Christmas 2009

The Santa Claus house in North Pole and of course, the REAL Santa lives here! ;)

The reindeer resting up for their big journey a few days before Christmas!!

Christmas Eve- making cookies and Jada's blood sugars ROCKED that night!

Decorated by little hands......

Leaving eggnog and cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer in their Christmas jammies!

Christmas Morning.... a BB gun for Eli and .22 for David....holy smokes!!

Mary Beth and her Christmas kitten....appropriately named Claws.....who will soon be clawless!!

Jada and her princess castle......it's keeping her busy for hours at a time!!!

Santa surprised the family with a Wii fit!!

What Alaskans Celebrate on this Day!

December 21 just marks the first day of winter for most people in the United States. And yes, I know, the days are shorter all over the northern hemisphere. But this day in Alaska brings a great sigh of relief for many!! On this day we will have only 3 hours and 43 minutes of daylight!!! Winter Solstice!!! Fairbanks is only about 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle, so that daylight that I speak of, is only partial daylight. Basically, when the sun shines here, it looks like the sun is trying to rise and just can't make it up over the horizon. Sun glasses, believe it or not, can be an essential here in the winter time, because when the sun is out, it's always in your eyes!

Me, I don't mind the darkness so much. It brings with it a slow and enjoyable pace of life. Lots of evenings spent indoors with friends and family, visiting and playing games. Yes, it's cold outside, but inside, it's cozy, warm and full of life with those you love. When summer rolls around, the pace here is nonstop and while I enjoy the beautiful weather....all of that sun makes it hard to sleep. You go to a friends house for dinner and the next thing you know, it's midnight and you've failed to check the time....because the sun is still there!!! Talk about tiring!

We won't have any "real" sunshine for a while, so I'll enjoy the dark while it lasts. The boys will continue to walk to school in the morning with headlamps on for a while and I'll pick them up as the sun is setting for a while yet. By the end of January, our days will be noticeably longer and then in March when the spring equinox hits, we'll gain light as quickly as we lost it after the fall equinox. Then summer solstice, and then we start the cycle all over again. Alaska is truly a place that lives and breathes in accordance with the sun and the seasons. It's amazing!

Adventures in Sunday School

I never know what Jada's blood sugar is going to be during Sunday School. Church starts at 10 am and part way through the service, the kids are dismissed to another theater (yes, our church meets in a movie theater!) for Sunday School. I always check her before she leaves and there have been times that I need to give her a snack before she goes in. However, you've heard about the times that she has dropped to some crazy lows during Sunday School after she had been on the high end of her range just before I sent her in. Today was another story!! :)

Her Sunday School teacher, Michael, is a great guy! He's also an EMT, which makes me feel a little more relaxed. They don't have snacks every week (which is just fine with me), but when they do, he always checks to see if Jada can have one. He never just assumes anything, which we really appreciate. Like, last week, he had cheese sticks (perfect!) and even though he knew it was a free snack, he wanted to make sure. Today, just as the kids were being dismissed from church, Michael walked in and briefly sat down next to Jeff. He had Christmas treats for the kids and was checking to see if Jada could have any. Well, she had been 289 about 10 minutes prior to his asking, so I was doubtful, but told him I would check her again. So, I went to the next theater and wouldn't you know, she had already dropped to 220 and I told him she could have a few pretzels with almond bark on them. He went to get her some water and I went back to church. I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing, but I couldn't fathom her sitting there while the other kids were eating cookies and other treats while she had a bottle of water. NOT happening!

So, I pick her up after church, and found out that she had a juice box with her treats and my stomach sank! What was that lunch time number going to be??? We've been dealing with so many highs lately, that I thought for sure she would be in the 300's. And when we got home and checked, wouldn't you know- 200 on the mark! The very upper end of her range. Isn't it amazing what a number can do to your day?? I was almost giddy!!

A Funny Low

Today, after getting the kids from school, I came home and got busy making desserts for David's birthday party tonight. (Maybe more on that later if I can get it done!) When we walked in the door, I heard Jada mention that she was hungry and I had the momentary thought that "Oh- I probably ought to check her soon". Two hours before, we caught the tail end of Mary Beth's Christmas party at school, and her blood sugar was 113- and most likely dropping. So, she picked out a donut hole for a snack. I just assumed it was enough, because lately, everything seems to shoot her through the roof. So....as I was getting busy making desserts, her blood sugar was falling. And Jada was running around, acting like nothing was wrong. After a while, I hear her say again, that she's hungry. Oh....dang! Can't believe that I forgot to check. So, I told her we needed to check and her reply was that she was fine and wanted to wait. Then, I asked
if her blood sugar was okay?? And her reply....."My blood sugar is just hungry!" :) Silly girl. So...we checked and sure enough....her blood sugar was indeed a hungry 51!! I handed her a pecan bar (think pecan pie w/choc. chips and a buttery crust) thinking this is going to give her a good rebound. I figured we might have a nasty high at dinner time after such a snack, but she rang in to the tune of 87! No correction at dinner, but knew we'd have to correct when it came time for Davids party...her hungry blood sugar consumed 44 grams of carbs in cheesecake !! And did well.....she was 91 at bed and that hungry blood sugar was able to consume more cheesecake- about a quarter of a piece. So, thank you hungry blood sugar, for not forcing her to sit and watch everyone else eat while she waits. I appreciated that tonight!

