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!!!