Tim Hortons Visit with 6 dogs

On today's agenda was visiting the Tim Horton's down the road.  It was so cool having all 6 of us dog handlers walking down the street in a line.  There are 3 yellow labs, and 3 black dogs - 2 black labs and one black poodle.  We were like a small parade with red vests on.  "Look at us and our bad selves!  We are dog handlers, and our dogs behave!"  People stopped and watched.  No joke.

At Tim's we took up an entire corner.  It was a very small Tim Hortons.  Everyone who looked our way, or passed by had this little smile on their faces.  Kinda like, that's so cute but we shouldn't stare at the beautiful dogs - they are working. And the people that thought that were right.  There was a daddy with a little toddler girl in his arms and another older daughter by his side.  As he passed by me in the restaurant the little girl reached out her hand to Hana who was several feet below her and the daddy just kept walking but said to his daughters, "Isn't that a beautiful dog?"

I wonder what it will be like to have Hana by my side everywhere I go.  As a group with all the DADs having their harnesses on it makes sense.  We are still within the neighbourhood of the Lion's Foundation /  Dog Guides.  This neighbourhood is most likely used to this.  But outside of Oakville? What will that be like?  



What was weird is that the first encounter I had with someone wanting to pet my dog, asking permission and me having to say no was within the building.  A new class arrived ("hearing ear dogs training" for those hearing impaired I guess) a couple days ago and one of the newbies was very sweet and kind and asked about my dog.  "Aw, is that your dog?" I responded with "Yes, her name is Hana." And then she asked "May I pet her?"  I was shocked.  Isn't she here to get a dog in a few days too?  Does she really not know that you aren't supposed to ask to pet a service dog? This was at least day 2 for her.  And this was within the walls of the facility at which she was staying to get her own service dog.  I politely said something like, "Actually, I don't think we can allow others to pet our dogs yet."  And she got really embarrassed and apologized and walked away.  I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable or whatnot.  I know she hadn't finished / barely started her training, but I was virtually in the same boat as her.  Maybe I came in with more info that her.  Maybe I allowed the situation to shock me more than usual, but I did not expect the first time to have to decline someone petting Hana, to be at the Foundation.  I wasn't ready for it.  Caught me completely off guard.

This evening Hana and I (and dad) had a chance to be out in the courtyard all by our selves.  I was able to throw the tennis ball for Hana and she got it every time.  She brought it back to me and then ran out again when I threw it away or bounced up high.  She is super upbeat like me (the trainers said) and has just buckets of energy (like me!).  In fact, Erika, the trainer who came to the house to do the home visit over the summer, said she knew Hana and I would be a good match from the moment she met me.  She said she called the other trainer Gloria and told her she found a match for Hana as she left my driveway.  That's incredible.  Hana's personality is so much like mine.  I am literally looking at the dog version of me.  I know that is what they look for in a team of dog handler and dog, but this is textbook!  She is eager to please and always thinking.  They said she's as "sharp as a whip". I love her so much already. 

Tomorrow I get to see Hubby and the kids!  Grandma Buni is coming up too and so is my cousin and her husband and son.  My dad unexpectedly has to head back to Windsor right away for some test results that came in, and so I needed a replacement caretaker.  My cousin is awesome and she agreed to it.  She is so sweet.  I can't wait to have all this time to catch up with her in the evenings.  

Not sure how I'll sleep tonight.  So much excitement tomorrow.  Hana will get to meet everyone - even though everyone will try to pretend to ignore her... not sure how that will go.  I think Joshua will be all over her the most.  I'll do my best to encourage everyone to not pet her and pay too much attention to her.  Nervous and excited for tomorrow!

The difference between true alerts and false alerts

Today was a beautiful day outside and we got to take the Diabetic Alert Dogs out for our first walk in the park.  We were given our red Diabetic Alert Dog Guides official vest and for whatever reason Hana was not impressed. She looked downright sad.  It was so funny.  I had not seen her puppy eyes just yet.  She didn't whimper, she didn't whine - but she pulled out the cutest puppy eyes I have ever seen.  I wanted to eat her up.

Once outside though, whatever was bothering her, or whatever stunt she was trying to pull, Hana seemed to forget.  She loved being outside with me and I loved being out there with her.  We fell in stride right away and she obeyed the "heel" command 80% of the time.

Loved being out and about with her.

