Texas, here we come

A lot has happened in a couple days to get us on the road to Texas. Can you find the hidden brother in the picture? 😄 There is little that Is more fun in the fall than burying a brother in leaves.

Thursday we got a call from the office in Dallas that we have been speaking to over the last several weeks. We had discussed coming there for another opinion about Alex’s care and surgery and had been going through the motions to get everything in order and be ready to make an appointment. When they called Thursday to discuss appointment dates they told us they had some things in December or they could do this coming week. We jumped on the first available and had two days to get the details in place and be out the door.

We decided to leave a day early and break the trip into two days instead of trying to do it all in one. That meant choosing a place to camp since decided to take all of the kids this trip knowing we will be separated a lot once surgery actually does happen and we didn’t want to leave them all any more than we had to. You should have heard these children when we told them we were going to Texas and would be camping a couple of nights. They love a good adventure.

It was a whirlwind couple of days to get everything ready but we did it, thanks to the kids being willing to help with what needed to be done, friends and family stepping in to pick up this or drop off that, and contacting friends of friends to help us set up lodging while we are in Dallas. I am always amazed at how God works through the people in our lives. I did my first click list shopping trip because I realized I could get the groceries ordered while I was putting Boone down for his nap and check two boxes at once! I do love multi tasking. 😄 Ethan made the chili we ate for dinner at the campground tonight. LaRue made cowboy cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies for snacks. She and Kyle made a batch of pancakes so they were ready to just heat up while we were camping. To get everything in we had to be strategic so we decided pre made was better this time. Paul helped keep Boone and Alex entertained so the rest of us were able to focus on what we were doing. They all helped with the packing and cleaning.

We made it out the door this morning and stopped at Natchez Trace for a picnic lunch and play. We found a beautiful little spot and the weather was perfect.

Home sweet home, for the night anyway. We made it to the campground in Arkansas and got the tent set up just before dark. It is cold enough to enjoy the fire but not so cold that we are miserable. It’s pretty great actually.

Please pray that these appointments go smoothly. That we are able to have good conversations with the doctors and leave with clarity and direction. Pray that Alex is able to do well with the imaging and testing that she will need while we are here. Pray for Brent and the other children as they are unable to be with us for these appointments and will be finding fun things to do together in or around the Dallas area. Pray for safety as we travel and for sweet memories to be made.

I will update again after these appointments.