Fun Friday Find: Support

First of all I need to address the many of you wanting to know how Bug did at her first ballet class.

I would like to fully address the ballet class at a later date in a post dedicated fully to the subject.  So for now, let's just leave it at the fact that the little 45 minutes of "dancing" was everything she had hoped for.  I sent my mom a picture of her in her "uniform" just before entering the class.... huge smile, tiny little bun, pink all over.  My mom responded with something like, "I hope it's as exciting as she thinks its going to be".  By the time I was able to respond to her text, the girls were stretching... the butterfly stretch to be exact.  Bug's face was completely lit up, as she smiled at the teacher (whom she was sitting too close to; purely out of excitement).  When Ms. B called the stretch the butterfly stretch, and said to "flap your wings", Bug thought that was so funny; covered her mouth, shoulders bouncing, eyes squinted, kind of laughter.

I responded to my mom just saying, "they are only stretching and she already looks like she's in heaven!" Much more to follow about ballet, but just know its one of the better investments we have made thus far.

Now... on to my Fun Friday Find.

Next weekend we will be participating in our third JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.  I know I've mentioned it before, but since I first mentioned it, we have ordered and received our team shirts and started to assemble our team.  It always surprises me how moved I am to see other people show interest in a cause that effects our family.  Whether it's a donation, a word of encouragement, or signing up to walk with us... people are showing their support.

I still have people asking how to sign up and or donate.  You can go to www.walk.jdrf.org and in the spot where it says "donate to a walker" (which you don't have to do, but that is how you get to the sign up page... sneaky of them, isn't it)  you type in Bug's name (Ada) our team name "We the Peeples" and where we are walking (Little Rock).  Then you can follow the steps from there.  The whole process takes about 6 minutes.

Our team also walks to support Bug's uncle who also lives with type 1 diabetes.  We just advertise him less because he's not as little and cute.  But if you know and love Bug's uncle more than you do her own little self, sign up for his sake, because he needs a cure too!  He will be there that morning to greet his adoring public.

I would like to encourage you to sign up online, if you are planning on walking with us, because it will help all parties involved.  I will have a visual to see how many people we are expecting, JDRF will have a visual to see how they did overall this year, and ALSO if we have one of the biggest teams, we get a fancy tent on the day of the walk.  The first year we walked as a team, we had a ton of walkers.  I was so excited, I decorated the tent in our team colors, balloons, streamers, brought snacks.... very exciting.

There will also be fun things for the kids, bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, entertainment on a big stage.... Radio Disney was there last year.

We will start to assemble at 7:30, and we will be walking at 8.  Parking is a zoo, so just decide now that you will not be bothered by that.  The walk is about 3ish miles I think, and after the walk there are snacks, play time, and awards for the kids that raise the most money and win the t-shirt contest.

After all of that... I will make us all take a picture (mostly because the past two years we left and I said, "we forgot to take a picture of everyone!  next year we WILL do that.").  Then you can leave and have a nap.

A fun side note: last year at the walk I was one week away from my due date with Peanut.  I was feeling good that day, so I did half of the walk until I was worn out and hot....... 6 hours later I was in labor at the hospital and delivered a baby sister soon after.

So, sign up and come join us!  I will be delivering t-shirts throughout this next week, so let me know if you want one.... they are already going fast, they are cute, and they are free!

Have a great weekend.

Another Opportunity to Practice Letting Go

Today we went back.  Back to school.  Back to trusting the school part of our team.

I took Bug to school this morning along with a plastic shoe box that will live in Mrs. M's room this year.
complete with:
-apple juice boxes
-tubes of icing
-a glucagon kit
-extra test strips for blood sugar checks
-a sharps container
-special treats for when other mommies bring cupcakes/cookies/you name it (hostess cupcake makes a 100 calorie pack.... 3 little cupcakes, 15 grams of carbohydrates.... all adds up to Bug SO excited to get to have 3 whole cupcakes)

On top of all of that, there was her little red backpack with a turquoise monogram, filled with a glucometer, a low blood sugar snack, a high blood sugar snack, and a change of clothes.... just in case....

I had the opportunity to meet with all the teachers at school (as I had done the year before) to talk about Bug's care, risks, and all of the "what to do if's....."  So, I felt great about leaving her under the wing of a school that took such good care of her the year before.... but diabetes aside.... I still felt uneasy about leaving.

With all the other apprehensive mommies, I waited around like I was taking pictures.... making sure she was going to be ok.  Was she going to have fun?  Will she be able to make friends?  Will she make it to the potty in time?  Will her blood sugar be too high?  too low?

I had done this before, a year ago, but for some reason it was harder this time.  Maybe because I know her better now, and I am slightly more attached?

As I stood there, reminding her that I would pick her up soon, and that she needs to be sweet and follow directions, and so on and so on..... she jumped right in.  By the time I left, she had introduced herself to another little girl, gotten out entirely too many toys in the kitchen center, and looked at me with the "seriously mom... GO" eyes.  So I went.

