Spiritual Prompting

This weekend I was listening to my class and Dan (instructor) was leading into a personal experience with the following scripture:

Deu 17:18-20 (in reference to the king)

"And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."

Before Dan had even started in on his story, I knew this is something God wanted me to do. It was so logical! In high school/college, to study I would write things over and over until I knew it all by heart. One of my heart's cries lately has been for guidance in how to study. I know I need to, but wasn't sure which route to take, and God has undoubtly answered that prayer.

Thank you Lord, for You are Faithful to answer us and lead us along the paths You have laid out for us.

What I Wish For...

A clinic where you get to set the prices for your visit. Sure, a recommended fee would be great, but take a look at my experience today.

Last night at Gma and Gpa's house, Kiera stuck a pea up her nose. Normal, believe me. Not the first time. But it is the first time (for either child) that we have not been able to get it out. I called the office today to ask if I should bring her in or wait until tomorrow morning when we already have both of their well-child check ups scheduled. The nurse was adamant; "Oh! Bring her in! You don't want it to get in any further!"

Ok, scheduled the appointment.. went in... asked if we could do the well-child today and just cancel the Kiera portion of tomorrow's appointment. Nope, he's too busy today to fit in a well-child, even if we aren't vaccinating. OK, fine, just trying to avoid another co-pay.

The outcome? "No big deal." She doesn't have any issues eating or breathing, and after looking up her nose (no differently than we did!) he says she must have swallowed it during the night. Just watch for continuous discharge (aka snotty nose) on one side, and if that occurs we will look closer. There really isn't anywhere for it to go-- peas are bigger than any of the sinus cavity openings.

This was NOT the impression the nurse gave me! No questions about symptoms -- just bring her in!

My opinion? Parenting is hard enough without worrying about money! I just blew a $20 co-pay to hear someone do nothing different that what four people had previously done to her, and tell me it's fine. No worries.

Did I tell you about our Nursemaid's elbow visit? It was on a weekend, so we took her into the ER... Total bill? $650 for a minor adjustment to her arm. The first time she did it after that Gabe Googled it and we fixed ourselves, and have again since then. A whole chiropractor's visit is $35 if we pay out of pocket.... compared to $650...

I know the arguments, their time is worth money. But how much time? And how much money? $650 for less than 5 minutes with a nurse, and less than 5 minutes with a doc? How do you gauge your child's well-being compared to the bill that might come later? I understand when it is a more serious condition, and thankfully we have yet to experience that, but for minor situations where really, just a reassuring "she'll be fine"would suffice, these should be a *little* cheaper.

Thanks for the vent time. I am just frustrated with the medical costs... I don't mind paying for a birth or broken arm, or medicine when appropriate. But the ratio should be a little more scaled, in my opinion.

A specialty "Quick Solutions" clinic. That's going to make my million, off charging $5 a visit :-)

Melia's Parenting Style

This morning Melia and Kiera were playing with all my old Beanie Babies. I was trying to treat some stains, and I overheard the following:

Melia: This bear does not listen to my words. So I am going to give it away.
Kiera: Oh.. Kay.
Melia: And this bear does not listen to what I say. So I am going to give it away.
(On a few more times....)
Kiera gets up to walk away....
Melia: Wait Doctor! Are you going to fix my bears?

(Can you tell what she has been having trouble with lately?!)

It's Not Just Me!

So, here in this little town we live in, there is this sign. I drive by it a few times per week, maybe 3.

This is what it says:

ProCPAP Solutions

I have no idea what this means or what the business is. But I always look twice. And although this is terribly illegal and disgusting and offensive and rude, I had to laugh when I saw that someone had vandalized this sign. Now it said:

ProCRAP Solutions

Terribly illegal. Offensive. Rude.

And downright hilarious! Because that is exactly what I read every time I see that sign.

Every Single Time.

Convicting Quote for Today

"Spiritual growth is an uphill journey; if you are coasting, you're in trouble."

Dan Stolebarger
Spiritual Disciplines
Koinonia Institute

Candle? Or Chapstick?

So, for some reason... I have no idea why.... Melia seems to think that "chapstick" which you would use your finger in, such as Carmex, is like... lotion? OHHHH! I just realized why! Ha, you just witnessed a mommy revelation!


OK, so let me start over. Because the Miracle Salve I use on Melia's bottom for her eczema and on Kiera's cheeks for her baby acne comes like this....

Melia seems to think that chapstick which looks the same belong in the same "use your finger, rub it on" catagory. So she always is putting lip gloss/chapstick on her cheeks.

This morning-- Kiera finds a pink tealight candle which looks suspiciously like chapstick. So guess what she does? Rubs candle wax all over her face and in her hair... along with a little soot from the wick.

I just wonder if I had splurged for the beeswax if it might have actually been good for her.

PS-- I totally recommend the Miracle Salve-- it works better than anything else at keeping the eczema at bay.

Why I Desperately Want to Grow Corn

Everybody likes corn at our house.

Non-Commercial Micro Popcorn

This is sooo funny. Our friends Ben and Molly tried it one time when we were at their house-- but just kernels in a bowl with a paper towel over the top-- it worked, but not very "clean." Popcorn doesn't seem to be intimidated by a paper towel for some strange reason.

So when I saw THIS linked on Tammy's Kitchen Tip Tuesdays for making micro popcorn in brown paper bags, I knew I had to check it out. I will update you when I try it! Pretty exciting, considering Costco sells popcorn in a big bag that would be MUCH cheaper than buying the little bags.

Yeah! :-)

My Week!

So I would like to explain why I will probably not be around a whole lot this week!

Monday I worked.
Tuesday I traveled with Mom and Dad over to the coast for Shaun's BLEA graduation. (GO SHAUN!!!)
Wednesday (today) I am helping out at work -- splitting and filling graduation cakes. (yea... :-)
Thursday, grad cakes again.
Friday appointment and softball games.
Saturday Karston's Bday party.
Sunday work.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. We are busy anyway, but to add two extra days of work in and a whole day of being away from home-- boy, I salute the full time working moms! But No Thank You, count me out! :-)

I do hope to do some simple kiddo pix posts to keep you all entertained :-)

Play Catch Up

To bring everyone up to speed, Melia is doing better today. Yesterday she had a fever, and as she usually does, had a tendency to spike (103.6!) Today she has a mild one, which is exactly what Kiera had Wed-Thurs. Unlike Kiera, Melia's ear(s) did not hurt, so Kiera might have had a pending infection that we were able to ward off.

I am fine. My heart is not broken-- it is just that Gabe won't dance anymore. We used to dance together, and had so much fun. Now we don't, and to me it is the deeply personal pain of rejection. But rejection is not the underlying issue, it is just the resulting symptom. I need to learn to put him above myself, and not value my own desires above those of my husband.

This is a good example of how love is a choice. We as humans with our selfish nature put ourselves first. I wanted to dance, and to be turned down hurt. In the future, I need to consider his feelings before expecting my needs to be met.

I can't wait for the dancing there will be in heaven!