Image

Image

Thursday, February 22, 2018

twenty eighteen

I can't believe it's been over two years since I last made a post to the blog. You've missed so much! Of course, I've been documenting on Instagram and Facebook, but I definitely want to get back to saving our memories and the details associated with them here, as well. Here's a quick recap since Winter 2015.

2015 Wrap-up

Josh and I went through some really weird stuff toward the end of this year, and while it was tough while we were in the middle of it, I'm thankful for it now. We came out stronger in the end, and said a lot of words that otherwise might not have been said. We went to DISNEY WORLD for the first time and it became our absolute favorite place on the planet.



2016

This year was a blur. We spent most of it running in different directions, and most of our togetherness was forced by sickness. Carter turned FIVE in January and was already half-way through K-4 with Mrs Schauer. 


Josh and I kicked off the year with a trip to Miami for Wodapalooza. 



Carter started having really crazy sickness and symptoms at the beginning of the year... for the first couple of months we thought it was "normal" kid stuff, and the side-effects of the antibiotics he was on. By April we were admitted under Gen Surg and started a long journey for diagnosis. Terrible stomach pains, non-stop vomiting, decreased appetite, distended stomach... the works. Our boy was SO sick. 


In June we were referred to GI for a possible bacteria overgrowth diagnosis. We pursued that treatment for a few months and still saw little relief. Carter became very self-conscious about his tummy during this time, and it was an emotional battlefield. He started kindergarten at Victory in August - God bless Jessica Bowman. That woman helped my child through vomiting spells and stomach pains more times than I can count, while at home he slept with and carried around a trashcan just in case. 


In November our GI set us up with a motility specialist in Atlanta to schedule intensive motility testing. We also broached the subject of urinary diversion with Dr Joseph, but he said he wouldn't touch C until we got his stomach figured out :) We spent a week of December in Gatlinburg, just the three of us, and it was bliss. There had been a massive fire in the city right before we arrived, so we spent most of our time in Pigeon Forge or relaxing at the cabin. It was just what we needed to show us what we'd been missing out on for a few years.
 

Josh spent late nights and early mornings at the gym, and a 3rd of his time at the fire station. I sacrificed time at the gym in the evenings after working full-time, otherwise our home-life was chaotic and stressful. With Carter in school, and soon to be going full-days in 1st grade, Josh had less quality time with him than ever. So, as a family, we made the decision to sell our half of Second Alarm.


2017

The theme for this year was MORE. More dinners together. More time with friends. More sleeping in. More time with daddy. Mav became an inside dog since we were actually home, so there was more time with him, too. 



My job had a major transition complete with new leadership, co-workers, and roles. We took C to Snow Mountain and LegoLand in Georgia for his 6th birthday. At the very end of February we went to Atlanta for motility testing. It was horrible and heart-wrenching, but in the end they were able to rule out motility as an issue... surprisingly C's intestines have great movement. Dr Garza suspected a stricture at the fascia level of his stoma, and referred us back to our GI to engage Gen Surg again. 


We talked with our GI and he hooked us up with Dr Martin. Dr Martin is super-conservative and we really liked him. He did an exploratory surgery mid-April to literally "feel" C's stoma, and found it was way too tight. So, back at square one, but this time with a solid diagnosis... we scheduled a surgery for stoma revision. 


Also in April, we put in a 600 square foot metal building to use as a gym, and we went to Indianapolis for the first event of the Firefighter Combat Challenge season since Josh joined the team this year. 


We also took C to his first A-Day Game!


May 1st Carter had his stoma revision surgery and turned into a completely different child.


His stomach went down almost immediately. He packed on 5 pounds - his face was chunky for the first time since infancy! His energy levels went through the roof once he recovered. We didn't realize just how sick our boy had been... for over a YEAR... until he was fully well. At the end of May Carter graduated kindergarten and transitioned to Highlands Kids at church. 


We spent a week at the beach in July with my family, before C started 1st grade with Mrs Dunaway in August. The transition to full-days of school was exhausting, but he hung in there. He also started piano lessons with Mrs Jordan. 



We took C to his first real Bama game this season, and he had an absolute blast. I'm officially a Bama fan now... but I still love my Gators, too. #rolltide #chompchomp


In October Carter and I took a trip with Moo to New Orleans for my friend's wedding, while Josh competed at Worlds in Kentucky and finally made Lion's Den.


Another highlight of the fall season was C's involvement with Victory's football team. Coach Hardy contacted me to see if he'd be interested in being an honorary member. We attended a few practices, he was the star of a pep rally, received a tiny jersey, and had too much fun at the championship game. We're pumped for the 2018 season and can't wait to cheer on our Eagles. #eaglestrong



In November we went to Disney World with my family again, and then spent Thanksgiving in Florida on Blue Run, where C caught his first fish. 





December was full of piano recitals, parties, and Christmas fun. And even a really BIG snow in December!





This year was the best.... which brings us to....

2018

C turned 7 in January. We let him have a "real" birthday party this year. 



Carter got to participate in the OFF (Outdoor Friends Forever) Hunt in January. Best time ever. Such a relaxing weekend for our family, meeting other families that struggle medically like us, and being poured into.





We also attended the Alabama National Championship celebration. So much fun with friends!


Speaking of friends, me and my girls took a day trip to Birmingham for a Galentine's celebration and then TJ proposed when Jasmine got home <3 They're getting married in April and TJ has been selected to be a co-pilot in the Air Force. He leaves in June for training. We literally cannot wait to be a part of their big day, and to see where God leads them in their next steps.



Our crew is seriously the best. We couldn't do this life without them. 



Carter also got fitted for a new brace, and received said brace last week.



That pretty much brings us up to present day! Our word for this year is FOCUS. We have goals and plans, and last year taught us that we can have what we want... because we made MORE happen. I am so thankful when I look back on the past few years.... God is good. His provision in our lives is seen in the everyday comings and goings of our household. He's blessed me with the sweetest family and the most loyal friends. He loves us so, and I know He's going to make 2018 even more rich and blessed than I could possibly imagine. 

No comments:

Post a Comment