Avery, Grandma, and Papa--Hmmmm....somebody in this picture is 50 years old! Ouch!
"Eat my dust, Tommy!"
Avery showing Papa her basketball skills. We're hoping that Avery will be an athlete and a math-lete--like Papa, of course!
Monday, September 24, 2007
This blogs for you Mom!
It's been a little bit of a family joke of who's getting their blog time. So, rightfully so, it is time to shower a little blog praise my mom's way for all her help with Avery over the last few days. Not only did my mom get to steer the Avery train, but she also got to put up with Dan and me (stressed and feeling little direction about our remaining housing projects). And, to top it off, Avery came down with a cold this weekend, so I'm guessing that my mom took home a little souvenior. Thanks, mom! We're so grateful for your help!
Avery, Grandma, and Papa--Hmmmm....somebody in this picture is 50 years old! Ouch!
"Eat my dust, Tommy!"
Avery showing Papa her basketball skills. We're hoping that Avery will be an athlete and a math-lete--like Papa, of course!
Avery, Grandma, and Papa--Hmmmm....somebody in this picture is 50 years old! Ouch!
"Eat my dust, Tommy!"
Avery showing Papa her basketball skills. We're hoping that Avery will be an athlete and a math-lete--like Papa, of course!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Lucky
How to describe luck? Are we lucky? Or, do we have moments where we see God’s hand of protection, or see His providence more clearly? For us, we’ve had an ‘eye-opening’ week, and are feeling very lucky, very protected, and very cared for.
So, what’s up? A couple of things: we’ve had some major medical bills looming from what we now dub as our ‘Key West experience.’ To say that the insurance company has been confused would have been a massive understatement. In case you didn’t know, the company that Dan works for is based in California; we live in Illinois; and I received medical treatment in Florida. Yep, we formed our own little Bermuda triangle, and that’s where the big-dog medical bills have been hanging out. Throw a big clerical error in there---a clerk putting that my service dates were 1/28/06 through 1/28/07---catch the error there? Yep, A WHOLE YEAR! Hey, we’re graceful people though. I mean it is hard to get into the mode of writing the new calendar year, right?
The long and the short of it: I’ve been on the phone with the insurance company for months attempting to do my due diligence (as the hospital has been calling, and wondering about the insurance company’s determination, which was stuck in pending mode). The insurance company made their declaration, and of course, the bill was covered; that is, except for our 20% portion, up to our maximum out-of-pocket calendar year allotment, subject to our deductible, not including, but does include, if in-network, but only if…….if……if….Got it? You’ve got to be grateful for insurance but ever feel like you’re playing that one game show…..”no whammies, no whammies, big money?”
Here’s the good news. We have insurance, and by no means are we dogging out on that fact. But, perspective can be a little challenging when you’ve been under better insurance plans, and you’re residing in single-income land. Even better news: my medical expenditures, coming down the pike in late November, early December, are covered at 100%. Naturally, we’re still expecting that a few will slide in there. You know, the “the only covered if,” “excluding tests,” etcetera, etcetera. You know the drill. But the crux of it: because we’ve ‘book-ended’ this year with all our baby glory, we’ve bi-passed a major financial ding. We’ve got to stand back and see God’s hand in this—there’s just no better way to describe it.
This little experience aside, we’re trudging through this week, and notice that the house smells as if it is burning on Wednesday morning. We’ve gone about our normal weekday routine, and Avery and I we’re getting ready to leave the house. As we come down the stairs the putrid, hot, burning smell just knocks me out. I come to realize that the smell is coming from the dryer (which has been running). I turn the dryer off, and unplug it (the plug is very, very hot). My thoughts are, “Great. It’s a busy week, and now the dryer needs to be repaired. Super. Call an appliance guy, he’ll collect at least $200, and then off we go.”
So, the appliance guy comes Thursday, and declares that the dryer is running perfectly. He looks at me cross-eyed, and asks if I was sure I smelled something. Yep, sure did!! So, I press him, and he grudgingly pulls the outlet cover off the outlet where the dryer had been plugged in (sort of with the attitude of like he was doing me a big favor). What did he find? A melted outlet, melted wires, an outlet that was seriously hot, and seriously dangerous, and in his words “at one time, sparking.” And, to make matters worse, the outlet wasn’t grounded, therefore, if the worst had happened, there weren’t any safety mechanisms in place to prevent the whole thing from sparking up, and burning unabated. The repair guy kept saying, “You guys are very, very lucky. This could of gone terribly wrong.”
I’ve wondered a bit about this. This could of played out so differently. Just simply not being here to catch the smell, could have brought about such a different outcome. Again, we’re feeling very, very protected. Is God watching out for us? I’ve got to believe it is so.
Amongst all this, it has been a full and crazy week. I’ve had my first pregnancy-related migraine (and who wouldn’t!); we’ve determined that Avery’s not a structured-activity kind of kid—not saying she couldn’t stand to grow in this area; Avery had her first haircut; the Entrusted study kicked off at GEBC this week, and I’m really enthused about the curriculum; and my Dad turned 50 this week, and we’ll be celebrating this weekend, which will include a Cub outing for Dan, my Dad, and my brother.
