This week, I had the opportunity to attend the AMLE conference- a conference for middle level educators. The theme of the conference was THRIVE. Those that know me, know that sometimes my self-diagnosed ADHD kicks in and my mind is like the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Eventually, like the mouse, I do end up back on track but in the mean time, I sometimes manage to have a few good insights and make some obscure connections. This is an example of one of those times!
Standards Based Grading (SBG) can be defined as measuring student achievement based on well defined course objectives. As Rick Wormeli states, "It is about measuring what the student knows, not the route it took to get there." With SBG, teachers and students need to be constantly examining what we know and where we need to go in our course. We need to make goals to reach our target and then change those goals based on the evidence, not the extra credit. Our evidence is the students' work. It is what they produce daily. As simple as a quick question, "Why did you chose to do this?" to more complex projects involving application of skills, we are measuring the distance to the goal. We call this "formative assessment." We use this information to drive our decision making. I have heard many times over the course of this last year and the course of this conference that the "targets should be visible." Never have I heard that the target should be easy to reach.
At this point, you are wondering why on Earth she is writing about school in a diabetes blog. Just like the mouse asking for a straw for his milk, bear with me as this will connect. The A1c measures the average blood sugar over a period of time. It is the target for control. We always see that target, but it is not always easy to reach. Like grades in school, we look at the numbers, we look at our practices and we set goals and make changes to achieve mastery. I watch my children poke their fingers up to 10 times a day to measure their blood sugars; formative assessment. This information drives our decision making.
In both SBG and diabetes management, we can't just roll the dice and hope for the best. That would not be fair to anyone involved. Instead, we take what we know, based on evidence, and we make informed decisions. In both cases, we should never lower our target or our expectations. I live with three children and who fight a battle for their lives daily. If I told one of them that she didn't have to check her blood sugar today because she worked so hard at it yesterday or because her room was clean, I would be doing her a tremendous disservice. Lowering her target to this level would be the equivalent of saying, "Today, your life is less important." We do, however, very often need to change our route, add some steps, or sometimes even turn around and start all over. Along the way we meet frustration, we meet success, we get bumps and we get bruises. Shouldn't it be the same with education? To me, allowing a box of tissue or a parent signature to count as "extra credit" is the equivalent of saying, "Today, your life, your education, has less value." In either case, settling for a "C" is not an option. I want mastery or better!
SBG is best practice, it's what's good for the kids. From experience, I can tell you that I was more than a little nervous about this school year; new job, new grading system, new team. Now, one quarter complete, I can't believe how fast it has gone, how much I have learned and how valuable SBG is to the educational system. It makes school "real" and evidence based. Yes, there are glitches in the technology. True, not everyday is easy nor is every person happy. Absolutely, I have to work hard and make some changes to lesson plans I have used in the past. Is it worth it? Without a doubt. Student-led conferences turned into a formative assessment for me this year. Listening to my students talk about their learning allowed me another opportunity to reflect on my teaching. I realized that many times in the past, I had settled for something because I was using an arbitrary measuring tool and never asking the tough questions. I was cheating my students. The same can be said for diabetes management. I will admit there are days that I don't want to ask the tough questions of my kids. There are days that I want to give them a "day off" because I, like them, just don't want to do battle anymore . But is that fair? Rick Wormeli says over and over, "Fair isn't always equal." Fair isn't always easy, either. Helen Keller states, "We couldn't be brave or patient if there were only joys in the world." I would assert that without challenges, we could never THRIVE. Do you see that? Like the mouse, we have come full circle, right back to that cookie! Conferences like AMLE and JDRFCC, are opportunities to connect with like minded people: they demonstrate the power of people committed to progress and positive change. That reminds me of a team...
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Changes and Chances
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| The sign behind the kids' pumpkin alter egos gave me a bit of a laugh the other morning. A picture is worth a thousand words, right! |
Today, Tylie went to her first appointment all by herself. It took three tries to get there as the first time she forgot and the second time she had the time wrong but finally, she made it. For a year or so now, she has been talking about taking a "vacation" from the pump. So, today she brought the subject up and decided to take the plunge. (Ha- syringe humor!) After three years off, the idea of shots is a bit daunting to me. However, I am not the one constantly "plugged" in, either. While she has been pretty independent for the last couple of years, I considered the ability to upload as my ace in the hole for keeping her accountable. The fact that I can't readily see those numbers is more than a little frightening. It is hard enough for me to shift my thinking as she enters this world of adulthood without throwing in diabetes. I am proud of her for taking ownership and I hope she is able to find a method that works for her on a daily basis. It is so ironic that when we first began pumping I had these exact same feelings. That is the thing about this disease- the only thing you can be 100% sure of is that the pancreas won't be repaired by morning. That is why we work so hard for a cure- A CURE- not just treatment.
