Last Weekend in Pasadena

Farmers Market and football. Why not? That's an interesting mix. As we arrived before 10:00am, it was early enough on a warm morning to catch the farmers market still going on. So, as my son was warming up and my husband watched our toddler on the playground, I decided to venture off to the farmers market. 

The produce smelt incredible. The vendors were so helpful. I haven't seen some of the produce available for many years. I was ecstatic. I wanted to buy it all, but I knew I still had at least 3 hours in the 100' heat and I didn't want anything to wilt or spoil so I was careful in choosing what to purchase and from what farm. 

I'm always bound to carrots after working at Bolthouse Farms Marketing Department for many years. I just can't help it. Cello carrots fresh from the ground are so pretty before they are cut into baby, crinkled, sliced, or chopped. This brought back so many memories from photoshoots and marketing materials. 

Then there was an abundance of melons not found in the grocery stores often like yellow watermelons, or a variety of sweet melons. I wanted to buy some for the boys to try. 

Fresh berries... 

I love to pick fresh berries off the vine and eat them. I was that little girl who would walk around my parents friends house and walk along their vines looking for berries to pick and eat. A favorite memory of childhood. They had such huge homes with acres and always a section of gardens that I was allowed to go pick from. I loved it! Great childhood memories. 

Then I found a stand with the strangest looking tomatoes. Not these up close, but to the left. They look like large chili peppers, but they are tomatoes. In fact this entire table was filled with different assortment of tomatoes. Very unique varieties. I'm not sure how a pasta sauce would taste from scratch or a salsa. But, I'm sure the unique flavor would be a nice change. 

They have many flower vendors which I wanted fresh flowers for our place. But, again the heat would have wilted them before we even made it through the game so I had to pass. It was just such a warm day to sit for 4 hours in the heat with produce. I couldn't leave them in the car. Next time we are at a location with a farmers market and the weather is cooler, I will be stocking up on my herbs and vegetables for our boys. There's nothing like fresh and unique produce from the farms. 

Off to football I go, Daniel had an awesome game. Catches, rushes, tackles, gaining yards... He's doing great. I'm so proud of him. He sets his mind to something and he can accomplish anything. Another athlete in the house. Mom is spending hours on the field again just like years ago. First is was my daughter and Daniel was running around, now it's Daniel and Landon is running around. History has repeated itself. 

TOUCHDOWN! Daniel! Great job my boy. It's hard to catch video or pictures. Things happen so fast at this age. I was able to catch this one because he was running for a few yards to the in-zone. I'm beyond proud of him. Injuries all over his arms. But, that's football. Treat it and keep going. 

This weekend is opening ceremonies. This should be a fun weekend. First official game is Sept. 5th. He's looking forward to that game. I'm proud of my Type 1 baby. Caring for diabetes is hard, being on a pump is hard, now school is starting and he is in AVID, accelerated classes, and football 4 days a week... This boy is one determined kid. Type 1 kids ROCK! 

Morning Flowers

Every morning I receive a photograph from my mother with the simple words "Good Morning". Two simple words can start someone's day in a miraculous way. Nothing more, nothing less. Just an old fashioned humbled way to greet someone in the morning. 

Our world now is so full of animosity and anger towards each other. I feel like a child from another era. Raised in another country. Traveled the world. Society is much more polite. Europeans well mannered. Vulgarity is considered inappropriate in any manner. It's disgraceful. I pray each day my children get to see the world for what it truly is. 

The difference in the classless. This isn't about being better than someone else. It's about being a child of the world. A European child raised with etiquette. 

Blooming Daisies from her garden.

 Pink Azaleas so vibrantly blooming.

White Azaleas clean and pure.

Bright purple Petunias

If only I could smell the fragrant ice burg white roses. 

A delicate shade of pink roses. 

A yellow rose trellis reminds me of an English garden. 

Matilda is always there to greet you. 

The lush and natural peaceful space.

