2016 in a Nutshell

Hopefully, mid-January isn't too late to do a recap of the last year's ups and downs. I love this time of year because it really sets the tone for gratitude and opportunities to improve. Every year, I skim through my photos that I've taken, which is usually in the few thousands, and comprise scrapbooks for my children. It is evident in our catalogs of pictures the eminent blessings that poured down on us this year. Although hardships were certainly present, it can be too easy to slip into a "count my trials" sort of mode rather than "count my blessings". Who can relate?

While goal setting is one of my favorite things to do, especially around New Years, I want to take a moment to pause and reminisce. Enjoy the review with me!

TOP TEN:

#10 Aaron gets Promoted to MAJOR!

When officers get promoted in the military, it is a time for celebration! Receiving those gold oak leaf clusters and advancing in the Air Force has been a long-time goal. Going from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant and then on to Captain during my husband's years of service were considered "automatic" promotions, meaning as long as the time allotted for each position has been served, you will automatically advance to your next rank. The rank of an O-4 is typically where you see the "lifers" separate from those that only wish to serve for a set number of years. While any amount of service is appreciated, Aaron set his sights straight out of ROTC to make a career out of the Air Force and to retire in no less than 20 years. Every promotion met after Captain would have to be earned and awarded to him pending his professional developments and his performance reports. 

Advancing to Major was both an honor and a validation of late nights, long hours, and time away from home that would prove to be more memorable than I thought. I have attended several military promotions, awards ceremonies, and graduations for others. I didn't anticipate this ceremony to be so poignant. I mean, I knew it would be different because it was now MY husband pinning on, but I was not prepared to experience such an emotional toll on my heart strings. 

The number of individuals in this room that put others before themselves on a daily basis was astonishing, from military personnel and their families to cadets and other government civilians. What made this event even more impactful was having my dad and Aaron's older brother, Van, a part of the ceremony. 

My dad, a retired policeman of 27 years, has been a small town hero and faithful servant to his community. He spent many long nights as a deputy sheriff and even more as an agent for the state of Montana. My dad taught me what it is to be a patriot and to have a true love of country. His decades of sacrifice were an example to me of the quoted phrase "service before self".  

Aaron's older brother, Van, joined the firefighting service back in Missouri almost 22 years ago and became an EMT 2 years shortly after that. In 2006, he furthered his training to become a paramedic. He has served two tours as a contractor in the Middle East and continues to devote his life to his community. Van works hard and still makes time to support his family's accomplishments. 

Seeing two American heroes before me placing a new responsibility upon Aaron's shoulders brought a whole new meaning to his years of commitment...and mine. Aaron's ceremony wouldn't have been the same without these two present to commemorate the event. 

I am so proud of all that he has done and accomplished. It isn't easy to place your country first on anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays, but our servicemen do it everyday and my husband is no exception. Seeing him wear his new rank would make every lonely night, every tear, and every PCS worth it! Here are a few pictures from that memorable day:

#9 Aaron Receives the Oxford Scholarship

Every year each department at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is granted a select number of slots to send their personnel of choice to receive a PhD at a chosen university. With Aaron still requiring two years left in his assignment at USAFA, we knew the odds of him receiving the said scholarship would be slim to none. Then one day, his department head suggested Aaron look into the "Oxford Scholarship". He said there is only one slot available and the competition would be fierce. He encouraged Aaron and told him he shouldn't hesitate to put his name in the hat. His mentor felt he would be a strong competitor for the position. 

When Aaron came home that night to discuss with me the details of his application, I knew right then and there I needed to wrap my brain around moving to England. I don't mean to sound boastful in any sorts, but my almost 10 years of marriage has taught me that when Aaron sets out to accomplish a task or has his eye on something, you can ALMOST guarantee it will happen. 

I started researching immediately the practicality of moving a special needs family member to the UK. Would there be therapies available to him? What would his school day look like? Would his medicine be available? The responses to my questions were almost immediate and gave me nothing but peace that if we had moved to England, AJ would be looked after. I gave Aaron the green light to chase his dream and that we would follow. 

