Courage. Love him. Proud of him.

This is a little veer off our adoption adventure and into a daily adventure that we have in our home. And I wanted to shine a light on one of my kids in particular. And as I say I that, I should shine a light on my other three kids at home as well. They are supportive of him, they hold his hand when he needs, they pray for him, they feel sad for him and celebrate when things go great. So before I share any more I want to shine a light on ALL of them. They love each other and are GREAT brothers and sisters.....So,

We are almost finished our holidays for the summer - I am sitting at our friend's house in the mountains just outside of Vernon and am so thankful for the time we have been able to spend the six of us. God definitely knew what He was doing when timelines were being created this summer - so we could still get away as a family. The kids needed time with us. We needed to reconnect with them. And now we are all looking forward to getting home. All of our kids always thrive when we go camping but one in particular shows us more of himself every time we go. And that is our oldest son (well, soon to be second oldest- but for now, our oldest son:). He doesn't ask for screen time, he loves getting out in the woods, biking around the campground, helping his dad with the campfire, and basically just hanging out. He doesn't like to be scheduled so this is a great trip for him (especially when I can keep my love for scheduling and organizing at bay:).

He is one of the most easygoing kids I know when he can be himself.

Sure he has his moments but every kids does. Every person does. But the thing that strikes me this while about him is is daily courage and flexibility. As many of you you know, but some don't- he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes about 18 months ago. It seems like a lifetime ago. But now it is life. For him and for all of us. It does not define who he is but it is part of who he is. A few months ago, we decided to pursue an insulin pump...We were so grateful to have my insurance cover it and we have slowly been learning more each day about it, how it impacts our son and how to make it work for him. He is only 8, yet he does math like he is an adult, counts carbs EVERY time he eats, tests his blood sugars 8-10 times a day, and gives himself his insulin through his pump. I am thankful for the fact that we only have to give him one needle every 3 days...a far cry from the three a day he used to have.  He is one of the most courageous young men I know and I am proud of him each day. And I am proud to be his mom. I would take  this disease away in an INSTANT if I could. He hates having it - and i don't blame him. I hate that he has it. But everyday, he becomes a little more confident..and we become a little more confident. And we keep living life.

Over the last two weeks, we have been on family vacation and vacation means little to no routine. And with little to no routine often comes a bit of chaos to our food routine. From treats to not eating on time to lots of exercise, it totally changes the typical day in his life - which changes his insulin needs. And guess what - HE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!! His blood sugar numbers were the best they have been in a long time and he was in his element. His stress was low, he was with his family and loving the outdoors.

All this to say that his diabetes is being well managed and we don't try to make a big deal about it but live life with it. I I thank God for these kinds of days...We encourage him to talk about it and explain it to friends - which he does amazingly well. We all eat the same and there is rarely a time where he is singled out solely due to his diagnosis. And we give and take...which I hope and pray allows him to continue to be the super awesome boy he is as he daily walks with this lifelong challenge.

I pray for my son daily. I pray for a cure. And in the meantime, I thank God for creating my son to be who He is and to flourish and overcome the obstacles that are before him.

Blessings,
Candra