Ummm......Awwww........ACKKKKKKKK!!!!

December 16, 2009 will stick out in my mind for many reasons. It's David's birthday, for one. Always memorable....we had a little family party tonight and may have a "friend" party this weekend. Today just seemed to be filled with drama.....OR maybe I'm just over dramatizing things!!!

David asked for cupcakes to be brought to school as his birthday treat...I happily obliged. While delivering the cupcakes, I noticed Eli's class heading out to recess. AND THEN.......I noticed that Eli was surrounded by about 5 or 6 little girls......walking in a "pack" around him. He's only 9 freakin' years old!!! It totally stopped me in my tracks. The girls have always liked him.....I remember going to get some baby pictures taken of him and all of the photographers in the photo studio gathered around the stroller and flirted with him...it's just always been like that. But oh...my....word.....these little 8 and 9 year old girls.....I totally wanted to run after him and drag him away...but I couldn't even move. It was quite a sight. I wish I had a picture of it. I did ask him about it later and he told me he was aware of all the girls....and just didn't know how to get rid of them!!! :)

So, the girls and I continued on to Walmart to pick up a few things that we needed for David's birthday dinner tonight. When we were nearly done, I could tell that Jada was either really tired OR her blood sugar was beginning to drop-- she was being such a slow poke and was incredibly crabby. We made our way to the check out line and while waiting for our turn, I checked her blood sugar. 95. Okay...not crisis yet, but she was beginning to act goofy, so I knew she was falling hard and fast. I took the chance to capitalize on a low blood sugar and told the girls they could pick out some candy. While they were looking, the cashier asked if Jada was diabetic and then told me that diabetes runs in her family (I assumed it was type 2) and that someday she would most likely develop it. As we're talking, Jada hands me a pack of gum that she had picked out. I handed it back and encouraged her to get m&m's or Reece's Peanut Butter Cups. WRONG thing to say to a child with a falling blood sugar and who also is in desperate need of a nap. Meltdown right there in the checkout line!!!! Stomping feet, screaming, tears, the whole nine yards. I knew there would be no reasoning with her, but dang it.....she was REALLY beginning to need some sugar. Then......our sweet cashier stepped in....she walked around the register, got down next to Jada and very sweetly said that she could keep the gum, but "lets also pick out some candy so that we can get your blood sugar up". This young woman MADE MY DAY!!! I almost cried while paying for my groceries and Jada's peanut butter cups!!! Just a touch of kindness from this young lady who understood to some extent what Jada was going through just blessed my heart. The store manager is going to get a good email from me tommorrow....I'm going to tell him to give her a HUGE raise!!! haha!


And then....there's tonight. We celebrated David's birthday. When Jeff got off work, he went shopping to pick up few things needed for his birthday. He came home with the intended books for David, but ALSO brought home a gecko! A gecko....like ya know....the Geico gecko!! David was thrilled...me...not so much. The only warning I gave was that if it got out and loose in the house....that it would be a DONE deal! So...on to the cake and ice cream after the boys moved the cage back to their room. When the boys were done eating, they went back to their room and it was NO WHERE to be seen!!! They thought it had found someway to crawl out of the cage. Well....they like heat, so we turned down the thermostat and cranked up the heat lamp (Geckos like it warm) in hopes that it would seek out out some heat. For 2 hours....that little gecko was LOST! LOST! Not good. My rear was firmly planted on the couch in a safe location just in case itgot any bad ideas. Long story short (cuz I'm falling asleep)-- the darn thing had buried itself underneath the water bowl. We were all VERY happy he was found IN HIS CAGE!!

That's my drama for the day...a most memorable one, too!

Dear David

Dear David,

Today you turn 11. I don't know where the time has gone, I just know that it has gone way too fast. It seems like just yesterday, we were getting our first glimpse of you. My 18 hour labor began in the wee hours of the morning.....and I remember sitting in the rocking chair and crying, because I knew that once you arrived, it would be my job to nurture you and prepare you for a life all of your own. At 11 , you're not quite there yet, but you are well on your way.

What a joy you have been in our life! We are so proud of who you are.....of the character that we see inside of you. Honest, kind, compassionate, diligent, obedient. These things alone will take you far in life! Also, we love that you are so careful in who you choose to be your close friends, as it seems you are already aware of the effect that relationships can have in our life. You know that those who make good choices, will encourage you to do the same! It blesses our heart when we see you reading your Bible all on your own and we know that you are sensitive to the Lord's leading in your life.