A few months later, I was sitting quietly on my couch waiting for my husband's arrival. The evening was getting on in the hour when suddenly there was a knock at the door. I'm not one to be skittish during the day with visitors, but an 8:30 p.m. friendly pop-in had me reaching for a steak knife to greet the passer-byer. Lone behold, there on the doorstep stood my husband in all his humility beaming from ear to ear gracing the nicest smile he could muster with a map directing some cute scrapbook cutouts of an airplane and some luggage to England. 

"YOU GOT IT?!?!?!" I exclaimed. "I got it," he answered. We embraced for a good few minutes before our feet came back down on the ground. Round one was complete. Now Aaron would "only" have to get himself into Oxford, which would prove to a feat all its own. I guess you can tell by now, hehe, he got in!

That night was in January and so began the LONG process of an OCONUS (outside continental United States) permanent change of station (PCS). Little did we know the fight we would face to bring our son along with us. One thing I can say about trials, something always gets in your way when you are about to do something spectacular. For every wall that would block us, our family would build the necessary means to clear it. Number 8 explains it all...

#8 Channing has Surgery

Nothing escapes you like the air in your lungs when you read for the first time that your baby of only 5 months has a cruel deformity and would need heavily invasive surgery immediately to remove the impairment. For those only reading this for the first time, Channing was born with her two parietal bones in her skull fused together down the center of her head. 

After several appointments and preparations for the big day, we arrived at Denver Children's Hospital on June 9, 2016. Aaron and I knew the risks before us if we had the surgery, but we also knew the likelihood of the outcome if we didn't. Our choice was made for us to roll the dice and have the surgery. We decided to trust in our Lord and Savior; come what may and love it. 

We felt ever so fortunate to be in the hands of some of the top surgeons in the country. However, there is still that moment when you have to part with your baby and physically hand her over to someone else to save. It isn't in a mom to give over the responsibility to rescue your child no matter what their qualifications. Still, my time with Channing was up and I would either see her in recovery or see her on the other side. No amount of preparation can steady your hands let alone your emotions when that moment arrives. 

Fortunately for us, our team gave us the best outcome possible and Channing is now a thriving 15 month old that enjoys walking about, eating everything in sight, and CELL PHONES! Her surgery will forever be a life-changing moment that will resonate in my heart well into eternity. One might say that Channing's surgery was definitely a "down" in the year of 2016, but we choose to look at it as our greatest "up". We got to keep our daughter for many more years to come. 

Here are some before/during/and after pics of our brave girl:

Saying goodbye. I whispered in her ear, "Come back to me, Channing."

Immediately after surgery in the recovery room

I couldn't get my hands on her soon enough.

Rolling away to our room

The first smile she gave me hours after surgery. I told Aaron, that would
be my signal and assurance that everything would be okay.

The second smile!

Day two. Aaron finally feels he can hold Channing without
hurting her. This was not an easy thing to do.

Just hanging out in the hospital, waiting to be discharged.

Channing's new funky scar. In only a few months to come as her hair starts to sprout,
this scar will become almost nonexistent.

#7 Channing's Burn

I have previously blogged about the details of Channing's freak accident with the vacuum so I don't wish to bore you. If you would like to read the intimate account of her burn, please see the following post:

http://familynomatterwhere.blogspot.com/2016/12/discovering-our-new-normal.html

However, an update is definitely overdue! We just attended our first visit at the hand therapy specialist that deals specifically with scars. She told me that our incident was not at all unique. In fact, she said more kids visit their clinic with burns from vacuums than one would possibly imagine. She said it is incredibly common and that Channing suffered a minor burn as compared to the damage she has seen in her 30 years of experience. She said the fact the burn didn't extend onto her fingers and into her tendons was nothing outside of a miracle!

When examining Channing's hand, she said the thickness level the scar is presenting with is considered ahead of where it should be. Channing has many advantages in regards to recovery from a burn such as her caucasian skin color and not overly pale or freckled complexion. She said the one disadvantage she possesses is her age. Children tend to heal super readily and therefore, thicken quickly. Her prescribed treatment would consist of increased massage and moisturizing of the patch and a topical ointment of silicone gel. She took measurements of Channing's hand to order her a glove from America. The compression garment will help place constant resistance on top of the graft in order to prevent it from bulking up the way it is currently.

