Everyday Highs and Lows

To iPad or not to iPad? That is the question.

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 01:19:00 +0000

One and a half years ago, my mom called and asked if she had permission from my husband and I to get the boys iPad minis for Christmas. She wanted to give all of her grandkids an awesome Christmas and knew this would do the trick! My initial thought was, "Heck yeah! Now, I don't have to buy them!" My very practical hubby was initially against it. He claimed they were too young for such an expensive device. "What would happen if they were on them all the time?," he asked. I reassured him that we were responsible parents and such devices would come with rules (yeah, right!). After my mom and I worked our magic and wore him down, we all agreed to spoil them and let the games begin! Literally! 

That Christmas was everything my mom hoped it would be! It quite possibly might go down as the greatest Christmas in the history of Christmases according to all five grandchildren! The kids loved them. However, this was the problem. They LOOOOVEEd them. Every. Single. Day. I became one of the many generations of mothers who's children receive "the coolest game system ever" and then turns into a lunatic every time they play it - for more than the one hour that "the experts" say they should play. By the way, is that still a rule? I really need to know the rule but I am too afraid to look it up, and see the result, in case it really still is an hour a day. Oh God! It must be up to three hours per day for screen time by now, right? Doesn't it increase once more kids get the devices? Apple had a record year last year! Kindle? Same. Surely, this means the screen time limit went up, right? 

Anyway, multiply my screen time anxiety by 10 when you throw diabetes in the mix. Not sure about your children but Rocco's blood sugar rises when he is sedentary. It also rises when he is stressed out. So now, take a nine year old Type 1 kid, give him an amazingly, cool piece of machinery and load up the Hunger Games for Minecraft and watch the blood sugar soar! Mix in a little lunch before and wait about an hour. Yep! Within about an hour, he is usually climbing into the 300s. So, I curse myself almost every day for not, once again, listening to my very practical husband. 

In the non-D world, most moms let their kids turn on their devices and enjoy the silence for the duration of the game time. Let's be honest, the devices are like little off switches for kids. I'd be lying if I didn't enjoy the automatic ability to hear my own thoughts when those flat, little machines power up. Sometimes I even sing the line from that Depeche Mode song- Enjoy the Silence while I do a little jig in my kitchen. But then, after the first half hour and groan from his direction (because he lost or got killed or got kicked out) my D-Mom spider senses start to tingle. I know the trifecta of the sitting around, the anxiety of the game and the lunch, are running a number on my guy. The silence is different for a D Parent. We are on the clock. So, at first I pretend not to hear his frustration from the other room. The silence is too alluring. Wily temptress. Luring me back. Enveloping me back into her warm blanket which are my thoughts and laundry folding. "Argh!"  I hear it again. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Then I mentally add 100 blood sugar points to his perfect 125 pre-lunch blood sugar. "Argh!", I say to myself mirroring his comment but for a much different reason.  Thoughts of telling him to dose himself another .5 units of insulin to offset the spike go through my mind. Sometimes, I do tell him to dose himself. However, when the next groan is heard, I don't know if he is spiking or dropping. Usually the extra squirt of insulin just confuses my DMom internal voice. 

So sure enough, once "my time" (Oops! I mean their iPad time) is up. I go to check his blood sugar and yep, the monitor reads in the 300s. That's usually when I silently curse myself for trying to be a cool mom and let them have the devices. Also, for letting them play on them for more than the expert recommended time. I do believe kids should have downtime. Whenever I go to their classrooms, I just want to take them home put them in a quite room, bundle them in blankets and hand them their iPads. Their days are exhausting! Then, after I doubt myself about six ways from Sunday, I turn my anger to the little fuzzy monster, I sometimes conjure up in my imagination, called diabetes. Even a little bit of downtime has to be considered a potential threat to these kids. Grrrr! I can feel my blood pressure rise with my anger and silently appreciate that it's not my blood sugar, like my poor little guy. However, like every single D parent on the planet we would happily take over this disease for our kids. Any amount rising blood sugar would be fine with us, if our kids didn't ever have to live with it again. My mind floats to better days of a diabetes free world until I snap out of it and realize the kids got another five minutes out of me! So, I yell at the kids to "Turn those stupid things off and go outside and play!" I silently giggle as I hear my mother's words erupt out of my mouth!  "Go outside and play!"  are words that never out of style. Diabetes or not! So, I decide, while I watch them play in the snow (enjoying the dropping blood sugar with every running step he takes) tomorrow is another day. I will do better tomorrow. 

P.S. I found a website that agrees with me that screen time can be two hours now. So, feel free parents, iPad away! Yay us! Oops! I mean yay them! Permission granted, at least from me...

My, My! Flying sure has changed!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:40:00 +0000

In my twenties and thirties, I used to travel almost every week. I was a regional sales director and my region spanned half of the US. It was a blast. I loved airports, I loved people watching and I loved my job. To pass my time while flying, I had a Gameboy and I played Tetris! 

Once I had the boys, I didn't fly hardly at all. Life kind of just kept happening and there wasn't any room for jetting anywhere, especially not with two infants or, worse yet, two toddlers! 

We did take one flight to visit my in-laws last year, but I was so busy watching the kids experience their first flight, that I never even looked up or had any thoughts of my own! 

Last week, I went on a flight to Boston. It was so funny to see everything that changed since I last flew by myself.

The first thing I noticed was how PC (politically correct) and accommodating we have become. 

The flight boarder guy called out the first set of passengers allowed to board the airplane:

"At this time, may we please have our first class passengers board the aircraft." That was expected. 

"Next, can we please have people that need wheelchair access to board the aircraft." That's nice. 

"Any uniformed military service men or women, please board." Awww, that's awesome! They deserve that. 

"People traveling with children under two." Please, God not by me! 

"Anyone traveling with dividend miles." Shoot! I forgot to put my miles number in the reservation. 

"Anyone traveling with a dividend plus MasterCard." Crap! I have a Visa. Does that count?

"Anyone that is a Star Plus member." How the heck do you get to be a Star Plus member?  

"Anyone that has service animals." Okay, I'll always wait for those cuties. 

"Anyone that is gold member...."Really? 

"Anyone that is a silver member..." Oh COME ON!! 

"Anyone that has a blue preferred status." now thiiiissss one was my favorite. When I did the kiosk to print my boarding pass, it asked me if I wanted to pay $20 to have blue preferred status. Seriously?? Even if I had loads of cash, I wouldn't spend it on getting onto the airplane three minutes before everyone else! Especially since it was ten minutes behind all the other people that just boarded! What the heck?! 

By now, I had been standing for twelve minutes. I was impatiently doing the mommy sway. You know the one that you do side to side when you hold an infant. However, after the infant years are over, it becomes part of your genetic DNA and for some reason you sway every time you wait in line. If you don't know what I am talking about, go to the grocery store. Look at all women who have a slightly poochy belly they will ALL sway side to side while waiting to pay for their Go-gurts and fruit snacks. 

As I wait, I start to become a smart ass with the guy next to me. We giggle while we make up new groups of people that can board the aircraft in front of us. 

"Anyone who has a chihuahua named Pico, please board the aircraft..." 

"Anyone who has unicorn named Starlight..."

"Anyone who has ever worn plaid pants..." 

It was fun to make fun of an annoying situation. 

Once we finally were able to board, I noticed the technology. 

First, I saw that the "NO SMOKING" sign that had previously inhabited the overhead lighting system was gone. It was now replaced by PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE DEVICES. I chuckled as I thought about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. I silently gave them credit for the transformation. Then I imagined them looking at each other and Steve saying to Bill, "Didn't see that one coming!"

Next, I noticed that everyone on entire plane had devices. iPhones, iPads, Macs, laptops, cell phones, iPods, Kindles, Nooks, and even DSs (no more Gameboys, however). Only two people had an actual book. A girl next to me was reading one of them. She kept laughing as she read. The book was called "Let's Talk About Diabetes in Owls". I went online to iTunes and ordered it mid-flight right onto my iPad so I could see for myself how good it was! Talk about amazing technology. I looked hard for a magazine- nope! I cringed for the publishing industry but then realized people are still paying for the magazines and books they are just reading them on their devices. I then got excited for the trees in the forests! Go trees! 

I laughed at the fact that the TURN OFF ELECTRONIC DEVICES sign may have changed from NO SMOKING but the dinging of the signal as it turned off created the same behavior! The minute that light turned off everyone desperately grabbed for their devices like they used to grab for their cigarettes! Ha! 

My flight even had free wi-fi and it worked! I watched the latest episode of Chicago Fire on NBC.com 30,000 feet in the air! It took a couple of tries to grab the signal so out of habit held my iPad above my head to help it grab the signal. I laughed that even 30,000 feet above the Earth the signal was still spotty. I reminded myself next time I am on land and hold my cell above my head to grab the signal, that even if I had arms 30,000 feet long, it wasn't actually me putting it above my head that fixed the problem. I promised myself next time, just to wait patiently, save the energy and the phone will most likely grab the signal whether it's above my head or not.

