It's Someone's BIrthday!!!!

Let me first start off by saying, I had BIG plans for this post!  Pictures, pictures, pictures!!  BUT, I have torn my house apart and cannot find my baby picture album ANYWHERE and I have zero clue where my parent's keep their pictures from our younger days....

That being said...Happy Birthday to Tracie over at Such Is Life!!!!  What are you now....48. 49????  Kidding...I know you are 45!  (Ahhhhhh....my tummy hurts from laughing!!!!!)

In all seriousness, I hope you have a great birthday and are treated like a Queen!!! 

 (Again...I'm so funny! A Queen??!!  Your fam??!!)

Linus and the Gang ROCK!!!

A friend posted THIS on Facebook and I just had to share!!!!  IT.IS.AWESOME!!!!! 

(and I really don't like that word!)

If I knew how to add it like a normal person, I would. 

For now you will have to follow the link.

My Seventh Sense

Yes...that's right, my Seventh Sense. 

I posted not too long ago about my Sixth Sense...the one where I wake up out of a totally sound sleep and decide to test Cale's BG only to find that he has gone low.  I kinda like that one and wish it worked all of the time.  How much would that rock?!  I could sleep and sleep and only wake up when absolutely necessary.  Dare to dream!

So back to my Seventh Sense...yesterday was a beautiful day here in Northern Illinois.  Sunny and 67.  Gorgeous!!  Storms were going to be rolling in midafternoon.  No big whoop...right?!  Not so fast.... 

I spent most of my day at the school doing my "Miracle Mom" work (I go in once a week and do any and all projects that the teachers might need done) and finally got out of there around 1:00.  I had to pay some bills and go to the bank, so off I went.  Now, the boys get out of school at 2:45 everyday.  On Monday's and Tuesday's, Cale stays after for a Reading Group that lasts until 3:30 when I pick him up.  On my drive back home, around 2:00, I decided to pick up the phone and call the school to have them tell Cale to skip Reading Group and come straight home.  I knew if a decent storm came through while he was in there, that deep down, he would be FREAKING OUT!!  He does this every time there is a dark cloud in the sky ever since January, 2008. 

It's 3:15, everyone is home (including Pat - which is a miracle because every time this happens, he is not home).  The boys are getting ready to do homework when the phone rings.  It's my mom telling me a tornado has touched down at an intersection VERY near our house.  That's when I heard the sirens.  The boys go running to grab their "blankets" and I grab my cell phone and Cale's Diabetes backpack and we head to the basement.  Pat, heads to the front porch to watch the entire thing (I have still not forgiven him for that.  The boys were freaking out, wanting him down with them and he is getting to see everything that is happening.  SO NOT FAIR!!!!!).  Finally, the all clear is given and we go check out the sky to see the aftermath and to see if anymore is coming. 

Luckily for us, the tornado hit about 2 miles away from us.  Thankfully, no one was seriously injured - anywhere.  A school bus was "lucky" enough to be right where the tornado touched down, it flipped a few times and landed in a corn field.  There were five children and the driver on the bus.  Minor injuries and I am sure there will be some hesitation for getting back on a school bus, but everyone is ok.  Our school secretary's house and barn did get hit.  They were able to stay in the house last night, but there is still some damage to look into. Other's weren't so lucky.  One of our teacher's owns the house and barn right next door.  They haven't moved in yet as they are totally remodeling the house first.  House survived, can't say as much for most of her beautiful barn. 

So, as you can see, my Seventh Sense told me to make sure Cale was at home when the tornado touched down.  Granted, it didn't go anywhere near the school, but how would I have known that while sitting in my basement??  I had him within arms reach the entire time.  I knew where my kids were.  The children of several people I know, were still on the bus on the way home from school.  All of our drivers kicked butt taking care of them and got them into basements as soon as they could.  Scary, a school bus load of kids all in one basement.  Can you imagine???  Some of those kids are really little.  They wouldn't have a clue what was going on and probably just wanted their parents. 

Here are some pictures of the actual tornado and some of what was left in it's aftermath...

These are just a few.  There was A LOT more damage than this, but you get the idea.  Several houses were leveled.  A village hall is no longer.  Silos are laying out in corn fields.  Pools look like a giant stepped on them.  Trees and power lines down everywhere.  Debris all over the place.  Cars are totalled.  Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.  Thanksgiving is not going to be as festive this year for some people, but they will surely have something to be thankful for...to be alive.  According to our school secretary, everything that was lost, can be replaced.