We have every reason to hope that with continued time and attention, her hand will not bare much of a scar at all, but a slightly darkened patch with a great story she can tell her friends when she is older..."The Time My Mom Sucked Me up with the Vacuum".

#6 AJ Graduates Kindergarten 

So many milestones and anticipated events of parenthood were replaced with feelings of anxiety and fear the day someone confirmed my son had Autism Spectrum Disorder. "Normal" went out the door and was exchanged for occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, psychiatric counseling, ABA therapy, medication, and pre-school! That was quite a load compared to the playdates, birthday parties, and outings all my friends were having without me. Instead of trips to the park or the swimming pool, we would be visiting doctors' offices and attending pre-school. 

When you are at the beginning of your journey and discovering your way ahead, many times you pull over for a cry; A release from all the worries about years to come and whether or not your child will even be able to graduate kindergarten let alone high school. I have to admit, kindergarten looked like a long ways away and possibly unattainable. You start to think about other options...disabled schools or maybe even home schooling. I never doubted my son's ability; I doubted others' capability to tap into his potential. I could see on a daily basis the wheels turning inside my little chap's mind. I knew he was brilliant and just needed the right key to unlock the combination to his brain. 

Two weeks into his last year of pre-school the teacher sat me down for a heart to heart about AJ's future. She told me AJ wasn't able to retain anything she had been teaching him over the last year and a half and still wasn't able to communicate appropriately with her any answers to her questions during testing and assessments. He was untestable! She had no choice but to refer him to a special program for developmentally delayed students for his kindergarten year. She said he would be attending school alongside other mentally handicapped children and would find his needs better met in that environment. I asked her to give us the full school year to try to rise to her standards for testing. 

What may have punched some parents in the stomach simply lit a fire in me. I never dreamt AJ's team of therapists and I would work as hard as we did with AJ the next year to prove wrong any statistic or stereotype that was associated with AJ's diagnosis. We had a deadline to accomplish certain achievements and we met it whole-heartedly. When AJ's annual I.E.P. (individual education plan) came into review, AJ was recommended to attend kindergarten among his peers in a social-communications program at one of the district's finest schools. AJ was going to kindergarten! 

Our hard work was far from over though. The summer time would hardly be a period for rest and relaxation. It meant more hours spent at a table with his passionate ABA therapist, Yvie, learning vocabulary, social skills, appropriate behavior, compliance, counting, and learning/writing his own name. Yvie's talents and true love and care for AJ were perhaps her finest contributions to his success. Her time and attention, albeit too short, will stay with us for a lifetime. 

August came and AJ was off. The next year would be the biggest growth spurt of development and gains that we would ever see until now! AJ learned to read basic words, he learned simple mathematics, and even made a few friends along the way. He loved school and his sweet Para-teacher, Miss Marie. I will forever be in debt to the team that so diligently worked with my son over the years. His accomplishments are not my own, but the summary of many gifted individuals simply tapping into the potential AJ possessed all along. 

When the year came to a close, the time-honored tradition of the graduation march accompanied by cap and gown would ensue. AJ gleefully accepted his diploma from his teacher and sang out to the world, "When I grow up, I want to be a WHALE!" That's right! My son's life goal includes swimming among the fish in the deep blue sea as none other than a humpback whale, his favorite mammal of the ocean. 

Here is a picture of AJ moments after his ceremony showing off his undoubtably earned kindergarten diploma:

Last day of school! L to R: Miss Cortney (Special-Ed Coordinator), AJ, and Miss Marie (AJ's para)

#5 Answered Prayers Meant Montana Good-byes

I knew that before I could hop on a jetliner and fly halfway across the world, one thing would be in order, I MUST visit Montana one last time. Our original plan was for the kids and me to move to Montana for the summer right after school let out. Channing's surgery threw a wild card in that plan and had us staying well into July. Our date to depart for England was September 13th! If you knew us, you knew we had a house to sell, but needed a place to live until the end of July when Channing was due for her check-up with the surgical team.