Once we landed and we were all allowed to check our phones for messages. One of the phones rang. It was an iPhone that had the old school ring. The ring that is like the old, 80's phones that used to hang on your kitchen wall with the loooooonnnngg, tangled cord! Talk about a flashback!  It was the kind of flashback feeling you get when you see a picture of MC Hammer in parachute pants. That noise in such a modern world was an oxymoron, it confused my brain.  

When I walked through the airport it was more of the same. Everything was based around technology. No more sitting in "pleather" rows of seats with a laptop cord stretched all the way across the waiting area while you charged your laptop for the flight. Nope! Now, there are areas with lattes and high top tables which house a stand of outlets with which you were not only encouraged but expected to hook your device. People chatting as if they were at a bar while their devices charged. There weren't any clocks anywhere because now people check their phones for the time. The smoking lounge was replaced with a spa and people of all ages were getting massages and pedicures! I'm not joking! 

All in all, I realized the world had morphed. While, i changed two sets of diapers and checked blood sugars, it morphed into the dreams that Steve Jobs and Bill Gates once dreamed in their garages. Only now that dream was on steroids. 

I remember a picture of Steve Jobs delivering a speech saying "One day every singe home will have a computer." Well, I guess it's officially "one day." 

I am sad for the world that will lose the connection of people. Once the "it's ok to play on your phone now" light came on. All talking stopped. Heads went down and people got lost in their technology. No more meeting someone on a flight and doing business with them in the future. 

It was sad to think of all those connections lost. However, when a nice man struck up the "What do you do?" conversation, I found myself becoming impatient with his inquiries and just wanted to start playing Candy Crush while listening to my iPod. I may be sad but I, too, am on of the technology-addicted minions!

On the way home, I wondered what the flights will be like when my boys bring their kids on a flight. I decided to keep my old Gameboy with my Tetris cartridge because something told me my grandkids will one day make some money on such an old piece of "technology"! My old Gameboy might be worth some money to them. 
P.S. I posted this to my blog while I was flying! Go wifi!

Thank you everyone!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:12:00 +0000

When I am old and I look back at my life, I'm sure I will say that staying home with the boys was the happiest time in my life! 



I can't imagine there being anything more fulfilling than being part of every step they took in their developmental years. 
I also know I will say that writing this blog was a major part of that happiness, as well. When you do something for many hours straight and the time flies, you know you are doing the right thing for yourself. When I write, I get lost, and when I look up, hours have past. Writing is my happy place. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have people, like you, who want to read it and maybe even relate to it. Having a bunch of strangers become your "virtual friends" is the gift I have received for the work. I have met so many people that are sharing our same life through sharing this blog. Many of you have reached out and helped me through some dark "mommy moments". I thank you for your kindness and compassion.  Also, thanks to you, in 2013 we reached our goal of 100,000 hits! 
Reaching this goal was the original reason I started this blog.
Two years ago, a friend’s mom who had just retired from a major publishing house gave me advice on how to approach publishing companies to publish a book I wrote more than ten years ago during my/our infertility experience. It is a raw account of the emotions one goes through during infertility.  My friend's mom said, "Start a blog and reach 100,000 hits. Once you do that, you will have the backing of an audience and then you can approach publishing companies." She told me that publishing houses want you to come with a book AND an audience who want to buy the book. Well, two years to the day, thanks to you, we reached our goal!!!



When I actually saw the number I worked so hard to get. I smiled a private, slow and proud smile. I sent a screen shot to my friend and asked her to send it to her mom. I also sent the screen shot to my mom and a few friends who encouraged my writing along the way.
Then, I cleaned the bathroom.
As I cleaned, I wondered why I wasn't hopping on publishing sites or going straight to the Amazon self-publishing website. I started thinking about all of the reasons I wanted to publish my infertility book in the first place. For the 100,000th time, I imagined the women it could help during their struggle. Spending untold hours seeking a publisher (time which I now no longer have since going back to work) felt overwhelming to me. The thought of writing hundreds of anonymous emails and receiving hundreds of rejection notices was a non-starter. It was easier cleaning the toilet.
I said to myself yet again, "If I don't send it, I can't get rejected." That thought has overshadowed my desire every time I began to attempt publishing. Over the five-year time span while I wrote, I giddily imagined it in the front display of every Barnes & Noble and Borders, as i am sure all writers dream. I imagined being on Oprah and Regis & Kelly explaining how hard my infertile years were, hoping to reach the masses that were also struggling. Well, fifteen years later, Borders has gone out of business, Barnes and Noble sells more books online than in stores, Oprah retired her show and Kelly is now with Michael.
So I think I am going to have a new goal this year. Instead of publishing a hardcover book and getting rich and famous, I think I will publish an online copy and hope it gets around to the one in every four couples dealing with devastation of infertility in their lives. As I grow older, I am realizing helping these people is way more important to me than my own recognition. Plus, thanks to you, I have already reached "fame" by actually connecting with people during their difficult times dealing with childhood diabetes and hopefully helping them feel a little better.
Helping moms and dads cope with diabetes in their children, through my blog, has fulfilled me more than I could have ever imagined. With each new comment on a post and every "Like" on Facebook, my yearning for fame has evolved into something different. Writing this blog satisfied my need to help others going through a struggle, but to my surprise the struggle was actually with diabetes and not infertility. I never knew the infertility was actually the path to the diabetes. In more ways than one. Lol! 
As I cleaned the toilet, I realized that the rich and famous part I craved had already been satisfied through my journey in learning how to write and have people want to read my words. Getting to 100,000 hits was actually an added bonus. The 100,000 hits for me is like $100,000. Apparently, I am already "rich" and "famous" and it had nothing to do with my infertility book.
I will still try to publish an online version of my book because I am motivated to see that goal actualized. However, now it will just hold a little less weight than it once did. I want to say thanks so much to you for helping me reach my goal. I appreciate you taking time out if your day to share in ours. I promise to write more in the new year! It's my happy place and I hope for a quick five minutes a week, it can be yours too.
Here's to safe New Year for us all! 

Back to School with Type 1 Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 01:59:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

How was your summer? Mine has gone by fast! Working full-time has zapped me of my creative, writing juices. Darn it! Getting home at 6 pm, then cooking something edible, then showers for the boys, then trying to read so they are not completely illiterate by the time they re-enter thier school, has been kind of a whirlwind.

One thing I am trying not to stress about this year is bedtime. Usually around 9 pm, I am yelling at two "not-so-tired" boys to "GET IN BED!" so that they aren't falling asleep by lunchtime. However, I am learning that this actually works itself out without any pushing from me. The kids are always so dead-dog-tired that first week of school, that they usually beg me to get in their cozy beds by 8:30 pm. For me, that is good enough. So, I am going to try no yelling this year. Hope my plan works!

Another thing I'm going to do is cheat. I'm not sure if it is cheating, if I cheat off myself and I wanted to invite you to cheat from me too. I'm a giver. Lol! I am re-posting last year's post that was a big hit with parents of what diabetes supplies to pack for your child's school days.

Please note: this is NOT a comprehensive list. It is only the best way that works for Rocco and I. Think of it as a springboard for you and your child/children. Also, please share. If I have left something out that works for you, please leave it in a comment below so myself and everyone else can see your good idea too! It really does take a village!

Click here for last year's post on going back to school:

http://www.everydayhighsandlows.com/2012/09/back-to-school-is-full-time-job.html

I hope and pray each of your children have a safe and healthy year!

XOXO,

Shari

How will the siblings feel?

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 18:05:00 +0000

When all of the excitement from our thrilling, educational and inspiring Washington trip calmed down, I woke up one morning with Zeke.

Zeke is our early bird. Always has been. If it weren’t for Zeke, Michael, myself and Rocco wouldn’t wake up until 11 a.m. We are grateful Zeke gets up to get the day moving. He is a 7:00 a.m. kid during the school year and 8:00 a.m. during the summer. The hours are great.

I am usually the next to wake up. My mommy senses one of my bear cubs is awake and I need to feed him some breakfast. The great news is, I get “special mommy-Zeke time” which is what we nicknamed it. We make Eggo waffles, I make some Chai tea and we sit on the deck. Now, our new puppy Shay joins us. I actually think it’s my favorite time of the day.

As any mom (or parent) knows, getting one of your children by themselves for any time alone is a wonderful treat for you both. The quality time during those moments are better than any Disney trip or new toy you could ever buy. The best news is we don’t have any agenda. I think of it as a time to just talk and listen but most importantly to hear. I like to hear his take on the/his world. I like to hear his fears or joys for the moments. Also, I like to hear him grow-up as he discusses friend conversations or school worries.

