The A Team-- Celebrating 5 years!

Dear Friends and Family-

Our annual diabetes walk for a cure is upon us and this year we are celebrating big!  This is Addy's 5th year with Type 1 diabetes and we want to surround her with love, support and words of encouragement at the walk.  Jake and I don't usually talk about the effect that diabetes has on Addy physically and emotionally, but I think its important to understand what she faces so that you truly know how to support and pray for her until a cure is found.  Over the course of the last 5 years:

* Addy has pricked her finger to check her blood sugar over 6,000 times
* She has taken 4 shots a day for a total of 7,300 shots.  
* Addy has experienced countless low blood sugars where her body feels shaky and weak
* She has experienced countless high blood sugars where her body feels thirsty and her head aches.  

Emotionally, Addy is amazing.  She has had moments where she was sad and wanted to be free from diabetes.  She has cried about missing things at school because she was checking her sugar or she was too high or too low to be in class.  She has cried to us and wanted to know why she has to be different.  But overall, she takes each day, each finger prick, each shot in stride and without complaint.  She is strong and she is a fighter.  

So when you pray for her, pray for continued strength.  Pray that she will not fight the shots and will have a continued desire to take care of herself.  Pray that she will grasp fully that she is different for a reason.  Pray that she has supportive friends at school.  Pray for a cure.  

You may wonder why we use the word "celebrate" in regards to Addy having diabetes, and the reason is simple:
For the last 1,825 days, Addy has chosen to fight; to trust God through this disease.  And because of that, we think she deserves the biggest day of celebrating a girl has ever known!

We've designed new A Team t-shirts keeping her 5 year mark in mind and if you would like to order one, click on the link below and follow the instructions.  You don't have to order a shirt to walk with us, and you can wear an old A Team shirt or your own favorite tshirt if you prefer.

http://www.customink.com/signup/4ah9t13x

You can sign up to be a part of the A Team through the JDRF link.  Although you don't have to register to be a part of the team, it helps JDRF know how much food, etc to provide for the event.  We are also not asking you to raise funds for JDRF, so if you do choose to register, you can put $0 as your fundraising goal.  

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-LA/Chapter-LouisianaChapter4245?px=2228682&pg=personal&fr_id=2346

Here are the walk details:

Saturday, Nov 2nd
LSU- Old Front Nine (corner of Nicholson and Nicholson Extension)
8:30 for team picture, 9:00 walk start time
Free food, cupcakes, kids games, etc.  after the walk

Please email me if you have any questions and thanks in advance for being a part of the day and in your prayers and support for Addy.

Jake and Cris Rush

crush317@gmail.com
225-603-6943

The A Team- Walk to Stop Diabetes- October 20th

We are running super late this year with passing out details for our annual walk to Stop diabetes with the American Diabetes Association, but I hope that doesn’t prevent you from joining us on October 20^th as we walk in support of Addy. 

This year, Addy wanted to write the letter to all of you and her honesty in what she writes below is beautiful. 

You are invited( of course) to the diabetes walk -October  20^th          Were wearing the same shirt as last time (said momma).We are raising money for a cure so please bring money if possible because diabetes is a serious thing so sometimes it can be hard not only for me but for other boys and girls.The shots, the testing ,the times of feeling bad because of are blood sugar are all hard lots of times. So some people are depending on you to help them.You could possibly change the world for us (us diabetics).Please think of us as boys and girls without diabetes.Thank you

 Addy rush,  p.s. I hope we see you there!

Here are the details:

Date: October 20, 2012
Location: Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Time: Walk begins at 10am, our team will meet at 9:45 for group pictures at the A Team tent

We will be wearing  the same T-shirts as last year, but we only have until 8pm, October 10^th to place an order if you don’t already have one.  If you would like to buy a t-shirt ($15, with $5 going to the ADA), please follow this link:

http://www.customink.com/signup/1kgd7elf

To register for the ADA walk to stop diabetes as part of the A Team, please follow this link:

http://www.diabetes.org/stepout

(after you choose the Baton Rouge location, please register to be part of an existing team.  Team Name:  The A Team)

As always, donations are not necessary to be a part of the A Team.  We covet, more than anything, your prayers and support for Addy as she continues to live with diabetes.  We hope to see you at the walk on October 20th!

If you have any questions or issues, please contact Jake or Cris Rush. 

It's almost walk time!!! Thought you could use some A-Team Details

Hey guys!!

The walk is almost here! And everyone in this house is excited beyond words! It's going to be such a great day!

Now for the details:

The walk will be located behind the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge 70808

From Perkins Road turn onto Kenilworth Parkway and follow the Step Out signs.


Because this is our first year walking with the American Diabetes Association, I don't have an exact location to give you. But, we'll have 2 tents set up and an A Team banner so hopefully we'll be easy to spot.

Please arrive no later than 9:00. If you ordered a t-shirt, we'll have them at the walk and ready to hand out (don't forget your money if you haven't paid). This should allow us plenty of time to hand out shirts, take a team picture and head to the start of the walk.

