17 In Happiness/ Type 1 Diabetes

The goodness in the diagnosis & Kits for Caylin

You know how my “one little word” for this year is “goodness?” Well, as you can imagine, at first I struggled to find the “goodness” in my daughter’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. I won’t lie. It was hard. I went through all of the emotions I’m sure that any parent goes through when you hear a diagnosis like that. I was sad, scared and angry. I didn’t like feeling that way, but I knew it was a process and I needed to allow myself to feel what I was feeling – no matter what.

It was good to get it out, work through it, pray to God about it and I knew He would bring me that peace I was searching for. I knew He would and He did. Sure there are still times when I am sad – like when Caylin says to me out of the blue, “Mommy, I don’t want to have diabetes. Why did God give it to me?”

And sometimes I’m scared – like when she had a blood sugar of 34 last week and it freaked me out. Ugh. Sometimes I still get angry too – like when I see her cringe when I go to stick her with a needle or she asks me why I’m counting out the cheerios that I’m giving to her. I’m mad she has to live a life like that, but then I remember the “goodness” that has come from it all – the goodness that IS her life and then I am ok.

There is so much goodness in this – from the encouraging, sweet words from friends and even strangers … from all of the prayers that have been said on Caylin and my family’s behalf … from feeling God holding my hand and walking with us as we walk down this path He has laid out for us and our daughter … all of it has so much goodness in it. There will be more goodness to come out of it too – you know me – this is my cause now. I will raise money to help diabetes research, participate in the walks and fundraisers, volunteer to help other families in the future who embark on this journey because this is my path as well. I have been helped so much by other Mamas who are dealing with this same thing and I want to be that support for some other Mama in the future who needs me.

Another wonderful goodness that I’ve come across is what my sweet friend, Crystal is doing for Caylin and my family. She emailed me shortly after she found out and was so supportive and sweet. At first she asked if there was something she could do, but I hadn’t checked my email in a bit and the next email I got from her  said, “I’m not going to wait for you to answer me, I AM going to do something” and so she generously and sweetly took the time out of her busy schedule to create a few kits to create a little fundraiser in honor of Caylin to help pay for some of the medical expenses that we have accrued since her diagnosis. Thankfully we do have insurance, but not everything is fully covered under it and with the ER visit, two days in ICU and another day in the hospital – it has been adding up, but she is worth every penny of it.

Here are the sweet kits that Crystal created for Caylin. She asked me if I wanted to create a little something as well so I created some sweet word art full of sweet quotes and sayings in honor of my daughter.

Here are the Kits for Caylin:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

Click HERE on this post to purchase the kits.

ALL money raised will go toward the medical bills that we have since Caylin’s diagnosis. Thank you so much in advance and thank you to my sweet friend, Crystal and for all of the goodness that is overflowing from this hard and difficult life change. God is good ALL of the time and I am so thankful for all of you, my sweet blog friends.

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Speaking of Crystal, since she has been so sweet to do that for my family, I wanted to mention her SUPER CUTE new kits that she has out now. Check these out:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 


I am seriously drooling over these new goodies! They are MUST HAVES!

And look at this cute freebie:

 

To purchase any (and all) of the above and to pick up that freebie – head to Crystal’s blog HERE.

 

Sigh. Yep, there is so much goodness in life and so much goodness in this VERY long blog post. Thanks for reading if you’ve made it this far. Thank you so much. I mean it. Love and hugs to you all…

  • Celeste
    March 23, 2011 at 12:23 am

    kristina – i'm so sorry to hear of your daughter's diagnosis. if it makes you feel better i have a friend who has had this since she was a child. she lives an active normal life and even has two healthy children. works full time. etc. it's not easy, but she's happy! i purchased the three kits and will put this on my blog so others will know about it. let me know if i can promote it for you in any other way!

  • HighDesertGal
    March 23, 2011 at 12:30 am

    So sorry. My little 8 yr friend was diagnosed the first of March and stayed over a week in the PICU.
    Somewhere, shoot I can't find the PDF I kept, there is a site that has cute little medical bracelets and necklaces just for girls like your daughter. If no one finds the link before I do…my other readers know…I sent it to you later. When a child can't really understand it is nice for them to have something special.

