Dear 2017,

Well, well, well 2017...

You've been quite a year and I must say I'm not sad to see you go. 
You really put us to the test, and in the end we came out still standing...winning actually I'd like to think.

But the journey was hard...hard like we have never experienced before.
Many tears were shed and many prayers were said.
Audra had the hardest fight and suffered the most...week after week in the hospital, day after day having tests and treatments:  MRI, EEGs, spinal tap, bloodwork, med after med after med, PICC line, TPN, IVIG and finally Rituximab. 

And the other kids, my three other babies, they struggled too.
Each time Audra has in the hospital for weeks at a time their world came to a crashing halt. 
They missed their sister and their Mom.  I stayed at the hospital for the entirety of all of Audra's admissions, it just made sense because I work there too. 
And they worried, more than I probably even know. 
They would cry: "how many more days" and "what's wrong with Audra".
It broke my heart one day when Aidan asked me if Audra was going to die.  The fear in his heart was real that day. 

But we were blessed...by many people who stood by us and walked with us.
Phone calls, emails, texts and visits at the hospital.
Gifts for Audra and some for the other kids too.
Meals at home, rides for the kids.
And prayers, lots of prayers!
Audra's Village...can't imagine how we would have done 2017 without you.

Now we are hopefully on the upside of this journey.  We have a diagnosis, a treatment plan and some big goals!  And two great home care nurses who work hard everyday with Audra to keep her well and safe and out of the hospital!

So goodbye 2017, we are done with you.  And there's not much we are going to miss about you {except the beach of course!}
And hello 2018, we have some high expectations for you. 
Let's do this!!