This past month has been a whirlwind! Busy doesn't even begin to describe it! But if I am being honest most of it is self imposed. Since my earliest memories, I have always been a "helper". I like to love on my people and it is important to me to give back to the people and organizations that have poured into our family. But if you know me, you know I don't do anything half way so I have a tendency to overextend and do more than I probably should. Bruce just shakes his head and reminds me I can say no, but he also understands that this is just me and I likely won't ever stop finding ways to give back.
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| Sweet Newman |
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| Family Time at the Movies |
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| TCU Football Game |
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| Barn Time |
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| DBU Soccer Game |
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| This boy is such a snuggle bug |
Most of the last month has been spent working on the Winter Strides gala for Stable Strides. I found myself in the role of Chairperson with two other amazing moms and we did everything in our power to raise money for the program we all love dearly. Maddy has grown and thrived so much over the 18 months we have been at Stable Strides. Anyone who knows her can see the change in her and the best way for me to show my gratitude was by trying to ease some of the financial strain that is inherent in any nonprofit, but even more so when using horses as your tool. The event was amazing and I am so glad we put on a fun event. My only regret is that I didn't get any pictures of Maddy because I was so busy. But if you had asked me a year ago if we could go to an event and I would barely see my child because she was having fun with her friends I wouldn't have believed it. But Stable Strides has brought us a social network that we love. Maddy has so many friends and trusts so many of the adults she doesn't need to be glued to my side!
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Trying to get Newman to paint
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| Maddy and Emerson |
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| Maddy, Me, Lyndsey, Laura |
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| Maddy and Lyndsey |
I am also pretty busy with my volunteer work at Cook Children's. I am the sole Parent representative on the Emotional Safety Steering Committee. I am really enjoying that work. Cook Children's is amazing in so many ways, but they do a better job than any hospital i have seen in truly practicing family centered care and recognizing that each patient is unique and so having the patient and family as partners in care is the most effective way to practice. I have also been the CLABSI HAC which works on Central Line Infection prevention and I have been asked to come back to the FAC as the Chair elect as they are needing some leadership on that committee.
Besides all of that the kids are living their best lives and I am their transportation, their nurse and their partner in crime. I wouldn't trade any of it. I am always aware of all of my friends who would give anything for the busyness of our days. And I never lose sight of the fact that I used to pray for days out of the hospital when my kids could enjoy some "normal" activities. Alex is set to graduate on time in May of 2027 with a BA in Psychology and a BA in History. He loves being a college student and having time with friends. He is such an amazing young man. he works hard, he keeps his faith at the center of everything he does and he is an incredible friend. He shows up for his friends when they need him and is patient and loving to everyone. Maddy is loving her new partner Newman and continues to improve in her horsemanship. She works hard and loves taking incredible care of her horses. She is also such a graceful dancer loves her two classes with Ms. Joli each week. She has a private lesson once a week and a class with some other Homeschooled girls a second day. I love to watch her being silly with her friends and chatting and laughing like a typical preteen girl.
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| Final Rehearsal |
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| Ms. Joli's Cottage School of Fine Arts |
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Maddy's Class Dance- Ryla, Esme, Nayeli, Maddy
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| Maddy as the Snow Princess |
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| Solo as the Snow Princess |
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| Joli is so Amazing with her students |
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| DBU Christmas Tree Lighting |
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| Alex and his friends at Activate |
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| Maddy and Lyndsey with Newman |
Medically Alex is doing really well. He has a lot of appointments over the next month as he tries not to miss classes for appointments. Dr. k is a bit concerned about some new symptoms so we do need to complete a test here over break and then a second test in Houston during the summer. For Maddy there isn't anything new, but some lingering issues that are definitely hard on her most days. We are continuing to try and find ways to support her body while still allowing her to do the things she loves. We had a VERY LONG appointment at Scottish Rite the first week of December as we move closer to her first knee surgery. While the appointment was long, Maddy and I felt better after meeting the team and talking through some of the concerns and coming up with a plan to keep her as stable as possible through the surgery and recovery.
I have several friends who are going through some really hard times right now. It has been a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and how important it is to live our days being kind and choosing joy!
Thank you for making our days better by being a part of our lives!
Ali
