2013.....One thing I can say is that it was definitely easier than 2011 and 2012! Things settled down for us a little bit this last year and we were able to start finding our new "normal." That doesn't mean that we are normal in any way, we're definitely not, but we've found a place that can seem normal, for right now anyway.
Things I learned in 2013:
Sometimes when you think you have a new boy puppy named Milo, you really have a new girl puppy named Marli.
There's nothing sweeter than seeing one of your kids succeed at something they've worked so hard at and care so much about. Watching Brock's reaction to winning the state championship was something I'll never forget. Pure joy.
Sometimes, when you've taken on too much, it's okay to say no or to give something up. I had to do this recently and it wasn't easy. I was feeling too overloaded and like I was drowning, something had to go. I backed out of something I was supposed to do. I felt guilty for a long time, but I know it needed to be done, it was the right choice. I'm okay with it now, I think that sometimes you need to say enough is enough.
People are weird. Okay, I already knew this, but I relearned it this past year. Some of the people that were the most involved and concerned with Abby during her transplant, are the same people that now never ask me about how she's doing, her name is rarely brought up; But some of the people that stayed in the background when things were crazy are now the ones that are the most concerned with her and continue to ask about her and how she's feeling. It's strange. This isn't true for everybody, just a few. I haven't been able to figure it out yet. I don't think it's because they don't care or don't want to know, but I'm not sure why. Like I said, people are weird.
Never count on anything. A month ago, we were pretty sure that Brock was going to be playing football on a scholarship at SUU next year. The coaches had even asked him if there was anyway he could graduate early and come up to play spring ball with them. But, a couple of weeks ago, 3 of the coaches, including the one that had been recruiting Brock, left SUU and went to Weber. Now things are up in the air again. We'll just have to wait and see how things play out. I think that signing day is the first week in February. It will be so nice to have things settled and not worry about it. We are lucky though, if nothing else works out, Brock can always play at Dixie State, they've been interested in him and in contact with him for a long time. I'm sure that things will work out just as they should.
You can't lose weight with just good intentions, dang it. I wanted to get back in shape and work hard, I wanted to really badly, but it didn't happen. I guess I have to act on those good intentions.
Abby and holidays don't mix. She was sick on Christmas this year too. For some reason, Abby is always sick on holidays. It breaks my heart, it really stinks.
I love it when my family is all home and together at the same time. I know these days are numbered, my kids are getting old and are going to be doing other things soon, but for now I'll just enjoy it as much as possible.
There's no better, more peaceful and relaxing place, then the beach in Hawaii. I love it there, it's heaven for me. I wish I could live there.
It's really hard not to properly be able to say thank you for a gift. Especially a gift that saved the life of your child. We hope and pray that someday, we'll be able to meet Abby's donor family to let them know how grateful for we are for the decision that they made back on July 12th, 2011. Without them deciding to donate their loved one's heart, Abby might not be with us today. I just want to thank them in person. Maybe it will happen this year.
Probably the most important thing that I learned in 2013 is that I can survive anything and come out okay. We had 2 really hard years, really hard and I'm still here and I'm doing well. It didn't beat me, in fact, I'm better for what we went through. I'm stronger than I thought.
Shell's 2014 Predictions (I'm sure that some of them will be way off, but I'm going to try anyway):
Britt will apply to and get into nursing school at Dixie State. She'll be applying soon, keep your fingers crossed for her, she deserves it.
Brock will be playing football at SUU on a full-ride scholarship.
Abby will be a sophomore at Desert Hills and will pass the driving test and get her learner's permit in May. Scary, I know.
I will get in shape and lose weight. I'll get back on my bike and back in the pool. This is the year that I have time to take care of myself again.
Abby will have a hospital stay. I'm not being negative, I've just been feeling it. Hopefully, this is the one that I'm wrong about!
I'll still be in medical debt! Ha! I can predict this for a long time :)
We will have trials, I don't expect things to be easy, but we'll be okay next December 31st too.
There you go, my predictions. I actually am not a real fan of New Year's. It just means that the gym is going to be crowded for a couple weeks, but it is a good time to reflect and refocus. I know that most people look forward to adventure and excitement, but I'm looking forward to peace and normalcy, that's what I'm hoping that our new year brings. I've heard people say that for the new year they choose one word to focus on and to live by, a one-word resolution. My word for 2014 is contentment. "The acknowledgement and satisfaction of reaching capacity," "A source of satisfaction," "ease of mind." I want to be content with where we are today and where I am at the end of this year. I want to be content with the decisions that I'm making. I want to have a life full of contentment in 2014. What's your one-word resolution?
