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Kendra and Johnson were asked by the Canadian Diabetes Association to be keynote speakers at the Victory Dinner in Hawaii. 

We were so honored and proud to have been asked and it was the highlight of our 1 year journey with Team Diabetes!

Click Here to read Kendra's Victory Dinner Speech.

Click Here to read Johnson's Victory Dinner Speech.

Saturday Dec. 2 - We arrive at our hotel at approximately 10:00PM, and it's just beautiful!  We quickly check in and the hotel brings all of Johnson's dialysis supplies up to our room.  It's a tight squeeze but we manage to find a place for everything.  The girls are not too tired and beg us to go exploring, so we quickly get dressed in our appropriate Hawaiian clothing and go exploring.  We have been up for 22 hours straight since leaving Ottawa, and I myself am in need of sleep. We don't look around too long and then we head up to bed.  The bed is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in!  Softest sheets, softest pillows etc.  Maybe it's just that any bed at this point would feel this delicious! 

Sunday Dec. 3 - Well it's official!  I'm staying!  We look off our balcony and can see Diamond Head mountain, just breath taking! The water is so clear as we look down into the ocean, that every morning we can see HUGE sea turtles swimming below us!  We spend the day at the beach and meet many people.  The girls are soooooo happy here and so excited about swimming in the ocean.   Only one mouthful of salt water is needed to remember to keep our mouths shut while swimming.   Fun mom is back!  The kids were told that FUN MOM would be coming to Hawaii, where all I had to do was spend time with them...no cooking...no cleaning... a true vacation.  As we go down the hall towards our hotel room, Johnson and I tell the girls that the "POOF FAIRY" has come.  We open our hotel room door and "POOF" the room has been cleaned!  No bed making needed on this vacation!  Only problem is that I need one or two of those "POOF FAIRIES" to bring back home with me!

Monday Dec. 4 -  We shop a bit in the morning, buy boogie boards, snorkels, shovels and pails to play with at the beach.  Stephanie loves to boogie board, while Taylor likes to play in the sand all day.  Johnson is very nervous about his catheter, as it's his first time swimming since he has had it extracted.  Before we left, the nurses would cauterize the skin around his catheter (burn around the edges) to help promote a tighter seal to heal around it.  His exit site has been oozing and he is nervous.  But the salt water works it's wonders and his exit site heals almost instantly!  We enjoy the evening show by our hotels pool where Stephanie and Taylor get to try dancing with the Hula Girls!  Priceless!  They are so intent on watching these beautiful ladies and following their every move.  If the girls could only do two things in Hawaii, they would be happy with swimming in the pool everyday, and watching this Hula show!

Tuesday Dec. 5 - We shop again this morning, this time at Walmart.  We pick up a microwave for $38.00 , a $7.00 toaster and milk, bread, eggs etc.  Breakfast and lunches we can now have in our rooms should we choose to do so.  This saves us a TON of money!  One of our Team Diabetes friends have arrived early.  Shannon and her 7 year old son Jake.  We get to know each other, and the kids hit it off.  We hang by the pool again, and work on our tans.  The kids are becoming such good swimmers, but the pool is just a little too deep for them even in it's shallow end that they can't touch the bottom, so it makes mom a little nervous.  I tell them I'm keeping my one eye on them!!

Wednesday Dec. 6 - The rest of Team Diabetes arrive, and we are all to attend the team's welcoming brunch. MMmmmmm.  We meet up with the Ottawa team and are now really getting excited about the marathon!  The energy is amazing.  I meet up with friends I have been corresponding with only via e-mail prior to today.  We eat, laugh, and talk allot about diabetes.  We are so proud to be part of this experience!

Thursday Dec. 7 - We decide that we will take the bus with our friends Shannon and Jake to Hanauma Bay which is where we will try snorkelling.  I am fascinated by fish, go to many aquariums but am terrified to actually be in the water with them.  Ewe!!  Johnson and Stephanie are brave, and they love it!  I freak out just trying to breath under the water and panic a little.  But after much coaxing by them Taylor and I muster up enough courage to try it.  We stand in the water, and then dip our goggles in the water to view the fish.  Taylor is squeezing and holding onto me for dear life!  Well...actually I am too! HA HA!  The fish are beautiful, and we are glad that we did it!