Today she was a bit wonky with her alerts.  She did an amazing job just before heading out in the yard for their first play out there.  I had taken her to the special skills area to groom her for the first time.  I used this nifty circle brush to get her undercoat groomed. She shed a ton of hair while I did that - that is good.  I was told the more she is groomed and sheds during grooming, the less she'll shed around the house.  I am all for that.  Daily grooming?  Check! Then I used another brush for her top coat - make it nice and shiny and healthy.  She's a black beauty!

As I was heading out of that area I grabbed a handful of dog food/kibble to be able to have some "treats"/rewards for good behaviour and walked out.  As soon as we walked out into the long hallway, Hana started jumping up as if to alert me but I told her "Off, Hana" thinking she is jumping up for the treats.  I shook my head as we walked out of the hallway and joined the rest of the DAD class near the door to the courtyard.  I remember saying to her, "Just because you found the treats, does not mean you get one." Then I hear my pump, "BEEP, Beep, beep." I was going low.  I discreetly turned away from Hana and tested.  I was 4.2 (which isn't crazy low, but she is trained to alert anything below 4.5).  She had done a great job.  I notified Erika, our trainer.  The two of us and Hana walked away from the main group back into the long hallway and I started telling Erika the story of the grooming, and the handful of treats, and the jumping/alerting, and the 4.2 testing.  And right in the middle of the story, Hana jumped up on me again and alerted me.  Then jumped on Erika, then back to me.  Amazing!   We praised her and gave her her reward - doggy bacon.  I was so proud of her!  She was even alerting me while we were walking.  It was fantastic.

Then there was a wildly happy play time in the yard.

Later in the evening as I was hanging out with some of the other peeps in the program Hana literally jumped up on my lap, which is what she did yesterday to alert me.  I tested and showed 6.3.  Perfect numbers.  I ignored her alert.  A few minutes later another jump up.  I asked her "off" then tested. Same result. Erika happened to be with us and she said, "If she seems to alert again, tell her off but test anyways.  Maybe you're dropping." But I wasn't.  Hana alerted a few more times like that, but each time the BG was normal.  So Erika suggested I try to get her to the "relief" area and tell her to go "busy, busy".  We have to command these dogs to relieve themselves - which is important if it's a working dog, in a mall or whatever, it has to wait until there is a good opportunity and we tell it it's okay.  Anyways, it wasn't that.  She didn't want to get "busy, busy".  

We went back to the common area, packed up our Dutch Blitz, the laptop and any other items I brought out of the room and headed to bed.  What else are you going to do at 8:30 at night when you are in a totally chill Lion's Foundations?  There is a lot of laying down and napping happening up in here.  Maybe it's the baby, maybe it's all the walking and the "heeling" and the classes.... I think mostly it's the laid back nature of this course and the fact that we are in training and it's exhausting for us and for the dogs.  They nap any chance they get.  I sit down Hana settles at my feet, lays down and she's out.  But any move I make, she's up.  I reach for a kleenex, she's up;  I need my purse from a foot away, she's up.    It's pretty incredible.  She's so in tune to me.

Tomorrow is Saturday.  One more day and I get to see my babies and my hubby.  Then back to classes. 2 more weeks and I graduate and get to take Hana home.

So the difference between a true alert and a false alert? I have yet to figure that out and so does Hana. That's why we are here for another 2 weeks.

1st alert on second day with Hana

 Today was another Hana filled day.  Her first shinning moment, the moment that she has been training for, came today.  She alerted me to a very low low in class.

We had just come up to class after afternoon break and I was sensing I was not feeling well.  My pump had beeped on the walk up "Low Predicted" but I didn't know I was already severely low.  Hana had done her whimper that I discouraged by saying "Hana, quiet."  In class she was beside me and whimpered again.  She had not yet alerted me.  The trainer asked that I test.  I was about 3.6 so we went off to a different room to see if Hana would alert me.  It was funny.  Although Hana sensed/smelled that I was low she first alerted Erika.  That's all Hana knows.  She smells that smell only from Erika so naturally she wanted to alert Eriks.  Hana alerted Erika by "pawing her" but it was really more like gently jumping up on her.  She asked her "off" and explained that she is waiting for Hana to realize that the smell does not come from her but rather from me.  A moment later she leaped on my lap.  Erika marked that behaviour with the clicker and we were both excited.  Erika handed me the treat for Hana and I gave it to her.  I wasn't quick enough into my own bag of treats.

