Home Sweet Home

I never knew I could get so excited to go to Idaho, but lets just say I was a little kid on Christmas morning when the 18th finally rolled around and we were able to head to Idaho. I did a half a day at school before we headed to the airport. We flew from Portland to Boise which is a quick 1 hour flight. We were then going to have to wait at the airport for 3 hours until our shuttle left. Luckily Jared and Nicole (Friends from Portland) were in Boise visiting family so they picked us up and gave us a tour of Boise (I know, I know, It is my state capitol and I have never really driven through it, just around it). We learned many interesting facts about Boise (City of trees? Have they been to Oregon?) and all there libraries end in exclamation points! Thanks Jared and Nicole for teaching Kevin that. I can't say Library without him exclaiming it  LIBRARY! We then had a yummy yummy dinner at a local drive in where we got Ice cream potatoes- It is really ice cream, just formed to look like a potato. After dinner they took us back to the airport so we could catch our shuttle. Thanks Jared and Nicole for entertaining us for the evening! You saved us a lot of boredom.

We finally arrived in Rigby at about 1:00 that night. Needless to say it was a shocker when we stepped off the bus into the freezing cold wind. Nonetheless I was still so excited to be there. The next few days were filled with lots of family and friends. Wednesday I went out to lunch with a friend of mine that I taught with last year at the Jr. High. Cassidy and I became great friends (she kept me sane) when we taught together and have kept in touch. I snuck her out during her lunch period, but not before going to visit other co-workers and some of my favorite students! It was so fun going back and seeing them, and there shock when they realized it was Mrs. Berg. Most had to take double takes before they caught on. I also was able to catch up with Brandy a good friend from high school that day and take the cute nieces out for ice cream (sadly none of this is documented with pictures). 

The next few days were filled with lots of family time, and late nights playing games. We went shopping with my mom, did some sewing with my mom, did a puzzle (of course) fed some cows, played games until all hours of the night at Devin and Charms (Thanks for all the laughs), and of course we got lots and lots of Livia time (who can resist this adorable face?)

 She absolutely loved Kevin and followed him around everywhere. One day while at my parents they had been playing for a while and then Kevin went to take a shower. She came to me looking for him - "Where's kevi?" I then told her that he had gone to take a shower. She then gave me the saddest pouty face and ran off crying. Needless to say about 1 minute later Kevin came up stairs being dragged by Livia (who had the biggest smile on her face). She had caught him before he got in the shower. We then had to distract her so that he could get away and shower without her by his side. 

Christmas eve we did our annual christmas morning breakfast early because my parents were leaving Christmas morning to go to Florida. After breakfast we all lounged around for a while before heading home and napping. That night we watched movies with my parents and enjoyed relaxing. 

Christmas morning we quickly made the rounds to all my siblings before we took my parents to the airport. They had bought there tickets seperately (my dad decided to go later on)  so they were on different flights but left within an hour of each other. After taking them to the airport we headed back to my parents where I fell asleep and Kevin watched football. We were then a little surprised to see my dad come walking into the living room. Due to problems with his plane his flight had been cancelled and so he could not get another one until the 26th. We were happy to have him home but I think he wanted to be in Florida :) That night we had a yummy dinner at Becca and Justins and then enjoyed another late night of games. 

Livia admiring Kevin like usual

Loryn my cuddle bug! 

Abbi's gymnastics skills

The next day (which was our final day) was spent running around we were able to go say our final goodbyes to family, meet up quickly with Crystal (best friend) in which I wished we would have had more time. It was sad to leave home. I am told it gets easier as time goes on but nonetheless it was hard to leave a place filled with so much love and comfort. I miss looking out and seeing the open fields and getting to spend all day with cute little renegades. I miss not having to take my shoes off when I walk into the house, and I miss laying on my mom and dads bed watching TV and chatting with my mom. I miss hearing my dads truck pulling in- and all the kids hearing it too and cheering in excitement that papa was home. However we were happy to get out of the freezing cold weather and head back home to a much quieter house. 

An early Christmas

Due to the fact that we are a little impatient (especially when big boxes show up at the door). And due to the fact that we were not going to be home for Christmas and did not want to fly the big box to Idaho  we decided to celebrate Christmas a little early. As in two weeks early ha ha. It started out with, we will both open one present each. But then it turned into lets just open them all. Needless to say it was a great early Christmas. I was very excited to find a cricut machine in my big box, and Kevin was excited for his new chair to study in and new wardrobe. Along with these we both received a new pair of shoes. Kevin got new basketball shorts.  I got a new CTR ring, a book, and some hot booties (slippers you warm in the microwave).

6 wonderful years

It has officially been 6 years since I was diagnosed with diabetes, and might I add- 6 wonderful years. And no I am not saying that sarcastically. Although there are days when it is hard, and tiring, and frustrating, and scary, diabetes has become a part of me. It is part of who I am and I am thankful everyday for this challenge I have, that allows me to grow and try harder everyday.

I am grateful for a mother who on this day 6 years ago, held my hand in the doctors office where I was told the news, and quietly shed tears with me as we hugged and cried together. For a mother who jumped out of bed at 2 am on numerous occasions when I crawled to her bedside and simply uttered the words, I'm low. For a mother who had to watch her little girl shake, and pass out, when my I hit an all time low. And then she dealt with me with patience as I demanded peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Doritos. For a mother who still calls me, just to check and see if I am okay and to see how my blood is doing for the day.  

I am grateful for the friends I had at the time that were and are still supportive and helpful with all my health needs.

I am grateful for the doctors who have always been so kind and understanding (even when my a1c wasn't pretty). I am grateful for the medical devices such as Insulin pumps, and Continuos Glucose Monitors that make managing this unpredictable disease a little easier.

And I am grateful for a husband, who from the very beginning has supported and helped me become healthier. For a husband that when I am mean and grumpy knows to simply ask me to check my blood. For a husband who never complains when I am too tired to go out because my blood is out of wack, and never complains when he now has to wake up at 2 a.m. and make get me food.

So tonight I sit here with a grateful heart. I cannot help but think of all the good things that have come from this trial in my life. When the days are hard and the nights long, I simply have to think of all the people in my life who have stepped up and helped me in so many ways. It is simply amazing.

So tonight I will celebrate having diabetes with a blizzard (ironic I know), and will continue celebrating this disease each year, because each day it makes me a stronger person.

Give Thanks

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Portland (my first year away from home for Thanksgiving) . First of all I admit I was a little disappointed that we couldn't make it to Idaho but Kevin had such a short break, it just wasn't possible. Secondly I was a little intimidated cooking Thanksgiving dinner by myself.  In the end though it turned out great. After millions (literally) of calls to my mother for directions on how to make cranberry jello, and rolls, and pie crusts, and gravy, and a ham (yes we had ham instead of turkey. Yes I know that shouldn't be allowed. But I like it more.), and squash, green bean casserole, potatoes, and so on. I think by the time I finished my mother was for the first time in her life sick of talking to me ha ha. In the end it turned out great.

Okay so this is not our Thanksgiving dinner (I forgot to take a picture) but it was very filling. We enjoyed the company of Seth (a dental student from our ward, whose wife was out of town). That night we went and picked up Pat and Stacey from the airport and enjoyed the left overs together.

The next day Pat and I did some more Christmas shopping and then we all headed to the movies. Pat and Stacey left the next morning and we were sad to see them go but glad we were able to spend a couple weekends together (benefits of living in Portland).