Joyful Living

 For years, I have vowed to let my kids LIVE! Many of you have heard me say that there is no point in fighting so hard to keep my kids alive if I don't let them live! But boy have they tested me this week! It is times like this that I remind myself that ultimately these kids aren't mine. They are God's and while he blessed me with being their earthly mother, they are his. I always strive to be the best mother I can and to teach them to be kind, faithful and loving and to always lean on God when life gets hard. Somedays I have to remind myself of the same.

I will start with my best boy, Alex! Oh what a joy it is to watch this stage of his life. I would imagine it is special for every parent to watch this stage of life for their kids, but when you never thought college and independent living was possible it takes on a different meaning. This week is Spring break and Alex is off traveling again. He is on a Civil Rights trip studying Civil Rights and Christianity. He has already been to Little Rock, Arkansas, Memphis Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. Today and tomorrow they will be in Montgomery, Alabama and they will finish up in Jackson, Mississippi. These trips are the culmination of years of me preparing Alex to take care of himself and while it is stressful for me, it is also exactly what I hoped and prayed for. Don't ask me how many times I went through the list of supplies with him to make sure he had everything medically he would need, but he did! And I am once again grateful to DBU for working with us to allow Alex to participate when it would be easier to not take on the responsibility of a medically fragile student. The Global Studies Department has been incredible to work with and have been instrumental in me feeling comfortable to take this step. 

Letting me know he made it to the bus at 5:30 AM on Friday!

Central High School Little Rock

Beale Street, Memphis

National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis

I love to see this BIG Smile and him looking good!

He is the youngest on this trip. It is mostly Grad students and 4 working on their PhD's.

Worship this morning

Alex's text following church!
I love to see God working in and through him.

While Alex is living his best life, Maddy and I are doing the same. We are loving homeschooling and I feel certain that we made the right decision. I feel like we are both more relaxed and breathing a little easier. She has been extremely cooperative and we are figuring out what works and what doesn't work. We are loving the flexibility both in curriculum and schedule. This girl keeps me on my toes and running. She is dancing two days a week, doing church choir and three days at the barn along with all of our school and doctors appointments. I am exhausted, but in a good way. Maddy and I are loving our time together right now. We continue to be so happy at our "new" barn. We have made so many friends and we love all the laughter and camaraderie that entails. We truly feel like we have found our place and our people. What a blessing! Maddy did take her turn worrying her mom this week as she had her first "real" fall at the barn. While it was scary she is fine and amazed me with her courage as she often does. Once we were sure she was okay she chose to get back on Quigley and even jumped before calling it a day. If you had told me a year ago the change I would see in my anxious little girl I wouldn't have believed it. The environment at Stable Strides and the connection she has forged with Mandy have completely changed her! I am not even sure I would call her timid or anxious anymore. Twice this week we watched her push through hard situations and come out smiling. Her determination and bravery are on display each day and it is so amazing to witness. I cannot say thank you enough to Mandy, her daughters and the entire barn family not to mention Lila and Quigley for truly transforming Maddy into the incredible girl I see before me today not to mention what a true Equestrian she has become. 

Maddy rode her best girl, Lila last week!

This goofball makes us smile all the time!

He really is a gentle giant!

Always love for her Lila Bean!

Next week I am hoping to have a medical update on myself as I have multiple tests and appointments over the next 10 days. Thank you for always walking beside us as we try to always CHOOSE JOY and TRULY LIVE! As you pray for our family please pray for the kids health and safety and for this Mama's heart as it isn't always easy to be a mom to these special kids!

Ali