On that note, November is coming up and there are some things you can do to be more aware and to help find a cure. This link will allow you to sign up for one days worth of texts designed to give you an idea of what it is like to live with T1D on a daily basis. http://jdrf.org/blog/2013/take-the-t1d-for-a-day-text-challenge/ You can also sign up to be an advocate: http://advocacy.jdrf.org/get-involved/. This is particularly helpful as we are working to make JDRF a more active force in North Dakota. The work that has been done towards a cure is tremendous but there is still much to be done.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Taking a Step Back
Changing roles is something I am used to when it comes to my job. I have had several jobs in my life and even when I have the same job- teaching- I have done it in different buildings and at different grade levels. Change is good, it's expected, it keeps us fresh. Except, I am having a little more trouble with embracing theory in regards to parenting!
Two weeks ago, my three girls flew off to Europe. Before they left, I made sure that I had placed all the insulin supplies in their hands to be packed. Lots of supplies! Aside from the money factor, a large part of the reason I didn't want to go on this trip with them was that I wanted to allow them the chance to experience Europe on their own. By that I mean, without the Diabetes Police. I will admit, it is hard for me not to constantly ask them about their blood sugars, if their site needs changing, did they bolus, and the list goes on. Of course, I left some instructions with my mom and told Tessa to slyly be sure they were checking. We pick them up on Tuesday and I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself for not inundating them with texts about their care. I did ask a few times, but in my defense, one was a follow up because Tylie was having low morning blood sugar and needed me to get a message to our educator asking for suggestions. (They worked!) The end result of all of this is I miss THEM! The girls, not the diabetes.
I know that I have a tendency to get wrapped up in the details and the what ifs to the point that sometimes I forget to be in the "now." Whether I am focused on blood sugars, lesson plans, house hunting- that is all I can think about or, as my husband points out, over think about. My back up plans have back up plans. Do I like to control situations? Absolutely! I know that at times I can be downright irrational about it in fact. Call it OCD if you must. However, in this case, beyond helping them get their necessary items in order and visually and verbally confirming that they were in the bags, there would be little I could do from across the ocean to change anything. I knew without a doubt they could take care of themselves. Somewhere, about day three as I was forcing myself not to send a text asking if they had been checking their blood sugars it occurred to me that I had to trust that they would take care of themselves. It was time to let them practice all that we have taught them. Maybe in the end, this will give them more confidence and they will be more consistent with their care overall. At the very least, it will give me more confidence that they are more than capable without those annoying reminders I can't seem to hold back. Keep in mind, I still have TJ at home so I am not diabetes free and still have had plenty of opportunity to exercise my inner control freak! There is also Troy, who insists I never miss a chance to tell him what he should be doing!
The bottom line is that I am so proud of them. I am not sure, in the same situation, I would have dared fly across an ocean. Heck, I don't even have diabetes and the idea of flying across an ocean makes me queasy. It's that OCD thing again. By all indications, they are literally having the time of their lives. My two T1 girls side by side with their non-D sister experiencing the world. I envy them that, their ability to go with the flow. Granted, they each approached this trip in a different way and with different expectations. I have no doubt when they return, they will all be looking at the same picture but seeing a different story and that is how it should be. I can't wait to hear the stories, to really listen to them and not ask the questions about diabetes that lurk in the back of my mind like a storybook villain. These two weeks have made it painfully clear to me that my kids most certainly do not allow diabetes to slow them down. I find it embarrassing to admit for all my talk about letting them be "kids first" that way too often I begin a conversation around a diabetes question. Maybe I am letting it slow me down? I am not making any promises about being entirely hands off. After all, I am a mom and will be watching from the wings ready to jump in and save the day, but I am going to make more of an effort to let them drive what they need from me. These girls have lived with this disease for so long that they don't know anything different. They have grown with the support of some amazing health care providers, teachers, mentors and friends. It might be time for me to learn from them and take as step back and trust what they know. I am excited to discover what these amazing young women will teach me.