 We walked back in the class and went and sat down.  I downed some candy and a classmate passed me her giant container of Gluco-tabs.  Within a few minutes Hana started whimpering again.  I wasn't sure what to do.  Was she still sensing my low?  The same one?  I said "Hana, quiet," but kept in mind that this is what Hana does before alerting.  The trainer heard Hana too and said wait for her to alert and then test.  So a second or two later Hana nearly leaped into my lap.  I said good dog and petted her head and reached for my tester.  She once again leaped up and put one paw on the tester and one on me.  I laughed and she looked at me intently.  The whole class was laughing.  She was being very adamant.  I tested and I was 2.3 - dangerously low.  Hana had sensed that I was going lower and alerted me again.  She wasn't sensing the same low she was letting me know I hadn't taken enough sugar.  Blood Glucose was dropping dangerously quick and she was doing her job.  It was so incredible.  She got a good size piece of "doggie bacon" for that one!  The class was all a buzz having just witnessed one of the dogs perform a great alert.  And Hana had performed it quite well.  I once again ate more Gluco-Tabs and also drank a grape soda that I was handed.

I looked up the meaning of Hana last night and I was completely taken aback about how perfect the different means are for her. Her name means "Grace of God" (which is what this is to me - a wonderful gift I do not deserve), "happiness" - the trainers today mentioned one of the reasons they selected Hana for me is because she is always upbeat like me, "flower"/"nose" - this one is funny and perfect, and also "to glow" - we will be a little beacon of light, we will glow and shine for the glory of God and also for diabetes awareness.  I will forever be grateful for all that I am daily given.  I am grateful I live in this day and age when not only is insulin readily available to me, but ample supplies and technologies like my pump and amazing training facilities like the Lions Foundation that trains these amazing dogs to assist us.  There is so much to be joyful for!  Seriously.

Often when I go in for a close up she licks me.  LOL Although I'm not a fan I know it's one way she is showing affection

N

 This evening I was having a craving for ice cream.  We are in downtown Oakville so I looked up a place for ice cream and after dinner dad and I headed out.  Tonight is the last night before I get Hana for sleepovers and then I won't be able to be away for over 1 hour per evening.  So we took advantage of this time.  We headed out in to the fridgid cold in search of ice cream - pistachio and black cherry is what the baby wanted ;) We walked about 2 or 3 blocks and found a Baskin Robbins.  It was yummy and hit the spot.  Sugar didn't even spike after.  It was perfect.  We arrived back and tried to watch some TV.  I fell asleep and napped for at least 2 hours.  I am finding this pregnancy more than the others I am exhausted.  I fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

Tomorrow will be more time with Hana, more training and more yummy food with new friends and my dad.

Meet Hana, my Black Lab

Meet Hana, my beautiful, smart, Diabetic Alert Black Labrador. 

So today at noon I met Hana, whom I already knew as Banana from yesterday.  The trainers said the dogs we worked with were not the dogs but that wasn't entirely true.  They were watching to make sure the matches they chose worked and they found all of them to be perfect.  They also used the dog's "nickname" rather than their real name.  So my Hana was Banana.  And her name stuck.  She is now Hana Banana.

What's is funny is that my dad, who is with me on this adventure, had a dream the first night that I would be given a black lab.  He told me that when he woke up on Tuesday morning and I said, "No, it's most likely a yellow lab because they are so much more common.  They are the dominate gene in the litter.  Black and especially chocolate labs are much more rare".  Now that Hana has been given to me, dad reminded me of his dream and we were both amazed. This is not the first time that my dad had a "prophetic" dream.  He's dreamt of what gender my sister's babies would be days before she delivered them, and even dreamt of important people in his life days before they passed away.  It's unbelievable.  Anyways, it's pretty neat.  But he's not reading into it too much.
After Hana was brought into my room she spent quite some time sniffing around and basically ignoring me.  Up until now she was being kept in the kennel and this is the first time she is in a home-style room since she came from the foster house where she spent her first year.

She was interested in my shoes, picked up one of my house shoe and carried it around until I commanded, "Hana, leave it."

And silly me, I had propped open my room's door (as I was told to do) with my Dutch Blitz set and within a few minutes of her coming in and jumping around and meeting me she lunged at the set on the ground and the cards flew everywhere.  Hailey (one of the sweet diabetics here) and I had JUST spent at least 5-10 minutes going through all the cards and making sure I had all the cards.  Hana made sure the set was re-shuffled.

Watch out kids!  Hana's coming home.  Better hide your toys.  LOL.  The trainers said she tends to gravitate to things that are human things - and a card game has my scent all over it.  Tomorrow we learn about how to get them to "ignore" or not be distracted by toys and other things that they are not allowed to play with.  Phew.  I believe the command is "leave it" and when they do ignore it, we have to give them lots of praise and attention because it's a tough thing for a dog to master.

