Thankful

God ~ my Heavenly father, whose grace is astounding
Hubby ~ whose drive to support his family and the love he shows me daily is overwhelming
Kiddos ~ even with Cameron's blood sugar out of whack, Dylan puking as I set our Thanksgiving dinner on the table, and Peyton's "Missy Diva" in full force
Grandmother ~ who raised me and laid the foundation of what NOT to do as a parent
Dad (& Carpenter side of the family) ~ who I never in a million years thought I would be so close to, and who, despite all my flaws, loves me, respects me, and is there when I need them
Angelique ~ my best friend, who I have known for 29 years, she is my sister in every sense of the word
Friends ~ we can't pick the families we come from, but we can make our friends our families
Digital Camera
Pictures
Home movies
Turkey sandwiches we'll enjoy tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Birthday Peyton

Happy 1st Birthday Daughter!

Check out more Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...November 24th

Outside my window...a black cat, we don't know who he belongs to, is resting on my porch taking in the sun.

I am thinking...what a difference 7 days make.

I am thankful for...the brilliant doctors and hospital staff who took excellent care of my first born.

From the kitchen...we have chili that didn't get made last week, and loads of high protein and sugar free snacks for Cameron. Don't forget the turkey!

I am wearing...cropped sweat pants and a T-shirt (the same thing I was wearing last Monday).

I am creating...a to-do list for the next 3 days in regards to Cameron's doctor appointments, school, etc.

I am going...to do some more research on Type I diabetes.

I am reading...The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (not much reading for myself got done last week).

I am hoping...we're able to afford a decent Christmas for the kiddos.

I am hearing...the hum on the fridge.

Around the house...the kiddos are still fast asleep.

One of my favorite things...Cameron, rolling with the punches, telling me where he wants his next shot.

A few plans for the rest of the week: make doctor's appointments, get Cameron caught up with school work, read, blogging, maybe some cleaning, make a turkey, and take my niece to see Twilight.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Menu Plan Monday

We are catching up on dinners that were neglected while we stayed in the hospital last week. Everything is discombulated right now, but this is what I've come up with so far.

Sunday ~ Classic Chicken Parmesan with Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce and Smoked Mozzarella, Salad, & French Bread

Monday ~ Grilled Cheese & Soup

Tuesday ~ Chili

Wednesday ~ Crunchy Parmesan Chicken Tenders, Baked Potatoes, & Broccoli w/ Cheese

Thursday ~ Happy Thanksgiving

Friday ~ Leftovers

Saturday ~ More Leftovers

Breakfasts: Eggs, Waffles, Pancakes, Cereal w/ Fruit

Lunches: Roast Beef w/ Swiss, Turkey w/ Provolone wraps, PB&J, Leftovers

Cameron's Snacks: Celery w/ Peanut Butter, String Cheese, Sugar Free Jell-O, Hard Boiled Eggs

Routine

Although Cameron hasn't been home a full 48 hours, we have been able to begin some sort of routine. I am still completely sad over his diagnosis, but I realize it's manageable. Since Cameron came home I have been the one counting the carbs and giving the shots, so today we told Mike it was his turn. Mike was the first one to give Cameron his insulin shot in the hospital, but it's the whole procedure that takes time. From beginning to end it takes about 20 minutes. Cameron has to wash his hands and then we check his blood sugar. After that I make the meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and count his carb intake. I figure out how many units of insulin he'll need for his body to process the carbs, plus if he needs extra based on his blood sugar check. He sits down to his meal and gets the shot. In two hours we're rechecking his blood sugar. Then he gets a free snack, string cheese, sugar free jello, etc. Routine, routine, routine!

He sat down and read his Get Well cards from his class today. We took pictures to send to the class tomorrow. He also wrote a letter answering some of the questions his classmates had. Cameron is such an amazing kid! Just when I think I can't possibly love any of my children more than I do, my heart expands and fills with even more love. I couldn't be prouder of him than I am right now. His life has been turned upside down, yet he rolls with the punches.

