Advocating for Another Day 1 ~ Portrait Post

August is "Advocating for Another" month and WEGO Health is running another of its great blog carnivals as an opportunity for bloggers who dedicate their time to caring and/or advocating for another to share their thoughts and ideas on the subject. With a preset list of topics in 4 different categories, hundreds of bloggers will contribute daily posts to the carnival between August 21st and 28th. 

Day 1's topic is entitled Portrait Post, and asks bloggers to "write a descriptive portrait of your child/ren. Share qualities that make them, them – and include an image! (A photo or creative work of them!):"

As soon as I read the topic, I knew what I wanted to share. I have mentioned previously that Dylan has recently taken up vocal and instrumental performance and participates in a weekly performance class. Twice per year the kids have a live concert, in which they perform for their parents and peers. Two months ago, in June, Dylan performed a haunting cover of Coldplay's "Fix You" in front of a live audience of approximately 250 people. 

As a parent, I think I was more nervous for Dylan than he was. Unlike his ability to easily learn music for instrumental play (he plays the sax and the guitar), he's not a strong singer. And "Fix You" is not an easy song to sing. Most kids chose faster paced rock songs, or newer pop songs by idols like Taylor Swift. Not Dyl. He wanted to sing "Fix You" because he knows it's one of my favorite songs, and a song whose lyrics remind me of diabetes and my "inability" to fix my son's disease.

Courage is one of the qualities that I most admire in Dylan. He has an ability to do whatever he wants without any regard for what others think. And not in an arrogant manner. He is simple sure of himself. Self consciousness? He doesn't have it. Timidity? No, none of that either. Self doubt? No way. He is uber-comfortable in his own skin. I only WISH I had that level of confidence.

Run, Bike, Crawl ~ Summer 2012 Events

With summer right around the corner and my 2nd 90 Day Challenge just underway, I have completely revamped my summer event schedule and added some new events to give my body an extra challenge!

Training started this week for a 122km cycling race Sept 8th, and my first full marathon Sept 30th. I'll also be competing in an obstacle race in early August and a half marathon in mid-August. Training updates will be posted from time to time, highlighting unique experiences and reflections on progress. Full race details below.

August
Warrior Dash, August 4th, North Van. My first obstacle race and I am so psyched!! This one is an entry level 5km trail run with a dozen obstacleS, ranging from climbing walls to fire jumping to crawling through barbed wire.

Sea Wheeze, August 11, Vancouver. This is Lululemon's first half-marathon event and it's taking place along the beaches of downtown Vancouver!

September
RBC GrandFondo Whistler, Sept 8th. An epic 122km road race along the Sea to Sky highway from downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village. 7000 cyclists of all abilities compete in this event!

Surrey International World Music Marathon, Sept 30th. My very first full marathon!

1st Live Performance

Last month I posted about Dylan's new singing pursuits, in A D-Mom is Superwoman. He joined a performance company last September, after watching the students perform at a benefit concert last year. The concert he saw at the time was entitled, "Pumped for the Cure," and it was a fundraiser for our TEAM DYLAN, with all of the proceeds going to JDRF. He was so impressed with the quality of the performers, that he couldn't wait to join himself.

Dylan had his first live performance just before Christmas and I had mentioned that I would post clips soon after. Oops - I totally forgot, so here they are now! Both of these are group performances. In the first he's singing only, and in the second he's playing the saxophone.

Dylan (left) singing "Twist & Shout". Can you see the pump bulge under his shirt? I can.

Dylan (left) playing sax for "Crabbuckit"

His next performance is Sunday, Feb. 12, when he will perform, solo, Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me." Just one more thing for which we DON'T let diabetes get in the way. EVER.