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We’re not professionals. We’re not a big company. I'm just a mom with a five-year-old girl doing our best to use the skills we have to create something meaningful — and hopefully, raise enough money to bring home a life-saving diabetic alert dog for Maybel. Sure, our candles might not always burn as perfectly as something from a big-name brand, and sometimes the soap ends up with a little extra glitter because Maybel got carried away — but that’s part of the charm. Each piece

If you saw my post about me crying in the parking lot recently…yes, that was me. And you know what? It’s okay. Being a parent is hard. Being a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes is even harder. There are moments that feel like too much, when the weight of constant responsibility, fear, and exhaustion finally hits, and all you can do is let it out. It doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. And if you’re like me, sometimes you just nee

It’s been a lot  lately. Between the house flooding, homeschooling, and trying to keep up with everything that comes with type 1 diabetes, I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water (no pun intended). But I wanted to share a little catch-up post—some real-life moments that have been both stressful and eye-opening for us lately as we navigate this unpredictable journey with Maybel’s diabetes. The Flood (Because of Course That Happened) A few weeks ago, Maybel accidenta

Some weeks, diabetes feels heavy. Other weeks, it feels like it’s out to break you. This week? Definitely the second one. We tried to make the switch back to her t:slim pump, even though it wasn’t connecting to her phone. And here’s the thing—if the pump isn’t connected to her phone, it doesn’t mean she stops getting insulin. Basal insulin still goes in. The pump still works. What we lose is the ability to bolus (give insulin for meals and corrections) from her phone. Which m

Tonight hit me hard. Diabetes has a way of doing that—not just once in a while, but over and over again. It isn’t just a surgery or a one-time event you move past. It’s daily. Hourly. Sometimes minute by minute. And tonight was another reminder of how much weight comes with every decision, every device, every unknown. My daughter has been on Omnipod for the last two years. Before that, she used the t:slim X2 pump. We decided to transition back to the t:slim because she’s been

When you live with type 1 diabetes, representation is more than a buzzword — it’s a lifeline. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re walking a hard road alone and realizing the world sees you . For our family, and especially for my daughter, Maybel, the new T1D Barbie is more than just another toy on the shelf. She’s hope. She’s validation. She’s proof that kids like Maybel matter. Maybel’s journey with T1D hasn’t been an easy one. There have been days of finger pric

One of the sweetest parts of this journey has been watching Maybel become more hands-on with our beadable items. While I’m still heavily involved, her growing role has given me the gift of time—time I’ve been using to reach out to our community for support. Over the past few weeks, we poured our hearts into writing and mailing more than 100 letters. Each envelope carried a simple ask: help us share Maybel’s story. We weren’t asking for donations—just permission to hang a flye

Catching Up: 2025 Has Been a Wild Ride It’s been a while since I shared about our family, and honestly, 2025 has been nothing short of overwhelming, exhausting, and deeply emotional. Life with Maybel and her Type 1 Diabetes is a constant balancing act—between love and fear, joy and exhaustion, planning and chaos. Some days feel like walking a tightrope with no safety net, and yet, there are moments so beautiful they make everything worth it. Mother’s Day started with a trip t

A Huge Step Forward: Thanks to You, We Can Dream Bigger It’s been an emotional few weeks here at JuiceboxBabies and our new branch, Glucose & Grace. As many of you know, we’ve been working tirelessly to raise funds for Maybel’s diabetic alert dog. Between homeschooling, doctor visits, managing blood sugars, extracurriculars, keeping up with friends and community, running a household, and trying to maintain our business, it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day

It’s been awhile. I’ve been busy doing all the mom things—and all the Type 1 Diabetes mom things. Some days feel endless, juggling homeschooling, doctor appointments, monitoring blood sugars, and making sure Magnus still feels seen, loved, and supported. Add in extracurriculars, keeping up with friends and our community, trying to live a slower, intentional life, and the hours of work—me part-time, my husband full-time with overtime—and some days it feels like we’re barely ke

I don’t know if you remember Over and Over  by Nelly and Tim McGraw, but wow, that song was everywhere  in the early 2000s. What an era! 96.5 played it on repeat— over and over again —until you couldn’t escape it. And, tonight? That’s exactly how I feel. Stuck in this cycle, doing the same frustrating, exhausting thing over and over again . At least now, I can laugh about it. Because honestly? I need the laugh. Maybel gets a new glucose sensor every 10 days, unless it falls

I've waited a while to write this. Mostly because I felt so much shame, anger, and sadness—at myself, and at the healthcare system. But I’m no longer giving shame the time of day in this department. Going to the dentist is stressful. Finding a new one? Even more nerve-wracking—for both kids and parents. The anxiety of making sure insurance covers everything, the fear of hearing how bad things might be, and the weight of feeling like you failed your child—it’s a lot. If you ha

Managing Maybel’s type 1 diabetes is an intricate, emotional journey that demands attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to her well-being. Every pod swap, every Dexcom sensor change, and every adjustment to her insulin regimen is an effort to maintain a balance between her health and the constant reality of living with a chronic illness. From the relentless vigilance to the emotional toll of watching her endure this condition, it’s a path that stretches far beyond

Is it illness, is it technology, or is it something I did? Parenting is hard. Parenting a child with type 1 diabetes feels like an impossible mountain to climb every single day. And when you already struggle with anxiety, that mountain becomes even steeper. Every moment is filled with questions that never have simple answers: Is her glucose monitor wrong? Should I call the doctor? Should I wake my husband for help? Did I make a mistake with her insulin dose earlier? The quest

Life as a stay-at-home parent can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding in ways that are difficult for others to understand. Add in managing a chronic illness like Type 1 diabetes for your child, homeschooling, and running a household, and it’s a recipe for daily challenges. As a mother of two—my daughter Maybel, who is four years old, has Type 1 diabetes, and my son Magnus, who is five and full of energy—the juggling act is constant. Brett works incredibly hard to