December

+We did our book advent with the boys. Both loved it. Dominick was always patient with Malachi and let him rip open some of the paper!

this was Christmas Eve!

+Dominick and I built our gingerbread houses and he did so good this year! He was extremely proud of our little houses. He did a fantastic job!

love his little proud self!

+I cut quite a bit of my hair off! I was ready for something new and it was SO MUCH lighter!

+We went to a Christmas event at the USO on base. It was very random that we were even able to go. We had no idea that it even was going on, but we ran into the USO to grab a snack for the boys while we had to run lots of errands and they invited us in. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there and Kai was still not a fan.

+Last year I took Dominick to the Tykes Shoppe and he was able to buy presents for Ryan, myself and my parents. This year we took him again and he bought for the same people as last year as well as Malachi. He was very excited about it because it's ALL him. They help him wrap, nobody is there to influence him but there are helpers who can help keep him within his budget. He was very excited about his gifts and did a great job keeping them all a secret.

+We went to Clifton Mills to see all the Christmas lights. It was just okay, but I'll be honest and say we were underwhelmed.

+Ryan's work put our name in for a family sponsor. I'm not sure who did it or why us when we are definitely already blessed, but we appreciated the thought. Whoever played Santa to our boys spoiled them abundantly. We were so thankful.

+On December 22nd we had the hard decision of putting our husky, Calli down. She was 11 years old and just not living her best life. In fact most days she was just struggling. It was really sad to watch her and she was barely able to get up or move. The decision was a hard one to make, especially since that day she decided to get a little pep in her step. Aside from her struggling and not moving well at all she was having accidents in our house basically all the time. We miss her still and it was such a hard choice. She loved us all so well and had the best temperament

+Ryan, Malachi and I played Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus (biggest baby Jesus EVER) on Christmas Eve for the morning service.

+Christmas Eve was so funny to me. Malachi had pink eye from an ear infection that was basically coming out of his eyes. I had taken him to a little clinic only to be told they didn't accept patients his age. So we went to the childrens hospital. We were in and out pretty quickly, but given a different medication that made him sick to his stomach. We were sitting at the candlelight service and projectile vomited about 10 minutes in. We left to go get cleaned up and left Dominick with our friends. We met them at a thai restaurant later that night. I know life and holidays won't always be this crazy so we try to embrace it now. Our life is chaotic and crazy, but I love this life I get to live.

+Ryan and I played Santa and finally got to bed. Dominick was up early, but Malachi was sleeping in. We finally let D go in and wake up M so we could get the day started. Dominick loved every single present he opened while Malachi

.