However this specific morning, I looked at him with his speckled body and his boxer shorts. Zeke has recently gotten vitiligo. It is an autoimmune disease whereby your body attacks your skin pigmenting cells. It happened a couple of months ago. At first I was terrified. What would this do to my beautiful, little boy’s self esteem? As I watched helplessly as it spread from his torso to his arms, legs and slightly to his face. I felt frozen and out of control. The same way I felt as Rocco’s diabetes attacked his pancreas. Currently, we are treating Zeke with a steroid cream to dull the spots and stop the progression. My mom, mother-in-law and two of my best friends swear it is barely noticeable. Thank God for my pale, Norwegian heritage. The spots are less noticeable with paler skin.

Regardless, as I looked at him with his newly, speckled body shoving his waffle in his mouth talking light-heartedly about yet another “COOL” thing on Minecraft, I wondered. As I often do, I wondered.

How will Zeke perceive Rocco’s diabetes?
How will Zeke feel about being the one who didn’t get it?
Will he resent the fact that every day is dictated by his brother’s disease?
Will he feel grateful and, at the same time, feel sorry for his brother once he fully understands what his twin will endure throughout their separate lives?
Will he feel Rocco’s pain when they are across the globe from each other pursing their careers?
Will he feel a responsibility to care for his brother in college and in their adult life?

Whenever I meet a sibling of a person with type one diabetes. My first question I ask them is, “Were you ever resentful of the attention they got from your parents as a child.”
Over the years, I have asked about 30-40 siblings. Thankfully, they all look at me as if to say, “How dare you ask that!” and answer, “NO! Of course not, I was always sad that my brother/sister went through so much pain.” I keep asking because that answer is what I want and NEED to hear. I somehow HAVE to know that as hard as I try to make this “no big deal” and “part of our lives” that it is not secretly saddening, harming or infiltrating my other child. That it is not permanently damaging him in a long-term way. It is incredibly difficult to be the sibling of a child with any affliction, especially a life-threatening one. The parent’s attention doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring the situation for a day or even an hour. I am sure this is felt, seen and heard by the sibling. However, it is what it has to be. The parents can just do their best to wake up early with their non-afflicted children, steal precious moments and somehow make them feel “as paid attention to”.

Sometimes, about once a month, I check in with Zeke. I sometime just ask him. “How do you feel about Rocco’s diabetes?” or “Is mommy loving you enough?” So far I have never asked him, “Do you feel left out?” Because I have had friend’s do that and it became that child’s “thing” to pull out if they ever felt treated unfairly. KInd of like if you put the idea in their head they will make it part of who they are. Which ironically is the EXACT reason you asked the child in the first place...

My perfect little Zeke gets what I am asking, I think, and sometimes will talk to me about it. Sometimes he does tell me about a time he didn’t feel heard or loved. I try to explain to him what was happening in my brain at the time, I apologize and it kind of clears the air - even if does kill me a little each time. Because the boys are my “first child” I am trying to navigate my way through each scenario without a compass and without perspective of a previous child. Maybe this is the reason I worry so much for Zeke. I am desperately nervous about making him feel slighted during his childhood.

Anyway, on this morning he said, “Mom, when am I going to go to the Congress?”
I giggled a little about the words he chose to explain his brother’s activity.
“Whenever you want.” I said kind of wimping out and tossing the control back to him. Hoping to empower him. I knew it worked when he stood up, smiled a big smile, made his body into an eqyptian-type stance and then, his speckled self, said, “SAVE THE WORLD FROM VITILIGO!”

As Zeke does many times a day, once again, he reassured me that he his growing up juuuuusssttt fine!

Thanks Zeke!

Again...

So much for being a "bird dog"! Good girl!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 00:33:00 +0000

Rocco speaks on Capitol Hill for JDRf Children's Congress 2013!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 01:18:00 +0000

There have been times in my life when I was proud. Proud of myself, proud of my husband and proud of my kids. It is every mother's right and her duty to find moments that bring her heart that swelling feeling.

Most of those times, it was when my guys have been brave. We have a term for it in our house, I tell the boys to "Find your brave!"

"Finding your brave" means they have to push themselves past their comfort zones. Push themselves past their mental blocks of which they believe their abilities lie. It means to get that feeling in their belly that makes them angry for NOT doing the thing that scares them and to just do it already! Besides the concept that "Everyone has a story", this is the other concept I want the boys to carry with them (even when I am gone). It will help them sky dive, travel, ask for promotions and raises. It will help them get married, by an amazing sports car, or rock climb up the grand canyon. It could even help them make history!

This week was a full week of Rocco "finding his brave!"

Before today, when we first applied to the Children's Congress, I was fearful. I wasn't sure that a seven-year-old boy was mature enough to handle the responsibility of speaking to adults about his disease. Much less represent the thousands in his state and country that shared his daily struggle. Especially to some of the most important people in the United States. However, after watching the video on the Children's Congress 2011. I was compelled to try! What an amazing opportunity.

When I found out he got accepted to be a delegate for Children's Congress 2013, instantly I was thrilled. I mean dance-around-the-kitchen kind of thrilled. However, after the first, fun, five minutes - fear set in my belly. Could he do this? Should he do this? I knew I had to practice what I preached and "Find my brave!"

So we carried on! I learned as much as I could about the Congress, the economy and the task before JDRF - to urge lawmakers to renew the funding for the Special Diabetes Program. This program is on the cusp of so many advances for Type 1 diabetics. The artificial pancreas is one and islet encapsulation is another. Not to mention the technologies that are breaking ground to make Rocco and millions of other Type 1 Diabetics' lives easier every day. These technologies will let people with diabetes' bodies control their own blood sugar with sensors, insulin pumps, more advanced insulin, and auto-controlled blood sugar monitors. If the funding weren't renewed, these technologies will stop. I mean stop. JDRF contributes $110 million to the program and the government contributes $150 million. The moms, dads, companies, grandparents, aunts and uncles are doing bake sales, walks, school fundraisers, and family fundraisers everyday to make up that $110 million but we are tapped out there. It would be impossible for JDRF volunteers to make up the other $150 million. Therefore the funding MUST continue. This is the only path to a cure and also to a better way of life.

So, this was Rocco's job. He was to visit two Senators and one Representative from his state. He would then, along with four, other fabulous, delegate children from our state urge lawmakers to show their support by signing a letter supporting the Special Diabetes Program.

So, we woke up that morning and along with Mrs. Cynthia Ford from the Ford Motor Company stepped on a bus to make our appointments! Both Rocco and I were excited and nervous.

On the bus! On our way!

We made it!

Rocco yelled to me, "Let's do this!" when I snapped this pic.

We had a little while to wait before our first meeting so I thought I should check Rocco's blood sugar.

Yikes! Normal is 100. Guess he is a little nervous! Blood sugar rises with stress. This just gave us the fuel for the fire we needed for the day.

"Darn it!"

When it was time to meet our Representative, we started to walk the important hallways of the House of Representatives. I laughed as I said, "Rocco, please put away your Minecraft so you can speak on Capitol Hill!"

And then this happened.

Not sure if it's just because he my kid, but in this picture, I saw it. I flashed forward to a time when this little boy might be in a business suit and about another two feet taller. Walking down this important hallway to go and change the world -again! The confident way he held his shoulders walked ahead of me, as if he knew the way to go, made me proud!

And then he turned back into the little boy again and was impressed that garbage can said House of Representatives. I breathed a sigh of relief that my little guy wasn't quite grown up yet and that I still has a little more time with him.

So cute to see him sign in to the Rep's visitor book. He wrote that was with JDRF but he made the J backwards. It looked so cute, I didn't correct it.

Impressed with the flags!

Waiting in the office while we waited to see if the Representative could see us.

Then his aide came out and said the Representative was in Utah. They were "very sorry the Congressman wasn't here but Meghan would take the info and make sure he got it" Ugh! What a disappointment!

Oh well, at least she was nice and not scary for Rocco. He showed her the scrapbook he explained what it was like to live with type 1 diabetes at seven years old and to please ask the Representative to support the Special Diabetes Program.

Next, we were on to gather with the four other people from our state and speak with our two Senators!

I laughed at the fact that his feet didn't reach the ground. I thought of that quote that said "Reach for the stars but don't let your feet leave the ground!"

Senator Stabenow stepped out off the Senator floor to meet with us and listen to what the kids had to say. She was so nice and said she was fully in support of the SDP! One down, one to go!

Rocco and I walked off for a little tour on our own for a minute before continuing on our important day.

On to Senator Levin.

Photo op with Medtronic's Lenny the Lion while waiting in the Senator's office.

Again with the feet!

