So Much to be Thankful For

 As I took the time to reflect this week on all the blessings in our life, I see so much to be thankful for.

Almost 20 years ago when we realized that Alex was facing some health challenges there were so many crushed dreams and so much fear about the future. And once again when Maddy was born, and for the second time we received devastating news no parent wants to hear. But while we have seen many hard days and scary times that is not what stands out to me. I see around me so many ways that God has worked in our lives. I see so many amazing friends and family who have walked with us through the hardest of times and celebrated with us as we experienced incredible joy. Through it all we have loved each other well and always tried to hold fast to our family motto of Choose Joy. 

There are so many reasons and ways I am proud of Alex and Maddy, but two stand above all others. The first would be their relationship and the way they love and support each other. Their relationship is so special and year after year I marvel at the ways they pour into each other. They are each other's very best friends and a constant source of comfort and encouragement. They laugh together, they cry together, and they understand each other in a way many never can. Watching their relationship is the greatest joy in my life and I am forever grateful I was chosen to be the mom to these two special children of God.

The second would be the way they set goals and go after their dreams despite any obstacle set before them. They have been given a really hard hand in life. They feel crappy almost every day, they both deal with chronic pain, and have bodies that betray them at every turn. And yet you would be hard pressed to ever hear them complain or make excuses. They just quietly put their heads down and push themselves to achieve more than they ever should. And almost always it is with a huge smile on their face and encouragement for those around them. Most people could not conceive what they deal with or the amount of intervention it requires to keep their bodies functioning. They are stuck with multiple needles each week for infusions and treatments, they both take countless doses of medication to keep their organs from shutting down, they have 12 and 15 specialists to monitor all the diagnoses. Their disease effects every moment of every day and yet most would never know. I watch them chase their dreams and accomplish more than I ever could have imagined. They inspire me on a daily basis, and I know they often inspire those around them. 

Alex has gone from hundreds of nights a year in the hospital to college student hoping to give back to other kids with chronic illness and pain.

Maddy has gone from struggling to meet any milestones to accomplished Equestrian.

And so, on this week of thanksgiving, I give thanks for the life I have been given where even the challenges remind me of my blessings and the beauty of unanswered prayers.

Ali

A BIG Change!

 Sometimes change comes when you least expect it! That was the case this past week for my Maddy Moo. We arrived at the barn a week ago and Mandy asked Maddy if she wanted to try something new and so a new chapter begins!

 But let me back up a bit...for many years Maddy has said she would like to ride English, but each time we offered for her to give it a try she was overcome with anxiety as there is MUCH less support in an English Saddle. So intermittently she would walk only in an English saddle, but it was only a handful of times as the fear was too much. Once Maddy started riding Lila she began to enjoy English more and more to the point where it has become a joke because she chooses English EVERY time, we give her a choice between English and Western. Maddy has even expressed a desire to learn to jump. For 5 months Lila and Maddy have been partners in every sense of the word and because of Lila's calm and unflappable demeanor coupled with Mandy's thoughtful approach and encouragement, Maddy's confidence has skyrocketed. 

And so, after a week of careful deliberation and lots of very mature, thoughtful conversations and weighing our options, Maddy has made the difficult decision to move on to a new horse. 

Meet Quigley!!!

Quigley is a very lovable, HUGE gelding of 18 hands who has the temperament of a sweet puppy dog and is a beautiful English horse who can jump. 

The connection between Maddy and Lila has been so special to watch. Those two girls love each other so much and none of this would be possible without Lila! Lila healed Maddy's heart and helped her make the transition to a new barn and rekindle her love of riding and calm her anxiety. We are so grateful for the 5 months that Lila was "our girl" and equally thankful that Lila's family has allowed us to share their girl. They have told Maddy that she is always welcome to Lila and that they are excited to watch her continue to grow and learn with her new boy.

If you have read our blog for long you know that prior to P.D. and Lila, Maddy always loved big geldings so in many ways she is returning to her first love!

And while it is fun to see her riding improving constantly, this week was about so much more. I watched my shy, little girl who HATES to make decisions conduct herself in a way I didn't know she was capable of. The careful approach she took to this decision was so deliberate and so mature. Well beyond her years and comfort zone. She weighed so many pros and cons and made a mental checklist of the things she needed to try and know before she was ready to make a decision. She spoke to her coach and asked the questions she needed to, and she made one of the hardest decisions of her life. 

I cannot thank Mandy enough for all the ways she has poured into Maddy in our time at Stable Strides. She is one of the kindest, most loving women I have ever met. She is also calm in all circumstances and has such an amazing ability to know her riders and encourage them and reach them exactly where they are while also pushing them to grow and challenge themselves. Not to mention how much fun Maddy, Mandy and Katie have. Maddy is a different child then the one I stepped into the barn with on June 17th and that is a testament to the love that Mandy has shown her. 

We are so excited for this next season in life as Maddy continues to push past every obstacle to chase the dreams and goals she sets for herself!

Ali

So Much Growth- Appaloosa Worlds

 Sometimes I am unsure how to put into words what a blessing our new barn family has been. This weekend was amazing for my Maddy Moo. 

