Finish up February

It has been one of my longest times of silence on the blog.  Not sure what has happened to suck me away from this.  Life has just felt like a never-ending hamster wheel.  But there have been some moments where the monotony and speed and expectations relax, and I find myself again.  I guess in those pockets I choose to do something else – probably read.  It is my escape – maybe more than it should be.  It is much easier to watch someone else’s life unfold.  Their problems happen. And be solved.  Characters who are annoying are only with you for the duration of the book.  And those that you love, you tuck away in your memory bank. There are always things I would like to see happen.  Places I would like to go.  Gatherings I would like to organize.  Sometimes a book is just safer and easier than trying to do those things.  At this point, I have about 6 weeks of school left, and I wonder, Will summer be different or will it slip by before I do all the things?  Not sure.  I am trying to just take each day as it comes at this point. 

Deep thoughts.

Here’s to February’s last breath…

Madison participated in the Wayne County Solo and Ensemble Contest this year.  I was proud of her for trying it out.  She played a flute duet with a friend of hers.  She worked hard to get her part down. We listened, and she played along with, a person on YouTube that played the piece with a clarinet.  It was extremely helpful.  The week of the contest, her friend came over two different days to practice a little more with her.  Then on contest day, we could go listen.  They did so well.  The best that I had heard them play.  They earned an Superior rating.

Ellie celebrated her Dia-versary on February 21.  That is the one year anniversary of her diagnosis.  She could pick what she wanted to do to celebrate.  She wanted to roller skate.  So, off we went to improve our skating skills.  She had a lot of fun using her new (hand-me-down) skates.  I laced up a pair of skates that had a tongue hanging on by a thread – literally.  It didn’t matter.  Skating happened for all of us – Ellie on her personal skate.  Jeremy on rollerblades.  Madison on rentals.  And me on rentals.  Grandma and Grandpa Ediger came just to watch the fun and celebrate the date as well. 

This past year has not been without some bumps in it.  But I am so proud of how far Ellie (and all of us) have come.  Dexcom changes happen fairly quickly without the tears now.  Carb counting is getting quicker and more routine.  And she is now giving herself her own shot, which has allowed her to go over to friends’ houses and be a little more independent.  We have a long way to go.  And sometimes, I look at her, and I think it really isn’t fair and this really sucks.  All her life she will have to manage this – think about carbs, dose for all the bites of food she takes, go to bed wondering if she will be low, explain her Dexcom when someone asks, give a tutorial to friends and friends’ parents every time she goes over, and prick, poke, and wear something.  It’s fine.  But that doesn't’ mean it doesn’t still give me pause once in awhile.