Family Diabetes Day

On Sunday, Wayland, Philip and I went downtown for an afternoon of lectures on Type 1 Diabetes put on by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  This event had been on my calendar for some time, and I was genuinely excited about it.  Things have been going pretty smoothly around here in regards to handling Philip’s diabetes, and I think I felt that this would be an opportunity to learn “a bit” more about my son’s disease and sharpen my “already polished” skills.  Wow, what a rude awakening I got.  You know, Philip is in what they call a honeymoon period right now.  There’s a reason for that…we’re still on the honeymoon!  Things haven’t gotten hairy - yet.  When one-third of the phrases being thrown around are completely foreign to you, it’s evident you’ve still got a lot to learn.  (All I know is that I’m so thankful for the honeymoon).  Although I walked away a bit overwhelmed, I also was encouraged to be surrounded by other families who have faced or are facing the same difficult challenges we are.  In addition to the great doctors who lectured on the “abc’s” of type 1, we also heard from a couple of adults who have lived with this disease for 30+ years and are strong and healthy men and women leading active lives.  At one point I went into the bathroom to shed a few tears after a particularly overwhelming talk on “Sick Day Management.”   When I came out, a man came over and asked me if we were recently diagnosed.  I told him yes, that our son was just about two months in (how does two months seem like two years?).  I asked if he had a child also recently diagnosed.  About that time, his wife and two children walked up and joined us.  He pointed to his son (8 yrs) and said he was diagnosed the end of January.  I asked how they were doing, making sure to look at each member of the family.  He said that after they were released from the hospital with their son, they came home and began to think they were seeing symptoms in their six year old daughter.  They assumed they were simply being paranoid, but after a couple of days, they checked her blood sugar to calm their fears.  It was in the 500’s.  Not even one week after their son was diagnosed, their daughter was put in the hospital for Type 1 Diabetes as well.  I cannot imagine.  I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over while I looked that mom in the eyes and asked how she was holding up.  Both mom and dad work, so in addition to all the normal concerns they are dealing with, they are having to throw daycare and sitters into the mix.  My heart is simply breaking for this sweet family.  Please pray for them – I don’t want to risk their privacy by posting their names, but God is well aware of who they are.   

Also, on a much lighter note, I have to thank Nathanael for doing an AWESOME job babysitting Sunday afternoon so we could go to Family Diabetes Day.  He handled snacks, playing an array of different games with his two youngest siblings, and yes…he even changed a dirty diaper.  Just for the record,  he also quickly removed all Luke’s GI Joes and his armory of toy weapons from the playroom after he got Luke cleaned up. (See post Oh No He Didn’t for more on this subject).  I will say this, the playroom is staying pretty clean and the TV isn’t on very much since Wayland implemented this disciplinary action for Luke’s dirty diaper habits.  Guess you have to look for a silver lining somewhere.

Update on My Dad

Thanks so much for the prayers for my dad this week.  He went into surgery yesterday morning (it was his first surgery ever in his 53 years on earth!)  The doctor said all went well and after one night in the hospital, he is home and resting.  They put an anchor in that will eventually dissolve and the doctor gave him some exercises to start moving the arm around.  He has limited movement, but when I spoke with him this morning he said he had just finished his arm circles.  I’m afraid he is going to try and do too much too soon – I guess I’m just going to have to trust him to follow the doctors orders since from this many miles away, there is not much I can do to keep him in line.  He did specifically ask for me to “keep praying” – sounds like the recovery from this surgery is pretty painful.  Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick update since so many of you have inquired on his condition.  Thanks again for being such great friends and family.  Enjoy your weekend!

Oh No He Didn’t!

I love birth order.  Although I never actually finished Dr. Kevin Leeman’s, The Birth Order book, I was fascinated by the parts I “skimmed over”  and found many of his characterizations accurate.  My first born is definitely that responsible, mature, type A, over-achiever, and my youngest is well…he’s lovin’ being the baby. 

Some of you may remember me mentioning that Luke actually told me a few months ago that Jesus told him to poo-poo in his diaper.  I felt if he was smart enough to come up with that line, he was sure enough able to get to a potty in time.  Well, three has come and gone, and there seem to be no potties in our immediate future.  Although I am frustrated by this, I know Luke will not be going to Kindergarten in Huggies, so I am being a little more patient.  He is my last baby, you know?  Wayland, on the other hand, has reached his limit.  He has a plan in place to curb this behavior and it is serious.  The thing is, Luke knows what he is doing.  (He has even been known to go to the bathroom, shut the door, do his business, and then come out and demand to be changed)  Wayland decided that every time he does this, we are going to take away some of his favorite things.  Day one was to be all his Thomas trains.  Day one was yesterday, so first thing in the morning I started “talking up” the potty.   

“Luke, are you going to use the potty today?  I don’t want to have to take all your trains away! Come on, let’s go try right now.” 

“I’m a little boy, momma.”

“Oh, Luke.  You’re a big boy, now.  You’re three years old!!! You need to use the potty like a big three year old!”

“I like diapers.”

“Luke, please try.  I really don’t want to have to take your trains away.”

“You just do it, mom.”