Hydrangeas.

My love for roses she knows so well, a red rose tree in bloom. Sometimes it isn't the words spoken or the time spent. As a European child I prefer the simple things like a cup of tea, learning to crochet, a visit with an elder, learning recipes passed down from an elder, honor, respect, integrity, politeness, staying away from classlessness, an education, and most of all a worldly mentality. 

I am blessed to have been raised with an abundant amount of culture and diversity. My children have a mother and family to teach them about it through the elder generations and myself. We are a multicultural family. My children are not raised only American from one community. They know their Canadian, European, Singaporean side, as well as their Latin decent. They will be raised to know all cultures. I'm proud to say they know the difference through education what separates them and through continuing their education, society will continue to separate them. They will travel more and more as they grow older. They will not be narrow minded. Life is too beautiful to not see as much as possible. My parents gave me the gift of an education and seeing the world. 

Some may call me all sorts of uneducated names, but that doesn't bother me. I love being who I am, raised where I was, attending international schools, with European friends who are still my friend until this day. I may have chosen to marry out of love and not wealth. I have beautiful children because of it. They are all unique in their features. I have been blessed with smart children and even though I have a beautiful Type 1 Diabetic child, he is a prodigy. 

Mother was right about one thing, not everyone is who you were raised around. It took me almost 40 years to realize. You can't be taught class, you either were raised with it or you weren't. 

 

I have learned to enjoy the simple things in life... My children, my family, my true friends, and Mother's morning flowers. 

This will always be home. 

Last Week of Summer

I can't believe it's the last week of summer. Today Daniel and I took all his medical supplies to the nurses office and he is cleared to start school on Monday. We just have a few more things to get cleared with Children's Hospital, but with both boys starting I knew I would be running back anyways for last minute paperwork. 

Daniel attended his AVID orientation last evening and we feel good about his decision to apply into the program. I'm proud of him for taking the initiative to apply, interview, and get accepted all on his own. That takes a lot of courage. He's looking toward his future and he deserves all the credit for that. 

He picked up his schedule today and is in all accelerated classes. I am blessed to have such an amazing student. He works hard in school and never lets his Type 1 Diabetes get in the way. He misses a tremendous amount of class time and school days. He is gifted and I don't know how he is able to study for hours and keep up with his work at such a young age. He's got determination beyond his years. Courage from the day of diagnosis in January 2012 at the age of eight. I'm excited to see what he accomplishes this school year. 

Back to school shopping was all about school supplies. He's all about stationary supplies, AVID requirements, and hurrying to get home to get ready for football practice. He's not much of a clothes shopper. Mom can buy it and bring it home. Lucky for me! 

I love my son! And being a mom of two little boys makes my life complete. I will protect them with my life. They are starting new journeys next week. But, they'll always be my babies. 

5 ways to make Type 1 Diabetes fun for your child

Every parent who has a child with type 1 diabetes knows this is not a fun disease to live with. You have to prick your fingers eight to twelve times a day. You have to count every carbohydrate that you eat. You have to be careful for blood sugar highs and lows because they can cause hypoglycemia (blurry vision, hunger, irritability, shakiness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, and headache and possibly even passing out) and hyperglycemia (increased thirst, frequent urination, headache, stupor, inability to focus).

As a parent with a twelve year old son who has had this disease for three years, I've become an expert on managing his blood sugar highs and lows, making sure the tips of his fingers don't turn black because he pricks one more than the other, and teaching him how to take care of himself so he grows up to be a healthy confident adult. But, this isn't the only thing that I'm teaching him. I'm also teaching him how to find ways to have fun in between the not so fun moments.

Below are five fun ways to make living with type 1 diabetes fun! The little things such as the below has truly made a difference in my son's life. And the smile I get when I do one of them is so worth it!

