Putting myself out there

Today I took a huge step! I started a profile on "my diet" on facebook and I posted my stats to my facebook profile! Crazy? Maybe! Here is my figuring...I had to be held accountable. This was the best way to do it. Do I wish I could have not included my exact weight and only just the weight loss pounds, sure! But that wasn't an option and this is the best way to be honest with myself, being honest with everyone. So we will see what comes of it. I sure hope I only receive support and not snickers.

Things that make me cry

Today I got a message on Facebook from an old friend. We really haven't spoke in years, only because we just don't cross paths. But with Facebook being so popular, it is easy to cross cyber paths, which really makes happy. So I wanted to share her message. She will remain anonymous as I didn't tell her I was going to blog about her message.

Hi Michelle,

I just wanted you to know something...I read your messages that you post everyday about the daily struggles you have with Westin's health. I don't usually comment on them, but I read them ALL. For what it's worth, I just really wanted to tell you how amazing I think you are! You are a daily inspiration to me as a mother and a woman! I feel very thankful and lucky to have a healthy child, I won't even pretend to know what you go through. I just think that Westin couldn't have been more lucky than to have you for a mother. You are a warrior for your children and an inspiration to a newer mother like me! ...

Sorry for the randomness of this note, but I just had to let you know!

This made me cry. I wish I could send this to every mom I know. (That is why I am posting it here) As a mom, we don't get much credit, at least not so directly. I post my daily struggles with homeschooling, parenting, marriage, and especially diabetes and other random health issues, on facebook in hopes of educating those that don't choose to ignore my status updates. (I am sure there are some out there that just wish I would shut up already!) It is working. People are paying attention. I hope that will mean that one less child will die from a delayed diagnosis. I hope this means that a teacher in a school will show more compassion to the struggles of the student with diabetes. I hope that it will mean that my son's future employer (ok, I really hope that he follows in our footsteps and creates his own income) will see that he is perfectly capable of performing the desired tasks but will also allow for him to take care of his health. I hope it educates a police officer about diabetes so that he can help a struggling driver rather than assume he is drunk and disorderly. I think you can see where I am going with this.

I cried tears of gratitude for the very nice words. But I also cried tears of sadness, for the life that my son knows. He was diagnoses at 2 years old. He doesn't know life without diabetes. He doesn't know what it is like to just be care-free.

So thank you to the writer of this very thoughtful note. I REALLY appreciated it. It was the mother's day card I always hoped to get one day from my son when he is a parent and realizes all I have done for him. Thank you.

It's been a LONG time...oops!

I was reminded on facebook that I have a blog...oops! I think I kind of mini blog on facebook and forget about this one.

So we are finally feeling some heat here in Michigan. The first time since probably June. Mind you, today is great but I think it will get hotter this week. I could be wrong...it happens ;) I got in the pool today and gave it a little TLC in anticipation. We just have a little pool, about 30" deep, 10' round. It is the smallest they make with a pump. With a 3 year old, it is perfect. He is confident in it. It is easy to maintain. I can still float in my floaty and get my vitamin D. All is well.

So with summer usually comes with our best chance of making money for the year. I can say that it might be the case this year but only because the rest of the year has sucked too. So it isn't worth mentioning. We are here. We are fed. We are clothed. We might be becoming a bit delusional though. We actually considered trading our only vehicle for a big motor home that was in rough shape. Thank goodness we regained our bearings.

Yesterday we started back to dabbling in a little school work. Today we did nothing...great start! One thing I forgot about when I decided to start back yesterday is that we have a nephew in town for a while and he tends to be at our house...not too conducive to school. Ah, I am easy going so we will just delay. It was a nice thought though.

Speaking of homeschool, we have our theme for the year. We do good with a yearly theme. Last year we were doing ancient history. Not my cup of tea but we were trying to follow The Well Trained Mind. This year we are going back on our own, kind of. I love The Well Trained Mind, but I have to grab on to whatever Westin is interested if I have any chance of him really participating. So this year will be the second world war! I am kind of excited. Something I can actually get interested in. So I think my only real purchase will be our next level of Math U See. I will probably find some fun workbook for Wieland at Sam's and call it good. He turns 4 this month so I guess we will see if he has much interest yet. I really want to let him lead me. Very unconventional for most, I know. I am an unconventional girl.

I should probably elaborate on my laid back style. I always secretly wanted to be an unschooler. I just never thought Westin showed enough interest in anything. So I have kind of come up to meet him. He will be mildly structure. Close enough. I was recently searching for this great website I read a few years ago and I want to share it here, so I always know where to find it. This website changed my life. I never looked at homeschooling the same again!

I will try not to wait so long to post again.