Ryabetes and Other Stories

Part One: Ryabetes

I have gained about 10 lbs since my diagnosis (now at 143 lbs.), which most of you already knew since I've been there for a while. Even more significant is the fact that I bought a new pair of jeans yesterday and ended up getting a pair with a 30-inch waist. So in a month's time, I've gained no weight, but have returned to a more normal frame/stature. On top of that, I'm up to running 5 miles a day, so this is not "two inches of fat" but rather "two inches of health." I feel better every day, and if I keep up with my exercise diligently, I find it really easy to keep my blood sugar under control. So yippee.

Part Two: Other Stories

In other news, as per the following picture, I am still engaged to the world's most beautiful woman.

Finally, as amazing as it might be, I think I have uncovered a latent ability to draw. (Apparently autoimmune diabetes in adults isn't the only latent thing in my life.) Now, understand that prior to a few weeks ago, I couldn't draw at all. So as you see my work, cut me a little slack. It's not excellent, but it's not half bad for a guy whose handwriting is cartoonishly awful and who has always been ashamed of his inability to even keep his crayons inside the lines. See as follows.

Some Fun Pictures

Here are just a few pictures of our latest fun! Enjoy!



She's holding the Snowman's hand, by the way. (Sydney, Frosty the Snowman, and his pet dog Rainbow)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Sydney said she wanted to sit on Santa's lap this year and tell him what she wanted for Christmas, so we took her to the mall to see my personal favorite Santa. She was so excited, yet so nervous! It was so cute to see her anxiously wait in line. We made it to Santa and I said to him, "this is the first time she's come to sit on your lap." and Santa said, "Oh! But you waved to me last year, didn't you!" And I got all excited and said Yes! Yes she did! Wow, I can't believe he remembered her! We would wave at him from the upper level, or go down close to the fence and wave......wait a minute.....he probably says that to every little kid, because every little kid waves at Santa! Dang! I totally fell for it! I must be 4 years old too!

For as nervous as she was, she actually got right up to him and told him right what she wanted! I was totally impressed! She calmed right down after he told her to go over to the basket and get a candy and a book. And then we had a picture done. Peyton was thrown in there too. No screaming, but not the most pleasant of looks on the kid. Sydney had fun! We're counting down the days!

Thanksgiving

I know I missed the traditional day of saying "Thanks" about a week ago, but I think we should never be limited to just one day to tell the world and those in it how we feel. So in keeping with that, my family is beginning a new tradition. We will have strips of colored paper next to a jar. Throughout the year, whenever the mood might strike, we will take one (or more) of those strips and write what we are thankful for, what makes us happy, something good that happened to us, a good deed that we did or that was done to/for us, anything that will help us remember the things that are so great in life. As we put it in the jar, we will read it out loud and drop it into the jar. On the "traditional" day of thanks, we will pull out each strip and read it out loud again to each other and remember/laugh/cry over what each of us wrote. Then, we'll take all those strips and make a chain that will decorate our christmas tree, and we'll start all over with the strips for the new year!

I have several things I want to start as tradition with my family and am excited to get them going! But I do want to tell everyone how much I love them and how glad for all the love I have in my life! I am a very lucky girl and even though I may get frustrated with people or situations in my life, I know that what I have is irreplaceable!

Thank you to everyone for being a part of my life! I love you all very much!

It's an old picture, but it will have to do for the time being! :)

He's Walking!

Peyton is now walking....well, running but he really can't keep up so it's a fast fall! He is getting really good and chooses to walk before he tries crawling. Crawling is a last resort now, so cute! I bought him so shoes, which kids always have a hard time adjusting to new shoes and shoes in general when they are learning to walk, but he does really well in them! He tries to put on his own socks and shoes and loves to hand us our shoes....even when we don't want to wear them. He tries to put on Sydney's shoes too.



Sydney made a turkey out of her Halloween pumpkin and had so much fun! It makes a great center piece!

NVD - Myeloma

Just a quick note to alert you to the blog of a friend of mine. His name is Nick Van Dyk, and he has accomplished a great deal in his short life. One such accomplishment involves being a pretty cool prog-metal musician.

Anyway, I read his blog from start to finish this week. It contains an amazing story of perseverance and success, and I highly recommend it to all of you. I also recommend his music very highly, but only to those of you who appreciate metal music. :)

http://nvdmyeloma.blogspot.com

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