We have some crazy weather out here.  A tornado in January of 2008 took out a lot of Edward's Apple Orchard and several other houses.  Now on November 22, 2010, another tornado takes out even more homes, businesses and farms. 

AND....School was cancelled today because 4 of the 6 schools in our district were still without power. I found this out 10 minutes after they woke up for the day!  That made for a VERY LONG DAY!!!  This means the boys have a 6 day weekend!!!  I am gonna need some wine....STAT!!!!!

Halloween

So I am a little behind getting some pics up from Halloween.  Whatcha gonna do?  You don't scare me!!!!

Here are my military guys.  I really can't say Army guys because I think Ryan was some sort of paratrooper and Cale was....let's put it this way, they talk about soooooo many different military things that I don't have a clue about, so I tend to just smile and nod.  You kinda have to, it's all they ever talk about!!!

Private Ryan - no saving needed

I would hate to meet up with this face!

Or this face!!!!

Ryan took every opportunity to play combat while trick or treating.

I actually really like this picture!  Thinking of getting it framed.

Cale and his friend Ryan.  This was his first year that he

didn't have to go trick or treating with Mommy.  He did, however,

get to go with Ryan (and his parents)!  I think he enjoyed

that a lot more than going with me!

Private Cale...contemplating his next move.

He's so serious!!

The boys are constantly playing military, WWII, Vietnam, etc.....  The only thing I had to get for Halloween this year was candy and face paint.  You have got to love that!!!

My thoughts

Lately, I have had several tiny "meltdowns" when it comes to Diabetes.  Halloween doesn't help it either!!  Imagine how I felt when I walked into Cale's Halloween party, after it has been in full swing for half an hour, to find out that treats have already been passed out and pretty much all inhaled.  You would not believe the amount of, please excuse my language, CRAP that they were given to eat!!!  I wouldn't even have eaten all of it myself...not at one sitting, at least!!  Brownies with frosting and sprinkles, huge sugar cookies topped with frosting, powdered doughnuts (really?), small cupcakes with sugar cream frosting, trail mix, candy and huge, where's the keg, plastic cups full of fruit punch!  Thankfully, I packed Cale a water bottle with sugar free lemonade mix to drink.  That didn't stop him from eating everything!  I had already told him when I would be at the party and to test if they were to eat before I arrived.  He did, he told me what his BG was and then told me what he ate.  I stopped counting at 90 grams of carbs and gave him his shot, with every intention of rechecking in 2 hours and correcting as needed - thankfully it didn't turn out to be too much of a correction.  Needless to say, he was WOUND UP for the rest of the day and then he crashed way earlier than normal.  He also complained of a stomachache.  Hmmmmm.....wonder what that would be from?!

So I was really annoyed at the amount of junk they were given to eat.  I felt horrible that I had to be so concerned.  I didn't take it out on him, after all, he was just being a 9 year old boy.  I did tell him that it was way too much for anyone and for the next party, he is to eat one thing and bring the rest home.

I hate having to tell him that.  I hate these feelings of why can't he just be like everyone else.  I hate hearing that some kids have teased him about having Diabetes - oh how I hate that - that has been the cause of many tears lately.  I hate that I worry all of the time.  I hate that I have to read about the 13 year old girl that died in her sleep last week because of Diabetes, with no real explanation as to what really happened.  I hate that his sleep has to be interrupted every night to test his BG - although, he seems to sleep through it, but still stirs a lot when I fish his hand out from under the blankets.  Then, if he's low, he does have to somewhat wake up to drink/eat.  But it needs to be done so that he will wake up in the morning. I hate that he can't join the military because of Diabetes (ok...that I really don't hate, but for his sake, I pretend).  There are so many things I hate about this disease, but I realize that I need to have these feelings. And, I need to keep these feelings away from him.  I can't let him feel like he's a burden in any way, shape or form, because he is NOT! 

Deep down, however, I can't help but really like the comments that I receive about how I am caring for Cale.  I thank those that give me these compliments.  Their words give me so much encouragement.  It helps me realize that I am doing everything that I can for him.  And I know that if this was their child, they would do the exact same thing that I am doing for my child.  That is our job.  There is no question as to what needs to be done.  We just do it.  Sure, we have our moments.  But, we would have moments with completely healthy children (you have met Ryan, right?). 

