Dear Friends & Family, December 14, 2014
As you read this we’re in Disney World, making some magical memories on Oliver’s Make-A-Wish Trip. Six days of fun and laughter for a little boy who has endured so much in the past 4 ½ years. We can’t wait to see his dance of joy as he experiences the rides and characters. What a HUGE gift to have this week of good times; no needles, procedures or surgery rooms on this trip. Even though he can’t really talk, we get to see him pump his fists in the air with delight and do his little happy dance...what a joyful life moment!
Haley, our niece, who is still living with us is also with us in Disney. She is happily enrolled in cosmetology school, so there is much talk in our home of all things hair and make-up. She adores Oliver, and it makes our hearts melt to watch them together. She shares the upstairs with our former housemate Stephanie Schneider, who has moved back with us in anticipation of her wedding in February. They help us in so many ways, and we love and appreciate having them sharing our very full house.
In April, Oliver got his long awaited first dose of CBD Oil, (the FDA Approved 100% legal medical marijuana for epilepsy). It totally stopped one kind of his seizures (Complex Partial) that had been interrupting his brain activity almost every minute. It has greatly enhanced his quality of life, and although it didn’t give him seizure freedom, it did give him back some desperately needed cognitive function. The trips to Boston (13 or so) but who’s counting (?!)...were grueling. We often did them with Oliver in less than 24 hours. Despite the difficulties, the exhaustion, and the expense, it has been worth it. We thank God that Oliver gets to be one of the first few kids in the world to try this medication.
This year Oliver also began kindergarten. He has an outstanding teacher and “one-on-one” aide who love him and keep him safe through the day, and excitedly report every little “inch-stone” of his progress. We thank God again for this transition being so smooth, knowing that many have not had that blessing.
In September we took 10 friends with us to Bald Head Island to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We didn’t know when we said those vows all those years ago just how much we’d be tested, but we meant what we said... We’ve certainly made it through some dark places and came out better and stronger because of it.
Andrew continues to work in the film industry on “Under The Dome”, “Secrets & Lies” and “Sleepy Hollow”, as well as continuing photography and behind the scenes work with LPG.
Stephanie continues to lead our real estate company, Lanier Property Group. We’ve had a really good year and she still claims Mondays are her favorite day. The best part has been sharing all this with our incredible team. We’ve loved meeting our new clients and spending time with our old ones, sharing in their big life moment of buying or selling real estate.
Finally, it really has been a time of breathtaking generosity for us both personally and professionally. We have had many mentors come into our lives, and their hard won wisdom is a priceless gift to us. Their generosity has been profound, for we can never truly repay them in kind. You know who you are, and we love you.
Christmas is all about a gift that also cannot be repaid. We pray that someone generous and wise will introduce you to worlds you didn’t know existed, will cheer for you when you feel exhausted, and will keep pointing you to the One who holds all things together.
With Love,
Andrew, Steph, and Ollie
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