What would you do if....

What would you do if you won a million dollars??

We all have dreams and I am sure that everyone has thought of something. We would pay off debts, give money to our parents, siblings, invest some, save some, but most importantly I would give a majority of it to find a cure for Diabetes!

It’s not often that I complain about this stupid disease, but this weekend has been a rough one.

I have good control of my diabetes. I check my blood sugars, and watch what I eat, and I am so very lucky that my parents fought to get me on an Insulin Pump at a young age. I have so much freedom – for a diabetic. I had a really high blood sugar on Saturday because my tube on my Insulin pump wasn’t primed correctly (which happens from time to time with technology), and I wasn’t getting the correct amount of Insulin for about 4 hours. We were enjoying the movie “The Proposal,” so I didn’t really feel it until we got home.

My Saturday and Sunday were wasted with feeling sick. I had to correct the problem – which took about 6 hours to do, and now I am dealing with the aftermath – severe headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, and now - frustration.

Frustrated that there isn’t a cure yet. Frustrated that it takes so long to snap out of a high blood sugar. Frustrated that I spent my Saturday night (which was our date night) feeling sick. Frustrated that I had to wake up every ½ hour to re-check my blood sugar. Frustrated with the headache that I have. And frustrated that it’s 5:18 p.m. on a Sunday night and I don’t feel better.

Okay. That's it. I apologize for this "venting post," but I had to share my frustrations...

There is a lot of fun events to attend this summer that will directly go to finding a cure for this disease. I know Parish and I will be attending a few. Check out the link above and if you are interested - I encourage you to attend. I think I can speak for thousands in Minnesota alone when I say - we would greatly appreciate it!

Jackson is 3!!

Our little yorkie turned 3 today!! Here is a video of him opening his present. :) What did he get - you ask? Only his favorite T-bone treats and a new bone.

More 2009 pictures

Our little Haylee Bean...
Parish and Chaston, our nephew who is now walking!! We can't believe it!

This is my best friends daughter - Brynn. She is going to be a big sister at the end of August/beginning of September. Parish and I went to her Dora Fiesta birthday party and this was her present from her mom and dad! She is so cute!

Spring 2009 pictures

Brooklyn and Hannah at her spring dance recital

Brookie - I can't believe how grown up she is getting!!

Gavin and I - we have a family trait of "big eyes" so every time we take a picture - we do a "big eye" picture

This is the before picture of our dining room/kitchen

This is the after shot - Parish and his grandpa did such a great job!

Parish and I at Benihana in Maple Grove - celebrating Ashley's commencement and Lindsey's completion of her Masters!

Here's the rest of the fam! What a fun night!

Lindsey and her "date" - running joke in the family. :)

Parish

When I started blogging, I had no idea what our blog was going to be about. At first, I thought it was a good way to let our friends and family know what was going on in our lives – and I think that I do an okay job at that – but I am certainly not consistent.

I think part of the reason why I am so inconsistent is that we don’t have any kids yet. Well, besides Jackson – but we can’t really post a whole entry on how adorable he is everyday when he steals P’s socks while he is in the shower, or how at night when we say “let’s go to bed”, he grabs a baby (his stuffed animals) and when we wake up we have about 10 more in bed with us, or when he wants to cuddle – he comes right up to you curls under your neck – like a fur collar. Maybe, I could write a whole post on how darn cute he is, but I thought we would do something different this time.

I am the main author of this blog, and after surfing the many other blogs that I view daily, I came up with a plan (well, I am borrowing this idea). I am going to have P take over this post! So, here is it, straight from the mouth of the man of my dreams, the one and only – Parish William Barten…

What is your favorite thing about your life?

Life in general is good. I love my family and friends.

What did you think when Sarah told you she was starting a blog?

I thought it was typical - she's my busy little bee.

If there is one thing that you could say to your “readers” what would it be?

Smile. I am a one-word answer type of guy. It's what I do.

What is your favorite memory of you and Sarah?

Everyday. It seems to me that we laugh about something new everyday.

In your words, how did you ask Sarah to marry you?

Actually, it was in my own words, I prepared a note and with a drop of a knee and a few paragraphs later - I asked her if she would marry me. And she said yes.

In a typical day, what do you do at work?

Preventative maintenance of a water and sewer infrastructure.

Why did you choose the profession that you are in?