I was reading another blog from a mother of a child with Diabetes and she posted the following poem, that made me cry, in a good way....

CHOSEN

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.


Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.


"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."


"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."


"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."


Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with Diabetes."


The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."


"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a child with Diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."


"But has she patience?" asks the angel.


"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."


"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."


"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect -she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"


God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect."

"She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".


"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.


God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."


By ~ Erma Bombeck

Now, those of you that really know me, know that I am not an overly religious person.  I do believe in God and we try to instill this in our boys.  I can tell you right now, I am going to make sure that we do that even more. 
I may have my moments and I do wallow in them (and I thank all of you that allow me to breakdown to them and help me through those moments), but they don't last too long. 

I watch Cale play, I hear him laugh, I see him enjoy so much and I realize, this is how it is supposed to be.  I do what I do, and deal with what I deal with, all so that he can have his childhood and grow to be the person he is destined to be...no matter what life throws his way. 

Step Out Walk - 2010

On Saturday, October 16th, Team Cale once again "Stepped Out" to Fight Diabetes.  It was a beautiful day!  The walk was in St. Charles, Illinois.  It started out along the Fox River and wound through some wooded areas and then back along the River.  It was such a nice walk!  I love the Fall and with the water and the changing leaves, things couldn't have been nicer!!  The walk was 5 miles long and we all made it! 

Team Cale was announced during the opening ceremonies as not only a new team to this walk (the previous walk we did was in Rockford) but we were also one of the top 5 fundraising teams!!  That felt really good considering how many people were there!!  As of today, Team Cale has raised $3,280!!  And we can still send in any late donations until November 5th!!!

Team Cale consisted of Me (of course), Pat, Cale and Ryan, my Mom and Dad, Lauren and Kevin, my cousin Jenny, Cale's best friend Ryan and my mother-in-law and father-in-law (they were there in spirit...they helped fundraise, but were unable to do the 5 mile walk due to a brand new knee!!!).  What I found funny is, during the walk, the ones that were "tired" and "hurting" were the two 9 year olds and the 6 year old! Where was the energy that they have ALL OF THE TIME?! Granted, Ryan's little legs had to take almost twice as many steps as the adults, but he is always on the go at home and doesn't have to rest!  Ahhhhh!!!!

My very talented sister-in-law, Chris, graciously designed our t-shirts again this year!!  Everyone had the Army star logo with "Team Cale" on the front and the little boys had their names military style on their backs (which made my "big" boy want his, too!).  We love the t-shirts!!!

Here are some pictures of our day...

Team Cale

My family

The boys watching the waterfall...check out their names on their backs!

The three monkeys

The path winding through the "woods"

Best Buddies

Best "Goofy" Buddies

Daddy & Ryan...Ryan was tired!

Cale with Auntie Lauren and Uncle Kevin

Cale with Grandma and Grandpa

Leave it to Lauren to find a cat!!!

WWII Re-enactment

So I haven't been blogging for quite some time now.  I finally have a moment to sit and type.  Wasn't sure what to write about....so here has been the boys' life lately....WWII (unless it is raining out, then it turns into Vietnam - thanks Forrest Gump)!!!  I believe that I am one of very few mom's that actually have a load of laundry that she has labeled "camo".  They have soooo much of it!!!

On Sunday, they went with Daddy and Grandpa to the nation's largest WWII Re-enactment and had a BLAST!!!  Here are some pics of their fun day....

Yes, they had to wear some of their "gear".  They were not too happy that they couldn't bring everything!!

I heard that Cale acutally "cocked" this when he got up there.  Those are blanks, but the guy freaked a little!

Look out!!!

They told me what kind of gun this was....sadly, I wasn't listening.

Hey...Auntie Lauren...I WANT JUICE!!!

They want this built in our back yard!!

Why am I thinking of MASH right now???  I know, wrong war!!

I don't think they really wanted to leave.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!!!

A new post!!!  I promise!!!

I'm here!!

Yes...I am here!!  Summer is in full swing and my computer is not!!!  It has to be sent away for repairs for 2-4 weeks (WHAT!?!?).  So for now, I am using my neighbor's extra laptop, which means no pictures can be posted because they are all on my laptop!!

