Best Conversation of the Week (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Best conversation I had this week. Try writing script-style (or with dialogue) today to recap an awesome conversation you had this week.

I haven't had any memorable conversations this week, but there is one communication that really touched me. It was a letter my 10 yr old wrote to the Easter bunny. She started off asking for things - jewelry, candy, hair accessories, etc.  It was the ending of her letter (that she doesn't know I read) that surprised me.

She said, "You should give my mom something for all she does. Sometimes I get kind of angry at her, but I get over it."

Those words would bring tears to the eyes of any mother!  (Yes, I cried!) All of my children make me proud, but special moments like that make the tough times all worth it. Although it wasn't a conversation I had, those words mean so much to me!  Wishing everyone a blessed Easter full of wonderful surprises!


Image credit: Easter Bunny picture found here.

Hubby and I, Stuck Like Glue

Hubby and I started dating almost 26 years ago while we were both still in high school.  We got married a little over 19 yrs ago, the summer after I graduated from college.  Our first child was born 10.5 months later.  We've been through a lot, but we're still together, still very much in love.  We both have found the Sugarland song, "Stuck Like Glue," to be a song that brings us together, helping us to focus on our feelings for each other.  We've celebrated many Christmas seasons together.  Here's looking forward to many more!

Holiday Pig-Out

November and December are two of my favorite months for one reason - holidays! Thanksgiving brings me great joy as we discuss with the kids how thankful we are. They realize how fortunate we are as we discuss what others do without. My heart fills with joy and pride as they do things to help others.

The season of Advent is filled with anticipation as we celebrate the coming of the baby Jesus. Yes, I have to admit that the children are also excited about Santa Claus. I enjoy decorating the house and listening to Christmas music. This time is also full of reflection and meditation. As a mother, how would I feel in Mary's place? What does the birth of the Messiah mean to me?

Christmas Eve and Christmas are filled with wonder and surprise. Our church's candlelight Christmas Eve service full of lessons and carols will no doubt put a tear in my eye. The anticipation before bed and the excitement of Christmas morning brings out the child in all of us.

As a PWD (person with diabetes), the holidays also have a negative side - all the yummy carb-filled goodies! Cookies, candy, cakes, breads, potatoes - YUM! The lessons of these holidays can also be used to help with the moderation needed to keep glucose levels in check.

Thanksgiving - Being thankful for what I have helps me through this holiday. I am thankful for my medical team. My doctor listens to me and helps me work through my concerns. He also knows that I take the time to educate myself, not accepting things blindly and taking a proactive approach to my health.

Advent - Waiting. Sometimes I need to wait for that piece of cake until my glucose level comes down or wait until after a brisk walk. On the other side, I may need to wait until my glucose levels come up to drive somewhere.

Christmas - The season of giving. I may give someone part of my treats to avoid overindulgence or give myself a nice big salad to counteract the mashed potatoes that call to me. Giving another PWD encouragement that they can get through the holidays complication-free.

PWDs: As we continue through the holiday season, as we face temptation wherever we go, remember these three words: Moderation, not deprivation.

And to the Type Awesomes out there, the ones who support us, please take note of Mike's video as a guide of how to eat with a PWD:

Happy Labor Day!

First of all, I'd like to thank those who are working today so that we can enjoy our family time.  This would include (but not limited to) military, medical professionals, emergency services, utility workers, and those working in retail.

Like most of the country, hubby and I have the day off from work.  We've enjoyed some tv watching time with the kids. After lunch, a nap was in order.   For dinner we had homemade tacos instead of the traditional bbq.

Holidays can be tricky when there's food involved. My hubby is an amazing cook and is great at making low carb versions of my favorite meals.  He seasons the meat himself instead of prepackaged seasoning. Hubby and I use low-carbs tortillas and lots of veggies. The kids get regular carb tortillas since they are still growing.

It's always easier to manage food temptations when we eat at home on holidays. I spent two days this weekend at a local festival. Surprisingly, I skipped the shoe string onion rings and funnel cake. Hubby packed me some healthy snacks which made it easier to avoid temptation.

However, I did get a scoop if chocolate ice cream, because we all know that diabetics love ice cream.

Happy Easter!

Oops! Missed a day!  Sorry that I wasn't here yesterday.  We were outside most of the day.  It was beautiful!  I got three loads of laundry hung out. Hubby got the lawn mowed and cleaned up the front flower beds.  By the time I realized that I hadn't posted on my blog, it was 12:30am and I was needing some serious sleep.

The younger three got up at 6:30 am.  They found 42 plastic eggs filled with goodies waiting to be found.  Our fruit bowl was in the middle of the table filled with chocolate bunnies, peanut butter eggs, sidewalk chalk, sugar free gum, two card games (Harry Potter Uno, anyone?), and a jigsaw puzzle.

