5 years with Diabetes: Counting Blessings~

     Today is EA's 5th Anniversary since her Diabetes Diagnosis.  We grapple with should we celebrate her Diaversary or not.  I want to honor her hard work and courage throughout the year in some way, but my husband points out that she doesn't even remember not having Diabetes and it may be more sad to have to explain that there used to be a time when she didn't have D.  So, I think tonight we will celebrate with her favorite cupcakes.  We will celebrate life, and God's grace and provision to us and the joy of having each other.  

After losing her first baby tooth!

     I honor her for submitting herself to the daily finger and toe pricks and not complaining even when I have to squeeze and squeeze for a big drop of blood.  I admire her for how she lays down for site changes in her belly and how she can express that she's now more afraid of the site change than the Dexcom sensor change.  I admire that even though she is afraid and sometimes wants to count to a very high number until she's "ready", she always squeezes her eyes shut and says that final number, knowing what is coming.  To me, that is big courage in a small body.  I am thankful for how she is thriving in 1st grade, having her own little friends, reading up a storm, and excelling in gymnastics and dance.

Our pretty little ballerina

     I am thankful for big sister who is always ready to grab a juice box, or tissue, or some other D task without complaining.  I am thankful that she usually "gets" what is needed for EA, that she will often hold her question or story while I deal with an emergency BG check or treat a low.  I love that she will read to EA during a site change to distract her mind, and I love the way they snuggle in the early morning in EA's bed.  I hope their sister friendship will continue to grow in love and depth through the years.

Jumping in leaves this past Fall.

     I love the way everyone plays along with Pumpy the Pump Monkey's funny routines and antics, including my dear hubby.   By the way, Pumpy really loves Korean banana milk to treat his Lows. :)

I am thankful for my husband who works tirelessly to support our family and provide us with our health insurance.  I am thankful for how his relationship with EA has grown in the past year as she has become more confident and less overly attached to Mama.  I love listening to them reading the latest "if you give a mouse..." book, and how EA cackles at the funny pictures.  I love that he can make a site change easier for her, and his hug afterwards makes it much better.

EA as teacher, Daddy as student in a children's museum.

Counting my blessings today...

Jessica