Learning to Give Myself Grace

This morning I wanted to get up early and be productive.  (I'm gearing up for the new Hello Mornings Challenge where I'll be leading a group.) 


I hoped to be up at 6am, have my quiet time and workout. I even set everything out last night so I'd be all ready to go.

But last night was a long night.  Between checking Matthew and caring for our 14-year-old dog, Twister--who is not doing well at all--I was exhausted.

I reset the alarm and opted to sleep in.

There was a time when I would have felt guilty.  For not getting up early and being productive.

But this morning, I felt like God was speaking to my heart:   I know you were up last night.  I know you're up every night and  I understand.  You're willing to sacrifice sleep to care for Matthew.  And Twister.  That's why I chose you.  Go rest some more.


And I did.

I still had my quiet time. Just a little later.

The workout hasn't happened yet, but the day isn't over.

Twister asleep on my book!

American Ninja Warrior Show: Kyle Cochran

A Type 1 Ninja?

Have you been watching American Ninja Warrior?  Matthew loves this show!  At first, he was bummed because he didn't think anyone with Type 1 Diabetes would be a contestant.

But then he saw young man named Kyle.

Kyle Cochran

He's the first Type 1 to qualify for the show.  And guess what?  He's made it to finals!

Not only is Kyle a great athlete, he's also a straight-A student at San Diego State University studying physical therapy. To top it all off---he's active in his church.  Love that!

Finals Begin Sunday

Grab your Type 1 Kid and watch American Ninja Warrior this weekend.  I'm sure you'll be inspired.

And be sure to visit Kerri's blog at Six Until Me.  She has a great interview with Kyle on her website!

Favorite Websites for Saving Money

When Matthew was diagnosed with diabetes, I worried about giving him shots.  I worried about pricking his finger.  I worried about counting carbs and giving the correct amount of insulin at every meal.  

But one thing I didn't worry about?  The cost of diabetes.  I had no idea that this disease would be so expensive.

So what's a D-Mom to do? Try to save as much as money as you can elsewhere.

A Way to Save Money

Several months ago, I discovered a great website that's helped me build a budget, save money and get myself a little better organized. Financially, physically, and around the home .

Best of all? It's just an ordinary website with no fees. Years ago I did the Grocery Game, but there was a monthly charge and I was tired of paying to save money.

The website is called Money Saving Mom and it's truly fantastic. You'll find tips on grocery store sales. Drugstore deals. Every week there are links to several freebies that you can sign up for. There are even tons of great recipes.

Just this week on her website, I discover that the Apple Store has FREE Apple Camp for kids ages 8-12.  They learn to make movies!  Matthew's going to love it!  Many of the classes are filling up, but you still might snag a spot.

So pop over and visit Crystal, from Money Saving Mom.  It'll be worth it!

FYI...I have no connection with her. I just love the website!

How do you save money?

Do you have a favorite website that helps you pinch pennies?  I'd love to hear about it in the comment section.

Mission Accomplished!

I mentioned back in November that I was embarking on a big project:  memorizing the entire chapter of Romans 8.   It was part of a challenge with the ladies from Do Not Depart.

Well, here I am, about 5 months later and I did it! So many times, I wanted to give up, but I'm so glad I didn't.  It feels really good to have spent time on something truly worthwhile.

There's another challenge beginning in a few weeks.





Won't you join me?  You only memorized 2 verses each week.

Let's do it together!

An Idea for the New Year

Truth:  I'm a better person when I get up early and have a little quiet time before I start my day.  That time with the Lord--however brief--makes a difference in my actions.  My outlook.

It changes my life.

But there's another truth that I can't deny:  Getting up early is unbelievably difficult as a D-Mom.

When you are riding the BG rollercoaster, like we've been riding recently, I'm so very tired.  Kevin is tired.  Yes, we're both a little grumpy.

But here's yet one more truth:  A little time with the Lord changes my attitude.  It gives me strength for another day.

It makes me thankful for another day.

I've discovered Inspired to Action.  It's run by the ever-inspiring Kat, who encourages accountability in this area. Please take 2 minutes, pop over and check it out!

I probably take a different spin on this group than most participants.  I use it as accountability to have some quiet time at some point in the morning.  It may not be first thing for me.

It occurred me recently that God knows when I am beyond exhausted.

He knows if I was up every hour taking care of Matthew.

He knows and most importantly, He understands!  There is no need for me to feel guilty for needing extra sleep.

Most people in this world do not understand the exhaustion of diabetes.  But God does!

Now go check out Inspired to Action and join the Hello Mornings Challenge!

I hope you'll sign up!

The Grass is Not Always Greener

Yesterday I hosted my monthly Doctor Mom group.  I love these ladies!  It's so easy to look at others and think they have a perfect life.

But EVERYONE is dealing with something.  Take my group for example.

There are moms who have kids with diabetes, crohns, OCD, autism, anxiety issues.  Some kids have been the the psych ward.  Some young adult kids have been in DKA...several times in the past year. 

Some kids have threatened suicide. 

Such is the life of a Doctor Mom, right?

But some moms have kids who are doing amazing!  One mom in particular has a type 1 teen and was raving about how fabulous her daughter is doing. 

Of course this mom still has struggles because her husband just lost his job.

If you're struggling today, please remember that no one has a perfect life.  Take each day as it comes and count your blessings!  They are there....somewhere.

I think that's one great thing about being a Doctor Mom:  We don't take the little things for granted. 

For example, Matthew slept in a little this morning. When I checked on him and he rolled over in bed, I was so thankful! 

Only Doctor Moms fully appreciate the simple gift of life.

Diagnosis Part 4

POISON IVY UPDATE: Matthew's eye is better, but his neck, arm and back are worse. It's now spread to his legs. I'm going to call and take him to his regular doctor to make sure this is the right medicine. We gave him more insulin than usual this morning and his lunchtime number will tell a lot.


Now, on to the end of the diagnosis story.

First a little info for those of you who don't know much about diabetes. When your sugar goes really high or you get sick, your body produces ketones. They are found by checking your urine. They are like a poison to your body and can make you really sick.

When Matthew was admitted to the hospital, his sugar was at 400 and his ketones were large. The fix? Insulin and fluids.

Well, thanks to Justin, Matthew didn't mind getting the IV into his hand, but that doesn't mean he liked it. He really didn't want to go to sleep with the tubing still in his hand.

Our first night in the hopital, the nurse, Jennifer, was constantly checking Matthew's ketone level. A little before 10pm that night, she checked his urine once again and said his ketones had dropped into the moderate range. She told Matthew that was great, but he would still have to keep the IV in until the ketones registered negative. She said that would probably happen the next day. Matthew was pretty disappointed.

As soon as Jennifer left, I thought.....wait a minute. We are not going to accept that. We're are going to pray about this. Matthew and I have been learning in BSF about the importance of being specific in your prayers. That way you know when God has answered them.

So I told Matthew we were going to pray. We did just that and specifically asked God to remove the ketones before midnight.

So Jennifer comes in a little after 11pm and checks his urine. "Hmm....she says. "That couldn't be right. Let me check again." She checks again and.....NEGATIVE ketones. She could not believe it, but it was true. Negative! The IV was removed before midnight. How cool is that?!

I cannot tell you how much this meant to Matthew and to me. Seeing God work in such a powerful, specific way was completely amazing. I will never forget it.

Now, I have to confess, in hindsight, I don't know what in the world came over me....putting God on the spot like that with something the nurse said wouldn't happen. What was I thinking? What would I have told Matthew if God's answer had been no? Clearly, I didn't take the time to think it through, I just acted in faith.

It makes me wonder what my life would be like if I did that more often.