1. For dinner, eat dessert first. Then eat the meal.
2. For breakfast have a piece of birthday cake or a slice of pizza. My son has been invited to late night birthday parties and has been unable to eat the cake because of the time of day. So instead, we wrap it up, take it home, and he eats it for breakfast.
3. When changing his inset, I let him take the pump off for an hour and a half, and without any inset or tape on his behind (that's where we have to attach the inset) he can run around and have some freedom.
4. Give a lollipop after your child's plays baseball, basketball, or other extracurricular competitive game. After every softball, basketball, and soccer game, I surprise my son with a different colored lollipop. This keeps his blood sugar from dropping fast and also puts the sweetest smile on his face. It's his special treat after the game.
5. Sneak two pieces of hershey kisses into your type 1 child's lunch box. I usually try to sneak two pieces of chocolate because it doesn't affect my son's blood sugar as much as other treats. And he loves chocolate! Two Hershey kisses are only 5 carbs.

Just some fun ideas to enjoy this new school year. I know my son loves the the little things and appreciates the small things. So do something fun for our Type 1 kids! Enjoy the new school year. 

Scrimmage ready

First football scrimmage in Pasadena on Saturday and offense is looking amazing. I'm so proud of Upland Pop Warner Chargers. Everyday these boys work extra hard. 3hr practices for the month of August, Monday thru Friday. Dedication for the boys and for this Mom. But, it doesn't bother me. 5:30pm-8:30pm I'm at practice and Landon is playing. I'm checking blood sugars, monitoring my son and watching him excel is something he loves and enjoys. 

Years ago it was Sissy in softball and Daniel running around, now it's Daniel in football and Landon running around. This is my world. I'm a sports mom and I love it. My kids come first. Their choices in life come first. I gave up my Friday nights when Sissy was 8. My weekends too for that matter. It was games or practice. Training or taking care of the house since the week was so busy. In the end to watch them excel on the field is such a wonderful feeling of pride for them. They get that joy from all the hard work, dedication and discipline. 

So as we get ready for his first scrimmage on Saturday he was trying on jersey sizes as they are being ordered. He decided on his own what size he wanted. Looks good to me.

Back on the field to work on plays... 

I have lots of videos, but just haven't figured out how to upload them. I can to Instagram, but not to the blog. I'll figure it out soon because season is starting and I need to post video of plays. 

He's doing great. He's not wearing his pump. He's taking his missed basal prior to practice unless he's running low then he will take it after practice. It just goes with the day and how his body is reacting with the practice. As Type 1 parents we all know we can't plan anything. I plan and carry everything for a low or a high, a site change, injections if needed, glucagon, and I've got bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes used for scrapes too. 

Daniel did have his first mild concussion this week which was a huge scare for me. That was a huge welcome to football for me. But, he wanted to go back in once he felt normal again. I trusted the nurse on staff and the coaches. He was running, making catches, and back to normal even better than normal after. 

Type 1 kids amaze me with their spirit of not giving up! He's an amazing soul. He teaches me never to give up. He teaches his brother so much love and adoration through patience and to keep trying. 

Here's to another couple more nights of great practices and a great game vs. Pasadena this weekend! Go Upland Chargers! 

An explanation because my son does not have Type 2.

1. There are two kinds of diabetes and they are not equal. Type 1, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, is far less common — 5 to 10% of all diabetics. It occurs when the body’s immune system has destroyed the cells in the pancreas that release insulin, without which the body cannot absorb glucose, which is needed to produce energy. Type 2 diabetes is the more common form (90-95% of diabetics). It occurs when the body is insulin resistant, so it can’t use insulin the right way.

2. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. My child’s diabetes was not caused by a poor diet or obesity, something that can contribute to type 2 diabetes. Nothing in my child’s diet or lifestyle contributed to him getting type 1.

3. There is no cure or possibility of remission with type 1 diabetes. It will not go away if he just eats right or loses weight. He needs insulin to live. His body won’t make it. End of story.

