So, instead of updating in two or three weeks, we waited about a month and a half...cool.

Unfortunately this post is not a joyful post. We need your prayers. I know alot of you have heard bits and pieces of the story, so here's the whole scoop.

Kyle had the flu at the beginning of March. Since then Kyle has lost about 30 lbs, has been thirsty constantly, and has had regular leg cramps. I didn't think anything was wrong at first...(I know...the thing the nurses keep asking is "How can he lose 30lbs and you don't suspect a problem?! Hindsight is 20-20). But by the beginning of June we were beginning to worry. So we made an appointment for him on Monday (July 6th) with a family doctor. At that appointment we requested that Kyle be tested for diabetes. I had done some research and realized that the symptoms he was having lined up with diabetes, and I knew he had a family history of both types of diabetes.

The doctor sent us to have blood work in another part of the building. After that, Kyle went home and I went to work. That afternoon I received a phone call from the doctor saying that the initial blood test indicated diabetes. He had me contact his nurse to set up an appointment with an Endocrinologist. That appointment is August 10 (long time). In the meantime, we were sent to the diabetes center, which is a branch of a major hospital down here. At the diabetes center we met with a nurse who told us every bad thing that could happen. She also tested kyle's blood glucose level and found it to be 324. 80-110 is normal. She taught us about eating correctly and how to check blood glucose daily. By the time we left, we were discouraged and concerned...

This morning we met with the dietitian at the diabetes center. She taught us more about nutrition and helped us understand meal planning, etc. We definitely felt better after the meeting with her.

Next we dropped by the church. You see, Kyle was supposed to leave for Jamaica tomorrow (Friday) morning. He has over 60 Bibles and arts and crafts that are supposed to go to Jamaica. Every doctor and nurse we have spoken with said that the trip is a bad idea. So we are trying to figure out how to get the stuff there, and how to cancel his plane ticket, and possibly get the money back.

Ok...then we went to the family doctor again to get a prescription. We were told it would be a prescription for a pill which treats type II diabetes. However, when we arrived, the doctor called us back to a room and told us that after receiving more blood test results, he was convinced that Kyle has type I diabetes. THEREFORE, Kyle is now taking insulin shots once daily. This could increase, but right now we are on a trial and error basis to find out how high of a dosage he needs.

Sooooo then we went back to the diabetes center to learn how to give the shot.

After that crazy day, we went back to church, where the incredible office staff had sorted out the mission trip fiasco, then home to eat and make a shopping list, then to Wal-Mart to completely restock our pantry and fridge. Kyle took his first insulin shot a little while ago. We checked his glucose level right before the shot, and it was the highest we've seen...434. That was discouraging, because we followed allll the rules in planning supper. However, the blood sugar is going to go up and down and cycle for a while...so we are trying to keep our chins up.

Praises:

Kyle is not in the hospital!!

We got the plane tickets credited for future use!!

Our insurance company is ALOT better than we thought!

The diabetes center is allowing Kyle to participate in $300 classes for FREE!!

We have each other!

WE SERVE A POWERFUL GOD WHO HAS PERFECT TIMING!!

Prayer:

That Kyle will manage his diabetes successfully and live a LONG healthy life.

That Becca will learn nutrition facts quickly and be able to feed Kyle correctly.

That we will continually feel God's comfort through this process.

That God's name would be glorified through our lives.

We love all of you and appreciate prayers and encouragement!

Summer is here!

Wow, it has been a VERY long time since we updated the blog!  Life definitely got in the way.  Hopefully things will slow down for a while, now that summer is here.  Kyle is finished with his third year of Seminary.  He has one assignment that is due on Tuesday for a workshop he took in March.  I will be finished with my first year of teaching tomorrow.  Isn't that strange that the last day of school is Memorial Day?  

I can't believe I survived my first year.  I got another new student in April, so I ended the year with 32 children in my class.  What a ride it has been.  I have seen things I thought I'd never see, said things I thought I'd never say.  It is incredible how pressure from testing can affect teaching style and student learning.  Speaking of testing, it looks like I will have a small class next year.  Many of the 4th grade students failed the big test, which means they also fail 4th grade.  As of now, I'll have between 15 and 20 students in my class next year!  I'm trying to keep a level head and not get too excited, haha.

You know, if I had it all to do over again, I would still take this same job at this same school.  Even knowing what a huge class I would have, even knowing the crazy number of fights I would break up, even knowing the disrespect I would endure from time to time.  I can't help but love my job.

I love my job because one of my students came to me hating reading.  After I read the book Hatchet with the class??  HE LOVES TO READ!  He is constantly looking for another book to read!  I love my job because one of my students came to me and she could barely multiply.  In two minutes, she could only answer about 5 multiplication facts.  But now?  After about 2 weeks of math intervention and timed tests where she tracks her own score, she can do over 50 problems in two minutes! 

It is amazing what these kids have accomplished.  I wish I had more time with them...there's so much more I want to say.

Don't get me wrong, though.  I need a vacation!

Kyle and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary next weekend!!!  This year has flown!  We are driving to Dallas to stay in a cabin bed and breakfast for a few days.  While we are there we are going to a Rangers baseball game.  Then we will head up to Keyes, Oklahoma to visit Kyle's Granny and Gramps!  I'm quite excited.  I've never been to Oklahoma!  We are hoping to visit Kyle's Grandma and Grandpa on the way home later in the week. 

Then in June we are headed to Jacksonville for a small "family reunion" with my mom's family.  We have rented a house on the beach.  Kyle and I can only go for a weekend, but we are looking forward to seeing everyone!

At the very end of June we will drive to Birmingham to spend a couple of days, and then (hopefully) stop in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to visit Mistie and Randy Shoemaker!  After that we head up to the Washington DC area to visit friends and tour the capitol!!!  

Immediately after we arrive back home in New Orleans, Kyle will repack his bags and drive to a camp in Mississippi to hang out with the kids from our church.  He will be home for one night after camp before flying to Jamaica for a mission trip with the church.

Our last trip of the summer will be at the end of July or beginning of August.  We are hoping to visit Kayla, Kyle's youngest sister, at Crier Creek!  I spent three summers working at Crier Creek while I was in college.  The camp is beautiful, and I miss it so very much!  I can't wait to see it and to visit Kayla for a couple of days!

It is going to be a whirlwind summer, but hopefully restful as well.  I will attend Montessori training daily for 6 weeks.  Don't worry, I'm thankful for the extra paycheck and the reason to stay busy!  

I will try to update again in a week or so!!