How We Are Spending Our Fall

Boston and his friend Dallin

It's amazing how quickly you can become busy when you add just a few more things to the calendar.  We are in the heart of Fall Ball with SOLL and that keeps us, but mainly Boston, busy a few times a week.  Boston is also running for his elementary school cross country team and he loves it.  I wish I loved running as much as he did.  He has had three meets so far and his one last Saturday was in Bardstown, KY which was called the Hillbilly Run.  We all went to support him and he came in about the middle of the pack.  Trevor started piano lessons (finally) and is playing volley ball at school.  We didn't have all these sports in elementary school like they have here in Kentucky.  It's been great for introducing the kids to new sports and just giving it a try to see if they like it.  Gage is busy with....running away on the scooter and preschool.  The scooter is currently hidden for awhile since we can't seem to find him many times a day and when we do, he is scooting a little too far away in the neighborhood.  Oh, but since the scooter has been put away, he is now taking "bike lessons," as he calls them.  That's me running behind his bike, steadying him and hoping he can stop right.  He is dong fantastic.  Mallory just likes to chase Gage and try to keep up with all these boys.  Good luck dear!

Walk To Cure Diabetes

It was our fourth diabetes walk and it was awesome.  They changed the venue this year to Churchill Downs and that made it exciting seeing the horses before and after we walked.  And, having friends and family donate made it extra special.  I can't believe how generous people are.  I know there are a ton of things that our precious pennies can go to and having a few sent our way was so nice.  I know that they are on the verge of finding a cure and that would make Gage's life so much better.  But, in the mean time, we are plugging and chugging and very happy.  

First Day of Preschool

To be honest when people would be so excited about their little one's first day of preschool, I would think, "It's just preschool."  I didn't get it.  I had never had any of my children in preschool before and I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I guess I was wrong.  It was a big deal for Gage and me (and even Mallory). Although Gage made the cut off for kindergarten this year, he is staying home because he just needs (and I want) one more year.  After Trevor and Boston started school, I soon realized that he would really do well somewhere besides just at home. I have a really good friend who called up the preschool where her daughter goes and asked if there was an opening and thankfully, there was. Gage was soon signed up for three days a week at preschool. He had his first day on Tuesday and with only a short bout of crying, he got through the day with much success!

Our Family Retreat

We signed up to go on a weekend family retreat at The Center for Courageous Kids. It's this amazing camp for kids with illnesses that is supported completely by donations and sponsors. We went for a weekend retreat that was for families with juvinille diabetes. It is in Scottsville, KY which is right outside of Bowling Green. The boys kept asking us what it was going to be like. To be honest, I didn't know. I looked at the website and saw lots of fun things like horseback riding, a lake, a bowling alley, etc., but I just didn't know what would be on the schedule for our weekend. It was amazing. The boys and Mallory just loved it and so did Zane and I. It was jam packed and at the same time, so relaxing. There were 30 families there and many counselors. We had counselors helping us and loving on our kids the entire time. We rode horses, canoed, bowled, danced, fished, made so many crafts, cooked and swam. The boys loved the woodshop the best. You could go in and there were rows and rows of precut wood in different shapes. You could use a wood burner, trace shapes, paint it, glitter that baby up or just stick stickers all over it. Mallory made 5 different things while Boston spent all of his free time there. It helped that our family counselor, Ashley, worked in the woodshop so she kept him under her wing. The boys keep asking when we can go back. A year will be a long time to wait, but definitely worth it.

Gage's Racers (again)

At last year's walk

Our family is doing the JDRF Walk that supports finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.  We tend to be low key about Gage's diabetes (for the most part) because we know that he is one strong dude and that life has to go on. But, I know that the money raised for the walk goes directly to finding a cure and we really hope that someday Gage won't have to worry about his blood sugar, have shots, test himself, or just feel tired and sick. So, as a family, we support him by doing the walk (and by not eating candy in front of him!). If you feel like it's your year to help out, you can go here and donate directly to our family team- Gage's Racers.