4. My child’s life depends on accurate, regular monitoring of his glucose levels and accurate administration of insulin. Dr. Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin, is my hero. Before his discovery, children with diabetes tended to live about a year after diagnosis. My child was diagnosed over 3 years ago. Do the math. Insulin saves my child’s life every single day.

5. Yes, it’s manageable. But type 1 diabetes requires more time, effort, and energy that we ever dreamed it would. It is a job that is 24/7 and taking vacation time can be deadly. We monitor our son’s glucose levels day and night, weekdays and weekends, at home and out of town. Type 1 diabetes is an unwelcome, but now familiar, member of our family.

6. My child lives a normal life. He runs and plays football and has hobbies like skateboarding and wrestles with his brother. But, his “normal” involves regularly checking his blood glucose to make sure it is at a healthy level. And I am the ever-vigilant one making sure he is checking and that he is okay. Call me a crazy parent if you want.

7. My child will not outgrow “juvenile” or Type 1 diabetes. It is not called “juvenile” because it only lasts through childhood, but because that is when it is often diagnosed. My son’s insulin cells are gone. He will not ever outgrow this. My child will live with type 1 diabetes for the rest of his life. His Pancreas does not function. 

8. Children, especially teens, with type 1 diabetes need support and understanding so they will be comfortable taking responsibility for their own wellness. Adolescence especially is a time when no one wants to seem “different” from their peers, but avoiding responsible care in the name of fitting in can be deadly.

9. More awareness will lead to better understanding and better research and treatment. Research has led to the development of the insulin pump, which makes diabetes even more manageable. Research could, someday, lead to a cure. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes — yet. I pray every day that a cure will be found in my child’s lifetime.

504 It's that time of year again

I've just had a personal experience with this which reminded me how important it is to remember to stand up for everyone with disabilities. The American Disability Act through the Department of Justice was implemented to support persons with disabilities from prejudice, bullying, unfairness, harassment, and make life comfortable for them. 

As back to school is approaching, don't forget to revisit your child's 504 plan. Set up an appointment to ensure nothing needs to be revisited from the last school year and implemented into this school year. As Type 1 parents, it's important to remember to advocate for our children. I know we all have our meetings with school nurses, back to school appointments for nurses orders, and supplies to get together. It's not easy to get our Type 1 children back to school, but we are pros at this. 

After my experience yesterday, I was clearly reminded how individuals forget a person with a disability has rights protected by laws. 

This blog above is great at helping you find information you may need in creating you own 504 plan that works for your child. 

Just a reminder to my other Type 1 Mom's out there. Our community is great in keeping each other going and informed. Wishing everyone a great new school year! 

They call you Mom

They call you Mom. You with the baby on your hip or the toddler at your feet. You with the towering sons or the growing-too-fast toddlers. Or you with the can’t-believe-she's-in-college student or the they-have-babies-of-their-own-now children.

Mom. A simple three-letter-word. So easy in it’s simplicity that it is one of the first they learn to speak. A word not bound by economic, racial, or geographical constraints. One simple syllable. And there are those who will tell you that the task is simple too. That the job is not to be valued highly. It’s just diaper changing, meal making, laundry folding, disagreement negotiating. At least, that’s what some will say.

But here’s the truth:

You are a mom, and you are beautifully brave. You who gave of your body to give life. You who opened arms and doors to give a home to the orphan. You who loved and remember with fierce abandon the irreplaceable beauty of a fleeting life.

You are a beautifully brave mom, forever marked by the indelible imprint of a child.

You who sacrifice sleep and showers, time and talent. You who shape ideas, mold personalities, raise a generation. You who speak truth, encourage aspirations, teach compassion, model grace, exhibit beauty. You who walk through ADHD, Type 1 Diabetes, miscarriage, infertility, sickness, and health. You who look past the mess and the mire to reveal the beauty within.

When reality is harsh and circumstances have a way of crushing hopes and dreams, you are a safe harbor, a shelter from the storm.

