Summer is over and the school year is in full swing. The Hartig family had lots of fun this summer, but they’re happy to be back on a regular routine. Bev and the family traveled to the Jersey shore in early July. They were there for a large family gathering to celebrate Bob’s father’s 80th birthday.
In early August, just before school started, Bob and Bev traveled without kids to British Virgin Gorda for a work event. They were away for six nights and had a fabulous time. When asked what her favorite memories there were, Bev had a good time bar hopping at the swim-up pool bars and her favorite stop was the “Soggy Dollar” Bar (get it, you swim up with soggy dollars in your pocket?!) She also enjoyed the jeep rides and hikes out to the sea baths that collected on the shores of the island. We’re so happy the two got to enjoy some down time away from home!
“It takes an army of people to raise a special needs child,” said Bev. She gives great thanks to the many people that helped out day and night while they were out of town. Bev is very grateful for the assistance she receives for both her and Katie and beams when we talk about those that take time out to help the family in any way.
Bev also celebrated a birthday this summer and had a fabulous time at several events. Her friend Shelley rented a pontoonBev August 2014 3 boat and took it out on Geist with a group of Bev’s friends. I was able to attend and it was a wonderful, quiet day on the water celebrating Bev. Additionally, Bob took Bev to Ocean Prime for her special day and she got the sea bass on risotto. She lights up when asked about her birthday and I will say that she is one very well loved lady, a testament to who she is.
As school is underway, Bev shared some of her new routine with me. Katie attends a new school this year and her bus arrives to pick her up at 6:50AM versus the 8:20AM time from the elementary years. So that means Bev is up at 5:30AM daily to start the process to get Katie going. Neither one likes to rise that early in the morning, so they like to allow extra time to get things underway for the day.
This school year Bev is going to volunteer with the Fall Creek Intermediate PTO. She will be on the Box Tops Committee and together we’ll be counting tops to benefit the school as they come in. She also plans to continue doing tennis a few times a week.
As of now, Bev still has a driver on Tuesday and Thursday each week. She also has after school help daily, but the family is in need of someone to replace another assistant on Mondays from 3-8:30PM. Duties include cooking dinner, doing laundry, and helping to bathe and change Katie. If you or someone you know has interest in this position, please let the family know. Her online sign-up system is also in need of many spots for meals, drivers and companions, so please consider helping out and taking a look at her needs on this link HERE!
Bev reports that her symptoms and mood are steady and similar to what they have been lately, but she feels the cognitive changes are further along than the physical changes that everyone sees. She is pressing on daily to live a very big life despite the devastating effects of this disease. Bev is my hero!
Stay tuned every couple of weeks as we update on Bev’s life as an Overcomer, living for the purpose of using her story to impact and change lives for the future! If you desire to contact her, you can reach out to her on Facebook HERE or by email at bevhartig@hotmail.com