They say it's your birthday...at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Last weekend was a bit of a madhouse. It started with a trip to Disneyland on Thursday to celebrate my cousin Kathleen's birthday, and ended with my brother Scott, his wife Mary and their three kids staying over at my house. (There's nothing I like better than a houseful of family!)

Disneyland was a blast. It was a lot more crowded than I expected for a random Thursday. And poor Kathleen started her birthday celebration by getting a flat t i r e in the parking lot, but not even that could ruin our day. It was still better than being at work!

We also had a minor glucose emergency. The previous day, Mark had a low blood sugar at Cub Scouts before I got there, but no glucose tabs. One of the moms ran over to Kid's Club and saved the day. But I freaked a bit, and immediately stuffed all the tabs I had into his backpack. Which didn't help me at Disneyland when he felt low and I realized I had no glucose tabs. So we got in line at the bakery, where I came up with a brilliant solution.

"Scarf these sugar packets!" I ordered, and I could almost hear the people behind me gasp. I watched him gulp one, then another packet, half of which he spilled down his shirt. People were openly staring at me force feed sugar to my kid, and I'm sure they were all thinking what a horrible, crazy mom I am. To which I say -- hey, welcome to a day in the life of dia betes!

"One more!" I barked, then moved ahead to buy him a big bottle of chocolate milk and a croissant. I stuffed a few extra sugar packets in my bag on the way out.

It was a beautifully sunny day, and it was fun to watch Mark and his cousins run wildly through the park. Mary and Kathleen braved Space Mountain with the older kids, while Scott and I accompanied Grant on Buzz Lightyear and Star Tours.

We stopped briefly for lunch and as we were leaving, Mary announced that she was "taking Grant to Pooh." I know she meant the Winnie the Pooh ride, but it just sounded so wrong! I was the first one to inappropriately giggle, and when the kids realized I couldn't stop snickering, they all joined in. (I am quite often the "bad example" adult in the crowd -- you know, the immature, snickering one; the one who riles all the kids up right before bedtime. I even do that to my own kid sometimes!)

Nathalie, Gabi and Grant all had birthday money burning a hole in their pockets. Grant, who wanted boxing gloves for his birthday, settled for giant padded Mickey Mouse gloves instead. He kept folding all the fingers but the two middle ones down, so that they formed a peace sign. He'd hold up the two fingers and ask, "You want a PEACE of me?" Cue unstoppable giggles part two.

Gabi purchased a large green Goofy hat, which she wore for the next three days straight. She couldn't hear very well with them on, but that might have been the point. You'd think four kids would be four times louder than just one kid, but they're actually about 25 times louder!

When it was time to leave, I took Mark and Nathalie in my car. We sang funny songs and talked in silly Southern accents the whole way, and I realized how lucky I am to have not just a great kid, but some pretty great nieces and nephews as well. I really dig hanging out with them.

As does Mark. When Mary asked if she could pick him up after school on Friday, he jumped at it. "I go to Kid's Club every day," he told me. "But I don't get to see the kids every day!" I was proud of him and his good choice.

We all had such a great time celebrating Kathleen's birthday. And the best part was, the party was just starting! We'd planned a big birthday barbecue for Kathleen at my house on Saturday, so the fun was just beginning.

Word of the day: Grateful!

I've become so used to diabetes now that finger sticks and bolusing (giving insulin) are second nature for me. It's the same for my family and friends -- no one panics anymore when they see a low number on Mark's meter -- they just automatically hand him a juice box.

And as Mark gets older, he's become more responsible. He checks his blood sugar, counts carbs, boluses, and corrects lows or highs by himself. (Pretty amazing feats for an 8-year-old!) Because of that, I worry a lot less when I'm away (after school, with babysitters, etc.).

But it is still nerve-wracking to leave him in someone else's hands. There's the whole notion that no one takes care of him as well as I can (not true!) vs. the idea that time away gives Mark (and his caretakers) more opportunities to succeed and thus, more confidence.

Yesterday was a definite confidence builder. My brother Scott invited us to Disneyland, with our brother Brad, his wife, and all the kids.

"I can't," I told him. "I'm going to a baby shower."

"What's Mark gonna do?" Scott asked, and I said stay with a babysitter.

"He'd rather go to Disneyland!" Scott said. "Send him with Brad and Brandy."

He was right -- Mark would rather go to Disneyland with his cousins, aunt and uncles. But my brothers haven't watched Mark on their own before. (Scott's wife Mary usually manages Mark's diabetes when they babysit, but she was working.)

"Really?" I asked. "You'll test him before lunch and count his carbs?"

"Yeah!" Scott said enthusiastically. "He'll be fine!"

Wow, that was huge. Taking four kids, a toddler, AND diabetes to Disneyland -- now that's a commitment!

So I checked with Brad, who said no problem, they'd drive Mark. Then I told Mark, who was thrilled. I was pretty thrilled, myself -- not only were my brothers watching Mark, they were giving me a whole day to myself!

So Sunday morning, I packed up Mark's meter, some juice boxes, his Disneyland pass, and $20. I reminded him to check his blood sugar before lunch ("I know, Mom!") and to text me his lunch menu so I could count the carbs.

"I want to estimate the carbs myself," he answered, and who was I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

I told him, "Great! Text me the estimate, so I can help if you need it."

I dropped him off at Brad and Brandy's, and he was so excited, he about pushed me out the door.

"Bye, Mom!" he said, and ran off to play with Johnny.

Then I went off to an early movie with Edra, still dazed and delighted at this sudden good fortune.

I hadn't heard from them when the movie let out at 1, so I called to see what Mark ate for lunch. Nathalie informed me he hadn't eaten yet, and I bit my tongue.

"OK," I said. "Tell your dad it's time for him to eat." Don't panic, I told myself. If Mark was starving, he would've told Scott.

Five minutes later, Brad called, asking how many carbs were in a hot dog and chips. I told him, he said okay, and hung up. I couldn't believe how easy it all was!

I went off to the baby shower, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I got one more call, asking if Mark could have ice cream. "He's looking up the carb count right now," Brandy told me.

"Definitely, he can have it!" I told Brandy.

An hour later, I picked Mark up from Brad and Brandy's. He'd had a great time, and no one seemed traumatized. I couldn't stop beaming.

And so today, I am grateful. Grateful to Scott, who invited Mark along without hesitation. Grateful to Scott, Brad and Brandy for taking such great care of Mark, and giving him something he loves -- a day with the family. And grateful to my whole family for coming along this journey with me, reaching the point where "Mark, my nephew with diabetes" simply becomes "Mark, my nephew."

It sounds like such a small thing, but really, even today, I am overwhelmed by it, and soooo proud of them all! My brothers gave me such a huge gift yesterday, and for that, I will always be grateful. For Mark, it was just another day in the park, but for me, it was the day my brothers rose up, and succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

And you can't get more confident than that!