Pingel's March and April Birthdays Celebration

On March 25 we all gathered at the Pingel Ranch (my parent's home) to celebrate a number of birthdays while Scott and Lindsey were in town from Oregon.  We were celebrating for Shendi 3/12, ME 3/23, Ginny 3/27, Bret 3/30, Eliza 3/31, Max 4/5, and Lindsey 4/26.  But MOSTLY we were celebrating little Ginny because it was her 1st birthday and we all just ADORE her.  She is such a sweet little peanut.

Darci, Ginny, and Eliza

Ginny just loved this pointer Christopher had

Grandpa flying kites with Christopher, Easton, and Xander

Eliza and Max chillin'

Easton and Xander making adventures on the trailer

Blakelynn, Lucas, and Darci joining in the adventure

Christopher was a good sport and pulled everyone around in the wagon

ALMOST the entire group... Luca, Darci, Christopher, Blakelynn, Xander, Max, Matthew, and Eliza

Eliza's World

Poor Eliza... sometimes she just can't catch a break.  Maybe that should say she catches TOO MANY breaks.
Back in January (when I was still a blog slacker) she had a hairline fracture on the top of her right foot due to a run-in with a very full (read VERY LARGE AND HEAVY) Costco cart.  She spent 3 weeks in a walking boot.

Then on March 22, while we were playing at the park she had a little fall.  I mean, really, this fall was so minor I just couldn't believe she got hurt so badly.  It was not a high height and she landed on her feet.  She just happened to land completely wrong on her feet.  She had two buckle fractures, one on each side of her ankle on her right foot.  Yes, the same foot that was in a boot.  It was actually a little bit scary because when it became obvious that she wasn't just being dramatic was when she started shivering and going into shock.  At the Urgent Care office he foot was SO SWOLLEN that they decided not to cast it for a week.

She spent a week in a splint.  She couldn't walk on it or get it wet.  That was a rough week for both of us.

Finally on March 30 (Bret's Birthday) she got her cast :)  She got to pick the color and she really loved the orthopedists assistant, Jimmy.

Eliza LOOOVES green and was thrilled that they even had her favorite shade of green to cast it with.  From this point they said she would be in it for 4 weeks and she was a allowed to walk in it and it was waterproof so she could still take baths.  She milked this injury for the next couple of days and wanted to be held.  FUNNY ELIZA-ISM THAT I NEED TO RECORD... when she wants you to hold her or carry her she says, "I hold you?"

March 31st was sunny and pleasant and we celebrated Eliza's 3rd Birthday.  Oh how I love this funny little girl.  She makes me CRAZY with her stubborn-ness and, but she is so cute and absolutely hilarious.  I can't believe she's 3 already.  Watching your children get older is SO bittersweet.

We kept the day simple because it was also the semi-annual LDS General Conference.  She wanted lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and to watch movies she loved all day.

3 Year "Diaversary"

Before starting this post you'll want to pause the regular blog music :)

March 3, 2009 is a date that we will never forget.  That was the day that Darci was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  This was one of those events that was life changing for many.  We are encouraged to celebrate this day and do everything we can to make Darci feel special.  It's a day to celebrate her strength and her bravery through tough trials.
It also helps adjust my attitude to put a positive spin on it.  If I didn't, well, let's just say I would definately wallow in what was one of the hardest days of my entire life.
Darci and I can really butt heads, but I think it's because she and I are SO MUCH alike.   But she teaches me daily, she's my hero, and I love her so much.
When I first heard the song Firework by Katy Perry I was so struck with how much it fit Darci.  Ever since she was little we have called her our little firework or firecracker.  The words are so inspiring as to all that Darci can become.

Darci- We love you so very much.  Your spirit and determination inspire us daily.  You are amazing and we are so proud of you.

Ready, Set, GO!!

Today we had our Animas Insulin Pump training class.  Darci had been pretty excited the last couple of days, but as soon as we met Jessica, our educator, she got real nervous.  The class really went pretty quickly, but what a whirlwind of information!!!  Darci was feeling ok about the insertion of her infusion set, but by lunchtime she was asking if it was time to take the pump off.  We tried to explain to her that she will wear it all the time now.  We will only remove it for her to shower and swim.  And we don't even have to do that because it's water-proof.  The rest of today she has been feeling pretty emotionally overwhelmed.  She did admit to liking the ease of dosing her meals.



This is right before we left for the class.  We made her several undshirts with a pocket for her pump.




Here she is all connected with her tubing delivering her insulin. 


For those that don't know... an insulin pump is a tiny machine that measures a gives Darci's insulin via small plastic tubing that goes into a canula inserted into her body fat.  That means she now gets small continuous amounts of insulin all throughout a 24 hour period (much like a pancreas would do), and we can deliver her insulin without giving her 4-6 shots/day.  Another bonus of the pump is we can give more exact amounts in tighter increments.  This is going to give her a higher quality of life and make life with diabetes so much better.

She was starting to feel a little emotional and unsure here.