1st of many selfies

 We spent some time bonding in my room.  Hana continued to walk around and sniff, sniff, sniff, then back to me, sniff me and lick my hands (I don't love dogs licking me, but I figure let her bond in whatever way she wants to).  She was wagging her tail and finally after I sat on the floor next to her she settled and sat in front of me then laid on the floor.  What's interesting is that I was having a little bit of a low, but due to the all the excitement and all that, I don't think she knew to alert.  She whimpered a bit and I kept telling her, "I know Hana, your trainers aren't here anymore.  Don't worry you and I will bond." I thought she was whimpering because she missed her trainers.  Later, in class, I find out that Hana and one other dog, Charm, does this thing where they whimper before they alert - a habit that the trainers did not encouraged.  And they suggested we do not respond to it until they paw or nudge us.  Which will then reinforce that behavior rather than the whimper.  Makes sense.  She didn't end up alerting me. Which is totally fine, as the trainer said.  The dogs haven't had a change to be trained on a "live low" - a diabetic actually having a low in front of them.  They have been trained on "scent pods" which Erika was calling "stale lows".

Chill and obedient to the "down" command

Hanna seems to be a pretty chill dog, not even a full medium size - which I love.  She isn't huge. She is perfect.

When I had to leave to lunch I was told to put her in the kennel that is in my room.  She went in willingly and I took off her collar and her Halti.  She turned around and waited. I closed the door and was on my way.

After lunch I was told to return to my room and leave her in the kennel.  I resisted the urge to talk to her right when I walk in.  I laid down on the bed which is right beside the kennel.  I turned my head towards her and said, "Hi Hana."  Wrong.  She made a tiny whimper.  I was not low so why the whimper?  She expected me to let her out perhaps.  I turned the other way and hoped she wasn't upset.  She didn't whimper again and I snoozed for about 15-20 mins.  Hana snoozed too.

Soon Gloria arrived and she showed me how to put her collar and Halti on so we can head out.  Hana was excited the kennel door opened but just like Quizno (whose real name is Quatchy) yesterday, Hana did not bolt out as one would expect a dog to do.  She waited.  I worked the collar and the Halti on, attached the short leash and we walked out.

We spent the rest of the afternoon with our dogs.  So very sweet.  Her and I did fabulous.  I am beyond excited.  Unfortunately the dogs were not allowed overnight with us yet.  No sleepovers yet. Friday night is the first sleepover.

Me and a few of the girls went shopping in the evening.  Throughout the day today I found that I didn't want to carry my giant purse nor did I want my laptop backpack.  But I need to have my test kit, candies, my eos lip gloss, my phone for snapping pics of Hana and also "treats" for Hana.

We headed out to Winners.  The trainers also asked us to use a journal to document how the DADs alert us.  What they do.  If they don't or do alert and how.  So I needed a cute new journal for that task alone.  Winners is the place for a cute, small purse and a fabulous journal.  Unfortunately, towards the end of the outing as we were heading towards checkouts, I started feeling wonky and I knew my sugar was getting low.  I downed some "swedish spaghetti" as I called it during my low - it was the swedish berries.  LOL.  I wasn't even feeling well enough to drive and I asked Hailey's mom to drive back.  We made it back to the Lions Foundations and the group minus me, decided to continue on the shopping adventure... I had to decline as I felt awful.  Now a few hours later I'm fine.  It's so frustrating when diabetes sticks it's nose in places it is not welcome, like my shopping trip.

Soon enough Hana will be with me and she'll alert me way before I feel that awful and I won't have to write off the rest of my evening. Soon, very soon.

Day 2 - One more day till I meet mine

Today was Day 2.  Today was rough a bit. I woke up with a low.  So that was not fun.  Not cool.  That always sets the day up to be wonkey.  I corrected the low with some Gatorade, my Rx of choice lately.  It came up some and I was able to come down to breakfast at 8 a.m.

After another delicious breakfast: yogurt, bagels with cream cheese and jam, fruit and a cup of coffee, we had class again.  Today we learned some of the dog handling collars and how to handle a dog.  First we practiced on a giant stuffed horse.

