Those of you who know me, know that I am a little obsessed with Craigslist. This sweet playhouse below is my latest great find from that beautiful website. It is two-story with a loft, 15 storm windows (2 that open), carpet and real shingles on the roof. The lady was asking $500 for it, but said she was open to any offers. When all was said and done, we bought it for $75. Such a deal. We all love it, especially Lucy!
Come on over and play!
You can put me just about anywhere (even Grandma's laundry basket) and I will still sleep.
This was his reaction when I reminded him we'd be there for 3 hours!
***Disclaimer: If you love Obama and this post could potentially harm our friendship, please stop reading.
President Obama recently cited three health care organizations that are doing a great job. He said they should be models we could follow as a nation. One being a certain health care company we happen to have our insurance through. If how this company operates is any indication of where our health care is heading; we are in trouble!
We happen to have double coverage so the contrast between the two is very easy to see. Let me just point out a few. I will refer to Obama's favorite as "O" and the other as "W".
1) When Marc hurt his arm and the recommendation was to have surgery right away, we were going to have to wait up to two weeks before a Dr. who is covered under "O" could have an operation room we could use. With "W" we were able to have his surgery within 72 hours.
2) When Lucy was born, we added her to "O" via their website when she was about four days old. We were then sent multiple bills and were being told that Lucy was not covered. After multiple phone calls and late notices on bills, "O" said that there was some sort of a glitch with their website and so she was not added in time. We then had to provide them with a copy of her birth certificate and work with HR to get her added and get the bills paid.
We added Lucy to insurance "W" via their website and experienced no problems.
3) Another time, we kept getting bills for Lucy stating that insurance "O" paid nothing on her office visits while insurance "W" did and we still owed money. Confused since we should not have to be paying anything with double coverage, we investigated. Apparently Lucy will have to rack up over $500 in medical bills before insurance "O" will pay a dime. This includes well baby visits where she gets preventative care!
This is the plan that we evidently chose. Can I just say that my husband has a doctorate and I have a masters, I'd like to think we are fairly intelligent people. We sat down together and chose what we thought would be the best plan for our family. I can assure you, neither one of us realized we would have to pay $500 out of our own pockets before our insurance company would pay anything. Do they hire people to make things complicated?
Well, I could go on but I won't. Oh, if you're wondering why I am not using the actual company names, it's because my husband works for "O" and I am worried it may have some effect on his job. How is that for big brother?
As soon as Marc got home on Friday we rushed to Ottavio's for dinner. We had just found out they were closing for good and since it was the location of our first date and where Marc proposed, we HAD to go one last time. It was magical being there with our children.
Then on Saturday we hiked Stewart Falls as a family. SO FUN!!! We got lots of interesting comments and looks as we hiked with a toddler and newborn.
Marc got to carry Lucy. She LOVED hiking and kept saying, "hiking".
I carried David and he slept the WHOLE way! Such a good baby.
We made it! Such a beautiful sight.
Lucy loved the water. Perhaps a little too much . . .
She dove right in and Marc had to get her out.
But after a little therapy from Dad, she went right back in.
Some fabulous family time!Trying to catch a new baby's smile is tricky. Below are some of my efforts.
Attempt 4: We figured out the trick! Have Paul & Lindsey's adorable little Chloe hold his hand. He'll smile as long as we need him to!
When my cousin Braden was in town we had lots of fun together. Above you can see us dancing to a pretty rocking beat. I miss my cousin and my Mom wishes his Mommy was still here to play with her too.
The Grandkids
I LOVE this picture!!!
Austin
The PROUD Grandparents
Kristi's hubby was on deployment with The Navy
Stealing some kisses
Poor Brayden
Kevin & Jennifer
David & Tiff's Crew
Grandma Sampson (far right with 2 of her sisters)
Nothing like family to remind you who you really are, where you came from and who you really want to become . . .
Take it or leave it ;)
1) Respect nap and bed times (you and your child will be so much more enjoyable to be around).
2) It's ok if your husband disciplines differently than you (I have learned this one, but I am still working on it).
3) Take the opportunities to be silly with your children (sing crazy songs, say funny things, use silly voices and dance like you know what you're doing).
4) If your child seems to be crying for no reason, there probably is a reason.
5) There is no such thing as "no spill" sippy cups.
6) Comparing your child to another child is pointless.
7) Taking 10 seconds (literally) to do something your child wants can make their day.
8) You will never get any age your child is back to enjoy again.
Started the day with a parade, then waffles, then a BBQ THEN . . .
(Marc got boots and a hat to "blend" in)
Ain't that America!Today David Andrew received a name and a blessing from his Daddy. It was beautiful.
Hearing Marc give him his blessing made me even more grateful for this little man who has joined our family. In the blessing Marc mentioned how we are so grateful to be parents. No statement could be truer.
The grateful parents. Lucy isn't in the picture because she wanted to be with Grandma.
The Sampson side. My oldest brother, David, was there too, but they had to leave right after the meeting.
The Steed clan. What a crew! And we're still missing a few if you can believe it.
And some wonderful friends.
Truly a day of blessings and a time to give thanks.Recent conversation with Lucy on a long car ride:
Lucy in desperation: "Barney?"
Mom: "Later."
Lucy in even more desperation: "Elmo?"
Mom: "Not now."
Lucy (who is now really wanting to be entertained): "Heidi???"
Mom: total LAUGHTER
Lucy has always loved her Heidi!And have maybe done once or twice ;)
1) Push "Repeat Play" on Baby Einstein.
2) Made and fed my child Easy Mac.
3) "Cleaned" out a bottle with only hot water (no scrubbing, no soap).
4) Memorized the time Barney comes on PBS.
5) Eat a graham cracker for my special treat (hey, don't knock those until you try them lately).
6) Bought my daughter a Happy Meal.
7) Experience MY daughter throw a tantrum in Wal-Mart.
8) Watched my daughter play in the backyard in my pajamas.
9) Admit any of this to anyone . . .
Families come in all shapes and sizes. So I just have to say that for me, there is just something about having 3 beautiful daughters and a son that makes my heart feel so complete.
Not to say there won't be more someday . . .
Recently, the conductor of the New York Philharmonic (arguably the best orchestra in the nation) retired. Or rather, stepped down from conducting The Orchestra full-time. (People like him don't ever retire, do they?) As I listened to him talk during an interview, Lorin Maazel revealed two interesting and related facts: first, he and his wife raised seven children, and second, at the end of seven years, the musicians told him that they had waited in vain his entire tenure for him to raise his voice at them.
Play dress-up (I think David is warning us that he doesn't plan to do this forever) . . .
More dress-up . . .
Get plenty of tummy time in while making sure Lucy is gentle with David (I'd even just take not hurting him) . . .
LAUGH . . .
Pop some yummy popcorn . . .
And when Mommy does get out of the house, this is what happens (yes that was my roll of aluminum foil) . . .
You know where to come if you're ever bored!!!
