Hat Trick!!!!

As you all know our life has been go, go, go the last couple of weeks and I don't think there is a break in sight.

And this last Saturday was no exception.

Remember, Saturday is soccer day!

Up first was Todd Jr.

Wow, what a great game.

The only bad thing was that is good buddy Sean was on the other team..

It is hard to play against your friends, but Todd had a great game.

He even got a Hat Trick!!!!

THREE GOALS!!!!!

The only problem was that they were headed in the opposite direction from where we were when they all happened so we did not get any great shots.

Oh, well, they were awesome.

The whole team is really great and they are doing a fantastic job of working together!!!

Always moving!!!

Grammie and Dada, checking out the action!!!

Go #7!!!

Go Titans!!!!!

Next up was Grady.

Who at the beginning of the day was adamant that he was not going to play soccer.

As I mentioned before, his world is upside down and he was very tired from the two days at the hospital.

However, once he saw his teammates and got his new neon orange uniform, he was ready to go!!!

Little Gator, looking good in orange!!

I missed the shot of him throwing in the ball, but here he is headed back into the game!

Todd Jr., goofing on the sidelines!

Go Grady, Go!!!!!

Grady, Wyatt and Madi... watching the action!

Grammie and Dada... we were so glad they were able to come and we think they really enjoyed the games!

Coaches Clayton and Todd with my favorite little red head!!!

Great Soccer Day!!!!

 



On the Road Again....

I can just hear Willie now....

Yes, we hit the road again this week in search of a more desirable care for Grady and his Diabetes.

So, last Thursday, we headed to Pensacola to Nemour's at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Grady, Grant and I left Panama City very early... our appointment was at 9am.

Grady slept the entire way, which was good and Grant chatted my ear off.

We were very excited and impressed with the Doctor and Nurses.

They were very interested in all things GRADY!!!

The Doctor recommended that Grady be admitted to the hospital for observation, testing and education.

So, after I was able to get in touch with Dat Dat, we decided that was the best thing to do.

However, we had to wait for a room to open up.

So, after a quick trip to Target...

We headed to...

Yes, I know, not the best of choices, but we were in a hurry.

Grady enjoyed his "pickle burger" and he and Grant had a great time at the playground.

Then we were headed back to Sacred Heart.

We got all "checked in" and then the waiting game began.

So we went to the pediatric play room.

We played with puzzles...

We colored....

and yes, we did all the other medical requirements as well.

Grady only had to spend one night..

... and really, he slept pretty well.

Even through the 2am blood sugar check.

We were finally able to leave on Friday evening and made it back to Panama City around 9:30pm.

By the way, a big THANK YOU to Grammie and Dada, who arrived from Tampa on Thursday into the whirlwind that is our life!

They were able to get Todd from Dat Dat and watch him for the evening so that Dat Dat could go to another meeting he needed to be at and then drive to Pensacola to get Grant from me.

We really appreciate all the help and prayers... keep 'em coming!

At this time, Grady seems pretty good.

Again, his pancreas is still producing some insulin, but it is only a matter of time until there is no more.

We are taking it day by day.

Needless to say, his world has been turned completely upside down.

We are so proud of him and his brothers have been great champions for him!

Overwhelmed.

So, today, I have been desperately searching the attic, closets, and every nook and cranny in our house to find THE instruction manual.

You know, the one they send home with new parents when they take their newborn children home.

We have three sons...

... there has got to be a copy around here somewhere.

Remember, the one that answered every question from analyzing the variety of colors of poop that can appear in a baby's diaper to answering the BIG question.

I really need to look up some information about allergy shots, type 1 diabetes, crankiness, how to handle 3 cranky boys when I am sick, how to still take care of my husband (you should see the mound of ironing), how to train for a marathon and a half (that is 39.3 miles, by the way) while nursing a cough that sounds like I should look into purchasing some of this...

Oh, and I gotta post this quick, cuz I gotta cook dinner!

In all my searching, I found nothing....

Heck, I even tried online... zip, zero, zilch!

Anybody got a copy I can borrow?

