Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas!  Hope you’ve had a great holiday break so far!  (No school/work/alarms, ha!)

We have been traveling for Christmas this year.  We had planned on going to Disneyland three years ago, and then I was miraculously pregnant after five losses.  We stayed home to prevent any blood clots or problems, and we have a sweet little two-and-a-half year old to show for our sacrifice, ha!  ..But we never lost that desire to travel at such a magical time of year. : )

Last week, we planned a fun helium-balloon filled scavenger hunt filled with clues for the kids.  (We wanted a little build up for the trip!) (Plus my kids love a good scavenger hunt!)  They figured it out, and we spent two days packing and preparing.

It takes us about two days driving each way, and boy…  are we super glad when we reach our destination!  Let’s just say the first 8 hours either way are the worst.  By the second day, they are all adjusted and settled in to a cramped, van existence. : )  Only difference?  The luggage was sooo full going down..and now we have room!  That extra stuff is all over the van now, ha!  Post-Christmas, love!

We were headed to Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day (I wanted to see Cinderella’s Castle!  Selfish?  Nah.)..but it was so busy, they had signs up that said FULL.  We were diverted. : (  We decided on Hollywood Studios since we love a good Tower of Terror dropping our tummies out from under us, or a Rockin’ Roller Coaster..or even playing in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids H.U.G.E. playground!  Sissy and I had cinnamon pecans (the smell lured us in..) and watched the Jedi training too while the boys climbed and played. : )  Those jedi younglings were so cute!

We also went to Christmas Mass at St. Mary’s of the Universe in Orlando.  It’s such a beautiful church.  We lit candles for a friend and his mom who is battling cancer, new drugs, and lots of confusion.  We are asking Mary to pray for both of them especially right now.

The next day we went to the (Florida Mall and the) American Girl store in Orlando, bought some of the sale Isabella (Girl of the Year 2014) stuff (yay!), and shopped a little there and at the outlets.  The weather for Saturday (Ethan’s birthday!) is HOT again, so we shopped for shorts and short-sleeved clothes!!

Then Ethan’s EIGHTH birthday!  Legoland!!  Ethan was sooo excited!  It really was a great day.  I think because we made the effort to get up early, we were there not long after they opened (this park fills up quickly and shut the gates too!).  We also had the kids check out the map and star the things they each wanted to do the MOST.  We did those FIRST!  They went to Driving School and got their licenses, then to Flight School, the Project X roller coaster, The Dragon roller coaster, played in a huge park, participated in a Build/Design Contest, and went up in the Island in the Sky.  We were sooo high, circling around looking over the park (I have to tell you..I got scared/sick as we reached the top/came down).  I get that “we’re-going-to –fall-and-die!” feeling!

Today we are on our way home.  We are nearing the break-in point..but not quite yet. Still some yelling/struggling/baby peeing in bottles going on, haha!  We must work harder to synchronize our bladders, yo.

Here are some pictures of the excitement thus far:

I’m praying for my family to have a conversion of heart as we celebrate the sixth day of Christmas today.  We all need to continue to bask in Christ’s glow and the joy in His coming..I could definitely use some shining up, and my family needs a little too.  I pray God m.o.v.e.s in my children.  That they remember the reason for the season.  We can teach and talk and show, but sometimes we have to leave it to the Holy Spirit to step in where we fall short.  (which is a lot obviously)  : )

** I might mention we will never go to Disney again for Christmas.  It was crazy busy all over town (not just being blocked from the Disney pinnacle of Christmas craftiness and decor!), traffic was backed up  every day, sometimes for HOURS.  It’s fun, but taxing.  We’ll be celebrating from the cozy comfort of our home next year, for sure! **

Praying you have a season of pure JOY at your house this holiday season!

Hugs, y’all!

 

Bolusing: Chocolate Effect

Yesterday was my oldest sweetie's FOURTEENTH birthday!  He's been through a lot in his short life.  Four pounds, thirteen ounces and 18 inches to over 5'3' and 106 pounds.  Whew.  Over a year with diabetes..and every year it gets harder (especially when he wants cheesecake for dessert!).  It's totally worth every minute, and I love him so much.  I hate diabetes, and don't spend too much time writing about it..since I don't like to give it a minute more than it deserves.  But we can talk about chocolate, no?  Yum!

