It’s Surgery Day

Today is surgery day!  I had to snap a photo of his newest cast that he had received at his last appointment on Monday.
 

Michael, Becca, Jacob, Devon and Sara in West Palm Beach with Marlago behind them.  There were secret service stations everywhere and cameras set up at the rest area on the bridge ready to snap a photo of the parking lot. Michael flew home on Tuesday to get ready to head to PA with Eli where they will help out with a Cadet Leadership Camp.

We were fortunate to visit the Cox center as a gift for Jacob being a patient of the Paley Institute.  This puffer fish above caught  my attention-it would make a great comic character.

The fish were cool—the Titanic exhibit was amazing and then there are these two in the hurricane wind exhibit.  They had a great time!

While we were at an appointment last Monday, these guys headed to the Loggerhead Turtle place where they rescue, vet and then release turtles.  This area has more loggerhead turtles than anywhere else in the world.  It is fascinating and was highlighted by watching the fish get fed.

 

Resting in the Waiting

We are tired.  The journey was long and the first day of casting and getting things settled was exhausting.  It has been good to rest in the waiting.  We've taken a few long walks-the wheelchair has been very useful.  Jacob can walk on his cast but not for long distances.

These photos were taken in downtown Stuart where we are staying at Molly's house.  We are very grateful for the community of mamas here and the network.

On Wednesday, we were invited to go fishing with other Paley Institute patients.  They provided the fishing gear and some instruction.  The wind was whipping and the tide was moving.  It made for a great day in the sun despite no fish.

Last night, we had folks come in and make dinner for us.  It was a blessing and we were thankful.  Of course, we are concerned for family at home with the ice storm.  No power is keeping everyone hopping there because it means no running water in the house for simple things like showers, drinking water and such.  We are thankful for a good wood stove to keep everyone warm. 
 

Made It!

                                                     This photo was at a rest stop in Virginia!

The drive was long but we made it safely!  We pulled in to Molly’s house around 3:30 am!  We unloaded, slept and managed to get up for church.  We then ventured out for something to eat and ended up eating Chinese food because most things were closed due to the Easter holiday.  

The beach was gorgeous and the water warm.  Did I mention we are suppose to get 7 inches of snow this Wednesday back home?

 Jacob is getting the first cast on today…a bit of nerves for him too.

Florida Bound for Jacob

We are headed to the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach for more treatment for Jacob.  This time we will be driving and staying an entire month.  It was difficult and extremely expensive flying back and forth with rental cars and such.  We are hoping this is a better option for everyone.  I do have to say it was really difficult driving away from home yesterday…my mama heart is torn knowing we will be away for so long!

The car was loaded Thursday night in the rain preparing for us to head out on the first day of driving to Florida with this crew!  We dropped Kiara off with Jess (sorry Kiara, with all of the hubbub of being lost, eating lunch and getting your things transferred to Jess’s work trailer—I neglected to get a photo.)  We made it to Hotel Lowman (thanks Oma and Suzy) around 7:30 pm in Delaware.  We all crashed early with the hopes of getting started early in the morning for the push through to where we stay in Stuart.

 This was a quick stop in NY where I snapped this photo!

We covet your prayers today as we journey.  There are many things before us in the coming weeks.  The Lord has met us each step of the way and has built some amazing connections in the adoption community as well as the community we stay with in Stuart. We pray that as we travel, we will be bold to share our story so that God gets the Glory!

Celebrating 7 Years at Home!

Seven years and it feels like we blinked!  These are some fun photos from our trip to China 7 years ago to bring home Sara and Jacob.  We have been looking a photos and talking about memories around the table in the evenings.  It has been sweet!

This photo was taken at a local Cracker Barrell where we found ourselves celebrating our favorite things at the time.  This was our first official meal as a family together.  Oh, how sweet it is!  

 

Sara turns 21!

It is always great to celebrate our kids!  Sara recently celebrated her 21st birthday!  She has had quite the year and we are proud of all that she does. 

 We had a fun night with great food and family around the table.  It is the sweet things in life that are so beautiful!  Happy Birthday Sara!

Happy Birthday Devon!

                Look who is 13!  Happy Birthday Devon! 

                        He is trying to look 'grown up!'

 We had a fun evening of laughs, celebration and fun celebrating Devon!  He personally invited the Winslow Gang over for a night of sweet fellowship.  What a great evening!