In her eyes she sees herself as an ordinary mom!

There is another meaning to the phrase "Helicopter mom".... 

The mom I'm talking about hoover's over her child day AND NIGHT because it's mandatory, 

she HAS TO so that her child stays safe and well and alive... 

She is a Carb-counting, insulin injecting, sugar checking mamma 

She's a T1D mom (type one diabetic)

This mom has to know if her child has played and exercised too much, if he is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, if he gets a sniffle, look out, here comes the High's and then Lows... 

Blood sugars that is.  

On Mother's Day weekend I want to honor this sweet mamma, my daughter Brianna.

 You're right, she's not my Mother, but 

she's the momma of my grandchildren Audrey and Carson. 

Carson is a happy vibrant, loving, smart, outgoing little boy, who has had to endure a lot this past year with the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.
 Because of his momma (and daddy) he is well and thriving
 just like any other soon to be 5 year old

The ultimate love of a mom is to protect her babies no matter what. 

We know that God never promised life would be easy, horrible things will happen, 

even things that you prayed wouldn't  happen.

 But you always think, "that happens to other people". 

Well it happened to our sweet daughter and Son-in-love. 

God continues to hold them tight through it all!

My daughter is amazing, she has been a strong-hold for her family! 

She's On top of it all, she's brave, smart and organized, a mommy, wife and homemaker

all the while still putting in 20 hours a week as a nurse.

This sweet young momma is too humble and often too busy to realize all that she is,

 but those around her know.... YOUR ARE AMAZING BRIANNA

 In her eyes she sees herself as an ordinary mom who loves her kids and will do anything for them.

You are no ordinary mom Brianna, few mom's will ever endure the heartache of 

having a child with a illness that will not go away and needs constant attention. 

But all that aside, I know that you know Carson is a gift, 

he is perfect and lovely in every way, and he is here! 

This is your life and I know you are grateful for God's steadfast love for you and your family.

I know you are so thankful for your husband (best friend) & partner in life,  Chris! 

Together you make your little ones feel safe and loved, for this I am thankful.

Happy Mother's Day Brianna

I Love you!

Your #1 fan.... mom

Halloween still came despite Type 1 diabetes...

5 months ago the word Halloween brought tears to my eyes...

(still does if I think about it too much) 

Our sweet grandson Carson was diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes, and at the time 

candy seemed to be a curse word. 

Not that candy and Halloween are two things we can't live without but yes,  

 it really would be easier if there were no such things in Carson's world. 

I know, I know, it's not ALL about him!

(but it kind of is...for us, for Carson, and his family).

OK, that takes me to 5 months later...

Halloween came despite Carson's diagnosis of T1 diabetes.

So we have learned more about this disease, 

things aren't quite as scary as they were 5 months ago, 

and we've learned to look for the positive things, for Carson's sake.

I decided this year to bring Carson (and Audrey) an alternative,

 non-traditional Halloween treat bag

Low carb snacks, and other fun things.... they loved it.

I thought it might ease the disappointment of not being able to eat 

endless amounts of candy like kids do after they get home from getting their BIG STASH!

Here's the thing... (look at that face)

Carson was NOT SAD about not being able to eat endless amounts of candy...

Credit goes to his Mom & Dad who prior to Halloween night 

set the rules of one piece of candy a day.

So THAT was the expectation.

My daughter found this awesome list of popular candies and their carbohydrates counts!

Carson gets to have two 15 carb snacks a day, so as you can see he has choices....yippee

It's still hard... I'm not gonna lie, We still struggle with all of it! 

 Type1 diabetes is not going away but we can always have hope,

 we pray for advances in research and a miracle.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

and Blue it the color that represents the cause.

Here's what makes it easier....

Carson is an amazing little boy who is a hero in the eyes of his grandparents and family.

He is learning about diabetes right along with the rest of us. 

He is young and moldable, this is his new normal, and he is doing wonderfully. 

So the dreaded holiday was a hit, we were told that Carson was at the head of the pack, 

running from door to door, happy as can be. 

When we came over to see there stash at the end of the night, 

he delighted in his bucket of candy but did not beg beyond his snack size bag of M&M's.

This kid (and his family) have got this, struggles and all, they make it work

Bonus pictures...  

 They loved helping Uncle Gavin carve our pumpkin. 

Gavin is such a good sport to still come over and do his momma this favor!

Our Scarlett

 Sweetest little witch ever!

It's hard not to see this little one on Halloween, 

but her daddy sent us some pretty sweet pics!

 Audrey & Carson....little kitties

A re-do at the cabin

 Written from a grandma's heart....

This weekend we were able to have a Re-do.....

 Brianna, Audrey and Carson joined Rick and I at the cabin for some new memories!

We were not about to let Type 1 diabetes steal his (our) joy!!!

A happy thriving boy, who loves to be on the boat...

...but would rather be driving. 

This little guy is a nut on the boat,

 he loves to steer on open water and even makes (little boy) sound- effects when he

 turns suddenly to the left or right.

 

He loved swimming and playing with us in the water.

 

 we played lots of games and puzzles

Just barely 4 and he plays "Sorry" like a boss....he is one smart boy!

 Oh*My*Heart*

Carson is a joy, he is strong, brave, smart 

and he's kicking diabetes in the butt!!!

In 6 short weeks...

*He can tell his mom & dad when he feels "low"

*He asks about how sugar is in the food he's eating,

 he's even starting to say, "how many carbs is this"

*He has let Grandpa & Grandma do blood sugar checks.

Side note... No grandpa and grandma should ever have to poke their grandbabies, 

but we do it out of love, and wanting to be part of his life no matter what!

*He no longer cries when he gets his insulin injections

* He's all BOY! 

 

We accomplished the re-do with so many GOOD memories at the cabin! 

We are all learning together how to help Carson live with this disease, 

short of a miracle it is not going away.

I choose to pray for that miracle... that there will be a cure for diabetes!

  We have that hope in Jesus, He alone is can cure Carson because He is a God of miracles!

Type 1 Diabetes sucks, and I'm still mad about it! Sigh, deep breaths....

 It is a 24/7 disease that not only Carson lives with but 

so do his amazing mom, dad and sister.

They are the super stars, and we are so proud of them!