Stress became my norm! How I maintained brown hair during all of this is still a mystery to this cosmo, but alas, I endured. Back in May when we were told Channing had to have surgery, we flooded the internet with requests for many prayers to overcome all our upcoming challenges.  As I said before, those pesky challenges opportunities always arise when God has something great in store for you.

Many fasts and prayers were dedicated to our family over a long period of time. The sale of our house would be the first blessing and testament that prayers work. I was nosing around on our neighborhood watch app one night and stumbled upon a post from a lady I had met over a year's time ago at my neighbor's house. She was looking for a house with a long list of features necessary, but the ultimate requirement was a home available to her no later than the week before August 1st. I literally scrolled the list writing checkmark after checkmark. Our house met every single requirement AND the sell by date would give us the exact time we needed in our home to complete our check-out of Colorado. Needless to say, I pounced on it. I got a call from the interested party, did a showing in three days, and sold the house two days later! This doesn't just happen folks; this was the hand of God pulling me out of the trenches and propelling me forward.

The sale of our home meant not only did we NOT have to list our house during Channing's operation, but we wouldn't have to do showings during her recovery time, allowing her to properly heal and recover! Praise God!

It also meant...

I was still able to go to Montana! It was the perfect send off. Seeing the majestic mountains in all their greatness and of course precious hours with my mom, dad, and brother's family before a bitter sweet goodbye at the airport. I may see the world over during this tour, but nothing is as beautiful to me as the Big Sky Country. See if you agree...

Rocks at Lake McDonald. These rocks are known throughout the country, 
because they just don't exist elsewhere. 

Going to the Sun Road

There are several waterfalls along this gorgeous drive. Here is my favorite one I captured.

  

This is one of the few places we pulled off at to stretch our legs. You can see beauty just surrounds you everywhere in Glacier National Park. 

#4 Moving to the UK

Oh come on, you KNEW this was on the top ten! Moving to the UK would undoubtably be my greatest up and most significant down of not just 2016, but most likely my 30's. While traveling the world and experiencing a new culture certainly has its appeal, living abroad is entirely different than visiting. Hence the reason for this blog. I hope to do this country justice as I capture it through my eyes and take you along my journey. 

#3 Exploring Oxford

Our city is the coolest! In fact, cool doesn't even begin to describe it. Settling in to a new country is a big chore. It takes months to feel grounded, literally months. My top priority wasn't sight seeing, but making sure the kids were enrolled in school and getting on in their new home. There were so many culture shocks that I didn't even anticipate, so if I was suffering whiplash from the hysteria, my kids were certainly having a time, too. As months passed, the kids fell into a routine and our minds were freed to venture out into our new playground called Oxford. I will just offer up a bunch of pictures for you to see what I saunter by on a regular basis. May I never just buzz past these incredible structures and not think to glance up in wonderment. Be sure to read the captions. Enjoy!

Merton College Chapel

View looking down High Street

St. Mary's Passage, where C.S. Lewis walked many times during his development of his beloved books, The Chronicles of Narina. Many believe this doorway was his inspiration 
for Mr. Tumnus, the faun, and Aslan, the lion in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. (It is difficult to see, but the lion is on the center of the door.)

The Radcliffe Camera

Christ Church

Christ Church Meadow

The garden inside Christ Church Meadow

The view from University Church of St. Mary the Virgin tower
Left to Right: Brasenose College, Radcliffe Camera, and All Souls College

All Souls College. Only Fellows are allowed inside and is rumored to be haunted. 
Aaron has a class there this term.

Inner courtyard of All Souls College

High Street, featuring the Old Bank Hotel

Close up of All Souls College

Standing in the one of the archways of the tower. It goes around on all four sides.
Best view of the city is from up here.

Take note of the intricacies of this building. So much careful thought and craftsmanship were put into each of these buildings, even in areas not seen by the everyday eye. 
Art was put into every inch on every surface. 

Aerial of Oxford from University Church Tower

Another aerial

Brasenose Chapel

Looking up at University Church Tower from the ground next to the 
Vaults and Gardens (oldest cafe in Oxford).

