Family's 3 of 4 kids managing diabetes

Diabetes, said Stephanie Watkins of Bothell, is just something you learn to manage. Watkins and her husband, Daniel, have four children. Three have type 1 diabetes.

Because neither of their families has a history of diabetes, it was a shock when their daughter, Austyn, developed it at age 11. A year later, Lucas was diagnosed. He was 10.

The couple watched for symptoms in their other two children and participated in a diabetes study at Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Seattle. A coordinator from PNRI called Watkins to report Jake's blood test showed diabetes. The family was already at the hospital because Watkins recognized his symptoms.

Their fourth child, Cole, so far has no signs of the disease. He's 11. Austyn is now 21, Lucas is 17 and Jake is 8.

Jake and Stephanie will share their family's story at the PNRI's benefit wine auction Thursday at the Golf Club at Newcastle.

"We don't feel sorry for ourselves," she said. "Everyone has something to cope with, and this is ours. Taking care of diabetes has become natural, just like brushing our teeth."

Indeed, she said, there's even a silver lining.

"Our kids are good at math because they have to calculate their carbohydrates and insulin ratio."

Dog's best friend

Sharon Hornbeak and her Lab, Reba, regularly walk throughout northeast Bellevue. Hornbeak tries to combine the exercise with errands.

Recently, she needed to cash a check. Her Bank of America branch was closed, so Hornbeak walked to the drive-through Bank of America a few blocks west.

She and Reba took their place in line, behind several cars. When it was her turn at the drive-up window, the teller refused to help Hornbeak, citing safety issues. Another car drove up, so she walked away.

The driver finished his business and pulled around to where a now-distraught Hornbeak was standing. He offered to let her drive his car through the teller line.

"I don't have a driver's license, but I just told him I wasn't comfortable putting Reba in his car," she said.

He asked what he could do to help.

"Take my check and cash it," she said.

He did just that but couldn't resist teasing Hornbeak when he handed her the money.

"You'll trust me with your check and money, but you won't trust me with your dog," he said.

"This is just money," she said. "Reba is my best friend."

Touch of home

Evie Florian of Redmond has been enjoying an extended visit with a friend in Switzerland. When she misses the Northwest, she heads to downtown Basel to see one of her favorite sculptures.

Like Seattle, the city has a "Hammering Man" made by artist Jonathan Borofsky — a slightly smaller version of what's in front of the Seattle Art Museum.

One last grin

Pat O'Hanley of Carnation shares her farm with a few hens and roosters, cats and a couple of wonderful dogs. So she appreciated the license plate on the white minivan. It read: GR8DOGS.

Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com