Generosity

For the past few weeks Cody and Kellie have been doing a service project collecting water bottles to send to Haiti. We heard about the opportunity through Disney's Give a day, get a day program. We chose this project so the kids could participate, and so it could be done at home. They collected over 600 water bottles and quite a bit of money. I took this picture on Sunday when we loaded up all the water to go turn it in.

They seemed as proud of themselves as I was of them. It's great to see kids that have so much give back to those that don't. What a great thing to teach our kids now, before it's too late.

Thanks to everyone who donated money, and water, and words of encouragement to my kids. It was all appreciated!

Type 2

As you may already know.. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes on April 21, 2009. So I've been dealing with, or not dealing with it for about a year now. I'll admit to not being really great about taking all my medication and doing all the things I should but I have made improvements to be healthier.

My diagnosis came with several pills I am supposed to take and I hate most of them!

Metformin.. to control blood sugar. This is by far the worst, and the one I am the least good about taking. It makes me so sick.
Hctz, or hydrochlorothiazide. This is for high blood pressure, and I have been taking it for about 5 years.

Crestor, for high cholesterol. Which mine isn't too bad anymore but as a diabetic you are at greater risk for heart attack so you are still supposed to take it.

Trilipix, also for cholesterol. It helps your triglycerides that somehow the first pill can't do all by itself.

and finally a cute little baby aspirin, a daily regimen to prevent heart attacks.

I have a few other pills I take not directly related to my diabetes, but with all these I average about 8-9 pills a day. Ugh. And each one comes with it's own special side effect or problem and I think I have really forgotten what it feels like to be normal again. Not to mention how much they all cost! I know I should feel lucky that it's type 2 and not 1 and that I don't have to do insulin injections and most days I do..

I'm supposed to test my blood sugar a few times a week, and I'm pretty good about that, but the numbers always are high when they should be low, and low when they should be high. I just don't get it.

So how did I get here?? I'd like to say genetics, and while that does play a big factor it's not everything. A lot of it is self inflicted. Too many years eating crap and not taking care of myself caught up with me. Type 2 diabetes is reversible, in a way. You can get to the point that you can control it all with diet and exercise, but I'm not there yet. I'm down 32 pounds. With plenty more to go. But every little bit helps. I'm hoping to make some more changes and improve things in our home for both myself and my family. I don't want my kids, or my siblings to go down the same path. I haven't been the best role model in that area for any of them, and I'm hoping to change that now! Wish me luck!

My Return..

It was pointed out to me that my last post was about Lacrosse, and here we are coming up on Lacrosse season again. So shame on me I guess. There is so much I want to write about that I have no idea where to start. So I thought I'd put up something I wrote and read for my grandma's funeral in January. I have it hanging in my office as a reminder and I kinda like it so I thought I'd share. It was a great tribute to her, and who I thought she really was, and it was very personal to me when I wrote it..

My Grandma
I stop today and think of what she meant, and who she was.
I play back memories in my mind and smile at each one.
My Grandma, loved in her own way, she was special to us all.
She cared for you, and wished you well, but she rarely answered when you'd call.
She had her quirks, she spoke her mind, she'd tell you exactly what she thought.
Your hair is messed; you've gained some weight, that doesn't look like you at all.
Here's some money, grab your coat, Linda will take you to the mall.
Grandma shopped with us for our first crib, bought a prom dress here and there.
A wedding dress, the costumes made, she was always one to care.
She loved her grandkids most of all, sang their praises every one.
Soccer games, and skating lessons, even cartoons in bed all day.
She lived her life through all of us, each special in our own way.
Grandma, quite a stubborn thing, worked hard her whole life through.
Retired off and on for years, so Dr. Ward she must have loved him too.
I think God saw her struggling, saw her sick and said no more.
He called her home to be with him, he helped walk her through the door.
I held her hand when she said good bye, we all felt the loss that day.
She will watch us now from up above, I can almost hear her say.
Don't cry for me, I'm not in pain, I left that all behind.
I'm happy now, I'll miss you all.. It's Grandma's turn to shine.


I will admit to not being as close to her as I should have. I tried, but could have tried harder. My mom encouraged me to see her and always asked if I had. No excuses but sometimes I get so involved in myself and my problems that it's hard to make time for someone else. I am grateful that I went to see her on Christmas since she died just a few days later. The biggest lesson I learned from that is that you never know when the last time you see someone will be. Make it count.