Christmas at Charlton Park

Before I jump into my post, I have to apologize for my disappearance of late. Work has been crazy. I have been working at 3am for the past few months, with 5 shifts a week for the past month or so. Between work, Christmas parties, and preparing for those parties, I have been beat. 

With that said, I do have a few events to catch you up on. A few weeks ago, Andrew and I went with my cousin Katelyn to a park near her for their Christmas event. (She lives about an hour away and has this amazing park nearby that does numerous events throughout the year.) Their Christmas event is so much fun.

They have a number of old, historic buildings that they have set up in Victorian fashion. For Christmas they decorate them all and have volunteers, in period costume, in most of them. 

These ladies, who happily posed for me, were making wassail and plum pudding. We were invited to try both and were impressed with how tasty the pudding was. It was very similar to a fruit cake and not at all what we think of as pudding here in America. We were also able to try roasted chestnuts in another room of this same house. They were much softer than I anticipated and not nearly as nutty tasting. Very good, though.

In that same house, we learned about the cobweb tree. This was very popular during Victorian times. Taking as many colors of yarn as you had people, you would wind them around your house and attach a present to the end, with that present being hidden somewhere. The guests would each take one color and have to find their gift. Doesn't it sound fun?

Most of the buildings had Christmas trees decorated. This one was in the schoolhouse. 

They also had a craft in the schoolhouse. Katelyn stopped to make a cute little sachet.

I loved the old store. All the stuff sitting out, waiting to be bought. It draws me in.

I had to take a picture of this beautiful cabinet. I would love to have one in my house someday. 

The last stop on our tour was the church. It is a gorgeous old building...

...with great windows...

...and these great lights.

It was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to going back next year!

World Diabetes Day

Today is world diabetes day. A day to raise awareness, and hopefully improve understanding about diabetes. This isn't a path I would have chosen for myself, but, God is far wiser than I and I trust that He has an amazing plan for my life, diabetes included. This journey has made me stronger, mentally, physically, and emotionally than I ever could have imagined. 

I am beyond blessed to have an amazing family to walk this road with. I couldn't do it without any of you. I most certainly could not walk this road without Andrew by my side. He is my strength and support, the one who keeps me on the right path and stops me from eating that doughnut when my blood sugar is high, the one who forces me to wake up in the middle of the night to correct a low blood sugar, the one who goes for a walk with me to help bring my blood sugar down, the one who helps me change my sensor and my pump site. He is the shoulder I cry on when it is just too much, and the one who understands more than almost anyone else. I am blessed to have such an amazing husband to walk this road with.

Diabetes, whether it is type 1, type 2, or gestational, affects so many people. Chances are good that you know someone (other than me!) that has it. For their sake, understand it, ask questions. It means a lot, trust me.

Diaversery

October 9, 2005. My diaversery. 

12 years of finger pokes.

3 insulin pumps.

1 continuous glucose monitor.

Uncountable amounts of juice boxes drank, fruit snacks eaten, visits to the doctor, shots given, nights spent awake, nerves hit as I replace my pump or monitor, and frustration.

12 years ago I had no idea that a person could be so thankful for juice boxes and fruit snacks or good, deep pockets on my clothes. I had no idea the amount of frustration and pain that this diagnosis would bring. I also had no idea how many amazing people I would meet with the same disease. People that would inspire me, and encourage me to keep going press on. It isn't what I thought my life would look like, and I would not have picked it, but it has helped to shape me into who I am today, and, above all, I know that God loves me and has amazing plans for my life. Who am I to second guess him? 

So, here's to another diabetic year. Another year that I have been blessed to be alive without any complications. Another year with my wonderful family by my side supporting me. Thank you all. I couldn't do it without you!

Beach Party!

Every year the youth group goes to Tunnel Park in Holland. I have been working in the past, but was able to go this year. We had an amazing day. It was quite warm and busy, but we had fun nonetheless. 

We hung out and played some volleyball and 9-square while we waited for the burgers and hot dogs to cook.

After lunch it was off to the water where we played greased pig. It's a game involving a watermelon, crisco, and 2 hula hoops.

Greasing the "pig".

The 2 teams.

Let the game begin!

We played a couple other games before we headed for home. It was tiring, but a lot of fun.

It's Fall!

