start finding the positives. The picture above was taken last Saturday when I was walking her home from playing at the neighbors. She told me that if her surgery hadn’t been cancelled it would have only been four days away and that we would already be be in Maryland. I told her she was correct but reminded her the surgery wasn’t cancelled, only postponed to give us all more time to work out the details. She said, “Mommy, I wish they hadn’t changed my surgery. It makes me really sad.” We talked about this for a few minutes and then she smiled and said, “but if they hadn’t changed it I wouldn’t be here right now with my brothers and sister and playing with my neighbor friends.” This little girl really can spot the sunshine in what feels like a storm! We are constantly amazed by the way she sees things and how she encourages all of us. God has given her such a unique gift and we are so thankful.

We had a perfect rainstorm the other day and there was no keeping these three inside. They ran in the rain, splashed in the ditch, and even lay down in it before they were done. They had a big time. Alex loves that her new brace can be worn in the water and it dries out quickly and easily when she is done. It’s been a really great option for her during this time.

As a family we have spent a decent amount of time talking about finding the positives in hard situations. This has been more common this last couple weeks. The major positive that has come from the delay is that we have been able to make great strides towards finishing the renovation projects that we have been working on the last four months. I have to brag on my amazing hubby because it is only because of him that all of this has gotten done. This man has been going to work during the day and coming home and jumping back into working here. He has worked almost every night until he can’t go any longer. My Daddy has been here helping a whole lot as well and we certainly wouldn’t have made this much progress without his help and the help of other friends who have dropped by to lend a hand off and on. It has certainly been a group effort. We have almost completely finished the upstairs as of this week. We gave the downstairs master bedroom and bathroom to the girls because we wanted Alex to stay on the ground floor and we decided to finish the upstairs so we would have a bedroom there. We had moved our bed to the family room during renovations. I haven’t loved living in a construction zone and the mess, clutter, and chaos that goes with it but it has been fun in many ways as well. The kids and I have learned some new skills as we have helped Brent with different parts of the renovation. Brent and I have spent most evenings upstairs working and the older kids have helped to hold down the fort with the younger ones. Last week all of this work really began to pay off and Brent and I spent our first night in our new bedroom. He did such an amazing job on the room. It is a beautiful and cozy attic room with a window seat where I can see the sunset. It is the only window in the house where we can watch the sunset so I was pretty excited about that. We found out the other night that it is also a pretty awesome place to watch lightening! As soon as I had made the bed on the first morning of waking in our new room, Boone came in to dance and sing for me! He was pretty cute!

Monday we moved Ethan and Kyle into the other attic room and have been shuffling, sorting, organizing, and purging. It was a great time to get rid of things we don’t need anymore. Now the two little boys have a room downstairs and the two older boys have a room upstairs. I thought Ethan and Kyle might cry when they saw it, they were so happy. Up until this point the four boys have shared a room. They have always done a great job with it but it certainly has its challenges when their is twelve years age difference and the youngest is mr tornado boy! 😄

I have struggled often with trusting that God’s plan for Alex is perfect and that he is not confused or wondering how all of this will turn out. It has been encouraging for me to see this story as a puzzle. I get overwhelmed by puzzles with too many pieces because when you first spread it out on the table it just looks like a jumbled and messy pile that doesn’t make any sense and seems impossible. Even when I have worked on the puzzle for days it often still seems to be a big and confusing mess. It is then I remember that God isn’t looking at that big, jumbled pile of pieces. He is looking at the entire puzzle, finished and beautiful. I know this is our story and right now, from our perspective, it is in the jumbled and messy pile stage. Although the physical mess of the house is beginning to slowly come together there is still so much to finish and the unknowns of how or when all will work out with Alex’s medical care and surgery seems impossible. I try to remember that my job is to continue to pick up one piece after another and continue to work on the puzzle trusting the creator that the finished product, whatever it is, is beautiful and complete.

This morning I was feeling discouraged and struggling with anxiety. Everything felt like a bigger deal than it was. Brent and I had decided that since today was no longer surgery day, it needed to be family day and since weather was beautiful we took off with the kayaks and canoe, a picnic lunch, and the family and headed to the Harpeth river for the day. It was the perfect way to spend the day.

We had such a wonderful time together and after five hours on the river, lots of paddling, walking upstream to float back down on our backs, water fights, skipping rocks, and just plain fun everyone came home tired and grumpy! 😄 What? You didn’t expect that to be how the story ended? Well, it did, but it was still worth every single minute.

We found this beautiful waterfall along the river And had to stop and check it out. The stops along the way are where so many memories are made. I think I counted that we made 12 stops to play at different places! It was a special way to spend the day. Alex told us she is so ready to have her surgery but she is being patient and having lots of fun while she waits. She told us she is glad she didn’t miss out on all the fun yesterday!

We ask that you please pray for us as we continue to focus on trusting when things seem a mess. We know what is true but the struggle is still very real at times. That Brent and I guide our children well through these ups and downs and unknowns. That Alex continues to find the positives in everyday and that we are all encouraged by her to do the same. That this issue with insurance would all work out quickly and we would be able to get a new surgery date for her without too much more delay. That Brent is able to get the rest of the renovations completed. The next major piece is that he is having to bust out concrete before he can tie in the plumbing for the upstairs bathroom and then get that room finished because we are on a slab. He is also working on shelves in several rooms. The last part will be to put hardwood floors in downstairs so Alex is most easily able to get around the house without so many surface changes as we have right now. I really couldn’t be more thankful for the man God has given me to lead our family. We have grown so much individually, in our marriage, and as a family during this time. He is selfless, caring, and so very talented. This would never have all gotten done if he were not able and willing to do all of this.

As always, thank you all for coming along beside us, keeping us in your prayers, encouraging us, and helping in so many ways.