Waiting on life unfolding!!

Some weeks blow me away with the stories I hear about friends of friends or even the very interaction I have with friends and family here.

Stories of an Aunt being a surrogate for her niece, what a gift and honor. A father who lost his wife and daughter in a car wreck and his unshakeaable Fatih. Two friends in the last months and days of pregnancy, whom lost their baby girls moments too soon. A dear friend who has grown children taking on fostering a toddler and a preemie and all the heartache and hardship of that season of life all over again. A precious friend who is fighting for a "new job/ path", but loves deeply and gives all that she is to others without limits.

Seriously, I could go on and on. I am in awe and wrestling heartache with all of them. I love the generosity of these people and their stories make me so thankful and honored to be a part of there journeys. I have found great encouragement from talking and walking with them and it has seriously brought forth Gratitude and Prayers for the blessing of each moment.

I would love to expound on all these stories, but know that most of you are here to read about us and all that we have been upto, since I am totally slacking on the writing end of life. Days fly by, ok Months fly by in our house!

I could sum up this last few months as Waiting on the process! Since I am pregnant it is an obvious parallel, but it has been the theme and seems to transcend into all areas of our family. So my tip and what I am learning is... Trust God and Enjoy the process, cause time always provides growth in us. Growth of Trust, Character, Hope and deeper understanding that the process has GREAT purpose!

Here's the updates:

Mike: He started school in January, full time with the goal of getting the credits he needs to apply for PA (Physician Assistant)school. That is the long term goal as it will be about 2 years from now at least. We will know more as the process progresses. The decision to do this was a process that began at boot camp and concluded with him breaking his wrist in the military. Through the waiting game we really saw the Wisdom of God in him moving forward in this desire of his and the benefits to our family even today. He is loving school, he is a really great student and enjoying the outlet of learning. He ends up being at school two days a week (7am-7pm) and then is able to be home with me and the boys the other days. Well not that we are all actually ever home that much together, with all the appointments and therapies. But I love having him around, I am so thankful.

As far as his wrist goes. It is currently showing a cyst and 2 tendon tears, which they are hoping to repair through a surgery this summer. The Dr. believes they will not heal on their own and he is still experiencing pain. Again, we are waiting to make any decisions until the summer is here!! Oh the process.

Rowan also started school in January. Mon-Fri 830- 1130. He loves it while he's there, but has really been struggling with the transition emotionally. He is such a joy, we are constantly laughing at his growing vocabulary and facial expressions. Oh my does he know how to work his cuteness, including his Dimples, WOW!! He has been coming into who he is more and more. I love watching him interact in different settings. He takes a long time to warm up to new people and environments, is not a big group person, he is a definite people watcher, content to play by himself, and confident of his likes and dislikes. Aww, I so love him and our relationship, he still loves to cuddle me and tells me that my belly is so cushy, he is not ever laying on my belly, but on my chest, which is definetly more "cushy" than usual. ha ha! He loves to wrestle and build towers out of the couch cushions... Super hereos are the BEST in his eyes and he loves to dress up in his costumes as them!

Phoenix is Amazing us daily in all his changes. Both Physically and Mentally. For a long time it has challenging and discouraging for me as a parent. Mike and I have cried many nights at this stage of life. We are learning to allow ourselve these moments. Grieving for Phoenix's challenges in this life allows us to see the BEAUTY, Gift and Strength of his life and the honor of caring and encouraging him to not dwell in his differences.

He is a toddler, he's suppossed to be toddling, playing with other kids, all up in the cupboards and everything else that can drive us crazy as Mom's. But most days he is confined to one of his four different seating arrangements. And of late the one that is my hip has been semi out of service.

Leading to so much frustration on his end, but we have seen him grow in strength from all the sitting and learning to play independently. His Core strength is a Major issue for him, and we have been working 21 months now on him sitting strongly and independently, which he is doing!! There is celebrating in our hearts here!! The beginning of many new strides for him, next will be rolling over, which will increase his upper chest, shoulder and arm muscles. So that in due time he can learn to army crawl. All this work towards a milestone that most children reach at 6-9 months. These are the daily waiting challenges for both Phoenix and us.

Officially we have gotten his wheelchair all fitted and Phoenix is in LOVE with the independence it brings. Rowan likes to push him around in it. It gives them both new roles and the ability to interact. At this point we use it mainly within the house and we will slowly begin to take it with s outside the house in months to come.

Phoe is making lots of crazy noises(we've been doing Speech Therapy 1x a wk.), loves to wrestle with Papa and Rowan,finally has gotten more teeth, smiles all the time and has a determination that causes so much admiration in my heart!! He loves to flirt and loves all attention, such a little ham. Currently prefers Mike, thinks he's the BEST PAPA there is, which is true!!

As you can see we are always changing and growing as a family. Thankful for the blessings of this season. Waiting to see our lives unfold as they will and learning to Trust that life is BEAUTIFUL no matter how challenging. These trials for Phoenix make us appreciate the ease of many things we take for granted.

Such as our healthy Baby girl coming in just a month or so!!! Mike and I can not even fathom how in LOVE we are gonna be.

Thank you for all your love, prayers and support!! We are thankful!!