Farewell to 2013

It's New Years Eve and the husband is at work. I've got to run a few errands today before preparing our New Years Eve dinner.

In the past we would have fondue on new years eve. A rich cheesy fondue followed by a decadent dark chocolate one for dessert. But the last few years we've changed it up to homemade pizza for dinner. I make the dough from scratch and buy lots of different pizza toppings, last year I made sangria to go with the pizza but this year I can't be bothered so there's just a bottle of wine to toast with at midnight.

We live not far from the beach and our nearby beach is one of the locations they set off fireworks, so we'll probably walk down and watch the 9pm fireworks. Then come home and watch the midnight ones from our balcony with sparklers.

I am so glad to see 2013 go. It's been a long, tough year full of challenges. But all through these challenges our relationship has grown stronger, we've weathered them and supported each other through a pretty hard year.

The most emotionally (and financially) taxing challenge was our infertility. Seeing a FS for the first time, my lap/hyst and then diagnosis of endo and pco. Two failed IUIs and the husbands SA results slowly getting worse with each SA he does.

There's also been other health issues in the background, the husband has been struggling with anxiety and depression. A routine blood test showed elevated liver enzyme levels and he's had blood work and scans to keep an eye on it all. (So far it's still in the closely monitor catergory, if it gets worse he'll be having a biopsy).  And we've both spent consideral amounts of time and money at the dentist.

And then there's work. I had to turn down a fantastic contract with a school I love, because it would've been impossible to do the IUIs and teach. Our FS clinic is 20mins south from where we live and the school is 1hr 10m drive north west from where we live. I just couldn't have blood work and scans done early enough to make it to work on time. And even if I had blood work done closer to the school, due to the opening hours I would still be late to work plus I would've had to pay extra lab fees.

My husbands job has continued to make life difficult as well. He's overworked, doing the job of three people now. There is talk and promises of hiring another person to help him, this time they've even gone as so far as to advertise for the role! But he doubts they will actually hire anyone.

Family wise, every one is well. There's been a few minor dramas and squabbles on both sides but everyone is healthy and happy.

2014 is bringing a fresh start for the husband and I. We're jumping into the world of IVF+ICSI. There's plans for the husband to look for another job and hopefully change jobs. We're going to work on our apartment, give it the fresh coat of paint it sorely needs and start saving for new flooring.

We're not making resolutions for 2014 but we are making plans and goals. Some that are easily attained and some that we're going to have to work for.  I'm nervous and excited to see what 2014 brings us.