2015: A Look Back

It seems to be a trend to look back over the past year before beginning the trek into a new year.  So, here we are on December 31st.  On the brink of a new year, and reflecting back on the year behind us.  I figured I'd take the plunge too, and delve into a post about the high-lights of 2015.  I won't have pictures to go along with each high-light, but humor me anyway.  Hopefully next year I'll be more tech-savvy and will include more pictures as I go.

Linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals today.

January:

We all got incredibly sick, had our first trip to the ER with diabetes, I attended an insulin-pump training class, and Noah turned one!  We did not have a birthday party since it was scheduled for a day when we all ended up being sick.  Fortunately, Noah didn't care.  He ate two mini-cupcakes with whipped cream frosting and he thought he was big stuff!

February:

Valentine's Day?  I don't remember to much from this month. The boys got to return to the care of my mother-in-law since she was fully recovered from wrist surgery, and that meant I unenrolled the boys from daycare.  It was bittersweet, because I loved all of the teachers and staff there and they took great care of my boys.  But I was so happy to have my little guys back in the arms of my mother-in-law where I knew the three of them would brighten each other's days like no other. Also during this month, we started Michael on the Continuous Glucose Monitor.  This is a life saver.

March: 

I don't remember a whole lot about this month either.  I took a 5-day work trip to Baltimore, and got to spend some time with my grandmother in the process.  It was on this trip that I came to terms with my job and realized that I'm not cut out to be a manager.

April:

I stepped down to my former position at work.  Instantly, my stress level decreased.  I turned 27-- my favorite number. Why? I don't know.  Easter occurred in this month and we hosted lunch for our family.  Michael and Noah participated in the Easter egg hunt at church.

May:  

Endocrinology appointment with a devastating A1C.  Aaron and I made the choice to eat healthier foods (more whole foods, less processed, etc) in order to help Michael's blood sugar levels.

June: 

Michael got started on the Omnipod insulin pump!

July: 

Celebrated Uncle Bryan's birthday!  Celebrated 4th of July-- ironically, I can't even remember what we did. We had a date night, and our Boxer-- Merry-- got herself into some trouble.

August:

I got to start working from home and this was a life saver.  We celebrated Michael's 1 year Diaversary!  Had another endocrinology appointment with a much-improved A1C!  Michael turned 3!  We celebrated with a Construction theme birthday party (twice!)

September:

Attended Andrew's wedding where Aaron was the best man and Michael was the ring bearer.  We stayed in a hotel with the boys for the first time, enjoyed the swimming pool, and savored our time with out-of-town family.  My parents were super sweet to drive 4 hours to the wedding to assist me in watching the boys during the wedding reception so that Aaron could enjoy family time.  During this month, we also celebrated GG's birthday, Grandpa Randy's birthday, and Aaron's birthday!  Busy month!

October:

Aaron and I celebrated 6 years of marriage!  We got to have a night in our house by ourselves!  We even drove to Auburn that day and meandered through town and shopped a bit at Gander Mountain.  We took a nap and went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse and picked up the boys the next morning.  What a treat!  The boys participated in the Fall Festival at church the Sunday before Halloween.  Michael dressed at Thomas the Train, and Noah was Aubie Tiger.  On Halloween itself, we attended trunk or treat at the church affiliated with the daycare that the boys attended last fall and winter.  Michael dressed as Scooby Doo and Noah, again, was Aubie Tiger.  Also this month, Aaron's dad and step-mom moved across the country to live in our town!  We are so thrilled to have them here!  They are fantastic people!

November: 

This month was a very tough one.  First, we celebrated World Diabetes Day by wearing blue on November 14th.  On this day, I also took the boys to the northern part of the state with my parents and younger brother to celebrate my nephew's 3rd birthday!  (Where does the time go???)  At this party, we visited with the family of my sister-in-law, and my mom's younger sister also attended since she lived in the same city as my older brother.  Not known to us at the time, but this would be the last family event we would spend together.  Not even 48 hours later, my aunt passed away of a heart attack.  We ventured back up to the northern part of the state later that week for her memorial service.  My sister-in-law and I sang "Holy Spirit" by Francesca Batistelli, and we were accompanied on the guitar by the music pastor from my church.  This was a heart-wrenching time for us and we're still reeling in the grief and sorrow.  My mom is doing very well and she is such a light to me during these days.
My parents welcomed in three foster boys to their home a week before Thanksgiving.  These boys are so fun to be around because they're so polite!  They've attached themselves to my younger brother and that brings my heart great joy.
My older brother turned another year older, and I sent him an appropriate Avengers birthday card (moreso to please his 3-yr-old son who is enamored with Captain America).
During this month, we also celebrated Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's house (and can I say what a blessing it is to have your parents, your husband's mom, stepdad, dad, and stepmom all in the same house and being nice to each other???) Only the power of Jesus, people, and I'm so glad He's made this strong family a reality for us.

December:

We celebrated the birth of Christ and the Christmas season this month.  Our home was adorned in Christmas coziness and we watched our fair share of Christmas movies.  This year, Michael really caught onto the concept of gift-opening.  He was definitely excited on Christmas morning.  Noah reacted to Michael's excitement, and that was fun to watch. On Christmas Eve, we went to my mother-in-law's house for dinner and present-opening for the boys.  I got a fantastic nap that afternoon at her house and that was such a great GIFT!  Some of the best sleep I've gotten all year. On Christmas Day, Aaron's dad and stepmom came over to watch the boys open gifts that they brought.  That night, we hosted Christmas dinner for Aaron's dad, stepmom, mom, stepdad, and stepdad's mother and step-father.  :)  Again, such a great thing to experience so many threads of a family coming together as one!  We ended the day by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus as we tucked in the boys to bed.  This geared them up for the next day, which was Grampa Bill's birthday.  We spent the day at my parent's house to celebrate my dad's birthday.  I made a cherry pie for him and we got him a flannel shirt from Bass Pro.  My mom's parents arrived to her house that night, and it was nice to give some hugs to them and spend some time visiting before taking the boys home for bed.

And here we are today-- soaking in the last moments of 2015 before we embark into 2016.

I hope your year was filled with more joy than sorrow.  I know God is watching out for us and He has a plan for us all.  May 2016 bring joy and peace!

Until Next Time,

Much love, Reba