Basketball Star in the Making

For Christmas Benjamin got a small basketball hoop and tons of balls. This kid loves balls. He wants to play with them all day. Well, one night last week he was playing ball before bed. He shut his door, backed up to by his closet and well......watch the video to see.



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Two-faced Toddler

How can one baby make me on the verge of a breakdown one minute and the next do the absolute cutest things ever? That would be my two-faced toddler. My own little personal Jekel and Hyde. I will post pictures tomorrow. He is into throwing fits (terrible twos start early). He has an opionion on what he wants to do and eat, but he still can't talk so we both get quite frustrated. All day he wanted this and that, and then he didn't want it. He made messes up the wazoo (just wait for the peanut butter pictures!). But, tonight, as I was putting him to bed he waved bye bye to Makayla, gave me kisses (without me prompting), and hugs. Then as I sang him "I'm a Child of God" he sang with me in his own way. Thank goodness for small moments with these little ones.

"Free" education?

You know that our education isn't really "free" when you are cleaning up the kids play area and find the following note that was used as they were playing school:
"Dear Parent,
Please can you make some donation for a big math test the donation is for money for field trips. Thank you, Jessica Allen."
Yeah, I think my kids caught on how often and how much their teachers were asking for donations.

(don't worry, I don't blame the teachers one bit. I always donate because I don't want them pulling it from their own small salaries!)

Funny Things

So, I don't have time to post regular events in my house, but the funny things my kids say, well I just have to make time. The other day I got a "night off" for following my health goals. I don't go anywhere, I usually just hibernate in my room while Brad puts the kids to bed and makes sure the house gets cleaned. The other night it was time for my night off. After family scriptures and prayer Brad told the kids "Okay, say goodnight to your mom. She gets the night off." Ashlyn responded, "You mean she has a date with the bathtub!" Oh, how my kids know me so well.

We're In Trouble!!

Ashlyn's primary teacher passed on this quote that Ashlyn said yesterday.....
"God made hair bows and pretty girl dresses so we could attract the boys." giggle, giggle, giggle.
I think I am in BIG trouble!!! She is only six.

Cute little Becca Boo

Last night Becca received her present from Grandma Sweeney (who was on vacation on Becca's birthday). She got the talking backpack from Dora the Explorer (which Becca is obsessed with still). She was in heaven. She was playing with all the fun toys that came in the backpack. We let Benjamin play with one of the small toys to keep him happy. Well, Ryan decided he wanted to look at the pretend video camera. So he started playing with it. Becca was quite upset. She said harshly to Ryan "No big boys allowed to play!" We do love this vivacious child!!

Ryan...our champion

I truly believe we are given specific personalities to deal with trials in life. That is the case with Ryan for sure. I have had so many people testify to this as well. Ryan has always been a serious minded child well beyond his years. He has always been concerned about his health and doing the correct things. Well, Ryan has handled this huge trial well beyond his years. It has been one month and today he did his first shot by himself at school without me there (he does his own shots all the time...but I have had to go to the school everyday for lunch until today). Of course his numbers were really low today and I was wondering why I wasn't there. We got through it though. He is such a champion. he doesn't cry. He doesn't complain. He did have his first break down last week when I called him up for dinner. He didn't want another shot. He cried for a bit, and then was just fine!!

He has slowed down on eating knowing if he eats for than 15 carbs for his snack then he needs a shot. He mostly chooses not to. His numbers are all over the place, which is to be expected. I have to call the doctor every other day and he makes new adjustments to the insulin doses and carb ratios almost daily. I sometimes get overwhelmed by that, but then I realize there is a reason we have a doctor. It is his job to worry and figure out this game, and my job is to follow his instructions and pray it works!! I have full confidence in our doctor. He is amazing and always seems to be a step ahead of the game.

It is amazing how much support we have had. It has made life so much more bearable. I have a wonderful contact at our insurance agency, the diabetes center up at the U of U is incredible. I have talked to so many people that know someone close to them with diabetes and they lend us so much support. This is a life long struggle and some days I lose it. But, those days will eventually become less and less. I couldn't ask for a better situation because Ryan is SOOOOO incredible. I really can't believe how well he has done. So, I have to say our entire lives have changed in this past month...and at the same time so much is the same!!