Lot's going on here...

Todd had his 2nd Allergy shot today and he took it like a champ!

He even wanted to go in alone...

He was very brave!

Todd Jr also has a report he has to present on Thursday about an important historical American Figure.

He was last to pick.

He got Johnny Appleseed.

Johnny Appleseed?

I just thought he was a Disney Character.

Wish he could have gotten Walt Disney... he could have taken me in for his report.

I would have even worn my name tag.

Grant is, well, a rascal.

Have you ever wondered what Robin, Boy Wonder ever looked like taking a nap?

Now you know.

They love to dress up in the costumes.

As a matter of fact, I think Indiana Jones is asleep in our bed right now.

Um, no, not Harrison Ford.

Geez.

Speaking of Grady, he is a trooper.

He has been rather cranky, but I would be too if my world had been spun the opposite direction on its axis.

(Can you tell Todd Jr has been studying about the solar system.)

Truthfully, Dat Dat and I were not particularly impressed with the Dr. we saw in Tallahassee.

We liked the Nurse and Dietitian at the Diabetes Center but the Dr. left a lot to be desired, she was more interested in telling us what to do than answering our questions.

So, we were able to get in touch with the Pediatric Endocrinologists at Nemour's Children's Hospital in Pensacola and we are headed there this week.

Dat Dat and I can accept that Grady has diabetes but we must have communication.

Yes, I have been on insulin, etc.

But, it is not the same and we want someone who will be willing to "hold our hands" and answer all our questions, especially since I cannot find that d**n instruction manual!

2 Down, 48 to Go

States that is.

Or rather Marathons - in each of our 50 states.

2011 WDW Marathon = Florida

2011 Snickers Marathon = Georgia

Yes, I cannot believe, and an sorely embarrassed, it has taken me so long to post about this.

Todd and I completed our second Marathon on March 5, in Albany, Georgia.

Albany, Georgia is a beautiful area.

Though I firmly believe the statement that the course is FLAT is a fallacy!!!!!!!!

My hamstrings hurt so bad I had to walk some.

Not what I had planned.

However, my husband is my hero and a complete ROCK STAR!!!!!

He finished in 4 hours 42 minutes!!!!!

That was about 40 minutes faster than the WDW Marathon!

My time was 5 hours 54 Minutes.

I finished 10 minutes faster than the WDW Marathon, so I am happy with the improvement.

I know, I have to figure out a way to run with the camera.

But I just want you to know how sweet my husband is.

He ran with me for the first 3 miles.

Imagine what his time would have been if he hadn't hung around with me.

But I sure do love him for it.

So proud of all my boys!

Soccer Time

Finally, Spring has sprung and it is time again for Soccer Season!!!!!!

The first games were last Saturday (before we found out about Grady!)

Up first, was Grady, with a 8:30am game.

It was a beautiful day and the team was ready to play.

All the same players are together again this season with a couple of new ones.

Here is the VERY HANDSOME assistant Coach giving some direction to Grady and Wyatt.

Again, the REALLY CUTE Assistant Coach (can you tell I have a crush?).

Grady and his glorious hair waiting for some action!

Getting Organized!

(Actually, I have no clue what is happening!)

Coach Clayton getting Ava, Grady, Patrick and Jack ready for the kick!

That Hair!

He just looks the part!

Patrick!

Eli!

Paul!

Last Season they were the Eagles.

However, this season they will be the....

Apparently they are even going to get orange jerseys for the rest of the season.

Not sure how some of our Seminole fan parents will handle this.

I have my jersey ready!

Next it was Todd's turn, his game was at 11:30am.

And again I will apologize for being a bad parent and say I did not get enough photos of the action in Todd's game.  It was so much fun to watch!

Todd is on the Titans and is playing with a group of U10 boys he has never played soccer with before.

However, even with several new soccer players, they were amazing and even won their game.

Guess who scored a goal!!!

He was so excited, and so were we!

He was also a captain for the game.

He is in the #7 Jersey!

It was a beautiful day with some amazing games.

