Birthday, souffles and other great stuff

I have been trying to write this blog for over a week and can't quite get it together enough to finish - or even get more than a sentence written at one time. The fact is, that I've missed several great opportunities to blog. My birthday for one - waaaaay back in October. Dave and the kids spoiled me with breakfast in bed and a present "scavenger" hunt. They had written clues that I had to follow to find my presents hidden around the house. Kuddos to Dave for pulling off such a great day.....which, by the way, ended and was complete with a huge slice of delicious cheese cake.

Another "must" mention - Thanksgiving. The holiday would not be the same without the Hornaks. They continued the tradition and made our first Thanksgiving in Ohio a success, by driving on the most traveled day of the year just to be with us. Dave delighted all of our taste buds with turkey and all the trimmings. And when I say "trimmings" I mean pumpkin pie, pie, and more pie. We have no problem eating it for breakfast....lunch....dinner and of course dessert! This year however, the typically untouched sweet potato souffle was a new "fan" favorite, as it was discovered by Robert and Cade. This delicious dish made it's debut years ago and Dave has faithfully been making it ever since. However, this was the first year it actually graced the lips and passed the test of their....shall I say....picky palates. Next year....double batch!

We did all the "normal" Powell/Hornak traditions.....like staying up late, eating too much, and playing lots of games...our new favorite - Bananagrams! Good thing none of us are competitive (wink wink). The guys continued their bromance and enjoyed their annual "Black Friday" date at the Apple store and Best Buy. But my absolute, to die for, go to the ends of the world and back favorite tradition has to be.....having my hair played with endlessly by Margaret. It truly is a little bit of heaven here on earth.

Places everyone....

The "semi" cool pose!?!

I'm grateful for many things....and I really should give thanks more often - and not just this time of year - for all of my blessings....simple and great. But this time of year....when I'm missing my family....I'm especially thankful for these people.....and I'm reminded that they are my family...right here and right now.

Blogs that inspire

Inspired! I'm referring to the "six until me" blog.....not mine. I'll explain more in a minute. First, did you know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month? Until this morning...I did not. I'm not sure how I have been caring for a diabetic for 6 years and still not know this. I will now spread "awareness" to the 3 people that actually read my ramblings. In all seriousness....my hope is that someday, years from now, when my children are all grown and at that point in their lives when they actually want to read this....I don't want them to think that "John's" entries are only about diabetes. You see, "diabetes doesn't define him, but it does explain him". I borrowed that wonderful quote from this inspiring blog (six until me) that I have just started following. The author, Kerri is real, down to earth, super cute, a new mom and a diabetic. She started blogging in 2005, the year after John was diagnosed. I wish I had followed her back then. Kerri recently wrote about speaking at a diabetic awareness conference hosted (I think) by jdrf. Here is part of what she said:

"Just because we make diabetes look easy, it's not. And just because we make it seem like it's something we can live with and we can have this big, full life - which we can, but at the same time, it can be very challenging. I think the one thing that I want to leave us with is that just because we don't look sick, doesn't mean we don't still deserve a cure."

Amen sister!

I had another awful conversation with John yesterday about how important it is for him to take care of himself NOW so he can live that "full life". I wish I didn't have to ride him so hard. By the end of my monologue he was in tears and simply asked, "why me". He doesn't usually play the "woe is me" card, but he played it and I didn't have an answer. However, I do know that being a diabetic has made him Strong. Empathic. Courageous. And so much more - despite only being eleven.

His easy access drawer of supplies.

His bedside blood checker - for nighttime lows and early morning checks.


His travel pack.

Juicy Juice - what would we do without you?

John, YOU deserve a cure!

Major bummer

William didn't make the 8th grade basketball team. In "his" world - tonight looks pretty bleak. He gave it his all and still fell short. Sometimes that happens..... My heart breaks to see him upset and frustrated, but I know without a doubt something better is going to come his way. I could tell him that this is character building, and how losing will make him try harder next time, but he doesn't want to hear that from me or his dad right now. I did tell him about Michael Jordan not making the cut in high school. He said he already knew because I was the 3rd person (besides the coach and dad) to tell him that tonight.

As we walked in the door at home, all three siblings instinctively (and by instinctively, I mean they could tell by the looks on our faces) knew he had not made the team. John kindly unpacked his bag for him, sat next to him and patted his back, not saying a word. Anna and David both showed compassion in their own way, desperately hoping to cheer him up. We are all feeling his pain right now. It's a rough blow, but we are all here to support and hopefully absorb some of it. Living the Powell Life isn't always fun, but I'm glad we have each other.....especially tonight.

What's love got to do with it?

One of my favorite songs right now is What Love Really Means. It is such a sweet song. What does love mean to me? I use the word a lot. I say it every day (several times) to my children and to Dave. I also say it when I hang up the phone to my most favorite people. I know that love is much more than a word....it's a decision. If love was merely a feeling I would be falling in and out of love every time I got irritated, angry or upset.

We don't or can't earn love - it's given freely....by choice. The chorus of the song goes like this - "I will love you for you not for what you have done or what you will become." It's reassuring to know that this is exactly the way Jesus love's us. I want my kids to know that they will always be loved - just because.

Over the past few months God has continually put something on my heart. It has been so consistent that I've had a hard time ignoring it, as it keeps popping up in the most random places. The tug at my heart has been for the abandoned, homeless, and innocent ones of this world - the orphaned. Each with a heartbreaking story that most of us could not imagine. I finally shared with not only Dave, but the whole family what God had placed on my heart. Everyone agreed that we need to do something to help the helpless. My sweet, empathic John was touched so much that he couldn't contain his tears. As they ran down his cheeks, I knew he felt the pain of these little ones in need. But where to start? Prayer. Right now that's what we can do. I don't know where we will end up, but I do know we can make a difference.

My hope is that one day we can share our love with the unloved.....because love has everything to do with it.

David

David is our youngest and our last.....but certainly not our least. David is....well, just David. It's hard to explain "David" unless you know him. He is reserved in a way none of my others were at this age. However, once you get him to warm up....he's wide open and full of personality and life. Not many people are recipients of his affection. I'm one of the lucky ones. I get more David lovin' than most. If you ask for a kiss or hug - you simply won't get one. However, he will graciously bow his head and allow a kiss to the forehead. Thankfully, he will let me love and smooch on him whenever I please. Afterward and as he rounds the corner and out of my sight, I know he is wiping it off, and if confronted he will say that he is just "rubbing it in" - because we all know a mothers kiss can't be remove. When he is ready to share his affection with you in his own way and in his own time....it is the best! I always cherish the rare David kiss and hug.

He gets most of the photo-ops because of his age and the simple fact that he is the one at home....with me......and constantly all up in my business. He's not yet old enough to walk to a friend's house or have sleepovers. So this is what I get.....

A lot of David and never a dull moment!

PS - I'm fully aware that I have more pictures of this little guy (on the blog) than anyone else. It might look like he is my favorite, but I don't play that game. We are an equal opportunity family. We don't discriminate against age or gender and we all pull our own weight. For posterity sake however, I will work on taking more pictures of the others.