This was my favorite part of the whole trip! Ok so at this point, Rocco had been "on" and "acting appropriately" for three days. He was getting tired. At a certain point, while we were discussing the issue of curing his disease to one of the most influential men in the US, he got up, walked over to me and said he was scared. He said he wanted to speak to the Senator but he didn't know the words to say. I looked down at my poor son who had tears in his eyes. I felt bad for taking him on this trip for the first time in three days. He had been so good and did everything he was instructed to do but everyone has a breaking point. This was his. I kissed him on the head and said not to worry, that I would be happy to tell his story when it was his turn. He whimpered a little and "No! I want to but tell me the words to say." I whispered in his ear to tell the Senator his name, where he lived and how old he was when he was diagnosed. He said he was still scared but he wanted to try. It was nearing the end and he was still stuck to me like glue. When the other kids finished talking. The Senator said, "Okay kids, thanks for coming by..." One of the other moms who didn't know he was crying and didn't want the Senator to forget about him said, "Rocco, don't you want to tell the Senator your story?" My brave boy quickly jumped back in his seat. The oldest boy of the group gave him the scrapbook that housed all of their pages/stories and whispered in his ear "Just read the words". Rocco dutifully started to read the words quietly. "my name is Rocco. I am seven years..." Then the Senator interrupted him. "Sorry son, I can't hear you, what's your name?" Rocco took a quick deep breath pushed the book away, looked the Senator in the eye found his brave, and in a large voice said "My name is Rocco. I am seven years old, actually almost eight. Diabetes infects my life everyday. When I am outside and playing with my friends I always have to stop the game and go home to check my blood sugar. It takes too long so I want a cure for diabetes." If I wasn't afraid of embarrassing him, I would have stood up and put him on my shoulders and paraded him around the room! I was so incredibly proud of him that he "found his brave!" What a moment for me! What a more important moment for him! The Senator was great. He said, "Rocco are your friends nice to you when you have to go home to check your blood sugar?" Rocco nodded yes. Then the Senator said, "Ok Rocco but just so you know. I have the entire United States military at my disposal in case they are not!" The room exploded with laughter. I imagined getting up and kissing that old, important man hard right on the cheek! Instead I silently thanked him.

Next, was the hearing. For me and all the other parents in the room this was a very big moment.

It was funny because at one point, Rocco asked if he had to sit on the floor again. I laughed and said yes, knowing what was going to come next. "Ugh!" he complained. "Sitting on the floor makes my back hurt!" I jokingly replied, "Rocco, please do not complain about sitting on SENATE ROOM FLOOR!" Haha!

That's him in kind of the center of the picture. I had learned a valuable lesson this week, each time he was in the crowd of children, it usually took at least an hour and half to accomplish the group's goal. Until now, there was no way to communicate with him when he was amoungst the other children to see if his blood sugar was falling low. During the song with the American Idol star and during the inspirational time with the celebrity role models, after about one hour every DMom in the room would get fidgety. We all were going too long without being able to check on our kids. I joked with one of the moms next to me however that I had never felt safer for Rocco than I did at this moment. This moment where he was surrounded by 146 Dmoms! Every single one of them had site change stuff, extra sources of sugar, insulin, almonds, beef jerky, water, glucagon pens, etc... Talk about a powerful and prepared group of women! Plus, we Dmoms run as a pack. In the diabetic community, we all parent each others children. Surpringly, without judgement. Which admittedly is odd for a group of women. But we all know that raising a kid with diabetes is never perfect and is never really anyone's fault. So "united we sat" in that meeting. It was cute because if one of the kids did have to get up from the floor to get their blood sugar checked from their mom, you saw 75 moms turn their heads to read that mom's face. We collectively know the facial expressions of a high blood sugar and a low blood sugar. If one of the kids got in trouble with a scary low, every mom in the room, silently prayed, and sent helpful wishes to that child. Talk about protection. I have seen it before with my DMoms back home but it was once again a cool thing to see on a national level. It takes a village to raise a DKid!

Anyway, so when I seperated from Rocco this time, I was prepared. I knew this meeting would last at least an hour and a half. It was a Senate hearing, after all. So I gave him tablets, his monitor, and his phone. He was instructed that if he got bored and cracked it open to even peek at Minecraft, I would take it away for a month. Then, I sat. I was in awe at the amazing process of the government. I was impressed with the speakers and their compassionate words. Then, I got a text half way through. "How much longer will we be here?" Ha! I laughed. I sent him back "30 minutes."

When we went to gather up the kids, I saw him shut his phone off and put it in his pocket. I led him out of the room. Truthfully, I was going to let it go but then Honest Abe piped up.

"Mom, if you saw me on my phone. It was because Zeke called me. Then I answered it and said,"hello." Then, he said "hi." Then he hung up. Then I called dad back to see what Zeke wanted and dad's phone went to voicemail. So I hurried up and texted Zeke. "What did you want?" And then that's when you came up and saw me on my phone. I WAS NOT playing Minecraft! I swear!"

I stared to laugh so hard that my laugh echoed the whole Senate hallway. I thanked him for being honest and reminded myself to teach my son some cell phone etiquette. Then, I realized it was probably worthless to say, "Rocco next time you are on the Senate room floor, please don't take any calls from Zeke!" Haha!

As of our day wasn't cool enough already, THIS happened!

Okay, so they wanted all the kids together in one of the Senate buildings to take one last picture before everyone went home. They told us someone really special was coming and not to send it out on any social media channels because they didn't want a crowd. So everyone assembled like this and we waited. And waited.

Then suddenly HE appeared! Now, I don't care what side of the fence you are on politically, when your son gets this close to the Vice President of the United States, it's pretty exciting! He was really nice and apologized for being so long but he was meeting with the President. Which was a funny excuse and got a laugh but then said "No really, I REALLY was meeting with the President! Everyone laughed. Then he said that one thing he does know about kids with diabetes is to leave them standing for a long time. All the moms fell in love with him and melted, as he lived I our world for a split second and understood that standing for a long time can drop a blood sugar fast. It was great!

They snapped this picture. Rocco is in the second row and the fourth kid in.

Then it was time for the Vice President to leave. I told Rocco to "find his brave" one more time and stick out his hand and the VP might see it and shake it. Look at the way he kind of has it out but kind of scared. My brave boy!

I was so proud of him because then this happened!

VP: Hi Son, what's your name?

Rocco: Rocco.

VP: How old are you?

Rocco: Seven almost eight.

VP: You are getting big son! Very big!

AND THEN THIS HAPPENED!

Yep! He held his hand for almost a minute!

In my mind, I said to myself, "Man! That VP sure is lucky to be holding my kid's hand!" I realized one day when Biden was in his old folks home he would see Rocco on TV and say, "Hey! I knew that kid when he was almost eight!"

Well maybe not, but a girl can always dream... Because so far this girl's dreams keep coming true!

On the way home, we all thanked Rocco for helping us get to DC and experience so many cool things!

He replied, "When you have diabetes you have to look for the perks!"

To see all the press the hearing received, click here

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Such an amazing story to tell his grand kids!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 00:41:00 +0000

So I haven't had a good Internet connection for two days! So I hope you don't mind me posting two days of fun in one day's post.

First, let me start by saying the world is an amazing place. When you spend your days in a bubble that you call home, you can become sheltered by your own complacency and your own comfortability. Well my little guy sure has cracked open my shell and shown me a world I would have never knew, if he hadn't come along!

Excuse me for name dropping in this post but if your anything like me, meeting or getting close to influential people gets me excited! So I will pretend you are all like me and name drop galore!

Day #2 of our JDRF Children's Congress went like this:

Get dressed. This is the standard uniform of all the children. I considered it like their superhero costumes! I love that he did all of this important stuff while wearing character underwear. I kind of just reminded me that he is still only seven.

I'm sleepy but I'm up and ready to go!

The first part of the day was sitting and listening to all of the people with diabetes who have done amazing things! So inspirational for Rocco to see he can do and be anything with Type 1 Diabetes!

Here was the line up:

ABC Family's Mary Mouser, Top Chef's Sam Talbot, Charlie Kimball the race car driver, NBC news Associate Producer Leslie Adkins, MLB's sportscaster Brian Kenny, & 10 Olympic Gold Medalist Gary Hall Jr. Phew! The power in the room was intense!

Checking blood sugars interrupts even really cool moments! Kind of the reason we're here though, I guess.

Then, we were off to lunch!

Rocco was asked to give an award to the Ford Motor Company for their tremendous efforts on being the largest fundraiser for JDRF of all-time! We were thrilled at such an honor!

They told us we were at table 3. Which was in the front! Yikes! We sat next to the awesome Moira McCarthy Stanford who recently released her first book on raising teens with type 1 diabetes ( a much needed publication!) She was wonderful and warm! Then we sat next to the Ray Allen & his awesome wife Shannon who sits on the JDRF International Board of Directors. They have a little boy wit T1D who is simply adorable! Ray is a 10 time NBA All Star and probably the nicest man I have ever met! We also sat across from a wonderful woman named Elizabeth Brakebill who is the Community Relations Manager for the Ford Washington staff. She even offered us tickets to an IMAX movie in the city! Finally, we sat across from Mrs. Cynthia Ford! She is also on the JDRF's International Board of Directors and does such amazing work for and with JDRF!

Okay, so THIS is where I got nervous! I mean, THE Mrs. Ford? Really?!?!?

Let me tell you guys, she was AWESOME! So down to earth and so wonderfully great to both myself and especially Rocco! I mean WOW! What a lady!

So then it was time to present the award!

