Texas bound Again!!

Paul will turn 9 on the 14th, which is also surgery day, so we celebrated several weeks early. We wanted to all have the chance to celebrate together in this way. Grandparents and siblings will celebrate him again on his actual birthday. I let the kids make their own birthday bananas this year so of course they took full advantage of the situation and loaded these guys down with candies! There may have been more candy than bananas but they had fun.

Paul and LaRue worked together to make and decorate his cake. They did an excellent job. It was fun and yummy! Alex helped make the cornbread and chili for dinner.

With surgery planned and in Texas, Alex was concerned she would miss out on snow fun this year. God sent a special gift last week of a very unexpected November snow. Not something we tend to see in Middle TN but it was such a sweet reminder that God does hear her prayers and that even the things that seem small and insignificant matter to Him.

These children knew it wouldn’t last long so they made the most of every single flake. activities included, snow walks, snowball fights, eating snow, catching snowflakes on tongues, sliding as best they could, and even making a snowman!

Alex received a special package in the mail this week from one of her Great-Aunts. It was a sweet little lamby and a story written and edited by two special Great Aunts. The story is about the little lamb and reminds Alex whose little lamb she is. It is very special to her and she plans to carry it to surgery with her.

Because we have the most amazing husband and father in our house we got new family pictures before we left for Texas. I had been wanting to get new pictures of the kids so Brent made sure we got it done. He does such a great job with our pictures. He really is a man of many, many talents.

This past week has been one of packing, cleaning, organizing, wrapping, baking, crafting, reading, and watching all the Christmas things! We had made a list of the Christmas traditions that are post important to each child and tried to get those things done. I believe we were mostly successful. Done or not done we made memories. 😄

We had a fun afternoon at the park, playing in the woods and getting the photos done.

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Today was the day we head back to Texas. In many ways it is hard to believe this day is here and we are in the car. It has been a challenging journey but we know it has all been leading us to this place at this time and with these providers. For that reason we are thankful for all of the many and frustrating delays. We dropped five amazing children at Grandma and Pap Paps this morning before taking off. Please keep all of these dear people in your prayers. Almost All of us fought back tears as we said our goodbyes, knowing we will get to see each other again in a few weeks. This will be the longest any of us have ever been apart. It was hard to leave them knowing this will be emotionally hard on them as well and I will want to be there to hug on them and be with Alex both. I’m thankful they have so many people to love on them while we are gone. I wish there were a way to explain to a three year old what is going on in his world but there is not. Again, thankful the grands and big siblings are there to pick up the pieces.

The drive has gone well so far. We have made it to Arkansas and will finish the trip tomorrow. We saw the sun setting over beautiful rivers and lakes and shining through trees. The colors were phenomenal. Pictures of course never really do it justice but you get the idea. Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support along this journey. Thank you for the encouragements that have kept me focused when I’ve struggled most. We are so blessed. https://linktr.ee/alex_fearfullywonderfullymade