Cheers to the New Year ahead, and His mercies that are new every morning!

As 2023 draws to an end, and another year of change and forward motion speeds along, I’m trying to slow down a little, at least today, to reflect on our adventure this year. In so many ways, 2023 was an unprecedented and challenging year for us. We faced uncertainty we didn’t expect, had big plans we had to adjust or push off, and found ourselves lacking answers for Jonah’s dysphasia and oral intake issues. I wish I could say he’s made any progress with food, but overall things have regressed in that area. We’ve also experienced so much joy and laughter with our sweet boy that the rest has just become a part of our “normal.” When you have a child with a developmental disability, once you recognize things for what they are instead of what you imagined, life has so much more joy and breathing room.  Maybe the biggest thing I continue to learn as time goes on.

We spent our money on medical expenses more this year than any other. Jonah had a heavy load of therapies after being on waitlists for months so we took advantage of every opportunity as it became available. Fingers crossed we’ll be starting with the behavioral team at the Village in early 2024 as well! They specialize in kids with Autism & sensory processing disorders, etc. PT, OT, and ABA were the big highlights, and we recently started back up with speech & feeding. Definitely a busy year with more time spent at the gas station than I care to say!

It was all worth it after seeing how Jonah has changed from the start of the year. Most people can now understand and track along with quite a bit of what he’s trying to say and there are so many new words in his vocabulary! 3 months of ABA was amazing for him. I desperately wish there were more long-term options for special needs programs, childcare, etc., where we are. How is it 2023 and I’m still having to fight this hard for resources? Thankfully we’ve stayed in touch with our ABA family and love them all so much! It’s truly amazing seeing people love your child exactly for who he is and in every circumstance. Probably our most amazing blessing of 2023.

I’ve been falling behind trying to keep myself upright. Thankfully for the MS treatment I’ve been on since October of 2021 I’m staying pretty stable, but it comes with a tanked immune system, so the illnesses have been extra brutal this year between pre-k and cold seasons. 4 year olds are petri dishes bro. No big new lesions though! Winning!

Matthew and I both got trips for ourselves for the first time since Jonah was born this year too! I was happily kidnapped for a NICU beach trip with just the girls and Matthew got an awesome fishing trip in with his Dad and brothers in August! Both very needed and appreciated! Thankful it’s more of a reality for us now that Jonah’s a little older and more stable in some respects.

My little dude and I both spent so much of our time at Children’s Village this year! Between therapies, parent support groups, board meetings and events, I found myself feeling more at home than I ever have in this place and sure of God’s plan for me. My purpose is so clearly laid out in front of me now. I’m so very thankful to my perfectly imperfect little boy for showing me that. Special needs kids, the Village and what it stands for, and the people making things happen in our community for those kids is where my heart was meant to be. Jonah received an electric jeep from some amazing donors this year and participated in the Children’s Miracle Radiothon again which raised over $100,000!! I was blown away! The amount of support I’ve also been honored to personally witness is nothing short of breathtaking, and I don’t know how to begin to thank everyone for what you’ve contributed and gifted to our local special needs children this year. It has a very direct impact on our little family!

Our itty bitty baby puppy got big, Jonah got taller and we made great memories in all the chaos that was 2023! Lots of boating, adventuring outside, ocean trips and family time! More than anything, I just need to say thank you. Thank you to all the amazing people in our village who have supported us and loved on Jonah. Thank you to my parents for supporting the Village, us, and doing Friday night sleepovers with Jonah every week to give us a chance to breathe (because Jonah is our little sensory seeker who never stops.) it’s been a game changer this year! Thank you to all the friends who have lifted me up when I was too low to see the blessings, and the continued prayers for our family in our journey with Autism, g-tube life, and our medical needs. This year has shown me how much good is still in this broken world, that I only need strength for today, and there’s not much a trash truck blanket or trip to Cabelas can’t fix. ♥️

Cheers to you in 2024, friends. We're looking forward to the year ahead! So grateful to be stimming in the New Year with my baby and faithful hubby! Be healthy & blessed.