pennies from heaven

Remember that time I quit my awesome job?
And then realized insurance cost a bazillion dollars and doesn't cover anything?
And then thought ohmygoshicantbelievewejustdidthat???????????

We had a breakdown last week - the entire fam.
Once we figured out private insurance cost literally as much as our house payment and "more than likely" won't cover anything, we lost it.
Did you know you can't buy insurance that covers pregnancies? Unless you have a group plan...
That's kind of important if you have to have major abdominal surgery to have babies.
(oh, don't worry, the self pay is only like, $5000 or so bucks, no big deal)

I was in tears.
Jared was hacked off.
And CK was laughing and playing with the "boo-ful" girl in the mirror without a care in the world.

Sadly, it took me a couple of days to realize, but I should have been doing the same thing. 

(not really laughing at myself in the mirror, but you get my drift)

It's funny how God can use our kids to teach us so much. 

She doesn't have to worry. 

She knows we will take care of her. 

Why should I worry?

I have someone much more dependable than me on my side. 

Since that day, and even before then now that I look back with a little less emotion and a little more perspective, God has presented us with more "job" opportunities than we can even get done! We are so unbelievable blessed, and I know that the Lord will continue to send things our way. 

"And in your book were all written

the days that were ordained for me,

when as yet there was not one of them."

Psalm 139:16

He's got us covered. 

She's got her tape measure on and she's ready to work if you need anything. 

She is especially great at spilling and then picking up her own cheerios...sometimes.

I only shaved a leg

Remember those days when you had time for yourself?

Like, time to shower by yourself?

Or go to the bathroom by yourself?

For me, those days are over. 

I'm never alone - I always have a helper right next to my side. 

And while I REALLY like hanging with CK, 

I also really like to wipe and flush the toilet for myself, 

and shave both my own legs before having to get out of the shower - 

without any help.

I usually shower after she has gone to bed, but sometimes that plan doesn't work out.

I was forced to bathe while she was up and in full force exploring mode. 

Which is never good in the bathroom.

I drenched the floor twice trying to save something from the potty before she decided to "showder."

Problem is, she isn't a big fan of having water drip on her head and into her eyes. 

"NO wadder!!" 

"Mommy, seeet down!"

and finally

"Geeet out!"

So I did. 

One leg down, one to go.

instagr.am = @rachaelf

She's a pretty cute little helper, though.

Are you pregnant?

So, when I was pregnant, I read about 4 million books, looked on even more websites, and pestered all my friends who had already had children. I was "researching" everything - from the legit, like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," to crazy forums I found links to on page 12 of my google searches. 

Needless to say, I could have used some help on a few questions. 

Not necessarily the "call the doctor right now" types, 

but more along the lines of 

"One website says I can't have a coke and this one says I can have 5 a day... which is right?"

Enter:  OTIS.

While the name is tricky, the acronym is not. 

And let me tell ya, I wish I would have known about this, oh, say, about 18 months ago. 

They help with everything; they will answer your questions about your pregnancy and even breastfeeding, provide free counseling, keep you OFF the stupid internet posts that could have been written by anyone, and they even answer the phone after hours and on weekends, just in case. 

In their own words, which sound much more professional than mine:

Women often do not find out they are pregnant weeks or months into their pregnancy.  During that time, they worry if they have done harm to their developing baby by taking medications, drinking, being exposed to environmental hazards, etc.  We at the Texas Pregnancy Risk Line (Texas affiliate of OTIS) answer questions concerning exposures before and during pregnancy as well as during breastfeeding.  This can be anything from dying your hair to using illicit drugs.  We are a FREE service--give us a call and we will gladly counsel you over the phone considering the latest research and your specific dosage and timing.  The internet has a lot of misinformation on it that can bring about unnecessary worry.  Questions you think are silly are very welcome as well, because we know you might not feel comfortable asking your health care provider, but it is something that concerns you.  We serve 17 states and have been in operation for 20 years.  Give us a ring at 1-866-626-6847 or email at texastis@hotmail.com.  

If you're preggo, or feeding the little babe and have a question, 

you should definitely check them out.