I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once

~John Green~

In just 2 months, third grade will be finished and we will find ourselves making our way to Ohio again for yet another surgery. 2015 has been a mixed bag for sure. So many challenges, but many things to smile about too. She's braver than the bravest, and constantly reminds me of the power of living in the moment.

Mom is exhausted most days but not unhappy. Life is harder now than it's been previously but we will come out on the other side. I fight with insurance and wish this state had better aide for those who are disabled. It's disgusting how much I pay out of pocket for my child to do what every one of us takes for granted. But we muster on.

Ellis excels and loves "multimication" (she still says it this way, and I'm trying to hold on to her being little, so I never correct it). We pull teeth to get her nose in a book though. So unlike her mother who never puts one down.

In Ohio this past December we met Aron, the son of Joyce from New Hope Foster Home. Incredible, really. He was the person who took care of casting Ellis's leg in China for 2 months. What are the chances we'd meet in Ohio, and he would be a resident and assist in Ellis's surgery?? Such a small, strange, and magnificent world sometimes. Ellis became fast friends with his daughters and tells me everyday she wants to move to Ohio :) She saw her first snow as well and nearly cried saying goodbye to it.