I did it while I was in high school for a part time job. And I am a third generation public works employee.

Where would you want to retire?

Grand Rapids, MN

Would you let Sarah get another dog? Why?

No way, they are too much work. Plus, we want kids.

What is your favorite thing about your home?

The chance to finally be able to see my wife, my TVs and I am partial to the hardwood floors that I installed with my grandpa.

Any fun summer plans?

To go North as often as possible.

What is the best trip that you have ever been on?

Probably, our trip to Michigan last year, because it was the first trip we experienced as a married couple.

What do you love about Sarah?

Her kindness, her personality, her ability and desire to achieve more. And I love just her.

Who is the person you look up to the most?

Grandpa Walter. His work ethic is astounding. The way he loves my grandma is priceless and his personality.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

I love to spend time with my wife and dog, watch Gopher hockey, and lay on my ass.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Oh, boy...nobody set their alarm clock.

###

There you have it. Parish. And his one-word answers. :)

A new found love...

We are finally back in the land of technology. We just got a new laptop (our old computer was infested with the WORM), and we now have the pleasure of surfing the web while curling up on our couch - it is fantastic!

While we were on break from the internet - we managed to pack in tons of fun these last few weeks! Here is a recap...

- We spent three weekends in a row with the McDonald family. We did everything from spend time with the godchild, playing "over the fence" volleyball with our little JJ, and Parish helped Josh build a rock wall at the cabin - which ended up falling back into the lake. At no fault of their own, of course.

- I started to get back into photography a little bit and had the pleasure of shooting my first wedding of the season on May 16. Congratulations to Kris and Dan Lavigne. I am especially excited because Parish bought me design programs for our new laptop for my birthday. Now I can edit, create slideshows, and doing pretty much everything I want to make all of our memories that much better. After this post, I plan on starting up the program and taking it for a stroll.

- I had the opportunity of getting a personal tour (with my boss) of the new gopher football stadium. I was so impressed with the locker room - it is in the shape of a football, 65 yards long, 25 yards wide - it is incredible. I just might become a football fan now...

- We ended up snagging a GREAT deal on a new cuddle chair for our living room. It matches the couch that we bought last year perfectly, so we did a little rearranging...

- And speaking of that, Parish and his Grandpa put hardwood floors in our dining room and kitchen and it looks like a brand new house! It is so beautiful and I am so lucky that Parish and grandpa are so talented.

- Finally, today was an awesome day. I rediscovered how much I like shooting a bow and arrow. Parish and I were slightly bored this morning, so we went out and explored the town of Princeton and discovered Whitcombs. What a great place. I used to do archery back in the good ole days, and loved it - but never took it any further than deer camp. I picked up a magazine and am looking at bows to purchase. I think it might be a great new hobby for me. Who knows - I could get really good at it.

Once I find the connection for our camera I will post updated pictures! I hope all is well and we are glad to be back in the world of technology!

Through the storm, there is light.

Sounds ironic to post this today, especially since we are covered in blowing snow in April. No, that’s not a typo – I said blowing. And snow. In the same sentance. But, I am not talking about that kind of storm. I am talking about the “bad weather” that my mom has been facing for almost a year.

It was May 1st last year when she found out that there was something spotted on her mammogram. Days later, she received the diagnosis that no woman wants to hear – you have breast cancer. GULP. Cancer? That word hasn’t been spoken too often in our home and never did we think it would affect us directly. But it did. It has been a long road – full of many rain clouds, heavy storms, blowing wind, and sunny days full of twists and turns. Through her journey, we had unforgettable 7 day forecasts that predicted what the outcome could be, quickly followed by the possible unforeseeable cold front that could move in and totally change the outcome.

Until now.

The forecast given yesterday was warm, sunny, and clear. “She looks fantastic,” the nurse said. “Your scans were clear.” There has been no reoccurrence. This was a breath of fresh air for our family, especially for my mom. This check-up was probably the hardest that she has been through because it was so close to the 1-year mark. But she made it. She is in the clear!

We can pack away the umbrellas, store the rain boots and dance in whatever rain may come our way, because we are done.

Yes, she will still have check-ups (yearly now), and will continue to meet with her oncologist, and get her results the day of her mammogram for the next 4 years, but that’s all standard procedure.

It’s terrific news and even though we are facing this winter storm in April, our family can see the light. And it’s a great thing to see.