The President of JDRF said a few words and then shook Rocco's hand.

Then, Rocco, Jeffery Brewer, Miss America 1999 and Elizabeth Brakebill from Ford snapped a picture! I was really so proud of him!

Mrs. Ford was so nice and snapped a picture with Rocco!

Then, Jeffery Brewer was nice too and snapped a picture!

"Hey Mom! That's me!"

Flashback: One day when the boys were crawling around on the floor, I looked at Rocco and said to him as I picked him up, "One day, I am going to see you behind a podium!" Then I kissed him on his chubby cheek and carried on about my day. I have never forgotten that for some reason! So after the luncheon was over, I told him to go up to the podium and take a picture! I was so happy to see my dream come true!

After lunch we went to a training session on how to speak with our two Senators and one Congressmen the next day. It was very scary because there was so much to know about how to handle these meetings and more importantly get to them! The Capitol Building is a big place!

Oh well, better practice what I had been preaching to Rocco all day and "Find my Brave!" No going back now!

We went out to dinner with Zeke and Michael and saw the White House at night!

So, when all was said and done we just had an amazing day!!!

Wow! What a day!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Today was super fun! There is so much to show you!

This was the boys' second flight of their lives! Traveling always seemed intimidating with Rocco's diabetes. Not even just the getting there but also the being there. Long walking parks, hot temps and junk food are the trifecta of a diabetic's worst day. However, flying is always fun! Big grins.

Taking the safety talk very seriously.

Here it was 10 P.M. last night. They were whipped!

We got to the JW Marriott and the first thing we noticed were these Amazeballs chandeliers!

For all my lady friends, I took another shot!

11:30 P.M. Room service! First room service ever.

Nighty night!

What a view!

Deep thoughts...

A quick run out for breakfast before our two separate days began.

"Look mom this is where we'll be on Wednesday! The Capitol Building!!!"

Things I never thought I would hear...

JDRF Children's Congress Build-A-Bear and Lenny the Medtronic mascot!

Future President taking a shopping break before his day begins.

Time to go to work!

"Wow! What's all this about?"

Little man

161 type one diabetic children all sang "Promise to Remember Me" with Crystal Bowersox an winner from American Idol!!

Meanwhile, little cutie and Dad taking in the sights!

I love this one he looks so little!

"Mom! We went to see where Abe Lincoln was shot!"

After spending their days seperatly, it was fun to see the two bear cubs compare notes and horse play in the pool!

Tomorrow, Rocco is giving the Ford family (from Ford Motor Company!) an award to thank them for raising so much money for JDRF! They are the largest supporters this year! Also, we get to meet eleven celebrities that have or are related to people who have type one diabetes. Here's the line up!

I am so proud of my little man! He has to come out of shell and be mature enough to handle the large responsibility of representing children from all over the world who live and thrive with Type 1 Diabetes, all the while be compelling enough to ask for funding. He won't understand what he is doing right now for another 10-20 years. But I am really excited to see the proud grin on his face when he does!

Off to bed, I'll post more tomorrow!

How are you going to change the world today?

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 14:14:00 +0000

A long time ago, I watched and episode of Oprah. She was interviewing Maria Shriver. Maria was speaking about how wonderful her parents were. She said every morning her dad would wake up the kids and one by one whisper in their ear, "How are you going to change the world today?"

At the time, I was desperately trying to have children and I memorized this idea. I thought it was so cool to empower children like that. Well, since then while most days start with "YOU GUYS STOP PLAYING THAT STUPID MINECRAFT AND GET DRESSED!" Once in a while I remember Mr Shriver and ask them the question.

When they were three and I whispered it to Zeke, he responded, "I'm going to love you more..." Beautiful Zeke.

Well, I can proudly say tomorrow morning, when I wake up my seven-year-old Rocco, I am going to whisper that question to him. He will be able to answer, "I'm going to Washington D.C. to meet with my Congressmen and tell them what my life is like with Type 1 Diabetes. Then, they will vote to renew the Special Diabetes Program that will cure diabetes for everyone."

WOW! Well, I am sure he will probably say, "I'm going to make a floating, glass house in Minecraft!" But he very well could answer what I said above! A girl can always dream...

Truthfully though, we are so excited to have an opportunity to help people with diabetes everywhere. Rocco amongst 164 other children will go to Capitol Hill and speak with their Congressmen. They will show them scrapbooks they made that tell their story of what it is like to live with this disease and to put a face to the paper that will help cure them all.

JDRF is simply amazing! This process has been handled so seamlessly. Getting one D kid on an airplane is monumental. Getting 165 of them and handling all their care during three days, deserves a Noble Peace Prize! Just amazing.

So, we are off tomorrow! We fly into D.C. later at night but I will be posting pictures along the way.

Keep checking Everyday Highs and Lows every day because I will be posting lots of pictures of the fun! Wish us luck! We'll get this done for you, your child and the thousands of others checking their blood sugar right now.

Here is Rocco's video that he made for the Children's Congress website!

Hey Everyday Highs and Lows, where the heck have you been???

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 21:52:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

I am terribly sorry I took a month off of blogging but some major life changes have been happening around here and I am whopped!

Well first, as you know, this happened...

Then a bunch of this happened...

And once in a while, this happened...

AND THEN this happened!!!

So naturally, this happened...

So now I spend 40 hours a week here...

Instead of here...

The reason my new office has a dreamy haze is because it is just that - dreamy...

Now I spend my days in a clean, pretty office wearing fancy clothes and no one calls me mom. It's quiet. It's nice. However, it is sometimes lonely. but then I just remember how loud the boys are and settle back into my computer screen and take another sip!

Because I am not home during the day anymore, I have changed couple of things while working.

1) Now, I get all my shopping done in one store. In one hour. There's not a lot of time for lolly gagging in Target anymore. I must look like a race car driver while I drive my very, full cart through the store at record speed during my lunch hour. Thank God Target has groceries!

2) Dinner is confusing. I still can't figure out how to actually make it after work. Hmmm... I pass by about 30 places that look fabulous and a whole lot easier on the way home.

3) Laundry, well... Laundry gets done a little differently than it used to. Let's just say I have one day to do it all (not seven anymore) and each load is a lot fuller than it used to be. Shhh... Don't tell anyone.

4) Friends - I miss my friends. I miss my three hour lunches with them. I miss our conversations about our latest worries. I miss laughing with them.

5) Husband - my husband deserves a medal! He truly has done everything I no longer can do simply because I am not in our house anymore. He even went shopping for his own clothes today instead of me buying everything and taking it back throughout the week. As Sweet Georgia Brown once said "Ain't nobody got time for that!" My hubby has the kids more than half the week now. His comfortable life has turned upside down. But he hasn't complained once. He's the best decision I have ever made.

6) Work - thankfully, I absolutely love my job. The works comes easy to me because I used to do the same job in my LBK (life before kids). That made it a comfortable transition for me. The best part is I get to work for one of my very best friends. We have known each other for over 22 years and I respect her a ton. She is a great role model of a working mom that can do it all well. I hope to be like her one day. I love being productive and I have missed selling. It's a great job and I am lucky to get it.

7) Daycare - this was the tough one. For seven years, I wondered how would I ever go back with two small kids? Then I wondered for the past 5 years, how will I ever go back with a kid who has diabetes? Let me just say the power of D-moms is extraordinary! My wonderful friend who has twins (one with diabetes and one without) offered to watch them Monday - Wednesday. What luck! She is used to highs and lows and is a wonderful mom! My boys now play with her boys and everyone is happy! Thanks to her wonderful care of the boys, I can be at work and not be constantly worried.

On Thursdays, they are with their grandparents. They are learning to golf and taking swim lessons! They have all been having so much fun together. It is so nice for them to bond without their parents involved. I think it's super important for kids to have their own relationship with their grandparents, if possible. I believe grandparents can teach children how to navigate their own moral compasses. I feel happy for the boys to have three wonderful, very involved grandparents. On Friday, they are back with Michael as he makes his way through neighborhood kids, cleaning, cooking, and most importantly training a puppy. He has been amazing through it all.

So, it has been a busy month and it's all about to get a lot busier.

On July 7, we are off to Washington DC to have Rocco speak to his Congressmen on Capitol Hill! We are so incredibly thrilled to be part of the JDRF Children's Congress 2013! Rocco even gets to present a plaque to the Ford family for their generosity of raising money for JDRF throughout the past year! What an honor!

My plan is this. I want to share the entire experience with you! Through pictures and posts, I am planning on blogging and tweeting a couple of times a day. I will post each day during the event on our Everyday Highs and Lows Facebook page. So, if you'd like to see all the DC fun and haven't signed up for our Facebook page, do so here at www.facebook.com/everydayhighsandlows. If you have signed up to be a member on this website (you can see yourself on the right side of this screen under Members), you will probably get a lot of emails from me in two weeks. Hope that's ok!