Dat Dat and I are looking forward to some fun and eventful games this season.

Hope some of you can join in the fun!

Go Gators!

Go Titans!!!

Isn't that Sweet?

This is our sweet, sweet, sweet boy, Grady.

Grady has a sweet smile.

Grady has sweet dimples.

Grady has sweet blue eyes.

Grady says sweet things.

Grady has a sweet heart.

Grady has a sweet soul.

Grady even has sweet, long, red hair.

Grady's pancreas, however, ain't so sweet.

And Grady's sweet insides, cannot handle sweets very well.

See where I'm going with this?

Yes, just a little more than a week shy of his 5th Birthday, Grady has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

How did this happen?

Well, when he was sick earlier this month, I took him to see the doctor.

While we were there we decided to go ahead and get some routine blood work done to prepare for his 5 yr check up.

And while she was writing the orders, I asked for an A1C, to check for long range sugar levels.

She asked why?

I said he just had not been himself lately and had been having some urination issues and drinking quite a bit.

She said it would be no problem and gave me the paper work.

Well, last Friday, we tried to take him, but the little bugger snuck a granola bar and that ruined the fasting.

We were going to go this Monday, but I was so sick, I could not get out of bed.

So, Tuesday we went.

Wednesday morning I got a call from the Doctors office which ended up being doubly good because he also has the flu!!!!!!

His A16 is 6.6 (that is high and = diabetes)

We even ended up in the hospital for the rest of the afternoon getting fluids.

MeMe arrived Wednesday evening and Thursday morning we were on our way to a 9:30EST appointment with a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Tallahassee.

By 10:00am he had already had his first shot of insulin.

And only 24 hours later, he is apparently a pro.

Gave him a shot a few minutes ago and he turned and looked at me and said, "I didn't even cry!"

No Grady, but Mommy wants to.

Currently, there is no cure.

Insulin is the only current treatment and it is for life.

We are doing more research and will look into studies.

Sweet, huh?

So, when is your birthday?

Thirteen years on 1 day ago, I had the biggest crush!

I was working at Disney's Animal Kingdom as a Facilitator for our Orientation Program.

It was an amazing job and all of us had a fantastic time!

There were several of us on the team that I knew from facilitating Traditions...

there was even one handsome fellow that had actually been in one of my classes.

Like I said, I had the biggest crush!

Well, 13 years and one day ago, some how a group of us got into a conversation about birthdays.

I proceeded to ask the cute boy sitting across from me when his was.

He looked at me, smiled and said, "Tomorrow."

I chuckled, "Yeah Right!"

"No really," he responded, "it's tomorrow."

"Prove it."  I stated firmly, attempting to play along.

He pulled out his wallet.

There it was in black and white.

March 2, 1972!

He was so cute.

So funny.

So caring.

So wonderful.

So, I married him!

And we decided to spend our birthdays together for the rest of our lives!

And a few other special birthdays together as well!

To my Sweet Husband and Best Friend,

I love you!

Thank you so much for all you do to care for us, love us and even entertain us!

We love you always!

Happy 39th Birthday!

Me.

Open WIDE!!!

Last Thursday was another first.

Grant is 3 and it was time to take a very special trip.

One filled with bright lights, mirrors, water works and ...

very sharp objects being jabbed into your mouth.

Yes, the dentist.

Big Brother Grady decided to take one for the team, and go first.

Too Cool.

Duck lips!

Grady was great, as usual.

But, then it was little brother's turn.

Yep, I look cool too.

Dude, this is a piece of cake.

Um, I am CERTAIN this is not what I signed up for.

Mommy only mentioned a new toothbrush and a trip to the treasure box if I was good.

Define "good."

You gotta be kidding me.

No, a new Cars toothbrush is not worth this!

Fine, you can try one more time.

But you already said we were almost done.

Look Lady, you may be "almost done" but I AM done!

Actually, Grant was really good. 

But with only 2 teeth left to polish, he was over it and there was no convincing him other wise.

Dr. G gave both boys a great report on their teeth.

And yes, they both got a new toothbrush!