I don't know about you, but when we bolus (give insulin) for chocolate (even pure bars, no nuts), I have to multiply printed carbs x 1.5, then give a dual wave bolus (on the pump).  So, today his cheesecake said it was 33 grams (big fat HA!), I bolused him for 50 grams.  His bolus ratio is correct with other foods, so I've isolated it to just chocolate for both him AND his sister.  Chocolate is yummy..but it keeps coming back to bite you.  You just can't trust it.

So, I delivered a dual wave bolus for 50 grams, about 66% normal and about 34% over 4 hours.  (Have you ever checked your child/yourself an hour after eating to find you are perfect..but four hours later over 300?  We call that the Chocolate Effect.)  We'll check him in four hours to see how we did. : )

We do the same with chocolate chip cookies (anything with chocolate chips), chocolate fudge, Hershey's kisses (ANY pure chocolate candy/bar, nuts or not), brownies, chocolate pie, etc.  I have found that Oreos do not need increased insulin.  Huh.  Can't explain it.

BTW, we bolus other desserts (like chocolate chip cookies, fudge, candy bars) with a dual wave bolus.  We deliver 60-70% right away, and 30-40% over 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much fat/protein is in the food.  (Do you know there is PROTEIN in chocolate?  yep, so you need more, haha!)  Then we pray and keep an eye on them hourly for at least three hours.  This is why we don't have rich desserts at night when we are super tired, ha!  ..We parents have to look at each other and agree to allow it if they want something rich after 8ish..it'll mean a (minimum) 1am night!

Do you know that if your child stays high during the (minimum) 8 hours they sleep, not only do they build up ketones, but their a1c will increase dramatically?!  It's like letting them go high for an eight hour stretch in the day.  You wouldn't dare do it then.  So..by staying on guard that extended time early on in their sleep (11pm to 2am), you protect that long stretch of time.  Therefore lowering a1c.  We all win, Hooray!  (..More protein-filled chocolate Reese's bells tomorrow!) (and of course, I order four bags at a time..is that not normal?)

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!    Psalm 119: 103

Robots, Diabetes, and Doctors

Goodness, we've done so much in the last month.  Baby showers, Lego Robotics qualifier, my baby is potty trained, had our first snowfall, and has it been longer than Halloween?  Eek!  I made a couple costumes! ; )

old shoes...get transformed into..

New Shoes!  Super Girl styled with red shoes laces. : )  (We totally just painted them with craft paint!)

He chose to be Greg Hefley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid for his school Book Character Parade.

This puppy is a keeper.

The kids all split up on Halloween.  Peyton and Clay took Carter trick-or-treating, and Mary Claire had some friends over..and they went out alone!  Ches took Ethan out in the neighborhood while I answered the door. : )

Veronica's beautiful shower, and her daughter, Isabella, absolutely adores her mommy..and she's so excited to have a baby sister!!

Just my cutie.

Finding all kinds of pictures to share.  I'll need them one day to remind me what I did all day every day.  Ha!  I'm currently making wreaths for the front doors, just until Thanksgiving.  I want real boxwood wreaths for Christmas..so I'd better get a move-on, or these will be useless.

Deciding between the two sizes of monograms..bigger is almost always better, right?

Painting this was no picnic.

Clay made it into Symphonic band, which is the top band!  I'm always shocked at my kids' ability to play all those fascinating notes.  Really.  I totally loved percussion since I could just work on rhythms instead of notes.  Mary Claire is sounding really beautiful too (she plays flute).  I'm impressed the way the band directors can coax such beautiful music out of first year students.  They are certainly working in their spiritual gifts.  


Ethan went back to the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor last week.  His hearing is way below normal, and he'll have surgery for his t-h-i-r-d set of tubes, this time with
tympanostomy tubes (they have a T-shaped backing that is more sturdy and holds them in longer than pressure equalizing tubes, but essentially do the same thing).  They should last more like 3-4 years.  He is having an awful time hearing.  He turns his head at a sharp angle, and turns his good ear toward you just to hear.  His school work is better since I explained to his teacher.  Now she looks at him, speaks close to him, and gets his attention first.  I know it's hard on everyone else, not just him.  We're praying it goes well, safely, and cures the hearing loss.