So, that's about it! I will do my best to keep writing a lot. Thanks for being patient with me as I find my groove as a working mom. I have lots of funny stories of stuff that has already happened. I'll put them down soon and send 'em out as soon as Shay stops getting into everything! As always, thanks for your support and most importantly your love!

What's cute at 7 pounds is not cute at 70 pounds!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:19:00 +0000

"Whaaaattt?"

Sleepy puppy!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:49:00 +0000

Today, I was cleaning the kitchen. I lost sight of Shay. I couldn't find her anywhere! But then I finally spotted her...

Sleepy puppy...

I do again!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Fri, 31 May 2013 02:04:00 +0000

Fifteen years ago, I married the man of my dreams! He knows how to care for both boys for a whole weekend, check a three a.m. blood sugar, do a port/site change, count some carbs, play with the boys and count again, and love me all while doing it. Funny, when I met that scrawny, smiley, REM-loving cutie, at the time I was only interested in him for his great hair! My, my! He sure did come with WAY more great qualities than good hair! Happy Anniversary Honey! I am the luckiest girl!

Shay Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Mon, 27 May 2013 01:43:00 +0000

My hubby and I have been together for 21 years. We have been married for fifteen! So, when he asked me what I might want for our big one-five anniversary he threw out some suggestions - a trip to a tropical beach, a diamond, etc...

"I want a puppy!" I said, sounding like a six-year-old.

"A puppy????" he asked surprisingly.

"Yes! A puppy!"

"Hmmm... A puppy? Really?" he questioned one more time as he scrunched up his nose.

Then he said, "Are you sure you don't want a diamond? It would be WAAAAYY easier!"

So, I researched and found the place! We put a deposit down in December. Then, we waited. We waited some more. I have never been one for waiting.

Then! Yesterday! Was! The! Day! We got to bring our new girl home!!

Here is a synopsis of life according to Shay!

"Um, hello. My name is Shay, I guess..."

"Wait! Where am I going?"

"This kid's nice but really, where am I going?"

"Wait! Why are we moving?"

"Ok, this motion actualllllyyy feeeeeelllsss niiicccee..." zzzzz....

"WHAT IN THE HECK?"

"OMG... Seriously?"

"Um, well... Ok..."

"Hey kid, could you please put me down?"

"This one seems nice!"

"Tug of war is TOTALLY fun!"

"Excuse me lady. Could you please stop laughing and put the camera down and um, I don't know... GET ME OUT OF THESE BARS!"

"Whaaattt? I'm a dog. We get dirty. Oh, and please do not put me back in that God forsaken sink. Seriously, I mean it!"

"I. LOVE. THIS. BONE. Yum! Yum!Yum!"

"AHHHHHH!!!! What the HECK is that?"

"Got it! Weeee!"

"Man! This all so tiring..."

"A little to the left, please."

"Ok, I seriously looovvvveee this guy..."

"Alright Stan from the "oh-so-special" Disney Channel.

Looks like you are not the only dog with a blog. Because I made up my mind today. I'm officially staying with these people which gives me total access to my own blog."

As for me, I love her! We all do! She fills the silence that my beloved King left behind.

The only thing is, my hubby was right for the 100,000 time in our fifteen years of wedded bliss. A diamond would have been easier!

D Connections!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:19:00 +0000

I feel so lucky sometimes to live in this world of technology and also with my wonderful community of parents raising kids with diabetes.

Today, the two worlds combined and in ten minutes my life was made happier!

Here's what happened:

A wonderful DMom put up a post on Facebook asking if anyone knew where she could get a certain kind of "poker"/lancing device. I was so excited to see my old friend in the picture.

We used this one when Rocco was first diagnosed at two. When it broke we used many others but he started complaining that they hurt. I tried to find our favorite kind but they had all been replaced by the newer versions. Eventually we got used to a different kind (multiclix) but we both have been sad our old friend had retired.

But, alas!! Facebook saves the day again!

A great DMom posted that she could still get them. She sent a post on FB and said she would send one right away. I noticed she was from Alaska! How cool is that!?

I quickly added her as a friend so I could send her my address.

Wow! That was easy!

I was so grateful and I wanted to thank her. At first, I thought about her sending a thank you card. Hmmm.. Do I have stamps??? An e-card? Too impersonal.. But then I remembered Starbucks lets you email e-cards to people through email!

So she sent me her email after insisting that I didn't have to and said she understood once these kids like something to make this life easier that she was just happy to help.

So I launched my Starbucks app. Paid thru PayPal. And just like that. Posted a gift card to her Facebook page!

In between loads of laundry, I made my little guy happy, made a new friend across the country and sent a thank you gift!

I did a little happy dance as I switched the towels from the washer to the dryer!

The world is so cool sometimes!!! DMoms can do anything! Thanks Kristina! 💃💃👫

You can't take the "boy" out of the boy, no matter how hard you try!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:41:00 +0000

Recently, Rocco was accepted as one of 150 children to go to Washington! We have been so excited about our trip since we got his acceptance letter. In July, our family (Michael and Zeke, too!) will be heading off to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to continue funding diabetes research for a cure and advanced technology.

However, with power comes great responsibility. One of Rocco's tasks is to write to his two senators and one representative and ask them each for an appointment. From there the wonderful people at JDRF make the appointment. Then, Rocco and other children from his state go to their offices and speak to these members. Hopefully, once they meet them and hear their stories it will resonate deeper on voting day. It's always better to put a names and faces to the disease.

He was having lots of fun writing the letters but then he made himself giggle. He said "Mom, look oops!"

Notice the last word.

We both got the belly giggles and thanked god for erasers!

I guess you can take a boy to Washington... Have him speak on Capitol Hill...

You can even have him help raise $800,000 at a fundraiser.

You can shower him and dress him up in a tuxedo.

But at the end of the day, you can't take the "boy" out of the boy...

I only hope this particular senator has a raised a few boys of his own and doesn't notice that extra erased "T"! Lol!

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Dear Old Navy, Upgrade Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:47:00 +0000

Dear Old Navy,

Upgrade yourself!

In 1991, my friend told me about a new store called Old Navy. She said they were owned by The Gap, but their stores were like warehouses so they could charge less. At the time, I was making $7.43 an hour, so I was thrilled at the prospect of getting Gap-like clothes on the cheap! Much to my delight, the clothes were cute and hip!

Over the past twenty one (OMG!) years, I have made many trips to my fav Old Navy. I feel like it is the one store that has kept me up with the trends along the way. Don’t worry though; I was wise enough to skip the Super Low Rise Skinny Jeans a couple years back! Once you become a mother, anything low-rise is not enticing unless you are talking about a toddler kiddie pool!

So the other day, as I do every spring, I hopped over to my favorite Old Navy location to gather up the latest fashions that would take me through the spring season. I always get excited to shed my winter layers, in hopes of finding a cute dress or some white capris.

I grabbed about twenty pieces. I know, a little excessive, but when you get to be my age and you have gained a few pounds over the winter, you need options. Getting re-dressed to trek back through the store in your socks, to grab the next size is no longer "cute"...

So I was on an exciting high in thinking about my selections, until I walked into the industrial Old Navy dressing room, I looked around and quickly became “over it!” By “over it”, I mean I am done stepping into their warehousey dressing rooms. ENOUGH! I have been doing this for more than twenty years. So, I decided I will write them a letter.

Dear Old Navy,

While I appreciate the early years of your company trying to cut corners to spare my budget, I am officially calling you out.

Your from-up-above dressing room lighting is making the bags under my eyes look worse! This lighting is harsh, industrial and florescent. I won’t even begin to tell you what it does to my winter-hibernated, skin tone. I speak for the entire female population, when I say that your lighting doesn’t do any good for any of us. Even Jessica Alba doesn’t look good under florescent lighting. Come on! Can ya help a girl out? Or all of us out? This is 2013, there are plenty of mood lighting light bulb options out there. Just make sure you spring for the "make me look like a super, skinny, supermodel ones with skin like Halle Barry. Oh yes, they'll cost a little more but I promise more women will come!

Your styles are “Oh, so cute”, but when I step in the grimy dirt collecting on your cement floors and hang my selections on your plywood walls, they don’t seem cute anymore. They seem cheap.

Then when I try on the clothes and look into your basic, non-elongated mirrors that seem to shorten and widen me, I feel cheap. Please, I need trick mirrors that make me look long and thin!

Do me a favor. Go shopping. Go into Ann Taylor’s or Banana Republic’s dressing rooms. It’s like getting dressed in the queen’s quarters! OK, maybe not that good, but other stores have created dressing rooms with side lighting, three-way elongating mirrors, and fabric walls. When you hang your new treasures on those walls, you feel like your new threads are luxurious and truly special.

So I officially call you out. Take a minute and stop worrying about next fall’s fashions and just please upgrade yourself! If you take some of the money you would normally spend on B-List actors in next season’s jingle-jangle commercials, I am sure you will have enough for new, upgraded dressing rooms.

My girlfriends and I will wait. We promise to come buy our kids’ back-to-school fashions from you once you are finished.