It's my favorite time of the year. I love autumn more than any other season. The beautiful color of the leaves, the cooler temperatures, pumpkin everything! With fall here, it is time for me to change out my decor; just a little. 

I put out my normal fall things...

...and a few new additions.

So happy to have my fall things out!

Brother - in - law

Andrew has a older brother, Jason, who lives in Texas with his wife and 2, grown, kids. When we got married they were unable to come up as he just started a new job. So, I had never met him or his family. His birthday was in August and his daughter wanted to do something special for him. She (tried to) surprise him with a trip up to Michigan to see his family.

He hasn't been up here in around 20 years. It has probably been that long since he saw his parents as well. We were able to set up our spare room with a bed so he could stay with us. It was a crazy couple days spent at my in-laws place; lots of people in a small space! My sister-in-law has 8 kids and Jason had only met 1 of them. It was quite the introduction for him!

I didn't get many pictures. In fact, I only got 1. We all had a great time catching up and getting to know each other. Hopefully it won't be another 20 years before we see Jason again!

Sleepover!!

Alright, I know what your thinking. It's about time she gets back at it; and you would be right. Summer got a little crazy and busy and I let my poor blog slide to the side. However, I am hanging out in a hotel in St. Louis for the weekend (Andrew is attending a work paid conference, so I get to tag along!), so that gives me time to catch up on the many blog posts that are waiting in the wings. 

Earlier this summer we took Alaina with us to our church vbs program. Ruby was very disappointed and wanted to go along, so we wanted to do something special with her as well. She was very excited to come over for a sleepover.

We went on a walk to the playground and she was very happy that we had sunglasses that were her size! Doesn't she look cool?

We tried out all the toys.

Sometimes we needed some help from Uncle Andrew.

It was so much more fun to talk to Uncle Andrew through this toy.

Someone really does love her Uncle Andrew!

After church we found some indoor toys to play with. I got this small set on magnetic toys for shipping only. She was excited that we had some.

She thought she was cool stuff wearing my shoes!

We had a blast with her around. Looking forward to the next time we can have the girls over. Life is never dull with them around!

White sewing machine

There is an online auction website that is based in my area that I regularly keep an eye on. They have an auction every Tuesday; you just never know what goodies you will find.

This week, I was very lucky. I found (and won for $5) a sewing machine cabinet. After a little dusting and cleaning it looks like a great side table, don't you think? 

It is a little bit taller than I would have liked, but the fact that it still has a sewing machine in it makes it so worth it!

This is a White rotary sewing machine. There is a plug, but we have not tried it to see if it works. There was some thread on a bobbin in it yet, so it might, although it's in rough looking shape. White made sewing machines from 1858 until it merged with Husqvarna Viking (a Swedish company) sometime in the 1950-1960's. While I know that it isn't terribly old, I have no idea when it was manufactured.

I just think it's cool and love the old look and the history it brings to our little place. 

Love my Church Family!

I have the most amazing church family. 

During the summer, when our normal school year programs are not running, we have prayer meetings during that time. Last night we had some missionaries from Kosovo that were going to be sharing their ministry with us.

When Andrew and I got to church and got out of the car, we noticed that one of our tires was flat; on the rim flat. That's just what you want to deal with at church, right?

It's hard to see, but, trust me, this is one seriously flat tire!

We decided to deal with it after the meeting. Andrew grabbed a couple of the other deacons (being a deacon himself he knows who to grab) and we headed out. One of the guys that helped happens to be a bit of a mechanic and was extremely helpful. 

He found this in our tire...

It took some trial and error to get the hole plugged. He ended up running home (he lives right near by) and getting some proper tools.

Finally, we had it all plugged and ready to go. Until Andrew heard the distinct sound of air escaping. After a thorough examination that didn't yield any results they resorted to spraying the tire down with soapy water and watching for bubbles. 

Sure enough, they found a split in the interior sidewall. How that happened, we don't really know, but it resulted in a dead tire. We ended up putting the donut on, filling her up with air, and heading home. Andrew went and got a new tire this morning and she is as good as new.

I am so thankful that we have so many amazing guys at church that don't hesitate to drop what they are doing to help you out. We have an amazing church family!

New Hobby

I have tried something new, and I love it. Stamped jewelry. I am far from having perfected the art yet, but I have made a few things.

A bracelet for my cousin when she graduated high school...

a necklace for a friend when she had her first baby...

and a little something for me!