One foot in front of the other

 One foot in front of the other as we make our way through these last weeks of school before summer! We are trekking along with our busy schedule as many of our activities are close to wrapping up for the summer. 

Alex continues to love learning and soaking up the last weeks living with his best friends at school. The calls and texts are less and less and his trips home fewer and shorter and I am loving every bit of it! Alex has made amazing friends and thrown himself fully into living college life. He loves learning, connecting with professors and other students and discussing philosophy and diving deep on topics not to mention spending time with his friends. It has truly been amazing to watch him find his way and to see the miracles God has worked in his life to get him to this day. 

Alex with some of his housemates

Maddy has had a great few weeks. She is thriving at the barn and smiling her way through every lesson. All of her hard work over the past year with PD is starting to pay dividends as PD is respecting her as the leader of their partnership more and more. She continues to improve in her handling and understanding as an equestrian and it is really fun to watch. She is also LOVING dance and art. She is in a semiprivate lesson with one other young, homeschooled girl and they enjoy their time immensely. Maddy is a few years older, and dance is one of the few areas where we have seen her take a bit of a leadership role. Ms. Joli has such a gift for loving her students and meeting them right where they are. Because of Joli and the environment Maddy's true personality shines at dance as it does few other places. 

Maddy and Ryla

I am healing well from my Thyroid surgery. Unfortunately, at this point the half of my thyroid left has not picked up the slack so I may need medication to keep my levels safe. I am unsure at this point whether we will start medication or give my body more time. My difficulty swallowing is already much improved and should continue to get better as the swelling subsides. We are still trying to figure out what is causing the severe GI pain that I have. I am in pain all the time and it goes to a horrible level if I eat or drink anything along with nausea.  We are waiting on results from an MRA of the abdomen that I had on Thursday. They have also ordered an MRI of the brain to be sure that we are not missing a neurologic disorder that is causing the GI symptoms. Since the beginning my Rheumatologist has thought this could be Crohn's disease as I have a gene and another autoimmune disease that are closely linked to Crohn's. Up until now, my GI did not think that was likely and did not want to order testing that could help us rule it in or out. However, this week he suggested the test my rheumatologist has been wanting so hopefully we can get that done and find some answers. I am having multiple tests and appointments each week now as my weight is at a dangerous level and all of my doctors are concerned about the effects of malnutrition and dehydration on my organs. 

Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, provided meals and prayed for me and the family. I would ask continued prayers for answers and healing. I am grateful for all the people God has brought into our life to remind us we are loved during the hard times and to celebrate our joys with us during the good times. Our lives are better because of the friends and family who walk beside us.

Ali