I got to admit, I'm a little disappointed nobody has come to see him since being home. I expressed my wishes to our family and friends, asking them to come through over the weekend and let him know they were thinking about him. I didn't ask for an hour visit, a 10 minute visit would have sufficed. The only one's who have called to check on his are Auntie Angelique, Grandma, Auntie Pam and Gina, otherwise I'm the one calling with the updates. I take into consideration that some of our family, like Auntie Sara, is so far away that this blog is their update. Maybe I'm just frustrated. I know I am emotionally fried and I could just be making a mountain out of a molehill. I just want Cameron to know everybody still loves him and is thinking about him. I don't think that is too much to ask.

Home

Cameron came home tonight. Dylan's eyes lite up at the sight of Loody. We are very excited, but nervous too. Everything is on our shoulders and does a 5 1/2 hour crash course cover everything you need to keep your child alive? Everything still seems so surreal at this point. At dinner he asked for his first belly insulin shot. Cameron just keeps rolling with the punches! I can't ask for anything more from him. We got to surprise him with get well cards his class made him. He was so happy that they all were thinking of him. Some were very poignant and seriously heartfelt for such little people. He is also on independent study until further notice. One of the doctor's told of us a Diabetic Camp for kids and I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for Cameron to interact with fellow diabetic kids. He needs to learn that life does not stop because of this. He has to remain normal! I am over the moon at how awesome the staff at the hospital was and completely indebted to them for saving my child's life!

Twilight

OME! For non-Twilighters, that means, "OH MY EDWARD!" Let me start by saying I enjoyed the movie. It was a 2 hour distraction from my life that I needed oh so much. I decided to hit the midnight showing at about 10:30 pm. I asked Hubby and he said he didn't know when we would be able to see it together, so go ahead. My head was fried, but I knew I would just be tossing and turning like I did the night before. I got to the theatre at about 11:30 and asked the lady at the ticket window, "You got any tickets left?" She said, "LOADS!" I looked at her, and then around the completely packed theatre. She explained that as each theatre sold out, they just opened up another one. NO WAY! They were already selling theatre 7, and I'm not so sure #8 didn't open up. Okay, so, how was the movie?

Disappointed:
Bella never cooked for Charlie. I don't even think we saw their kitchen. They always ate at the diner.
The original biology lab scene (where Edward smells Bella for the first
time) was a little too campy
I missed Mike saying, "So, did you stab Edward Cullen with a pencil or what? I’ve never seen him act like that."
No blood typing scene (which is one of my favorites)
Serious Edward (too brooding, not enough of his wicked wit or smiles)
Flirting banter between Edward and Bella
No REAL meadow scene (it seemed forced and some cheesy dialogue)
Sparkle in the sunlight???
In the bedroom scene, Alice saying, "It sounded like you were having Bella for lunch, and we came to see if you would share."
Not enough Alice & Jasper (in the hotel when they flee)
MOST DISAPPOINTED in the phone call between James and Bella. In the book you FEEL his strength, his power, his evil when he gives Bella the instructions. They seriously should have left that whole dialogue in the movie. It gives me chills just thinking about it.

LOVED:
Bella narrating
Edward growling at the men stalking Bella in Port Angeles
Lion and Lamb quote
The Cullen Clan was cast perfectly
Mike did say, "He looks at you like… like you’re something to eat."
Bella meeting the Cullens
The Baseball Scene
Fight scene with James (who I find yummy)
The stare down between Edward and Jacob at the end

I realize that fitting a 400 page book into 2 hours is a daunting task. However, doesn't the Harry Potter movies do just that? I have never left a Harry Potter film where I thought it missed crucial elements of the story. I also realize that the book is never as good as the movie. Was it the low budget of the film? The director? I feel the movie was forced in areas, not giving us the time we needed to fall in love with Edward, or showing Edward's passion for Bella. I must take this time to admit that Robert Pattinson did a fantastic job as Edward. He still isn't my Edward, but I honestly don't see how anybody else could have done a more fantastic job. If you have only seen the movie, please don't let that deter you from reading the books. The books are fantastic!

Now that New Moon has been greenlighted I am concerned. First, let me explain that I am die hard Team Edward. However, I feel if I had to pick teams based on the movie(s), I might switch sides and go Team Jacob! I can't wait to see Jacob and Bella's relationship unfold in New Moon. I think the main dilemma of bringing New Moon to screen is that lack of Edward in the book. Will the same die hard Edward Cullen Robert Pattinson fanpires rise to the occasion? Or will Team Jacob win out?