End of the year Montage

I have always liked watching those end of the year clip shows that piece together all of the happenings of the past year (good and bad) and set them to music. For some reason the music somehow makes even the bad stuff seem OK.

We are heading into the New Year at an amazing pace and I can't help to think of the past year and all that has happened in our lives--good and bad.

Now I don't have any music, but please don't let that hold back your applause at the end:

January 2007: Still in house in Chapel Hill and resigned to stay at my crummy job as well as in Chapel Hill for the foreseeable future, Jason and Lara refinance the terms of their home loan to pay off some serious dept. Lara becomes concerned when 5 month old Daniel is not rolling over or grabbing for toys.

February 2007: After learning our good friends in Chapel Hill were moving to Virginia for a job opportunity, Jason applies for Business Librarian job at James Madison University, but really just goes to see what it's about. We both know we aren't going to move to a place called Harrisonburg, VA right? Lara takes Daniel to the Pediatrician for 6 month checkup and voices her concerns and pediatrician agrees. Daniel is set up for Early intervention, a referral to a PM&R doctor.

March 2007: Daniel is seen by PM&R Doctor and referred to get MRI. Daniel starts physical therapy. Lara's Aunt Marilyn passes away March 1, 2007. Lara has the flu at the time. Lara's other Aunt is continuing chemo for her Lung Cancer. Towards the end of the month Jason gets offered the job at JMU. Lara looks at this as an opportunity to escape the hell that is her job and to change completely. Jason and Lara disagree on the best plan.

April 2007: Our little girl turns 4 on the 1st. No April Fools about that. Jason and Lara continue to ponder their options. Jason feels very confused and Lara does not. Lara badgers Jason to no end, that moving IS the right decision for the family. Jason accepts the job and the house goes up for sale. House sells in less than 1 week. Jason and Lara are steered into a contract by their less than helpful real estate agents, that they will later regret.

May 2007: Daniel has MRI of brain that shows smooth brain but no diagnosis given. Referred to neurologist and given no new news. Daniel has blood work done to look for genetic causes of delay. Jason and Lara start packing and realize that the contract closing date is set for Mid June and they were not planning to leave NC until end of June, the pleading starts. Jason and Lara go to Harrisonburg, VA for first time with the kids and find a place to live in one day.

June 2007: More pleading to be able to stay in house until the end of the month. Options are for family of 4 plus dog to move out and stay in Lara's parents two bedroom apartment or Jason's moms house with one extra bedroom and a part of the office, but it is a longer commute to school and work. Lara's parents are packing too to also move to VA to help with childcare and everything else. Jason get angrier and angrier when he realizes that our options are running out and that we have to move out on the 15th of June. Also very upset that even though the sale of the house yielded more than originally paid, that due to our refinancing when we thought that we would be in the house for a long time, we would owe money at the table. Owe a LOT of money. Dept keeps growing as we also pay for movers, first months rent and security deposit.

July 2007: Lara works last day of hell job on July 1, 2007 (Sunday) and then after work the whole family takes off to Harrisonburg, VA. Alison believes that the hotel we stay in that night is our new home and is quite impressed with it. Jason starts his new job on the 16th of July which gives the family time to check out where everything is along with getting unpacked.

August 2007: We get Daniel set up in early intervention in VA. We get both physical therapy and occupational therapy. Daniel has his one year well check. Referral made and expedited for neurologist at UVA. Found a school for Alison that looks really great though not Spanish speaking.

September 2007: Alison starts school, Lara actually teaching at JMU an intro to Nutrition class and loves it. Jason gets in swing of things at his new job. Lara's dad still talking about Ohio. Daniel goes for app with neurologist who was less then helpful. Later in the month neurologist gives diagnosis of Lissencephaly and Lara and Jason start this blog to help cope with the myriad of feelings.

October 2007: Jason and Lara search for answers for Daniel. Daniel continues to make progress with therapy and impresses the therapists and his family everyday! Both kids are amazing and are superheroes for Halloween.

November 2007: Lara is getting discouraged with neurologist's lack of attention to Daniel. Seriously considering dumping said neurologist for someone local and nicer. Thanksgiving comes way too fast and family heads to NC to spend with Jason's family. Lara falls down flight of stairs and injures her spleen and spends a week in the hospital in NC in the ICU!

December 2007: Holidays come up way too fast. Trying to explain to a 4 year old that we do not celebrate that holiday that everyone else in her school is talking about. Lara's Aunt Lois has to restart chemo for her lung cancer that we thought was gone. Family laying low for holidays to ring in the new year without a bang.