Totally did this one Valentines Day when my sister was visiting and offered to watch the kids so we could go out to dinner (or whatever....!) I would definitely take your friend up on your offer. My life has been greatly blessed when I take friend's offers of help seriously, and vice versa.

My kids all got the flu and strep throat at the same time last month. The fever lasted a full five days or more for a couple of them, and they were all so exhausted and pretty much out of commission for a full week. Hope you feel better soon.

Hugs!!! The thought of losing his job and our insurance coverage for our Tyoe 1 keeps my husband awake at nights. So sorry you are dealing with this!!

We currently sponsor a little girl in Ecuador through Childfund International. I researched the organization before we committed and it seems pretty above board. We send letters and pictures back and forth and receive updates about the money is put to use. She's not an orphan, though.

I don't know what part of the valley you're in or what your insurance plan is, but I went to high school with this guy. He is fantastic with kids (one of twelve himself and has nine of his own). He is also a great communicator with adults and very caring. Have no idea about his staff, though. https://intermountainhealthcare.org/providers/profile.html?id=33215

I LOVE Sea Salt! We sold a house last year, and we had almost the whole house done in that shade.

Yes. This is the sad, sad truth. My oldest is 13 and she is the worst! Of course, I may be speaking too soon. 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 could be the worst. Try not to think about it!

Ugh. A long time ago when I was younger and full of hope, I actually took my type 1 DD to a naturopath for muscle testing on the advice of another mom who swore he was healing her DD of type 1 diabetes. He gave me a list of about 15 foods to cut out. I spent months tearing my hair out trying to feed my picky 7 year old on practically nothing but almond flour and quinoa and some fruits and veggies, oh and this puffed amaranth cereal I found somewhere on line. The results in her blood sugar numbers were mixed, but good enough for me to keep this going for way too long and place way too much blame on myself for every reading that was too high, since obviously I was controlling every bite of food she ate. The straw that broke the camel's back was when he told me to cut out nightshades. I couldn't do it anymore. That was it. I still remember the incredible relief I felt feeding her a Cliff bar for the first time in forever. There are a lot of good dietary habits to get into if you're diabetic, but that was just too much. And a year of my life I'll never get back. Plus probably 10 pounds I'll never lose from binging on cookie dough every night to deal with the stress!

Three weeks ago we had this at our house. All four kids all swabbed positive for influenza type A AND strep throat at the same time. Oldest DD was so sick she went into diabetic ketoacidosis and I spent 36 hours in the ER with her while relatives from Oregon arrived for a pre planned visit. (They risked it and lost...went home with the flu.) The two youngest girls developed secondary ear infections and one of them also developed some symptoms of asthma. It was a terrible week at our house. It's been all around town where we live in AZ. My parents had it recently in UT. It knocked my kids out for a full week. Bad news. Hope you all get through it and are well soon!

Cinnamon is not going to cure DD's type 1 diabetes, either!

I watched my aunt suffer with ALS for 17 long years and become completely trapped in her body. Physician assisted suicide was a blessed relief for her. She literally could not have done it herself. She was patient and graceful in her suffering for so long, but eventually she was done, done, done. Still, I have mixed feelings about the practice, generally.

And here's an example from the opposite end. DD13 was recently at a party and texted to tell me that her infusion set pulled out of her tummy. Ok, it's important to replace that pretty quick, but I gave her about half an hour to enjoy the end of the party before I went over to pick her up (she was very close by). Well, it turns out she forgot to tell me that she had ALREADY eaten cake and ice cream before she texted me, but after the site fell out, so no bolus. And of course by that time she was hi and feeling awful. What wouldn't have necessarily been a big deal became a big deal because we didn't communicate well and she wanted to stay at the party.

DP technical difficulties!

Just saw this reply. Yes, I will strongly encourage the staff to consider better training. They are allowed to carry their supplies with them, although we have an extra stash in the office. I've gotten out of the habit of taking glucagon everywhere as we have never needed it in 7 years (knock on wood). I actually need to give myself a refresher on his to use it...tha's probabky where I should start here.

