I wasn’t going to write a Year in Review 2018, but it’s a snow day and the New Year is still just starting, right? There’s still time to reflect.
I’m looking back at our pictures so I can remember what we actually did in 2018. Ah yes…Let’s start with Mt. Vernon. Gracie had been asking for years to go visit Mt. Vernon, so we took the whole family on President’s Day (and she loved every minute of it).
The very next morning, we noticed some swelling on Gracie’s left side. Because of her heart issues, we were incredibly concerned. After many appointments and specialists and tests (and blood work that took 5 nurses to restrain her), she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (in many joints). We focused a lot of effort on getting her taken care of this year, and at her last appointment, her cardiologist and rheumatologist (and ophamologist) said she was doing phenomenal. We’re VERY thankful for that! Every day with her is a gift that we don’t take for granted.
So, besides that little stress injection, the kids have really done well this year. Haley learned the cello, Darcy started violin, and everyone is taking piano lessons from me (when I’m disciplined enough to do it). Gracie and P love music, Darcy claims she hates it, and Haley is a musical prodigy but doesn’t like to play/sing in front of ANYONE. This year Darcy did Girls Who Code, Robotics, and Track. Haley did volleyball, Gracie did chorus, and Penelope sang in her school’s talent show in front of 800 people! I try to keep them busy so they don’t sled down the stairs (yes, they did that) and do gymnastics on our couch…but not too busy for playdates, neighbors, praying together and cuddles.
On Darcy’s 12th bday, Colby took her out to breakfast and asked her what she wanted for her birthday (last minute, much??). Well, of course she said, “All I want for my birthday is to be HOMESCHOOLED.” Dad said ‘No,your mom doesn’t want to do that’… I said ‘Don’t blame it on me!’…And the next thing I knew we were praying about it, talking seriously about it and now we’re doing it (for Haley and Darcy). The little ones are doing well at their school…Penelope loves her teacher so much that she made a T-shirt for Christmas with her teacher’s picture on it saying how much she loved her.
All in all, 2018 was full to the brim. We have explored God’s creation from Western Wisconsin to Miami to Pittsburgh to Ocean City to Indonesia. We’ve watched our baby graduate from kindergarten and our oldest enter high school. We’ve done lemonade stands, retreats for the men and women of our church, many face masks (Haley), and adopted bunnies. We’ve thrown baby showers for friends and cherished time with both of our parents and extended families. We’ve done our share of weddings and funerals and graduations (I mean, really…what other profession allows you to share so intimately in people’s greatest joys and deepest sorrows? What a privilege…) We’ve celebrated small victories and tried to learn from each of our failures. We’ve seen how bitter sin can be and how much sweeter Jesus is.
As I look forward to 2019, I have Colossians 1:9-14 as my prayer for me, my family, and for many of you. Let’s walk in a manner worthy of Him this year, fully pleasing to him and bearing fruit in every good work.
