Happy 20th Birthday!

 Twenty? Twenty? How is that even possible. What a life you have lived in 20 years!

To my sweet Bug-

Oh what a gift this year has been. My sweet boy after so many years of illness, heartache and hardship, this year I got to watch you live your best life and enjoy every moment. Watching you this year has been an answer to so many prayers spoken and unspoken. You have heard me talk about my time in college and all the fun I had and the friends I made, but we never believed that was a possibility for you. I have watched as you gained the independence you never had, made the most incredible friends, were loved and appreciated by professors and staff and did what you do best and inspired those whose lives you touched. I have watched you find your passions, appreciate your faith in a new way and be a good friend and student. For so many years we lived day to day, hour to hour praying for a little more time with you on this earth. This year I witnessed you dream about the future and truly believe it may be possible. And through it all you continued to find a way to encourage and love your sister and you were a huge support to me as I navigated my own heath issues. My precious son this hurting world desperately needs what you can offer. Your warmth, your kindness, your humor and your infectious joy make this world and those around you better. I pray you continue to be you, to lean into your faith and walk through life with your incredible strength and unflappable self confidence. You are my best gift and my greatest accomplishment. You are the one who made me a mother and has taught me more than anyone. I love you more than words could ever say. 

Mom

PS- You're my favorite boy!

Great start to trip

 We arrived at my Mom's on Sunday to start our annual beach trip. We always enjoy our time here!

Maddy and I have had multiple conversations with the new barn and she is SO excited to get home and get started. We have discussed a possible horse for her to lease and we have set goals and discussed lessons and shows. Her new coach has been so kind and gracious answering all our questions and understanding the excitement of a horse loving 10 year old. We will start riding the day after we get home. I continue to be so impressed with Maddy and the way she has handled this hard transition. 

Maddy's reaction to one of the potential horses she can lease!

I finally received results from my blood test. Praise God there is no cancer signal detected. It does not totally rule out cancer as it only screens for certain kinds, but that along with all the other testing I have had makes it seem highly unlikely that is what we are dealing with. I have the camera endoscopy rescheduled for when we get home. More and more it seems like this is most likely Crohn's Disease which some of my doctors have been thinking for a long time. Praying for clear results and treatment soon!!!

Thank you for all that have prayed for us through this time. This is a lot to have going on all at once. It has been amazing to see my kids continue to handle disappointment and trials with so much faith and determination to continue choosing joy. I am so blessed by the many friends and family who continue to uplift and encourage us and let us know we are not alone. 

Ali

Beautiful Dancer

 My graceful ballerina had her recital today. She has now been dancing with Ms. Joli for almost 4 years. Joli's kindness, devotion to focusing on each dancers' abilities and her desire to bring out confidence and creativity makes her students shine. Maddy has thrived during her time with Joli. Her very first recital in December of 2020 she danced with tears streaming down her face and a quivering lip. Today she was excited to perform and not nervous. That is a testament to the environment that Joli has created and the way all of her students know they are loved. At the end of each show, they sing and sign The Blessing Song. It is the epitome of this program and one more way that Joli pours into her dancers. 

The Blessing Song

May God give you eyes to see

All that is good, all that is good

The courage for anything

May you be strong, may you be strong

May God give you ears to hear

His loving voice, his loving voice

Speaking all around you, all around 

He is love.

Maddy and Ms. Joli

Maddy and Ryla

Maddy and Ryla

Maddy and Becca

Maddy and Becca

In a cruel twist of fate, I was not able to complete my testing yesterday as the center was without power and internet due to storms and had no way to start the camera to capture the images of my GI tract. It is now scheduled mid June. I expect to hear the results of my blood test this week.

Please pray for a fun and relaxing time as the kids and I head to SC tomorrow to visit Mimi for our annual trip!

Ali