Say Cheese!

Christmas pictures each year are a real treat, I sure hope you read the sarcasm in that! It never fails that there is at least one crying, one ready to go, one that doesn't want to stand by the other and one that has that "I'm trying too hard" smile! I enjoy photographing my kids, but I am usually the first to throw in the towel. This year, I just grabbed something out of the kids closets and took them to a local wooded park area. I tried not to pose them, because they always seem to do the opposite of what I would like!

Before leaving, I grabbed my good camera. I don't use it often, but love the photos so much more when I use it over my cell phone. I've become that parent that does everything with my cell phone. Any woo, we get to the park...kids are laughing, acting like this isn't a photo shoot. I take 3 pictures with my camera and it quits...memory card full!!!!  You have got to be kidding me??!! I knew if I ran home to get another card, the moment would pass, so I grabbed my cell phone. I just upgraded to an iPhone from an Android and wasn't sure how well they would come out. Surprisingly, they weren't too bad!

My sweet family!

Sweet Emma

Ethan looking so handsome!

Alex looking cute as ever!

Sweet Aaron

You would never guess they are twins!

I used this one for our Christmas card.
I love they way they automatically line up
in birth order!

When your 13 year old gets your camera!

We can never pass up on a group selfie! Selfie sticks are the best!

Overall, I was please with how they turned out. Maybe since I didn't put up a big fuss this year, it went much smoother. 

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I am out of work with the kids this week and will try to blog about our Christmas joys!


Until then...

Decade of Diabetes!!

A decade!  That is Ethan's response when he is asked how long he has had Type 1 Diabetes!  A decade...how is that possible?  

He came into this world at a whopping 10 lbs 2.5 ounces and was 23 1/2' long!  I gave birth to a toddler!  To say I was as big as a barn, would not give my belly justice!  He was my only baby that came on his own.  I had to be induced with my others and they were 3 weeks late.  Ethan was a great baby! He ate well, slept well and enjoyed entertaining himself. Even as an infant, Ethan wasn't a big cuddle baby.  He was quite content to just lay and people watch!  He loved music and The Wiggles.  As he got older, he was WIDE OPEN! There was no stopping him.  He rarely cried, we got him potty trained right at 2 years old and he was a big helper with his twin brothers.

In December 2005, when he was 2 years old, he started acting strangely.  He started wetting the bed, he would get up 4-5 times a night asking for something to drink, wanted to be held and often cried over nothing in particular.  One evening, the kids had their Christmas program at their daycare.  I remember this with such sadness.  Ethan wouldn't do as I was asking him to get ready.  He was very upset and wouldn't listen.  I was frustrated with getting all 4 of them ready (Emma was 3, Ethan was 2 and the twins were 1) and their Dad was working late.  Ethan just wouldn't listen. And, I did something I will never forgive myself for...I popped him for not listening!!!  I look back now on that little pop and feel so incredibly guilty.

At the program, Ethan's class was dressed up as farm animals surrounding the manger.  Ethan was a sheep.  I take way too many pictures of my kids and was so afraid that if he saw me, he would come off the stage.  All the other kids were up walking around and there sat Ethan.  Not moving, no expression and the color of paste!  He spotted me and raised his little hand and gave me this weak wave.  I cried instantly!

My sad little sheep!

I talked to our pediatrician the next morning.  Of course they ask "whats wrong with him?" and all I could say is that something was off.  They agreed to see me, I'm sure they thought I was a crazy mother. We were lucky enough to see our doctor and she agreed, that he didn't seem like himself. A nurse came in the draw blood and quickly left. We sat in that room for what felt like hours.  In walked the doctor and said she told me to start getting him dressed that the children's hospital was expecting us.  She said the words that I will never forget..."Ethan has diabetes!"  She took the clothes out of my hands and started getting him dressed...I was frozen! We were given a few minutes to make calls to family and get home to pack a bag. I don't remember driving home! I do remember looking in my rear view mirror and Ethan was smiling at me!  

