Going Live

I was talking with Stephen the other day, telling him how I am always thinking of titles for different blogs (just based on my day or how I am feeling) but unfortunately with two small kids, sleep always wins. Always.

Tomorrow our home is going on the market. It's what they call "going live" in real estate lingo. While this may or may not come to a shock for some of you, it seems like now the time is just right. Where sweet pictures of my boys, my husband and I, and our family once hung, are just now bare empty walls. It's a clean palate, a blank slate so to speak, ready for another family to make this house their home. While I am excited about this move and the opportunities it has and will create, there's still a heaviness in my heart. So many rich and sweet memories have been made within these walls. Also, not forgotten are moments of heartache, shattered expectations, and times for Stephen and I to come together, as we strengthened our marriage in the thick and thin of whatever happened in particular seasons of life. At the end of the day, our home, my home, is with my boys. And for now, we feel the gentle tug on our hearts that what's best for our family is to transition to Houston. Yes, I know, you read that correctly, I said Houston. I know that I've stated in prior blogs how houston, is well...Houston. But it's become so much more for us, particularly for Easton.

As all of you have come to know over the course of this blog, our Easton Bauer is a pretty special little boy, a miracle in our eyes. His laughter and smiles are infectious, his tenacity is hard to top (and yes maybe it's just a fancy word for stubbornness😂), and his sweet disposition amidst his trials and pain make this decision for us to move very simple. Eastons health has been and will continue to be a front runner in the decisions we make, and we felt like it was the right time to make the move to be closer to his hospital. His team. His army who goes to battle for him as they continue to push themselves to be creative in their attempts to save our little boy's life and give him the opportunity to grow and develop. That's what we want. We want to provide Easton with the opportunity to thrive and live a long and fruitful life. So, Houston doesn't sound that unappealing when you fashion it in that light! What used to be a sour thought in my head(Houston), it is now become a beacon of hope for our family. Our time there has been FULL of utterly challenging, gut wrenching moments as you watch your child cling on to life, long days and restless nights. BUT it is also full of sweet memories of bringing our boys into this world, meeting new friends that have become like family, and rich community in times of uncertainty. I couldn't see it then, but God was orchestrating this move long before it was even going to happen. He put certain people in our paths that helped open doors and make Houston feel like our second home. And now, it feels right to call our home. There is a certain level of peace and comfort that come from being there. The reality of the situation is that our first born is sick, his heart is not well, but praise be God that we have some of the world's best surgeons and doctors intervening on his behalf. While we don't know what his future holds, we do know that God continues to hold his future, as He does with all of us. He is providing for us.

So, for now, for a little while longer, we continue to laugh and play, and cry (mainly "toddler" meltdowns and then mommy meltdowns) all a little while longer within the walls of this house. A house that has seen our good and bad days, that has been a light and a source of hope in our community, Saturday football watching parties, and a place where friendships have grown so deep and full of purpose. While we are sad to be leaving our beloved Fort Worth home, we couldn't be more excited to finally be able to offer our boys (especially Easton) the ability to live a little more freely and not as constricted since we will be closer to Texas Children's. I am eager. I'm a little anxious. I'm terrified but hopeful. Hopeful that in the same ways God has continued to lead, guide, and direct our steps, that He will continue to do so as we make this new venture to Houston.