Farewell to 2008!

New Years………
What does New Years mean to me, for the first time in my life maybe something. When you get older, our years seem so much more detailed, hectic and lived. 2008 has been a year for me-a year to forget and a year to remember! Do you know the wonderful poem “Footprints in The Sand”, this will be a year that I will look back and at times there will only be one set of footprints……
Our year started out on a bad note, my fears for Claire were confirmed. After searching for answers from Claire’s previous doctors, I finally decided to change doctors! In January of 2008 I met with Alita, a nurse practitioner, and she instantly confirmed all of my worst fears! She thought maybe she may have CP, and suggested getting an MRI and to see a neurologist. As a side note, Claire was always behind in her developmental milestones, and did not walk until 18 mo. January and February were very hard and sad for us, after getting the MRI done and seeing the neurologist, we were given some bleak news that Claire may never get better, or talk. I left the neurologist office with a pit in my stomach, but I also left with a goal-to prove them wrong! Claire was instantly put into physical, occupational and speech therapy! In my heart of hearts I can look at Claire and see a typical little toddler who does typical little toddler things with limitations. We instantly saw progress physically, although speech is very slow! We went back to the neurologist three months later, and he could do nothing but smile! He said that she looked like a different child, but that we were not out of the woods yet-her speech had to improve. All along we were never given a diagnosis, so we also went to see a geneticist, who said that Claire was” developmentally delayed” and may catch up! So we are still on our journey with her, she has come a long way-she can keep up with the best of them-we still have a ways to go, but I think with prayers and lots of work we may get there one day! Her biggest hurtle is her speech, she is severely delayed, but makes improvements daily! She is still our princess, and runs us ragged on most good days! By the way, Alita passed away two weeks after we met with her, I believe she was Claire’s angel, who was sent to put us on our right path!

This year has also seen some wonderful things…. My boys. Some of my favorite moments are sitting and watching them play sports, the things they love best! Taylor finished an awesome basketball season, relished in playing golf this summer, and played a full football season, his absolute favorite. Hunter also played basketball and wowed us in baseball, and also finished with a great football season. Taylor has grown up to be a good brother and a good friend, I could not be prouder! Hunter is an extreme perfectionist who loves school and sports, but has a wonderful loving and sensitive side! I have been extremely blessed with the children that God has given me!
This year I have relished in the fact that I have some wonderful girl friends. There have been times that I could not have made it, had it not been for them,- the casual conversations, the bonding on the sidelines and the medical advice that has been extremely needed this year! One time that sticks out most is our trip to New Orleans! My buddy, Candy’s daughter got married and we all went to the wedding and stayed in NO for the weekend! We drank too much , danced more and laughed with the best of friends. My fondest memories of my friends, is eating at Nicky’s and spending some of the best times just hanging out with our McKain buddies!
We had some wonderful family moments as well, we enjoyed beach trips with both families and lots of fun with cousins! Nothing reminds you more of home than a home cooked meal-Thanks Mom!
And then the news…… We were transferring to South Africa! What a blow, how could my wonderful little world be turned upside down? Pat was offered a chance of a lifetime to work overseas, although it killed me, I new that this was a wonderful opportunity for my family! While preparing for the move, there were many tears of sadness from everyone! Hunter and I were hit hardest! You never know what you have until it is about to be taken away. We had built an incredible life in Bossier! We were in a great school, we had met some great families, my kids friends were awesome, and I had some of the best girlfriends!!! Not to mention, all of my family lived here!
As football season was wrapping up, the days were feeling a little bit cooler, our furniture had been sent….the inevitable was happening…our move was approaching. We had some wonderful parties, given by wonderful friends! Even the kids coaches did goodbyes, Taylor’s was the hardest. He has been with the same group of kids for almost six years! Coach Kevin gave a wonderful speech that left us all in tears, I even think he almost lost it! We lived with my parents for the last few weeks, and I am so thankful I had that time with them. Thanks dad for the coffee in the morning I will never forget it!
The last week I spent in a fog of tears, but we finally made it to our flight, thirteen suitcases later and all of 28 hours!
We are here, and beginning to adjust to our new environment! We spent Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas away from the ones we love! We survived each because of our kiddos! We have vowed to make the best of this incredible opportunity that we have been given, and be thankful for the job that we still have!!!!!!
South Africa has lots to offer; we have been on a safari, seen monkeys on the side of the road, walked with elephants, been invited to a Braii, played at the beach, been to a Cricket and a Polo match and have met some friends along the way! I wish I could have this opportunity in my backyard in Bossier, but then it might not be such an adventure!
I have learned more this year than I ever have: I have learned the only way to survive is to take one day at a time, to be patient, to never take anything for granted, and most of all to make sure that the ones around you know how much you love them
So I leave 2008 with some wonderful memories and some horrible memories, but I think I have become wiser through all of them and I hope to always have a piece of Louisiana in my back pocket to help me through what’s in front of me!
New Years, what do I wish for in 2009? I wish for my kids to be happy and healthy, I wish that the economy survives and we have a job, I wish for our parents and family to be healthy and happy-and to come and visit, and of course I wish to loose weight!!!!!!!
Happy New Year!
Megan