when I grow up, I want to be a...

The answer has changed many times.

I have dreamed of being a doctor, a counselor, a midwife, a construction worker (yeah, don't ask...I just think driving heavy machinery would be cool).

When I went to college, I studied pre-med. After taking organic chemistry, I changed directions and went towards special education. I ended up with my Bachelor of Science with a minor in Special Ed. I started to get my Masters in school counseling until I realized all the schools were cutting their counselors and would never find a job.

I have been a telephone operator, a preschool teacher, a nanny, a treatment counselor, a personal trainer, an HR/benefits administrator, an executive assistant, a photographer, a mother, and a pancreas.

Now I think I know what I want to be when I grow up....a Diabetes Educator!!

When Bryce was diagnosed, our CDE was AMAZING!! Because she was a type 1, I felt like she really GOT it and could tell us what life is really like with D, not just what the books say. The other CDEs in the clinic are super great, but they lack that personal connection to D. They know many families who get little to no sleep but don't really know what that feels like to test bgs ALL DAY, EVERY DAY and all else that goes along with managing D. I have always felt that feeling of same-same is so powerful in getting through all this. I've been thinking about this for a couple years now. Now is the time...

Going back to school and beginning a career is a great possibility for the near future. My kiddos are growing up. Both Jaden and Bryce will be in school full days next year and my baby will be in preschool a couple mornings a week with Kindy not far off (only 2 more years!)

So now I just have to figure out what I need to do to become a CDE. What (if any) of my previous course work will still count? What will be the easiest, quickest, most cost effective approach? Suggestions??

Good Friday 5/27

Another BUSY week!

I have a little over an hour to still consider this a FRIDAY post :-)

Here are my three good (non-D) things from this week....

1. Our oldest son competed in his second swim meet this past weekend. He came in first place in both the 25 breaststroke and 25 freestyle. He also did backstroke (his least favorite stroke) in the relay. I was so proud of him, I almost cried.

2. Had fun helping the kindergartners paint self portraits. Almost had a crisis when we couldn't find any black paint. All but 4 kids in the class have black hair!! (the school is over 75% hispanic) Luckily I was able to track some down in the art room. Also had to do a lot of persuading to get kids to choose skin colors that were closer to their real color. Many wanted the really light color when they were much farther up the spectrum. Found that interesting. Anyhow, the portraits are so cute and the kids are fun to work with.

3. I chopped my hair!!

Think I took off almost 8 inches. Not enough to donate but I was ready for the change. Loving it! Will post a pic soon.

Time to play along. What are your three good things from this week??

Good Friday 5/20

Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun!!

Yes, the sun has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest!!!

This means we have been spending time OUTSIDE!

My husband (& youngest son) mowed the lawn.

I planted our veggie garden.

Pulled some weeds.

Planted some flowers.

Trimmed some trees.

The boys played in the treehouse.

Swang on the swings (is 'swang' even a word??)

Pulled out the sand toys and sidewalk chalk.

Ran through the sprinklers.

Drew "mowing" right along side his Daddy.

sidewalk chalk makes me happy :-)

This is what happens to a little black dog when he goes near a three year old with blue chalk...

He ends up with a blue face!!

My other two good things (as if the above wasn't enough!)

-I made it to the gym a few times this week and Drew happily played in the kids' club.

-I volunteered in my oldest son's 2nd grade class for the art lit project. Georgia O'Keefe was the artist they studied and they did watercolor flowers for their project. Today, I go in to help them with glazing their clay projects they made a couple weeks ago. LOVE art with kids!!

What about you? What are your 3 GOOD non-D things from this week??

I need REST!

I think between posting everyday and trying to read everyone else's posts during D Blog week, I burnt myself out. I realize that I never did the final post on what we have learned from the DOC, nor have I read more than a few blogs since then. I plan to get to that eventually. Currently my brain is fried, I got D'd out. I need a little break to rest my mind. Will be back in a few to let you all know about this diabetes symposium we are attending on Saturday.

Much love to you all!!

Diabetes Through My Lens

Today is the sixth day of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. Today's topic is Saturday Snapshots.

My latest snapshot....

Error 5, really?? do you see how much blood is on that strip?

and a bunch of others I may or may not have posted before....

Yes, There Is A Silver Lining...

Today is the fifth day of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. Today's topic is Awesome Things. What awesome thing have you (or your child) done BECAUSE of diabetes?

We have been part of some great events and met amazing people...

Last year, Bryce and Jaden helped with JDRF Hope Gala.