Then Erica brought out a live dog.  A real dog!  His name was Keltie.  We were all so excited and the dog behaved beautifully.  We all stumbled and finally figured it out.  The HALTI goes over their snout, but does not restrict them from barking or eating or drinking.  They have full function with it on.  They told us it's for better handling of the dog.  It is easier to control than with the collar on alone.  The collar they use is called Martingale.  It's a loose collar and the leash has two length - short leash and long leash.  Short leash for walking, always loose at your side with the dog walking right beside you being obedient to the "heel" command, and the long leash for the dog to go outside to relieve itself.  These dogs have to be given the command to relieve themselves!  "Busy, busy," is the command.  In a day or so when I get our dogs we'll have to go out 6 or more times with the dog.  Then as we get to know our dogs more we'll figure out their routine and it will ease up and we'll only go out when the dog needs it.

As lunch time came around my pump read low again!  Not cool.  I wasn't feeling it too much but I knew that two lows in the same morning will not be easy on my body.  I had some swedish berries and fuzzy peaches and headed to lunch.  For some silly reason (none that I can name) I bolused - took insulin - late and my sugar started an up-swing.  By the time I caught it and took insulin it was too late.  I didn't sky rocket, but with the combined two lows the same day, I was done.  I barely got through the rest of the afternoon in "class".


 We were introduced to a bunch of new dogs, none of which were "ours".  The first dog that I got to handle was a black poodle.  Then a beautiful yellow lab named Ju-Jube.  I got him to "heel" (walk along with me at my pace in line with my legs, not leading me but rather me leading him) and to "sit".  I was so surprised that I basicly got it.  There was some redirecting but the dog and I walked side by side and I was easily able to get his attention back when he got distracted.

There is a lot of positive encouragement and lots of praise.  We are taught to say the dog's name and then the command.  "Ju-Jube, heel.  Good dog! That's a good boy." They love it.  It is their pay check. The reason they follow the commands.  They are so eager to please and want so badly to do what you want them to.  

Then we learned about the kennel.  Most dogs and dog owners do not like the kennel.  But to these dogs the kennel is never used in any negative way.  They are never put into it when they misbehave or long periods of time.  They see the kennel as a time to unwind and not be required to "work".  So they willingly go in; eagerly even.  They also go in "naked" - no harness, no Martingale, no Halti.  So it's very welcoming to them. Then when they need to come out - after arriving back from groceries let's say, they may be super excited that you're home.  But Erica recommended we don't go straight to them and let them out or else we are enforcing that excitable behaviour.  She recommends going and putting away groceries or whatever short time is needed for the dog to be calm, then it can come out. It was fascinating.  Although the door to the kennel is open, the dog will not come bounding out.  It would not take a step until Erica said "okay".  Then Quizno came out and the Martingale went back on and the leash.  I liked Quizno very much.  When he was in the "sit" position he looked identical to the plastic dogs you see in grocery stores or Walmart that are "donation bins" for the Lions Foundation.  

 After being here for only 24 hours I am amazed at all that they do there.  Type 1 Diabetics are not the only ones who benefit.  They train seizure dogs, autism dogs (they have 3 years wait list), seeing eye dogs and hearing ear dogs.  It's amazing.  And it's all through donations.  This dog that I will receive tomorrow has cost the organization around $25,000 and it comes to me at no charge.  That is amazing.

Once class was let out there was just over an hour to nap before dinner. And that is what I did.  Right away.  The light didn't even get turned on in my room.  I did a faceplant on the bed and passed out.  When I woke up I finally started feeling better.

Enjoyed dinner (and ate brussel spouts for the first time) and then hung out with this cute little 8 week old puppy in the common area.

Getting my Diabetic Alert Dog with my dad

The adventure of acquiring a Diabetic Alert Dog has started.  Today my dad and I have travelled over 4 hours to the Lions Foundation in Oakville for the three weeks of training.  I am so grateful to my dad for coming with me and acting as my "care-taker" while I am here.  I do not require a "care-taker" on an on-going basis, but for me to participate in this program I do need it.  It is a prerequisite. My mom suggested that I ask dad to come along and he was more than willing.  I can't wait to start this whole thing tomorrow. 

 

Although I've been absent and or tried other blogs, I always come back to the hub - to the core of what I am: a mom with type 1 Diabetes.  I am many things.  I wear many hats.  But at my core I am a mom to three (that's right 3 now!) wonderful little people God has entrusted to me.  I am also the wife of a wonderful and courageous man whom I love with all my heart.  I am SURROUNDED by an amazing family that love and support me daily!  My parents, my in-laws and my sisters (two in-law and one immediate) and brothers-in-law, love me and I AM BEYOND BLESSED.  I do not deserve this life. It is abundant and wonderful.  