When the world threatens to steal and seduce the affections of the innocent, you go to battle for hearts and minds.

And when wings sprout and the tethers begin to fade, you swallow the heartache and release the ties that bind while cheering and supporting this miracle of growth.

You are a mom in all its grit and glory, and there is nothing ordinary in this task. There are instead the beautifully brave markings of selfless sacrifice, worn-out prayer knees, hours of night watch, poured out affections, endurance through trials, and an unwavering love that holds steadfast.

So carry on brave one. Carry on through the laughter and the tears, the joy and the hardships, the majestic and the mundane. Carry on through the late nights and the early mornings. Stay faithful to this task of raising a generation, shaping hearts, molding character. For though the world may see a simple mom. 

The truth is extending grace, loving without reserve. It shows a true nurturing heart, mending broken pieces, tending tear-stained cheeks. It is seen that you tend through the monotonous and shine with joy in the miraculous.

For you are anything but normal. You are beautifully brave. You are Mom! 

God blessed me with four naturally beautifully individual children. Amen to being Mom to respectful, intelligent, morally, honorable, well-mannered, and remarkable children. I love you all! Proud Mom! 

Football Hell Week

At the end of practice, it was as if God painted this beautiful picture in the sky. One more practice and the boys get to be in full gear. Daniel is extremely excited. He can not wait to put on all his pads and start tackling. He's been working hard for a month. By his first scrimmage, they'll be ready next weekend. Opening weekend game and celebration, they'll be ready, end of the month scrimmage, they'll be ready and first official game September 5th... Upland Pop Warner Chargers will be definitely READY! 

Team supporting another brother finish his bearcrawls. Never leave a brother behind! #teamspirit 

Working until the sun goes down 5 days a week. #uplandpride 

Daniel's playing safety in these plays and it's hard to find him. I need to get his name printed on his jersey at Dicks Sporting Goods this weekend. 

Blood sugar check and water break. He's burning up from the humidity and trying to stay cool. Keeping him hydrated as much as possible. He's doing great. Controlling his sugars and having power bars available for carbs helps him enjoy other options while on the field. 

I'm so proud of him. Type 1 Diabetic and doing everything he can to be a normal boy on the football field. Your an inspiration Daniel to many Type 1 little boys who think they can't do what you do! #proudtype1mom 

This is what happened to his site on his tummy recently. So we have decided to move it to the back of his arm to avoid it being pulled our irritated from football contact. So far we haven't had any incidents with it on the back of his arm. This minor infection took two days to clear up with alcohol and bandages. 

I also give him his basal prior to practice so he doesn't miss his dose and have an unnecessary high. 

He does not wear the pump during practice and will never wear it during football. I monitor his sugar every hour. Give an outside shot when necessary and sugar or carbs if needed. It's a never ending battle, but it keeps him happy and on the field playing the game he loves. 

To all my type 1 moms in the community, you can all relate. Hope you have great stories to tell. Happy blood sugars to all! 

A Mother's Love

I have been blessed by the Lord with four amazingly unique children. I carried them in my womb for nine months and I remember each delivery like it was yesterday. It's true the memory of the pain subsides, but the memory of the delivery stays for each child as if it were yesterday. A mother never forgets. 

With each child, each delivery brought a new spirit into this world, a new life. Not a life I owned, but a life given to me as a blessing. A child is not owned by myself, it is its own self, free to be its own individual nurtured that one day becomes an adult and can make its own decisions. 

As a Catholic mother, I trust in my faith. I believe that my children have been taught their virtues and values needed to become strong adults in this world. They may falter, they may fall, they may do wrong, we are all human. But, as a mother it is not my place to ever judge my children. I treat them all with the same love and respect.

Father has told me, there is no greater sacrifice than being a mother. It is the greatest gift God can give a woman. It is also the most painful at times. Keeping my faith strong will get me through the toughest moments of motherhood. Remember, no mother suffered the greatest as the blessed mother. So, as I kneel before her, I always light a candle for each of my children. 

