The difference between boys and girls

All day Sunday attire for the boy - Spiderman jammies

All day Sunday attire for the girl - Formal Christmas dress

And the Oscar goes to...

Leah, for "Pretend Your Feet Stink"!

North Dakota's Delegate

Chase's bio is on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's website: http://cc.jdrf.org/delegates/ND/

I've been having a strange week dealing with diabetes. On Sunday, we attended our semi annual support group meeting. Both Gary and I would have skipped it if we had a choice, but we needed to meet with some members from JDRF that were giving a presentation. Since we are 3 1/2 years into this, it feels like we've been there, done that, but we knew that we need to be there for the other families that are just starting their journey. Hearing them talk and seeing the pain in their eyes on Sunday seemed to pull on that emotional scab that I've been desperately trying to heal.

It's amazing how easily I can be transported back to that November day in 2005 when I hear newly diagnosed families tell their story. What I most remember from that time was grieving for the childhood I thought my son was going to miss. Luckily, I do not think that Chase's diabetes has affected his quality of life in anyway.

After the meeting I told Gary that I didn't want to go to the support groups any more mainly for the reason above - it dredges up painful memories. Ironically, a family friend contacted me a couple days later to ask me if I'd offer support to a friend of hers who daughter was recently diagnosed. Okay, time to put my selfishness aside, because another emotion I remember from that time was the complete and total isolation that we felt. We had to figure it all out on our own without the support that we are now able to offer.

Just when you think you have it all figured out and have a plan things change. That's life. That's diabetes.

Silly Smile

Chase had his intensity face. Leah has her silly smile...

Tiny Dancer

This one is for you, Michele! Leah LOVES her dress. She started dancing immediately once I put it on her. Let me know when I can sign her up for Just for Kix.

Mr. Stockert Goes to Washington, DC

Chase was chosen to represent North Dakota at the 2009 Children's Congress! When I found out, I said, "Chase, we get to go to Washington, DC. Isn't that exciting?". To which I got a "No." I then told him we get to go on an airplane and those blue eyes popped!

It will be an awesome experience. It's going to be exciting to meet other families. We will also meet with our congressmen. I don't need to badger them too much, because they are great supporters of JDRF.

Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the mouth of babes - 2008

Last year, I chose my favorite "From the mouth of Chase" story. This year's Chasism came in just last month.

I woke one morning to find that Gary had Chase in the shower. He'd been battling high blood sugars the day before and it was inevitable that he would wet the bed (it's the body's natural response to rid the body of excess sugar by urinating). I went into the bathroom and asked Chase if he wet his bed. He said yes. Me, being me, (and knowing that he'd have a quick witted response) asked, "Why'd you do that?" Chase's response: "Just be glad I didn't poop."

"Good point," was all I could muster.

Boy I love that kid.

Holy Cow

Here's Leah learning the sounds animals make, well, at least one animal.

And here is Chase at his Sunday school Christmas pagent...

A Mother's Revenge

My folks were in town this week. They watched Chase and Leah a couple of days for me while I was at work. Apparently, Leah gave them a run for their money. They say that my little Leah is their revenge for my antics as a child. Highly doubtful, but I agree - she's a spitfire.



Here's a little more about Leah:

She loves her friend Aubrey. Here she is with Aubrey at day care. She will chant "Aubrey, Aubrey, Aubrey..." (more like Aubee) all the way to Sue's house.

She is a really great napper. Here her dad made the sacrifice to take a nap with her. I tend to move like crazy when she is down for a nap, because when she is awake, I'm usually following in her wake of destructiveness.

And, even though she can be a stinker at times - she won't sit in shopping carts, strollers or high chairs, she doesn't like the word no, you break a sweat when trying to dress her...all she needs to do is flash that toothy smile and she's an angel.