Back in the Swing of Things

 After a totally crazy second half of our summer, we are settling into our "normal" routine. Maddy is absolutely thriving in her new school. She LOVES her two days on campus and always gets in the care to tell me her day was amazing. She is working hard and making friends and continuing to try and overcome her shy nature to speak up in class. She is doing an awesome job for me on her at home days. We continue to feel blessed to have found this hybrid set up that truly is the perfect blend for my girl. The rest of her days are filled with ballet and horseback riding. She is riding two new horses as well as her beloved Hunter and continues to improve and love every minute! We also are back to work training Hart. He is a good boy and Maddy loves him dearly. Alex is also doing really well. He is back in the swing of school finishing up his last few credits to graduate high school. He is very interested in forensics and criminal profiling. He is also back to church and continues to enjoy gaming. He has even talked about starting to horseback ride!

Medically...Alex is doing really well. We are in a really stable place currently and are enjoying being home more and in the hospital less! Maddy continues to have some struggles with lightheaded/dizzy spells as well as headaches and her joint pain. We are seeing several doctors over the next month to try and get some answers and treatment to help her. 

While in Montana, we had an incredible photographer "follow" us around and capture memories. We are so grateful to have these and be able to revisit our time at Flathead Lake Lodge. These are some of my favorites:

And here are some pictures of our last few weeks at home!

As we move through this week, please pray for continued health for Alex and answers for Maddy. 

Ali

If you would like to support Alex as we enter the home stretch of his fundraiser for this year, here is his link:  https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Alex-Beckwith

A really good week

 I love when we are in a period of everyone doing well and enjoying fun times making memories. There are so many periods that we struggle and desperately need prayer so I love when I can just update with happy good news! 

While Maddy and I started working on schoolwork the week before our big trip to Montana, this week was her first official day of school. Her school is a hybrid of a private, Christian school and homeschooling.  She attends school in person twice a week and is home completing work to turn in three days a week. She had an AMAZING first day and is excited to go back this week. She has a kind, loving teacher and 10 classmates (mostly girls) which is awesome for her academically, emotionally and health wise!

When you have a great first day, Mimi and PopPop come pick you up and take you ice cream!

Mia and Hart had vet appointments this week and we are happy to report they are completely back to normal!

The kids had appointments with our hematologist this week as well. He is really pleased with how they are doing. We came up with a plan for when Alex needs another iron infusion. And then we got on to important things like discussing Disney World.  He is going to space out their appointments since I can just get in touch if we need anything sooner!

Even though Maddy is all horse, all the time. Her first love was actually ballet. She still dances weekly and is quite a beautiful little ballerina. She loves her weekly girl time with Ms. Joli dancing, doing art and whatever other fun they come up with! Joli is such a kind, loving woman and we are so grateful for all the time and love she pours into our sweet girl!

Of course there was horseback riding. For those not on Facebook, maddy jumped on her horse for the first time! It was not really the plan. They were working on their jumping position or two point and trotting over poles. One pole was elevated. Maddy's horse is a former jumper and knew just what to do. Oops! She was a little scared, but really excited!

We finished out the week with two fun HopeKids events. This was our fourth Fairytale Ball. It is without a doubt, one of Maddy's very favorite events. The first three times we attended she dressed up as one of the princesses: Snow White, Rapunzel and Ariel. This year she decided just to wear a pretty dress. It is a fun night of being treated like royalty!

Then we finished off with a morning at our local water park. There were no lines, which was great because the kids don't last very long before they get really tired! Only one picture because we were too busy having fun!

Thank you for celebrating with us as we enjoy these fun times and for praying with us when things are a little harder.

Ali

PS- Both of my kids are currently raising money for causes important to them. If you feel called to give their links are below.

Maddy- Victory Therapy Center:https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/fundraise/10854/maddys-fundraiser-for-victory-therapy-center

Alex- Cook Children's Hospital/Extra Life: https://www.extra-life.org/participant/Alex-Beckwith