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!
