It’s Been Awhile…

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 keeping our heads above water.

On top of everything else, the chaos increased this year when Brett had back surgery and was off work from May to August. Overnight, our schedules shifted, routines collapsed, and stress levels soared. Suddenly, simple things became monumental tasks. I found myself carrying everyone and everything to the car for appointments while keeping a close eye on Maybel’s blood sugars, cooking meals one-handed, homeschooling, managing our household, working part time, while Brett rested or managed pain. Some days, we barely made it from morning to bedtime without exhaustion taking over completely.

Middle-of-the-night check-ins, love never sleeps

Through it all, we’re still chasing a dream that feels both urgent and distant: a diabetic alert dog for Maybel. I’ve written over 150 letters to businesses, shared our story countless times, and reached out for help wherever we can. Every kind word, every donation, every bit of support has meant the world to us—but we still have so far to go.

It’s hard. Hard to juggle homeschooling a medical kiddo, raising a sibling, keeping life moving, working when I can, and fundraising for something that isn’t even here yet. Some days I feel like I’m failing at everything—like I’m constantly being pulled in a hundred directions, and no matter how much I give, it’s never enough. I watch Maybel and Magnus growing up, full of curiosity, wonder, and so much love, and I want to give them everything I can. I want them to feel safe. I want to breathe a little easier, even for just a moment.

Highs, lows, and all the love in between

Some mornings, I wake up before anyone else, pour coffee into a travel mug, and prepare for a day that feels like running a marathon before it even starts. Maybel’s alarms go off constantly, Magnus wants breakfast and attention, emails and letters for fundraising pile up, and I’m trying to keep the house from turning into complete chaos. Every step requires planning, double-checking, and a mental map of how to keep everyone safe and cared for. And yet, even in the middle of the exhaustion, I feel hope.

Because every effort we put in brings us closer to a life-changing companion for Maybel.

The truth is, getting the dog isn’t the finish line. Training, learning, adjusting—it will all take time. But it will be a start. A start to peace of mind, safety, and a little more breathing room in our daily lives. A start to life where I don’t have to feel guilty for asking for help, where we don’t have to juggle everything at once, and where Maybel has a constant source of support by her side.

Nighttime lows call for juice and a little extra love

We’ve been so blessed by the kindness of those who have helped us along the way. Strangers who became friends, friends who stepped up, and community members who shared our story—all of you have lifted our hearts in ways we can’t even describe. But the journey isn’t over, and the road ahead still feels long.

I want this so badly for Maybel, and for our family. This dog isn’t just an animal—it’s a lifeline. It’s the difference between worry and peace of mind. Between constant stress and moments of relief. Between feeling alone in this journey and having a companion who can alert, comfort, and protect.

So here we are, still asking for help, still sharing our story, and still pouring our hearts into this dream. Every letter, every post, every donation, every kind word—it all matters. We are committed to this journey, because it’s not just a wish. It’s a necessity. And one day, when that dog joins our family, it will be a start, a new chapter. A start to a life where we can breathe a little easier, love a little more freely, and feel a little more hope in every single day.

Thank you to everyone who has walked this path with us so far. And thank you to everyone who will join us in the future. You are giving more than support—you are giving hope. And for that, from the bottom of our hearts, we are endlessly grateful.

—Kylee