We got to meet Kenny Wheaton, former UO Duck football player responsible for the most famous interception play in Oregon history, "The Pick".

The boys went up on stage with Kenny to auction off his game jersey and football. (The boys were holding the autographed football)

At the Gala, we also met Chris Dudley, former NBA player with the Blazers, Type 1 diabetic, and 2010 candidate for governor (he didn't win). He is by far the tallest person I have ever met!
We met Chris again at the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in October. Such a nice guy. And another great event we never would have been part of if it wasn't for D.

We get access to fun activites...for FREE!

We get to use the CHAP art factory at no cost. That means no holds barred on creativity. And paint EVERYWHERE!

CHAP also started a Diabetes Art Club were D families can get together while the kids create (or jump on a mattress with painted feet!)

They also hold Art Club activities each month where they do something out of the ordinary, like the time they got to blow glass into ornaments at a glass studio...

Because of Diabetes, we can bring food into places that don't allow food...

like into the stadium when we went to the Rose Bowl.

into the movie theater.

onto the airplane (including juice boxes!)

just to name a few.

I also heard you can get a special pass at places like Disneyland so you don't have to wait in line for rides. We'll check into that if we get down there again.

We also signed up for the Starlight Foundation, so we will see what events that brings.

These are all great things but THE MOST AWESOME THING is all the great friends we have made because of Diabetes. I don't know what I would do without the great Dmoms (and dads) that I have met here locally and those of you in the DOC. You all make this journey so much easier!!

Look at me! (blooper)

Today is the third day of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. Today's topic is "Diabetes Bloopers"

A lot of 'funny' things happen due to diabetes. Many involve random test strips, bolusing when disconnected and the pump is nowhere around but in somehow in range, trying to use a food scale in the back seat of the van while traveling 65 mph down the freeway, and testing the wrong kids' fingers. However, I while Bryce and I were working on a vlog for our "Wild Card: Stepping Outside The Box", I found my 'blooper' submission.

Not only did Bryce's little brother come in crying, but the two of them became fascinated with the way their hands left tracers when they moved them fast. Bryce tripping over a box of toys was the clincher...this was my D blooper!

enjoy :-) (that is if the video works!!)

Dear...

Today is the second day of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. Today's topic is "Letter Writing"

Whomever you choose as a recipient, today is the day to tell them what you are feeling.

I thought about writing my letter to Bryce....telling him how much I love him and how proud of him I am. I would tell him all the things I love, like his creativity, his determination, his strength, his sense of humor, his big hugs, etc. I would let him know that diabetes should never keep him from doing the things he wants to do, that he can be anything he wants and can accomplish great things. That I will do everything in my power for him to lead a happy, healthy, normal life. That I gladly give up sleep, appearing brain-dead to the non-D world, if it means he will be safe. That I love him...NO MATTER WHAT. and on and on....

I also thought about writing my letter to Jaden and Drew, my 2 non-D boys....telling them how much I love them and how proud of them I am. How it may seem like they get put second when it comes to taking care of Bryce's diabetes. I would let them know they are always important to me and never a second thought. I love each of my boys for being themselves, each and every part of them (even the parts that make me yell) I would let them know how much it means to me that they are there to watch after Bryce, to be his big or little brother, to be his friend, to get him a juice box. and on and on....

I also thought about writing my letter to John....thanking him for being an amazing husband and my best friend. I would tell him how lucky I am that we are in this together and how much I appreciate that we are

partners in this journey. I would give him credit for taking care of over 50% of Bryce's diabetes management, especially since he ALWAYS takes care of the night checks. We make a good team, even if it is an exhausted one!

Instead, I decided to write my letter to diabetes. So here you go....

Dear Diabetes,

YOU SUCK!!

without love,

Denise

Different Yet THE SAME

Today is the first day of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. Today's topic is "Admiring our Differences" Pick a type of blogger who is different from you and tell us why they inspire you - why you admire them - why it’s great that we are all the same but different!!

Having met some amazing adult T1s and read blogs of other PWDs (people with diabetes), I KNOW diabetes will NOT stop my son from being all that he can be. Technology is so much better and is only advancing so if that CURE we are all dreaming of does not come in our lifetime, I still know my son can lead a long, healthy, fun, adventurous life. I will never know what it feels like to have blood sugars sky high, to experience a double fall, to be LOW. I can only guess. PWD bloggers help to put words to what my son goes through. For that, I am grateful.