Carter is potty trained, and I'm so proud of him.  He's so smart, really.  Do I say this about all my kids?  Ha, probably.  He just speaks so clearly, and reasons well.  And his manners are so good.  Maybe I'm just in love with my last baby.  In that case, just ignore me. ; )

Went number two in the potty chair..a big deal! : )

We've all been sick for the past month, two pneumonias, two cases of bronchitis, and I'm pretty sure we had two cases of flu.  I'm trying super hard to feed everyone well, give them vitamins, and make sure they get rest.  We all need to build our immune systems back up!

Mary Claire's Lego Robotics team just competed in the local qualifier, and they have made it to state!  I've started helping with the team and going to all the meetings, so it's been a big family commitment.  Ches has had to step up and take all the boys during all the meetings (two a week now).  Maybe that's why my wreaths aren't done, ha!  The team has been working so hard on their presentation, robot missions, and a video.  They get kinda tired of it sometimes, but they love to hang out together!  I love their faith.  Mary Claire is just sure they can win at the state competition, but only one team moves on.  I can't dare speak against her faith, who knows what could happen. : )  Sweet girl.

Checking schedule..

Rick's Bakery cookie animals to sugar them up!

Judges are giving them the results/points earned on the last round.

They qualified for state, scored fifth overall, and first in the Nutty Professor tournament! : )

Clay has been saving and working to earn money.  His latest thing is an Xploderz gun.  It shoots these little water bullets.  I don't even know how to describe them better.  They are teensy tiny pellets (like the head of a pin)..and you soak them in water to make them bigger (almost a small marble size).  Then..shoot them.  They don't really break on the target, but apparently they slowly dehydrate?  The water soaks into the ground..or your plants, depending on where they shoot them!  Def. interesting.

Last, but not least, we hosted the girl scouts at our house for a badge on New Cuisines.  We tried a new food (fried plantains), a recipe from the past (fizzy drinks with fruit), a recipe from our region (biscuits with chocolate gravy from Arkansas), and modified a recipe (exchanged oil and eggs for bananas and applesauce in a brownie recipe).  Obviously they girls got to vote on their choices, and so we had a lot of sweets..it was almost a tea party!  But..YUM!!

I am always exhausted at the end of each day.  But somehow, I still wish I could do more.  Sometimes I still feel like I fail in so many areas.  Do you ever feel that way?  Diabetes has been hard lately..and with the kids bigger, they go through the insulin in their pump reservoirs and have to be changed so often.  I did complain a couple nights ago (after 1 am!) that I wished someone else would learn to change sites.  It's hard having to do it all.  I didn't even want to do it, but the fear of the high number by morning pushed me out of bed.

The kids are playing the lets-pretend-I-checked-my-blood game.  They give me a nearly perfect number, and I ask to see the meter.  They disappear, hope I'll forget, then really check their blood.  It's so fun.

Some of the JDRF moms and I went to the NWA Boutique Show last weekend, and it was so fun.  It really helps to be friends with these great women who get it.  Sick days just mean ten times the work, and insurance issues are always fun.  Kids get tired of diabetes just like we do.  And we have to a.) talk it out, b.) tell them to suck it up, or c.) tell them we hate it too.  All depending on a.) our mood, b.) their mood, c.) their number, or d.) the weather.  It's just a crap shoot, and we hope we all make it out alive still loving one another on the other side.

Oh yeah, I had to leave before we all went to dinner since Carter was headed to the ER for a head injury.  We wrapped up our evening seeing doctors!  Totally par for us. ; ) He is fine now.  We had to wake him in the night to make sure he was responsive and that his eyes continued to dilate.  He's (almost) learned not to stand on things.  

We never say our life is boring.  Or dull.  Nope, we keep it exciting.  Hope your life is going equally well.  Don't you love knowing no one has it perfect, ha!  We're all in this game together.  Hugs to you!

..complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:2-4

Pneumonia : (

Ethan does in fact have pneumonia.  We went back for x-rays on Tuesday, then for two rocephin shots and a new oral antibiotic.  The shots were about as fun as wrestling an octopus with two heads.  An angry one.  Took three of us..same as the flu test on Monday.  I tell you, that kids got some fight in him. ; )  It's a good thing we sat in the parking lot and prayed before we went in.  (He said he needed a few minutes to *get ready*  So..it could have been WORSE than a two-headed angry octopus, eek!!)

He's still coughing, but getting better.  Still no school.  He's just tired (and cough-y).  I know I already said that, but he's been really good about keeping a water bottle in his hand all the time.  He's a precious.  It's been good to have the time with him.

Momma's too lazy to go see if he cleaned his room..so she sends him up to take pictures.  I personally think I'm a GENiUS!

We've 'homeschooled' this week.  We did some writing, counted coins (more than he'd like), subtracted and added coins, and did some spelling.  He missed last week's spelling test, and it looks like he might miss this week's. : (  But he's ready just in case.
 

Gigi brought him some cappuccino..he's happy.  Except about the coin counting.

I love him and that cutie I'm potty-training, but I'm pooped.  (no pun intended, haha!)  My pre (religious education) class is more than I can handle with 32 kids in a moldy, tiny, noisy room.  I'm overwhelmed, and I don't feel like they are getting the best out of the class either.  It speaks volumes about how our church feels about these kids too.  I'm not happy, and something has to change.  Obviously I have loads of self-confidence since I'm venting here about it rather than doing something about it. (ha!)  I actually have typed a letter to our director..I'm just sleeping on it, and I'll read it again tomorrow to make sure it wasn't written too hastily/with too much emotion.  I kinda know how I can be. ; )  Emotional?  Nah..

..still potty training.  More pee in the potty than out, woohoo!  In this picture, he was still pant-less.  He's sooo modest, he wraps his lovely blankie around his body.  But he doesn't dare pee on it!!  ..And he's now up to wearing undies.  SO cute.  Love those little tushies in teensy undies.

Tonight Clay played (with the marching band) at the junior high game!  We went to watch and to serve snacks after the halftime show.  He's a sweetie.  I'm glad he made it, there are some great kids in his group!

See the young lady on the 40 yard line in the dress?  He's behind her between the 40 and 45 yard line..if that makes any sense!

Yes, I have a nice camera.  No, I don't use it.  I don't even know where the battery charger might be.  I might learn to use it again.  In the next year.  I'm busy right now, ha!  
One more picture for you.  I have seriously cried today.  I don't know if it's stress or high emotion (the potty training, maybe?), hormones (have you ever tried to take a shower while your adorable child is sitting on the potty chair watching tv?), (and the potty hasn't come yet?) (and you've already waited two hours?), nervousness at sending a distress email, the need to go to the store for some groceries with two little boys who are both having bathroom troubles (one on STRoNG antibiotics, hint, hint! ..and did I mention the other was potty training?), or maybe I was just feeling sorry for myself.  But this ministered to me:

Ann Voskamp often ministers to me.  She is gentle, loving, and understands.  And she's an artist, bonus.

We all get to those places where we have given a-l-l we have..and there is nothing left.  It's painful, and we have to lean into God.  I've been here before, and it won't be the last time.  If you are there, I understand.  (If not, pray for me to get out!)  (Just kidding..kinda.)  It's not the worst ever, I just have to cry out to God.  To direct me.  To show me the path.  To keep my family covered in prayer.  Ches wants to let Clay go on a retreat with another church this weekend.  I think it is a Good Thing..but I'm crazy nervous.  Think Diabetes.  Meds.  Alone.  Without Guidance.  I guess I'm growing my faith one gigantic step at a time.  This is something he very much wants to do..and I'm trying to let go (of control, I think).

Praying for you right now.  That you can let go, and let God.  Whatever is weighing on your heart.  The Bible never tells us to worry.  Not once.  I'm going to turn this day over to Him.  Hope you can too! : )  Hugs!

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6 

More doctor visits..and fewer strips.