She had a bit of anxiety in the few days leading up to it. During our final practice on Thursday, Lila had a lot more energy and wasn't listening quite as well as she normally does. That along with knowing she would see the people from our former barn added to her anxiety. Maddy and I had several conversations to help her feel more comfortable and our good friend Jackie who volunteers and shows in the Veterans classes also spoke to her to try and help calm her fears. 

Maddy getting Lila show ready on Thursday.

There are so many things that make me proud of my girl, but one of the biggest is her relentless determination to take good care of her horse, to learn and be involved in all areas of preparing for practice and shows and her desire to constantly improve in her skills. That little girl works so hard in all ways regardless of how bad she feels, how tired she is or how much she hurts. Lila is so very lucky as she receives more love, grooming and care than any horse could ask for. To watch the bond between Maddy and Lila is really special.

Jackie is so patient teaching Maddy!

Nichole was back to be Maddy's volunteer for the first time in several years!

These two are so sweet together

Going into the show, Maddy knew Saturday would be a better day for them than Friday. Maddy has worked each lesson to get Lila into more of a western pleasure jog and at the barn is has improved every lesson, but horses always have a little extra energy and spunk at shows so she was prepared that her work might not translate to the show ring. As they entered the arena for a warmup before the class Lila got the zoomies as Maddy has named them. I saw Mandy go over and talk to Maddy. And then she preceded to take off Maddy's spurs. Maddy and Lila had moments during that horsemanship class that were beautiful, and I could see the fruits of her labor. However, it was a large class of 17 and as the riders got bunched up Lila sped up. Maddy continued to correct her and did everything she could to communicate with her horse. She finished with a 7th place finish! Following awards they stayed in the ring for a second class. Unfortunately, during the second class Maddy struggled to get Lila to trot without her spurs. She did eventually get her going, but did not place. My favorite part of all of this is the relationship that Maddy and Mandy have formed in a very short period of time. Mandy did not simply go over and tell Maddy to take off her spurs. They had a conversation and worked together to come up with a plan. Mandy thanked Maddy for trusting her and Mad told me that even though she was nervous she did trust Mandy. They have already had another conversation and some ideas to try moving forward to continue to improve Maddy's and Lila's pleasure class and jog. I love the way that Mandy doesn't treat Maddy as a young kid and bark orders. Instead, she lets her be a part of the plan and process. And Maddy feels very comfortable sharing her feelings with Mandy and letting her know when she agrees and when she has another idea. For those that know Maddy, you know what a testament that is to Mandy after just 4 months together!

Maddy had high hopes for Saturday as she had two classes she has traditionally done very well in and the class she was most looking forward to competing in. She started the morning with trail. It is not her favorite class to show, but she has always been very good at it. She had hoped to go 2nd or 3rd, but when no one else would go she stepped up and went first. She rode a beautiful trail pattern and finished up with a third-place finish. Next up was showmanship. She used to dread Showmanship, but she has come to like it, and she is excellent at it. It is probably my favorite class to watch her show. Her grace, her poise and dare I say her confidence shine in this class. She makes it look effortless, and it is far from it. She was the reserve World Champion (2nd place). After Showmanship, it was time for English Equitation. Before joining Stable Strides Maddy was petrified to ride in an English saddle. So, she has only consistently been riding English for the past few months and her improvement is astounding. Maddy has fallen in love with riding English and begs Mandy to do more English each week. It is so fun to watch her joy as she has fallen in love with this new discipline. Maddy was a little disappointed in her finish in English, but placing 7th is an amazing accomplishment and she knows she made a mistake that likely cost her. She is anxious to get back to work and continue improving and I imagine it won't be long until she gets the results she hopes for. 

My favorite moments from this weekend have absolutely nothing to do with riding. They were the moments I witnessed between classes that remind me we are in the absolute best place for my sweet girl. Maddy struggles to talk to almost anyone until she is pretty comfortable with them, but males have been harder than females most times. On Friday as Maddy and Lila were in the arena waiting on the second class, I looked across and saw her chatting and laughing with Alan, a volunteer and veteran rider. Maddy first met Alan in Tulsa, but didn't have much interaction with him. Friday was only the second time she had seen him! Alan has a gentle and kind spirit, and my sweet girl recognized that and felt safe to open up. On Saturday the wait for Showmanship results was pretty long. Maddy was in the arena with her teammates and I watched as her and two of her teammates were talking and laughing so hard they were doubled over at times. There were so many moments like this over the past two days and really the months that we have been a part of the Stable Strides Family. I am watching this amazing group break through the shyness and touch my girl and she is thriving and blossoming in ways I wasn't sure was possible. She feels loved. She feels comfortable. She feels safe. I am watching her anxiety melt away and be replaced by peace and joy. 

Maddy and Aiden

Maddy and a former teammate, Samantha

Maddy and Patrick

Maddy and Ana watching Chris do Showmanship

Waiting on awards

What a gift this barn has given us. They have shown us true friendship and support. They have given us camaraderie. They have reminded us of what it is like to have peace. They have brought fun and joy to every part of this journey from the time at the barn to the shows. They are healing our hearts.

We are so grateful for this place and this time.

Ali