Vacation and Prayer Requests

 The kids and I just returned from a really fun 10 days visiting Mimi and PopPop. This was a really special trip. As some of you know PopPop was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia several years ago and is declining pretty rapidly. He was recently placed on hospice and we wanted to enjoy some time with him and doing some of our favorite activities at the beach. We had more rain than we have ever had during our annual trip, but we were able to fit in everything we wanted to. Beach time, Minigolf, go-karts and time creating memories.

Once we were home we quickly jumped back into our normal, crazy life...Maddy and I were at the barn less than 5 hours after landing in Texas. You can only keep a girl away from her horses for so long! Alex is back to prepping to move to school as he has 5 weeks until he leaves and we are trying to fit in a bunch of medical appointments before he leaves!

We do have a few prayer requests... for Mimi and PopPop as they move through the next little bit, for Alex to have continued good health as he transitions to being on his own, for both kids to handle the separation well, and continued prayers for my health as we continue to figure out what is going on and how to get me back to feeling better.

I am so grateful for all the ways we are loved on and supported by our friends and family.

Ali

PS- If you would like to help Maddy and her teammates get to Tulsa for the NSBA World Show, please consider eating at Panda Express on July 7th and using code 915629 during checkout of an online order at any Panda Express Nationwide.

A Crazy Week

 The last four days have been CRAZY busy!

 It started in Thursday with a visit to the Disney Immersive Experience for Alex's Birthday. It was really fun and the kids enjoyed it quite a bit. 

Friday the kids continued celebrating Alex's birthday by going to see the new Transformers Movie in the theater. 

Saturday was Maddy's in house horse show. I posted about it on Facebook, but for those who aren't on Facebook this is what I shared. Yesterday was another amazing horse show at Poco Vista Ranch. If you looked strictly at results you could conclude that it wasn’t Maddy’s best show. But I would beg to differ. The unique thing about Horse Back Riding is that you are not judged solely on your performance. You are relying on a partner who weighs 1000 pounds to also do their best. Yesterday PD chose not to be the easiest horse. What I witnessed was the tiniest rider with a huge heart and a new found confidence who used every bit of her skill and determination to will her horse to cooperate. I am so proud of Maddy for never quitting and knowing that at the end of the day the color of your ribbon does not determine the level of success.

Yesterday was Maddy's dance recital. She has come so far. Since January she has been participating in tap as well as ballet. She is learning so much and really enjoying it. I love watching her confidence grow. I am so grateful to all the women who pour into her and remind her that she can do anything!

We are hoping for a quieter week this week before we head out to visit Mimi and PopPop!

Ali