As usual, I was so busy at Courtney's baby shower, I forgot to take pictures!  I will say it was SO much fun.  We ended up having enough little glass jars with string and ribbon tying on scalloped circles with numbers (since you could pretty simply get your drinks mixed up!).  We had LOTS of cookies (I had TOO many left over!), and plenty of food.  I would totally rather make too much than not enough, haha!

She's so beautiful pregnant! : )

I even wished I'd taken pictures of her cute gifts, so sweet in brown kraft paper, tulle and ribbon.  Ah, next time!  Praying she feels blessed by her friends in memory! : )

I'd bought some cloth diapers to monogram/embroider with the letter C (we know it'll begin with a C!), or the letter S for his last name.  BUT.  As I was sitting down to work on a design (or several!), my hasp/dongle broke!  It is a little USB thingie, and the sofware won't even OPEN without it.  I'm so sad.  The store I bought it from is out of business, so I'm trying to find another dealer that might be able to send it back for repair/replacement.  I am up a creek with an embroidery machine..and no way to use it.  Sadness.  Praying it's ready by the time she has the baby!!

working on their computers.  Carter loves this old white Mac that we can't even find the charger for!

My little Ethan has been home since last Wednesday.  We went to the doctor last week, and he had an ear infection.  He's had a consistent fever since then (like 99.6-102.1), and we're now on day SiX.  Not good.  Not only do I feel for him..he's missing school.  We really studied for his spelling test, just in case the fever dropped..but No.  Mary Claire is also home today..is this a crazy fever virus?!  Her blood sugars are more on the low side (we've seen a 46 and a 56 today!), so I'm baffled.

Sweet girl.  Pictures are tomorrow, and she'd like her hair straightened, please.  After having me hot roll it the last two weekends. ; )

**Update: Ethan rose to 103.2, so I took him back to the doctor..and if he is still feverish in the morning, we go for a chest xray.  His flu test was negative.  (And they are only testing for the enterovirus if the child has to be hospitalized.  The state complained it was too much paperwork to just test for testing's sake.) (Feeling so sorry for them and all their paperwork.)

Towels are my insurance.  So I can walk away once in a while. ; )

But on the upside..we are trying harder actually trying to potty train Carter!  He's a doll in his little underwear.  He's used the potty a few times, but not with any consistency.  We usually (with the other three kids..) let them go bottomless for two or three days, then graduate to underwear.  This is Day One.  (yes, go ahead and laugh!)  I don't know if it's me or him.  I kinda love having a baby to change.  (Ok..maybe it's me.)

Ok..as the day has worn on, my attitude is less than positive.  Do you ever just feel like your day is less than.. oh, I don't know..below average?  I'm wearing down and probably need a decent night's sleep.  I just don't get those anymore. : (

He loves the baby.

I can see why some students commit suicide.  And I'm serious.  My son is in four pre-AP classes are they are tough stuff.  We did math until 10 tonight, and I made him take it with us to pick up his new glasses, work on it in the car, at the doctor's office with Ethan, and all night.  He has multiple assignments to work on at any given time, and it's like playing whack-a-mole.  Whatever is due soonest..whack it!  I worry about him.  (He is not suicidal, I just mean it would be easy to lose sight of a way out, and become incredibly overwhelmed.  Schools push harder and harder to have the highest scores and the "best" students.  He has harder stuff in Algebra 1 than I had in college algebra.  Not kidding.  He's writing quadratic equations for weird graphs.  I can't elaborate.  It hurts my head.)

His religious education class isn't any picnic either.  I know he wants to be confirmed with his classmates, but she's tough.  He's supposed to be reading a book of the Bible every night, memorizing answers to questions, and there are assignments for EVERY night of the week (7 days of homework for a one hour a week class!).  He's just getting more and more behind.  There's no way he can do it all.  And forget a social life.  I hear about things going on at school, but he doesn't have a spare minute.  He did campaign for a friend to be voted into student council (and she did!), but he said he couldn't even consider one more thing.  Makes me sad.

Soo glad we listened to Ethan, and we went to play at a park.  May be just what we needed. : )

And he already has issues with self-discipline.  He's on medication to help him concentrate, but when we increase that to help him make it through the day, he picks at his skin and eyes.  He is covered in scabs right now, and his eyes are infected again.  We have an open prescription for antibiotic eye drops, but I can't even stand to watch him dig his fingernails into his eyelids.  (Like between his eye ball and under his lids.  It is sooo creepy!!)