In your last commercial you urged me to “Upgrade my wardrobe.” I will if you will. You go first...

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Shari

Happy Martyr's Day everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:04:00 +0000

You have a lot of time on your hands when you are not being someone's pancreas...

My husband took the boys camping for the weekend to one of last remaining remote areas with no cell phone service.

I have three days with no one to take care of. Let me just say that again so it sinks in...

I have three days with no one to take care of! Wow! That felt good.

Truthfully, I am giddy! No cell phone texts with blood sugar numbers. No snacks. No meals. No whining. No talking about farting. No little boy toys. No fighting over "just one more level". Best of all, no Minecraft!!!!

I don't even have my new puppy yet!

Just me for three whole days and only my wants and needs! Yippee! Gee... Gosh, I wonder what those will actually be... Seriously. I have no idea.

Ok what to do first? Drink? Unabashedly, eat carbs? Call and catch up with my BFFs? Clean the house of any trace of my family?

I know... NAP!!!! Nap without the cell phone glued to my head.

So since I dropped them off I made a list of how my first night went!

Drove home from dropping the boys with my husband. Turned on inappropriate Eminem and sang really loud!

Saved a turtle (see the post below).

Got home turned off the phone and took a NAP!

Was so excited to take nap I forgot about a conference call I was supposed to be on and missed half of it once I woke up. Sorry to my friends who had to wait. I'm sure you understand. You have D kids too!

Wrote a blog post.

Turned in an article for my job.

Wore Jammies from 5 til noon the next day.

Played with my bird.

Texted BFFs.

Sat on the deck and stared into space. Had original thoughts. Some deep. Some not.

Drank a beer.

Checked phone for a blood sugar reading.

Again...

Posted something on FB so when I checked the phone there might be something to actually check. I knew I fooling myself into thinking I was checking phone for Facebook love when reality is that I have a terrible habit of checking it when Rocco isn't with me.

Wished I knew how to smoke because smoking in my house without anyone was around would probably be fun.

Listened to Pink on my iPod and sang really loudly!!

Danced uninhibited. Around the whole house.

Cleaned bird cage.

Straightened house for an hour. Putting/erasing any signs of my needy family. Put away shoes, kid cups, back packs, socks, husband's randoms, lunch boxes, toothbrushes, wiped toothpaste out of sinks.

Looked around when I was done and it looked too pretty. Too neat. It was eery. So I left my glass in the sink and didn't wipe down the kitchen table. There. Better.

Thought about how lonely I will be when they go to college. Cried a little about the idea if it. Cried a little more when I looked at their baby pictures.

Then spied a pair of little boy superhero underware left behind the bathroom door AGAIN and got over all that sadness real quickly. Counted how many years til college.

Danced again.

Did a load of laundry.

Realized I hadn't checked phone in an hour. Progress.

Looked in a magazine. Made a mental to-do list of all things I probably will never do like make a planter, make the perfect pot roast and lose my belly fat.

Ate some carbs and didn't check the box for the carb count. Why are uncrustables the world's perfect food?

Locked up the house and covered the bird cage. Silently thanked my husband for always doing these tasks each night to protect us all.

Snuggled in to watch Scandal my favorite show. Ate a mini snickers. Checked the carbs out of habit. Cursed myself for my lack of progress and ate one more.

Watched three more shows. Stayed up until 1 am because tomorrow I DON'T HAVE TO WAKE UP FOR ANYONE.

Included a prayer to let me please not wake up wide awake at 7. Please God!

Didn't check my son's midnight blood sugar number and didn't set my alarm for his 3 am blood sugar number. Silently thanked my husband for doing these tasks for me for the next three nights! In the woods.

Fell asleep happy!

The next couple of days were pretty much the same thing. On purpose, I didn't do any dishes all weekend. I realized, pretty much, I only use glasses, bowls and paper plates. Ha!

Checking my phone became less frequent as I kept myself busy with seeing friends, and shopping with my mom and sister. I slept in every morning until 9 am. I couldn't force myself past that.

On Saturday night, I missed them terribly. Checking my phone now became a habit again, but this time not for blood sugar numbers, but for any sign of them. Sometimes they can text from the river. By Saturday night, my house felt eery again, like I was missing something. Sunday morning, I woke up and decided to do their laundry. I was going to avoid any kid-related chores all weekend but couldn't help myself. It felt like home again to have all their crap laid out on the couches. I was happy to miss them.

I think every mother on Mother's Day who has young children should get this present. Not flowers or candy but a chance to see how boring life would be without our kids and get a chance to miss them.

Yes, I know ten minutes after they get home today, I will be rolling my eyes at their silly/"stupid" antics. But this time, I think the eye roll with come with a little happy, smirk on my face. Realizing the silliness of being seven won't be here for long and I should appreciate the pre-bedtime giggly show they put on every night as, actually not one more thing in my way but, part of the fun!

Thanks Michael for the gift of appreciating you all again and shouldering the kid-raising responsibility for a weekend! I missed you!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there! I hope you get a chance to miss your kids soon too! You deserve the break!

To my own mother, thank you for raising me with all the unconditional love you had! I am nothing without you. You are my rock and I love you. Most of all, I appreciate you.

Here are some funny cartoons for your reading pleasure.

Don't forget to like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/everydayhighsandlows

Because sometimes ya gotta just pull over...

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:54:00 +0000

Don't forget to like our Facebook page! We have 306 likes so far, come be number 307!

Www.facebook.com/everydayhighsandlows

Oh, what a night!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:44:00 +0000

What an amazing night! Last night, my little guy Rocco was able to share his story to raise some money for the Artificial Pancreas Project with JDRF. It was a black tie affair that invited people to come and participate in a live and silent auction. I have been to a silent auction before but not a live one. It was so thrilling to see those paddles fly up knowing that each generous donation would be able to directly affect Rocco by (hopefully) middle school. Throughout the night, I was humbly touched by everyone's random generosity toward the cause. In the middle of the auction, as the auctioneer was yelling out numbers and paddle were flying, I made a promise to myself. I decided to longer sit on the sidelines, as I have done in the past, and wait for someone else to help Rocco. A cure is getting close but a better way of life for Rocco is even closer. It is my turn to help. I have to forget about being shy and afraid to ask people to give. I have to ask because people are kind-hearted and they want to help. Our family alone raised $1210!!!! Just by asking a couple of times on Facebook. It was $210 over a goal I really thought we would NEVER reach. It was humbled by their love for Rocco and his daily struggle. Their special gifts overwhelmed my heart but taught me that if I find my courage and just politely ask, I can make life easier for him. If he could get an artificial pancreas by middle school, he won't get teased by his friends that his "mommy" has to follow him around. This hasn't happened to us yet but I have seen it happen to other children who's mother's post their terribly sad stories on Facebook. I know that eventually kids can take a mean turn. An artificial pancreas will give Rocco freedom to handle his diabetes, on his own.

The way it works is a simple concept partner with mind-blowing technology. It will automatically check his blood sugar every three minutes and show up on his insulin pump. If the number goes higher than a good range his pump will automatically give him insulin. If his blood sugar goes low it will beep and tell him to eat before it gets dangerous. People in the US are already wearing these and testing them. Eventually, it will be tested and safe for kids. It is so close and that is why I promised myself to start helping. I have a voice. I need to use it. I will use it.

My next step is the Children's Congress where Rocco and I will go and urge lawmakers to continue funding the research needed for the Artificial Pancreas Project and the cure. It is in danger of not being passed. Then, I will do the walk this year and that will take us into the Fall. After that, maybe I can do something at the boy's school. Who knows... I do know that it just has to be done. I am blessed to have Rocco WANT to participate in all of it. He said the Promise Ball last night was fun and he liked being up near the stage. He said his favorite part was talking to the people. When he was a baby, before any of this diabetes stuff came to us, I told Michael that I saw him, in his future, at a podium. My friend recently said he sounded like a future Senator. He says he wants to rescue sea turtles. I'm not sure what he will become but something tells me this won't be his last time in a tux by a stage! It exciting to watch it all unfold!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the fun night!

Getting fitted!

Zeke loved it too!

I can't wait to put this one next to their prom photos!

Little adults!

Please, don't get muddy before we leave...

Rocco's first hors d' oeuvres! He was very intrigued by a lamb chop.

Keeping them busy while the adults mingled. Don't judge! It was either this or they would start wrestling! Haha!

These were the other little angels in the video. They both have type one. They are sisters. Their mom and I have become such great friends during this process. We are blessed to know them.

This is the wonderful superwoman that put it all together! What a talented lady!

The grandmas! They looked so beautiful!!!

Rocco was excited to see a mini bottle of ketchup all to himself.

Our fancy meal of steak and salmon! Yummy!

Now this picture here made it all worth it. I have been so worried that all this attention for Rocco would send Zeke into a tail spin. But, he was so nice to Rocco the whole night. He was sweet and at one point scruffied Rocco on the head and said "I'm here for ya bro!" which translates into "I'm proud of you" in brother language. I took Zeke out all day today to make it his special day.