When I got to the end of the hallway, I turned around and went back..... to make sure "the teacher knew I was leaving".

I leaned back into the doorway, told the teacher I was leaving and asked if she felt comfortable with the diabetes care, did she have any questions, call me if you need anything, if I don't answer the first time try me again... blah blah blah.  Bug's teacher seemed very confident and ready for the task ahead.  Bug seemed comfortable and happy.  No more ends to tie up.

I got to the car, buckled Peanut back into her seat, and instantly had a feeling I had forgotten something.  My purse was carrying lighter without the glucometer, my car was filled with the absence of nonstop Bug commentary, and my brain was left only to focus on one instead of two.  I turned to Peanut and, as if expecting to get an answer, I asked "what are we going to do when we have to take her to Kindergarten?"  She sneezed a yucky allergy sneeze and thought it was hilarious.  I cleaned her up and realized it was time to get to know her a little better.

After a needless trip to Target (where I ran into another mom from school who was admittedly "killing time until 11:20), I took Peanut home to let her play with toys all by her lonesome.  She dumped out every organized container of toys I have, then looked a bit lost.  Looking for Bug maybe?  Then she found Hamilton our dog, and crawled and loved on him for about 15 minutes.

Tick tock. tick tock.  Finally time to (leave early) to go get Bug from school.

Needless to say she had been left in the best of care, she had an amazing time, and met a lot of new friends; who's names she can't remember yet.  She is so excited to go back on Friday and "play on the playground! and have snack!  and get to see my new friends and Mrs. M!"  All followed by clapping and giggling.  I do not embellish when I quote her as saying, "School was so so great today, Mommy!  I think it will be so much fun if I could go back to there and do it all again."  (with her little hands folded and held up by her heart.... can't make this stuff up)

Sometimes I am amazed by how excited one little brain, body, and heart can be about the simplest of things: "I got to have cheese crackers for snack that you packed for me, Mommy!!!"  I truly love the way God made her.

There is still so much more left to this exciting day.... this afternoon we start:

BALLET CLASS!

To be a fly on that wall.....

Fun Friday Find: This Blog

You and I have a lot of catching up to do.  Let me get you up to speed.

Since I left you, I have been very busy.  There has been:

A trip to Arizona with friends: shopping, golfing, sunning, lovely people.
Fleas: my dog had a couple, which left (only) me with flea bites.  so so gross and embarrassing for a germ nut like myself.... and because of the fleas there has also been
A lot of house cleaning: obsessive and constant (*not a flea in site for three weeks!)
A Chipmunk: living, or maybe passing through, our basement.  Thanks to the Disney Channel I'm less frightened than I would be if it was a rat
A meet the teacher day at preschool: Fabulous teacher, fun new friends, very excited Bug
A "learn all about diabetes" in service for the teachers at Bug's school:  All went well, very attentive, capable, and smart teachers = peaceful mind for me.
And finally...
A new month!  We made it through August.  It was hot, but not terrible, but it was our last spent in this home.  Bittersweet.

So now that we are caught up, I'm leaving you again to enjoy the three day weekend with my husband and our sweet little girls.

Have a great weekend.

A 5 Minute Video: Bug's Little Battles

I've been slightly MIA in blog world lately. I've been missing, but I have definitely been in action.

I have been gearing up for this year's JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 17th. Our Team will be walking together and wearing new team shirts (not year specific so we can wear them in walks to come)... they are also going to be gifted to team members, so let me know if you would like a shirt (even if you can't make it to the walk). I have spent loads of nap times working on a video (link at the end of the post) that will hopefully give you a little window into our little world.

I want to add, that my husband and I have had many discussions on the subject of not wanting to wear out our welcome with our friends and family when it comes to JDRF events. His point was that we should just do one event a year instead of two because we don't want people to get annoyed with the cause. He also pointed out that there are gobs (my word, not his) of other worthy charities across the globe and everyone has different passions, loyalties, etc. Good point, I know.

My point was/is that

A) I know. There ARE gobs of other worthy causes to support. In fact when someone takes time to spend thought, word, or deed directed toward Juvenile diabetes I always think... "they could have been building a water well, or feeding hungry kids across town, but today, they did something that effects little ol' me and my lil ol' family!"

and on a different note

B) If you get worn out/annoyed/sick of me/fill in the blank... I have to pretend I don't notice. My little girl gets stuck with something sharp, on average, 10 times in a 24 hour period and relies on a little pink computer, that is literally plugged into her body, to keep her system running. If the least I can do is to try to raise awareness, funds, and/or support; I will be doing that until I am blue in the face or until we find a cure.... if we lose a few friends because of it, then who needs 'em.

But seriously, I do hope I'm not annoying anyone already! We are close to a cure, so hopefully, just as you begin to roll your eyes and "huff and puff", we won't have to raise money or awareness anymore!

