A Whirlwind and Prayer Requests

 I cannot believe it is Thanksgiving Week! I have seen a meme a number of times that said being an adult is believing that things will slow down soon...over and over again. I have never seen a more true statement. 

In true fashion the past few weeks have been crazy!

Alex has been really busy with school. His first semester has been really good, and I can't believe he is a few weeks from completing it! For the most part he has LOVED his first semester. He has one professor who has been difficult since the first day and short of her I would say it has been pretty close to perfect and everything we hoped and dreamed and prayed for! He has grown so much in these first few months. I cannot fathom having never been in a classroom and sitting in a college level course and trying to learn what others have practiced for 13 years! And he is doing it all in the Honors program and with extra requirements from his housing program. He is finding his way and his professors (besides the one) and classmates have been so good at helping him find his footing. He has made amazing, kind friends and has grown in his faith. He initially was annoyed about having to go to chapel three times a week, but it has become his favorite time of the week. He has chapel right after his class with his difficult professor and he has told me he enters chapel so stressed and after a few minutes in chapel he can feel the stress fade away. He has registered for the spring semester. This past weekend was Homecoming and he was chosen by his housemates to ride on the Stone House float in the parade. All in all, he is thriving! But I won't lie he is ready to come home for Christmas and have a few weeks without homework and papers!

Alex in front of the float

Alex and Skip (The Ford Village chef and one of Alex's favorite people)

As for my Maddy Moo, life is always crazy for her! This child keeps me on my toes with her schedule! This has been such a fun time as she is growing up and we spend so much time enjoying our chats and laughs. Maddy continues to work hard in school and despite multiple challenges is a good student. She still dreads any assignment where she has to speak in front of the class but pushes through and is a straight A student. Trinity Prep is the perfect school for her, and she has loving, kind friends and teachers. 

The girls from Maddy's class

The "Triplets" because they are ALWAYS together!

Because Mad's birthday fell the same week of Appaloosa Worlds we postponed her party until this week. She decided she wanted a VERY small party with just a handful of school friends. I asked Joli (Maddy's beloved art and dance teacher) if she would want to do a little party for her. Maddy has told me it was by far her favorite party. She always does best in one on one or small group situations, and this was no different. I loved watching her and her friends laugh and play and enjoy time together!  What could be better than painting, ice cream and acting/dancing with your best friends and fun teacher!

Maddy has continued to have a bit of a rough time medically. We have had quite a few appointments and continue to try and figure out exactly what is going on and how best to help her. Appointments aren't easy when hard things are going on because anxiety is heightened. Maddy had a dentist appointment a few weeks ago and the decision was made that we needed to "help" with some baby teeth that just don't want to fall out. Last week we visited with a pediatric dentist that has the ability to do sedation in his office. We are still not sure if we can go this route. They are a bit concerned about her medical history. The dentist and anesthesiologists are discussing if this can safely be done at the office or if we need to have it done in a hospital setting. Today we have a second visit to the orthodontist to determine when is the right time for braces. Then we will head to Cook Children's for some testing to try and determine the cause of the daily dizziness and lightheadness and fatigue. Maddy continues to be her happiest at the barn. Her connection with her people and horses there is like no other. I love to watch her be "herself" and to watch the care she gives the horses and how they respond to her. PD is still out with an injury so she continues to ride Cooper. She is learning so much with Coop as he is very different. It is so fun as a mom to watch her work hard and do things that used to seem impossible. And little by little we are seeing tiny bits of confidence peak through. If that isn't an answer to prayer, I'm not sure what is!

As we enter into this week of Thanksgiving, I am so incredibly grateful for the friends and family who continue to walk this crazy life with us. The greatest blessing as a mom is to know that your kids are well loved. I cannot say thank you enough to the friends and the mentors who have spent so much time, energy, and love pouring into my children. They always say it takes a village and while that is true of all children, I believe it is heightened when you are dealing with special kids. I watch my kids thriving and growing and I know it is because of the special people God has placed in our lives to walk alongside us. May you all look around you this Thanksgiving and see the blessings that surround you and know you are loved exactly as you are.

Ali