The Olsen Update

 This is one of the saddest posts I've had to write in some time... Two weeks ago I got a phone call from my brother in law, Brad.  He started the conversation with a little laugh and "I think your Alana has rubbed off on Reed" I was perplexed.  Oh no.  What did Alana do now?   "It looks like Reed is a type 1 diabetic too" I was floored.  I had just gone to Alana's school to give a talk on T1D, now we have another child in my husband's family who is insulin dependent. (My pancreas prop) Reed and Alana were born a year and two days apart. Reed had to go to the hospital in DKA on his tenth birthday.  It's the worst birthday present EVER!!! I felt hopeless and all I wanted to drop everything and fly out to Utah to help out.  But Alana was turning nine the next day and there was just no way I could make it happen.  So we scheduled to skype that night. While laying in his hospital bed, we talked to him, comforted

Today is Alana's 2nd "Diaversary".  I'm so proud of her and how far we have come. I remember sitting in the ICU with my 6 year old, who was dying before my eyes.  She was weak and not there.  Alana was so brave.  She saw the pain  in my eyes and would tell me that she was going to be Okay. Jen (Alana's first DIAbuddy) and Wendy where the first people I called. I know they came into our lives when they did for a reason.  With out them I may have fallen apart. It seemed like a whirl-wind. Dr.s, nurses, educators.  I felt like I was in a dream land.  There's no way that this was happening to my child. She was perfect.  After four days in the ICU we were left to medically care for someone who's life now relied so heavily on us and insulin.  Alana was thrilled to go home.  I on the other hand was scared to death.  As we drove away from the hospital, I half wanted to turn back. As I look back at these events, I think about what they have done for

Here's another!

(This is an old image of two of our cats.  Thought we could have some fun)

As you all know, Christmas is only 8 weeks away. (hard to think of it that way)   So the elves have been busy in my studio setting up for Christmas Mini sessions. I know tomorrow is Halloween, but I'm just to excited not to share the first of two mini sessions we'll be offering this holiday season. Normally I don't get too overly excited. Take a look below and you'll see why.  Milly (2) rocked it. Not only rocked it.  She stood still (for the most part)!!                 

I've had a few people ask me what I want for my birthday and rather than responding to these messages one by one, I think I'll post it here for all to see.  What do I want? I want a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. I know that seems to be an odd thing to ask for. Maybe unreasonable, but even my little Alana asked for it for Christmas last year. I want my daughter to have the childhood that she once had. I want her to be free from finger pricks, site changes and getting her insu lin pump tubing stuck on door knobs. I want her to be able to pushed into the pool by her friends (with out the worries that it will kill her pump). I want her to be able to eat carbs with out counting them and indulge in chocolate and ice cream with out an injection or fear that her blood sugar will be high.  This is my simple birthday wish. Please donate to JDRF and type one diabetes research. Help us find that cure. Even if its a dollar. Every cent counts. Thanks. ♥