The children's hospital was definitely waiting on us. We walked through the door and was asked if he was Ethan and he was taken right back into the ER. He was hooked up to machines before I could even grasp what was going on. He was crying, I was crying...time stood still!  We were told that his blood sugar level was over 500, as the meter only went to 500.  So, there was no telling what his actual level was at that time. He was in ketoacidosis. We were told that if we had waited 2 more days, that Ethan wouldn't have survived...that was tough to hear!

He is finally getting some much needed rest!

We were in the hospital for 3 days learning how to care for him. He was given insulin shots 4 times a day to keep his levels down. He would cry every time a nurse walked through the door!

Page from his Diabetes scrapbook that I have made for him.
Since it was Christmas time, there were beautiful trees in his unit!

More pictures from his stay!

We were ready to get him home, but so scared! We were given the green light to go home on December 23. Driving away from that hospital was tough.  We second guessed everything we did and were so fearful that we would make a mistake.  But, here we are 10 years later!  Ethan is a wonderful role model to other children with the same diagnosis. He has had so many wonderful opportunities because he has Type 1. He is not ashamed of what he has or who he is. He does not hide the fact that he has diabetes. We didn't want him be afraid of what others would think about him testing his blood or wearing an insulin pump...and he has held true to that.

10 years later!
I love that you can see his pump hose!

Ethan, you make me so proud! I thought I loved that little boy, but I love the young man you are becoming more! You are so sensitive to others that are different. I hope that you keep that understanding and strive to make a difference in their lives. You keep your head held high, keep smiling, stay positive and always know how much you are loved!

Easy Peezy Popcorn Balls

If you know me, you know that I can not cook!  I am embarrassed to admit just how many times I have pulled things back out of the oven to add ingredients that I missed.  I rock at opening cans and can make a mean box of mac and cheese!  The kids are used to the smoke detector going off and I often hear "Mommy, something is burning!"!!  

I can usually make sweet treats without messing them up too badly...except that one dreadful banana bread incident!!  I like to make things for the kids to give their teachers for Christmas.  I've made the same thing for the last several years and decided to switch up. Maybe not my best thought, but it turned out great! I follow the blog Mennonite Girls Can Cook. I enjoy looking through their blog as some of the recipes they showcase reminds me of my family's cooking in Pennsylvania. I come from a great family of cooks, but it has obviously skipped over me!

This week, they blogged about popcorn balls.  I read through the recipe and it seemed easy enough, even for me.  So, that night, we got out the ol' popcorn maker and set about making them for teachers, coworkers and friends.

So glad I had this popper on hand! 

Movie anyone?

One of my helpers

This step is the one that made me nervous!  I could just hear the smoke detector going off mid process, but it didn't!  The marshmallows cooked down easily.  **Whew, what a relief!**

The marshmallows have been added to the
popcorn. The kids decided to make
them festive and added sprinkles!

We made them smaller than suggested. They were quite sticky to form into balls.  The only thing we did differently was spraying a little cooking spray on our hands to keep them from pulling apart.  
My taste testers give these popcorn balls 2 thumbs up!  If you are interested in making them, I have added the link for the recipe here. We will be making more of these while we are out on Christmas break.

XC (Our Cross Country to us first timers!)

I talked Emma and Ethan into joining their middle schools cross country team. And, when I say I "talked" them into...I actually made them join!  They both are pretty shy when it comes to joining clubs or attending events, so I have to give them that little push they need!  

We decided early on that they would attend 2 different middle schools.  As the crow flies, they are about a mile apart.  But, the schools are fierce competitors when it comes to sports. 

After the first few practices, they were both asking to quit the team.  But, me being the good Mom explained that they were now part of a team and they were being counted on.  Of course, I got the ol' eye roll and tears, but they kept at it.  We went to the YWCA a few times for extra practice.  I was very impressed with them both.  I am not a runner, so to watch them do it made me very proud! 