The Sheldonian

Clarendon Building

The famous pub: The Eagle and Child
It is said this was the favorite eatery of literary's greatest free thinkers: 
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Inside The Eagle and Child, you will find the "Rabbit Room" where it is told that Middle Earth and Naria were born. I still get goosebumps just thinking about sitting in the same place where these masterful artists met. Little did they know the legacy 
they would leave behind just discussing their ideas over a pint.

This is what I love about Oxford. Bikes are EVERYWHERE, but not just for riding. Several adorn business and are often used for beauty or advertisement. 
This just happens to be one of my favorites.

#2 Our Trip to Paris

Naturally, you must have predicted our trip to France would be the highlight of a lifetime. I have to admit, growing up in a small town in Montana, the Eiffel Tower was just a glorious landmark that you would read about, dream about, and recognize on any piece of jewelry or t-shirt you ever saw. Seeing it in person, touching it; that was a dream outside of a dream. Never did I imagine that I would find myself walking the streets of Paris, using expressions such as "merci beaucoup", "oui", and "pardonne moi" outside of a private joke. However cliché, these key phrases would prove to be lifesavers!

Paris will go down as being one of the most beautiful, historical, ironic, and rude places I will ever visit. I am still hoping for a return trip before our time is up here in the UK. There is too much we missed out on. This time I won't be shocked by all the urine on the streets or the lack of appeal towards Americans. I will simply just be there for me and take in what the City of Lights has to offer, which is a whole heck of a lot!

The Trocadero, Paris, France

#1 Matty Comes to Visit for Christmas

I will be honest and tell you I have struggled with this move overseas. After looking at all our adventures and pictures, you must be shaking your head and thinking, "WHY?" Well, I will tell you! Being away from family has never been easy for me. Even when I have lived in various parts of the continental US, I've always been a drive away from them and could be in their presence within a day if necessary. Moving across the ocean meant our separation was a little more fixed. Heck, being in such drastically different time zones would even mean spontaneous calls in the middle of the day would no longer be made, because my family was still sleeping.

There is ever so often a moment when you just wish you were back "home" with cousins, in-laws, and grandparents, especially around the holidays. I was somewhat dreading Christmas this year. I was already feeling a little down not getting to spend this treasured time of year with none of Aaron's or my family around us, but then my sister-in-law, Rachel, informed us that her family was headed our way for our first Christmas abroad. What a relief!

Having Matt here for a few days sure lifted my spirits. He made a small town rental in a foreign land feel just like home! We managed a day trip to London to see all the wonderful sites we hadn't been privileged to visit yet, an outing to the epic Stonehenge, and a day in Oxford. Other days were simply spent lounging about the house reminiscing and playing with my new nephew Jackson. I am not one to be shy about the cuteness level of this kid...HE IS ADORABLE! He has the biggest cheeks you ever saw, and you could simply serve him up for high tea. HE IS DELICIOUS!

Christmas this year was grand, thanks to Matt, Rachel, and their precious little boy, Jax! I hope you delight in these images as much as I did having them. Thanks, Rachel, for snapping so many great ones of our families together!

Buckingham Palace; home to the Queen!

These two loved the palace! We got to witness the tail end of the change of the horse guard.

Westminster Abbey

Brother Matt & Nephew Jackson

Westminster Abbey Sanctuary 

Big Ben!

London Eye from a distance

Midday shot of the backside of the River Thames skyline

London Skyline towards dusk

Trafalgar Square

Change of the Horse Guard, we unfortunately missed this view. Thanks, Rachel!

More of Trafalgar Square; lots of street performers! Fun!

Stonehenge up close

Stonehenge from a distance

The ancient rock arrangement. Another one of those landmarks you read about and recognize the pun from any movie, but never think you will see it in person. We got to see it at an important time, the winter solstice. Many druids, wickens, and pagans were coming back in full-dressed garb commemorating the occasion and celebrating their heritage. 

Christmas morning

As I said in my header, goals are a my cat nip! This year has me craving more fun, more pictures, and more experiences. I hope you continue to follow us into 2017 as we document the three most fast-paced years of our lives. May the New Year also find YOU with many new and wonderful memories.

Best wishes,

~K