There are only a few minutes left in the day, so let's see where this post leads us. This week has been full of subbing and working at the Y for me. I'm really going to miss subbing over the summer. The kids are great! I love when I see them in the hall, and they come over to give me a hug. When I'm heading toward my classroom, sometimes I see a student that is asking who I'm subbing for that day, disappointed if I'm not in their classroom. Yesterday, I was the sub for my middle one's class. At first she was trying to act upset, but the excitement snuck through. We had a great day without too much embarrassment. The other students "forgot" I was her mom after the first 5-10 minutes.
Today I got the ultimate compliment. I was subbing for two classrooms while they took turns with meetings (one classroom in the morning, the other in the afternoon). When they saw me come into the school and start walking toward their classrooms, their eyes lit up and they were smiling wide. Both teachers shared with me how excited they were to see me. My eyes welled up with tears. One of the aides came in and said the same thing. They have no idea how much their words meant to me! It's one thing to get that type of compliment from a student. To get such kind words from two veteran teachers whom I respect greatly... words just can't express how I feel!
Summer vacation starts very soon. As much as I will enjoy some downtime with my own children, I will also miss the students that I have worked with this year. I'm sure I'll see them around town, though. Looking forward to what the future holds.
Ramblings of a mother of five, wife of one, and Type 2 diabetic. (formerly known as RFamHere's Ramblings)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
A new phase in my life
I feel bad that I haven't written here in a week, but this week has been full of so much activity. On Saturday, our oldest child graduated from high school. Yes, I am now the mother of a high school graduate! Wow! How did that happen?
At the ceremony, I ran into my friend D whose daughter was also graduating. D and I met on their first day of kindergarten. We had both just left our children in their classrooms and were outside crying. The principal was there, comforting the two of us, remembering how hard it is for young mothers to leave their first child at school for the first time. D and I became good friends. After dropping the kids off at school, we would call each other and talk for a long time. For a while, I was her co-leader for our Girl Scout troop. We watch each other's babies as they went through adolescence and into the teenage years. On Saturday, we watched them graduate high school.
What's next? Well, like many high school graduates, my oldest is looking forward to college in the fall. Hopefully she'll be able to find a summer job soon. In the mean time, there's a family vacation that she is helping plan. We don't know if she'll be home these next few summers or if she'll be busy with work, school, etc., so we want to make sure to have some time together.
It won't be long before they start to leave the nest for good. I keep reminding myself that the goal is to raise our children into adults that can move out on their own and be productive members of society. Yes, it makes me sad, but more than that they make me proud.
At the ceremony, I ran into my friend D whose daughter was also graduating. D and I met on their first day of kindergarten. We had both just left our children in their classrooms and were outside crying. The principal was there, comforting the two of us, remembering how hard it is for young mothers to leave their first child at school for the first time. D and I became good friends. After dropping the kids off at school, we would call each other and talk for a long time. For a while, I was her co-leader for our Girl Scout troop. We watch each other's babies as they went through adolescence and into the teenage years. On Saturday, we watched them graduate high school.
What's next? Well, like many high school graduates, my oldest is looking forward to college in the fall. Hopefully she'll be able to find a summer job soon. In the mean time, there's a family vacation that she is helping plan. We don't know if she'll be home these next few summers or if she'll be busy with work, school, etc., so we want to make sure to have some time together.
It won't be long before they start to leave the nest for good. I keep reminding myself that the goal is to raise our children into adults that can move out on their own and be productive members of society. Yes, it makes me sad, but more than that they make me proud.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
What I've learned
(Day #7 of D-Blog Week.)
What have you learned from other blogs - either this week or since finding the D-OC? What has your experience of blogging the DBlog Week topics with other participants been like? What has finding the D-OC done for you? If you'd like, you can even look ahead and tell us what you think the future holds!
Wow! I can't even begin! I have learned so much from the DOC (diabetes online community). More than I could even imagine. The DOC has helped me learn more about diabetes. Not just Type 2, but also Type 1. I've learned about treatment methods, even those I don't need to worry about at this point. (But I listen up, because I never know when that will change.) I love being part of the DOC and getting to know everyone on a personal level. I've learned to be an advocate. I've learned to fight and not just accept my diabetes. I've learned that I don't have to be perfect.
Blogging with others in the DOC is like a family reunion. We all get together and talk about what's happening in our lives. We are there for each other. We laugh. We cry. We lift each other up. I've enjoyed being a part of D-Blog Week knowing that there are others who are talking about the same thing, though not in the same way. It's fun to read how others run with the topics. Having the daily topics has given me motivation this week to get to my blog every day. This is a busy month, so I would have been tempted to ignore the blog this week.
What do I see for the future? I'm assuming this relates to the DOC. I'd like to become more involved. I have enjoyed reading the blogs that I hadn't seen before and look forward to reading more posts. I feel the DOC will grow and become closer knit. I'm hoping that some day I'll get to meet others in the DOC.
What have you learned from other blogs - either this week or since finding the D-OC? What has your experience of blogging the DBlog Week topics with other participants been like? What has finding the D-OC done for you? If you'd like, you can even look ahead and tell us what you think the future holds!
Wow! I can't even begin! I have learned so much from the DOC (diabetes online community). More than I could even imagine. The DOC has helped me learn more about diabetes. Not just Type 2, but also Type 1. I've learned about treatment methods, even those I don't need to worry about at this point. (But I listen up, because I never know when that will change.) I love being part of the DOC and getting to know everyone on a personal level. I've learned to be an advocate. I've learned to fight and not just accept my diabetes. I've learned that I don't have to be perfect.
Blogging with others in the DOC is like a family reunion. We all get together and talk about what's happening in our lives. We are there for each other. We laugh. We cry. We lift each other up. I've enjoyed being a part of D-Blog Week knowing that there are others who are talking about the same thing, though not in the same way. It's fun to read how others run with the topics. Having the daily topics has given me motivation this week to get to my blog every day. This is a busy month, so I would have been tempted to ignore the blog this week.
What do I see for the future? I'm assuming this relates to the DOC. I'd like to become more involved. I have enjoyed reading the blogs that I hadn't seen before and look forward to reading more posts. I feel the DOC will grow and become closer knit. I'm hoping that some day I'll get to meet others in the DOC.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Saturday snapshots
(Day #6 of D-Blog Week.)
Today we were to post diabetes-related pictures. This is one of my favorites. It's my youngest at five years old, serving me a carb-free meal. As she served it to me, she described everything saying it had no carbs in it. Very touching indeed!
Today we were to post diabetes-related pictures. This is one of my favorites. It's my youngest at five years old, serving me a carb-free meal. As she served it to me, she described everything saying it had no carbs in it. Very touching indeed!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Awesome things
(Day #5 of D-Blog Week.)
Focus on the good things diabetes has brought us. What awesome thing have you (or your child) done BECAUSE of diabetes?
At the end of my previous post, I mentioned my youngest child and her wish for a cure. She touched my heart with her words. My youngest two have signed up to join me for the ADA's Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes this fall. Diabetes has given me a cause, a place to reach out and become an advocate. I've never felt strongly about a cause until now. This is my passion. This is my calling. My children also want to help find a cure, each at their own level.
Having diabetes has given me a mission to educate others. Just today, while substitute teaching in a fourth grade class, the topic of whether or not they read nutrition labels came up. It was a natural lead in to why I have to pay close attention to carbs, what carbs are, and how my type of diabetes is different to Nick Jonas.
Diabetes has also allowed me to meet some amazing people, in person and online, that I otherwise would not have met. Some day we'll no longer be the DOC - Diabetes Online Community, but the DOC - Dynamic Online Community!
Focus on the good things diabetes has brought us. What awesome thing have you (or your child) done BECAUSE of diabetes?
At the end of my previous post, I mentioned my youngest child and her wish for a cure. She touched my heart with her words. My youngest two have signed up to join me for the ADA's Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes this fall. Diabetes has given me a cause, a place to reach out and become an advocate. I've never felt strongly about a cause until now. This is my passion. This is my calling. My children also want to help find a cure, each at their own level.
Having diabetes has given me a mission to educate others. Just today, while substitute teaching in a fourth grade class, the topic of whether or not they read nutrition labels came up. It was a natural lead in to why I have to pay close attention to carbs, what carbs are, and how my type of diabetes is different to Nick Jonas.
Diabetes has also allowed me to meet some amazing people, in person and online, that I otherwise would not have met. Some day we'll no longer be the DOC - Diabetes Online Community, but the DOC - Dynamic Online Community!
Ten things I hate about you, Diabetes
(Day #4 of D-Blog Week.)
Yesterday's assignment, posted today because Blogger was having technical difficulties: Having a positive attitude is important . . . but let’s face it, diabetes isn’t all sunshine and roses (or glitter and unicorns, for that matter). So today let’s vent by listing ten things about diabetes that we hate. Make them funny, make them sarcastic, make them serious, make them anything you want them to be!!
I usually don't use the word hate, but for a disease like diabetes it does seem fitting. My list of the ten things I hate about diabetes:
Yesterday's assignment, posted today because Blogger was having technical difficulties: Having a positive attitude is important . . . but let’s face it, diabetes isn’t all sunshine and roses (or glitter and unicorns, for that matter). So today let’s vent by listing ten things about diabetes that we hate. Make them funny, make them sarcastic, make them serious, make them anything you want them to be!!
I usually don't use the word hate, but for a disease like diabetes it does seem fitting. My list of the ten things I hate about diabetes:
- Poking my fingers. Usually it doesn't hurt too bad, but other times it just plain smarts. Also, sometimes it takes a while to stop the bleeding.
- My children knowing about diabetes. They shouldn't have to know about the complications of diabetes, what different glucose readings mean. They don't need that worry.
- Watching what I eat. I want to eat a package of Girl Scout cookies without that sick feeling that comes with high glucose. (No, I haven't done this since being diagnosed, though I do get that high sugar feel that I can't stand.)
- Lows. When I work out, I can get a sudden low due to my body actually using the insulin to break down the glucose in my blood. Lows suck!
- Not looking sick. Not that I want to be sick, but having a chronic disease where you don't look sick makes it hard for others to understand how serious your condition really is.
- Heredity. Sometimes it's awesome, like the hazel eyes I got from my parents or the blue eyes my second child got from her father. Other times, like diabetes, it just plain sucks.
- Sweats. I don't like the sweats I get when my glucose is off.
- Hypoglycemic unawareness. I can't always tell when I'm going low. I've had a few lows sneak up on me and it scares me.
- Not knowing if I'm high or low, just that I'm "off." There are times I can tell that my glucose levels are "off," but I'm not sure if I'm high or low since many of the symptoms are similar. Testing is the only way to know (see #1).
- Lack of urgency and public outrage. (see here for my rant on that topic)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Diabetes bloopers
(Day #3 of D-Blog Week.)
Today's assignment is to write about diabetes bloopers. When managing any medical condition, things will go wrong. Some are funny at the time, some are funny later. (Of course some aren't funny, but we'll play ignorant for just a little while here.)
I don't have really too many "bloopers" per se when it comes to my diabetes. I do have a few things that I like to chuckle about though. For example, I like to joke that when I tell my family that I'm over 200, I'm not talking about my weight.
One story that comes to mind was from a summer when I took a power walking class. It was a small intimate group. We spent the class time one different routes around town. We'd talk about 2.5-3.5 miles around different parts of town. Before the walk, I would always test my glucose level. This particular walk I started at 135, so I decided I didn't need a snack before we began. I felt great and was ready to go. A little over half way through, I started having trouble keeping up with the group. My mind was sharp, I felt great, but my legs just would not move. I had no idea what was wrong. The group leader came back by me and kept encouraging me to keep going. The group was cheering me on. At the end of the walk, I found out what was wrong. I was in the upper 60s or low 70s and shaking.
I sat down and started eating the snack that I was carrying with me. Why it didn't dawn on me to eat it during the walk, I don't know. Denial? While I was eating my snack, my cell phone rang. Apparently my middle child had accidentally slammed her finger in the back door when letting in the dogs. I had not yet recovered from my low, but got up and made the walk home while continuing to eat my snack. Adrenalin had taken over in the boost of my energy level.
At the time I was worried, but not I find the humor in the situation. Diabetes can't stop me from doing the things I need to do!
Today's assignment is to write about diabetes bloopers. When managing any medical condition, things will go wrong. Some are funny at the time, some are funny later. (Of course some aren't funny, but we'll play ignorant for just a little while here.)
I don't have really too many "bloopers" per se when it comes to my diabetes. I do have a few things that I like to chuckle about though. For example, I like to joke that when I tell my family that I'm over 200, I'm not talking about my weight.
One story that comes to mind was from a summer when I took a power walking class. It was a small intimate group. We spent the class time one different routes around town. We'd talk about 2.5-3.5 miles around different parts of town. Before the walk, I would always test my glucose level. This particular walk I started at 135, so I decided I didn't need a snack before we began. I felt great and was ready to go. A little over half way through, I started having trouble keeping up with the group. My mind was sharp, I felt great, but my legs just would not move. I had no idea what was wrong. The group leader came back by me and kept encouraging me to keep going. The group was cheering me on. At the end of the walk, I found out what was wrong. I was in the upper 60s or low 70s and shaking.
I sat down and started eating the snack that I was carrying with me. Why it didn't dawn on me to eat it during the walk, I don't know. Denial? While I was eating my snack, my cell phone rang. Apparently my middle child had accidentally slammed her finger in the back door when letting in the dogs. I had not yet recovered from my low, but got up and made the walk home while continuing to eat my snack. Adrenalin had taken over in the boost of my energy level.
At the time I was worried, but not I find the humor in the situation. Diabetes can't stop me from doing the things I need to do!
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