FRUIT

Have I mentioned that probably my favorite thing about summer is the fruit that is in season? Strawberries. Blueberries. Raspberries. Rainier cherries. Watermelon. Y-U-M.

It took me about 5 hours to pick raspberries at Dax's parents' house today. When I walked in Dax's dad made the comment that I was probably thinking I didn't want to see another raspberry again. On the contrary, I was thinking how sad it will be when raspberry season is over. I'm stockpiling and trying to convince Dax that we should get a second freezer sooner rather than later.

I'm so glad we live in a place where we get to enjoy so many of these delicious foods for free!

Medical Dilemma

Bad medical drama seems to follow me like a magnet. I took Kyra to the doctor at the beginning of June for a 9-month well-child check/immunizations. My insurance covers these visits 100%. A few days before the visit (which was scheduled 3 months in advance) Kyra received 2nd degree burns on a couple of fingers from the baseboard heater (that Hayden turned on, unbeknownst to me). At the well-child the doctor asked me a few questions about the burns, but I was already treating them, and did not solicit any medical advice, nor did I receive any information I didn't already know. Kyra also had a low grade fever as a result of the burns (my diagnosis). Obviously they discovered this because they took Kyra's temperature at the beginning of the visit. I told the doctor that the fever was probably from the burns, and she confirmed that could be the case and told me to watch her. I knew that.

A couple of weeks ago I got a paper from my insurance stating they were billed for an office visit (NOT covered by my insurance) instead of a well-child. I thought maybe it was a mistake and to be patient to see if I got billed for it. On Saturday a received a bill from the doctor's office for nearly $118 for the service. I called billing on Monday to tell them the situation, and the lady told me she would send it to compliance and get back to me. I talked to her today and she told me that it was because of the "way it was written up" and that it was billed correctly, and that she talked to her manager and I was responsible for the amount. I started to explain to her that I was there for a WELL-CHILD check and just because you find something that is not "well" with the child, you can't suddenly turn it into a regular office visit. She didn't do anything out of the ordinary...they check the child from head-to-toe at a well-child appointment. I told her it is not right to charge someone money just because the doctor takes 1 minute to talk about something that is not "well" with the baby. She wasn't getting it. Finally I said, "So when I go to the doctor I should tell them not to discuss anything with me besides how healthy my baby is, because otherwise I am going to be charged money?" Obviously the lady has no power, and just kept telling me that she already checked with compliance, and the doctor's nurse and that it was written up correctly and I have to pay it.

Although I was fuming I told her as nicely as I could that I would not be paying this bill, that it is not right to charge me because the doctor chooses to ask a few questions about my child concerning something that I already had under control, and that if they sent me to collections that I would gladly take them to court. She told me that I could set up a payment plan for the bill. By this point I was probably close to having steam come out of my ears. I told the lady it is not about $120, I can pay the bill. It is about the principle that it isn't right to charge someone money that they don't owe just because you think you can get them to pay it. Besides, my insurance would happily pay them the money if they would write it up correctly. I asked to speak with her manager.

Twenty minutes later he called me and told me the same thing: he'll send it to compliance, check with the doctor again, but no guarantees. I told him again that if the doctor wrote it up as a well-child then my insurance would pay the allowable amount without any problems.

I hope that they don't make this a hairy deal. If they are just trying to get money then the easiest way to do that is to bill my insurance for a well-child and they will pay them the $118. My seminary teacher called me tenacious; the doctor's office obviously doesn't know that or they would take their money the right way, from the insurance company. I am not paying money I don't rightly owe.

Our White House

After 7 months of time, sweat, decisions, indecision, and yes, even a few tears, we are in the process of closing on a home! We are hoping it will be all said and done in 2 weeks' time.

We have literally come full circle. This home is the first one we looked at in Moses Lake, but at the time it was overpriced, and let's face it--we had unrealistic expectations when it came to a lived in home. 35 homes later we had come down to Earth. :)

A couple of weeks ago they lowered the price so I asked Dax if he wanted to check it out again, and he said no, but I convinced him we should. We decided to take Hayden with us, and as I was getting him ready that morning I told him we were going to go look at a house to buy. He said, "Mom, I want to live in a white house." I said, "Well, this house is white, so maybe we'll get to live in it." I got that foreshadowing feeling, but thought it was just my excitement at the potential of a home.

We checked it out and made a low offer on it. They came back and lowered their asking price only $1,000! We decided to forget it, but the next day our realtor called and said the seller was working with a relocation company that would foot some of the loss on the home, so we offered a little bit higher than our initial offer and they accepted.

The best features?

• It is 5 minutes from Dax's work. After a 45 minute commute this alone is bliss.
• It is 3 times bigger than anything we have ever lived in. It will be BARE for a long time.
• It has gorgeous wood flooring. Any tips? I've already done some research on how to care for them.
  
• It sits on one full acre. For some reason this picture of the back came out tiny. Oh, do I have plans for this beautiful spot of ground!
  

There are definitely things we want to change--with time as we actually have money to do it. For now we are grateful that the Lord has answered our very specific prayers down to the letter.

We are getting a house!!

Day to Day

Not a whole lot of exciting things happening around here, just the day to day activities that make me love my life as a stay-at-home wife and mother:

Digging for roly polys at 7 in the morning with Hayden. We overturned 10 stones before we found one.

Picking raspberries at 5 in the morning. A little early for my liking, but not for my taste. :) I could live off of raspberries while they are on--I nearly do.

Watching Kyra climb both sets of stairs and then look back at me in satisfaction.

Going for an evening jog as a family. With Dax pushing the 70 lb stroller I can about keep his pace. I love that he will run with me now...4 years ago he wouldn't think about it (I'm more slow distance and he's more short sprint). I hope he'll run with me when we're in our 50s and 60s.

Feeling like I WANT to be up at 5:30 with the sun. Jillian Michael's is making good on the promise of ripped in 30. I see subtle results 5 days in.

Watching Hayden at swim lessons. He spends most of the time wandering away from his class (too many kids, not enough instructors/assertive instructors), but when his teacher helps him back float or dip into the water he comes over and says, "Did you see that, mom?"

Playing at the park as a family. There is almost nothing I enjoy more. Kyra's squeals of delight when she is in the swing, and Dax pushing as hard as he can while Hayden yells, "higher Daddy!" almost make me burst with happiness.

Yep, life is good.

Ripped in 30

As I type I am hoping my DVD is in transit to my door step and will arrive today. Jillian Michael's new workout video promises 23 minute workouts wrapped as intense circuit training. Strength, cardio, and abs in every workout--just what I have been looking for. I've dabbled in P90X and Insanity, but honestly most days I do not have an hour to workout, so my participation was hit and miss, especially when it comes to doing it for 60 or 90 consecutive days. Here is a program I can squeeze in every day, and I've committed myself to it every day (besides Sunday) for a month. We'll see how ripped I am in 30!

Bread

I'm really beginning to love making whole wheat bread. When we lived in an apartment making bread was so strenuous. No Bosch(sigh). Laborious hand kneading. Bread that was never soft enough--due to lack of sufficient kneading. Now? My mother has a commercial mixer, oven, and bread pans. To top that, she has a bread slicer! Goodbye uneven bread slices! I can bust out 10-12 loaves of bread in 2 hours. I'm sure they will no longer be in working order by the time my mother passes away, but I begged her to bequeath them to me anyway, just in case. I'm sure I wouldn't have the room for them even if they did work. I fully intend to enjoy them while they last.

It doesn't get much better than bread that is fresh from the oven. The kind you can slather with butter and have it instantly melt. Y-U-M.