While I enjoy reading the occasional blog written by PWDs, I spend most of my time following other PARENTS of children with diabetes. One thing I love most about all these moms, is how DIFFERENT we all are. We live in different parts of the world, our kids are different ages, diagnosed at different times in their lives, have been living with D different lengths of time, use different types of insulin, have different methods of delivering insulin...MDI(multiple daily injections) via syringes or pens, or pumps-(Animas, Minimed, or Omnipod), our kids enjoy different activities, we have different writing styles, our families are composed of different family members, the way we manage D on a daily basis and during emergencies is different. But despite all those differences, we are the SAME. We all do the best we can for our kids so that they will lead a long, healthy life. We all believe our kids are just that...kids! We all struggle at times, we all need to vent, or cry, or celebrate when we can. We all have DIABETES in common. We all want a CURE and until we can get one, we want anything that will make life for our kids easier and their future free of complications. We want others to know what life with type 1 is like...the good, the bad, and the ugly. We learn from each other, we support each other, because we are different and yet THE SAME.

I love the DOC! Thank you for making this journey so much more bearable.

Diabetes Blog Week

So I signed up for Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Karen at Bitter-Sweet. I realize that I have another busy week ahead of me and feel ANOTHER cold coming on but I am going to do my best to get each post out (even if it is by midnight) Wish me luck!

Good Fri..(err Saturday?)

Life is busy busy busy.....so much going on this week that I completely missed Friday and I even had my 3 good things non-D related ready to post about. But the kids had no school and my hubby was feeling awful (tooth infection) so Friday went by and I am just now able to get these down. So without further ado...

Three good things that happened this week:

1) It started with a GREAT WEEKEND....

On Saturday, we went to the University of Oregon Spring game.

Bryce lost his first tooth on the football field at Autzen Stadium...

Sunday was just that....we.had.SUN!!

The boys had a blast riding the zip line at my in-laws....

**this is from last week, Jaden and Bryce are running alongside their cousin who is zipping from the treehouse...

Hubby trying out the zip line...

Drew walking with a chicken on his shoulder...

We got another day of sun on Wednesday (sad that I can tell you exactly what 3 days we had sun this year...yep, THREE!! And it is MAY!! Ugh!!! Rain, rain, go away.....oh wait, this is a GOOD THINGS post so YAY for SUN!)

2.PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Love hearing about what model students my boys are... so smart, always on task, very respectful to others, such good helpers, etc. etc. (now why aren't THOSE kids coming home off the bus???)

We are such proud parents...took our boys to Dairy Queen to celebrate. :-)

3. NEW FAMILY MEMBER!

Meet 'Snack', he is a chihuahua puppy (just under a year old). I found him on Craigslist, a lady needed to find him a new home because he wasn't getting enough attention from her since she worked all day. She had found him outside her office back in January and got him healthy, took care of all his shots, etc. Besides not being able to give him enough attention, her older (big) dog was starting some bad behaviors with him around, like barking all day, etc. Anyhow, he is a sweetie! He loves to crawl under blankets and cuddle up and he is VERY playful. He does have 'little dog syndrome' and barks at people he doesn't know but that doesn't last long. I think with some training, he is going to be an awesome dog. (and he if VERY CUTE!)

So there you go! What were your good things this week??

When Diabetes Doesn't Come First...

I am always one to get involved when it comes to diabetes...whether it be volunteering, attending support groups, mentoring, going to events for D families, fundraising, advocating, educating, whatever!! Well Saturday was FULL of those type of events... there was the CHAP Diabetes Art Group AND the JDRF Hope Gala. But there was something MORE important I had to attend to....

'O' Yeah!!

OREGON FOOTBALL!!!

Saturday was the Ducks Spring Game. It is a scrimmage...Ducks vs. Ducks. While I am not big on watching a game where I can't really cheer on one team over the other, getting a taste of football to come is great! We have gone every year for at least the past 6 years. It has always been a small affair...a few thousand people in the stands which look pretty empty. Last year after being in the Rose Bowl, they had a record 25,000+ people attend the Spring Game. Well THIS year after going to the BSC National Championship Game, over 43,000 fans came out. It was so cool to see an almost full stadium for a scrimmage!! They use the event to support our troups. I love that, and seeing all the service men and women being honored. Anyhow, for us, the BEST part is getting to run on the field after the game.

the MOST UNFORGETABLE MOMENT OF THE DAY:

Bryce lost his first tooth!! Right there ON the field at Autzen Stadium!! How cool is that!

Only 4 more months till football season! GO DUCKS!