Friday Dec. 8 - We hang again all day at the beach and pool.  We must register for the marathon and go to the convention centre to do it.  I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I saw.  I never knew that the Hawaiin marathon is the 3rd largest marathon in the world.  30,000 people will run, so it is very busy at the centre.  Back to the hotel...again those "POOF FAIRIES" have cleaned our rooms for us!  What a relaxing vacation!  I have never seen Johnson so relaxed and happy!  He tells me that going to Hawaii has always been one of his lifetime ambitions and now he can't believe we have accomplished it.  We are happy, our little family is happy... life is GOOD!  Each night, as the kids sleep, we go out onto our balcony to sit, listen to the music below, listen to the ocean waves, and reflex on our day and our lives.  Here Johnson tells me, that many times in the past few months he never knew if he would make it.  He was scared so many times that when he went to sleep each night, would he wake again to see his babies?  We have close, deep conversations, and I find out things about him I never knew.  Hawaii and relaxation has opened up his heart.  We have time alone together each night, and this is my favorite part of being in Hawaii.

Saturday Dec. 9 - Today we have another adventure with our friends Shannon and Jake.  We hike up Diamond Head mountain.  1 hour up, and 1 hour down.  As I begin the hike, I can feel that I am already getting winded.  It's a steep mountain, and then I think to myself... who's bright idea was this anyways!  HA HA!  Johnson must fuel up a few times on juice, as he too is fatigued.  It was cool going through a tunnel right through the mountain, and just near the end when you have climbed about 100 stairs and think your done, those coming down tell you there are 100 more just around the corner!  AHHHH.  But they also say it is worth the climb.  It was, and was truly breath taking!  Tonight is our Pre-race dinner with Team Diabetes, and we must get to bed early as we need to meet in the hotel lobby at 3:15AM to catch our bus.  Because of the early departure, Johnson must go to our room at 5:00PM today to hook up for his first cycle of dialysis.  He puts in 7lbs of fluid and heads on down to meet us at dinner.  He looks very uncomfortable, he is walking slowly and holding his tummy.  He arrives in time to take our Team Diabetes photo of the whole gang, eats quickly and must return early to complete his other cycles of dialysis.  Johnson has to connect for 9 hours each night, and we can't cut his time short just because we have a early or busy day tomorrow.  We cannot sleep very well, must be the anticipation of the marathon tomorrow!

Sunday Dec. 10 - MARATHON DAY!  - We wake at 2:00AM to ensure that Johnson has enough time to drain, and then we wake the girls.  They are real troopers!  They wake happily, and are also excited to be in the marathon with "Team Diabetes".  That is...until we were told that no strollers were allowed.  So we abandoned the strollers, and the girls were going to walk too!  The excitement and adrenalin were kicking in.  This is what we came here to do.  This is what we worked so hard for, this was our day to shine... this was our day to run for Diabetes!  5:00AM fireworks lit up the sky and the marathon was on!  Man we needed to pee!  There were not many port a potties on our 10K run, but one very nice IRISH pub, opened their doors to all of us, and as Santa sat outside in full attire sipping beer, letting people sit on his knee to take pictures, we all were allowed to go to the bathroom!  God Bless this fella!  The girls got tired a few times, and Johnson piggy backed them many times throughout our 10K to give them a break.  I will never again say... "I'm just going to do the 10K".  Why?  Cause it was still hard!  Now I will proudly say... "I DID the 10K".  Johnson had soooo much energy, and was filled with so much adrenaline he said he could have done the whole marathon.  He wasn't even tired!  He though about those who lost loved ones to diabetes, those who are the parents of a child with diabetes and that filled him with so much hope that there was no stopping him.  We crossed the finish line... I had huge tears of pride in my eyes. WE DID IT!  My girls were so proud of themselves that they finished and that because they finished, they too got their finishers medal.  On the bus back to the hotel... my oldest Stephanie, looked up at my friend Shannon and showed her, her medal and said... "I did this for my Daddy!"  Now, Shannon was there with her oldest of her three children Jake who is 7.  Shannon lost her husband to a diabetic induced heart attack 3 years ago.  The day before her husband Joe passed, they found out they were pregnant with their 3rd child.  So imagine how the two of us just broke out into tears!  Blah Blah Blah!  I tell ya, I was a hurting when we got back.  My legs were very sore, so I soaked them in the cold pool most of the day, and maybe even took a few tylenols too.  But Johnson was feeling no pain at all!  He was energized!  It took him days to come down from his high.  It was time to get ready now for tomorrow nights Victory speech.  Nothing like leaving the writing of my speech until the day before the Victory dinner.  I do my best work under pressure! 

