2011 in Review

Well, to say this was an eventful year would be an understatement.  Here's a look at what our year looked like.

JANUARY

• The year started off fresh and new.  No expectations.  A clean slate.  It was interesting to see what this year held for us.  

FEBRUARY

• We took the older three kids out of their part time school program to full time homeschool.  Quite a big adjustment but one that we all were happy with. 
• I celebrated my 35th birthday.

MARCH

• Kept on with some light schooling as we were in a phase of unschooling and deprogramming.  Lots of trips to the science center, walks and park days.

APRIL

• Doug and I began to question the level of Sarah's speech and had it assessed.  This was the first step in a long road of further tests.

MAY

• Arianna and Joshua celebrated their 7th and 11th birthdays respectively.  A fun time partying with family and friends.
• Following the speech assessment, we had Sarah's development checked out.  
• Doug started a new job at Merge Systems.

JUNE

• My mom's brother celebrated his 6th year after a heart transplant.  God is good.
• Sarah turned three years old!
• Results from the developmental assessment showed a fairly large range of delays in all her areas of growth.  Registering in Early Intervention for Sarah.

JULY

• This month was spent at parks, with friends and enjoying the (very few) warm days outside.
• Met our new pediatrician.  He specializes in children with special needs and delays.
• Sarah received her first official diagnosis of having Microcephaly.
• We also began the lengthy process of  referrals to specialists for Sarah

AUGUST

• Spent a day making jam with Doug's mom.  I think we came out at 48 jars of raspberry jam!
• Doug and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary together. 
• Sarah saw an opthamologist for her eyes.  Although they are deep set, her vision is fine.
• We celebrated Doug's birthday with our annual lobster boil with Alicia, Paul (their kids) and Nathan and Melanie over.  It was a great time!

SEPTEMBER

• I began homeschooling grades 2, 6 & 7.  A grand adventure lays ahead of us!
• Joshua started youth group (Shock!)
• Andrea celebrated a much anticipated 11th birthday and received her precious bunny as a gift! 
• Sarah continued to receive home visits from Wendy every couple weeks.  We are learning more each time and I'm always wanting to find ways to help Sarah at home.

OCTOBER

• Doug put his back out on Thanksgiving Monday.  So bad that he needed crutches and daily visits to the chiropractor for a week.  (He still sees the chiro on a now weekly basis)
• Joshua, Andrea and I began helping at Daybreak at church.  Sarah attends the toddler program and Arianna does school with a friend those mornings.

 NOVEMBER

• Sarah had a playgroup assessment.  Nothing new showed up.  Still a lot of pressure to put her in a preschool.  I continue to put my foot down, insisting that (for now) she is better off at home.
• She also had an MRI, Genetics testing and a pediatric follow up.
• We received the blow that Sarah has Cerebral Palsy.  Lots to process.  
• The genetics doctor suggests some type of chromosomal abnormality that can possibly be determined by blood work. There is a chance though (30%) that nothing will show up and we won't be any further ahead.
• I think I homeschooled 5 out of the possible 20 this month.  Kind of a write off.  Thank goodness for traditional homeschooling.

DECEMBER

• Our dog needed surgery to remove a stone in her bladder.  To date, she seems to be doing better.
• No appointments this month other than one home visit.  
• Doug officially resigned his position of Chairman of the board at church.  He remains on the board as an elder. 
• His back is still in recovery mode.  Seems like it's two steps forward, one step back.  Almost like a little reminder for him to take it easy still.
• We did a little bit of school but nothing much.  There's always next year.
• Arianna received two major tooth fillings, one being a root canal.  She was so brave!!
• We celebrated Christmas with many family and friends.  It was a time to remember our Saviour's birth and think about what really matters.

Well, that's about it for this year.  We're currently *staycationing* at Doug's parent's place for the New Year's weekend and enjoying the peace and quiet.  Lots of family time and hanging out together.