And..We got letters from our insurance company, UMR, than they will only pay for FiVE strips a day for checking the kids' blood.  Umm, we sometimes use up two just to get one reading.  And five?  So.. which checks should I eliminate?  When do you want to see them go high/low/unchecked?  And is hospitalization so much cheaper than preventative care?  This makes no sense.  It's a battle they hope I won't fight.  And tonight, I'm tired.

And I need to get ready to teach on Wednesday.  (And remember my kids don't need nightly homework!)  Breathe in, breathe out.  Pray.  Pray some more.  God's got this, I'm just sure of it.  I know when I'm teaching religious education, I go though the most pain and emotional trauma.  Drawing the little children closer to God is dangerous work.  And I'm not kidding.  Say some extra prayers for our family.  It's tough stuff.  Prayers for your family too.  Hugs.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them,

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19: 26

Baby Shower!

I always get excited when I get to give a Baby Shower!  My friend, Courtney, is pregnant with a sweet baby BOY!  This really works out well for me, since I have a lot of white and baby blue in my house right now!  And I'm so excited for her!

My friends, Tiffany and Veronica, are also hosting, so we are making p-l-a-n-s.  Courtney wanted NO games (haha!  I kinda want to have at least one game as a joke-'cause I'm like that-but we hostesses without the mostess agreed on no games in her highest honor!).  So.. Tiffany listened to her words "if we just get together and have cookies, that's fine!" so we are having a cookie party/exchange!

We are having some soups, cheese, crackers, cake (too many c words?  Her baby's name will begin with C too!!), and CooKiES!  We meant to put on the invitation for everyone to bring a batch to exchange and totally forgot.  Oops.  So now we are having the best baking marathon EV-AH!  Seriously, I've made dough, frozen it, prayed it wouldn't lose it's rise ('cause I don't even know..is that ok?), and kept going!  I'm pulling old favorite recipes she's had (like the time she was teaching my little Ethan at the church preschool) like the Chunky Chocolate Gobs with Mounds and Oreos inside and my choc-oat-chip cookies (kinda like this, but one tablespoon of REAL vanilla extract!).  And new ones, like these lemon-frosted shortbread cookies and THE chocolate chip cookie!

I do love a good party centered around food a baby!  haha!  I picked up balloons early (since they last over two weeks with hi-float!), and I made a cutesy chalkboard and mantle for her, and I've gathered all kinds of white dishes and cake plates to elevate our food.  No pun intended, ha!

She's not expecting fancy, so we'll do fine.  We've been saving Starbucks Frappucino Jars (think like this) to add milk, iced tea or punch and blue striped straws.  Tiffany got some little Chinese take-out boxes for everyone to take home some cookies.  Cute stuff.  You should just have a baby already so we can celebrate! : )  Of just come join us Friday night, I'm sure she wouldn't care, haha!  But no games.

I'll try to take a few pictures of the shower to share.  It should be a lot of fun! (and sugar!)

Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”  Mark 9: 36-37 

Walk to Cure 2014, Hooray!

We had an AMAZING walk this year!! : )  Friends, family, tons of fun..it always makes the work in the weeks before SO worth the investment! : )  Sometimes it blesses me more than we bless JDRF.  I guess it's partly because some of our bestest friends are in JDRF with us.  Them, and their kids, that is.  How did we even get here?  Whew.

2014 Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes Team: Team CMC! (formerly Clay and Mary Claire's Friends Who Care)

It was with a tent from my parents, balloons from Party City (and they even walk them out to my van, y'all!), Nestle Crunch candy bars (red, white, and blue!), and the people.

They had too much fun climbing the HUGE hill, as all the moms are screaming not to slide down the wet grass on their bottoms! ; )

I can't begin to tell you about THE people.  The people I've known for YEARS that continue to come even when they are on their way back to MD Anderson in Houston for yearly tests (hugs, Carla and Kenny!), new walkers we are so thankful to know (Clay's new nurse, Candace and her family!), and a doctor we haven't seen in a few years (thank you for coming, Murl & Concetta Baker!).
 

