2013 Here We Come

Happy New Year’s Eve! 

Connor loves looking in the mirror.
Sometimes he'll even blow kisses to himself!

I can’t believe 2012 is almost over.  Sometimes it feels like this year has flown by and others it seems like it has drug on and on.  Definitely a year for the books though!  All sorts of things to celebrate - our first full year with the little guy, Clara completing kindergarten and loving the beginning of first grade, lots of people visiting us in Pennsylvania and a few fun family get-aways.  And this year has brought more than its shares of challenges – the death of my grandmother, Brent’s spine issue early in the spring and, of course, Connor’s diagnosis of Joubert Syndrome.   

A life changing year.  One that has brought out my greatest strengths and weaknesses.  I’m not quite ready to be thankful for the challenges laid before us, but I’m hopeful that day will come.  I know God has not given me more than I can handle in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes on a particular day or week it certainly feels like it.

Working on hand play therapies

Now we look to 2013.  If 2012 (and 2011) taught me anything, it was that you never know what will be around the next turn, so I can’t even pretend to know what these next 12 months will bring. And even though I’m pretty Type A, I’ve never done well with New Year’s Resolutions.  I feel like I make them at the peak of optimism (and usually after several days off from my job) and then disappoint myself.  Maybe if I call them hopes rather than resolutions there will be less room for disappointment :)  

So some hopes than for the Dean family in 2013…

1. Connor will sit by himself before he’s 18 months.
2. Molly will begin exercising regularly.
3. Clara will ride a bike without training wheels.
4. Brent will play softball again this summer.
5. Connor will stand with minimal support.

Seems like a fairly realistic list for the next 12 months.

Kiddos on Christmas Day

No major medical updates to report in the last two weeks.  The only change is that we no longer have to patch Connor’s eye.  The ophthalmologist wasn’t certain it was doing any good, so we’re just going to see how things progress without it.  We had a great Christmas and now are REALLY looking forward to our vacation in Florida!

Blessings to you and yours in 2013.  Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers this past year!