January 21st

January 21st has a very special meaning to the Rush family. It was on this day in 2008 that Addy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

There are days where you remember every last detail and this was one of those days. I took Addy to her pediatrician in South Carolina for what I thought was a urinary tract infection. She had been having accidents during the night. She was having to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes during the day. She was constantly eating and drinking. When her doctor came back and asked us if our family had a history of diabetes and that we needed to immediately go to the Children's Hospital in Charleston...inside I started to panic. There are so many stories to tell from the hospital, but I will save that for another post!

What I do want to talk about is the amazing way God designs our personalities. About the time Addy turned 3, she changed from this perfect angel (really!) into a little angel who pushed the boudaries a little bit further each time. She became super independent and strong willed. She wanted to do everything for herself and would keep trying at something even when it didn't work the first time.

I started praying that God would break her of her strong will. That He would keep her from being prideful and would realize that God places people in her life to help her. I prayed that she would turn back into that little girl before age 3 hit.

But, God had something else in mind when he blessed her with having a strong will and self motivation. He knew that her being independent would be a very important part of her life starting on January 21, 2008.

Now, I am incredibly thankful that my daughter has a will that is not crushed under tough circumstances. I understand how she can receive 2,190 finger pricks and 1,460 shots a year with barely a complaint. I know that other kids could not do what she does, but because God designed her perfectly...she is able.

So today is a celebration. It's a day where we thank God that our daughter is here with us. A day where we encourage Addy and let her know how proud we are that she has handled everything so well. A day where we remind her that it is God who gives her the strenth to handle diabetes and that He is the one she should call on when she is tired or frustrated or angry. And it is a reminder to us that she is perfectly and wonderfully made.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139: 13, 14

The Highlights

We have had so many great moments in 2009.

--We welcomed Liza, Cole (why don't I have any pictures?) Lily and Eli into the world. And Gilly!
--Addy learned to ride her bike without training wheels, lost a tooth and learned to read!
--We celebrated Joe's 1 year birthday and Addy's 1 year diabetes anniversary.
--We did our 2nd annual Walk to Cure Diabetes in October and raised over $1400 and had close to 50 walkers!
--We were blessed to have a week in Gulf Shores with my family and an entire week at Christmas
--We had a great time with Jake's family at Thanksgiving and a fun time eating out with just the adults!
--An incredibly relaxing weekend with great friends in Paducah
--We had many laugh- filled evenings with our friends around bonfires, tables and everywhere in between
--We cleaned poop from white berber and sometimes found it easier to just remove the carpet completely!
--We have had amazing Sunday nights at the Ring. Great worship and timely, kick-my-rear sermons.
--We started a Mom's Bible Study and I have been blessed to learn beside many Godly moms.
--Jake and I celebrated 8 years of marriage and feel like we just get better with age!

And that is just a few moments!

I have also seen more sadness this year than any other. I lost 2 wonderful people in my Grandma and my brother Scott. I will miss them dearly and life will not be the same without them.

But in the good and the bad, I know that God's love, grace and mercy is always pouring out on us; and in that I am always thankful.