Church service was full of rejoicing.  Our jr/sr high bell choir played so beautifully, there were a few damp eyes.  The children found the "tomb" (box) where they had sealed away their Alleluias six weeks ago to be opened and empty.  They found them around the organ and choir inside eggs with symbols of the events (crown of thorns, spear, cross, donkey, cloth, coins, etc.). 

Right now most of the kids are playing outside with bubbles and sidewalk chalk.  Hearing their laughter fills my heart with joy!  Wishing everyone a joyful Easter!

Χριστος ανεστη! Αληθως ανεστη!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know it's already January 3rd, but it's never too late, is it?  The new year is a time for renewal, a fresh start.  I haven't had the best control over my diabetes, but that's in the past.  There's nothing I can do to change what has already been done.  I am back to tracking my food intake and exercise on SparkPeople.  Yes, even that trip to McDonald's yesterday.  I need to be honest and accountable to myself.  None of us are perfect, but each of us can strive for better. 

I'll let you all in on a little secret: I have a king size almond Snickers bar in my drawer.  I want to eat it, but I haven't because I don't want to enter it.  Silly piece of motivation, but it's working. 

Today is the last day of Christmas vacation for our children.  Ok, so technically it's winter vacation.  Also technically today is a teacher inservice day, so not really part of their vacation, but anyway...  We've had a good time together as a family.  Yes, the kids have their squabbles.  Don't we all?  Overall they're a fun group of kids to be around and I'm a little sad that tomorrow we're back to the school routine. 

You probably would like to know my resolutions/goals for 2011.  Here it goes:

1. Keep track of my diet and exercise to keep my glucose levels under control
2. Get myself as organized as everyone thinks I am (or at least closer)
3. Enjoy the time I have with my family and make it special

May God bless you during your time of renewal!

Reflections on 2010

I have started this post about five times with all the usual.  This year has just flown by...  We've seen a lot of changes this year...  The kids have reached so many milestones...

Of course all of these sound so cliche.  For anyone who knows me, I'm anything but.  I'm a go with the flow, not with the crowd type of person.  Now how to do a year in review post without sounding like the typical year in review.

Instead of going through the year's events, bragging about my children, I want to reflect on my feelings about the last year.  (Of course if you'd like me to brag, I can do that, too!)  This year has gone through all the emotions.  Joy, sadness, happiness, excitement, sorrow, humor... we've pretty much hit them all.  Even in our living room at this moment, we have the two teens laughing hysterically, #3 laughing at their antics, and #4 annoyed as they wake her up (though she's not tired and refuses to go upstairs before midnight).  The youngest is fully asleep, unaware of the goings on. 

Me?  I sit here reflective, thinking about how my children have grown.  Physically, academically, and emotionally.  Through their growing up, I also feel that I've grown.  Watching my children grow and plan out their futures help me to focus on my own as well.

As I've mentioned before, one of my goals is to be an advocate and educator about Type 2 diabetes.  There are so many misconceptions about Type 2.  As a  result, I feel it's my calling to help people understand more about diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes isn't a disease of old, lazy, over-eaters.  There are so many young and fit Type 2s.  It still strikes me that more people die from diabetes than breast cancer or AIDS combined.  How scary is that! 

One "regret" I have from this last year is that I have not been exercising as much as I would like.  It was put in quotes since I try not to have regrets about things in the past.  They are what they are.  There is no point in dwelling on them.  "Live and learn," right?  History is there to teach us about the past so we can learn from it.  In the next couple days I plan to learn from the challenges of the past to make my future even better.

As we get ready to say good-bye to 2010 and look forward to what 2011 has in store, I pray that God grants us what we need and maybe a few wants, with the wisdom to know the difference.  And may God also help us work together to find a cure for diabetes. 

Simple is good

I love Christmas.  Not because of receiving gifts.  I love giving.  Nothing makes me happier than buying presents for my husband and children.  I love finding gadgets for our siblings as well. (I have to admit that I still have to finish the gifts for our parents.)  I'd be happy with just giving everyone presents and my gift being the joy on their faces. 

Although Santa didn't bring me what I really wanted this year (a cure), I did receive some great gifts that were simple and well thought out.  One of my favorite gifts that got a lot of laughs was a case of Diet Coke.  I love Diet Coke!  I even have a t-shirt that says so!  Opening that gift brought laughter and joy.  It was a simple gift, not expensive or flashy, but something that the giver knew would be appreciated. 

After a busy holiday at home and church followed by a visit with extended family, I am looking forward to the best gift of all: a few days with my husband and children at home.  Yes, simple... but simple is good!

