Well we have been getting settled in our new home. The landlords of the place we're renting are awesome, our neighbors are awesome, and basically we've started settling in. Landry and I have probably had the hardest time adjusting. Robert has had some struggles as well...Gracie is a champ. She's too young to really take it any other way, and has just been keeping us on our toes! We have started the house hunt again, and hopefully soon will be in our own home!
Landry is going to a Christian school that we love. Last week they had a grandparent's day program and the pre-k classes sang about 7 songs. Its amazing to see how much he is growing and learning. He came home the other day and told us that Jesus was the rock of his salvation. We couldn't be more proud.
Robert started coaching junior high football when we moved. Last year I think the team only had like 2 touchdowns and didn't win a game. This year they won at least 3 games. It was fun, a LOT less stressful then basketball season! Basketball off-season open gyms have started, and try-outs will be here before we know it. Crazy time is upon us!!!!
We are getting ready to head back to Baltimore this week. Gracie has her surgery for her 8 plate to be placed in her knee on Friday. Hopefully Saturday she is feeling up to us going to the Save-A-Limb Run and hang out with other families who are on the same journey as us. We have taken a leap of faith (one of many this year...lol), and purchased a ticket to bring Landry with us. He really has struggled with transitioning to our new home and we just didn't feel comfortable leaving him behind again. It's so hard to do these trips, and know what we are bringing our daughter to endure, but its hard to leave him behind too. So...we are praying and waiting on God to provide. Just where He likes us this year.
This surgery will be Gracie's 5th surgery in 7 months. When I think about that, it just blows my mind. She is such a fighter, such a happy baby, and these surgeries haven't slowed her down one bit. She is running around and loves chasing her brother. Watching her and Landry chase after each other at night before bed makes me so happy. It's strange that its also breaking my heart because I know she will be down for a bit after this surgery. I was originally told only 2 days until she walked again, but a family in our group who just went thru this had about 8 days of non-weight bearing. I just hate that we have to do this. I've really been struggling lately with how much pain Gracie is having to endure. One thing I've been realizing is that there is no guarantee as to how Gracie and her body will respond to each surgery, each step towards two even/functional legs. There are stories of children who are doing great, adults who are doing great, young adults who are struggling, procedures that don't go as planned, and chronic pain. I have had to do a ton of praying that Gracie's journey is as pain-free as possible, that her recoveries are as smooth as possible....and that we got the "complications" out of the way with the first external fixator fiasco. Its not easy being parents who have to make such hard choices for our baby...but its not easy being Gracie, and if she can do this with such grace and joy....we can stay strong and give her the best chances and environment possible.
Please be praying for us to have safe travels, for Gracie's surgeon Dr. Standard, that there would be NO surprises during the surgery, that God would bring his much much needed provisions, that God would guide us to the house that's set aside for us, and to a church we can call home here. Even in the struggles of this year, I can see there are new things God is doing in our life. I can't wait for the moment that the blessings that come from obedience start pouring in...and am working so hard to recognize them, even in the struggle. They are still there, and keeping my heart focused on how blessed we are keeps me from drowning in our year. Please let me know if I can pray for you...you have carried us in prayer, and we want to do the same for you!