  • Jana
    March 23, 2011 at 12:33 am

    Another goodness? God using you like He is and you allowing Him to shine through you. Such an inspiration. Hugs.

  • Melissa Ullmann
    March 23, 2011 at 1:36 am

    Like we have chatted about….God will definetely see you through this! :) Clearly, he is doing it already! I will be getting these adorable kits as well. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do. You know you can chew my ear! ;) Hugs, Mel

  • Amanda
    March 23, 2011 at 3:40 am

    Another positive blog post from you, I always enjoy reading them. I wish I could think more positively like you – practice makes perfect I suppose. I love anything created by Crystal so count me in, and I'll be speading the word too. I've been a fan of yours for years, and I've seen Caylin grow up through your scrapbooking – she reminds me of my little girl with her beautiful spirit, so I'm really feeling for you Kristina. xx

  • shelby valadez
    March 23, 2011 at 4:35 am

    I had no idea this was happening. I know it can be a very hard thing for a family to deal with. Wishing you the best and all of God's love. I will be thinking about you!

  • joscelyne cutchens
    March 23, 2011 at 8:38 am

    I pray that things will get easier for you and your daughter. I picked up all three of these super cute goodies (as well as a lot of the other goodies by crystal). I've pinned and shared these kits via twitter and facebook.

  • * Vanessa *
    March 23, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Hi dear, I'm sure you will get through this, God never gives us more than we can take, and your strength is just inspiring for us all. I loved the kits, got two of them to myself and made a post on my blog to help you spread the word. Lots of kisses!!

  • Jen K.
    March 23, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    You now "officially" have a "special" child. I have a daughter who was born with Down syndrome and thanks to her our lives have been blessed beyond measure. We have met people we never would have known otherwise without her uniqueness. As you look back on the initial diagnosis period in the future, you will be thankful for it…trust this Mama.

  • Marie
    March 23, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    Oh Kristina I got tears in my eyes reading this but they quickly went away because I know with YOUR help, this won't be a life long illness, they WILL find a cure. I am so very lucky to "know" you as you inspire me daily. Now off to get me those cutie patootie kits!!!

  • Melissa's Mom says.............
    March 23, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    This "MaMa" also has a daughter that has diabetes Type 1. However, she is 40 years old.
    Her name is Melissa Ullmann. With her diagnosis as a adult, it was very hard for her and hard for her family as well. You become to appreciate and understand life in a different way. You will be given added strength from God,
    and your friends. And, even people like myself who you do not know you. I am recovering from cancer and chemo and I know that God is good, we just have to put our trust in Him and pray alot. Our best to you and your family.
    Carolyn & Harland Hoffland

  • Starr Mercer
    March 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Kristina…you are one creative Mama! What a way to make a positive out of this road-bump. Thank you for the yummy-ness. How special for you to have Caylin as her Mama!

  • Chris and Paige Evans
    March 23, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Sorry I haven't commented sooner – I'm behind in my blog reading, but I just want to say I'm thinking of you and your sweet family and I know everything will be A-OK! Hugs!

  • ~Patty~
    March 24, 2011 at 2:13 am

    You a string and beautiful person. I know that you will get thru this struggle and and continue to be the ONE HAPPY MAMMA that you are. These kist are so cute and I will be getting a little something for sure !!!!

  • nativetexangirl
    March 25, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    I know how hard it is to have something happen to your children (my son had cancer three years ago but is doing great now and got married last summer) and prayers and faith that God was in control got me through so just keep the faith and walk with God on this journey. I got all three cute kits. Hugs to Caylin!

  • Christi
    March 26, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Just wanted to offer some encouragement in your tough situation. I know it's not easy. I'm a Type 1 diabetic myself, and though I haven't had it since I was a kid (got it at 24 yrs) I have had my share of ups and downs with the disease. But ultimately I've never been held back from living a normal life…and I have one beautiful son and am pregnant with my second now. Both have been healthy pregnancies and my sons don't have much more chance of developing diabetes than any other child. So I just wanted you to know that your daughter has a bright future ahead of her even though she will have to deal daily with diabetes. With the current technology of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors diabetes can be controlled much better, and avoid complications. So I pray for your family as you adjust to managing her disease but rest assured that God will help you through it and give Caylin a healthy future.

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