2019 In Review

Each year I take a moment to reflect on the year; to remember all that we endured. The good, the bad and the ugly. We have been fortunate that most of our years are less filled with the bad/ugly and mostly with good.  With that being said, let's look back at the Hills' 2019 year!

January brought the Create Hope Gala by Dell Children's Medical Foundation in which Harper was the honored guest. It was a moving experience to see her story shared with everyone in attendance, to listen to Craig give thanks to the hospital and team of doctors that saved her life and gave us hope, and to be a part of a fundraising event that helps so many families and children in the Central Texas area!  It was a great way to star the year - HOPEful!

Early Spring brought baseball and a lost tooth! Trevor lost his second tooth (which would ultimately bring #3, 4 and 5 before this year ended). He won't lose many more due to his condition and though he's a bit old for the tooth fairy, it's still a moment of fun celebration for us.

Trevor was a part of the Brewers team this Spring and he had a great time growing as a player and getting some wins under his belt! It may not be his passion but he sure is good at it! 

March also brought the Twins 2nd birthday - Minnie and Mickey themed! It was a beautiful day full of family and friends, and we had a special guest from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Alyssa) , who wanted to present the team and Harper's parents with a special award for being the top fundraisers (team and individual) for the 2018 walk! It was definitely a day of celebration.

Trevor finished up his 6th grade year and we celebrated with our annual Memorial Weekend Camping Trip. It was our 3rd time camping out at Lake Travis with the Harr, Griffin and Gonzalez families! Each year brings new fun and memories, so it is now truly an annual tradition! It's our own little family reunion and a fun way to say goodbye to the school year and hello summer! Thankfully this last year brought great weather (unlike the downpour flooding of the first year!)  Looking forward to it again!

The summer brought lots of SUN and celebration! Trevor turned 12 with a "Venom" inspired party ( including a failed Panic room escape) with some of his closest pals. 

We went to Cabo much later in the summer due to my work schedule, but this time we had some friends and family tag along! My parents and Bill and Suzy Denby (friends of Justin) joined us as we relaxed in Cabo for a week!

Harper also got to Ring the Bell this past July and we are so thankful to watch her do so!  Goodbye cancer and goodbye chemo!

August brought the end of summer and our last excursion, which included the Harr family as we joined the Denton's in Surfside; our annual beach trip before school starts! Again lots of fun and memories were made with our toes in the sand.

Trevor, my mom and I also ventured to Missouri to visit family we (Trevor and I) had not seen in 10 plus years! We got precious time with my Grandpa, Grandmama and my grandma's family (cousins galore!) It was nice to visit and reminisce all those summers of family reunions growing up.

Then Trevor began 7th grade and was placed in the Wind Ensemble for Band (ultimately the highest band in middle school and he is one of only 4 other 7th graders in it!)

For my birthday we went to Houston to see Carrie Underwood with family and friends. It was a great concert and has now become a birthday treat for myself to see a concert. Music heals the soul and live music is even better!

The fall months bring a lot of planning and organizing for me, as we build our team and fund-raise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).  This year to honor Harper's end of treatment we had a "Kissing Cancer Goodbye" event at a local brewery - complete with a cornhole tournament, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, live music and good food/drinks! It was a great success and we came in second place for top friends/family team raising over $20,000 again! Three years in a row is amazing!  We had so many great events that you all helped us with to achieve that goal! Each year I am in awe of your support and love.

I got to visit Nashville in November for work and enjoyed some of the sights and sounds the city has to offer. Work has been going well and keeping me busy.  I am blessed to love my job and feel as though I am making a difference in the lives of young children across the state.  Justin is still with his job and though the physicality of it is tiring he still enjoys the job. He's been talking a lot of starting a side business with his brother, so maybe 2020 will be the year of new adventures for him.
We also attended our first COTA formula 1 race, seeing Imagine Dragons, Pink and Kool and the Gang perform and watching Lewis Hamilton clinch his 6th world title and Valtteri Bottas win the actual race.

We ended the year with celebrating the holidays with family and then adventuring to Taos, New Mexico for some winter, snowy fun! Trevor has always wanted to see "real snow" and this year we just decided to do it! Driving to Taos the day after Christmas, we were able to spend 4 great days and even endured quite a snow storm!  Trevor tried out snowboarding, picking it up fairly quickly, and numerous sledding hills!  We might make this an annual thing as well (haha). 

But ultimately the year brought us many adventures - new and old; with family and friends (also new and old). It was a year of happiness and celebration. We can only hope that 2020 brings the same joy, laughter and memories.

Happy New Year!

 

 

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!

We Lit the Night

Last night the HarperStrong team walked in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk and boy did we represent.  With a walking team of over 60 people and raising over $20,000 Harper was proudly honored!

As I walked to the stage to be introduced as the person representing all the supporters in the crowd (aka Red lanterns) I became flooded by emotions. It reminded of the day I graduated college as I remember having some what of the same feeling.  My eyes welled up with tears, my body felt weak and my heart literally felt as though it would burst. Not from being scared, but from being so PROUD.  I don't even know if it was self pride, for either of these moments, but just pride in what had been accomplished. It was the overwhelming feeling of energy in the place. Like I could feel ever emotion that was happening.  The grief and celebration of life in remembering those lives lost. The hope and faith in honoring those fighting the battle. The love and strength of those supporting others who endure the journey with the fighter.  It all rushed over me; through me.  I literally was bursting with pride for everyone! Not just my team for coming together and raising so much money for needed research and support or the fact that  we were #1 or 60 deep with our banner carried by our smallest supporters or even that I as team captain got to be recognized on stage for all of these things. It was pride to be there for Harper! To honor her with such accolade and power.

Every time someone said 'thank you for all you do', I had to remind them it wasn't me, but YOU. The team raised the funds. The team reached out and spread Harper's word across the country. The team came tonight to walk in the cold and wind. I just facilitated some coordination. YOU did the "dirty work."  I THANK YOU!

I know where my love for Harper stems. I've loved her the moment I knew she was going to be here; even more the moment I saw my sister's face as the gender was revealed; even more when I held her in my arms the day after she was born; and if it's even possible EVEN more the day she was diagnosed. For you all to love her is amazing..... to know she is loved by you is uplifting. It's what got me through the doubts and fears those first few weeks of her diagnosis. YOU all came in so fast with that love, sending prayer after prayer, good thoughts and well wishes, physical hugs and support, day after day!

I created HarperStrong2017 to honor Harper forever but also because it was how I knew I could physically give back. I felt helpless and I knew that I needed to channel my fear and my need to help somewhere. You all responded in joining me; reading the Caring Bridge, joining our Facebook group, purchasing Harper gear, giving blood, donating meals, joining our Light the Night team, shopping our Kendra Gives Back and raising money in Harper's honor!

Perhaps that was one of the emotions washing over me last night -- STRENGTH. The feeling of knowing I can make a difference -- WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Thank you for that. I know that may not have been your intent; you said "I just wanted to help." You did - not just for Harper or honoring her journey and battle, but for me as well.  There are no true words to describe the gratitude one feels when you witness the impact of what I thought would be "just organizing a group to raise awareness and money" would have on me.   I know that my family feels the same way.  We cannot say THANK YOU enough..... to forever know that we will not journey this alone made the difference.

Though this moment of raising funds and being an official team has come to an end, I know that our team remains just as "powerful." Again, Thank you for supporting us in all the ways you have, whether you meant to or knew you where even making such an impact, you did.

Way to go #harperstrong2017 team! We truly lit the night with love, joy and so much pride! Now who's ready to start thinking about next year?!!?