On the Road to Being a Pumper.

We are very excited to have recieved Darci's insulin pump!!!  This is a big deal for her and our family.  It has been a long road leading up to this.  Even with our insurance it was a pricey piece of equipment and we were finally in a position to spend that money.  This is going to make some things so much better for Darci.  Instead of 4-6 shots a day we're looking at one infusion set change every 3 days.  She will have more flexibility for grazing and snacks.  It will be a better balancing act for her sugars.  We knew that before she started school we had to start the pump.
It's a little thing, about the size of a cell phone or iPod, but (according to all the info) it's tough.  She'll wear it in a belted pouch or pocketed undershirt most of the time.
Now we just need some education.  This thing and using it is mostly like a foreign language.  Once we get our classes Darci will officially be a pumper :)

One of the neat things about the pump we've selected (the pump is that pink thing on the left) is that the glucose meter (silver on the right) is a remote for it.  We can program her insulin and have to pump deliver it right from the meter.  It'll even help us figure out her dose based on the carbs she'll be consuming.  Neat, huh?

Back By Popular Demand

I don't see the appeal, but I have had several friends mention that they miss me blogging.  I kind of stopped when life got a  little hectic and it seemed like no one really read the blog.  I have to admit, though, that I miss having a place to record our comings and goings and having it act as sort of a journal of sorts.

So now I need to decide if I catch everything up or just start where we are.  Maybe I'll intersperse stuff in as needed.  We'll see.

Currently in our life we are getting ready to register Darci for Kindergarten.  Wait... WHAT!?!?  No, seriously, where did the last 5 years go?  Just thinking about filling out all the usual paperwork brings tears to my eyes, but add in that there is more for her to go to school and I have to let her go be in the care of other 5 days a week... well, lets just say that I have had to do some deep, slow breathing and tell myself to not hyperventilate.  I always said I wouldn't be THAT mother, but now faced with sending my daughter (they're supposed to be more fragile than boys) and diabetic to school I've turned into THAT mother.
Not that Darci is concerned at all.  Of all my kids, so far, she is the most ready to happily wave good-bye and enter those doors.  She is currently in preschool M,W,F and it's just not enough for her.  She is like a sponge soaking up any info she can aquire.  She loves to paint and draw and color and recently she wants to add words and write.
Christopher is in 4th grade now and for the first time every math isn't perfectly easy.  I mean, don't get me wrong, he's still acing it, but he actually has to put forth a little study and effort.  There have been a few tears, but he pulls through.  We are really trying to tell him it's ok to make mistakes and not be perfect.  Sometimes we need to struggle through the learning process to appreciate it more. 
Xander is in 1st grade and excelling academically.  He's getting better at coping with some of his issues and his teacher is really good at letting him have his moments, but moving on from them, too.
Eliza is almost 3 and such a stubborn little thing.  But she is just SO FUNNY!!!  The moments you want to be mad at her she'll do something so hilarious you just can't be mad.
Bret is still working at the West Jordan Library.  This could change in the near future as they are building a new West Jordan Library and it will be the new main branch for the system and he's not sure if they'll keep all the current staff where they are.  We'd love a transfer to a branch closer to home :)

Well, I'll try and update more often and keep everyone abreast of the happenings in our family.  LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

Rainy Day Fun

Darci and Eliza soaking wet



Eliza doesn't want to come in out of the pouring rain.








Sunday, July 31, 2011
We were having a lazy, summer afternoon when I realized I couldn't hear Darci or Eliza anymore.  I found them outside in the pouring rain.  I love it!!!  I used to love to play in summer rainstorms :)

Hiking Battlecreek Falls

The hiking crew


For her wellness program at work, my mom has to do a 60 minute hike once a week.  For the July 24th holiday we got to join her on her hike to Battlecreek Falls.
It was a great experience for our kids and fun for all.
We thankfully had a nice, cool, cloudy morning for it.
Afterwards we enjoyed breakfast at the kids' favorite joint... McDonald's.

Mom and Christopher at the bottom of the falls



Our view of the valley at the falls.



Christopher at the tops of the falls





Awww... my oldest and my youngest.  Eliza idolizes Christopher



We Love You Wendy

On July 7, 2011 Bret's younger sister, Wendy, passed away due to complications from her Type 1 Diabetes.
This has been a very hard and trying time for all of us, especially Bret, as we've tried to adjust to this sudden change in our lives.

She was able to pass peacefully surrounded by her parents and siblings.

The viewing and funeral were beautiful.

We love you Wendy.


There was a beautiful double rainbow that was with us our entire drive home from the viewing.



Till we meet again...



The smaller children still found some time to enjoy each other and play





Darci had a special moment with her grandma after we released balloons for Wendy.



Bret and Gabby have bonded.  Gabby was Wendy's kitty.  I think they know they need each other.

Grandma Rosemary thought Darci should have this arrangement from the funeral.  It was Darci's Favorite and with there being roses... it was fitting for our little Darci Rose

Disneyland Day 3

More info to come