Asking for financial help does not come easily to us, especially during a moment as personal and important as welcoming our twins. We are used to being self-reliant, building our lives through our own work, and showing up for others when they need support. Realizing that we need help ourselves has been humbling and emotional, and at times has brought up a lot of self-doubt. Still, after a great deal of reflection, we know that asking right now is both honest and necessary.

This February, our family will be welcoming twins. We are incredibly excited, and at the same time, navigating a lot of uncertainty. Over the past few months, our businesses have experienced an unexpected slowdown. We have been able to get by using savings and credit, but that buffer has now been depleted. With Alyda nearing the end of her pregnancy and needing time to recover after the twins are born, we are facing a once-in-a-lifetime window without the financial stability we normally rely on.

We both own and operate our own small businesses. While this season has historically been one of our busiest, for the first time in five years, the work has simply not been there or has been postponed. We take pride in our independence and in supporting our family through our work, but being self-employed also means there is no paid family leave and no safety net when income slows. Without support, this transition feels overwhelming.

On top of this, both of our vehicles are currently in need of major repairs. We are working with our mechanic to make at least one vehicle safe and functional for our family, but the cost has become another significant strain during an already difficult moment.

Community and care have always been central to our lives. We try to live in ways that show up for others, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply being present when people need support. This season is teaching us what it feels like to turn that same care inward toward our own family, and to accept support during a rare and vulnerable moment. That has been both humbling and meaningful.

Our goal is to raise **$8,000** to help bridge this short but critical window.

Funds raised will help us:

* Keep our businesses operational so we can return to work and support our family long-term

* Cover essential living expenses during Alyda’s postpartum recovery and newborn care

* Maintain housing stability for our family

* Repair a vehicle so we can safely care for and transport our newborns

This support would give us the breathing room to focus on recovery, bonding, and getting back on stable footing, rather than making impossible choices during this transition.

If you are able to contribute, please know how deeply grateful we are. If you are not, sharing this fundraiser or holding us in your thoughts still means more than we can express. To those who do support us, we want you to know that we see you, we feel your care, and we are truly thankful to have you in our lives.

Ray and Alyda