All done with dinner! Off to work!

This was the auctioneer. He was really awesome. He sent an electric vibe through the whole audience that was really the reason that they raised so much money! The kids were asked to pass out roses to the highest bidders! Rocco said he passed them the rose then told them "Thanks for coming!" and the he said they high-fived and fist-bumped him. He was so small I could only see his little blonde head make it through the crowd. It was cute.

My mother-in-law even got in on the auction action!

And then my mom couldn't help herself! We all were so electrified! It was fun!

Family photo.

Superwoman let us take home a momento!

Thanks to Jeff, Donna, Kristin, Skyler, Beeba, Aunt Mandy, Pete, Maddie, Cole, Kim, Stephanie, Cathy, Sarah, Evan, Candace, Sherri, Cheryl, Uncle Dave, Lynnette, Miss Karla, Mala, Ruth, Kelli and Coach Dave for helping me exceed my goal!!!

You all rock!

The best part of the night is that they raised

$770,000!!!!!

So impressive! What a night! What fun to help!

Getting Fancy!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:51:00 +0000

We are getting so excited for the JDRF Promise Ball!

Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:02:00 +0000

When you go through five years of infertility, you feel devastated and defeated.

When you go through nine months of a high-twin pregnancy, you feel scared and out of control.

When your heart fails and you are tachycardic for five years, you feel heavy.

When you take care of a child with type 1 diabetes, you feel anxious.

I have felt all of this. My life literally went from one of these things to another over the past twelve years. All of these "siutations" ate up my thirties.

Today, I am 41 and as the weather changed from Winter to Spring finally, I decided to try to walk down a trail near my house. Alone. Over the past twelve years, this was never an option for one of the above reasons.

As I walked, I felt nothing. I wasn't devastated or defeated. My heart rate stayed strong and steady. A text with Rocco's blood sugar came through and he was at 112, the perfect number. I wasn't toting around two, whining toddlers.

I actually was getting annoyed that I couldn't find the perfect song in my playlist. Then, all of a sudden, I stopped. I realized not finding the perfect song was my biggest problem.

I smiled.

It felt so good to smile and to walk and to feel light.

I thought about how all of my "situations" were just part of my path. Even though these times were hard and sometimes devastating, I now can appreciate all that each one of them has taught me. I know it is the strength that I gained by coming out on the healthy side of each of these that I will draw from when my boys return home seeking advice for their "situations." I hope that when faced with adverse times, they will empower themselves to pull from the depths of their strength. I hope they will allow themselves to move past the victim moments, learn from their situations and carry on wiser than they otherwise would have.

I knew within hours Rocco's blood sugar would probably spike or drop and the anxiety monster would return. But on my walk all alone, I decided to appreciate my story so far and revel in the fact that maybe for me the worst that life has to offer is past me. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood. I made it through and I will choose the turn my forties into a time of less worry and more love. To give back to those who helped me during the last twelve years. I am healthy, strong and capable now. I have energy and gratitude to fuel me. I will give love and help away like free flowers. Everyone loves free flowers, right?

The sun on my head felt good. I walked three miles that day. Light and happy. Finally.

This is me, happy!

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:19:00 +0000

Last Fall, we put my beautiful King down. He was a wonderful dog but, at the end when he was fifteen, he just had enough. On our last walk together we got three quarters around the block and he stopped, panting heavily, he just looked at me. He didn't want to walk anymore. He was tired. I knew right then, it would be our last walk together. It took me a long time to get used to him not being around. I HATED the still silence of a house without an animal. To fill the house with the presence of an animal, we adopted our feathery friend, Sophia. Even though she has been a great pet and entertained us with many antics along the way, I still missed a dog. I have had a dog since I was twenty. Then, to not have one, was weird. The house was always so still. So Michael and I decided in the Spring we would adopt a puppy.

After waiting since she was born in March, we FINALLY got to go and pick her out! I am not a patient person. The waiting was killing me. This Sunday was finally our day to go and meet our girl! We took an hour looking at all of the adorable puppies that, at first, just looked all the same but then, there she was. While all the other puppies were looking down and playing together she just sat in the middle of them and stared at us. She was smaller than almost all of them so I didn't pick her up right away. But, she just kept looking and I kept looking back. When I finally did pick up the furry lovebug, I was in love!

So, without further adieu, meet Shay!

In my last post, I spoke about how the little boy in the video said, "This is what my mom looks like when she is worried." Well, most times I make that same worried face but today when I picked up my new, little bundle of joy, I said in my head, "This is what I look like when I'm happy!" Just then Michael said, "Say cheese, mommy!"

So, this is me really happy! I thought about calling her Happy but decided Shay was a little more mature. Haha!

I only hope I can remember this wonderful feeling when she pees on my carpet, chews my shoes and doesn't walk on the leash very well. Good thing I've got this picture to remind me.

We don't get her until mid-May but as soon as we get her home. I'll post some more pictures! Feel free to post the story about how you knew your pet was "the one" below! I'd love to hear your story.

Connecting

noreply@blogger.com (Shari) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

My friend Amy shared a wonderful video on Facebook a couple of days ago. It gave me the chance to see my life through someone else's. The video speaks of everything Michael and I do every day to ensure Rocco has a normal life, long and free of complications. This video says it all.

This video helped me see my life through this mom and dad's story. I cried while watching it. I was halfway through it and I wondered why I was so captivated by their story. I just kept feeling so bad for the mom. Watching her struggle and seeing her worried face, I understood her pain. Then, when the cute, little boy said, "This is what my mom looks like when she's worried," It hit me. She was me. I asked myself, "Is that what I look like all day? Is that what they see when I worry?"

I remember one time when the boys were two, I was worried about something (I can't remember what now) but I sat down and slumped, exhausted and defeated. Rocco came over to me he put his tiny arm around my shoulders and said, "Rewax mommy. Just rewax."

Now, I often chant that to myself in my moments of overwhelming parenthood. It lightens me as I remember that feeling of that tiny little arm around me. Haha!

Also, as I watched it, I saw the mom moving through her day. I was mesmerized by watching her daily activites. I watched her as she carried on her day, all the while dedicating every step along the way to her son's care. I related to her instantly.

If someone asked you what do you do all day. It's really hard to answer, isn't it?

It's really hard for me to answer too, because most of my daily tasks seem very mundane. These activities, when I say them out loud, don’t seem as noteworthy as those of someone with conference calls, flights, deadlines and itineraries. My daily activities are basic. However, there is one activity that I accomplish every day that until I heard it in this video, I’ve never given myself credit for. It is my main activity. It is my most prominent activity. It IS what I do all day.

I keep my son alive.

I know it sounds very melodramatic, but it is true. It is the basis for every single activity I do.

If I go to Target to get groceries, I get snacks under 15 carbs because there is no recess after snack time. When there is no recess, Rocco doesn't get the exercise he needs to help him process high-carb foods. If I get something with more than 15 carbs for these times, Rocco's blood sugar always seems to go too high.

If his blood sugar is high for more than a couple of readings, I go to his school to change his port.

When I research after-school activities, I look for one for which I can be there to monitor his blood sugar throughout the activity.

When I plan family vacations, I find ones that are not too swim-intensive because I don't want Rocco to have his pump off for very long.

Every meal I plan, I consider his previous blood sugars when finalizing the menu.

So, if you were to ask me, "What do you do all day?" I would have to say, "Well, I went to Target, I cleaned my house and I kept my kid alive all day." Even as I type the words they seem too dramatic to "type out loud”. However, as dramatic as they are, they are still true.

As parents caring for kids with diabetes we go about our days with a combination of hope and anxiety. Defeat hits us at least once a day, but so does triumph. The roller coaster that our kids feel physically exactly mirrors what we feel emotionally.

It is no surprise that we say "test" your blood sugar. That reading on the blood sugar monitor gives us the same feeling as when you used to look at your test scores in college. That "hold your breath to see if you tried hard enough" feeling. We live with that same anxiety all day and night. Sometimes, we catch a break and the number is in range and we feel triumphant! Like we aced the final!

I started this blog because I wanted to connect with other parents caring for kids with Type 1 diabetes. I have met many great parents along the way. I have also used this blog as my therapy, many times. It has saved me in some of my darkest moments. Since my job is to be Rocco's pancreas, I don't get a physical paycheck each week. However, when people write to me and tell me they hopped on my blog and felt related to or connected with me, it fills me up so much! I tell my family those comments are like my "paychecks", because when people leave comments or emails about how my words and/or experiences have helped them, I feel like I just got paid!

I want to thank these parents for sharing their story through JDRF. It has helped me in so many ways.

So if you have ever reached out to me, to thank me for sharing my feelings, I would like to thank you. Your comments and insights help power me to keep writing and sharing. After watching this video, I know understand even more how good it feels to know someone else is traveling your same path!

I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did. Thanks again to Amy for sharing it. Gotta love Facebook!

Click here to watch the video!