2019 A New Beginning

Is it wrong to say I am so glad 2018 is over??? Seriously it was probably one of the hardest years of my life. We have dealt with 2 surgeries in St. Louis. 16+ weeks of casting, traveling almost every month for some reason or another, multiple therapy sessions a week, and multiple chiropractic appointments a week. For the past 10 or so weeks we have had 5 appointments a week! Not to mention homeschooling or the boys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The balancing act we have had going on trying to get Addie the best care we possibly can, teach the boys what they need to learn, and still allow them all time to be kids has been exhausting. I don't know if part of it is their ages or just how long we have been dealing with all of this but this year I lost it. I have dealt with exhaustion and anxiety to a degree I have never dealt with before. And yet I know God has seen me. I had to deal with the crazy traveling and surgeries this year like never before but Mike was able to be with me for most of it. I don't know how I would have made it through without him. We also have had multiple people those we know and random strangers who have blessed in many different ways. We were able to sneak in an extra beach vacation with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins this year right when we needed it. We have had people come and clean our house, do our laundry, bring us food, and give us money. This year has been a great reminder of how we need to listen to God even when it doesn't make sense because you don't know what doing or saying something He tells you will do for the person who is receiving it. We have had Words of Life spoken into us. We have had small phrases spoken to us that God has used to remind us of His faithfulness and that while we are here in the waiting so is He. While our time is not His time, He is still working. That even when life hurts and I can't understand why He doesn't just fix it now like I know He could, He has a plan. Sometimes I get so stuck on my plan that I forget to wait patiently for His plan. My verse for 2019 is Romans 12:12 " Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." I know 2019 will have ups and it will have downs but I am going to hold strong to Jesus through joy, hope and faith! He is the only thing that is worth holding onto each and every year!
Addie is doing well. Her hip surgery and the chiropractor have really helped her stand up much straighter. Her arm is functional yet we are desirous of so much more! There is a potential surgery in Jan 2019 to see if we can get any more function out of it. Her feet looked perfect when we got out casts in November sadly though her right foot is already starting to turn in. We also follow up with that in January. I won't be surprised if we have to do some more casting in order to correct it.
Regardless of the ups and downs I will choose to sing praise! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
My planner for 2019 because I am sure I will need the daily reminders!