Faith and prayer goes a long way. Morals and values are what a true Catholic family stand by. We are forgiven for our sins at baptism. I was baptized as an adult and for me that was a great gift. Everything prior to that moment was cleansed away. 

I am a very faithful woman. The ones who truly know me know that. I don't need to gloat or share it with the world. I am a mother and have been blessed with the gift of living within our means, not being in financial debt, and I have been able to stay home and care for our boys. It is the greatest job in the world. We thank the Lord for this blessing. My husband's hardwork and fifteen hour days makes all this possible. He takes leftovers for lunch. I make dinner. We sit at the dinner table as a family every night. That's a blessing. 

My children are blessed now with a normal life. Stability, strength, worship, not as if I need to explain anymore. Motherhood isn't about materialistic things I provide, it's about guidance, nurturing, support, LOVE, understanding, involvement, devotion, integrity, trust, and most of all it's simply just being there. 

My children were given to me by God. Someday we are all returned to him. When I am returned I want them to know I loved them when I was here, I never want them to feel empty inside at my grave. If so, I have done wrong in God's eyes. Children are to be loved at any age. I adore mine in my heart and can stand before God now and atest my love for my children without a single ounce of hatred. 

My love for each of them is beyond words. Two have grown and spread their wings, two are little and still at home. All in my heart are still babies. I can still feel the kicks in my womb. Only a mother can feel. No one else will ever understand that gift God gave to me. 

OC County Fair Part 2

We spent this afternoon at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. The boys didn't know there was a Monster Truck show tonight at 8pm. We kept it a surprise. 

We started with the opposite entrance from the one I entered with the boys at our previous visit. Daniel's blood sugar was doing fine this time unlike the last visit to the fair. Thank goodness. I came prepared with two giant bottled waters and two gatorades. 

We began our day looking at the larger livestock we missed last time. Landon loves animals. The fair is so clean. Such a huge comparison from Kern County and LA County. I have to say the live stock is kept very clean in their pens. It doesn't smell at all and you walk on concrete not dirt and hay. No asthma attack for my children. 

Landon found a buddy.

He wants a farm. He saw bunnies, goats, birds, turkeys, and wanted one of each. I can't afford a farm Landon. 

He wanted to catch more butterflies and he finally caught the big blue one! 

And another friend landed on his shirt. This one made him tickle. 

We walked around a little and ate funnel cake and ice cream then headed over to 

the grand stand to get ready to watch the Monster Truck show. Little Landon was so excited when we got to our seats and he saw the dirt in the arena and heard the engines roaring. He smiled from ear to ear. Daniel was excited too because he missed the show at Angel's Stadium last time. 

Time for some dinner before the show started as all the trucks pulled in.

My favorite way to spend a Saturday evening with my two favorite little boys in the world. They are so precious and so sweet. Mama's Boys I'm blessed to enjoy and I simply just cherish the moments just being Mommy. 

And it's time for the show! 

Landon's excited! 

Landon always is the lucky one to meet the driver. Here he is with Roger the driver of The Destroyer. 

I've never thought of myself as an outdoor sports kind of mom. My other boys weren't into dirt bikes or trucks, but Landon is that boy. He wants to race. He wants to ride. He's a boys boy. He's climbing trees, he's braver than all my boys, he's my adventurer. He will be the one to try a true boys sport. I better be ready to keep up with him. 

Daniel enjoyed the show. He remembers the show from seeing it when he was small. He wasn't fond of the beer drinkers at the event. I had to explain unfortunately people like beer and it's everywhere we go. Just try to ignore it the best and we switched seats. It's a shame when drunk adults ruin family events. 

We enjoyed the nightly fireworks 

It turned out to be a great night for our small family. Since Daniel had practice this morning, it was a long day. Time to relax for the night, say our prayers and thanks for today . God Bless everyone.