This is how it worked for my daughter in 3rd-6th grade at her homeschool enrichment program: At the beginning of the school year, I met with the nurse/health aid and completed the appropriate forms including her plan if treatment. We made a schedule for when she would test each day. She would test herself in her own classroom and call the numbers into the aid. If they were outside the acceptable range she would take care of it, but always called me to let me know and sometimes ask what I'd like her to do. She'd let me know if DD forgot to check. Now that she's in this new charter school, DD has near zero oversite. She checks herself when it's convenient (generally just at lunch). I'd prefer she check 2 hours after breakfast, but I'm not there to remind her and no one else will. She's generally really responsible and knows what she's doing, but it worries me that there is really no layer of oversight. There are some situations where you have to make a judgement call and she doesn't always have the experience/wisdom to make the right call. We live close by, so I can be quickly on hand if necessary, but I think I will be pushing for more education of the staff. But I'm really new to middle school. What are the experiences/expectations of those of you with middle to high schoolers?

Sure, a middle schooler on up is probably capable of checking their own blood sugar and using their pump. But will they? Adolescence is the prime age when kids might be wanting to fit in, not take the time to bolus, not track carbs carefully, etc, etc. Making sure there is oversight is important to me as a parent. Plus, a kid that's passed out from low blood sugar can't administer their own glucagon. The article specifically mentioned Kindergarteners. Kids in elementary school for sure need monitoring. Do you have a child with diabetes? I don't understand your confusion or your expectations of what every child with diabetes may or may not be capable of. Edited for spelling.

I have heard many horror stories, even from schools with full time nurses. When DD was diagnosed with type 1 at age 6, I was so grateful we were homeschooling. Later, she attended a once a week homeschool enrichment program on the campus of a public school. The nurse split her time at many schools, but the health aide was well trained and did a fantastic job handling things and keeping me informed. Most recently, DD started full time at a small charter school (6th-12th grade). There is no nurse at all. The kids with diabetes are allowed to store their supplies in the office and manage their blood sugar independently as needed. BUT, I know no one on that campus has any clue how to use that glucagon kit we have stored in the office. I offered to have our diabetes educator come do some training, but the receptionist said they have some nurse come in periodically to review various health related issues with the staff. I don't have any confidence in that, though.

http://grandcanyon.com/planning/south-rim-planning/havasupai-falls-arizona/ This, if you guys really want an off the beaten path adventure!

I have vague memories of living in a motel for a week or two when my parents were waiting for the house they were building to be move in ready, but I guess they had sold our previous house and had to be out. I was 6, had 2 little sisters, and I'm pretty sure my mom was pregnant. I'm sure it was difficult. But we all survived and life went on. I say do what you have to do.

Wow! I am sad but not surprised at most of these answers. My mother was told nothing and literally thought she was dying when she got her period at age 11. Consequently, she made sure that myself and my four sisters were thoroughly educated. (no brothers, though I'm sure she would have thoroughly educated them, too). I remember lots of library books and secretly reading her "Pregnant and Loving It" book over and over again. We had a pretty good "maturation night" at the schools with our moms in 4th or 5th grade. Although my parents are firmly pro abstinence, I I learned about birth control and STD's somewhere, school I'd imagine. Five daughters, no premarital sex PLUS no rape or sexual abuse. Kind of amazing, defies the odds, really.

We owned a maxima about 10-15 years ago and really liked it. (Before I totalled it. 😢)

Sounds like you have a good plan. Your situation reminds me of this Studio C sketch I love about best friends...

I have found friends like you mention in all phases of my life, and I am so grateful for them. They have been a special blessing in my life and have sustained me through all of life's ups and downs. I am not in frequent contact with many of my friends from high school/college, but we see each other on FaceBook and when we do connect in person it's like no time has passed. I had a blast at my 20 year high school reunion last summer! I have lived in the same place since I married (15 years ago) and have many close friends that have been through the newlywed and early motherhood stages with me. Our kids are friends, and we've been through a lot together. We moved last year, not far, but go to a new church congregation where I have met another friend or two with whom I have become very close. I consider DH to be my best friend, and we have a good relationship. But I am very grateful for the women (and a few men) in my life who have been such a strong support for me through every phase of life. I really, truly consider them gifts from God.

Oh I miss the days of 30 Rock so much! I have also loved others mentioned... Parks and Rec Arrested Development How I Met Your Mother The Office Currently loving Blackish and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.