Since Ethan is diabetic, I went to all of his meets.  I was able to attend 2 of Emma's and they ran against each other for another meet.  They were both very concerned with coming in last.  I wasn't concerned with how they finished, just ask them to do their best and to hold their heads high when they crossed the finish line.

Go Emma!

Strong finish for Ethan!

My cup runneth over!

This sums up Emma!

Emma and her friends waiting for Ethan to pass!  
They cheered and cheered for him!

And, there he goes!

Tired, but she finished strong!

Still smiling!

I love watching the kids with their friends!  They are so concerned about me standing around alone, but I'm usually taking pictures and just watching them interact.  They cheer each other on and really do encourage one another.

One day I asked them what they think about when they run.  Ethan says he thinks about not throwing up...typical 12 year old response! Emma on the other hand likes to imagine the biggest grilled cheese sandwich waiting on her at the finish line...with lots of mayo!!  She loves her grilled cheeses!!

The season seemed so short.  They were both glad they joined the team and hated to see the end of the season.  I will definitely "encourage" them to join again next year!  Way to go Emma and Ethan!  I'm so proud of you both for stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something that was really difficult for you.

I'm having a "senior" moment!

I only have 1 nephew, no nieces.  Before Adam and I had children, Pete was the only child in our family.  He was 4 when Emma was born, so he was the center of our world.  He and my sister lived in Augusta, GA so we didn't get to see them all the time and we packed plenty of memories into our visits.  Pete would come up to NC and spend the summers with us.  It was a nice break for my sister and we could shower him with love and attention.  I took so many pictures of Pete, we often laugh that if you thumb through them you can see him move!  We were, and still are, crazy about him!  He came along when our family needed it most!  To say he was a blessing to us would be an understatement!  

Sweet Pete with his puppy, Sophie

Fast forward...that sweet little boy is a senior in high school!! 

Pete has worked really hard the last few years in school.  And his hard worked has paid off!  He found out this week that he was accepted to Louisiana Tech University!  And, he received the Presidential Scholarship, which will pay for most of his tuition!  Just when I thought I couldn't be more proud of him!  Way to go Pete!  Guess we will be going to Louisiana for visits.  Good thing I don't mind driving 14 hours to see him.

Pete, always remember how much you are loved!  Keep your head held high and always keep smiling.  I love you buddy!

These are a few of my favorite things!

You have to sing the title the correct way!!  Christmas has always had such a special meaning to me. As a child, we would travel every Thanksgiving and Christmas to my Grandmother's home in Pennsylvania. Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around those trips.  We always opened our gifts a few days before Christmas and would head north to see the most amazing Grandmother that has ever blessed this planet and all of our cousins.  I often feel bad for my kids, because they don't have 12 cousins like I did.  I tell them all my stories, but they don't understand how wonderful it is to have lots of cousins!  

As we were putting up our tree this year (and all the past years!), I love remembering where we got our ornaments and the special story that goes along with it.  So, I thought I would show you some of my favorites...pardon all the pics!!

I cross stitched each of my kids a stocking.

Twins first Christmas!

Alex and Aaron's first Christmas ornament

These are spoons that are bent and
painted.  We got them at a local shop
that only sales items made by
senior citizens!

Alex's 1st grade ornament

Raise your hand if you had one of these
growing up!  Ours was very large and green.  I
found this at our local Goodwill and
just about cried in the store when I
found it!  Couldn't wait for Christmas
to come around!

Ornament from my Grandma from 1989

My Aunt made these for us

Emma's first Christmas ornament

Another made by my aunt.

Looks silly, but it's an insulin vial that
Ethan requested to be hung on the light.

Snowman that Adam bought me while
we were dating.  His eyes and smile were
made up of little black dots, but they
have all fallen off.  Pretty sure his
nose is held on with super glue to!

Ethan made these while he was in the
hospital at diagnosis!  They are
so very special to him!

Our selfie ornament, cause we take
lots of selfies!!

I just love the way these sparkle in the evening!

There are so many things I love about Christmas.  I hope that my children will be able to look back and remember what a special time it was and think of all the happy memories we have created.