Happy 9th Birthday!

  Happy 9th Birthday, Maddy Moo!!!

My Precious Madelyn Paige-

I could have never imagined 9 years ago how much I would love you and how much joy you would bring to our family. You, my little pumpkin are absolutely amazing. You were not given an easy life and yet you meet every challenge set before you with strength and determination and courage. Pretty much nothing comes easy for you due to your physical limitations and your learning disabilities and yet you are the hardest worker I have ever met. Your perseverance has served you well and I watch you excel in all areas beyond what anyone could imagine. This past year has been one of my favorites with you. I have watched you grow in so many ways. You would still prefer to speak as little as possible, but you are learning how to use your voice when necessary. You continue to amaze me with your ability as a horseback rider. I have watched you grow in faith and turn to prayer when your are scared or unsure. You are kind and loving especially to those you allow in your closest circle. To those that you love we see a side often hidden behind your shy demeanor. A sense of humor, a quick laugh, lots of hugs and definitely some sass. You love your people and your animals fiercely and are quick to give hugs, kisses and I love yous. I am so grateful that God chose me to be your mom. It is one of my greatest joys. I love you baby girl! 

Not Possible!

Love,

Mom

Blessings Abound

 The last few weeks I have found myself looking around in amazement at the blessings in my life.  While our life will never be considered easy, we are in a really good spot.

The kids are relatively stable medically. Maddy is in an incredible school where she is surrounded by kind friends and teachers and Christian values that teach her to rely on God in all circumstances. Alex is on the cusp of college and is enjoying taking classes for fun and learning to take more responsibility for his medical care. Maddy and I have found our happy place at the new barn. It is so peaceful and beautiful. There is faith and love that underlie everything. I find myself so thankful for the most amazing friends who laugh with me in joy and love me through the hard times. I remember so many times over the past 18 years where the kids health was precarious and I felt isolated and alone. While those days strengthened our faith and made us stronger, I am so grateful now to be able to feel a little less scared and alone. How incredible to have the perspective of how far we have come!

Enjoy some pictures from our past few weeks!

Maddy riding Piper

Always fear a sassy red head!

Leading PD

Practicing Showmanship

Alex at a speaking engagement for Extra Life

Showmanship

Maddy and her best girl, PD

I ask for prayers for continued health for the kids and pain relief for me as I struggle with pain and inflammation from an autoimmune condition. 

Thank you for walking beside us in joy and in hard times and reminding us that we never walk alone.

Ali

PS- We got a late start on Alex's fundraiser for Extra Life this year. He is still hoping to raise as much as possible for Cook Children's. If you would like to support him, Please click here!

Back at it

 I want to update a bit more on our new journeys with the kids and I also owe a medical update. 

Alex has officially applied to TCU. We are so excited for this adventure and where it might lead. For so many years going to college and living the true college experience seemed impossible. And now it is right on the horizon. We are trying to truly enjoy this journey and soak up every minute. But I'm not going to lie and say it is easy. He really wants to go to TCU and feels like the school is a perfect fit for him. We are praying not only that he is accepted, but also that we get the financial aid necessary to make this a reality. We are trusting that God can and will move mountains for Alex so he can continue to change the world!

As for my Maddy Moo...we have been at our new barn for about 3 weeks and it has truly been amazing. The owners have welcomed us with open arms and we are now surrounded by so much faith and love. Maddy is still trying to get her confidence back as far as riding after her broken foot and the change, but we are seeing her come out of her shell and talk more around the barn. She is loving the laid back, stress free time and being able to participate in more of the care of her horse. Yesterday she had the opportunity to compete in a small show at the barn and everyone was so kind and loving to her.

We also had the opportunity to attend one of our very favorite HopeKids events. We have attended every Fairytale Ball since the beginning and it is one of Maddy's favorite nights of the year! Looking back it is hard to believe how much she has changed since the first few when she wore princess dresses!

Medically speaking...Alex continues to do well. It has been awesome to see him taking more ownership and handle more on his own. He is able to complete almost all care independently at this point and he has handled a few doctors appointments on his own.  I could not be more proud of him. Maddy still has some nagging issues, but we continue to try and get to the bottom of them. She continues to have multiple lightheaded/dizzy spells a day. She also had a bone density scan that showed low bone density so we have added a new endocrinologist to follow that as well as her thyroid levels which continue to be off. I am also experiencing some health issues that we are trying to get under control.

I would ask for your prayers for Alex's college journey, for Maddy's continued health challenges and for me to find a relief from pain and get some much needed sleep.

Ali