JDRFcc13: Downtown DC with Hallie

We had a few free hours on Day 2 of JDRF Children's Congress 2013 to see some sights. It was a small window of opportunity, so I asked Sugar what she wanted to see the most out of everything.

Her answer: The Lincoln Memorial. (And she wanted to ride the Metro.)

As for me, I wanted to take her to the American History Museum, specifically to see the First Ladies Exhibit

That was all we'd be able to do...one "thing" each.  We were excited when Hallie and Sweets decided to join us, and off we went!

First we walked from the hotel to the American History Museum.

I'm a nurse. He's a helicopter mechanic. We're pursuing the American Dream together.
Corny, I know.

*BONUS* - Coincidentally, one of Mr. Rose's sisters happened to be in town for a conference of her own. She Metro'd over to meet us for a quick hug and hello, before needing to get back to her meetings.

Next up, we found some dinner and then hopped the Metro to Foggy Bottom. We didn't think the Lincoln would be much of a walk...well...at least, not according to the map we had been using...

It was a hike. 

And it was hot.

But we made it.

American History -- CHECK!

Metro -- CHECK!

Lincoln -- CHECK!

Now we had to make it back to the hotel in time to pick up some important information we would need to review before starting Day 3.

We walked.

And we walked.

And we walked.

(Did I mention it was HOT?)

I swear we walked about 154 miles.

For realz.

Okay.

Maybe 156.

But, seriously. It was a really long walk.

All the while, we were testing BGs and Sugar was popping glucose tablets as if her life depended on them. (Ummm...because it did.) I seriously don't even know how many tablets she chomped through in order to survive our sweaty city escapade.

When we made it to the final home stretch, she hit a wall.

She sat down in the middle of the sidewalk, and declared she couldn't go any further. She even took her shoe off. 

I could only imagine how she must have been feeling...every time I checked her she was hovering in the low 100's - literally clinging to that range by the grace of yet another tablet. We were hot. Sweaty. Tired.

But we powered through. She hobbled back to the hotel wearing one shoe, and claimed victory.

We finished strong, my friends!

HI FIVE to Hallie and Sweets!!!!

PS (In case you ever wondered, the U.S. Treasury Building is beautiful. It might or might not resemble the White House after a long, hot, exhausting walk. And you might or might not stop to take pictures of it.  And then you might or might not notice that traffic is whizzing by next to you...and you might remember that cars cannot drive anywhere around the White House. You never know.  You might. Just sayin'.)

PSS (Tonight Hallie and I are chatting it up over at DSMA Live 'Rents! Be sure to stop by!)

 DSMA Live on BlogTalkRadio

Day 3 - 2013 JDRF Children's Congress

Checkout.

Breakfast at 7.

Bus to the "The Hill".

Day 3 was jam packed with meetings with our legislators, a photo op with Vice President Biden, a Senate Hearing, and then a flight to Orlando.

I lived in the DC area for quite a long time, but I never actually visited the Senate and House of Representatives buildings. When Sugar and I participate in advocacy work at our state level, it's a short jaunt from one building to the next -- there's just a courtyard in between.

But getting between both sides in DC, required a cab ride! This was quite exciting for Sugar, as she hadn't ever experienced a cab ride before. I'm pretty sure we could have spent the day hailing a cab from one side to the next, and she would have thought it was as exciting as a day at an amusement park. Alas, hailing cabs wasn't what we were there to do, and so it was time to get down to business.

In the order of our meetings...

First up, Senator Flake.
Followed by Congressman Gosar.
And, finally, a meeting with Senator McCain's staffer.

Then we were whisked off through the underground tunnels to meet the rest of our group for a picture with Vice President Biden...

Photo courtesy of Camera 1.
Sugar is in the third row; 3rd kiddo in front of the girl wearing an orange sweater.
The VP is hanging with the suits, wearing a purple tie.

No time for lunch...we were off to a Senate Hearing where we would share in the sentiment of testimonies to Congress...pleading our case as to why continued research funding for Type 1 Diabetes is so important. You can see all the testimonies HERE.

From there, it was off to the airport...and time to transition from #JDRFcc13 to #CWDFFL13!

But not until I tell you all about our adventure with Hallie and Sweets first. Stay tuned!

