A New Year!

 Happy New Year!!!

As I spent some time reflecting on 2024, it was truly a mixed bag. The first half of the year was one of the hardest I have ever endured physically and emotionally. I experienced pain, loss, betrayal, sadness and self doubt, but I was reminded that God works all things for good and to fulfill a purpose. By the end of the year we had new friends, I had started a path to healing old hurts, we have been on adventures and have so much joy and peace that are once again the focus of our days.

My children never fail to amaze me, but they have grown so much this past year, and I have loved watching them be confident in trying new things and living their best lives. From the time I was a little girl my dream was always to be a mother and while motherhood has often not looked like I expected, I love being a mom and having an inside view to all the things my incredible kids conquer and the perseverance and joy they bring to every challenge. Their relationship is truly special. They love each other so well and through all of life's ups and downs they support and encourage each other so beautifully. And oh my gosh is there a lot of noise and laughter in my house when the two of them get going!

We loved having Mimi here for two weeks and spending Christmas remembering all the fun times we have had through the years. It is always hard to say goodbye, but the distance also helps us appreciate the time together so much more.

The kids and I have had a slew of appointments over the past month and are ready to have a break from doctor's appointments for a bit. We have tried to really enjoy these weeks that are a bit slower without school and some of our other regular activities. 

Alex is getting ready to start classes again at the end of this month. I cannot believe he is already in the second half of his second year! He continues to excel in school and has great relationships with his professors and friends. 

Maddy is gearing up for 4 horse shows between now and mid-March! She is loving riding sweet Quigly and finds time each day to give her Lila some snuggles!

Lila will always have a piece of Moo's heart!

Quigly is sweet and goofy and we love him so much!

Lila Snuggles

All in all, 2024 was a year of growth for all of us and the reminder that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. We are so happy for the journey and where we are now surrounded by love and laughter!

Ali

Lots to update

 The weeks always seem to fly by, but even more so when it is the holidays!!! I cannot believe we are almost to Christmas already! 

DBU Christmas Tree Lighting

Children's Choir singing during the Christmas Cantata

My sweet boy is home. He finished a really hard semester with flying colors. He continues to make almost all A's and B's in honors courses. And 18 credit hours is way too much! He is very much looking forward to a lighter semester in January! He is happy to be home and catching up on rest and relaxation. Other than me dragging him to a million doctor's appointments he has spent a lot of time with Maddy, me and Bruce just enjoying his days!

Ms. Maddy Moo has been busy with finishing school, her winter dance recital and lots of time at the barn working with Quigley as we prepare for 4 shows in January, February and March. After March we will have a break from show season and just focus on fundamentals until we gear up for all of our World Shows over the summer and fall. Maddy is thriving in every way. She is so happy at Stable Strides and loves every minute we spend with our horses and barn family. Both Mandy, Maddy's coach and Joli, her dance teacher are such kind, thoughtful women who offer her encouragement.  With these two positive influences we are seeing her grow in confidence and both at the barn and dance she shows her true personality is shining through. It is so fun to watch her feel comfortable to be her sweet, sassy self!

Mimi is here visiting for Christmas, and we have had so much fun...so much we have hardly taken any pictures! We are hoping to get some pictures over the next few days as we continue to make memories and enjoy this time together!

Mimi loved meeting Quigley and watching her girl ride!

There have been a ton of medical appointments this month...Alex is doing so well overall. We are just soaking up the miracle of this time. He has seen GI, Mito doctor, Immunology, Psychiatrist, and Endocrinology already and still has dentist, orthodontist and hematologist to go tomorrow! Overall, everyone is so happy with how he is doing, and we are not making any changes at this time. For Maddy Moo we have seen Cardiology, Mito specialist, and immunology. Cardiology is adding a medication. Mito specialist didn't make any changes. Immunology is wanting to repeat some labs as Maddy's immune labs do not look great. 

Dr P who my kids call their Puerto Rican Mother

Dr. K-our mito specialist

As for me, I am doing okay. The GI has ordered quite a bit more testing. Unfortunately, all the tests had quite a long wait, so all tests are in January, February and March. My thyroid labs are finally in range after months of increasing doses. And my hematology labs look a little better since my two iron infusions. We are still hoping to find a diagnosis so we can treat what is wrong and get me back to feeling better!

We hope everyone has a holiday season that is full of love and joy, and you create memories with friends and families!

Merry Christmas!

Ali

So Much to be Thankful For

 As I took the time to reflect this week on all the blessings in our life, I see so much to be thankful for.

Almost 20 years ago when we realized that Alex was facing some health challenges there were so many crushed dreams and so much fear about the future. And once again when Maddy was born, and for the second time we received devastating news no parent wants to hear. But while we have seen many hard days and scary times that is not what stands out to me. I see around me so many ways that God has worked in our lives. I see so many amazing friends and family who have walked with us through the hardest of times and celebrated with us as we experienced incredible joy. Through it all we have loved each other well and always tried to hold fast to our family motto of Choose Joy. 

There are so many reasons and ways I am proud of Alex and Maddy, but two stand above all others. The first would be their relationship and the way they love and support each other. Their relationship is so special and year after year I marvel at the ways they pour into each other. They are each other's very best friends and a constant source of comfort and encouragement. They laugh together, they cry together, and they understand each other in a way many never can. Watching their relationship is the greatest joy in my life and I am forever grateful I was chosen to be the mom to these two special children of God.

The second would be the way they set goals and go after their dreams despite any obstacle set before them. They have been given a really hard hand in life. They feel crappy almost every day, they both deal with chronic pain, and have bodies that betray them at every turn. And yet you would be hard pressed to ever hear them complain or make excuses. They just quietly put their heads down and push themselves to achieve more than they ever should. And almost always it is with a huge smile on their face and encouragement for those around them. Most people could not conceive what they deal with or the amount of intervention it requires to keep their bodies functioning. They are stuck with multiple needles each week for infusions and treatments, they both take countless doses of medication to keep their organs from shutting down, they have 12 and 15 specialists to monitor all the diagnoses. Their disease effects every moment of every day and yet most would never know. I watch them chase their dreams and accomplish more than I ever could have imagined. They inspire me on a daily basis, and I know they often inspire those around them. 

Alex has gone from hundreds of nights a year in the hospital to college student hoping to give back to other kids with chronic illness and pain.

Maddy has gone from struggling to meet any milestones to accomplished Equestrian.

And so, on this week of thanksgiving, I give thanks for the life I have been given where even the challenges remind me of my blessings and the beauty of unanswered prayers.

Ali