Alex and Maddy

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Best Friends

Somewhere I read that this week is Best Friends Week. I am not sure if that is true, but for us it has been. We always feel blessed by the people in our lives, but this week has been a testament to the amazing friends we have. If I am being honest my emotions are raw this week. But everywhere I look I see the love surrounding us and I am so very grateful. (Disclaimer: we have strictly social distanced until this week, but we needed some hugs this week from our people. )

It started Monday with our sweet Ellie. Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time has seen countless pictures of Ellie and Alex through the years. They have known each other since they were very young, but their friendship grew in 5th grade and they have been the best of friends since then. Typically when we are going somewhere and Alex is allowed to bring someone it is Ellie who joins us on our adventures. I was so touched when Ellie reached out several weeks ago and asked if she could set up a Drive by party to celebrate Alex. Thank you to ALL of our friends who participated on Monday. It was magical to see Alex's face and hear his laughter as friend after friend from all walks of life drove by...27 in all. (the video we took is way too big to post)









Yesterday was a day I have been both looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Maddy's Kindergarten Graduation. It was a day that I knew would be special, but it also signifies the official end of our time at Building Blocks. Building Blocks has meant so much for so many reasons, but ultimately it comes down to the people and the love. When Maddy was 3, I wasn't sure if she would be able to go to school and I had never had the experience of sending one of my babies off to school before, but Building Blocks surrounded both Maddy and I and our whole family in love from day 1 and never let go. They have loved on Maddy when I couldn't be there, they have believed in her, they have supported us when times were tough, they have taught her so much and filled her with confidence. And then there is her Brookie Cookie. These two sweet girls chose each other day 1 and have been by each other side ever since. They have been the best of friends. From the beginning, when one is unsure they turn to the other and together they accomplish so much. From being scared to enter their classroom, to show and tell, to last night they stand together and build each other up with kindness and love. It is so hard to say goodbye, but I am SO Thankful for our three years.

Maddy Moo and Brookie Cookie

Maddy and Lincoln-"his princess"









Maddy and Mrs. Smith

Maddy and Kristin

Maddy and Mrs. Kimble

Maddy and Mrs. Wildemann
Ice cream to celebrate

Just like my kids, I have the best friends. As soon as my crew found out about Alex's surgery, several asked how they could help. And in the ensuing weeks even more have reached out. Several have set up a meal train to help us during this time. Any one who knows me, knows I HATE to ask for help, but a dear friend once told me I was taking away others joy being able to help so I had to allow it. So please know this is only for those who have asked...There are several ways to help us. 1. Meal train 2. I can order DoorDash and there is a Starbucks at the hospital. I drink A LOT of coffee when inpatient. Bruce may need someone to run to the store at some point if he runs out of something because Mad cannot go in stores right now due to her immune Deficiency. Most of All we need prayers for all of us over the next few weeks.

Thank you for loving us well through all our joys and struggles.

Ali

Meal Train Info:
Hey, This is the Meal Train for The Beckwith Family :


What is a meal train?
There are times in our lives when friends and family ask, "What can I do to help out?" The answer is usually to help them with a meal. When many friends give a meal, this is a Meal Train.

mealtrain.com is a free meal calendar tool that makes planning meals among a wide group easy and less stressful.


Monday, June 8, 2020

Happy 16th Birthday, Alex!







My Sweet boy-

How is it even possible that you are 16! I remember so clearly the day you were born and how lucky I felt to be your mom. I remember the cuddles and the smiles and the hours holding you, singing to you and thanking God for making me your mom. Your life has certainly not been what I thought it would be. Oh how I wish it was different for you and yet in some ways I don't. I think of all the amazing memories we have made over the past 16 years. I got to be your only teacher, to watch the excitement and wonder as you learned new skills.  I have been with you almost every hour of your life. We have formed an incredible bond that is born of shared experiences and struggles. We have always been a team, you and I. We have talked, we have yelled, we have cried and oh so often we have laughed. We are so much more than mother and son, we have become friends and trust each other implicitly. I have watched you persevere through impossible circumstances. I have watched your strength and your courage and your joy. I have watched you make an impact on all of those around you. And so my precious Bug, I still feel so incredibly lucky I get to be your mom. Thank you for making my dreams come true 16 years ago and for making me a better person every day. I love you more than you will ever know.

Mom

Monday, June 1, 2020

Surgery Update

This will be quick...Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us over the past few weeks. Your love means more than I can say. We have a date for Alex's surgery. It will be on June 11th. We will be inpatient a minimum of a week.
I will continue to update as we know more.

Ali