2018 Year in Review

Time to take a moment and reflect on the past year and all that we endured. I can say with a smile that 2018 was much more kind to our family than 2017 was and for that I am truly grateful!

2017 brought a lot of heartache, fear and fight, so when 2018 showed up and calmed everything down for a bit, we welcomed it with open arms.

So here's my little reflection of the Hill family's 2018 year (in no particular order):

As always we got to travel a bit in 2018. I went to Baltimore for a work trip. It was a quick one so I didn't get to see much of the area but I did enjoy some Maryland crab cakes and walk downtown Baltimore!  As a family we ventured to Riviera Maya again (per Trevor's birthday wish) and brought Klayton, my mom and my dad along. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool and seeing Isla Mujeres. Klay unfortunately had an odd, mysterious encounter with a jellyfish and Trevor ended the trip with a case of swimmers ear. But we still had so much fun! We rounded out the summer with our annual beach trip -- this time to Port A. There was still quite a bit of damage from Harvey last year, but it was still a good time beach side. We also did a little stay-cation and went camping Memorial Day weekend again with dear friends! Lots of fun, sun, cooking out and boating went on! Can't wait to do our third one this coming year!

Port Aransas - found a sand dollar

Riviera Maya - just a swinging

We had some BIG milestone birthdays happen this year! I turned the big 4-0! My family threw me a fabulous, sophisticated party (just what I wanted) with all my closest friends and family! It was fun to get all dressed up and sing my heart out to some karaoke with those I love!  Additionally, the twins turned 1 this year with a huge party, including a bounce house, pony rides, Libbie's Food truck and cake smashes! Plus Klayton, my nephew, turned 18! He's all grown and I can't believe he's that old! Feels like not too long ago we were celebrating his 1st with a pinata in the back yard! He also graduated high school and we are so proud of him for that. 2017 was a pivotal year and left us with worry about so many things. But God shined his grace and love and Klay is another generation of Bowie High School graduates within our family.

Trevor turned 11 this year, so not a big milestone per say, but he did graduate 5th grade (elementary school) and start 6th grade (middle school) this year! He's got a locker and 7 different classes and teachers, plus he's riding the bus to and from school now! He's adjusted well and we've only had a few issues with forgetting to turn in work and such. They are required to choose a fine art and he chose band. He's becoming a pretty good trumpet player, picking it up quite easily and already comfortable giving little mini concerts to those who haven't been able to attend his school concerts.
He practices daily at home, without much coaxing from us and it's not as bad as I imagined it to be! He did another season of Spring Baseball (pitching numerous games), continued Parkour and loves his dog RJ like a true brother. In 5th grade Trevor and I got to spend the night in the Houston Museum of Natural Science which was lots of fun! That field trip also had a visit to Galveston beach for some fun habitat learning.

Justin is still with his same employer, taking care of the estate and ranch of his boss. He's enjoying the relaxed nature of the job (no office, annoying co-workers or nagging bosses to worry about) but the daily grind and physical labor is sometimes wearing on the body. It definitely wore out his little truck, so in Spring 2018 we searched around and got Justin his dream truck! An extended full cab Chevy Silverado 4x4. It's a 2013 but in great shape. He's already been planning out all the accessories he slowly wants to add to it. He's worked hard and totally deserved a new-to-him ride!

I'm still at Texas Workforce Commission on the Early Education Quality Initiatives team for WF Policy. It's a bit much for explaining when people ask what I do. But I'm just proud to say that I celebrated 2 years here working with the state of Texas as we try to help child care and the children of Texas have access to quality care and education. It's a huge undertaking and it keeps me busy, on my toes and learning every day! Additionally, I helped coordinate the fundraising efforts for the HarperStrong team again for the LLS Light the Night walk. We came in #1 again, raising over $23,000 - all thanks to people like you and your support of Harper and others fighting this horrible disease. Harper was the honored hero this year, which led me to give a speech at the kick-off luncheon AND the walk! It was truly my honor to be her voice and our family's representative. I also did quite a bit of crafting this past year at the local Board and Brush. Tons of fun and new decor for the house! Also to continue my now tradition of concerts near my birthday a big group of us ventured to San Antonio for the Journey/Def Leppard concert. It was AWESOME!

