Blog Challenge...2008 in Review

Blog Challenge for the week of 12/28--

As 2008 comes to a close, take some time to reflect on the past year. Tell us about accomplishments and triumphs, good times and bad times. What will be most memorable for you about 2008?

As I am thinking about 2008, many things come to mind. I'm not sure where to start...there have been plenty of happy times, sad times, hectic times and relaxing times (the hectic times far outweigh the relaxing times!):o] The one thing I am sure of is that there is never enough time and 2008 has passed me by way to fast. We started out the year with Joey having his fundo surgery in January. We were very nervous about this procedure but by God's grace, everything went well and it turned out to be one of the best things we ever did for him. His fundo remains intact, his reflux is under control and we now only have to see his pediatric G.I. once a year. He still takes one Prevacid solutab every other day, but this sure beats the heck out of 3 different meds 3 times a day prior to the surgery. Having his reflux under control also means less sinus infections for Joey. Joey feeling good equals happy Joey which equals happy mommy and daddy. January through July usually passes in a blur around here. With John and Tommie's school and sports schedules, someone is always at basketball practice, playing in a basketball tourney, at indoor or outdoor baseball practice, or playing in a baseball game or tournament. From the first part of April til the latter part of July, our weekends are filled with baseball, baseball, and more baseball. It is hectic, but a lot of fun to watch them play. Throw in school, holidays, Joey's therapy schedule, riding Sparky once a week from May thru October, household chores and other general daily activities you could say we have our hands full but our hearts are bursting. There is a tiny little breather of about 2 weeks from the end of baseball until football practice and school starts in August. We use this time to get ourselves in gear for the next phase of the year. August thru December passes quickly too ~ I have to admit I was nervous about how I was going to get 4 kids up, ready and out the door for school. It took a couple of weeks, but we managed to settle into a pretty good routine although there are still a couple days a week when Joey and Emma are a few minutes late for school but we make it. One of the biggest highlights of the year was when Joey and I were able to travel to Chicago for the CdLS Foundation's National Conference. Oh my gosh ~ this was one of the best experiences of my life. I only wish our whole family could have attended but unfortunately the weekend coincided with state baseball tournaments. It was such a pleasure to meet other CdLS families and be in a place where other kids have the exact same syndrome Joey does. In a way, it was like coming home. Everyone was so nice and the connections we made with the other families will be something I will carry with me forever. I can't wait for Dallas in 2010 and I am going to make every effort for our whole family to be there next time. If you are a CdLS family reading this and have never been to a conference, please consider going to the next one. It is worth the trip and will be a life changing experience. John, the girls, our family friend Brandon and I also made a weekend trip to Kansas City this summer for John's baseball tournament. Shawn and Joey were in Lincoln the same weekend with Tommie for a tournament. We had fun and traveling the five hour car trip went pretty well considering the girls were along. My 20 year high school reunion also fell on this same weekend so I missed that. I will have to catch up with the old friends at the 25 year I guess. See what I mean ~ our summer weekends are full, full, full but I wouldn't have it any other way.
One of the things I am most excited about in 2008 is that Joey has finally taken some steps on his own! He is so, so close to walking it is just amazing. We can hold one of his hands and he will walk beside us for a few steps ~ getting stronger and surer of himself everyday! Last week at his therapy session, he took about 10 steps between his PT and OT. We were all so excited! But whether he walks on his own in 2009 or 2019 we will wait and take it a day at a time. And watch out because I have a feeling when the day comes that he does walk on his own, he will be running and there will be no stopping him!
And now for some important lessons I've learned in 2008:
1. I would rather be without a dryer than a washing machine. At least the clothes get clean and can dry on their own when hung around the house ~ eventually! ;o)
2. Do not put Dawn diswashing liquid in the dishwasher if I am out of Cascade unless I want the kids taking a bubble bath in the kitchen.
3. Household appliances break in 3's. i.e. dishwashers, dryers, and refrigerators. (refrigerator story to come in later post)
4. Always have ketchup in the house.
5. It is okay to have a ketchup packet collection in the cupboard for ketchup emergencies.
6. A dog will chew up eyeglasses.
7. Eyeglasses cannot be worn properly after being chewed by a dog.
8. No matter how well we think our outdoor Christmas decorations are secured, they will still blow over.
9. Outdoor Christmas decorations will stay lit when lying face down on the ground.
10. When you drop a camera on the floor in an airport it can be duct taped back together and still work ~ sort of.
11. Never go anywhere without duct tape.
12. A band aid will solve a lot of life's mishaps in little girl's lives even when there is no scratch to see.
13. Never run out of band aids.
14. Baby wipes have 1001 uses ~ they aren't just for stinky pants anymore!
15. If your 15 year old son performs a system recovery to try to get the computer to work better, make sure he saves all information and pictures first or you lose everything. Everything. And you will make yourself crazy trying to figure out how to get it all back.
16. Do not allow your 15 year old son to perform a system recovery when you are not home.
17. And finally, if someone has to nail a dresser to the floor, you should know it is for a good reason.


Stay tuned for highlights from Christmas coming soon! Happy New Year!