When we were presented with Fabian's story and picture back in September, we quickly became aware the way we live life daily would change. You see, Fabian was born without any fingers on his left hand and only his thumb and pinkie finger on his right. He also had cleft lip (which has been repaired) and palate and is also missing a few toes. After doing some online research and spending three days in prayer, we agreed to move forward with him. At that point,we began the international adoption process.
In the following months, we became increasingly convinced that in order to provide our son with the level and amount of therapy he will need, it would be necessary for us to live in a bigger area. With Tabetha being born so early and all of the medical issues of her past, we knew the Tampa area would be a good choice.
Tampa has two great children's hospitals, All Children's and Shriners Hopsital for Children. Both facilities provide specialists and therapists that will be vital. In addtion to this, since Tabetha was born in Tampa, we have been blessed with a wonderful adoption support network in the Tampa area.
Michael's job is such a blessing in the sense that not only does he get to work from home most of the time, we also have the freedom to live anywhere as long as we have good internet. In addition to this, in October Mirabelle began talking to us about wanting to stay in the United States for her Senior year of high school and to go to a private school that would better prepare her to go to college in the US as well. With all of that in mind, we began looking all over the Tampa area for a house that would fit our growing family. Remember, not only will we be a family of five in the fall, but we also have five fur children. Finding a house like that was not easy!
God has provided just the house for us and we are very excited! We signed a lease on house in the North Tampa suburb of New Port Richey in a great, family-friendly neighborhood. We have spent several Saturdays checking out the area and have delighted at the sights of kids riding their bikes down the street, our favorite grocery store two miles away and the beach within 15 minutes!
We take possession on April 15 and will be moving on the weekends from then until we leave for Ecuador at the end of May.
Here are a few pictures of our new house.....
Kitchen looking into the family room where the kids can play and I can see into the back yard!
Fabian's room. I wanted his room to be blue and as it turns out, it already was!
View of the front.
We are getting more garage space!
Thank you to those of you who have been praying for us! Please keep us in prayer as we move and put our house on the market. We will update you as things happen.
Blessings,
Dawn