We are completely proud of you......and want you to know that we always will be.....just because you're our son. I can't wait to see what the next 11 years will bring!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!

Catching Up

Well....we've been busy here in the far north. Christmas is coming....my secret santa gift is all put together (finally!) and ready to get in the mail. Our shopping for the kids is nearly done...mostly stocking stuffers is what we have left. We've begun our holiday baking- I say "we" because Jeff really gets into this time of year and enjoys all that comes with the season. The kids are done with school on Friday!!! I am SO excited to have them home for a couple of weeks. We'll be heading to Anchorage on New Years Day for the weekend.....excited for my family, but NOT excited about the 6 hour drive to get there. It's not the 6 hours, but the fact that we will only have a few hours of daylight for travel, so most of it will be done in the dark and there's always a moose or two lurking around. You don't want one of those coming through your windshield! Also, weather changes so quickly here and road conditions change with them. There are a few small towns along the road, but it's pretty remote. The good thing is, it's a well traveled road, so if something happens, help can arrive quickly. Geesh....can you tell that road freaks me out a bit????

Jada's doing ok. We've been lingering on the high side lately-- the low 200's have kept us company lately. She does have a slight cold, so that may be why. If I don't see a change in the next day or two, we'll have to do some adjusting, most likely to her Lantus, because she does come down after a meal correction, then bounces right back up again. We'll get it figured out!

Well...the snow has been falling beautifully all day- big, fat, fluffy flakes (trying saying THAT 5 times quickly). I could sit on my sofa all day and watch them fall with nothing but the tree lights on. However, there is laundry to fold, dishes to do and bathrooms to clean. All that, plus some holiday baking to do. I had better go.

5 Things I Love

Thank you Melissa for giving me the Circle of Friends Award!!! For those of you who don't know Melissa, she's a D-mom who has successfully raised a son with Type 1 Diabetes who is in his freshman year of college! She's my HERO!!! Melissa has given me hope that diabetes won't always be at the forefront of my life and that....is something to look forward to!!

So, I must list 5 things that I love....shouldn't be too hard!!

1. My family. Jeff completes me in every possible way- I can't imagine my life without him. My children are the joys of my life and I am amazed at the gifts God has given us.

2. My parents and siblings. I was blessed to be raised in a home with two parents who loved each other and the Lord. I wouldn't be who I am without them. My brother and sister are two of the most amazing people that I know. My sister is my very best friend in the whole world.

3. My sister-in-laws and their families. Jesus just didn't give me sister-in-laws when I married Jeff- He gave me sisters. I truly love them and their kids (spouses, too!) and they have unconditionally loved me for 12 years!!

4. My church family. I just love them. They have been there for us and stuck with us during tough times..they have been a huge support for me with Jada.

5. Alaska. I love living here. It is a place of extreme everything..light, dark, cold, warm and the people who live here are the best thing about Alaska. They may be sourdoughs, but I love them!

And now....to give this award to 5 people.....how the HECK am I going to do that???? Wish I could give it to ALL of you!

1. Rocksee at Rocksee's At the Porch Swing

2.Shamae at Welcome to Our Crazy Happy Life

3. Rachel at One Day at a Time (congrats on the new baby Rachel!!)

4.Lora at My Diabetic Child

5.Heidi at Mattie's Diabetes

Okay, ladies....list 5 things that you love and pass it on!!

If She's Not Low....She's High.....

A month ago we were struggling with dangerous, unexpected lows for days on end. I thought I was going to lose my mind.....actually I think I did for a while, because I ran on NO SLEEP for about 2 weeks. We decided to go down by a .5 on her Lantus, putting her at 2 units, and it worked like a charm....couldn't believe I hadn't done it sooner. But, for a short period of time this summer, she was at 3 units of Lantus and I just didn't ever think that I would have to decrease her insulin by that much. So now, we're doing 2 units of Lantus in the morning. It worked like a charm....at first. Now, we're running on the high side of her range most of the time. Her target is 150- with her range being between 100 and 200. I'm liking the fact that we're not having scary lows all the time (last week, we did have a 32, and I'm not really sure what happened there), and her night time numbers are much steadier, she doesn't have to spike in the mid-200s in order to wake up at a safe number. However, I'm not liking the fact that she hangs out above 170 most of the day. A year ago, that may not have bothered me and maybe it still shouldn't, because it's in her "range". But I want better than that without having to constantly be on the lookout for low blood sugars!!!
We have an appointment coming up...next week I believe. A1C, the whole bit. I don't think we'll have that 6.8 again, but that's okay. That 6.8 came with more lows than she should have had. I'll be happy with anything in the 7's, I think! :) Also, we're getting serious about the pump at this appointment and I'm SO looking forward to moving ahead with a pump. It's way beyond time!