Home Sweet Home

 We are home after our trip to visit Mimi. We enjoyed time together doing our favorite things and reminiscing about our traditions and time with PopPop creating memories.

On the 6th we took Maddy to a Tea Room.

On the 7th we hit the beach and played miniature golf

On the 8th we celebrated Alex's birthday with a dolphin cruise on the sea screamer, ice cream and a yummy dinner.

On the 9th it was back to the beach!

The 10th meant some horse time for Maddy and a quiet day for Alex.

The 11th meant another day at the beach.

Yesterday we drove go karts and played miniature golf before heading home!

This trip was exactly what we needed physically and emotionally. Time spent together laughing and creating memories and a bit of relaxation!

As this coming week marks the beginning of a new adventure, I would ask for some prayer requests. One for long awaited results and a treatment plan to get me feeling better. And most importantly for my sweet girl. As I touched on two weeks ago, Maddy is not a child who has loved and trusted easily. She has kept her circle very small, and it takes her time to build relationships. Having arguably the adult she trusted and loved most beside me, Bruce and my mom betray her and break the trust they had built over 3 years is a hard reality that she is facing. She was also taken away from a group she had learned to love and be comfortable with through no fault of her own. Please pray for her to make new connections as we join our new barn and to not let the actions of those who have hurt her impede her ability to build trust and relationships moving forward. This would be hard on anyone let alone a sweet, shy 10-year-old who is trying to find her way in an uncertain world. If you see Maddy over this next little bit, please do all you can to love on her and encourage her as she finds her way. I have reassured her that while many people in this world will disappoint and hurt us, we serve a loving God who works all things according to his plan and purpose and for our good. I am trusting that God's mercy and love will shine brightly through this transition, and we will have more opportunities to shine his light and glorify him as we move on.

Ali

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