So here is what is new...Cale went the the ADA Camp in June and LOVED IT!!!  Thankfully, it was not the hottest week of the year again like it was last year.  AND thankfully, the pool was open this year, unlike last year!! AND thankfully, the weather cooperated for all but one morning the entire week!  He had a blast!  He got to see his friends from last year and he made several new ones - including a very cute girl that lives right by the in-laws!!!  He got to see her again when we went to the 4th of July parade in Wonder Lake.  So adorable, when they first saw eachother there, they were so shy and then SNAP they were having a ball!!  Actually pretty funny to see two children with diabetes scrambling for all of the candy that was being thrown!  Also turns out that Pat's parents know her grandparents.  Small world!!!  It was great to find someone from camp that lives so close.  Everyone else from last year lived closer to Chicago.

Next week, we are going to attend the open house for the overnight camp that Cale will, hopefully, be attending next year (gotta get the application in right away. There is a huge waiting list for this year!)  His new friend will also be going to check it out.  He heard a lot about overnight camp from the counselors at day camp and is really starting to get excited about it.  I am too...no hotel for the week, sleep through the night (sounds ideal, probably won't happen...chances are that I will be up most nights worrying) and no math!!!!  I will post camp pics as soon as my computer is back...maybe.  By then it will be old news. 

The week before camp, we and by we I mean, my mom, the boys and I, braved it and went to Chicago for the Blackhawks parade.  We woke up SUPER early to take the train there and am I glad we took the first train out.  IT WAS PACKED!!!!  The train actually had to skip some stops.  It was standing room only and packed with people in red and black.  Thankfully, we got on at the very first stop. We actually got a pretty good spot on the parade route.  Cale was right on the street thanks to a VERY nice man who was there with his younger daughter.  Everyone around us was so nice and excited!  Only drawbacks, Ryan was being a pain in the butt (almost like how he acts when there is a full moon...those who know him know exactly what I am talking about!), it was kinda hot and the parade started late so they seemed to drive past us pretty quickly in order to get to the rally on time.  And the biggest drawback of all, Pat had to work.  He has waited his entire life for the Hawks to win the Stanley Cup and then he couldn't get off of work!  However, he insisted I take the boys so that they could say they were there.  We had ticker tape fall all over us, we saw the players AND WE SAW THE CUP!!!!!  It was great!!!  We made the very smart decision to skip the rally (hello....we were a mere 4 people out of an estimated 2 million!!) and went to lunch at a pizza place and watched most of it on the tv there.  We couldn't watch all of it, had to haul butt back to the train station in order to get a seat on the train back.  Luckily, we made it and we got seats!!!  It was memorable!  Again, I will post pics later, but by then....old news!!

This Saturday we will travel down to Coal City for Danny and Chris' wedding reception party/picnic.  Weather looks very promising.  Can't wait!  It should be a great time!

In two weeks, Cale is attending a Diabetes Basketball Camp near here for a few days.  He has been playing ball at the YMCA and now is excited to be going to this camp.  Added bonus....it's free!!!!

Other plans for this summer include going to Six Flags, Magic Waters, Silver Lake Beach and lots of swimming at the neighbor's house!!!  Pat and I are also hoping to take Cale up to Wolf River in Wisconsin for white water rafting.  We just need to find a place where the minimum age isn't 12.  He would have so much fun rafting!!  That is the perfect river to him to go his first time!!  And let's not forget...August 14th, Lauren and I are going to see Bret Michaels in concert with Firehouse and Warrant!!  Woo Hoo!!!!  8th row baby!!!  ROCK ON!!! 

So, that's what is happening here.  Busy, busy, busy!!

Here come the Hawks...

The 2010 Stanley Cup Champions...The Chicago Blackhawks!!!!!

 

It is a very happy time in our household.  My husband has waited his entire life to see the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.  Can I just say, he was physically ill when he got home from work last night in anticipation of the game.  He sat in his recliner so tense and sweating up a storm!!  And when overtime started...I thought he was going to have a stroke or something.   THEN...Patrick Kane fires it in and the lamp didn't light...but that didn't stop Kane from celebrating.  Once everyone realized what had happened....OH MY GOSH!!!!!  Craziness!!!!!  To quote Patrick Kane  "Holy Crap!" (he's so cute)

 

We are really wanting to go to the parade and rally downtown tomorrow....however, Pat doesn't think he can miss work.  How much does that bite for him??  I am contemplating taking the boys, but I have to say, it will be VERY overwhelming down there.  I will have to ponder that for the day.

