Dusty the elf .. supporting childhood cancer

Well, I hope you all had a nice Christmas. Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted. My in-laws are in town and on top of that we have been sick on and off. Today it's child number 2's turn to be sick with a fever and throwing up. Hopefully it doesn't last long. I just can't believe that all the excitement is over and we are now headed into the new year. Much has been going on and to be truthful, I have captured alot of it on camera. Guess I'll have those memories in my head. :)

We were also sad to see Dusty go. It was fun playing with him everyday and finding him in new spots. On one of the last days he was with us, we awoke to find him supporting childhood cancer. What an amazing little elf we have. I guess he knows just how important fighting cancer is to this family. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean we should forget about the kids fighting everyday or forget just how far our son has come. Dusty helped to remind us of what is important even during the holidays.

Here are a few photos of our little cancer fighter...

Wreaths Across America

On Saturday, my family and I went to Arlington National Cemetery to help with Wreaths Across America. It's one of our most favorite things to do. I hope I can always go and lay a wreath for my brother. When all the wreaths are placed in front of the headstones, the cemetery is transformed into such a beautiful Christmas sight. There are thousands of people who volunteer their time to turn Arlington into one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen. Everyone is there for a different reason and yet we are all also there for the exact same reason... to always remember! 

This was my fourth year doing this and I can not believe that fact. It's sad and heartbreaking. Yet, the people we have met along this hard and rough road have been so wonderful and a true blessing. Here we all have these sad stories of missing our loved ones, stories of their lives, memories of happy times and tears of longing to see them again. But, when we meet other families who share our pain and completely understand our need to honor, remember and share, it is then that we can bond over a loss that is so devestating. 

Arlington has become a second home and to those who don't understand that, there really is now way to explain it. It's kind of like Montana being at St. Jude and us missing that hospital so badly. At Arlington, we have made friends, our loved ones are there, we share stories and memories, we take care of the grounds, and we help friends who can't make it so often. When we are there, we don't want to leave. We truly are surrounded by so many people who completely understand our loss. 

So, thank you to all the volunteers and everyone who came out to make Arlington and Sec 60 look absolutely beautiful during this time of year. There is nothing more important to Gold Star Families than to know that their loved one is still remembered. 

Blessings to you all. 

Our Elfie on the Shelfie

So, this is our first year doing this whole elf on the shelf thing. I wanted to do this last year but we just never got around to purchasing the little guy. Well, about a week ago, we received a package in the mail and low and behold it was our very own Elf who was purchased by a dear friend. Needless to say, my kids were so happy when "Dusty" showed up on the morning of Dec. 6 with two Christmas movies in tow to help St. Nick deliver gifts in the kids shoes. From there on out he has been making his way around our house doing some fun and naughty things. :)

The second night, Dusty got a hold of some markers and had a little too much fun with the children. I didn't know how the kids were going to respond but they thought it was funny, thank goodness. Since then he has been on the tree and he made a village out of little people while riding in a Halo truck. The kids are loving having this little guy around. The only negative thing to having Dusty at our house is the 5:45am wake up calls when the kids are running around the house trying to find out what he did throughout the night. They are so excited to find him that they wake up every morning like it's Christmas. ahhh!!! They are still learning.. haha  I'm hoping the excitement will die down a little.