I don't usually write a holiday letter but this year I thought I'd say a little something. I'm not sure if it should be one of those letters where you get to hear about all of our health problems, doctor appointments and new medications or a brag letter about how awesome our kids are and all the cool things we've done this year. I guess it'll be a little of both. Lucky you ...
By now I'm sure you've heard that 2012 wasn't the greatest year ever for our family. In August, after months of worry and appointments and tests, Henry was diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (or as Eli more appropriately calls it, Adrenoleuko-catastrophy!). And even though we just found out, his disease is too far progressed to qualify for the only treatment available, which is a bone marrow transplant. Every day we are learning how to live with his terminal diagnosis. How to find joy in the little things and be thankful for the time we've been given. How to deal with our grief and sadness and frustrations. How to guide our boys through this journey. But mostly we're learning how to choose happiness. I'm not saying it's easy because it certainly isn't but we are trying.
... cue the laundry list of stuff we did this year ...
... cue the laundry list of stuff we did this year ...
It feels like our lives stopped there for a little bit but despite that we've had a busy and fun year. Earlier this year Henry played basketball and baseball with his buddies. He's also been known to fill our home with his loud and blaring passions for preteen sitcoms, questionable pop music and the Green Bay Packers. Eli, per his norm, is not playing any sports with the word "ball" in the name. But, he has set up a dojo in our basement where he is training Troy and me so that we can fight against each other in a mixed martial (marital??) arts battle. The boys have had countless play dates, field trips, get together parties and tons other fun activities. This year we added two new faces to our household. The boys are the proud "parents" of Simon, an 18-month-old tiger kitty and Scarlett, an 8-month-old black kitty. It's been a lot of fun having them be a part of our family. Troy ran Grandma's Marathon this spring in an impressive time of 3:14:58! I did not run a marathon this year ... not in the traditional sense of the word anyway. We made lots of trips to Iowa to see everyone there and they traveled to the Twin Cities as well. We went to Twins, Vikings and Gopher football games. We went on an awesome vacation to Palm Springs, CA and Las Vegas right before school started this summer. Basically we spent a lot of time with our friends and family and had a lot of fun.
... awkward segue to sappy part ...
Troy and I are incredibly proud of our boys. They are facing things kids should never have to face. Their challenges are different but they are both meeting them with so much bravery, honesty and love. Each week the list of things that Henry can't do anymore and the list of new things he must do each day gets longer but Henry is amazing, taking it all in stride - we hear "as ready as I'll ever be" quite often. Sure, he gets frustrated just like everyone else but he is the happiest, most loving kid ever. He greets the world each day with a smile on his face and joy that is completely contagious. He is quite charming and endears himself to everyone around him. And Eli. Eli is amazing. He is the little brother turned big brother. He is ever mindful of Henry. He is matter-of-fact and stubborn; dealing with his challenges with a quiet reserve. But he is also funny and kind and insightful. He incredibly imaginative and makes friends everywhere he goes. He is helpful and so grown up and charming but in a completely different way than Henry.
Troy and I could not be luckier. We have two of the most precious and amazing children. We don't know what next year will bring but we do know that we'll be facing it together, surrounded by all of you.
Happy New Year!
