And in the blink of an eye, 2019 is a wrap!

Every year around this time I get a bit nostalgic.  I always print my annual family photo album by New Years Eve and love looking back at all the memories.  I'm always a little sad to say good bye to the year before, but hopeful for what the next year will bring.  We had quite the year in 2019.  We made it through with NO hospitalizations (not including outpatient procedures).  We had a flurry of doctors appointments this year - 24 total not including the orthodontist (7) or dentist (2).  The big religious milestones are behind us, Reagan started her last year of Elementary School, and we took the kids outside the US (to Canada) for the first time that they will remember (they were too young when we went to Bermuda). I know 2020 will bring all kinds of new adventures and challenges as we face the transition to middle school.  I've already attended an IEP middle school transition meeting.  I guess you can never start too soon!  We will discuss her class schedule at her next IEP meeting in March.

As each year passes, I think about the hurdles the kids have overcome and the ones yet to be seen. I try to squelch the fears of the unknown...like how we will modify keyboarding class and change after PE but still make it to the next class on time (dressing takes longer).  And although I try to anticipate these hurdles before they arrive, we magically seem to overcome them regardless.  Like finding an adaptive recorder last minute to ensure Reagan could pass all 7 levels of her belt test.  Who knew?!

I marvel that this year was by far my worst for keeping up with my memories in this blog.  I spoke to another mom at a New Year's Day party who said she journals even the little things - like favorite quotes and memorable activities.  It made me think that perhaps I shouldn't feel we need to have ACCOMPLISHED something for me to post an update.  Perhaps blogging SHOULD be more about the little moments, not the big ones.  Not a task, but rather a reflection on the little things that make life so amazing.  I often consider deactivating my blog, but every time I do, new challenges arise and people ask me to continue so they can hear what's doing on. I always hope that other families with similar needs follow my blog to help them, but it's hard to say.

As we wrap up 2019, I think about the little girl who hated having Happy Birthday sung to her because she didn't like the attention.  Facing the big stage as she was chosen to play Wacky Cat in the 5th Grade Musical Aristocats.  She has come so far!  She practiced every Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours from September to December.  She didn't complain once and really had fun practicing with her classmates and acting out her part as one of the alley cats.  She also participated in the morning news show for another month and started as a Leadership Mentor who goes to the kindergarten classroom to help the kids pack out at the end of the day.

We also had a chance to get away for a Hershey Bears hockey game. It's definitely one of my favorite Bischoff traditions.  Not only did they get to see Coco, but Reagan caught a game puck!  We love our annual tradition of driving up for a game.

And with that we close out 2019 and as I always say to my children, "don't be sad because it's over, be happy because it happened."