Speaking of Harper, she's doing great! She got to come home from her 8 month hospital stay January 20, 2018. So we started the year off celebrating big! You can always follow her story on her Caring Bridge website or within her Facebook group. She's still in remission and will finish her oral chemo maintenance regimen in June 2019. She and Cruz are growing like weeds and becoming toddlers full of spunk and personality. God truly blessed us when he graced us with her! She has brought so much to our lives in more than her presence.

Well that's pretty much our year. Again, we are blessed to have so much to celebrate this year. It wasn't all sunshine and roses all the time, but we were definitely graced with no huge blows. My parents celebrated a year at their "final home" in San Marcos and my mom's cancer is also still gone, while my dad enjoys working from home. My dad's mom passed away this year at age 95, but thankfully my dad was able to be with her and we got to talk to her on the phone. Sarah and Nick moved back from Oregon and are actively looking for a place to permanently call home. Justin's family is good as well. We enjoy our special visits with his Grandma, Grandpa Jim and Uncle Mark. We're all healthy and thriving. It's all we've asked for.

We hope that if your 2018 was trying and hard that 2019 is kind. We hope that you know that we love you all and hope to see you more frequently, catch up and maybe toast a drink with you in 2019. Most of all we hope that the new year brings each of you all that you dream and aspire. It's the last before the 2020 decade! So let's make it count!!

Rising Up ..... and Walking!

I awoke today feeling a bit revitalized. Life has been busy for us all, moving us along the roller coaster ride of life. There are days I briefly forget all that has occurred in the past year. My Timehop app shows me the twins so tiny and new; figuring out this whole life thing with innocence and purity. I look at the photos and think "awh; that was before diagnosis." My heart sinks a little but then a smile re-emerges, as I think of Harper's strength and happiness. Her smile or laugh but mostly just that sweet, ever so slightly cocked-head stare with her big hazel eyes brings a feeling of rejuvenated hope, desire, and stride to my moment of "life's got me at my knees" weakness.  She epitomizes rising up and taking what God has given her with stride.

It made me start humming one of my favorite songs "Rise Up"

Sing/Hum it with me friends.......
"You're broken down and tired; Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter; But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains; We gonna walk it out; And move mountains

And I'll rise up; I'll rise like the day; I'll rise up
I'll rise unafraid; I'll rise up
And I'll do it a thousand times again."

Every day we each rise, but do we rise up? Do we face the world head on or with our heads bowed down? Do we reach for that mountain top (or at least try) or grumble that the climb is too hard?  

Perhaps Harper's too young to know all of what has gone on around her, happened to her or that she was even the fighter she is, but every day she rises and I think, rises up! And now she's walking! All on her own here and there with that all familiar "toddle" or waddle as some would say. She falls every now and then but she rises again to try again! Something so simple as an infant learning to walk can bring such a renewed faith in the darkness of light; can remind us that she's still fighting even though all is well on the surface.

Harper had her last lumbar puncture last week and the doctors continue to find 0, null, none, no cancer cells in her tiny body! Though she got sick from her procedure and needed an IVIg she was calm and fearless through it all. Fast forward a week later and she's toddling around the house now, has officially stood up to her brother with a sweet kiss from her teeth (ouch!), survived her first cold (without fever - hallelujah) and is growing and developing just has she should! Her fight is far from over but right now things are about as typical and normal as they come for a family of twins! 

We prepare to celebrate their big brother's high school graduation, their first trip to the beach and enjoying a summer by the pool instead of in the hospital.  We still need those prayers and good wishes - keep those coming! And rise up with us, team Harperstrong. It's a beautiful day to take a walk!

Here's a video of her walking!

A Year in Review - 2017 Goodbye!

Each year I look back at what we accomplished, happened and lived through. Sometimes it's in a particular order, other times I'm lucky to get it all in there.  This year brought a lot to our little family and there were many times I said "2017 has sucked!" or "I cannot wait for 2017 to be over with!" and even, "If one more thing happens this year......"

Then I saw a post a friend shared that said "When you look back on 2017, don't think of it as a year of pain but a year of growth. You made it through each day. You should be proud of yourself. You are a better you, despite all the hardships. Take a deep breath and enter 2018 with hope and confidence."