All decked out for a family wedding a couple days ago

At this moment in my life, when I am about to embark on this new chapter, I am overwhelmed with joy.  Joy at the fact that God has made this possible for me; joy that my family is on-board with this whole change; joy that as a little family of 5 we are growing to 6 - that's right I am about to become a mom to a fourth little bouncing and wonderful baby.  There is so much to be thankful for.  

As a person with diabetes getting a Type 1 Diabetic Alert Dog, means diabetes will finally, rightfully take more of a center stage in my life.  For 10 years it has sat on the sidelines and I have allowed it to take a prominent spot only during my past 3 pregnancies.  I groan and complain when my pump beeps and I don't test quite as often as I should... but suddenly I will have to be responsive to this dog that will be attentive to me and my sugar levels.  I will have to take it seriously or else the dog's sole purpose will be diminished and all the training it has received will go to waste.

What an exciting time! I love new challenges and this is certainly one of those life changing moments.

We arrived today around 4 and were greeted by the head trainer, Gloria.  She was spunky and had the cutest pug with her.  My dad and I were escorted to our rooms and we had a little bit of time to settle in and soon 5 pm came, and it was time to head up for dinner.  Dinner was prepared by a wonderful Lions Foundations staff member and it was delicious.  All 6 clients (all type 1 diabetics) and our caretakers joked around that we could get used to this.  

We made small talk and I met some truly wonderful people - half of whom are in the same boat as me - fighting a monster daily; struggling to stay alive despite dropping blood sugars that we are starting to not sense.  Introducing: Hypoglycemic Unawareness.  

We don't get to meet the Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) until Wednesday and we don't get to take them to our rooms overnight until Thursday.  I can't wait!  This little animal (who am I kidding it's most likely a Labrador - golden, black or chocolate - and it will be medium to large size) will be my new best friend.  This DAD will literally be around me 24/7 making it it's primary objective to watch over me. I am beyond excited.  Will it be a female or male DAD?  And out of the three types of dogs that they train - Labs, Golden Retrievers and Poodles - which one will be mine?  What will it be its name?  I will use this name over and over again for the next 10 years.  

An example of Labradors - Black, Chocolate and golden 

Golden Retriever 

Black Poodle

What I've learned so far from the short intro we got is that for the first week we will be trained on obedience.  That is first.  That is the foundation and we need to establish that I am "boss" to this DAD and that the trainer will no longer be the "boss".  The trainers typically have 8 dogs that they are training at any given time.  Once we are introduced to our DADs we will be one on one with them - that is a bonus for us, the new dog handlers.  We need to establish ourselves to be the Alpha dog.  

As a family we have never owned a pet.  This DAD will not be a pet.  This will be a service dog. And so it may be to our advantage that the first experience and exposure we have with an animal in our house will be a service dog that is trained and that I am also taught how to handle.  In the past few months (since I've known I'm coming up for the training) I often wondered what can they possibly teach us for 3 weeks?  But after being here for even a few hours and learning a very broad overview of what is coming up and listening to Gloria for a few hours on what to expect and what's coming, I am certain I will need more than 3 weeks.  There is so much to understand and learn.  

I will have a hard time being away from my family.  I will miss my husband and 3 kids.  In some ways it's so nice to have this time to myself to focus on me.  I don't ever focus on me; on my well-being.  It will be a time to regain some focus so I can go back with my DAD and both him/her and I will be focused on my diabetes.  When I am taking care of my diabetes I am taking better care of everyone.  Sometimes though, no matter what I do, diabetes rocks my world.  It is not a perfect science and any number of things will set it off in whatever direction it wishes to go.  

More to come.  This adventure is certainly exciting and it's only just begun!  I can't wait to meet my DAD and for us to bond.  I'll have to get over dog hair and doggy breath and understand how wonderful this animal truly is.  I'm pretty certain any concerns I have are in my head and once I meet this dog that's been chosen for me, I'll be in love! 

Merry Christmas

We had an amazing Christmas with our growing little family.  Woke up around 9ish (praise God I was able to get some sleep after the late night I had Christmas eve), opened presents and spend the day with the family.  In the evening went for a dinner at the in-laws and got together with the whole family - all nine of us (with Josh and Noah included).

It was fun and we thank God for sending his Son to be born in a stinky, damp, and chilled barn over 2000 years ago.  I love that this holiday is so joyful and happy.  It makes my heart full.  :)