Money Update- God Provides

Gensis 22:14 “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

I can say that I know how it feels when God provides for our every need. One of the hardships associated with Zach’s scheduled surgery for the end of the month was the financial aspect of it. I used all of our Medi Flex for the year to cover the dentist portion of the bill. I was told up front that we would in addition receive an anesthesiologist bill in addition to the bill from the medical center for the facility use.  On Wednesday, I was greeted by the anethesiology bill and it was one that took my breath away. My medical insurance would cover half after meeting a separate $600 co-pay, all total $881 is the expected amount to be paid prior to March 21st in order for the surgery to occur on time.

Today I sat down to pay our regular bills and then started looking at just how and where this money would be coming from. I did have to pull most of it from our Emergency Fund but it was not the end of the Emergency Fund, it still has 1/4 of our first amount or $250 left.  I have paid this bill and feel really at peace with the whole process now.

I am so excited because God has again provided abundantly!

Zach’s New Clothes

Today we headed once again to Concord NC to a cheerleading competition. I am planning to post some different views from this on Wednesday so check back. Last year we also attended this same “Cupid Classic”, we discovered by accident that a large clothing consignment sell was happening in an adjacent building. I had been hoping that the same was true for this year and it was!

I am not a person who believes in chance or fate, my God is in control! I decided to start out shopping for Zach some new summer clothes as he does not have any that will fit. As I started looking at the rack, a worker said “excuse me can I hang this clothes up? Some just brought them in I think?” Of course I let her hang and was even more excited when she brought back a second batch of clothes.  There is  no way that this was an accident. Today is the last day of the sale, it was around 11am and the sale ended at 5pm today. The clothes she brought were brand new looking and all marked for less than  $3 each!  Thank You Jesus!!! After finishing in the little boys clothes, we headed to the girls size 6 clothes which actually was a full aisle long and on both side. Kendall spotted one shirt to ask for and it was discounted to $1.50, I showed Lily several items but in the end she did not find anything. If you have ever shopped with Lily you know that she is picky but when the option is nothing she will also go back and find something. Not this time! Before heading to the check out I checked out shoes, we found 2 pair for Zach.

For a total of $46.64 I purchased for Zach

  • 2 pair of swim trunks
  • a pair of brown dress shoes (Oshkosh), the most expensive item with a price of $7.00
  • Tom Hilfiger sandal
  • Dress outfit of orange polo shirt and matching shorts
  • A complete play outfit
  • 5 T-shirts including a “Beatles” shirt
  • 3 pair of athletic shorts
  • a pair of jean shorts with adjustable waist
  • a pair of tan shorts with adjustable waist
  • 3 polo shirts

The cashier even comment about finding such good items the last day, she could not believe they were still there!

I have to admit that I don’t shop consignment sales as much as I should simply because we no longer have one in Lexington. I also seem to forget when they are or go and find nothing for the kids to wear!

In other great news, I budget $100 a day for us at competitions. We only spent half of that today so we are already ahead for the March competition without using the travel fund!

Overwhelmed- Zach’s Dentist Vist

I am going to start out by saying that I do understand that this really is a minor set back for us. I also know and are praying for several families that have much more serious health issues to face but at the same time this is huge for a 3-year-old and quite a bit for his parent to deal with at the same time. I could not even get this out yesterday but today I am feeling much less overwhelmed and more of God’s in control. Finally at the suggestion of the dentist, we are limiting the discussion regarding this around the younger gang, instead it is planned as a dentist visit for Zach at the hospital. Feel free to comment or call with question but also understand the need for us to keep this as low-key as possible around the 3 younger kids.

Zach at the coolest detist office I have ever seen!

Zach at the coolest dentist office I have ever seen!

The very last day of January, we had 5 dentist appointments scheduled. This would be Zach’s first appointment as our dentist refused to see him prior to age 3. The hygenist took one look at him and spoke with the dentist who referred us to a Pediatric Dentist.  So yesterday 2/21, Zach and I head to his new first dentist appointment.  First, I am informed that he has “Enamel Hypoplasis”  This is a condition were for either genetic or environmental reason the enamel does not form or only forms a little over teeth.  Zach currently has 2 teeth that are severely decayed to the point that they may possibly not be able to be saved, 2 teeth are decayed and need immediate attention, 2 teeth that have cavities and 2 teeth that need silver caps to keep them working until he is 10-12 year old.  After some discussion, it was decided that the best way to take care of this woudl be a 2 plus hour dental surgery as an outpatient at a hospital.  The good news is that the surgery is schedule for Thursday March 28th, I will already be off work. Zach should be back to his normal self by Friday, in time for Easter!

After scheduling the surgery, pre-op appointments and post op appointments, the financial impact starts to take over. We had chosed to lower our dental insurance this year because of the significant decrease  of cost and at the time the decision was made no thoughts of this type of situation entered my head. So after my dental insurance covers the dental aspect of the surgery, we are expected to pay $1900. I emptied my med flex saving account for the year and pulled the rest from our Emergency Fund.  I am expected to also have to cover part of an anthesologist bill and the actual charge for the surgery room from the hosptial. The estimate I was given was $3000 out of pocket. We should be able to cover all ths with our Emergency Fund as well as moving money from our travel fund so at least, we can proceed with the scheduled surgery date.

Crazy & Sick Weekend

glassesFriday afternoon while I was still in my class, Matt took the girls to Vision Works to pick up their new glasses. Both of the new glasses are plastic and thicker frames. We plan to use these at the pool this summer. Kendall’s are purple and Lily’s are a deep redish purple.  I had a really hard time in class on Friday and did not feel good so I went to bed around 8ish Friday night.  By early Saturday morning, I was totally sick and knew I need to get something for this. I was unable to drink or swallow so off to Salisbury to the Urgent Care both Matt and I went. Matt was starting not to feel well either and I did not feel comfortable at all driving. Haley was awesome, staying with the kids, fixing lunch and even doing some housework. Matt decided to go ahead and be seen since it would take the same amount of time.  Both of us ended up with Strep, so we stopped by the pharmacy on the way home and headed to bed. I will say the antibiotic started to work and I could even eat Chinese on Saturday evening. Saturday most of the day was spent…

sleeping

sleeping

 

We had already made the decision that church would not be an option for any of us today.  By Sunday, I am getting back to normal. We were able to wash our sheets, catch on some housework and even get the menu for the week ahead. I made this soup

hunter soupin the crock pot by adding things from the freezer. I was also able to use the new Kitchen Aid mixer and all 3 attachments today.So hopefully both Matt and I are on the mend and no one else gets sick this week!

Sick

That is the word of the week.  Lily, Kendall and Zach all have strep throat. I have the cough, snot, runny nose crud. Haley is exhausted and says her whole body aches.  I barely am able to work all day. So in a world we area all

SICK

Visit with Santa

We were excited to visit with Santa at Bronner’s as well. The system that they used was so nice and made the day much easier. First, an adult, regristered each child that wanted to see Santa. Next they were provided with a name tag, each tag had a different symbol. Ours was a gingerbread cookie, others included a santa hat and holly. We continued to shop Bronner’s until the overhead page announcing that Santa was now seeing kids with the gingerbread cookie was heard, approximately 45 minutes after we regristered.  Next we stood in a very short line for approximately 5 minute before seeing Santa. Lily had already been questioning me if this was the “real” Santa and Zach even checked his beard to make sure. Santa spent lots of time talking with the kids and even shared a secret about Rundolph. Here are a couple of pictures.