After the walk there will be free food and lots of games for the kids. Pets are also welcome on a leash. We will also be singing Happy Birthday to Addy and eating cupcakes! So plan to stay and have fun! Everyone is welcome to come, so pass this information on to anyone interested.

Please call Jake or I if you have any problems or questions.

Cris- 603-6943
Jake- 316-1671

The A Team-- 2011 Walk to Stop Diabetes

Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes
American Diabetes Association

When: September 24, 2011
Where: Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Time: 9:00 (A Team meet time), 9:30 (walk start time)



As always when writing this letter, I write and re-write, then leave it for a few days only to come back with the exact same thoughts of knowing I can't describe in words what the annual Walk to Stop Diabetes means to the Rush family...to Addy.

I still can't imagine what it feels like to live every day of your life with diabetes. I know how I feel as a parent; but as a child that receives 5 finger pricks and 4 shots a day, it looks and feels very different. There is no doubt in our minds that God has used Addy having diabetes for His glory. And if this is what He has for her for the rest of her life, then I know she will be good. But I don't think that this is hers to carry forever. I truly believe that one day a cure will be found and that the 180 million people worldwide who live with diabetes will be free. That our Addy, who has carried this so patiently for 3 years and counting, will one day be free from diabetes.

For those of you who do not know our daughter, she is amazing. I can say without hesitation that she is one of the strongest and most courageous people I know. There are moments when she is saddened by the fact that she has diabetes; but for the most part she takes her shots, checks her blood sugar, and watches when she eats without complaining. At school her teacher and nurse can tell when her blood sugar is low because she goes from skipping and bouncing around to walking! That, to me, exudes who Addy is. Loving life so much that even when she's feeling bad, she's never truly down.

For those who do know and love Addy, you will understand why the walk this year is extra special. September 24th will also be Addy's 8th birthday and probably the biggest party she has ever had! It makes my heart ache with happiness to think about her being surrounded by her family and friends, not only to celebrate her birthday, but also to be covered in support, love and encouragement as we walk together to stop diabetes.

Another special part of this walk is that we are joining with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) this year. While both the JDRF and ADA raise money to find a cure for diabetes, the ADA also 100% fully funds the diabetes camp that Addy has gone to the last two summers, as well as any education (books, pamphlets, school talks, etc.) the public receives is through the ADA. It just made sense for us to fund raise for an organization that does the most for our family.

An added bonus to this walk is that we designed new T-shirts! I am really excited about seeing our team decked out in "The A Team" t-shirts at the walk! T-shirts are $15 with $5 of that going straight to the American Diabetes Association. If you would like a shirt, but are unable to pay the $5 donation, please still purchase one. And for families buying more than one shirt, you do not have to pay $15 per shirt. Please follow this link to see the design and choose your size:

http://www.customink.com/signup/7ruv1bj


You can pay Jake and I on or before September 24th with cash or check.

While part of this walk is about raising money for a cure, the bigger part for us is knowing how Addy feels being surrounded by love, support, and prayers. So please do not feel as though you have to make a donation in order to walk. Registration for the walk on the ADA website goes through a lot of fundraising information. We recognize that it is a hassle to fill out the form to simply be a walker. If you would like to make a donation and walk with us please follow the link below to register. However, if you plan on just coming to the walk, please send me an email at crush317@gmail.com to let me know. I want to make sure that everyone is accounted for and that no team member is left behind. Also, please feel free to pass this on to anyone that you feel might be interested.

Here is the link to register for the walk and donate:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/LouisianaSouthernMSArea?pg=entry&fr_id=7877

Please register under "The A Team"


Thank you for loving Addy and our family. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for being a part of "The A Team" even if you are unable to make it to the walk.

Jake, Cris, Addy, Jack and Joe Rush

Summer Time (through a phone lens)

With school starting today for Addy, I decided that it would be a good time to recap this summer through phone pics. Forgive the horrible quality!

Date Night with Addy

This goat loved Jack

Horrible picture, but I wanted to show off Joe's intellectual side.

Swimming in the river with Reaux

Bike Riding in the rain

Face Painting

Captain America

Took Addy to Camp Victory Diabetes Camp

Left Addy at Camp

Carnival at Camp

I don't know what this picture is from, but I love it!

Lots of indoor games

Fancy Tea party for Fairytale Frocks

Cool Cat Jack

Rock Wall climbing

Up close and Personal with the tigers

Friend Time

Jack's 1st sleepover

4th of July

Who knows!

Joe's usual attire

And its over. Too quick.

T-ball and Coach's Pitch

Addy and Jack are playing "baseball" this spring. And it is already a blast. They had their first game on Saturday and were just so incredibly cute. If you've never watched a bunch of 4 year old's running around in uniform playing t-ball, than you are missing out my friend.

I just can't get over how old and beautiful she looks in this picture.

...and that stride! She was really running fast!

Those pants slay me!

This picture melts my heart.

And this one makes me laugh out loud every time I see it! I have to explain to my kids a lot that I am not laughing at them, but am laughing from the pure joy of being their mom and getting to see all the amazing things they say and do.

I can already tell it's going to be a great season!

Life with Boys (shots from my phone)