TWO YEARS AGO

December 14, 2011 -  A day that will always be significant in our family.

As I reflect back on that day, many questions go through my mind.

 The Main question - Why us?  Why Olivia?

I question this often as my emotions boil and my anger increases....and then I think, why are we so special that we should not be dealing with T1D?!  I'm sure there is a major underlying reason why this was put upon us. I say "US" because this has affected our family in a huge way - but don't worry - I am not going to go on and on with a sob story - this is quite the opposite.

As I sit here and think about the past two years and the "why Olivia?" goes through my head - I look back on how this has changed her and how she has been such an inspiration in the T1D world.  Too many finger pokes to count (really I don't want to count) - Pump site changes, carb counting, and reading ingredients so nothing contains wheat, or gluten.... on stage at Starlight Theater - many doctors visits to monitor and ...through it all Olivia has grown and thrived with a smile on her face.  

Olivia is strong and healthy with a heart of gold.  But Olivia also has feelings about T1D that she will never show.  In a previous blog I had mentioned that we have not become friends with T1D - which is still true - but we have come to learn how to co-exist.  - certainly not by choice but by necessity.  

We have teamed with the JDRF with our walk team Olivia's Journey and have helped to raise awareness, educate and fund research.  It still amazes me that if you ask, people will help.  Our Rock the Cure event was a huge success and we are in the "thinking and planning" stages of next year's event.  Olivia's classmates and teachers at White Lake Middle School have taken on the JDRF as one of their fundraising efforts. How great is that?!

So as we celebrate - YES Celebrate the TWO year anniversary of Olivia's Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis we keep this in mind:

IT'S NOT HOW HARD YOU GET HIT, BUT HOW HARD YOU GET HIT AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

This picture shows Olivia's new "normal" with her friends at Camp Midicha last June -
THIS IS WHY WE CELEBRATE TODAY - HEALTHY HAPPY GIRLS BEING SILLY AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

Olivia at Starlight after being on stage..... 

Olivia and her friends, Olivia, Sydney and Cait at the JDRF Walk To Cure - Olivia's Journey raised over $4,000!

And....they may not admit it - But this is Olivia's biggest supporter and best friend.  Carly you too are my hero!

So as I start this day of celebration, I ask one more time...  Why Olivia?   and answer...   WHY NOT......

And now Olivia and I are off to Biggby coffee for a peppermint mocha!  A great way to Celebrate!

Time to catch up on a few things.....

Wow!  It has been quite a while since I have been on here - Time to catch up...

Since May - really May?  Have I been THAT busy?  Well yes, yes I have.  Last summer flew by - 

Carly started High School at Lakeland and also joined the Girls Golf Team - she took to it naturally and had a great season - At the end of the season banquet she was awarded the medal for Most Improved Underclassman with 18 strokes shaved off of her game. Impressive. 

 

Carly also had the opportunity recently to team up with Chef Dave at Black Tulip Grill and learn the ins and outs of a real restaurant kitchen. She assisted in preparing food for a large party and even cooked for her Mom and Dad.  What a great way to get started in her future endeavors.





Olivia continues to shine at the Starlight Theater - She had the opportunity to perform in the adult production of Fiddler on The Roof along with several other plays. She is currently rehearsing for The Secret Garden in which she will be The Cook.   She is now in the 6th grade at White Lake and has a great group of friends.

We recently went to see The Blue Man Group with the school choir and band. Can you see her in this picture - look at all the friends around her :) 

Olivia and Type 1 Diabetes have not become friends yet - although I don't believe they ever will - There are struggles every day but since September when she started using the pump, she doesn't have to poke herself quite as many times anymore.  

She and I are still frustrated by the questions..."can you eat that?" - Yes! "you're ok now that you have the pump, right?" NO! We continue to educate our friends and family - and each morning when I go into her room to wake her for school, I thank God that she opens her eyes!

ME?  oh yea - I do have a life also :)  I changed jobs in August and work for a wonderful company.  I still feel "new" to the position and every day have to remind myself that I don't know everything yet. I work with a great team of ladies and the owner/boss couldn't be more understanding.  I always say, things happen for a reason - after being in the office for a few weeks I found out that the owners son is a T1D - we chatted about it and I was so touched by their support.  

I am venturing into the JRDF Mentor program this week - I feel a need to educate and support other families affected by this horrendous disease along with gaining more knowledge for everyday living.

So as I sit here on a beautiful Saturday morning while my girls sleep in, I look back over the last year ..through the trials and pain come great successes that are too large to measure - whether it is a golf swing to win a game, a bow at the end of a play, a hug good night or sleepy eyes that say good morning - I can truly say Life is Good and we will carry on.......