Friday, December 27, 2013

2013- The Year in Review

dichotomy
di·chot·o·my
noun
1.a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.


This one word accurately portrays our year. Trials. Love poured out. We have felt so loved by family and friends this year. Sharing life with others has made our journey more joyful and genuine, even in the hard times.

I'm not going to lie. The last 5 years have been difficult for our family in numerous ways: financially, physically, educationally, etc. Each year the intensity has multiplied. Nonetheless, we are thankful. We are thankful for the time and resources God has given us. God never leaves us or forsakes us. We have been saddened to see friends and family go through unthinkable hardships and yet remain hopeful and steadfast. We have witnessed beauty for ashes.

Some of our 2013 highlights and lowlights:

January- Luke began attending the Hearing Impaired Preschool program at Diggs-Latham Elementary. I traveled to London and had a fabulous time with one of my closest and dearest friends.

February-Scott started a new job at Wake Forest Baptist Health as director of the Cancer Center Pharmacy. Scott was a victim of an automobile accident but only sustained minor injuries. Due to multiple ear infections, Luke had surgery to insert ear tubes for drainage.

March-Luke's genetics appointment revealed 2 DNA variants associated with Usher Syndrome (deaf/blindness syndrome). Thankfully, no visual symptoms are present yet, which means no diagnosis is necessary at this time.

April, May-Scott attended Summit9- a national adoption conference in Nashville, TN. We celebrated Luke and Jansen being home one year.

June, July-Jo Anna and kids traveled to PA twice to visit family. We made a stop in OH to visit the Robinson family. We visited Louisville, KY. Our family celebrated Rachael's 13th birthday week at Myrtle Beach. She also had a party with 11 of her closest friends which included a limo ride, pizza at Mellow Mushroom, and dessert at Midtown Café.

August, September-Jansen started kindergarten at Diggs-Latham Elementary School.

October, November-This was the 5th year that Scott volunteered at the Together for Adoption Conference. This year, the event took place in Louisville, KY. Luke had surgery, once again, to insert ear tubes.

December- Scott got a concussion at work, tore a ligament in his foot, and suffered from an awful GI bug that required a hospital visit.

We are looking forward to see what God has in store for us in 2014.

Jo Anna