He's 9!!!!

Nine years ago today, after a pretty easy pregnancy and then after a mere 6 hours of labor, Cale entered the world with gusto!!!!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone!! 

Here he is at just under 3 years old on "vacation" in Galena with Grandma and Grandpa....

  ...to today as the WWII Army guy with 2 of his biggest fans (the little ladies love him)!!!!

He went from loving ceiling fans and trailer hitches to being infatuated with the Army and WWII!!!  Drive through our subdivision and you will most likely see him in full combat gear along with his friend Ryan. 

This year, we had the family over for a BBQ on Sunday to celebrate.  We feasted on brats, hot dogs, burgers and of course cake and ice cream (Diabetes Schmiabetes...no such thing on your birthday!!)   He got LOTS of great presents.  Most of which pertained in some way to the Army...a make your own fort kit, several military books, 2 military guys, new binoculars, a super soaker, camo clothes, money and the promise to be taken to the Army Surplus store and his very own basketball hoop!  He is getting pretty good at basketball and now we can practice more at home!  FUN!! 

I think his favorite thing was having his best friend spend the night and all of today at the house.  Surprisingly, they passed out in the army fort by midnight....another big surprise, they were awake at 5:00 am!!!  Really???  They spent the whole day playing and we are all a bit tuckered out now.  Time to relax and get ready for the last couple days of school!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!

Sad day....

Let me first start off by saying how great we have it at our school in regards to Cale's diabetes care.  Everyone is so helpful, concerned and cooperative.  He has never been denied anything!!  It is a dream.  The teachers, principal, secretary and most of all our nurse!!  Salena has been an unbelievable godsend!!! 

She came on staff the same time that Cale was diagnosed almost 3 years ago.  At first, she was only at our school part time, but she was ALWAYS there for Cale at lunch.  She made that her priority.  Then came the glorious day that we found out she was to be at our school full time....insert happy dance here!!!  No one could ask for a better person to take care of their child.  Salena even went above and beyond by taking time away from her family at night to attend the pump training with us!!  She has attended every field trip that she was needed to attend.  She has let me give her phone number to a baby sitter when we were able to spend an evening in downtown Chicago (70 miles away), just in case!!  She treats Cale like he is her own son.  She has become such a great friend!!

Today, I find out that she is not returning to our school next year!!  Can I just say...I cried.  I thought I had one more year with her taking care of Cale before he went to the Upper Elementary School in 5th grade.  No such luck!!!  I often kidded her saying that she had to go to 5th grade with him. 

I completely understand why she is leaving.  She and her husband own their own business and their medical insurance premiums are killing them!!!  The very sad thing about this is that she is ONE MINUTE shy of her time she works at the school to be eligible for the district's insurance.  ONE STINKING MINUTE!!!!  She has fought this for 2 years and doesn't feel she can fight anymore considering the amount of staff that has already been cut (that is totally another post).  She has gotten a job at an immediate care center nearby and has already asked to be kept on as a substitute at our school for anything, lunch room, nurse, janitor...but she cannot sub for our secretary, that's mine!!!  Plus, should we need to go to an immediate care, guess where we will be going?

She will be missed at the school so much!  I can only hope that we get another nurse next year that is half as good as Salena!    SNIFF!!!!!

He Did It Again!!!

I am so proud of Cale...he wrote an essay and once again, he won a scholarship to ADA Camp for this summer!!!  He cannot wait to go.  He had so much fun last year.  He made friends.  He really connected with one of the teenage counselors.  He was JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!!!! 

So, towards the end of June, we will all pack up to stay near the campgrounds and we will have a mini vacation in good old Des Plaines, Illinois!!!  Sounds lame, but camp is close to 60 miles away from our house...we are so hoteling it!!!!

Cale on his first day of camp in 2009...he looks so little!!!!!

Next summer....overnight camp!!

All of my boys having fun in the hotel pool last year!

Friends...big and small!!

Sixth Sense

That's right...I do believe I possess a Sixth Sense and I do not see dead people!!!

Over the past week, there have been 3 nights that I have woken out of a deep sleep for no reason.  As soon as my eyes open, I figure, "I'm up, I will check Cale".  And low and behold....his blood sugar has been below 70 each and every time!!  And I would like to add that there was no explanation as to why he had dropped so low.  He had been going to bed in the lower 200's!

Sixth sense, mother's intuition...whatever it is, I will take it!!