I was flabbergasted!  He was not only admitting defeat right off the bat, he was embracing it.  Yesterday afternoon, while I was in the kitchen working on dinner, he came to me with a great big smile on his face and said “You happy, momma?”  “You happy to take my trains away?” 

After cleaning him up, we went to the playroom and started packing up the trains.  He cheerfully helped me put them in a great big box and didn’t shed one tear as I hid them in a closet where he couldn’t reach them.  When I came back down, he started pointing out other favorite toys that we could take away.  “Next you take my GI Joe, momma?”  “Then my lightsaber?”  Today all his cars were packed away as well.  He’s not the least bit fazed. 

Today at my Moms In Touch meeting, I asked for prayer about Luke and his bad pooping habits.  I’m a little embarrassed, to be honest.  Of all the prayer needs being mentioned, I’m asking for help with potty-training!!!  Guess that’s the life of a mom with a toddler, eh?

Wanna Get Away?

I went into the post office this afternoon to mail a package to my family in Texas.  (My dad is having surgery on Friday morning for a torn rotator cuff – please keep him in your prayers!)  Anyway, it was surprisingly crowded for a Tuesday afternoon in the “off-season.”  I was keeping a constant eye on Luke, trying to find a box, address it, buy a label, buy stamps, and mail my letters.  I walked over to a station where I could lay my stuff down, address the box, and affix the stamps to my letters.  I set my stuff down on a little corner of the island and got to work.  There was another lady there with a stack of envelopes, stamps, and papers spread out over most of the space.  She quickly tried to move some of her belongings aside to make more room for me and mumbled a quick “sorry.”  

Pause.  Okay, remember that commercial (I think it was a beer one) where the guy is at the store and he thinks a really pretty girl is talking to him, and he keeps talking back to her, and all the while, she is really on her blue-tooth?   You know where I’m going with this.

Me:  “Oh no, you’re fine.  I have plenty of room.”

Her:  “No.  I’ve just got my stuff spread all over the place.  I’m waiting for the line to die down.”

Me:  “I know.  It’s really busy for a Tuesday afternoon, huh?  I guess we just came at the wrong time.” Chuckle. Chuckle.(Mind you, I’m looking right at her the entire time I’m talking to her)

Her:  “No. Not really.”

Me: (Really not sure how to respond now) “Oh.  Well. Yeah. No. Not really.”

Her: “I’m at the post office on Medical Drive.”

Me: (Still looking right at her.  Still very confused.  Still not catching on.)  “Yes.  That’s right.  Medical Drive.”

Her:  “Where do you want to meet me?”

Me: (I’m thinking this woman is crazy.  Really crazy.  And then in an instant… lightbulb moment!!!)  (Quickly turn my head to Luke and pretend I’ve been talking to him the entire time) “Uh-huh.  You’re right Luke.  Yes sir.  Okay, baby.  We’re done here, let’s go.”

I never saw the blue-tooth, but it had to be there.  She had very long hair that was probably covering it.  At least that’s what I’m telling myself to ease my embarrassment.

“I like to shake mine booty”

A few nights ago we celebrated Thompson Family Nacho Pizza Night.  Kaleesha picked up some pre-made pizza dough and a bunch of different ingredients so that each of us could make our own 12 inch pizza.  I’ve got to tell you, it was suprisingly good.  During dinner, Luke decided to serenade us with his favorite song.  Now before I share the lyrics with you, you need to understand where this all comes from.  He has combined,  ”I like to move it, move it”  from the movie Madagascar and infused it with choice lyrics from our family’s favorite movie – Nacho Libre.  Nacho Libre is one of those silly Jack Black movies that you either love or hate – there is really no in between.  It is not uncommon to rewind to a particular scene multiple times in one sitting – and we can all quote the lines in many scenes.  Here are the lyrics from Luke’s song:

I like to shake mine booty,

I like to shake mine booty with Encarnacion!

Pretty simple right?  The beauty is in it’s  simplicity.  You will just have to go rent the movie to understand it (complete with hand to nose horn playing).  We decided to get the camera out and film some.  I also have some footage of Philip’s game the other day and Anna – well, being Anna.  The links to You Tube are below – Enjoy! 

Luke – watch all three

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N_N5VpVwpo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBZaaYvH-0E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJtTHYeb3Ok

 

Anna being Anna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqZJ5Qr6To

 

Philip steals the ball…. AND DISHES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VENY7_XEPfs

 

I also wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my niecerReecer.  Click here to see how beautiful she is. 

http://riddlefamily.wordpress.com/

 

That’s My Girl

Today we stayed for both services at church.  (Served one; worshipped one)  Anyway, when I went to pick up Anna E. from her class one of the teachers said, “Your daughter had us all rolling today.” 

By now, I know my daughter well enough to be a little afraid.  In fact, I really didn’t even want to know what happened.  I decided to simply smile, chuckle, and head for the door. You know, ignorance is bliss.  Unfortunately, the teacher wasn’t satisfied with my plan. 

“She stood up and shared with everyone that she has a boyfriend.”  (Let me clarify, by everyone we are talking about 4o to 50 Kindergarten – 2nd grade kiddos, and 6-8 teachers for each service – and yes…she did it both services!)

