Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I will admit, even though we certainly believe it to be the "most wonderful time of the year", the first Christmas knowing Little Buddy's diagnosis wasn't the easiest.  Holidays tend to put things in perspective; you always think you'll be able to celebrate these special days with those you love, but after a devastating diagnosis, you know time is a luxury.  I would catch myself crying over little things; like how precious each Santa picture with both my kids in it actually is, or how happy I was that Little Buddy was still asking for age-appropriate presents, or how beautiful it was to here Little Buddy sing Christmas carols.  It was a hard balance to find the right amount of reverence for these special moments without slipping into the depression of "what ifs", but thankfully both Little Buddy and Little Sweetie's inherent joy in the season helped me stay in the moment, even if we had to travel the week of Christmas to start Phase II of Little Buddy's clinical trial.

And so, with the end of Thanksgiving, we jumped right into Christmas preparations!

These two are ready for Santa!  Both are asking for Paw Patrol toys!

Little Buddy did a great job on all his Christmas crafts at school!

Thanks to some dear friends, are tree was properly outfitted for the season of miracles as well!

And soon enough, the big day was on the horizon.  As was family tradition, the kids got a surprise visitor on Christmas Eve!

     

Santa's here!!!  Little Buddy went right up to greet him and lost no time in pointing out our decorations and again putting a request in for Paw Patrol!  Little Sweetie kept her distance for the first part of the visit...

     

...until Santa pulled some small Christmas Eve gifts out of his bag to distribute!

     

Presents make everything better.  Little Sweetie finally allowed the strange man with the weird beard to give her a hug!

Little Buddy also gave hugs...

     

...but wasn't so sure about allowing Santa to leave!

After Santa did leave, it was time to read some Christmas stories together as a family...

...and to put out all the goodies for Santa and his reindeer!  Night, night kiddos!

 And then it was Christmas!!!

"SANTA CAME!"

Obviously, Santa thought we had been pretty good this year!

     

Little Sister was excited for her new doll house!

     

And both kids played with the new Paw Patrol toys the rest of the day!

So, yes, even though we are still adjusting to our new normal, especially during the holidays, our Christmas was very merry, and one to be treasured!

Merry Christmas, to one and all!

LSM

Little Sweetie's Momma