Vacation is over

I had a blast during NaBloPoMo and enjoyed my little vacation from blogging, but now the vacation is over.  It's time to get back to blogging.  I don't have a topic today, but I wanted to get back into the routine of blogging.

The house is quiet.  All of the children are upstairs.  Hubby is watching tv.  The cat went into the dog's crate and looks like she wants to climb the walls of it.  The two dogs are sleeping somewhere in the house.  I'm sitting her, tired from my day.  It's a good tired.  I'm really enjoying substitute teaching, though I'm still getting used to a new routine for our family.  Evening obligations are a little harder to coordinate though we're also adjusting in that area.

We're getting ready for the holidays.  The tree is up and decorated.  Some of the shopping has been done, though none of the wrapping has been done.  I need to figure out what shopping still needs to be done.  Overall life has been good.  Our family is healthy for the most part.  Nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. Praying that we stay healthy - and still praying for a cure!  Never give up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a good day overall.  We stayed home and had a simple dinner, just the seven of us (yes, I like saying that).  My husband, as always, made a wonderful dinner.  Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing (technically dressing since we don't stuff the bird...whatever), cranberry sauce (canned and homemade), and gravy.  I added to the meal by making a creamed corn casserole.  There were also some olives, though I don't eat them.  It wasn't my mom's recipe, but it was close.  Dessert consisted of homemade pumpkin pie (hubby) and pudding pie (the only pie I make).  Our second one also made chocolate chip cookies.

 The kids behaved overall.  The holidays wouldn't be the same without a squabble or two (or three or four...).  Dinner was pleasant with a cease fire for almost an hour.  My glucose level went up a little, of course, which made me a little cranky, of course.  Hubby made me drink a little water before I took my little turkey-induced nap. 

I could honestly go to bed for the evening now (little after 9pm), but I'm planning on hitting some midnight shopping.  Then of course there's the 5am shopping as well.  Yes, I'm one of those crazy people.  Living in a small town helps.  The shoppers are usually polite through the craziness.  I already hit two stores today.  I didn't get everything I was hoping for, but I'm not one that gets angry if something sells out or if corporate doesn't send enough to meet our demand.  My hope during my holiday shopping is to be thankful for what we can provide for our children and do it in the loving, giving spirit of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate.

As we go from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, may your family be blessed with many things to be thankful for!  Every day I thank God for my husband and five children, our extended family, and the many friends that have blessed our lives. 

Counting my blessings

This evening I've been working on a project to help someone else that has in turn helped me.  Tonight I have had time to contemplate how lucky I am.  I have had the opportunity to count my blessings.  All too often we take things for granted.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family and a great extended family.  We are also blessed to have a caring church family and lots of friends.  All too often I forget just how blessed we are.

Even when dealing with diabetes, it is easy to lose focus on how lucky many of us are.  Many of us have insurance that helps pay for our supplies and medications, at least in part.  Many of us have access to healthy foods.  Many of us don't think twice about having the resources we need.  However, we do know there are people in the world, more than there should be, that don't have access to diabetes testing supplies, medication, and insulin.  Not everyone has a supporting family with a spouse who will adapt favorite recipes to make them lower carb or a daughter who will step up and raise money for a cure. 

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, let us concentrate on our blessings.  Be truly thankful for all that you have and pray for those that aren't as fortunate.  Find a way to help out someone else this week.  Be a blessing in the life of another!

It's almost that time

Thursday is Thanksgiving and you know what that means.  Christmas shopping!  WOOT!

Yes, I'm one of those crazy people that will shop on Thanksgiving and on Black Friday.  I've been checking out the ads online and making a list of what I'll probably buy from each store.  Right now I'm making a list of things I'm considering, then I'll go through and make my actual list.  Who is the easiest to shop for?  Hands down, the youngest.  Even though she "needs" nothing, she's the easiest to shop for because there are so many neat products out there for six year olds.  The hardest?  Probably my middle one who is 11 yrs old.  The tween years are the hardest to shop for.  Not quiet a teenager but starting to outgrow the little kid stuff.  Sort of in limbo.

I'm not sure what I want hubby to buy for me.  I have some ideas of things I'd like to buy for myself since they're on sale this week and I know that hubby will stay far, far away, but I know better.  Honestly I'd be happy with only one or two small things.  I'd rather spend the money on the kids, my own and my two nieces. 

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving.  It will be just the seven of us, and we enjoy a day without any commitments.  Each day this week I'm going to make sure to think of something I'm thankful for.  Today I'm thankful for a husband who is an excellent cook.  Thanksgiving dinner is under his control and it's going to be awesome.  He loves to cook so holiday dinners are a time where he's not rushed and can spoil his wife and children.