Ethan's good friend, Gabe, who also has diabetes!

And all the friends in between.  Clay's friends who came out to support him, Mary Claire's friends who know how this party goes, MY friends who walk for our kids, church friends, girl and boy scout friends, neighbors, my parents, Ches' mom and stepdad, and the list goes on (praise the Lord!). May I sincerely THANK each of you for spending your Saturday morning with US!!

Sweet Girls!

And then, we are SO thankful for our supporters (even the new ones I've never met, Willeen!!).  The ones who make it work, make it possible, help us dream a little bigger.  And brighter.  The ones who make the research and the CURE possible.  In my kids' lifetimes.
 

So this little guy doesn't get it.

I can't say thank you enough, is my heart even deep enough?  I know you work hard for your money, and to part with it on behalf of my kids is sooo humbling.  But know I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
 

A few of the MOMS who rock.  The ones checking blood sugars at 2am.  The moms who listen when you can't handle one more ketone check or pump site change! : )

Feeling blessed instead of stressed in the midst of it all.  31 units left, and she has to hurry off to school?  Praying.  Take one to the doctor and back to school, only to pick him up two hours later?  Thankful I don't have a job!  One going low every day as he has marching band practice for an hour before lunch?  Rocking lowered bolus ratios.  One wanting to see his poo-poos?  Check.  Getting ready for my son's Sunday school class and my AMAZING helper is out of town?  We'll survive!  I can do this.  Every day is hard, but you know what?  Everyone's everyday is hard.  This is when we give thanks for our crosses to bear, 'cause I'm sure yours are too much for me! : )

God bless you as you go out into your day (or your night!) and slay your dragons.  I'm with you, if only in prayer.  Hugs!

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26

  

Walk to Cure is THIS Saturday!

Illness struck.  It came in like lightning, but stayed like a flood. : (  It has been no bueno with our family this week.  Ethan had the tummy bug last weekend, Carter started Sunday, Mary Claire and Clay on Monday..and Momma on Tuesday.  Blech!  Praying for strength to keep going.

We are getting sooo close to our Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes this weekend!  Our shirts got printed today, so we'll pick them up in the morning, sort and deliver!  Here is the front:

And I always order banners for the tent from Vistaprint..and sometimes pay a HUGE super-fast delivery charge to get them here quickly.  But I checked into Staples, and they print them the SAME Day in-house! : ) They are the same (and the website you order the banners from is even IDENTICAL!!).  Happy!  Skipping the $30 delivery fee! : )

I sent an email out to walkers today with all the details (where to park and where to go, when to arrive, when to register, when to show up for pictures! ..what to wear, a map, and all of the fun things to do there, etc.)!

We did get team bows made again, Sequoia is awesome!!  I tell her every year, and she needs to be in big business..but she's all, "It's a side job, I am a teacher!"  Don't let her fool you, she's awesome, and her prices are awesome-r! ; )

:wish I'd bothered to take a picture of all the red/white chevron bows to show you:

:adding it to Things to Do:

We are so thankful for the friends and families who are supporting our family this year!  From scouts to church and school friends, old friends and new friends..we are blessed.  I'm so thankful Clay will have at least a couple friends walking with him.  He felt left out last year right after diagnosis.  In a hot pink shirt.  

We let him make some major shirt decisions this year..from the color to style, etc.  I think he wanted Super Mario Bros. fonts, but Mary Claire just flat out rejected that..so hopefully we met in the middle.  This is definitely making things harder! : )

If you are walking with us, THANK YOU!!  We are so excited!  The high is only 70 degrees, so it may not be so warm on Saturday morning..we are hoping to get some hot chocolate for you!

If you aren't walking with us, please say a prayer for us!  For everyone's safety as we walk (on the UA campus streets!), for a CURE for our kids, and for all the teams to have fun and cheer each other on..no competition. ; ) I love all our JDRF kids, and I can't compete.  

If you'd still like to join our Walk to Cure team this year, here is the link.  If you are feeling generous, you can always donate to JDRF with the same link!! : )

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2: 3-4