National Diabetes Awareness Month Day 26

Only 3 more days to vote! Would you mind taking four seconds to vote for us? It really makes a difference! Thanks to everyone who has voted and shared the link on their Facebook or Twitter accounts! I really appreciate all the help. 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Family-Blogs-By-Moms-2012#_

Have you ever wanted your child with diabetes to play with another child with diabetes? 

Robyn can help you! 

I wanted to let you all get an update about a friend of mine that I met through the amazing Diabetes Online Community! 

You might remember the post I did about the woman who helps kids with "Special Kids" navigate their way through a trip to Disney! If not, here it is again! 

Well, Robyn doesn't slow down in her quest to make Disney the most magical place on Earth for everybody! 

Her latest endeavor has been to create a trip where kids with diabetes and their families can visit Disneyworld during the same week! She provides opportunities for the families to come together and meet/share. It is powerful week where lifelong friendships are 

made! The best part is the way the kids relate to one another. Thanks Robyn for helping us all! 

Here are the details! 

Diabetic Mousketeers March 26 – April 4, 2013

Last year, I decided to create a trip just for  families with diabetes.  We all had a blast!  My son had an amazing time making new friends that were just like him. 

The Diabetic Mouseketeers trip is a time when families with diabetes can meet and enjoy each other’s company, while making magical family memories.  We will have optional activities scheduled.  You and your family can pick and choose as many or as little scheduled activities to attend.  This is your trip - you get to choose the dates, the resort, the tickets, and have the option to add adining plan.  I can help you with all of the planning - dining reservations, parks itinerary, BibbidiBobbidi Boutique, dinner shows, etc.  Your family is there to have a magical adventure, knowing that there are families like yours waiting to meet you!

The Walt Disney World property offers a wide selection of

resorts.  Let me know if there is a resort that you prefer.  If you need assistance choosing a resort, I will be happy to help.  Then I can help you with the ticket packages and optional dining package. Everything can be custom designed to your specifications. My goal is to not only arrange for families to meet, but also to help remove the stress and overwhleming feeling of planning a Disney vacation. 

The activities I am planning:

*Agent P's World showcase Adventure through the countries of Epcot

*Pin Trading - fun for all ages

*Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

*Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom - interactive adventure battlingthe Disney villians

*Animal Kingdom Safari Expedition

*Jedi Training Academy - the young jedis are trained to fight with a lightsaber and then get a chance to go against Darth Vader

*Boneyard play at Dinoland USA - a large dinosaur themed playground and dig site

*Tom Sawyer's Island - take a raft to a large outdoor playground

*Dole Whip Social - a chance for us all to sit and enjoy a Magic Kingdom

*Character meet and greets

Signing up for this event is very easy! Contact me if you are

interested! Just send me note with the dates you want with the number of adults and the ages of the children. Each package can be created just for your family.There is a $200 deposit and the final payment is not due until 45 prior to your arrival date.

I hope you all can come! It will be magical!

-- Robyn Adams Affiliated with Travel with the MagicTravel with the Magic1-800-670-4312 ext 125

Robyn@travelwiththemagic.com

Please also remember that Robyn knows Disney like the back of her hand! She helps all sorts of families (autism, down syndrome, wheelchair bound, severe allergies) . Even if your child doesn't have any of this, please feel free to forward this post to a friend who's child might. Your friend will thank you for caring (trust me!). 

National Diabetes Awareness Month Day 25

Yesterday I was grumpy. I don't like to be grumpy so I don't usually get grumpy. I also believe that unless we're living in a car, there is always a reason to be happy, or at least content. But yesterday, it felt good to be grumpy. 

 

Only problem was, I wasn't sure why I was grumpy. My BFF traveled back home to her state. Even though we talk on the phone every day, it always makes me feel better when she is in my state. Maybe that was it. 

 

Maybe it was because a childhood friend of mine passed away the night before. He had three, wonderful children and a beautiful wife. That sure was a reason to be grumpy. Stupid Cancer! I capitalized Cancer on purpose because it leaves such devastation in its wake, it just seems like it needs to be properly acknowledged! Stupid F'ing Cancer! Yes, I capitalized that that word too... 

 

Anyway, I went to bed grumpy. 

 

When I woke up in the morning, I was hoping the grumpy had passed. I grabbed my phone and read this comment posted in response to my on November 22nd entry. 

 

Darcy has left a new comment on your post "National Diabetes Awareness Day 22": 

 

These acts of kindness exist. They are humbling (in a good way) when received and so amazing when you can provide a gift. You gave a gift.

