One Lucky Lady - Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

Summer 2012

Harrison surfed and . . .



spent 5 weeks at the Jr. Lifeguard program.



Peter spent a week at golf camp with his buddy Drew.  He has been begging for his own clubs every since.  We told him that he will quickly grow out of them, he responded "that's ok, when they get too small I can just kneel down and golf."  He has an answer for everything :).

Harrison spent a week at scout camp.  It was on Catalina Island.  Anyone that knows Harrison knows he loves the water!!  He came home and said next year you don't need to pack any clothes, just swim suits.  Boy, I love that guy!

We spent time with friends.  I love this picture, it just sums up summer time!

We had a fun visit with grandma and grandpa Garff.  Adelaide and Chander also came and spent the 4th of July with us.  It was so fun having them.

This summer Jessica spent a week at beach camp!! She is such a trooper, she managed her diabetes like a pro. Jessica also did art, piano and violin.  She started her insulin pump the first of the summer and we LOVE it!!!

Herman Lake

The cabin at Herman Lake.  Thank you Aunt Louise!!!

Jessica with her little buddy and cousin Russell

Jessica with her big catch :)

Harrison with one of his many big catches.  He spent more time on the lake then anyone!!

We played lots of cards

Peter lost tooth #3 with the help of his big cousin Alex

They boys on the boat!! We sure miss having Larry, Porter, Russell, Cris and Sara living near us, but it was so fun spending the week with them!!

We love Grandma and Grandpa Garff!! Thanks for a great week!

The last day!! The kids all made tye dye shirts thanks to Grandma!

The wonderful Haywood family, minus Hailey and Trish.  Taylor just came home from his mission and Alex leaves in Septemeber.  We were so glad to spend a week together. 

My favorite people, boy am I glad I get to spend my life with them!!

First Day of School 2012

Jessica 5th grade, Harrison 7th grade, Peter 2nd grade!

The first day of school went great.  We started on August 14th, which made for a really short summer.  All the kids have great teachers and seemed to be happy to get back. The hardest part is getting back into homework, it started right away. 

Mexico

Right before we found out Jessica had diabetes we were in Mexico visiting my dad and Pam. We had such a great time!! We snorkled, swam in cenotes (underground fresh water caves), climed ruins and Peter even fell into quicksand. Jessica got the opportunity to swim with dolphins, something she has always wanted to do. We stayed at my dad and Pam's wonderful home in the jungle. They had bunkbeds made out of branches in the jungle room. It was so fun. We were however worried about Jess. She had lost lots of weight, had low energy and was constantly drinking and going to the bathroom. The trip really made her symptons stand out, because we were having more sugar then normal (mostly from sodas and ice cream).

Getting used to it all

It feels like things are starting to calm down. Right after the diagnosis was so overwelming. I was expected to be a nutritionist, give shots, determine the amount of insulin based on blood sugar levels and what she was going to eat. Try to not let her blood sugar get too high or too low. I was sent home with injections, a meter, glucose strips, a whole drawer of medical supplies and was trained how to use this in just a couple of days.
Jessica is getting back to herself, she sings in the shower, runs around at recess, laughs and of course bosses her brothers and parents around. She is so on top of everything. The other night I went into give her, her bedtime injection. This is a long lasting insulin that she takes once a day. I almost gave her, her meal time injection which could have been very dangerous. It scared me so bad, that we don't even bring her daytime insulin in her room and I have put big lables on the insulin pens saying daytime or night. Jessica's friends and teachers have been so kind and helpful. They are all so interested and want to help. We have also made new friends, friends who also have type one diabetes. I can't even begin to express how much this has helped. They really understand and have gone out of there way to help us and answer questions.

Our new normal

On Feb. 22, 2012 our lives changed. Our little Jessica was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a time filled with fear, guilt, sadness along with a grateful heart that this is something we can manage. Jess spent 4 days in the hospital. The doctors and nurses just loved her, she was so positive and always had a smile. Since we have been home, things are really starting to sink in. She worries about going to friends, because the carb counting thing is too overwelming. I agree :). She wants to skip meals so she can skip her shots, I don't blame her. It is a new normal, but it sure does not feel normal yet. Despite the chalenges we are all dedicated to make this work and help Jessica live a long and healthy life. (the photo is of Jessica in Mexico. She had been tiered for a couple of months and not quite herself, but Mexico is when we realized something was wrong.)