Friends

Both of my kiddos have my outgoing personality. We all thrive on being with friends and having time with "our" people. Unfortunately our circumstances sometimes hold us back from all of the social time we wish we could have!

The last three weeks of Summer Theater Workshop has been so incredible for Alex. The first week was really rough physically and we questioned whether we would even make it through. But the second week and this week were not as physically demanding and I have watched Alex have the time of his life. He has loved every moment acting, singing and dancing, but more importantly, spending time with friends new and old. He has left each day with a huge smile on his face and lots of stories to tell. I am so happy we decided to give this a try and we can't wait till next Summer to do it again!

Brooke, Ellie, and Alex

Alex and Maddie

Alex and Ellie

Alex, Lane and Ellie

Ellie, Quinn, Alex, Lane and Brooke

Ellie, Alex, Maddie and Brooke

Security Guard, Alex escorting Buddy off

"Sparkle Jolly"

Maddy hasn't felt great the past week, but we were able to sneak in one pool day with Katie and Wyatt! We are hoping this week she will perk up a little bit! 

This next week we have quite a few doctor's appointments. Hopefully, we have good updates all around!

Ali

Being a Mom is hard!

Once again this week I don't have a lot to "report" because our week has been spent at the church preparing for Elf Jr! Volunteering this week gave me a lot of time to watch some amazing kids and reflect on my two and mothering in general.

So often I am so incredibly hard on myself and the job I am doing as a mother. (I am pretty sure all Mom's do this!)I know I don't stop what I am doing and just "play" enough. I lose my patience more often then I would like to admit. I am tired and cranky at the end of the day, etc, etc, etc. But as I watched Alex this week push himself through being exhausted and not feeling well, I was so incredibly proud (as I often am) of the way he conducted himself. As I picked Maddy up each day from the nursery, exhausted, but smiling...I realized...My kids both choose joy on a daily basis. They are kind to others. They are polite. They are helpful.

 So I may not be doing this Mom thing perfectly, but if I can continue to raise two kids who are good kids and who can find the positive in every situation then I am doing okay!

Love Done Well

As I sat thinking about our week and what I wanted to Blog, I kept coming back to Keller UMC. Our week has revolved around the church. Alex is participating in their Summer Theater Workshop. It consists of two and a half weeks of rehearsals and then three shows. But this story really starts 13 years ago...

It begins with a director of Children's Ministries who has loved this boy since he had white blond hair and big blue eyes and could talk for hours. Who continues to make sure he is included no matter what.

It is about a first Sunday School Teacher who took that little boy under her wings and kept him safe. Who made sure my Mama's heart knew he would be okay. Who still sends us messages of love from another state.

It is about the number of times they have changed snacks or activities so Alex could be included.

It is about the hundreds of times I didn't pre-register and showed up at the last minute knowing we would be welcomed with open arms.

It is about the friends who love Alex exactly as he is and make him happy to be around. Who catch him up on what he has missed and make him laugh and love going to church.

It is about pastors who offer to help when you need someone to sit with your child in the hospital.

It is about directors who say, "It is okay of he can't make it to rehearsal everyday. Just let him come when he feels well enough and we will make sure he knows what he needs to."

It is about the thousands of times prayers have been offered, accommodations made, love offered so a boy would know he is loved and accepted EXACTLY as he is.