Monday Dec. 11 VICTORY DINNER SPEECH DAY - We decided to hang low most of the day.  I got up early to go to the business centre in the hotel, so I could type out my speech for the Victory dinner tonight.  So many thoughts run through my head... I have met so many amazing people ... all with their own stories to tell.  I feel fortunate to be able to speak tonight, and I just have to incorporate some of their stories into my speech as well.  I will speak from the heart, Johnson will speak from his heart.  I have heard his speech and it's very good.  I read him mine, and we agree that we are all set.  We are a little nervous, but have faith that all will go well.  The dinner is beautiful, and is outside in the garden of the hotel beside us.  It feels so elegant.  I see all sorts of people limping and walking slowly due to yesterdays marathons injuries such as blisters, sprains, missing toenails etc.  The excitement builds for us.  We all enjoy an amazing meal, and it is time for the speakers to present.  Two speakers before Johnson and I are to talk.  We are the last ones.  I am nervous, and start to re-think my speech, as mine is a personal story about diabetes, and not much at all about the marathon or the training for the marathon.  I look up halfway through my speech and realize that people are standing...they are giving us a standing ovation, I am so happy and proud!  I finish by introducing Johnson who is my best friend of 14 years, he is my inspiration, my hero... another standing ovation, and I think not a dry eye in the house.  I am very moved.  Johnson steps up to recite his speech, people are very quiet and listen attently.  He finishes up by asking everyone to do him a favor, and not to have any pity on him, but to help him put an end to diabetes, before diabetes puts an end to him.  We are all very moved and he too receives a standing ovation.  We sit down and are elated!  Dinner is completed and over and we are free to go.  Then quickly there is a sea of people standing in line to shake our hands, talk with us, share with us, some told me that they donated a kidney to a loved one, and for me not to worry at all.  These words were very reassuring, we felt a kinship with each person who came up to meet with us.  Overwhelming is the only word to describe how we felt.  Many came with tears in their eyes, many said they were inspired to do this again next year, many congratulated Johnson on overcoming his obstacles with dialysis, and told him they were proud he still came to Hawaii.  Many knew that Hawaii was the one thread holding all our hopes and dreams together through our difficult times.  This was indeed our best experience in our lives, short of having our children.  It will forever be remembered in our hearts!  2 hours later, Johnson must go hook up for dialysis, and the girls and I go to the bar to share a drink with our friends.  Johnson had our friend Shannon video tape our speeches, and he watches them in awe when he get's back to our hotel room.  The girls and I return at 12:30AM... I can't believe it is so late.  Where did the time go?  We try to sleep, but we are really on a high from the nights events.  Click here to read Kendra's speech.  Click here to read Johnson's speech.

Tuesday Dec. 12 - We go down to grab breakfast and run into two of our friends from Team Diabetes, Ellie and Faye.  We hug tightly with each other and have a tiny cry.  They are moved by last nights speeches, and so are we.  We settle by the pool and many more approach Johnson today.  Some tell us that they've watched us all playing as a happy family all week and never would have suspected that Johnson was not only diabetic but on dialysis each night too!  He is so happy and just loves to talk to everyone.  It's official... I think Johnson has achieved celebrity status at the Hotel! HA HA HA!  We enjoy the beautiful day, and look forward to renting a car tomorrow and going to the North Shore to watch the surfing competition. It's hula girls by the pool for us again tonight!

Wednesday Dec. 13 - Only 3 more days until we leave.  I still am not ready to go home.  The girls miss their poochy "Tasha" and have a little cry cause they want to go back home to get her, then come right back to Hawaii with her.  HA HA!  We rent a jeep and head to the North Shore with our friends, Monica, Cynthia and Ken.  Now... I have come to the conclusion that it is only fun to ride in any convertible if you are in the front seat!  I mean really, your hair blows all over the place, and the wind gives you such a headache!  We have to stop cause the girls are complaining about the wind, so we put the hood on.  The waves are truly amazing at the beach, and we see so many surfers out doing their thing.  The competition is off today because of the high winds, but should continue again tomorrow.  The girls and I frolic about on the beach and wade around in the waves.  It's fun, but there is no swimming, and there are jelly fish warnings.  Enough said... Jelly fish = no swimming for us!  My head is starting to hurt... no coffee today and no medicine with me either.  It's official ... upon us leaving I have a migraine.  It's so severe, I think I will throw up on the way back.  I just need to drink coffee, take one Immitrex and lay down, but we must return the vehicle first.  I am cranky, and feel awful.  Tonight I must be the one to sit in, while Johnson and the girls go to the mall to watch an amazing show with Hula girls, fire spinning etc.  I am jealous, but can't sleep cause the pain is too severe.  I soak my head in a HOT TUB of water, and it helps.  At least now I can see straight, I feel allot of pressure but no more pain.  Early to bed to greet the day again tomorrow.