Two weeks ago, my three girls flew off to Europe. Before they left, I made sure that I had placed all the insulin supplies in their hands to be packed. Lots of supplies! Aside from the money factor, a large part of the reason I didn't want to go on this trip with them was that I wanted to allow them the chance to experience Europe on their own. By that I mean, without the Diabetes Police. I will admit, it is hard for me not to constantly ask them about their blood sugars, if their site needs changing, did they bolus, and the list goes on. Of course, I left some instructions with my mom and told Tessa to slyly be sure they were checking. We pick them up on Tuesday and I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself for not inundating them with texts about their care. I did ask a few times, but in my defense, one was a follow up because Tylie was having low morning blood sugar and needed me to get a message to our educator asking for suggestions. (They worked!) The end result of all of this is I miss THEM! The girls, not the diabetes.
I know that I have a tendency to get wrapped up in the details and the what ifs to the point that sometimes I forget to be in the "now." Whether I am focused on blood sugars, lesson plans, house hunting- that is all I can think about or, as my husband points out, over think about. My back up plans have back up plans. Do I like to control situations? Absolutely! I know that at times I can be downright irrational about it in fact. Call it OCD if you must. However, in this case, beyond helping them get their necessary items in order and visually and verbally confirming that they were in the bags, there would be little I could do from across the ocean to change anything. I knew without a doubt they could take care of themselves. Somewhere, about day three as I was forcing myself not to send a text asking if they had been checking their blood sugars it occurred to me that I had to trust that they would take care of themselves. It was time to let them practice all that we have taught them. Maybe in the end, this will give them more confidence and they will be more consistent with their care overall. At the very least, it will give me more confidence that they are more than capable without those annoying reminders I can't seem to hold back. Keep in mind, I still have TJ at home so I am not diabetes free and still have had plenty of opportunity to exercise my inner control freak! There is also Troy, who insists I never miss a chance to tell him what he should be doing!
The bottom line is that I am so proud of them. I am not sure, in the same situation, I would have dared fly across an ocean. Heck, I don't even have diabetes and the idea of flying across an ocean makes me queasy. It's that OCD thing again. By all indications, they are literally having the time of their lives. My two T1 girls side by side with their non-D sister experiencing the world. I envy them that, their ability to go with the flow. Granted, they each approached this trip in a different way and with different expectations. I have no doubt when they return, they will all be looking at the same picture but seeing a different story and that is how it should be. I can't wait to hear the stories, to really listen to them and not ask the questions about diabetes that lurk in the back of my mind like a storybook villain. These two weeks have made it painfully clear to me that my kids most certainly do not allow diabetes to slow them down. I find it embarrassing to admit for all my talk about letting them be "kids first" that way too often I begin a conversation around a diabetes question. Maybe I am letting it slow me down? I am not making any promises about being entirely hands off. After all, I am a mom and will be watching from the wings ready to jump in and save the day, but I am going to make more of an effort to let them drive what they need from me. These girls have lived with this disease for so long that they don't know anything different. They have grown with the support of some amazing health care providers, teachers, mentors and friends. It might be time for me to learn from them and take as step back and trust what they know. I am excited to discover what these amazing young women will teach me.
Monday, July 22, 2013
We did it!
Well, we did it- we got one of our offspring to adulthood! Whew- it's a lot harder then they make it out to be when you read the "What to Expect" books when you are 8 months pregnant. I notice they quit writing those after "The Toddler Years." Is that because it is basically a dice roll every single day?
For example, I remember at age 18 months, the first time Tylie got really sick and projectile vomited EVERYWHERE. I could do nothing but surround us in towels and hope the volcano would stop. I clearly remember thinking to myself while holding back the gags, "They do NOT tell you about this stuff in the books!" Then there was the time she fell off the couch and into the coffee table. No skin was broken but the swelling on her forehead looked like a Unicorn's horn! As luck would have it, that same day she had some sort of allergic reaction to a bug or a plant and her right I swelled shut! I took her into the clinic because I thought her brain was swelling from the fall! Thank God for Benadryl! Back then we could give that to a kid under age 4. Thinking about this now, it is shocking that we chose to have three more of these little creatures!
