2017, it’s hard to believe you’re almost gone. Only a few days left to celebrate the holiday spirit, and to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about that. Celebration isn’t a word I would use to describe the past few weeks. We didn’t get the tree up and decorated until a week before Christmas. And that little heart wreath we usually put on the door? It’s still in a box somewhere. The Elf must have felt sympathy for us, because it didn’t show up this year, either. Our kids are convinced he couldn’t find our new home because we moved.
Yeah. That’s what happened.
It’s not that we hate Christmas. We are just so so tired.
It’s been a rough year for the Blombergs. I lost count of the doctor appointments and school appointments for both kids. At least three almost every single week. That’s three times a week trying to figure out how we are going to take off work. Add to that, daily emergencies at the school for our daughter, that typically took about three hours to solve and could be anything as simple as ‘Picasso was wrong because people don’t look like that.’ They call us because the meltdown is so intense for her, they can’t calm her down. Sticking with medical issues, we discovered two of us might have celiac disease (one definitely does, we’re waiting for the biopsy for the other). I was also out of it for several weeks with intense lower back pain and given pain pills that made me a walking zombie, but at least I was a walking zombie without pain. With little outside support, we crashed this year.
On the bright side, things are looking up. A couple of weeks ago we received an official diagnosis for our daughter of ASD combined with a previous OCD diagnosis. We have a whole new round of appointments already scheduled in January to discover what services are available to help us. In addition, both kids have grown this year and continue to amaze us with their abilities. I’m still on medication for depression and anxiety that makes me want to sleep around 3 pm every day, but it does give me the energy to make it through most of the daily meltdowns. The school is interviewing for a dedicated resource to help our daughter. I’ve even gotten used to the idea of changing our diet. I made my first batch of gluten-free meatballs last night! We still don’t have a lot of support from friends or family, but I get that it’s hard for others.
For the first time in a long time though, I’m looking forward to something. I’m looking forward to 2018 and not only what it has to offer us, but what we have to offer it. More to come in the following weeks with goals, writing updates, and some exciting news. Until then, I wish everyone the best during these last few days of the year. May you remember moments of celebration from this year, and look forward with hope to the coming year.
Cas Blomberg Communications 
Hi Cas,
I always enjoy your blogs, though I don’t very often comment (time, time, time). So this is just to say Welcome to the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It sounds like you more-than-definitely have your hands full and, yet, though it all comes you sense of acceptance, determination and excitement about that which is to come. Applause for that, and a very Happy New Year! /cynthia
Thank you, Cynthia for stoppimg by and such kind words. Wishing you a Happy New Year! Hope next year is an amazing one for all of us ☺.