This couldn't ring more true for me and our family.  So here's our 2017 in review:

January and February - 2017 rang in with a bang as we celebrated with my best friend in Hutto. (This new year's however we were struck with head colds and celebrated at home.)  January was a lot of planning and dreaming of what the year would bring. We celebrated the upcoming arrival of the Twins with a shower and photos of the beautiful mom (my sister Macee.) My mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer at her annual exam and immediately went through a biopsy and radiation treatment (into March). Thankfully she quickly went into remission and remains there.

March  - The twins were born! March 20, 2017 Cruz Allen and Harper Layke Couch arrived, just as Aunt Sarah and Uncle Nick had to leave for Oregon on their adventure. Baseball for Trevor and the Orioles began and photos galore.

April - More baseball and more baby loving. We headed to the Couch Ranch for Easter weekend and took advantage of the weather for the Twins official newborn shoot. Life with RJ continued to be interesting (chewing up all things - even a bed known to be indestructible!) Klayton turned 17 and my parents were fully moved into their new home in San Marcos.

May - Trevor ends his 4th grade year with Mrs. Roberson class at Barton Creek Elementary and his first year of Parkour classes. I got to go to St. Louis for a work trip and my mom joined me, so we can visit my Grandpa and Grandmama. We did a camping trip for Memorial Day that turned into a monsoon but still had fun!

June - Harper isn't feeling well which caused her to visit the Dr before their beach trip. At only 10 weeks old Harper is diagnosed with A.L.L. The whole family shifts and accommodates to help with hospital stays, watching Cruz and being with Klay. We still vacation to the Mayan Riviera later that month with Klayton.

July - Trevor turns 10! We celebrated at Austin Park and Pizza this year with a few close friends. Plus a trip to Rockin' River in Round Rock. RJ celebrated his "adopt-iversary" with us as well! HarperStrong2017 is truly kicking and orders are placed for t-shirts, decals, totes and more! I met a cast member of Teen Mom2 and Trevor learns to use a Stand Up Paddle Board!

August - We took our annual Surfside trip to enjoy the beach before Trevor starts 5th grade! He's in Mrs. Poole's homeroom and is now the "ruler" of the school! I can't believe he's in his last year at Barton Creek Elementary. He's been there since he was 6 months old!

September - Justin takes diabetes head on. After being diagnosed late August, as a family we are adjusting to eating a bit differently to accommodate Justin's new diet. He truly works hard at getting his blood sugars where he needs them to be. His goal is to manage it eventually without medication. I turned 39 and plan my birthday trip to Vegas.


October - Vegas here I come. With a few girlfriends I take a quick trip to see Britney Spears perform and enjoy a little time away for a belated gift to myself. I also celebrated one year with my new job at the State! Trevor dressed up like the Grim Reaper for Halloween and we hosted another Halloween bash complete with a Haunted Room for Trevor and some friends.  Halloween has become T's favorite holiday and each year he wants more elaborate things.

November - Life is busy with school, Parkour, the twins, photography and family. Since August, I led the HarperStrong2017 team to be the highest earning team in Austin for Light the Night donations and represented friends and family lanterns on stage.  It was amazing to feel all that good energy towards something so sad and scary as cancer is.  We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at the hospital in a quaint family room with all of the Couch family.

December - Life finally slows down and we spend the month doing family things and rejoicing in the season. From $5 movie nights to collecting for pet shelters to the Zilker Tree and Trail of Lights we do simple and fun festive activities (oh like Reindeer Games.) Harper's treatment has us thinking we'll be doing Christmas at the hospital, but she surprises us and is actually home.

The year ends on such a good note that 2018 doesn't feel so scary - wondering what might hit us. Harper will do her last round of treatment in January and be home for good we hope. Though our news of the year feels overwhelming in some months, it's all those little things added up that make it our year. It may not be "the BEST" we've had as a whole family, but it has been one that taught us about strength, faith, love, hope and determination. One that truly brought our family closer than it ever has been. One that will go down in the "record books" for us.  It made ME a better person I think in some shape or form. If anything it made me more appreciative of the life God gives us and to not take a day for granted.

So cheers to 2018! May it be full of life lessons and strength for us all...... but honestly let's leave cancer out of it this year ---- please!