Speaking of age 4...that was the year of the big D diagnosis. When I held that newborn tiny baby swaddled in my arms I never imagined that a short 4.5 years later I would be watching as the nurses swaddled her again and struggled to get in an IV. I can still see the procedure room. It was blue, with fish decorating the walls and ceiling. Relaxing, right? It was designed to keep a child's mind off the procedure about to happen. A side effect is that I hate fish...and aquariums...and IV's. That room is the turning point; the moment "pancreas" was added to our list of parental roles.
Life moved on and we made it through the typical experiences- friendship troubles, middle school, driver's license, high school, hormonal fluctuations, Algebra II, sibling rivalry (close calls there!), and fender benders. We have survived- or I should say SHE has- moments when I could have strung her up by her toes. For example, she gives me parenting tips, directions on how to drive to the eye doctor's office, and questions my every movement while blatantly ignoring my suggestion to follow up on her college application. Really? However, I am able to overlook some of that when she helps me make good choices by picking me up from the Ground Round after I have had a beer or two. Better safe than sorry, right? We have made it through a few more hospitalizations, an allergic reaction to Vancomyocin, and blood sugars so low I can't believe she was talking! I don't think I can say we have a full fledged grown up yet, but I think she is on the right path. Last night, she text for permission to sleep at a friends. I told her she didn't need my permission anymore, but I appreciated knowing where she was in case I ever needed to send the cops looking for her. (I stole that line from my friend, Traci!)
As I write this, she is 18 years and 1 day old. Thirteen and a half years ago, this point seemed so far in the future and faced with a new world of insulin, blood sugars, needles and keytones, I could literally not imagine what this day would look like. Ten years ago, we thought our life had become so much easier because there was a new long acting insulin called Lantus and we could use insulin pens instead of drawing up a shot cocktail. Six years ago we introduced the freedom of the insulin pump to our lives. Two and half weeks ago, we were at Capitol Hill, speaking to members of Congress and today, she is writing her own letter in support of the SDP. Her next milestone birthday is age 21. Maybe she will be given a cure for that one! Until then, we have 3 more kids to grow and many more battles to fight. But, we will take a minute to pat ourselves on the back for how far we have come!
If you haven't yet...
https://secure3.convio.net/jdrf3/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=384
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Reflections on JDRFcc13
Sitting here, writing, while TJ is at baseball practice seems a somewhat surreal. "Normal" life has resumed and we have been home less than 24 hours. Yesterday at this time, we hadn't even boarded our airplane after our amazing experience on Capital Hill. I am going to touch on the highlights but I don't think anything I say will do the experience justice.
The City:
It was an experience in itself watching the kids take in history. TJ was in awe of the sheer size of the monuments. Tylie was amazed by everything around her. She literally walked at snail's pace so as not to miss a single thing. Taya just soaked up the atmosphere. One of the most compelling things we did was to see the Changing of the Guard at Arlington. Perhaps it was more meaningful because without the sacrifice of those who came before us, we would not have had the opportunity to come to Washington and plead our case.
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| The kids by the Reflecting Pool on the mall, wishing for a cure! |
The Conference:
I am not sure it can be called a conference, exactly, but that is how I think of the first two days at the motel. I have already highlighted day one in my previous post but from there, we really got busy! The organizers of the event, Hasan Shah and his staff, Camille Nash and Angie Platt, as co-chairs and the numerous volunteers have to be commended. Our family felt prepared upon arrival and any questions that came up were easily answered. The Town Hall meeting was inspiring. Afterward, Tylie said her new goal was to be a part of that panel someday. TJ couldn't get over all the athletes- racecar driver, Charlie Kimball, Gary Hall, Jr., baseball announcer, Brian Kenny, and Ray Allen in the audience. He has always thought nothing could stop him and their stories only proved his point! More than once during the course of that meeting did I feel my eyes tear up. On Monday, the kids had been interviewed and Tylie had responded to a question saying, "I have Diabetes like I have blue eyes and blonde hair. It isn't who I am." Both Troy and I felt ridiculously proud in town hall meeting when Mary Mouser stated virtually the same thing! These T1 kids grow up fast and they grow up smart! The Blitz meetings were a bit overwhelming for the kids. Tylie vigorously took notes afraid she would forget to say something important. Troy noticed that they were very similar to the role play situations they do as part of DECA competitions. Tylie and Taya have both participated in these events and it helped them to be prepared for the meetings on the Hill the next day. TJ, especially, appreciated the social hour as he had more time to mingle with his new friends. He came home with a lanyard full of pins and stories to tell about each one.
