Coming Home

This day dawns...the last day of my regular work life...for now. I worked at a practice downtown and a practice on the westside of town for years and then took a great new position in a start-up practice 1 1/2 years ago. It was a wonderful career move with fantastic co-workers, great patients, and the best boss anyone could ever want. The professional growth and the increased responsibility proved rewarding.

This summer it became clear that our beautiful boys needed me home. Homeschooling has little to do with it - though it will be nice to have a more consistent schedule. We realized that they needed the continuity and the stability as we worked through some things. Recently, we learned just how much the stressors of all three of our children's early development affects their actual brain chemistry. We need to be more proactive as we help them to continue to overcome the sad disadvantages that come with being from hard places. It takes more than love to bring healing and we are 100% committed. We feel incredibly blessed to be their parents and even during the tough times, we wouldn't have it any other way.

And if it's even possible, learning about how much the first year of life and even prenatal stress effects children makes me even sadder about the orphan plight. Praying that many, many children will find loving, committed homes and families. It has been hands down the most amazing, rewarding, challenging journey of our lives. We love our kids and we continue to advocate for orphans and for adoption. They have changed our lives, shifted our focus, and given us a deeper understanding of our own relationship with God. And, in many ways, we have changed their lives - I'm so thankful we all have each other.

So, it's with a mixture of sadness and joy and excitment that I end a chapter and begin a new one. How can I not be excited about being home with my sweet sons?! But in all honesty, I worry - even though I know God will provide and I know that this is His desire. So here's to trusting Him, finding joy in the journey, and embracing these years (that are passing too quickly!) with the boys. I can't wait!