Downing Christmas

Downing Christmas was hard this year.  We got some really tough news just a few days before Christmas.  Our nephew Lincoln, the youngest of the Downing cousins, was diagnosed with cancer.  We were all heartbroken and just in absolute shock.  We were all just going through the motions, doing the best we could.  Putting on a brave face for all of the kids and crying when we could.

We got to keep his brothers and sister off an on over break, and it brought us joy to have them:

The other Downings have awesome elves and had specific instructions for our house!  So fun!

We still had Downing Christmas, but it wasn't quite the same.  But here are some joyful moments:

A few days after Christmas we had the kids again and got to Skype with Lincoln:

Here is Lincoln just a few days before Christmas:

And then a couple of months later.

It's going to be a long road, but we're in it together and so very hopeful for a cure.  

Please pray for Lincoln!