A busy week

This week has been really busy (as this time of the year always is).  Let's see...

Monday was a day we were looking forward to and dreading all at the same time! We had to take Zoey to her new trainer to drop her off for the next 1-6 months! It was really hard to say goodbye, but we left more confident then ever that she is in the right place with the right trainer. That feeling has increased all week as Bev has done an amazing job keeping us updated and sending me lots of pictures to ease the sting of Zoey being gone. Zoey has worked hard all week and is making really good strides.

Working on her down stay

Her first work in public with Beverly

Mad had school all week. I volunteered at her school all day on Tuesday for the teacher appreciation luncheon.  Then she had ballet! Thursday Alex had a violin lesson to prepare to play silent Night at the hospital in a week and a half. Friday both kids had appointments at the ophthalmologist. Maddy tried desperately to convince everyone that she needed glasses to no avail. Alex on the other hand did need an adjustment to his prescription so he will be getting new glasses. 

Friday I hit a milestone I have been working towards. I hit 100 check-ins at Camp Gladiator. That means 100 times since March I got up at 4:30 AM. 100 times I busted my butt. 100 times I took an hour for me to make myself better for me, my kids, my husband. 100 times I was supported and encouraged by an amazing community, the best trainer and 4 woman who have been my accountability partners. They have pushed me, complained with me, laughed with me and loved me. It is because of them that I continue setting my alarm day after day.

My Awesome trainer, Allyson who puts up with my chatter at 5:00 AM 5 days a week!

These women are so much more then accountability partners- they are friends in the truest sense of the word.

Yesterday was a "Christmas Day" or as Maddy has said, "the BEST day ever"! We started the day decorating our tree. 

Alex hanging the first ornament

Each year I buy the kids an ornament for the year

Our Zoey ornament!

All done!

After we finished decorating, Maddy and I had to get ready to go see the Nutcracker. I have loved ballet most of my life. It has been so fun to have a little girl who also loves ballet and wants to share these experiences with me! She insisted that she needed her hair in a bun since we were going to the ballet!

For those that don't get to experience it daily...this is what it is like to live with Maddy!

She wanted everyone to see her ballerina bun!

Getting ready to go!

As we head into this next week, we are hopeful that we can slow down enough to enjoy this season, to create memories and spend precious time with friends and family. Please continue to pray for health and also for Alex as he misses his pup!

Ali

PS- For those who have donated to our fundraiser or shared our page, we are so very grateful! If you would like to help us complete Zoey's training, please Click here.