As mentioned in our last blog post, we moved in with our dear friends Sean and Hannah in April. We have a wonderful apartment with lots of sunshine, our own entrance, and a wonderful patio and yard. The lower rent payment has allowed us to catch up on medical bills and take some deep breaths. We love sharing dinners with their family and enjoying time with the two of them and their 17 month old twins. Occupying the same space creates community that cannot be replicated otherwise, and our hearts over flow with gratitude.
In June we decided to switch gears from a surgical focus to a pain management focus with Wes' bulging disc. As appointments (and medical bills) slowed down and we focused on diet, supplements, and medications to manage pain, we saw improvement. For the foreseeable future, Wes has settled into his role as a stay at home dad, small business owner, and church volunteer. I have the utmost admiration for his role. He works very hard while having some flexibility to rest when needed.
We chose a low key summer this year to focus on Wes' healing and spending time with my Dad, whose health struggles have markedly increased. We spent a lot of time in the pool, in my parent's backyard, and taking local adventures. To be honest, I absolutely loved it.
As a family, we have more balance than we have had in years. Wes and I both know that the balance may not last, but with this new found equilibrium, we will get the ball rolling with our adoption again.
Priority #1: We still have $12,000 to raise! As I have mentioned before, I am getting a bit burned out with fundraising, but I have some ideas rolling around in my head for this fall.
Priority #2: HOME STUDY!!! Hoping to start this [scary] process in January.
Prayers appreciated for all the above. Our adoption has been hanging in the balance for so long. In the words of another adoptive mama, "The longing for a [baby] you haven't met is unlike anything I have ever experienced." I am ready to hold that baby in my arms.