All that being said; please know that we send out these things with the intention of raising awareness of a need for a cure. We do not expect a wallet to come out every time we send something or invite you somewhere. We have been so humbled by your continued spirit of giving, but the friendships and love mean just as much, if not more.

If the website gives you trouble, let me know and I will try to help.

Enjoy.......... Bug's video

Have a Great Weekend.... Especially all of my teacher friends, one week down!

Uninterrupted Luxury

We had a great vacation and are now home for a bit. Vacation was exactly what I needed. I'm used to making, potentially, life threatening decisions all day, every day; so it was a nice change of pace when my biggest "this or that" was trying to decide if I should go to the beach or the pool.... and then when I decide that.... should I get water before I head out or should I have the beach/pool server bring it to me? Yes, it was that kind of vacation.

-shopping

-eating

-sleeping through the night

-not watching PBS Kids or Nick Jr for 5 days straight..... I did pass an episode of Olivia whilst channel surfing and was tempted to see what episode it was.... I resisted.

-movie going

-amazing beach home ogling

-uninterrupted conversating

It was more than nice. It was luxury.

Now to switch gears and get ready for another year of preschool, ballet class, and my beloved routine.

Which reminds me... how are we all doing with the challenge I threw down? I must admit, the 116 degree temperatures left me with little motivation to wear something more than my work out "costume".... I say "costume" because you know I was not out there pushing my jogger around in those conditions.

Glad to be back in your view. Hope you are enjoying, and soaking up, the end of summer!

Running With It

I'm not quite "brain dead" but most definitely brain tired. I'm not sure if it's the frequent trips to our local airport security check points, or the cold that peanut caught somewhere between here and Texas. Could it be the crazy extra hours my husband is working to insure a stress free (upcoming) vacation? Maybe the constant/chronic condition that we are all living with? Or the 115 degree temps outside my door? Whatever the reason... Honesty 2011: I am emotionally, physically, and mentally tired..... and ready for a re-fuel.

Thanks to my husbands family we are truly getting away.

Thank you C for providing home, safety, love, food, and care for the greatest little gifts I have come to know. (send pictures often) Thank you W for providing friendship, dog food, water, yard, and couch time for our beloved animal. Thank you M, CBP, S, and E for sharing your loved ones (and for some of you, your home) with us and allowing us to take 5 days away from it all.

I can not believe we are leaving our kids and animal. I will be a basket case on the drive home after leaving them at grandmother's, but everyone... Including parents of diabetics... tells me I need to take a break.

I'm running with it.

Literally.

Have a great weekend.

Tradition.

I do not expect you to understand this tradition the way I have grown to. Growing up, I didn't realize the good thing we had going. I don't think I was able to grasp that this was not normal. Not everyone gets to do this every year.

Almost 30 years ago my parents and two other couples decided to go to the lake for the weekend and we have been getting together for the last weekend of July ever since. Those three couples had babies and traditions began to take form. As the babies grew up, they became friends. The type of friends that go the entire year without seeing or talking to each other and pick back up where the year before left off. The friends grew up and went to camp, traveled abroad, went to college... but that one little weekend held sacred to us. Girlfriends and boyfriends came and went but were not allowed until there was jewelry involved. The friends became adults and are now in college, getting jobs, getting married, having babies, and still keeping in touch. The spouses have become friends and fit right in with the rest of us; almost as if they have been there from the start. Now the babies are growing up and gaining the strange yearly friendship that is so familiar to their parents.

Our parents started with 6 adults and 5 tiny kids. There are now 6 grandparents, 8 original kids, 7 spouses, and 11 grand kids under the age of 6. While work demands, distance, and births of children have tried to put an end to our efforts, the tradition continues. To date, I have missed 2 summers: one to study abroad and the other to have a baby. It will take my family two plane rides, a rental car, and a lot of patience but we don't want to miss this.

We take our traditions almost too seriously. The same food sits on the counter tops each year, and if an absence is discovered there are questions to be answered. The furniture has been moved upon arrival because it was not in the same place as the year before. The activities have held the same time slots with a few edits due to ages of children, but always ending with a huge familiar meal and a big group photo shoot.

We are not all related but we are closer than family, and I know I would gladly call us such.

I am tempted to write an entire play-by-play of how the weekend goes, from Friday morning to Sunday lunch, (complete with how often I visit the plate of homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese icing).... but I know you won't understand. I would have to write a 4 page article for Southern Living complete with photos of the food, and the matriarchs crowded in the kitchen with their white wine, margaritas and grand babies. A photo of the girls gabbing in the kitchen while sitting on top of the countless coolers, while the men-folk are posed on the golf course, laughing about some inside joke they shared on the 7th hole. All sunburned from a day outside and the lovely effects of the hot Texas sun.

For fear of rambling I will "bring it home".

I know this is a rare part of my life and I plan to hang on to it as best I can.

We are beginning our weekend early so I will leave you with:

Enjoy your weekend, and toast to the traditions in your life. May you keep them safe and continuous.