HE DID IT!!!!!

Tonight, Cale gave himself his injection...for the very first time!!!!!!!!!

Mommy's Report Card

Cale had his 3 month endo visit yesterday.  Time for Mommy's grades.  It was actually a very fast appointment.  He is 4'9" tall and weighs 75 pounds.  He has definitely grown since his last visit.  (There was a student doctor shadowing and he was taller than her!!!  He's 8!!!!)  Anyway...his A1C was 7.3.  His doctor is very pleased.  His last one was 7.4 - which was when he was having all of the pump/skin problems.  The one before that was his lowest ever...6.8.  But I will take the 7.3 and be happy.)  Cale does need to start taking his shots in other places.  He really likes his stomach, but you can totally see little bitty bumps starting to show.  Thankfully the warm weather is coming and his legs will have easy access!!!  Our only change is to try a teeny tiny bit of insulin with his bedtime snack to help bring him down in the night (the doctor told me I needed to sleep...really???) and if that doesn't help, we will up his Lantus by 1 unit.  I will still wake up, my body is programmed.  I am not overly concerned about the highs, I do treat them, it's the lows that have me scared out of my mind!!  You never know when they will hit!!!

After talking to the OmniPod lady at the Expo on another option for skin protection, Cale has decided that once I get that product, he will try on the pod, minus the pod.  He wants to just wear the adhesive and see how that goes.  Fine by me.  Step one complete.  His approval. His doctor gave that the thumbs up. Now all I need to do is find the card that the rep gave me with the info....ah the joy of super cleaning your house for a shower and misplacing things!!! 

While at the doctor's office, we picked up a brochure for a Basketball Camp for children with diabetes.  I have seen this before, however it was located over 80 miles away from our house.  Not gonna happen for 3 hours a day for 3 days over the summer.  BUT, this one is nicely located just over 10 miles away.  AND IT'S FREE!!!!  Cale has been taking basketball lessons at the YMCA for several months now and is currently signed up for a league there starting next week. (Remember his height???)  He totally wants to go to this camp.  Who am I to say no????  So the form was mailed out today and we will keep our fingers crossed that it is not full.  ADA Summer Camp in  June and then Basketball Camp in July.  His summer is filling up fast!!!!

Diabetes Expo - 2010

On Saturday, my sister and I took Cale to Navy Pier in Chicago for the ADA Diabetes Expo. 

Last year, the Expo was fantastic.  It was huge!  We attended a couple of "classes" including one for their summer camps.  Let me tell you, the video that they show...tear jerker!!!  Needless to say, Cale attended camp last year (on a scholarship no less) and is already signed up for this summer (fingers crossed for a scholarship!!).  We came home with BAGS of information, samples, meters, test strips, food, coupons, t-shirts, water bottles, you name it, we lugged it home!!!

Fast forward to this year...it was a complete let down.  Cale was so excited to go (he didn't go with last year, his school was having a fun fair).  He was bummed! It was considerably smaller.  Still in the same huge room, but everything was crammed together.  Very little give aways (I'm not a greedy person - really).  Nothing really new...except that I did speak with the OmniPod people and I was given another thing to try for Cale's allergic reaction to the adhesive, when he is ready to try again.  BUT, I found out that the new and smaller pods will be out by the end of the year AND even before that, the CGM should be integrated.  Now that was great news!!  Of course, only if he decides to try the pod again and we have success (cross the other fingers on that one!).  One other plus of the Expo was that The Home Depot was there in the kids corner and they had a wood craft for the kids to do.  Cale got a hard hat, apron, a pin and he made a wooden tool box.  His favorite part of the Expo was the balloon lady.  I'll post a picture of that after I steal Lauren's camera!!

Honestly, we did the Expo in under 45 minutes.  Keep in mind, we drove about an hour and a half to get there.  Driving in Chicago is C.R.A.Z.Y!!!!!  Really a let down.  Cale does not want to go next year - join the club buddy!!!  We shared the elevator with a couple of people that felt the same way we did. 

So, we walked along Navy Pier.  Had lunch at Bubba Gumps - yet another disappointment.  Just a heads up, when you go to Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co. - ALWAYS order shrimp!!!  The crab legs were horrible!!!  They were steamed in what I can only describe as toilet water with some green spices floating in it!  I kid you not. Ask Lauren!!!  THEN, McDonalds was out of ice cream!!  Are you freaking kidding me????