Enjoy your day, and here’s to feeling “lucky” --- a word that I’m not sure I place much stock in.
So, what’s up? A couple of things: we’ve had some major medical bills looming from what we now dub as our ‘Key West experience.’ To say that the insurance company has been confused would have been a massive understatement. In case you didn’t know, the company that Dan works for is based in California; we live in Illinois; and I received medical treatment in Florida. Yep, we formed our own little Bermuda triangle, and that’s where the big-dog medical bills have been hanging out. Throw a big clerical error in there---a clerk putting that my service dates were 1/28/06 through 1/28/07---catch the error there? Yep, A WHOLE YEAR! Hey, we’re graceful people though. I mean it is hard to get into the mode of writing the new calendar year, right?
The long and the short of it: I’ve been on the phone with the insurance company for months attempting to do my due diligence (as the hospital has been calling, and wondering about the insurance company’s determination, which was stuck in pending mode). The insurance company made their declaration, and of course, the bill was covered; that is, except for our 20% portion, up to our maximum out-of-pocket calendar year allotment, subject to our deductible, not including, but does include, if in-network, but only if…….if……if….Got it? You’ve got to be grateful for insurance but ever feel like you’re playing that one game show…..”no whammies, no whammies, big money?”
Here’s the good news. We have insurance, and by no means are we dogging out on that fact. But, perspective can be a little challenging when you’ve been under better insurance plans, and you’re residing in single-income land. Even better news: my medical expenditures, coming down the pike in late November, early December, are covered at 100%. Naturally, we’re still expecting that a few will slide in there. You know, the “the only covered if,” “excluding tests,” etcetera, etcetera. You know the drill. But the crux of it: because we’ve ‘book-ended’ this year with all our baby glory, we’ve bi-passed a major financial ding. We’ve got to stand back and see God’s hand in this—there’s just no better way to describe it.
This little experience aside, we’re trudging through this week, and notice that the house smells as if it is burning on Wednesday morning. We’ve gone about our normal weekday routine, and Avery and I we’re getting ready to leave the house. As we come down the stairs the putrid, hot, burning smell just knocks me out. I come to realize that the smell is coming from the dryer (which has been running). I turn the dryer off, and unplug it (the plug is very, very hot). My thoughts are, “Great. It’s a busy week, and now the dryer needs to be repaired. Super. Call an appliance guy, he’ll collect at least $200, and then off we go.”
So, the appliance guy comes Thursday, and declares that the dryer is running perfectly. He looks at me cross-eyed, and asks if I was sure I smelled something. Yep, sure did!! So, I press him, and he grudgingly pulls the outlet cover off the outlet where the dryer had been plugged in (sort of with the attitude of like he was doing me a big favor). What did he find? A melted outlet, melted wires, an outlet that was seriously hot, and seriously dangerous, and in his words “at one time, sparking.” And, to make matters worse, the outlet wasn’t grounded, therefore, if the worst had happened, there weren’t any safety mechanisms in place to prevent the whole thing from sparking up, and burning unabated. The repair guy kept saying, “You guys are very, very lucky. This could of gone terribly wrong.”
I’ve wondered a bit about this. This could of played out so differently. Just simply not being here to catch the smell, could have brought about such a different outcome. Again, we’re feeling very, very protected. Is God watching out for us? I’ve got to believe it is so.
Amongst all this, it has been a full and crazy week. I’ve had my first pregnancy-related migraine (and who wouldn’t!); we’ve determined that Avery’s not a structured-activity kind of kid—not saying she couldn’t stand to grow in this area; Avery had her first haircut; the Entrusted study kicked off at GEBC this week, and I’m really enthused about the curriculum; and my Dad turned 50 this week, and we’ll be celebrating this weekend, which will include a Cub outing for Dan, my Dad, and my brother.
Enjoy your day, and here’s to feeling “lucky” --- a word that I’m not sure I place much stock in.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Pizzazz
Avery’s pizzazz has done it to me again—a real down-for-the-count knock out punch. Lately, I’ve been feeling as though my time with Avery is running out. Soon she’ll have a sister and will have to share my attention. So, to make the best use of our time left, I’ve signed Avery up for various park district and library programs (yes, I’m her cruise director and she’s spoiled). This week was kick-off week—and so far, so good. Avery’s enjoying herself, mommy’s tolerating it well, high-fives all around. Then comes Wednesday’s story time at the library. The story is best told like this:
Scene: Avery and Mommy walk into the room, and take a felt apple from the teacher. The teacher tells us to put the apple on the story time tree, and take an apple nametag from the hook.
Avery: “Cool apple!”
Mommy: “Yes, cool.” And Mommy puts the apple nametag necklace around Avery’s neck, wondering how long Avery will actually keep the nametag on.
Scene: The room fills with 9 other toddlers, and their mothers. All of the toddlers are subdued, well-behaved, and are quietly sitting in their mother’s laps. Avery’s Mommy thinks: We’re screwed.
Sure enough, Avery starts dancing around the room, loudly performing for the room. Unfortunately, the room is not amused, and neither is Mommy, so Mommy snatches Avery. Avery is not pleased, and wants to dance. Luckily the teacher starts, and grabs her guitar.