The Blitz:
The big day was on Wednesday. We loaded the bus before 8 am and hit Capitol Hill. We really had no idea what to expect at these meetings and each one was quite a bit different from the other. All were positive. Two of our meetings were delayed as Senators were both held up testifying at hearings. We watched them on the monitors in their offices. In addition to attending a hearing ourselves, the kids got a first hand look at the day to day workings of our elected officials. They are very busy people! It made us appreciate even more the time they were able to give us to tell our stories. The hearing itself was a little emotional for me. I don't know if I was overly tired or just overwhelmed by the sheer number of people there hearing the testimony, but several times I got very teary eyed. Listening to Jean Smart talk about her doctor recommending abortion, Ray Allen so clearly describe the parenting perspective, listening to Jeffrey Brewer and Dr. Rogers speak about where we are in the research- we have come so far, but yet there is far to go. Senator Heitkamp said it best when she stated in our meeting that much time has been spent on cancer and heart disease. She said, "That isn't a bad thing but more needs to be done for Diabetes. I believe we will have a cure." She happened to be our last meeting and we couldn't have asked for a more positive finish to an incredible day. An unexpected special moment occurred during the group photo when VP Biden gave TJ is small American Flag pin and Tylie got a hug. He also told her he didn't think girls should marry until they are 30! How cool is that? We left Capitol Hill feeling invigorated and empowered. Tylie even commented that maybe working in government would be an "ok job." We couldn't be more proud of all three of them. They have grown beyond measure by this experience.
The Work:
Oh, but there is still much to do! I told Camille before I left that we wanted- needed- to do more to get the word out in North Dakota. Troy stated how good the experience was for our family. All three kids said they would do it again in a heartbeat. They are lobbying to go to the Friends for Life conference next year to continue making connections and to keep spreading the word. They are speaking to our local parent group in August about their experience and already talking about meeting with our senators and representative again soon. I have no doubt they will lead Promise meetings with a flourish! I am working on a meeting with TJ's principal to talk about a JDRF School Walk this fall. He can't wait for our annual talk with his class, as this year he will have so much to show them. He has already re-named his little stuffed pancreas that he uses as a prop, "Arty", short for artificial pancreas, of course! Right now, I am so pumped up I want to quit my job and advocate 24/7, but sadly, we have a house payment...and medical bills! But, we will make the time because we have felt the power of our voices. Since we have been home today, I have already received a text message. A friend of a friend has a newly diagnosed child and wondered if she could call me. It seems I get those messages more frequently, lately at least once a month and sometimes twice, and I'd really like for them to stop. I'd like to not pick my son up from baseball to find his blood sugar 425 because somehow his tubing literally got tied in a knot, starving his cells of insulin. I'd like to not have that extra layer of mother/daughter animosity simply because I cannot stop myself from asking if blood sugar has been checked . Of course, that is only the start of a list based on what happened in the 5 hour we have been home. D does not give us a break. When I tucked TJ in to bed tonight, after changing his site and restarting the flow of insulin, I thought how nice it would be to go to bed without fear. As he held tight to his JDRF CC Build-A-Bear with VP Biden's American Flag pin proudly affixed to its tiny t-shirt, I again resolved to make the time to continue what we have started this week. Now that we have seen what we can do, advocating is no longer a choice- it is a responsibility!
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| TJ and Charlie Kimball |
The big day was on Wednesday. We loaded the bus before 8 am and hit Capitol Hill. We really had no idea what to expect at these meetings and each one was quite a bit different from the other. All were positive. Two of our meetings were delayed as Senators were both held up testifying at hearings. We watched them on the monitors in their offices. In addition to attending a hearing ourselves, the kids got a first hand look at the day to day workings of our elected officials. They are very busy people! It made us appreciate even more the time they were able to give us to tell our stories. The hearing itself was a little emotional for me. I don't know if I was overly tired or just overwhelmed by the sheer number of people there hearing the testimony, but several times I got very teary eyed. Listening to Jean Smart talk about her doctor recommending abortion, Ray Allen so clearly describe the parenting perspective, listening to Jeffrey Brewer and Dr. Rogers speak about where we are in the research- we have come so far, but yet there is far to go. Senator Heitkamp said it best when she stated in our meeting that much time has been spent on cancer and heart disease. She said, "That isn't a bad thing but more needs to be done for Diabetes. I believe we will have a cure." She happened to be our last meeting and we couldn't have asked for a more positive finish to an incredible day. An unexpected special moment occurred during the group photo when VP Biden gave TJ is small American Flag pin and Tylie got a hug. He also told her he didn't think girls should marry until they are 30! How cool is that? We left Capitol Hill feeling invigorated and empowered. Tylie even commented that maybe working in government would be an "ok job." We couldn't be more proud of all three of them. They have grown beyond measure by this experience.
