LOOKING BACK AT THIS YEAR. . .

I really appreciate end-of-the-year letters from family and friends. Unfortunately, I didn't get one out this year. So instead, I will just list some things here that I particularly remember about 2006.

2006 brought. . .

1. A few months at the beginning of the year with TOO much medical trauma for our comfort level: Katie's broken elbow from too much speed at the ice skating rink (turned out to be QUITE debilitating for a Music Therapist dependent on playing the guitar AND a mom with an 8 month old!), Greta's hospital stay with RSV (three days and two loooooooong nights), and Mali's 5th episode of pneumonia, which launched us into a whole whirlwind of medical investigation to find out WHY, WHY, WHY???. After facing some very frightening questions (probably the worst of which was getting her a sweat test for Cystic Fibrosis) we learned in the end that she has an immune deficiency -- IGA deficiency. Luckily this is not life-threatening and not even all that uncommon (many people have it and never know it!). The best I understand it is that her IGA deficiency presents itself as asthma. Her recurrent pneumonias were a result of asthma that was triggered by a cold virus. Anyway, she's doing well, and functions normally as a bright, imaginative 4 year old.

2. Greta turned 1, and we celebrated with early summer blueberry rhubarb pie and a trip to the Upper Penninsula of Michigan!

3. Mark became interested in chiropractic care, looked into it carefully and made the decision to apply to Chiropractic school. Consequently, we moved to the South and began a new life here, with our eyes distantly secured on a return to Michigan.

4. Our year living at Leslie Science Center (a beautiful environmental education facility) came to a close. We moved back to Sunward for the spring and summer before the big move to the south. We quickly missed the friendly folks at Leslie, and still do!

5. As we contemplated our move to the south and our life there, we made the very difficult decision to relinquish our ownership of dear sweet Maggie to Katie's uncle. We now know that it was completely the best choice for her. She has the run of a beautiful large farm in northern Wisconsin, an owner whose personality matches her own in many ways!, many adults to play with her nonstop, and even a tractor to herd! We miss her dearly, and are glad to know she's living such a good life.

6. We moved to Georgia, moved into a house with Mark's two brothers (one full time, one part time -- the traveler), and started our new life here. Mark completed his first incredibly intense quarter and Katie has been for the first time, full-time Mama.

7. Mali turned 4, and we celebrated by returning to Michigan. Between Mali's dear Linda-party, Sunward, her own party, and Grandma and Grandpa's house, she had 4 different parties. We tried to explain to her that probably never again will her age coincide with the number of parties she has!

8. Katie, Mali, and Greta spent the end of the year (from Thanksgiving on) with her parents in Bluffton. It was wonderful to live the simple life and to have that time with family. It was also great to be able to head up to Ann Arbor a couple times for visits. Meanwhile, Mark worked like a horse on the end of the quarter exams, survived, and happily joined us for Christmastime.

9. The very end of the year was spent back in our Georgia home with Mark's brother Paul and Mom. We're still enjoying a great visit from Trudy, and expect more relatives next weekend!

10. Finally, we have many happy memories of our last year in Ann Arbor before this move. Mali's precious time at Linda's house (and the relationships that enriched our lives -- thank you Linda!!), a welcome homecoming to Sunward, and the deepening life that is held there, being grateful for the kind and generous folks at Shalom, and our valued friendships that we are confident will last until our return!

This year we are especially grateful for health, for family, and for each other.