“Oh my!  That girl – I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.” (Anxious smile.  Head toward the door)

“Oh, we all got a big kick out of it.  In fact, the more we laughed the more she shared.”

“Oh, really?” (Please, no more!)

“Yes, she told everyone that he was really hot!”

Okay, the thought starts to cross my mind that maybe I should “exchange” daughters. ” Oh? You thought she was my daughter?  No, no…you’ve got us mixed up.  See that one sitting over there all by herself who hasn’t uttered a word all service?  That one’s mine.” (I know, that’s terrible – just a fleeting thought)

We get to the car, everyone gets buckled up, and I start to tell Wayland what has just transpired. 

“Anna Elizabeth.  Why did you say that?  You don’t have a boyfriend.  You don’t even know what ‘hot’ means.”

“I do have a boyfriend – Collin.  And I do know what ‘hot’ means.  It means I really, really like him.”

“Anna, you are five years old and you are not allowed to have a boyfriend.”

BIG SIGH.  “When can I?”

“Maybe when you are sixteen.”

“Sixteen???????”

“Yes.  At least.”

“What about twelve?”

(He turns and looks at me with complete bewilderment)  “And I don’t want you to say ‘hot’ anymore.  That is not an appropriate word for a Kindergartner to use.  Your brothers don’t even say that!”

Silence.  Then sniffles.

“Anna, why are you crying?”

“I just can’t help it.  I really love him.”

I know, I know.  Buckle our seatbelts…we are in for a wild ride!

Pure Randomness

So, this must be “the thing” to do on facebook.  Unfortunately, I don’t do facebook.  I blog.  Here is a list of 25 random things about me.

1. I am living my dream of being a wife and mother and thank God for allowing me to be part of “such a time as this.”

2. I became a Christian as a young girl and am thankful for His sweet salvation.  I now better understand the scripture that says we must “work out our salvation…”  it is definitely an ongoing process to be transformed into a “Christ-like” person (and what a sweet and painful journey it is).

3. I have been with my man for over half my life now.

4. I am a night owl.  I function on little sleep and am not very sympathetic towards others who need more. (Sorry Way!) I do, however, find myself more and more reliant on coffee in the mornings.

5. I can’t wait to meet our baby in heaven.

6. My children are a constant inspiration for me to be a better person. 

7. Costco is my happy place.  I dream of entering the store one day and being awarded a shopping spree complete with streamers, confetti, and seven minutes on a clock to fill my basket with as much as I can.

8. Sleeping on sheets that have been freshly laundered and line dried (like my Grammi does) is absolute bliss.

9. Fluffy new towels, an unused bar of soap, heavy pens, a fresh pad of paper, and pretty stationery make my heart light. 

10. I do not understand crafty/creative people (love them – just don’t get them).  Martha Stewart (and all her outlandish ideas) make me nauseous. 

11. I would love to scrapbook, but it will most likely not happen.

12. I never want pets.  Ever. 

13. My sweet daughter is an avid animal lover and will probably make me rethink the way I feel about being in the presence of animals – eventually.

14. I am currently on my eighth Beth Moore Bible Study (Esther!)

15. Music of the 80’s and 90’s makes me feel warm and fuzzy (really, it does)

16.  At one time I wanted to be a flight attendant, a genetic counselor, a bank teller, and a nurse.

17. I still think I would like to be a nurse.

18. I would love to learn to play an instrument – piano mainly, but sometimes guitar (although I think I would have to take on that “folk” look then, and I am far to dependant on makeup to do that).

19. It is nearly impossible for me to buy anything without a coupon or it being on sale. I love a bargain more than dark chocolate.

20. We recently bought a cow.  More accurately, 1/4 of a cow (we named her Bessie).  I love going to the freezer and seeing it chock full of meat. 

21. I like lazy days, but have no patience for lazy people.

22. My favorite treat is a chocolate-covered pretzel smeared with creamy peanut butter.  Yummy!

23. I would rather hike in snow covered mountains than go to the beach.

24. I think pudgy little baby hands and feet are too precious for words. 

25. Most days I am happy, sad, content, envious, excited, tired, weak,  and strong.  I am a work in progress.

Oh, the Horror!!!

Last night, as is my nightly custom, I went into Anna E.’s room to check on my sleeping babes before turning in for the night.  You can imagine the horror that gripped my heart when I found both beds completely empty.  I immediately checked my own bed - thinking they might have migrated (not a completely uncommon occurrence), but it was also empty.  Nathanael’s room?  Nope.  Philip’s room?  Negative.  I rushed back downstairs and quickly scanned the rooms.  Nothing.  By now my heart is beating really fast.  I went back up and stood at the door to Anna’s room and listened.  I could hear breathing.  Sweet Relief.  Where in the world was it coming from?  Anna E.’s daybed has a trundle that pulls out from under it.  I had pulled it out for Luke where the very edge was still under Anna’s bed when I had tucked them both in warm and snuggly.  Following the deep breathing, I ended up with my head under Anna’s bed.  Guess who I found?      

Oh the horror!!!

 

Oh happy day!!!

 

Sweet Dreams