May 18, 1992

19 years ago I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. At the time, I didn't really understand how this would impact the rest of my life. I just knew that I had to give myself shots and test my blood sugar all the time.

I started to really understand why I was diagnosed with this on January 1, 2006. I got a call from my brother-in-law telling me that my 3 year old niece Makenzie had just been diagnosed with Type I diabetes.

3 years old??? I was 10 when this all happened to me, I couldn't imagine what it would be like for a 3 year old. I realized that I needed to set an example for Kenzie. She needed to see that this was something that could be handled and that she could still do all the things that she wanted to do. I went out to see her for her birthday a few weeks after she was diagnosed. We tested our blood sugar together and I showed her how my pump worked. We have a special bond now.

I was given a special blessing when I was diagnosed that my diabetes wouldn't affect someone wanting to marry me and that I would be able to be a mom. Blessings are fulfilled, not in our time, but the Lord's time. You have to be patient.

15 years after being diagnosed, I married the most wonderful man who doesn't have a problem with it. He's ok with getting up in the middle of the night if I ask him to get me a drink because my blood sugar dropped. And even though I feel like the cost of the supplies I have to continually purchase all the time has put a burden on us, he never sees it like that.

Three and a half years into our marriage, we now have a beautiful baby girl. I made sure I took really good care of my self during my pregnancy to try and prevent as many complications as I could. The nurse even told me, "Just goes to show you can still have big babies even when you do take really good care of yourself." (I'm pretty sure genetics had something to do with it too.)

I'll admit I've slacked off a little bit taking care of myself the last couple months. But as I've been playing with Brooklyn the last few days and knowing that my "anniversary" has been coming up, I am making a goal to get it back under control. I need to be here for my family for a long time. They need me, and I need them.

So here's to 19 years and many more to come!