Our Christmas holidays are pretty busy, pretty awesome, and full of amazing family.  First, to kick the holidays off, there is Mac Christmas with Donnie’s Mom and siblings the weekend before Christmas.  We spend the day and evening together, playing games, eating all day long, and visiting (with a little gift giving on the side).

Christmas Eve morning, we squeezed in a great breakfast with our wonderful friend, Jim, at IHOP.  So great to catch up with Jim as always! Then we left to celebrate Bradley’s 2nd birthday (our Christmas Eve baby!).  Donnie still battles nausea intermittently, but he is having some very good days 🙂  You can tell by the look on his face and how he holds himself.

Christmas morning we got to watch Rachael’s 3 children experience “Santa Claus.” Donnie even felt like role playing with the kids.  Wish you could have heard their conversation.  Hilarious and priceless!!

Then came our glorious day:  Christmas with our children on December 26th!

At the end of all the eating, gift giving, and running laps around the kitchen by all the cousins, everyone went home except for Jeff’s clan.  Liam and Kaia decided to snuggle up to Pa and watch a movie.  It was the perfect end to an amazingly wonderful day for Donnie . . . the best day he has had since September 1!  Now that’s some good news!!  You can SEE how good he is feeling by the look on his face.  A little slice of heaven with his babies!!

It’s December 27th today, Beau’s birthday (our oldest).  Today, my brother Don and his wife Elaine drove down from Memphis to Orlando to see Dad and all of us for Christmas . . . so the wonderful family get togethers continue!!  More to look forward to!  We will be celebrating Beau’s birthday and Rachael’s birthday tomorrow along with Don, Elaine and Dad.  Good times!!

Thank you for your prayers for Donnie.  He weighs 167 pounds, feels pretty good most of the time, but still needs prayer for nausea and for strength.  He is still receiving TPN each night.  He’s pretty weak these days, but handles it well.  He has wicked hot flashes about 30 times a day.  He has to take it easy a lot, as situations where he has to talk a lot or discuss irritating things can cause him to get into a “crummy place.”  It is definitely a balancing act.

It remains an amazing blessing that he is still with us, enjoying life, and looking forward to more time with priceless family and friends.  We cherish every moment!!  We thank you for your love, support and prayers.  Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2016.

Love,  Donnie & Tina