Further JDRF Children's Congress Reading from CHB:
You've Got Mail -- Finding out Sugar was selected to be a 2013 Delegate.
Media Blitz -- Media coverage leading up to JDRF Children's Congress.
14 Units -- The sinking realization that your child's life-sustaining insulin is in a fridge 3 hours away.
JDRF CC Day 1

JDRF CC Day 2

JDRF CC Day 3

The Ordinaries

I’m writing this while sitting in the Orlando Airport.  Our bags are packed, and we’re ready to head home. Home to where reality awaits...laundry, grocery lists, jobs, familiar routines. I can’t help but to feel that I’m returning home a different person. The past two weeks have been a flurry of emotion. Every day seemed to highlight something I didn’t know existed inside my heart. I’ve realized the strength of empowerment and the bruises of heartbreak on the same day – within the same hour – consecutive moments, in fact.

I’d like to say that I could sit down here and pound out a simple recap, but I can’t. I’m still weeding through the intertwined memories in my mind; trying to decide which moments to share, which to hold close, and if such a thing as “in between” actually exists.

Nothing is sacred...yet everything is sacred.

I suppose that, if there is one place to start, it would be here: I am just an ordinary mom.

It’s really important that you understand this truth when you’re visiting me here. Whether perusing old posts or reading new ones, I want you to know that I’m a flawed person who is trying to do the best she can. There is nothing special about our family. We face the same frustrations and challenges as anyone else. I can’t offer you an impressive resume or a fancy book deal to prove to you why reading this blog is worth a shred of your time or hard earned money.  We’re just ordinary, and that has to be “good enough”.

I mention this because I’ll be posting about our experiences at JDRF Children’s Congress 2013 in Washington DC, and the CWD Friends for Life Conference in Orlando. There are pictures with celebrities, “AHA Moments”, and brutal truths to be had. I’m going to ask you to step out of your comfort zone to do something that you may never have thought you were capable of. I’m going to open my vulnerable heart, and tell you about my fears.

When you see those snazzy pictures, and hear about our snazzy experiences, the last thing I want you to think is “Not me.”

YES YOU.

Remember, I’m ordinary. Just like you. Your child CAN apply to attend Children’s Congress just like we did (FOUR times, by the way). You CAN make the FFL conference a personal goal.

But more than that: you CAN make a difference right where you are. You CAN bloom where you’re planted. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD by simply sharing your story, and just being YOU. Step out of that corner, my friend. Come on out of your shell. Jump in feet first, throw your heart into it, and shine on!!!

{Cue applause, standing ovation, and climatic music.}

Let’s hear it for The Ordinaries!!! The run-of-the-mill Plain Janes and Average Joes. The ones who keep things in balance for our families. The ones who make managing our children's diabetes look easy, while counting carbs in a complicated meal that we poured our heart into preparing. The ones who know who needs to be where when at what time while keeping a running tally in our mind about everyone else. 

Stand up and be proud, my ordinary peeps, because we're a force to be reckoned with!

2013 JDRF Children's Congress: Day 1

You know you're at an event for people with Type 1 Diabetes when...

All the sodas are diet.

Randomly standing in line at Starbucks, chatting it up with Crystal Bowersox...

Performing the JDRF Promise Song with our old pal, Crystal...

Most of the video is boring stuff...you know...lining up, pictures, blah, blah, blah.

The action with Crystal starts around the 32:40 mark, and they run through the song twice.

Also, yes, I cried.

Meeting long-time bloggy friends...

Hallie and Sweets from The Princess and the Pump!!!

And wearing Miss America 1999's crown...

She even put on her glasses for a picture after I thanked her for taking the time to take part in the AMAZING VIDEO our friends organized for Sugar last year.

The day ended with a banquet dinner, and each delegate walked up on stage to introduce themselves. I was overcome with emotion, listening to each of their voices...each individual, each story, each journey.  I looked around the room and saw so many families who live with the same challenges and frustrations...but also the same joys and victories. 

Tonight I'm going to sleep with Addie's picture beside me. She will never have a chance to attend a Children's Congress session herself...

I will carry Addie's memory in my heart forever.

No child should die of diabetes.

Stay up to date on the 2013 session of JDRF Children's Congress by joining me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  You can also follow #JDRFcc13 on Twitter.  Be sure to tune into the *LIVE* town hall session on Tuesday (7/9/13) from 10am - 11am (EST) via the JDRF Advocacy YouTube Channel. Additionally, you can catch a special committee hearing on Wednesday, 7/10, at 2 pm.

Together we will change the world...let's cure this thing!