The highlight of the entire day was the Chicago Wolves game that we went to that night with everyone in our family.  The boys had fun and it was a great time!!  Hockey games are fun. 

So that was our trip into the city in a nutshell.  A smashed up nutshell!!!

Well...we did it!

Even though I never thought we would, we did!  We got Cale his own cell phone.  Almost 9 years old and he has a cell phone!!  I don't like it one bit!!!  However, under the circumstances, it was necessary.

I feel like I have been "smothering" (for lack of a better word) Cale since his diagnosis.  I have a VERY hard time letting him go out and play with friends.  I am always having his friends over here to play.  It breaks my heart that he can't just jump on his bike and go off (of course he would have to let me know where he was going!).  But, if he did want to go off on his bike, I was always telling him how far he could go and how soon he had to come back to "check in".  What kind of childhood is that?  I also feel, deep down, that his social skills are not as up there as they could be because of all of this.

Given all of that, we got him a phone.  He will still have to tell me where he is going.  He will still have to pack juice boxes, glucose tabs, a snack and his meter.  But now I can reach him anywhere!!  I have programmed all emergency numbers into his phone.  There is also a place for emergency information.  I programmed his name, address, date of birth and that he has type 1 diabetes (and for those that don't know - I programmed insulin dependent).  There are no bells and whistles on this phone - except for a camera, they all come with cameras!!!  He isn't allowed to call his friends without permission.  He isn't allowed to give out his phone number without permission.  He isn't allowed to text - it's not activated. He isn't allowed to take it to school.  It is to stay on a little shelf in the kitchen unless he is going out to play or we are going out for the day (just in case).  Basically, he can call family and 911.  That is all we are letting him do at this point.

He has been having a ball with it over the last day.  He keeps calling me from his room - cell to cell, no minutes used!!  He took it with to Ryan's hockey lessons last night and would move about 10 feet away and call.  He has mastered the ring tones.  He has taken more pictures than one can imagine.  I am sure the neatness will wear off soon. 

While it still kills me to have gotten him a phone, I know have a little bit of relief when it comes to him being just a "normal" kid.  The worries are still there, but they have subsided just a tad.  And as an added bonus, this phone does come with the "family locater" option.  For a few bucks a month, I can GPS the guy.  I haven't activated it yet, maybe closer to summer just to ease my mind!!!!

Spring Break and an Update!!

I have not fallen off the face of the earth!!!  Last week was Spring Break here in good old Illinois.  It was a fairly cold one!  This week, of course, is supposed to get up to 80!!!  At least I will get to enjoy the weather while the boys are sitting and learning in school!!!

School...that's a fun issue in our town lately!  Teachers being let go for next year, a new superintendent that sounds less than a pile of manure!!  It is sad and scary and I can't wait until the next school board meeting.  I have a feeling it will be nasty!!!!

So back to Spring Break.  The boys had a pretty good week.  Cale was able to have his friend, Ryan, over A LOT!!!  First of all, a little confusing because everytime I called my Ryan, his friend would answer.  I couldn't even say Ryan S. because his last name starts with S.  So I started with the Ryan Patrick (who, by the way, has been putting his full name on his school papers and spelling it Patchrik).  Anyway, Cale has finally found a friend that shares his exreme passion for anything Army!!!  Every time they are together, itis in full on camoflague and Army gear.  He had a sleep over one night and they had made an Army "fort" out of camo sheets in Cale's room and insisted on sleeping in it.  They also asked to sleep in their camo clothes just in case they were attacked in the middle of the night.  They also wanted to go outside and play night Army at 10:30 pm!!!  That answer was a big NO!!!  I even had to be "that Mom" and tell them it was time to turn off the lights and try to sleep at 1:30 a.m.  They finally ended up falling asleep at 2:00 a.m!!!!  On the plus side, Ryan's mom specifically asked me if she could learn what needs to be done with Cale so that he can play at their house.  As scary as it is, I am all for it!!  It helps that she is a CNA and has worked with people that have diabetes and she is studying to become a nurse. 

My Ryan felt very left out.  He is so used to being able to play with Cale.  So, I let him have a friend come over to play.  Unless there is a full bottle of wine available, I will never let them have friends over on the same day!  It was NUTS!!! 

