As the calendar turns toward 2026, our hearts are full in ways that are difficult to put into words. Gratitude, hope, and a quiet sense of awe sit side by side as we reflect on the journey of our sweet girl, Iris Hope. Every day with her feels like a small miracle—earned through patience, perseverance, and a love that has grown deeper with every challenge we have faced together.
Iris is still so little, yet she carries a strength far beyond her size. In just a few short months, she has already surprised us time and again. Two tiny teeth have appeared on the bottom, with the promise of more on the way, and she has recently discovered one of life’s simplest comforts: her thumbs. Watching her carefully consider which one tastes better—switching back and forth with total seriousness—has filled our days with laughter we didn’t even realize we were holding back. These moments may seem small to the outside world, but to us, they are everything. They are proof of how far she has come and gentle reminders that joy still finds its way into the most uncertain seasons.
While we celebrate these milestones, we are also standing at an important crossroads in Iris’ journey. After long conversations, countless prayers, and careful consideration, we have made the decision that Iris will be discharged this week to The Children’s Home for a short stay of one to two weeks. Writing those words feels heavier than we expected. The idea of moving one step closer to home is thrilling, yet the path there is not as simple or straightforward as our hearts wish it could be.
The Children’s Home is not a setback—it is a bridge. It is a step-down facility designed to help families like ours prepare for the reality of bringing a medically complex child home safely. During this time, we will receive hands-on training and guidance, learning how to meet Iris’ needs with confidence and competence. The staff is compassionate, experienced, and deeply invested in helping families transition from hospital life to home life. Knowing Iris will be surrounded by people who understand her care brings us comfort, even as our hearts ache to have her under our own roof.
This time will also allow us to continue coordinating with home health nursing agencies as we work to onboard additional nurses. Iris will need round-the-clock care when she comes home, and assembling the right team is essential. These extra days are not days of waiting without purpose; they are days of preparation, problem-solving, and ensuring that when Iris does come home, she does so into an environment built for her safety, stability, and continued growth.
Still, none of this makes the decision easy. We have waited so long for the day we could bring Iris home. We have imagined it in quiet moments and talked about it late at night. We have pictured her in her own bed, surrounded by the familiar sounds of family life, wrapped in the love that has been waiting for her from the very beginning. Our older children have shared this longing just as deeply. They have counted days, asked questions, and dreamed of the moment they could finally be with their baby sister without hospital walls between them.
Choosing to wait a little longer feels like asking our hearts to be patient once again, even when they are tired of waiting. Yet love, we are learning, sometimes means choosing what is hardest in the moment for the sake of what is safest in the long run. Iris’ health and well-being come before everything else. If this step helps ensure that her transition home is smooth, supported, and secure, then it is worth the ache it brings.
Looking back, the road to this point has been long and unpredictable. It has been filled with obstacles we never anticipated and lessons we never expected to learn. There were days when progress felt painfully slow and nights when uncertainty weighed heavily on our spirits. And yet, woven through all of it were moments of light—small victories, encouraging words, and the undeniable strength of a little girl who refuses to be defined by her challenges.
Iris has taught us more about resilience than we thought possible. She has shown us that growth doesn’t always come in giant leaps; sometimes it comes in tiny teeth, curious thumbs, and quiet moments of contentment. She has reminded us that hope is not loud or dramatic—it is steady, persistent, and often found in the smallest details.
As we prepare for this next chapter, we do so with faith. We know there are still pieces that need to fall into place, including finding additional nurses to support Iris’ care at home. We ask for your continued prayers—not only for those practical needs but also for patience, strength, and peace as we navigate this transition. Waiting is easier when you know you are not waiting alone, and the support we have received has carried us more than you may ever realize.
Leaving Iris temporarily in the care of a facility is one of the hardest things we have had to do. Every instinct tells us she belongs at home, and we know she is more than ready for the comfort of her family. But we also know that this short season of preparation is helping pave the way for a future where Iris can truly thrive. Each step, even the difficult ones, is bringing us closer to the day we have been longing for.
We are endlessly proud of Iris. She has already overcome so much, and her story is still being written. Her strength humbles us, her resilience inspires us, and her presence has changed our family in ways we never could have imagined.
To everyone who has followed Iris’ journey, prayed for her, encouraged us, and stood by our family—thank you. Your love has been a constant source of strength. As we move forward, we carry that support with us, holding tightly to hope, faith, and the belief that brighter days are ahead.
Iris’ future is full of promise. There will be challenges, yes, but there will also be laughter, milestones yet unseen, and moments we haven’t even dreamed of yet. And when the day finally comes that Iris is home for good, we know it will have been worth every step, every wait, and every prayer along the way.
Please continue to keep Iris in your thoughts and prayers as she takes this next step. Thank you for being part of her story.