Halloween 2007

Official Halloween 2007 Portraits

Aliante Sunsets

Aliante Sunset, 10/29/2007

Even though I have seen thousands of sunsets, I will never get tired of seeing just one more. One bonus of moving to Aliante has been the deck that faces west, which provides for fantastic views of the spectacular Southern Nevada light show as the sun descends behind the Spring Mountains. It comforts me that for all the technology and billions of dollars that have gone into fabricating the man-made neon spectacle that is Las Vegas, mortals still cannot hold a candle to the majesty of God's creations.

Breaks My Heart

I posted this old photo to remind myself of how young Joseph was when he had onset of diabetes. This picture was taken in August 2003, six months after Joseph's onset.

I was reminded of his diabetes because on Saturday night, Joseph's blood glucose dropped dangerously low (33) right at bedtime. He became weak and wobbly. We gave him some Gatorade to drink in an attempt to raise his blood sugar quickly. Joseph said he felt cold, so I sat him on my lap and covered him with a blanket to warm him.

While I was holding Joseph, he turned to me and quietly said, "Daddy, I don't want to have diabetes." Tears immediately formed in my eyes as I blathered some response that provided Joseph a little comfort, but left me feeling empty.

The thing is, I don't want Joseph to have diabetes either. I wish that we didn't have to worry every night whether he is going to have a major problem that could result in hypoglycemic coma or worse. I wish we didn't have to be concerned about him being ostracized or belittled at school due to his differences of constantly checking his blood and wearing an insulin pump. I wish that I didn't have to face what promises to be tumultuous teenage years, particularly with Joseph learning to responsibly manage his diabetes during a time when the last thing that he will want is being seen doing something strange and difficult for other teenagers to understand.

I wish that I could do something to make it go away and be cured -- now. Our family continually prays for a cure, but lately, we have not done much to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Our plate has been so full that I have a hard time adding a helping of JDRF. But if I don't get involved, how can I expect others to care?

Circa June 2006

Trunk or Treat

We went to the Trunk or Treat in the parking lot at the church.
The kids looked cute and got candy. Mom and Dad got tired.

Angel

Status Report

Josh 54.5"
Allyse 48.5"
Joseph 47.75"
Angelina 34.5"