Thursday Dec. 14 - Well it's off shopping today to purchase gifts for everyone back home.  The girls stop at a shop only for dogs, and pick up their Tasha a sweater with a cheetah print fur collar, and Taylor bought her doggy a pink T-shirt that says "Bling Bling" on it in glitter!  They were so proud of their gifts to bring home to our dog.  Today we all decide to go on a catamaran ride.  It was amazing!  The waves from shore look so soothing, but when you get rockin' out there, the waves were crazy big.  I was scared and holding onto Taylor for dear life!  But it was exciting too!  Once we turned around it was much smoothing sailing, and we sat back and enjoyed the view.  When we were returning we saw a school of spinner dolphins!  They would jump out of the water, spin around and go back down.  That was the highlight of our ride, and we followed them for quite some time.  Taylor really wanted to see dolphins and now she did.  She even saw them swimming right beside our boat and was so excited!  She will forever remember the dolphins!  Our last night here, we go out for dinner and watch ... yes again the Hula girls perform, I pack all our things for tomorrows journey back.  I ask Johnson to show me the video tape now of our Victory speeches.  So he queues up the video, and I watch.  It's good and I am excited to watch it.  Halfway through my speech, I now see surfers?  What's up with that?  My jaw opens wide, Johnson looks like he's going to be sick!  Apparently he messed up and thought he was at the end of our speeches when he started to video tape the surfers on the North Shore.  He's is so upset at himself!  You see, he was so proud to have been asked to speak at the Victory dinner, and he couldn't wait to get home to show everyone.  He was soooooo upset and angry at himself.   Johnson wasn't feeling well... and once he hooked up for dialysis, he realized he was going to be sick.  So he grabbed the ice bucket, since he can't run to the bathroom because he's connected to his machine.  I worry about him all night, and hope he's ok.  I think he doesn't want to go back now to reality and it's bugging him.  I give him a gravol and he settles down for the night.

Friday Dec. 15 - We leave tonight to catch our plane at 7:00PM.  Johnson is calling every Audio Video shop in Hawaii to see if there is any way he can get his speech back once it has been recorded over.  Everyone tells him no.  But he doesn't give up, he keeps trying.  I mean how many times do you need to hear that it can't be done?  Well, we enjoy every minute outside all day.  We swim all day, and the girls have gotten so good at swimming, they can now swim with no life jackets at all.  I am so proud of them, and we will always remember where they learned to swim!  We video tape the whole day, not wanting to forget any of it.  We catch our flight at 10:00PM and are on our way back to Vancouver.  I am excited because I have a sister in Vancouver who will pick us up, a I will finally get to see her house.  I have never seen it before since she moved out to BC three years ago with the RCMP.  I miss her so much and can't wait!

Saturday Dec. 16 - We are finally home, it is 11:30PM and we are so tired and hungry, and we have been up for 24 hours.  Good thing my in-laws have left us some groceries they purchased for us.  I make us all ham and eggs with toast, while Johnson goes immediately to hook up his dialysis machine.  You see... Johnson has had to skip a whole dialysis session due to our long journey back, and he's not looking well.  The toxins have built up in his body and he needs to get rid of them.  He says that he really remembers now how he felt before he started dialysis, how he was tired and sick.  However, with dialysis, he feels like a new person.  He feels good.

Sunday Dec. 17 - We journey off to go and pick up our doggy Tasha from my sister in-laws.  She makes us a home cooked meal and we are very thankful for it.  I am very stressed already... I have cleaning to do, and 7 loads of laundry to do today!  Life is back to it's normal craziness and reality is hitting me quite hard.  I mean it's only 7 days until Christmas.  I have to go back to work, we need to decorate, we need to SHOP!  SANTA is COMMING!  Well, our babysitters fall through, so it's a scramble to get new ones at the last minute to come over at night to care for the girls so mom and dad can get presents.  Friday night we put up the tree finally, and I am normally a control freak over how my house is decorated, I make sure the tree is very symetrical, and meticullously decorated... but this year... I just let go and let Johnson and the girls put it up and decorate it.  So the tree has many ornaments all along the bottom and not too many up top since the girls only reach halfway, and I love it.  I don't touch a thing!  The garland around my banister has run out halfway down the stairs, as the girls put it up, and I don't even care! It's perfect.  We spend a nice Christmas eve at church, then back home so dad can connect early for dialysis, so the girls will not have to wait long in the morning for daddy to disconnect to open their presents from Santa.  We do not host this year ... we are tired ... we have alot on our plates and I just can't do it.  I learn to say "No".  That's a hard one for me, but I have to do it for my sanity!  Merry Christmas to all of you!  See you again hopefully in Honolulu 2007 (health permitting) or in Honolulu 2008!  Either way we will be back and have sign on again with Team Diabetes!  What an amazing EXPERIENCE!  I encourage anyone reading this to just do it!  Take the plunge and join up too!  You won't be disappointed!