Project 365

Now that it is 2011, it's time to start my project that I have been waiting to start for a couple months now.  

 Project 365 - Life with Diabetes in Pictures.  

I am very excited about this! 


I have been inspired by some pretty awesome ladies to do this but the one who got me started thinking about it was Jen of I am your Pancreas.  (Tracy over at My Life with The Superhero and The Princess just started her own Project 365!) She has had a Project 365 going on over at her blog for a while and her pictures are AWESOME! While I am not a talented photographer, like Jen, I do think it is a wonderful idea to share our life with diabetes in pictures.  I'm not sure who started the idea, but I am going to run with it.  


So, as not to bog down this blog I started a new blog that is just for my Project 365. (Tracy was my inspiration for the separate blog, wonderful idea!) Simply Named; Sweet to the Soul Project 365. You can get to it by licking on the Project 365 tab above or click on the image below. 

I will also have a link for you to follow my posts on that blog so you can get a new picture each day and get a glimpse into our life with diabetes in a whole new way.  


If you are working on a Project 365, let me know and I will link you up to my page tab above. I want to be able to share all the other Project 365's out there with my followers.  

Our Christmas

Ours was different this year.  Normally we have the hub bub of driving from here and there and everywhere but this year, we decided to stay home.  Since this was our first year just the 5 of us I decided that I had to finish my Christmas shopping that morning.  (I would not recommend this nor will I do this in the future.) I ended up spending all morning and part of the afternoon shopping.  I love shopping but just no on Christmas Eve. 

We had a very relaxing evening though.  I made a virtually carb free dinner of Chicken wings, carrots, cucumbers, cheese slices, brown n serve rolls and pickles.  (the pickles  were supposed to be Pickle Wraps but I forgot the meat for them and didnt' realize it until I went to make them...) 

We let the girls stay up late and we watched The Chronicles Of Narnia (the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) with them.  This was one of my favorite books growing up and the girls just love the movie.  ( I can't wait to see the new one that just came out!) 

After the girls went to bed I wrapped presents and stuffed stockings for Christmas morning.  I finally made it to bed at 1am Christmas morning! 

I had dreams of how Christmas morning would be this year.  Well, you all know about dreams and the fact they rarely come true....

It wasn't that mine didn't come true but it all started out much different then I would have liked.

I didn't wake up to the sound of the girls asking if we could open presents yet, I woke up to Lovebug telling me that Dexie was broken. HUH?  I shook my head.  Did I hear her right?  Dexie is BROKEN?!  As I look at Dexie, she isn't broken.  (thank God!!)  She does need a sensor change though. I wanted Christmas to be free of site changes and sensor changes.  Thanks D.  That was a great way to start Christmas morning off.  

Needless to say I did not want the girls to have to wait any longer then they already had to wait to open presents.  I decided to wait until bedtime to put a new sensor in and go without Dexie for the day.  Normally, this would have sent me into a panic but for some reason, I just went with the flow.  

We decided to make it a tradition to have breakfast before the girls open gifts.  Although I read somewhere among the many blogs I caught up on today that someone leaves a few unwrapped so they have something to play with while breakfast is being made.  I thought that was a great idea!  We might have to try that for next year.  

I had a grand breakfast planned but the girls would have nothing of it, they wanted to eat cereal for breakfast.  Well then, eat cereal and mom will enjoy the cinnamon rolls! So cereal it was for the kids and eggs for mom and dad.  

The girls managed to spill on their pajamas during breakfast so we had them get dressed before we opened presents.  A very typical thing for them.  We usually by them pajamas to open on Christmas Eve so they get to wear them for  Christmas morning, well good thing I didn't do that this year!  

The girls loved all the gifts. There wasn't a lot but as you can see they had a few favorites!  

Princess and her new Dora spinning toothbrush

Princess loves her new Tag Reader, and the Miss Spider book!

The look of exhilaration from receiving princess lip gloss and body glitter! 

Lovebug opening her Fancy Nancy Doll

You can't tell she is excited about it or anything...

The Fancy Nancy blanket that I made her.  The front of it looks just like her doll. 

I don't think she likes it at all....

My Hello Kitty fanatic! 

A large Hello Kitty to go with the new Comforter.

A better picture of "Hello Kitty". 

Opening the Wii, Peanut got it right away. The other two took a minute! 

We spent the afternoon playing Wii, watching TV and making crafts with the girls. It was a pretty relaxing afternoon.  

This was the first year we have had Christmas dinner at our house with just our family.  It was really nice but for some reason, I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. (that is a whole other blog post)  It really didn't hit me until a couple days before. Then I was just overwhelmed with things to accomplish. Christmas dinner just didn't end up being my thing this year.  I decided to make one of my favorite Chicken dishes this year rather then try to pick something new.  I really wanted Prime Rib, but that stuff isn't cheap.  I am saving up for next year though!  I made a few of the family favorites, like my mashed potatoes and rolls.  Nothing too fancy this year but I have 12 months to think about next Christmas!  

Even though this Christmas was different from years past, It really ended up being one of my favorite.  I will remember it and cherish it forever. 

Thankfulness

I have definitely had those days where I needed to count my blessings. You know, those days that are just so rotten the blessings are the only things the make it bearable.  


So, In keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving I thought I would share some things I am thankful for.


...that we have very little out of pocket cost for Lovebug's diabetes supplies.  It's not something I like to bring attention to because I know too many D Mamas that struggle with insurance or have had to go back to work to help pay for their child's diabetes supplies. It's hard to have to worry about your child as well as where the money is going to come from to take care of them and keep them alive.   


..that Lovebug doesn't really give much thought about diabetes, yet.  It is just a part of life to her. She doesn't complain about her site changes or when I change Dexie's sensor. We haven't ever had to pin her down to give her a shot (she has cried with the shots though) I don't have to do anything special. We have a routine for her site changes, she likes to have something to eat when we do them but that's it.  I love it when she meets other kids with diabetes. I try to make a big deal out of it that they are like her and she compares insulin pump or CGM  and moves on. She treats them like she does all her other friends. I know deep down it won't always be this way. There will be a day when she starts noticing the differences, but for now I am thankful she doesn't seem to mind that she is "different" from her friends.  


...that I have a husband who is involved and cares about Lovebug's diabetes care and advocates and educates just as much as I do. He may not be as "smooth" about the care part as I am but, it's my job.  He is my loyal other half who is there when ever I need him to step in and I am extremely thankful for that, and for him. 


...my faith.  I know I am NEVER really alone. Through every circumstance and trial He is right there with me and will never leave my side.  


...that Lovebug is still with us.  She is healthy and happy and that means the world to me.  


...perspective that I have gained. I am much more sensitive to others who have children who are suffering with diabetes or another chronic illness.  I know what it is like to see a child suffer and I don't wish that upon anyone.  


...that I have the DOC to lean on and my D Mamas.  I don't know what I would do without you guys!!  Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.  


...last but not least, my friends and family who are also there to support me.  It means more then words can express.  I love you! 


I hope that all of you have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!