Farewell 2012 /Welcome 2013

It only seems appropriate that I end the year with a blog entry. 

I open by thanking my family and friends for their on going, unwavering love and support. 
Without my John and our children I would be hopeless.
Without my Mom I would be lost. 
Without my fellow monster fighter Holly I would be insane. 
Without my regular check-ins from a number of incredible women I would be lonely.  I would start listing them but then I would forget someone and feel dreadful.  You know who you are.
Without my Wednesday "meeting of the minds" I would forget how to laugh.  I already miss Nutcracker rehearsals for that extra time we get to spend together and the women I don't see on Wednesdays.  Maybe you should all just show up at the studio anyways ;)
Without my Facebook friends and community(s) I would be bored, uneducated and dull.
Thank you.

2012 has been an incredible year. 

Our children have grown, matured and are becoming some of the most amazing people I know.
Amy is fabulous.  I was so proud of her during the Nutcracker and the kindness she showed towards the little dancers. While some of the older girls largely ignored the littles, Amy was always present and willing to help and encourage.  To have other parents comment on how wonderful she is makes this Momma very proud. Shine on smart girl.
B has made a complete transformation since his heart surgery in March.  Most notably he is growing.  He has grew 1 1/4" in the past two months.  He continues to try hard at school even though its challenging.  He has formed some amazing friendships and is truly one of the most caring boys I know.  This just proves once again that gender, labels and diagnoses do not define a persons character.
Dana is our brave song bird.  Never silent and extremely resilient, Dana is turning into a very strong and confident young lady.  She has an amazing memory which comes in handy for me.  She is always available for a hug and is very intuitive about what each member of our five needs.  I have to work extra hard to make sure she gets what she needs in return.
John has proven to me over and over again that I chose well so many, many years ago. Almost twenty three years if you are counting.

2013 will bring more obstacles and difficulties. 
We can already see them and around them.
With each challenge there will be further growth, rewards and fresh outlooks.

We are looking forward to continuing expansion on our farm. 
I'm starting the vision board today...  I NEED a plan that I can see!
I am looking forward to learning more and spending time with more like minded families.

We are taking more control of our health individually and as a family.  I am the expert on me and mine.  Our expanding team is going to have to check their egos.  I'm sure I will share much about that as January rolls on.

Farewell 2012.

Welcome 2013.

Happy 18 months to me and holiday wrap up.

Yesterday I received a message from a friend of a friend.
It was completely unexpected that he even remembered but totally awesome that someone gets it.
It read, "Happy surviving 18 months of shit getting real."

December 22nd was not only my totally fantastic husbands John's 40th Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!) but also the monster and my 18 month post Gamma anniversary.

John and I  finished our Christmas shopping in the morning. The kids made cupcakes for their Dad while we were out. The monster and I celebrated during the afternoon with ear plugs, ice, Tylenol and a nap (read small coma).  John made his own Birthday dinner because I'm a lousy wife, mother and human when the monster is winning.  Johns Dad visited for celebratory cupcakes and coffee in the evening.  Coffee finally killed the headache and silenced the monster before bed so life is good again this morning.

So whats the big deal with 18 months you ask?
When I signed up for this adventure I was told 100 different things but two are highlighted:

• At 18 months radiation becomes the most active and is working the hardest. I'm assuming that also means that side effects will be working just as hard.  So far that assumption is accurate.
• I have an 80% chance the AVM will occlude by three years therefore18 months also marks the half way mark to goal of being AVM free.

Happy 18 months of shit getting real to me!!

Our entire family is officially on Holidays until January 7th.  A well deserved break for John who has not stopped moving in months (maybe years).  Though there is no such thing as a real vacation when you live on a farm, we will definitely be moving in a much slower pace.

Our family has many goals for 2013 and I am hoping to get some of the vision on paper very soon.
Everything seems more real when it's on paper.
A working work plan, a dream board, a wish list, a Pinterest Board ...
It may read a little like this;

• Design and build a green house - the trusses are already here. Fishy, fishy, fishy to be incorporated.
• Design and build a big barn - the trusses are already here.  Moo, baa, lalala
• Re-fence and electrify the pasture - the fence and wire are already here. 
• Decide where the new chicken coop is going to be - permanently.  And really decide what type of hens I want to live there.  I change my mind on both daily. cluck, cluck, cluck and cock-a-doodle-doo
• Turkeys.... gobble, gobble. gobble.
• Secure some more weaners for early spring. oink, oink, oink.
• Design an orchard that includes more bee hives. buzzzzzzzz 

Dream big, dream bold...

In closing I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

xo