These kiddos had a pretty sweet Christmas. 

Christmas morning! It was so much fun watching them open up gifts!

Ellie the elephant. 

Aerial dress up

Fraggle Rock puppet. Thanks Aunt Holly!

Swedish fish candy canes for Dad.

Jelly bean candy canes for Liv.

He loves Lightening McQueen

This is Livi's ladybug Dots.

New skirt from Grandma

This year Livi really got into Christmas. She knew presents were coming and she loved them all. Can't believe how big she's getting. She makes me laugh and also makes me crazy with her strong willed personality. The other day she said she figured out what she wants to be when she grow up. A mommy! So cute. She also said she thinks Luke would be a great daddy someday. When she said that I felt this deep sadness. But the thing is I don't know that he will or won't be a dad. Some people with SMA do become adults and parents. God's purpose and plan for his life is already very different than what I had imagined for him. The future is unknown, but I know anything is possible. We named him Luke because we loved the name and its meaning, bringer of light. I know that God will let his light shine through Luke. Already happening.

Hugging her new Barbie. 

Jesus's birthday cake

Happy birthday Jesus!

We had fun the other day at Woodward Park taking some cousin pictures. There's Graham, Livi, Luke, Kate, and Thomas who was just born in October.

Trying to get Luke to smile.

Nana and Pep with their grandchildren.

Livi thinks Kate is the coolest person in the world. She really looks up to her.

Luke is doing good, but has had a couple stomach bugs and has a little cold right now. Its been kind of exhausting since he's not sleeping well at night, but he's getting through it. We are really thankful to have the feeding tube since he doesn't eat much when he's sick, but still really needs the nutrition.

He's definitely a momma's boy. 

Livi loves her stuffed animals. I don't know where they all came from but they are all over the house. 

Cheese!

Livi's nativity set she got from her Grandma. 

 Strong arms! His brace helps him so much.

She doesn't leave home without a few animals.

Toot the flute! He gets so proud of himself when he plays this.

We have had a fun month enjoying Christmas activities. Going to the Nutcracker, the Christmas Train, making lots of cookies, and driving around looking at Christmas lights. Just enjoying being together. Its been a tough year but this season helps us to remember that we can have joy through it all because of the gift of Jesus. Merry Christmas!

This past Sunday our pastor spoke about suffering.  It really hit home for us. We are hurting. We don't want to see our son suffer. He spoke about how God uses it as a tool to teach and change us. Suffering either leads to despair or hope. Its so much easier to feel down and sorry for ourselves when we see Luke unable to do something. We so want to be those inspirational parents that seem to make everything possible for their disabled child and always have a positive outlook. But lately its such a struggle to do that. We cried lots of tears this week. Lots of frustration. It can be so tiring trying to find things to do with Luke that make him happy. Part of it is because he hasn't been feeling good. But it will probably always be a challenge and we can either let that bring us down or persevere through it. Some days we will be down. Its hard. But I really want to have more hope filled days. Romans 5:3 says we glory in tribulations, knowing that they produce perseverance, character and then hope. And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. I can always have hope and peace that God is with us through this. I know that Luke will be healed one day. I know that God will be glorified through us because we love Him.  And I know he loves us, like we love our children except his love is perfect. He loves Luke even more than I do.

So we are being remade. We are being healed through the hurt. And the suffering is changing us. It feels scary to really know that I don't have control. At the same time it frees me trust God with everything.

He loves watching and laughing at her.

Love the song we sang at church.

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord!