Happy Birthday Tracie!!!!

Gimme a "F"!

Gimme a "O"!

Gimme a "R"!

Gimme a "T"!

Gimme a "Y"!

Gimme a "ONE"!

What's that spell?????

YOU'RE OLD!!!

Hope you have a great birthday!!! Pig out, relax, and enjoy!!

Love Ya!!!!

Sunny California

NOT!!!

I just looked at the forecast on my homepage that shows both Chino and Poplar Grove, we are only about 12 degrees apart and both are rainy!!!

You had better get out your long underwear and mittens...

you people just might die of frost bite!!!

WE ARE #1!!!

It's official...Team Cale was the number one team having raised the most money for our walk in October. Our grand total was.....$3,300!!! Every single one of our team members are in the top 20 for individual donations (there were a total of 209 walkers)!! The entire walk raised a total of $36,090 which was just shy of the $40,000 that they were shooting for. Not bad if I do say so myself. This walk was for the ADA...next year we are looking at doing the one for the JDRF. I just hope that everyone is as gracious as they were this year!! THANK YOU!!!!!

Little Pat

This is Ryan at the nursing home on Thanksgiving running around saying he was Daddy. IS HE EVER!!! This child has a stubborn streak that could choke a horse. He is always saying "I can do it myself" (I heard you love it Nonnie!) - which is fine and dandy, but god forbid you ask if he needs any help - he'll bite your head off. He is very adamant about what he believes to be true. If he asked you what color the sky was and you replied blue, he would say it was red and NOT BACK DOWN!!! (Auntie Lauren, remember the violin??) And to top it all off, Pat thinks it is hilarious!!!! Try dealing with it all day! Oh and he never backs down from a scuffle with Cale. He will fight it out (hmmm...like how someone else I know was years ago...banned for life from the Gambler - TWICE). Lord help me when he is a teenager. I think by then Jack Daniels may be my best friend (and sadly his too!!)

I just need to always think about how he looks when he is sleeping (charging his battery as my dad says) and how cute he is and cuddly (not to mention quiet).

To those of you in California

On Thanksgiving, my parents, Lauren, Steven, Kevin and my family (Danny and Chris were at her parent's house for the holiday) went to the nursing home to visit Grandma. IT WAS A VERY GOOD DAY FOR HER!! She was very alert, knew everyone that was there (my Dad told us when we got there that when they arrived she said "Kevin, it's good to see you") and seemed very happy overall. She was talking and laughing with us (although she did get confused at times and did repeat herself.) It was so good to see her that way and I wanted to share it with all of you.


In my previous visits to see Grandma, she was very tired and didn't always know who was there. She would fall asleep alot and would only really eat breakfast. However, give her some ice cream or coffee and she is all over it!!! She had 3 cups of coffee over the 1-1/2 hours that we were visiting on Thursday and loved every sip of it!! She actually moaned with pleasure after almost every sip!!

Eventually, she started to get tired and we knew it was time to leave. She was falling asleep as my Dad was wheeling her back towards the nurses station. But she lasted well over an hour and that was great!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE DAN!!!

You old fart!!!!

And so it begins....

Thanksgiving is over...the Christmas season can now officially begin. Not like in the stores where there have been Christmas trees and decorations up along with Halloween costumes. The boys and I have been having fun driving around and yelling at people who have their Christmas lights up AND ON (up is ok, I understand doing that when the weather is warmer - just leave them turned off!!!). Some people have had their trees up for a couple of weeks already. One holiday at a time people!!!

Our tree will be brought up from the basement at some point today and we will figure out where it will be placed this year.

Ryan already thinks it's Christmas. He really doesn't understand we have almost one month left to go still. To be a kid again!!!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was relaxing and tasty. But now the fun begins!

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE

We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!!

Eat a lot and enjoy everyone!!

We are going to Pat's parent's house for our dinner and then off to the nursing home for dessert with Grandma. We have even talked about going to see a movie later on with the boys. AND...Lauren and I may brave it and go to the outlet mall at midnight for a goodie bag and cheap shopping (in our pj's no less)!!!

Here is Cale's turkey drawing this year...

he was a little bummed that the "special" turkey picture was put on the blog. Cale actually drew this entire picture. It wasn't traced or just colored. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Only a male...

...would draw a picture like this.

Ryan drew this picture of a turkey, in pre-school, that has 13 legs and is pooping. And YES...he is VERY proud of the fact that it is pooping.

I even received an e-mail from the teacher in regards to this. Thankfully, she not only has a sense of humor, but two small sons at home as well.

What is it with males of all ages and bodily functions???

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the pooping, but by the fact that it has 13 legs!!!

Cheap Gas

And I'm not talking about what you have after eating a gas station bean burrito! I just put gas in my car for $1.98 per gallon!!! It felt so good (I know...I need a life!!!). (yes Mom...I'm sure it's a few cents cheaper by Woodman's, but humor me - this was on my way home)

HOPE

There is hope...please scroll down to the list of blogs that I follow and click on "Six Until Me" and read her November 17th post and watch the video (Lauren, you will need sound). I cried. Keep hoping and praying that this is a step closer to finding a cure.

LOOK AT WHAT I WON!!!!

It is a Longaberger Basket...it is HUGE (I put Ryan in the picture for comparison - he picked out his own outfit today - remember he is part Polish)...it was free (but probably worth about $500 - and I have been forbidden to list it on e-bay)...it is beautiful...it is mine (fair and square Mom - aka Mario, there was no cheating involved)...and I have no idea what I am going to do with it.

Any suggestions???

It's World Diabetes Day!!!

Show your support for all of those affected by diabetes~

wear your blue clothes...we are!!!

We are going to give it another shot...

(no pun intended)...asking our endocronologist about the OmniPod that is. We had our monthly support group meeting last Thursday and the OmniPod rep from our area was on hand with samples, paperwork and enough information to choke a horse.


In case you are wondering what I am talking about, the OmniPod is a tubeless insulin pump that Cale REALLY wants. Here is what the "PDM" that programs the pod(and has a built in glucose monitor) looks like as well as the "pod" itself:

Last visit our doctor vetoed it saying they didn't have enough experience with it and that it will end up wasting a lot of insulin. Well, it turns out (according to our very nice rep) our doctor has several patients on it and there are at least two people in his office that are completely trained in using the pod. As for wasting insulin, I waste a lot each month any way when I have to throw out the rest that is left in the vial because it has been "opened" for 28 days.

The rep had several of the pods on hand that the kids were able to put on and see how it felt without actually inserting the cannula (the needles were removed). Cale wore his for a full day (including going to school) and had said that he had forgotten it was on. Well, the rep also had a couple of pods with the needle included. I (being the brave one of the moms) offered to try one on. All I have to say is that if I ever get diabetes, I would want this pump from Day 1. Checking my blood sugar on my finger hurts more than inserting the cannula. I am not kidding. I wore the pod (filled with saline) for a full day. Had my arm not brushed up against it from time to time (I wore it on my stomach) I would have totally forgotten all about it. I sleep on my stomach and it didn't affect me in the least. Removing it was painless!!! Bandaids hurt more to remove. Pat wore one like the kids for a day and his only complaint was that it left some sticky stuff on his skin (however, he didn't use the wipe that came with it to remove it all). He even wore it to his class on Saturday and had forgotten he had it on.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that Dr. Carrion finally agrees to Cale getting the OmniPod. Actually, he will be getting this pump if I have to chain myself up in his office until he agrees!!! Trust me, no one wants that!!!

Bruiser

It's not his first and it DEFINITELY won't be his last!

Here is Ryan's latest war wound (payback from Cale from when Ryan hit him in the head with a golf club requiring stitches). It was a good one when it happened on Halloween. This picture was taken about 5 days later!! Ahhh brothers!!!

YES WE CAN!!!!

I hate to discuss politics...but I am very pleased!!!

Now, it's off to bed...Good Night!!!

Halloween Has Come and Gone!!!

May the force be with you Bat Man!!!

I didn't know that Anakin Skywalker was so cute!!!

Holy chest muscles Bat Man!!!

The boys had a blast on Friday!! We went trick-or-treating as soon as it was time. They went for about an hour and then decided that they wanted to hand out the candy at our house for a little bit. Fine by me...I made dinner while they did that. Daddy came home, we all ate and then went back out to trick-or-treat some more...in the dark!!! A couple of houses in our neighborhood went ALL OUT!!! Car accident scenes, chain saw guys, guys hidden inside boxes by the front door to scare the poop out of kids.

Once we got back home, they went through their loot and choose their favorites to keep and the rest (and there was a lot) was traded for a toy. Not a bad deal for them, however, not so good for my waist line!!!

Earlier in the day, I hosted Cale's party at school (note to self...next year, volunteer to be room parent for Ryan and for the following years, donate stuff for the parties. They are crazy!!!). The kids had fun. We made spiders out of egg cartons, pipe cleaners and crazy eyes. We played a mummy wrap game. We had face painting. There were a ton of snacks. And, what I think the kids liked best was Frankenstein's Laboratory (thanks for the poster Auntie Lauren! Cale took credit for it and kept it!!). I labeled five boxes as brains, hand, eyeballs, toes and teeth. I put a hole in the top of each box for little hands to fit in and underneath I put things that felt like those items. Teeth were dried beans, toes were little carrots, hand was a rubber glove that had slushy water inside, brains were cooked egg noodles and the eyeballs were peeled grapes. The eyeballs and brains were the biggest hit. The boys wanted to keep touching it and the girls were afraid. Of course, once I showed them what everything was, they all acted tough!!!

Now it's time to start planning for Christmas. HELP!!!!

P.S. Papa and Nonnie - the boys received their Halloween cards today!!

I'VE GOT A JOB!!!

Okay...so it's not full time or anything, but I am totally receiving money for working. I am officially a temp at the school. When the secretary is out, they will call me. When they need an aide, they will call me. When they need a janitor, well they are on their own!

Today, I helped out in the cafeteria (no hair net needed for what I did-just helped kids open milk and what-not and excused them when they were finished) and then was one of the recess monitors (let's not get into the fact that as soon as I walked outside, it started rain/icing a little - WHATEVER!). I get to do it again on Wednesday. I actually cannot wait!!!

ADA Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes

WE DID IT!!!!!

On Saturday, October 18th, "Team Cale" participated in the ADA Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes. "Team Cale" raised $3,200 for the American Diabetes Association's important research, education and its mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. I am very happy to say that "Team Cale" was the highest donating team in the Rockford area!!!!

What started out as a VERY foggy morning, turned into a beautiful Autumn day. We walked 1-1/2 miles up the Rock River and the 1-1/2 miles back down to the YMCA lodge. The scenery was beautiful and the walkers were plenty!

Our team had specially made shirts, designed by our very own Chris Davito (Thank You Chris!!!) that included one of Cale's passions: Star Wars. The circle emblem at the top of this post was on the front and "TEAM CALE" was on the back in the Star Wars font. Cale loved them!! We even had a poster that our entire team signed and we carried along on the walk (it is now hanging right next to Cale's bed by the top bunk where he requested it be hung). There were signs of encouragement along the route that really made Cale feel special.

We were offered plenty of snacks throughout the day and there were vendors available with lots of free goodies (yeah to Accu-chek and the free test strips!!!). There was a silent auction (Auntie Lauren won a poster of a pretty bird for Kevin's office - Grandpa wanted to cry, he didn't win the nail gun) and a raffle. Grandma won rounds of golf for four with a golf cart at a great golf course (Uncle Steve was happy) AND a Family Four Pack of Fun at the hotel in Rockford with a water park inside (Cale and Ryan are VERY happy about that! - "Grandma Rocks" -quote from Cale). There was also a huge banner that anyone with diabetes was asked to sign and a picture was taken of a lot of those people with the sign for the website for next year. Cale was holding onto one side of the sign. He's a celebrity!!!

"Team Cale" grew even larger on that day. Grandma, Grandpa and Ryan decided to walk with us and Jenny even showed up to show her support and ended up walking with us!!! It was great!! The only negatives about our day was that Stefanie (who had a family emergency) and Daddy (who had school) weren't able to make it to walk with us. But they were there in spirit! Our thoughts are with Stefanie and her family.

The day is over, but it is one we will not forget. We are already looking forward to next year!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Happy Anniversary Tracie and James!!! Now who is the forgetful one?? Hope you guys get some time to yourselves (or alone together if that is what you prefer....)

4 More Days!!!

In just 4 more days, we are going to be participating in the Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes. "TEAM CALE" consists of myself, Cale, Auntie Lauren, Papa, Nonnie, Stefanie and our honorary members Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma and Ryan (they are not walking but have either raised money or are going to be there to cheer us on!!!). We are going to have the coolest t-shirts, too (red with light sabers on the front and Team Cale on the back - thank you Chris!!!!). I will post pictures later!

On Saturday, starting at 10:00 a.m. we will be walking 3 miles by the Rock River. So far (according to the website www.diabetes.org/stepout -look under Rockford, Illinois-) "Team Cale" is the number one fund raising team. YEAH!!!! We have raised over $2000 and there is still some coming in every day!

Keep us in mind as we Step Out to Fight Diabetes!!!!!!

Mall of America

I just had a great weekend at The Mall of America with my mom, Lauren and Chris. (Even if it wasn't Paris, it was just as good!!!! - Lauren) It was so relaxing. I didn't yell once (except at Lauren to make her stop teasing me...that is the only luggage I have - BITE ME!!!!!) I will be back there very soon, however it will most likely not be as relaxing as Cale and Ryan (naaaa) will be going with to see the Nickelodeon theme park and Lego Land. They are going to love it!!! Grandpa and Grandma are going to go back with us after Christmas. (Daddy says he will pass.) I guess there won't be too much shopping going on with that trip except at Lego Land (I think they will pee in their pants!!!!) They loved the pictures and all of their new goodies, but since there is no school today, there has been non-stop arguing. Man do they know how to do their job. And they do it so GOOD!!!!

A1C

Well...Cale just had his 3 month check up with his endocronologist....and Mommy just got her report card....7.7!!!!  I was hoping for better, but our last test was 8.7 so down 1 whole point is GREAT (according to Dr. Carrion).  He said we are doing a great job (I guess waking up in the middle of the night is really paying off).  We just need to tweak Cale's school lunch ratio and give a little insulin with the bedtime snack (seems he is highest in the middle of the night).  

In January, hopefully we will have some sort of tubeless pump to discuss (let's go Medtronic...keep working on it!!!).  He's ready for the pump, but not anything that has a tube.  It is his choice and our doctor is totally fine with that.  Gotta keep away from the arms and belly with the shots for awhile also, they are getting bumpy.  

AND, the little turd grew 1" to be 4 feet 5-3/4 inches and weighing in at just under 63 pounds.  He is OFF THE CHARTS for height (as usual) and just right for weight.  Daddy isn't so sure he likes the fact that one day he may have to look up to his son.  Tough Patooties!!!!  I'll have to do it with both boys!!!

Wild West Town is Best in Autumn!!!!

On Saturday, Auntie Lauren and Mommy took the boys to the Wild West Town. We have gone there for the past several years with Papa and Nonnie in the summer time, but Mommy promised them we would go in October when the train goes through the HAUNTED TUNNEL!!!!

They had a ball!! No offense to Papa and Nonnie, but the Wild West Town is so much better in the Autumn. It is decorated up so nicely. There are pumpkin decorating contests, no bees, no sweat, pumpkin picking and everything else that is available during the summer (including the show and canoe rides!!!)

There are two different train rides depending on the time. One takes you through the HAUNTED TUNNEL (insert spooky music here) and the other takes you out to see the Indian Chief. When we first arrived, we were given beads to wear (in case you thought we were at Mardi Gras - Auntie Lauren kept her shirt on the whole time). When we go to the Indian Reservation we were met by an Indian Guide who explained that the Indian Chief (who did not speak - he only used sign language) would be happy to trade pumpkins for some treasures. Each child had to go up to the Chief and present him with the beads. He would then inspect them and allow them to pick a pumpkin. Ryan really wanted a teeny, tiny pumpkin (as he does every year) but they only had large ones. They both let their pumpkins wear their hats for pictures.

After we left the Wild West Town, we stopped at a smaller pumpkin patch and Ryan got his tiny pumpkin (it's on his lap as he is sleeping - gotta love fresh air!!!). The boys had a great time and I think Auntie Lauren had fun too. She had never been there before!!! Deprived child!!!

SOX WIN!!! SOX WIN!!!

You can put it on the board....YES!!!!!

SOX WIN!!! SOX WIN!!!!

And Pat isn't grumpy....YES!!!!!

We are still here!!!!!

Yes...we are still here!! School is in full swing for both boys and all of the activities are starting. There isn't much time to just sit and type away!!

Cale is in Cub Scouts again this year. That's on Tuesday nights and a parent should stay there (Pat conveniently has school through the end of November on Tuesday nights...) He also has "Sunday School" on Wednesday evenings followed immediately by Tae Kwon Do. Not to mention all the additional Cub Scout "outings" and we really should be going to the Saturday morning Tae Kwon Do classes...I mean they are free!! One day we will push for it. He did just get his blood drawn for next week's appointment. Fingers crossed for a good A1C!!!

Ryan is loving preschool now. He actually told me to leave the other day. WHATEVER!!! Just remember who you need to wipe your butt young man!

Pat is busy with work (thank GOD!!) and school at least two days a week after work. Poor man gets home around 10:00 p.m. on those nights and has to be up for work at 4:00 a.m. But it has helped him miss the layoffs going through the company AND he is one of three foreman that know what the heck is going on in the commercial industry.

I am "just taking it one day at a time..." Keeping the house going (not clean, just going), being a chauffeur for EVERYTHING, selling my beloved baskets on e-bay (making some good Christmas money!!!) losing my mind and NOT LOSING WEIGHT!!!! I am also keeping track of how Team Cale is doing for our Step Out Walk to Cure Diabetes on October 18th. As of today, we have raised $1,990. Not to brag, but we are the first place team and still have more coming in everyday (hopefully). AND only 1-1/2 weeks left until my Mom, Lauren, Chris and I go to the Mall of America for the weekend. I can't wait!!! My only problem is shop or sleep????? I've got it...sleep in the car and when the mall is closed and shop the rest of the time. No one bugging me (except Lauren). It is seriously the happiest place on earth!!!

Well, I will keep everyone updated when more happens. Later!!!!!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!

Happy Birthday Lauren!! We hope that you have a great day and that you get to eat as much cake as you want!!! Party on girl!!! You are the princess for the day (although is that any different than any other day???) Have fun and we will see you soon!!!

Ryan's 1st Day of Pre-K

It is finally here...and as much as I thought I would be in heaven, I actually had tears in my eyes as I left him. Ryan's first day of Pre-kindergarten. I was convinced that he would cling to me and not want to stay - JUST LIKE HE DID EVERY DAY LAST YEAR!!!! But, instead he held my hand until it was his turn to wash his hands and then gave me a kiss and was off and ready to play. He didn't even look back!!! I just stood there in shock!!! My little man...getting to be a big boy!!! Now I know that I will enjoy my quiet time, but today bothered me more than I ever thought. Next year I may just bawl my eyes out when the bus picks him up (at least for a little while!!!). Too bad my tubes are tied (Ha-Ha!!!).

Tae Kwon Do

Tonight, Cale had his very first Tae Kwon Do lesson. He loved it!! Already he is saying "yes maam" and "yes sir" to us. I hope that continues!!! He was a little antsy standing in line and listening, but that will change. Tae Kwon Do will help increase energy (like he needs that!!), increase your self-discipline (Mommy could use that when it comes to food!!), improve your self confidence, improve your health, reduce your stress (who couldn't use that?) and helps to maximize your self-defense skills (LOOK OUT RYAN...HE'S GONNA START FIGHTING BACK!!!). Let's hope that this is something he will continue to want to do...

Cale's 1st Day of Second Grade

Cale had his first day of second grade today...did you hear the angels singing?! If not, be sure to listen tomorrow morning as he will have a full day of school instead of a half day!!! He really likes his classroom and his teacher and is excited about the rest of the school which just had a huge addition constructed.

While he was at school, Mommy got out her Autumn decorations. The calendar may still say Summer, but with school starting, it is really Autumn and Autumn ROCKS!!!

E-bay

I did it!! I posted something for sale on e-bay and it sold!! It didn't go for as much as I had anticipated, but at least my reserve was met and I will now remove one of my beautiful Longaberger baskets from my collection and send it to what I really hope is a good home!! Yes, there is a little tear trickling down my cheek right now, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do. Good-bye Large Gathering Basket. It was fun while it lasted!! (sigh)

Auntie Lauren

Auntie Lauren has issues....or a very easy job. This is what she does while at work. This is her "I am at lunch do not talk to me" mask.

Keep in mind....she has a teaching certificate and will one day be molding the minds of our nation's youth!!!

Gotta love her!!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY JESSI!!!!

Happy Birthday to you....you belong in a zoo...you look like a monkey...and you smell like one too!!! (or is that your mom I'm thinking about???)

We all hope you have a great birthday!! Your card is on it's way, just a little late, but it is on it's way!!!

Love ya!

Will Summer Ever End???

With Mommy slowly but surely losing her mind (even though many of you out there thought she had already lost it....) summer is coming to an end.

Only 11 more days until the first day of second grade for Cale. He is not thrilled with this idea and has already been fighting the earlier bed time, but both Cale and Ryan need some time apart, before they really do some damage to each other (never mind the stitches Cale needed after Ryan whacked him in the head with a golf club last week!!!). Don't get me wrong, they have their great moments. But those are few and far between. Then the yelling and hitting starts and then Mommy needs a time out!!

It will be nice to get back into a school schedule again, but sleeping in was nice. Ok...it was GREAT!!! We averaged around 9:00 a.m. for the most part (thank you California!!!)

We had a fun summer, did a lot of great things, made a lot of fun memories (like our visit to the Queen Mary as seen above), but now it is time to look towards the fall...and not a moment too soon as they are fighting while I am typing!!!

Yee-Haw!!! It's Papa's Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Papa!! Love your little cowboys!!!

Let's Give This A Try

I've decided to give blogging a shot. Gotta keep up with the McKinnonClan!!!

I'm just going to start out by playing around on here, so please bear with me!! I am so not a computer girl!!!

Keep checking back to see if I have learned anything!!!!