On Wednesday, my sister (Hi Lauren!) took the day off of work (which was so difficult(um-not) for her to do considering she hated that job and had gotten a new job that started the following Monday!!! YEAH!!!) and we took the boys into Chicago to the Museum of Science and Industry.  We spent the ENTIRE day there and they loved it!!!  We saw everything except the Coal Mine (Ryan had a little bit of a gas issue and we weren't going to be confined in a small space with the "walking turd" as Lauren called him) and the "Green" house.  The boys loved the submarine.  I actually thought it was really cool!!  We even paid the extra fee to go on the tour and I learned a lot!  Normally, I could care less about that kind of stuff (I hate the History Channel and Military Channel - which are always on in my house) but it was interesting.  57 guys on a 90 day mission in a sub that only has bunks for 30 to sleep at one time.  Only 2 bathrooms but one was used for food storage.  They didn't shower (GROSS!) and the lowest temp in the sub was 90 degrees.  STINKY!!!!

Here are some pictures from our day~

They had a farm exhibit.  Here are the boys driving a combine.  They are actually watching a screen that makes it look like they are driving through a corn field.

Of course it was a John Deere!!

My John Deere loving son - by the way, his new John Deere bedroom is all done!!

Yeah...that's Ryan smelling a pile of cow manure!!

On to the Circus exhibit...turns out Auntie Lauren loved this exhibit - explains A LOT!!

Um...what!!!???

We are getting closer to the submarine...U505, a captured German sub.

Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures inside of the sub.  You wouldn't believe the size of the bunks and several of them have a missle lying on the floor next to them!!!

Ryan's favorite part of the huge train layout...the John Deere tractors being transported.

In the Air Craft Carrier exhibit...hey Grandpa, here's how they stop the planes when landing!

Checking out the baby chicks that were hatching.  Did you know it takes 10 hours for a chick to hatch??  See, I learned a little that day, too!!!

Hi Auntie Lauren!!  She made me take this cuz she said she was having a good hair day!

The tornado in the new weather exhibit.  Overall, the exhibit was not very impressive.  The lightning was loud - yes the lightning, not the thunder!! Would have rocked if we could stand inside the tornado!!!

Cale made me take this one.

The day was great.  We got there at 10:30 and didn't leave until after 5:00!!! 

Well worth the trip!  This week, they have Friday off from school as well as the Monday after Easter.  The plan is to go see The Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie or as Lauren calls it The Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid movie!!!

On the everyday items, Cale has joined a Basketball league through the YMCA.  He has practices and games every Saturday starting on April 24th through May 22nd.  Not overly competitive, more learning while playing.  Perfect for a beginner!!  Ryan has been officially promoted from Rink Rats to Termites for his hockey lessons.  They don't want him back in Rink Rats!   The coaches would have the kids start at the blue line and skate as fast as they could to the goal line and stop several times.  Ryan kicked butt!!!  That turkey is fast!!  AND, he stops - he doesn't fall!!!  Now he will start working on backwards skating and more stick handling.  Ryan is also signed up for Little League for the summer. Cale didn't want to play.  He would rather go to the playground or to the basketball hoops while Ryan is playing.  I always wondered what the big deal was with parents always taking their kids to this activity and that activity.  How crazy could it really be???  Now I know!!!!  I'm not a soccer mom, but I am a Basketball/Hockey/Baseball mom. 

On the diabetes front, Cale's numbers are doing pretty good.  Had a few highs a couple of days ago, and even though they weren't good, we know the reasons!!!  He still has no desire to go back on the pod.  Still have the 3 full boxes in my cabinet - all paid for and collecting dust!!!  Our ADA rep is helping me out there checking with some support groups and seeing if anyone needs/wants them.  I tried e-bay, but a message kept coming up about FDA regulations, and even though I don't think they pertain to me, not gonna take any chances.  Who knows, maybe after Diabetes Camp this summer, he may want to give it a try again and see how his skin reacts.  Then again, maybe not.  Maybe someone there may need the pods???  On a positive note, he did attempt to give himself an injection today!!!  It didn't happen, but he did try.  He is also getting all of the syringes ready on his own.  Of course, I am telling him how much and double checking, but he is doing great.  It's kinda cute to see him tapping out the bubbles!  AND, we are going to be doing our ADA Step Out Walk on Saturday, October 16th.  Go TEAM CALE!!!

Ok..I've rambled enough and bombarded you with enough pictures.  I promise not to stay away so long again!!!