Avery: “GUITAR! GUITAR! GUITAR!” And throws her body on the floor for a full-body tantrum, continuing to scream “GUITAR! GUITAR! GUITAR!” and bewildered as for why the teacher will not give her the guitar.
Mommy: “Ave. It’s the teacher’s guitar, so hang here with me.”
Avery: “NO! GUITAR!” and then proceeds to run up to the guitar and tries to take the guitar from the teacher. Teacher is not amused, and neither is the rest of the class. Mommy grabs her bag, and the screaming child and exits the room as if it were on fire. And……….scene.
So, story time is no more (I’ve forfeited our spot, and our apple name tag), and if we weren’t blacklisted from the library before, we certainly must be now. Such is life with a two-year old, right? Tomorrow is Kid Rock, and I have high hopes. Avery loved Tot Rock last year, and the instructor was fantastic. However, if she sucker punches me tomorrow, then she’s done.
On another note, we’ve had a super week. The weather here is beautiful, and we’ve gotten some great news from people in our lives—a new baby girl, a new baby boy, and a miraculous healing. God is good, and our hearts feel very full. With any luck I’ll be able to sneak by the hospital and meet the baby boy, born yesterday to a couple that is very special to us. They’ve waited a long time for this little boy, and it’s a thrill to see how God has answered their prayers.
Other news: Avery has fully transitioned to her big girl bed; communication with Avery continues to expand; Avery’s re-living her glory days (see picture); Avery LOVES to swing, and swinging for less than 30 minutes is totally unacceptable, unless she is bribed with a sugar-free popsicle; the nursery is coming together nicely (as is the “before-the-baby” project list); Dan’s in heaven watching all of the baseball and football he can stand; Entrusted with a Child’s Heart study starts at GEBC in a week; I tested negative for gestational diabetes; and my dad turns 50 in a week.
Well, I hope this finds you well. And if you are arm-wrestling a toddler, I hope you’re winning. Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Showers Abound
Labor Day Weekend was dubbed “Shower Weekend.” My sister Lea flew in for the weekend, and was “showered” in preparation for her December 22 wedding. We had a terribly fun time, and laughed a lot (mostly at other peoples’ expense)!
Susan and Lea
Susan, Lea, and Mom
Avery and Lea
Tommy "the owner," piranha, and Lea
Tommy tries to teach Avery how to peddle.
Susan and Lea
Susan, Lea, and Mom
Avery and Lea
Tommy "the owner," piranha, and Lea
Tommy tries to teach Avery how to peddle.
“I did it!”
Some of you may know that we tried to move Avery to her “big girl bed” shortly after the room was finished. To our dismay, it didn’t take, mainly because we thought it was so funny to see Avery hop out of the bed, come to the door, expecting to see us there laughing (which we were—not smart; wouldn’t recommend it). And so, we decided to wait until after Labor Day Weekend (knowing that we’d be out of town) to try again.
So, last night we put Avery into her big girl bed, and determined that Dan would be overseeing the chain of events. Avery responds to Dan a little differently than me. Mainly, she obeys him, and sometimes obeys me. We started “talking up” the big girl bed around 6:00 p.m., and then at 7:00 p.m., put Avery into the bed, explaining that it was time to go to sleep, and that she needed to stay in her bed. For the first few minutes she stayed in her bed, and then got up 3-4 times, at which point Dan went back into the room, prompting Avery to race back to her bed, and jump in. I heard a few cute “Hi, Daddy!”—her attempt to soften him up. Needless to say, after a few shenanigans, Avery went to sleep, and stayed there until 7:00 a.m. this morning. I went in there, and congratulated her, and she said, “I did it!” and was as proud as I’ve ever seen her. We’ll see if this is a fluke, or the new normal. Hopefully, we’re embracing the new norm.
PS. Check out Avery's video clip (next post down!)
So, last night we put Avery into her big girl bed, and determined that Dan would be overseeing the chain of events. Avery responds to Dan a little differently than me. Mainly, she obeys him, and sometimes obeys me. We started “talking up” the big girl bed around 6:00 p.m., and then at 7:00 p.m., put Avery into the bed, explaining that it was time to go to sleep, and that she needed to stay in her bed. For the first few minutes she stayed in her bed, and then got up 3-4 times, at which point Dan went back into the room, prompting Avery to race back to her bed, and jump in. I heard a few cute “Hi, Daddy!”—her attempt to soften him up. Needless to say, after a few shenanigans, Avery went to sleep, and stayed there until 7:00 a.m. this morning. I went in there, and congratulated her, and she said, “I did it!” and was as proud as I’ve ever seen her. We’ll see if this is a fluke, or the new normal. Hopefully, we’re embracing the new norm.
PS. Check out Avery's video clip (next post down!)
Big Debut---Avery sings Praisebaby!
I have caved in. This is my (Dan's) first official post on "Susan's Blog." Susan shot this video, but since I am the techy geek, I am the one who had to edit and post it. I hope that you enjoy this adorable footage of our shy little introvert (wink wink) putting on a show.
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