Holy Smokes

Life always, always catches us by surprise, doesn't it?  Right when we think we have a solid plan and everything figured out, it likes to jump out from behind a shadowy corner and yell, "Surprise!", throw some confetti in your face, and start doing the Richardson dance from HOT ROD.

Last month, Mitchell went in for a kidney biopsy.  He was having trouble passing his urine tests for his flight training medical certificates.  When the lab tests came back, we found out Mitchell has AGI kidney disease.  It can lead to a transplant or dialysis if it gets worse, but for now the doctor suggested he monitors his blood pressure and changes his diet.  I already started a low sodium board on Pinterest for ideas!  

Test results = Good news + bad news.  We are so grateful to find out what's going on with his kidneys, but unfortunately because of their health, we decided it's too risky to continue with flight school.  We got opinions from two different doctors, both warning us that in the future he may not pass his health tests, causing him to lose his flight certificate.  Walking away from this dream is heartbreaking, but it's comforting knowing we won't have huge flight loans to pay off down the road.

Everything happens for a reason.  We know why we were supposed to come to Florida! We never would have had a reason for Mitch to have a doctor check up, and may have never caught this!  We are so blessed and lucky to have found it when we did!  

So, next... um... about that.  We are going back WEST!  We're still working on the specific location, but basically close to family and where both of us can find work.  Mitch has a couple more terms to go until he has his Aviation Administration degree, and we'll go from there!  See what surprise life has in store for us next.  I can't thank our friends and family enough for all the prayers and support throughout all of this!  We love you guys!