 My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed three days ago with Type 1. The day before Thanksgiving I thought she had strep or even Mono but no, she had undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes. We went from being thankful for a Dr. appointment to get antibiotics before a holiday to being in an ambulance and headed to the Children's Hospital in a matter of 2 hours. She was in severe Ketoacidosis and we didn't even know it.

In the past three days we have been the recipients of random acts of kindness that have brought me to my knees. From the family that spent two months in the hospital 11 years ago with their now healthy daughter, came a cup of Starbucks Coffee on Thanksgiving morning to my new friend, whose son was diagnosed in May, with a care package filled with packaged emergency 15 carb snacks, cheese sticks, notebooks, charts...everything she wished she would have had 6 months ago.

Unexpected kindness even comes from blogs like yours. While I am waiting up to check my daughters blood at 2am I am obsessively reading everything I can about our new lives. The feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed with my role as well as what this means for the rest of my daughter's life are calmed a bit when reading your entries. 

Thank you for mowing that man's grass and thank you for allowing me to see this life through your words. Each act of kindness means the world to someone. 

- Darcy

I knew grumpy was over. Can I ask that anyone who is reading this please say a prayer for Darcy and her daughter? She needs strength and support and I know first hand that you all are amazing at that! Thank you! 

 

Dear Darcy, 

 

Please know how sorry I am and everyone who reads this blog is for your new-found situation. I hope with the hospital's care, she is starting to at least feel better. 

It is scary, devastating and, most of all, overwhelming. I know how you feel. You will always remember the people who have helped you (especially the cheese stick lady). I am sure you are scared to take care of your daughter's diabetes, but please know from me and hundreds of other mothers, you are going to do great for her and with her. I can say this with confidence for three reasons. 

 

1) Because you have no choice. Sorry, but it's true.

 

2) Because since the first baby amoeba was born, mothers have protected their children. You will be just as great as that first awesome amoeba mom that got the ball rolling.

 

3) Because we are ALL pulling for you. There is strength in our world. The world that encompasses parents all over the globe holding their breath during soccer games and waking at 2 am for the overnight check. 

 

If we lived in the same city, I would come give you a hug and help you "everyday" until you felt confident you could do it on your own. Then, I would buy you a Starbucks gift card and put it in an Everyday Highs and Lows mug. 

There will be some late nights and you'll need the caffeine! However, because we don't, I will include a bunch of posts that I hope will be helpful while you are waiting for tonight's 2 am check. 

 

THANK YOU for trusting me with your vulnerable and fragile moment. If you ever want to talk off line, please contact me at everydayhighsandlows1@gmail.com. If you'd like, I can give you my phone number and we can talk. 

 

I am sorry this happened to you guys. 

 

You can do this,

Shari

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/p/then-comes-another-diagnosis.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/10/just-like-brushing-your-teeth_10.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/01/motherhood_12.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/04/healthy-snacks-list_17.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/11/national-diabetes-awareness-month-day-16.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/11/national-diabetes-month-day-1.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/10/confession-of-carb-addict-who-also.html

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/10/fall-time-treats-with-carbs_1.html

This one you just need to read because it's funny and it will take your mind off of it all for just a minute.
http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/07/spray-tan.html

And this one too!

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/02/church.html

Please, don't forget to vote for us if you have about four seconds! Only four days left and we need a big push! Thanks so much! I really appreciate you! 

 http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Family-Blogs-By-Moms-2012#_

National Diabetes Awareness Month Day 20

First of all, I would like to really thank everyone for voting for us in the Circle of Moms contest! You guys have been so supportive and so helpful! Some of you have even gone so far, as to share it on Facebook and recruit friends. You are really amazing. It is actually kind of fun, right? 

We still have 9 more fun days!  So, I will include the link again at the bottom of this post. If you haven't yet voted, feel free to try it. It takes about four seconds and you don't have to sign up for anything. 

Second, thanks for tuning in to Everyday Highs and Lows each day this month! Some people come because they have diabetes in their families. Some people don't and are just really nice! Either way I am humbled and grateful! 

Tonight's post will be for both groups! It's my present back to you! I am in the Santa spirit with Black Friday coming soon. 

So here are some funny, helpful and silly pictures that I have taken over the past month, either with my camera or from Facebook! Kind of like a mini Pinterest! 

Hope you enjoy.

If you have diabetes and don't have insurance, check these out. Usually test strips are $1/strip (talk about a racket!) But, my favorite little store, Target has 100 for only $37!! I thought the meter would be where they made their money but nope!