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| Ready to go meet some lawmakers! |
Oh, but there is still much to do! I told Camille before I left that we wanted- needed- to do more to get the word out in North Dakota. Troy stated how good the experience was for our family. All three kids said they would do it again in a heartbeat. They are lobbying to go to the Friends for Life conference next year to continue making connections and to keep spreading the word. They are speaking to our local parent group in August about their experience and already talking about meeting with our senators and representative again soon. I have no doubt they will lead Promise meetings with a flourish! I am working on a meeting with TJ's principal to talk about a JDRF School Walk this fall. He can't wait for our annual talk with his class, as this year he will have so much to show them. He has already re-named his little stuffed pancreas that he uses as a prop, "Arty", short for artificial pancreas, of course! Right now, I am so pumped up I want to quit my job and advocate 24/7, but sadly, we have a house payment...and medical bills! But, we will make the time because we have felt the power of our voices. Since we have been home today, I have already received a text message. A friend of a friend has a newly diagnosed child and wondered if she could call me. It seems I get those messages more frequently, lately at least once a month and sometimes twice, and I'd really like for them to stop. I'd like to not pick my son up from baseball to find his blood sugar 425 because somehow his tubing literally got tied in a knot, starving his cells of insulin. I'd like to not have that extra layer of mother/daughter animosity simply because I cannot stop myself from asking if blood sugar has been checked . Of course, that is only the start of a list based on what happened in the 5 hour we have been home. D does not give us a break. When I tucked TJ in to bed tonight, after changing his site and restarting the flow of insulin, I thought how nice it would be to go to bed without fear. As he held tight to his JDRF CC Build-A-Bear with VP Biden's American Flag pin proudly affixed to its tiny t-shirt, I again resolved to make the time to continue what we have started this week. Now that we have seen what we can do, advocating is no longer a choice- it is a responsibility!
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| JDRFCC13: Advocates and Friends- They ROCK- every last one of them!!! |
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Day 1
It was a very busy day yesterday! We started out early with a photo shoot. All three of them were chosen to be featured in some JDRF media things- thank you's for sponsors, a Build-a-Bear promotion and an interview about being a family with T1. They were awesome! We got a little break mid-day and the girls and Troy went out to eat while I stayed at the motel with TJ to get his much needed swim time. The afternoon included a song with Crystal Bowersox, more pictures-with Crystal and Gary Hall,Jr- and finally a banquet. On one of our elevator rides met Ray Allan and his son, Walker, who has T1. It is really humbling to see that many children with T1 in one space. Children diagnosed as early as 11 months old and some later in their teens.
After the banquet we had some time to walk down the the mall. What amazing sites! TJ was in awe of the Lincoln Memorial. He is his favorite president! Tylie was just in awe and Taya stated she has a "respect for history." Dad made them stop for a lot of pictures so by the end of they day they said their smiles were frozen! Another unexpected highlight walking back to the motel was seeing the Presidential motorcade.
TJ woke up this morning singing The Promise song and taking about how awesome yesterday was. We can't wait to see what today has in store!
Monday, July 8, 2013
We Have Arrived
We have ridden on 2 planes, eaten in 3 states, ridden a train and a taxi, toured sites, walked a thousand miles and now have a boy in meltdown mode! Hoping a good night sleep brings him back around!
The trip has a different feel than our usual destinations. TJ is rather disappointed there are no hockey or baseball games involved and the girls just want to experience everything all at once. It has been interesting to see other families arrive and to note the far reaching pact of diabetes in the country. In fact, we ate at a restaurant in Georgetown called The Tacklebox. The server asked why we were here and after Troy told him, he said his mom had diabetes and have us our drinks on the house. Being here, the epicenter of our democratic government, gives a different perspective on how lucky we are to live in a country where we can have this chance to have a say in our lives.
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