Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017

A rough 2016 might be an understatement for us, but I know many people who have had much rougher.  Such as co-workers, friends of my parents, some fellow medical friends that we have met online, and the list goes on!  Our year was rough, but we had many, many wonderful things happen! 

2016 has been quite the year to remember.  Even through the challenges and surprises, answers and hope have emerged!  Macy's most challenging surgery to date is showing great promise for her liver, so far avoidance of a transplant, and an increase in positive health. 

McKenna is continuing to show so much promise academically as a very smart, bright child.  Her ability to understand all of the academics presented to her, and look beyond them into more advanced concepts is amazing.  She couldn't have been placed in a more perfect classroom with a more perfect teacher. 

Macy has improved academically this year as well.  We have seen a huge change in her ability to retain the material presented at school, and I think there are many things that have contributed to that.  She has an amazing teacher, an amazing staff in the resource room who are teaching her some learning and testing skills for life, and her successful liver surgery.  Bringing her ammonia levels down from 140 to 35 has decreased some of the fog in her brain.  Homework time in our house is so much more pleasant, and she is learning how to "study".  We are so proud of her. 

McKenna continues to be quite the athlete.  She is continuing to play softball, soccer, and basketball.  Jeremy has been blessed with coaching her teams.  When you watch him with those kids, he amazes you!  He is so good.

Macy has taken on horseback riding, and it so good on her horse Raisen!  We have all learned so much about horses, and have taken to wearing cowboy boots and Carhartts while at the barns. 

Our most recent diagnosis of Celiac Disease is a life changer, yet brought some long searched for answers.  We are just learning to navigate the Gluten Free World, but we have some hope.  Macy appears to already be gaining some weight with the combination of the nutritional drink change, and the healing of her gut! 

So 2016 might have brought some challenges, but it is all about how you look at things.  So many posts that people post are sad, dreary, and have that "poor me" feel to them.  I strongly feel that life will remain sad and dreary if that is all you can see.  2017, please be good to us and those that we love.  Please continue to bring answers, hope, and continued improved health to our family.  Goodbye 2016, hello 2017!