Our Family's Mastercard Commercial

Today, December 23rd, is exactly 1 year from when all our medical trials started.


1 burst eardrum with bronchitis, 4 kidney stone surgeries, 1 kidney reconstruction operation, 2 full body rashes, 1 surprise pregnancy with complications, 1 ER visit, 10 overnight hospital stays, countless x-rays, ultrasounds, scans,etc, and 1 baby = $278,421.36

What is left after the insurance pays = $14,900.06

2 new kidneys, 1 healthy baby, and 2 happy siblings = Priceless



I have never been so grateful for insurance before.  I am grateful for Nate's company and the support they have given us and the health insurance they offer.  But more than that I am so grateful to the Lord who has guided us and lifted us through this past year.  He knew what we were going to go through and provided a way for us to make it spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially.  I have a much stronger testimony of tithing and fast offerings.  Despite the nearly $15,000 in medical bills we have created this year, we have been able to keep our home, pay our bills and make a huge dent in paying all the hospitals and doctors.  We have been blessed beyond our understanding.  The Lord always provides a way and is always there for you- this I know without any doubt.  We have learned many lessons this year and have grown enormously.  I can truly say at this point that I am thankful for the trials of the past year.  I do, however, hope that the lessons and trials of 2010 will be a little less painful and expensive :). 

Sneaky Mara and the gift shuffle

So last week Mara got into our closet while I was out and found the Santa gift for her and Wyatt.  The next morning she asked me what the big thing of Legos was for.  I was upset that she had not only gone in my closet, but found the Santa gift.  Now what was I suppose to do?  All the other presents were already wrapped and under the tree.  I could give them the Legos from Santa but Mara and Wyatt would no longer believe in him and they are still so young. 

My parents to the rescue!  They were sending money for the kids for Christmas so I took the money and bought new santa gifts and the Legos are now from Grandma and Grandpa. 

The one thing Wyatt wanted from Santa besides legos was this green dinosaur that happened to be sold out everywhere.  I found one at the Walmart by us but Wyatt was with me.  I knew that if I didn't buy it then I wasn't going to find another one so I quickly distracted Wyatt with the lego aisle and put the dinosaur in the stroller with Audrey and covered them both with a blanket.  I was sure someone was going to stop me and accuse me of shoplifting but we made it to the check out aisle just fine.  I used the candy there at the checkout as a distraction so I could buy the dinaosaur without Wyatt seeing.  We did it and hopefully everyone will be happy and surprised with what Santa brings.  Next year I am hiding presents at someone else's house!

Secret Friends

Thank you so much to our secret friends!  I can't express how much your delivery meant to us- it was exactly what we needed.  Thank you for thinking of us and for helping us feel the true meaning of Christmas!  THANK YOU! ( I hope you read this blog so we can thank you!) 

little miss smarty pants

We are so proud of Mara. Today was her first award's assembly as a first grader and she received a certificate for making the straight A's honor roll!  Way to go!!!!

mara's first performance

Wednesday Mara participated in her first school winter program.  She had so much fun and we really enjoyed watching her.  She got to sing two songs with the other first graders for her part of the performance.  She loves to sing and do anything art/drama related.  I am glad she has found something she loves and excelles at.  Great job Mara!  You did fantastic!

The kids, especially Wyatt, love to take pictures themselves.  Here are a few they have taken lately.

HIP HIP HORRAY!

Today Audrey is 7 weeks old and had her first real bath.  Why did I wait SO long for a real bath?  Because she still had her umbilical cord until sometime between 8:30pm last night and 1 am this morning!  We are so happy to finally see her cute little belly button and not have to clean that thing with rubbing alcohol all the time.  She loved her bath and the kids loved helping wash her and seeing her splash.

Our Little Pin head

Stats:

6 weeks

11 lbs 4 oz

23 1/4 inches

90% weight and height

35% head size

smiles (mostly for Wyatt)

One blue eye and one brown eye

still has all her hair and is growing more everyday

blows bubbles

rarely cries

spits up all the time

loves her pacifier

does not love mom when she eats citrus, dairy or tomatoes

does not like her crib or pack-n-play

loves sleeping on mom & dad's bed or on mom

is starting to coo- so cute!