Awesome! Thanks Target. FINALLY something people can afford when it comes to diabetes!

Ok, that was my public service announcement. The rest are just randoms. Hope you enjoy! 

I may have posted this before but I thought it was worth showing again. Cool!

The boys birthday cake. I made it. Don't judge, he had a small piece and I gave him the right amount of insulin. Ended up throwing half of it away after two days. Isn't that funny how you can burn yourself out on cake? 

  

Everyone has a story. Some worse, some better. Just different. 

Genius! It works on the random little ones left over after your kids have picked up the big ones. I saw it in action.

Somebody likes Chai tea! 

This is the reason I love my husband! 

Our family friend in a bee costume. It's just funny!

Just some eye candy! 

and some more...

Ok, one last dog.

Thank you! Good night! 

Oh, and don't forget to vote, please! 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Family-Blogs-By-Moms-2012#_

National Diabetes Awareness Month Day 19

Ok so, remember when I said I was afraid if I started to advocate for diabetes, that I thought I would end up making Rocco a poster boy? But then, remember when I said I wanted to start saying yes to everything, because saying yes opens doors to so many things? 

Well, this is how we spent our Sunday! 

Sorry the pictures are blurry, I was trying to be nonchalant! 

All of this kind of happened kind of organically.  When we were volunteering at our local JDRF office, the super great Events Director was telling us about a black tie fund raiser they do every year. She showed us the video of last year's event and we got talking. Before ya know it, she asked if we might be interested in being in it! Keeping my promise to myself,  I said, "Sure!" 

Then she said, she already had two cute girls in place but she needed some adults with Type 1. She wanted to show that diabetes should no longer just be considered just a "kid disease". Ding! Ding! Ding! I told her I knew the perfect person! And just like that, three weeks later, we were all on a set like Honey Boo Boo! 

Honestly though, it was very fun! Rocco loved being interviewed. The man that was doing the interviewing said he was very articulate. They took him in a room, put him on a stool, and turned on the bright lights. Then, he and the nice man just talked. I tried to stay away and not turn into a stage mom. So, I didn't actually get to see the interview. But later, Rocco told me he said yes or no and then explained his answer. Phew. He is such a great little guy! 

I thought he might like this kind of thing because even when he was a baby, he just seemed "leaderly". It bugs him to not be good at stuff or not be in charge. In my mind's eye, I have always seen him as an adult, speaking at a podium. Just one of those mom premonitions... Between, you and me, I can't wait to see what he will become! He and Zeke! 

I did stop to think about the big picture and spoke about it with my hubby. We both decided doing this video would be one of those things that, years later, he could put on a college application. It was something of which he could be proud. It was done with such respect and if his story touches people's hearts at the dinner, then they will give more money for research. How could we not help? Plus, he and Zeke get to wear little tuxedos at the dinner. I'll make sure to post the pictures!  

On the drive there, Rocco and I talked about his future. He said he would like to be the President someday because he could make sure that no businesses would go out of business. I told him making this video could be his first step in training himself to be the President! He giggled at the possibility. Then, I peeked at him in the rear view mirror, like parents do, and he was daydreaming, out the window, with a big smile on his face. If I could only see his thoughts...

When it was my father-in-law's turn, it was great to see him talking about how he feels about his type 1 diabetes. Most days it is just habit for him, but I am sure being able to share with someone (and eventually a lot of people) probably felt good. He said he had fun, so that is all that matters! I was proud of him for taking such a great step. 

They both, with the other participants, will be on all of the brochures for the event. The video is shown after the dinner at the event. I am looking forward to seeing it. Once, I have permission, I will post it here! The event isn't until the Spring.

Something else happened on Sunday that was really neat, the two cute girls in the above picture actually are the stars for another diabetes blog that is called www.naturallysweetsisters.com! It is a great blog that chronicals the days of caring for both girls, who have Type 1 diabetes. Phew! That is a lot of work. Thankfully, the mom was super awesome. She and I are already becoming fast friends! Feel free to check her blog out. 

I am glad that the diabetic online community is so nice! Unlike the corporate world, they share information versus act competitively! We all have enough to worry about without having to worry about each other. I am grateful for that. 

So, even though I have officially turned myself into a pageant mom for the day, I believe it is something we all can be proud of! Plus, I think it will empower him to do other things. The world is vast and wonderful place! Diabetes or not, something tells me this will be the first of many interviews for Rocco! 

Also, would you mind taking a second to vote again? I really appreciate all your help! You are great! 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Family-Blogs-By-Moms-2012#_