It's not always SUNNY in Kentwood, MI!

Learning to adjust...I guess that's what you can call it. Learning to adjust to our new financial situation. I have been searching for every available opportunity to cut costs and monthly expenses. Today was a bit of a bummer on that front, but I have had a couple blessings in the last month as well. Let's start with the good stuff....
   We were able to refinance Mike's car for a lesser interest rate, which will save up some additional funds each month. Did you know that you can do this and it literally costs nothing? Much to my surprise; I was delighted to find that out. Also, we were able to get an interest rate of 3.74%, which I think is pretty good!!! Praise be to God!!!!
  Next, to make a really long story short.... We took Jaques to a specialist about a month back. We had to pay about 150.00 out of pocket, because the balance was applied to our deductible.  Well, the reason for the specialist was in part due to a mistake that my obgyn made in the hospital. A billing manager called me last Friday and said that if I submitted the bill, that she would look into refunding our out of pocket expenses!!!! YAY!!!!! Praise be to God!!!!
  My breast pump broke the other day and I was really bummin'.  These are an expensive piece of equipment and on top of that I am borrowing it. I called Medela and again much to my surprise, they said that they could  send me replacements for the broken parts for FREE!!! YIPPEEE!!!! Praise be to God!
But then there's the bad stuff......
   Mike's car broke on Monday, which left him stranded. We had the car towed on Tuesday and didn't get a call until Wednesday afternoon that it was fixed.  We took the car to Arie Nol in Grand Rapids on the corner of Eastern and 54th Street. Supposedly they are reasonably priced and a good company. Well, in keeping with the "making the long story short," they replaced the car battery and reset the computer system.....with a grand total of 333.00....YIKES!!!! Unfortunately, they felt this was a fair price and so it goes....I really feel like Mike was taken advantage of. I called around and found out the dealership would have charged only half of that and that we could have gotten a battery at Napa for only 119.00. Boo!
  I received my first phone call of the day this morning with the bad news of my account balance on having the margins removed from around the mole on my leg. Let's just say that the Dermatologist must make a pretty penny.  The whole balance was applied to my deductible and thus another financial burden.....ugh.
 
I guess I am going through a bit of a valley right now and am eagerly looking for the brighter side.  Mike is much more positive about the situation than I, because he has complete trust in God that he will provide our every need. I am aware of the power of the Lord and the miracles that happen each and every day, but sometimes I just feel so negative about our situation and wonder what the heck am I supposed to be getting out of this and what I am I supposed to be doing about it.  I trust that God will provide for all our needs, but I find it hard to be patient and just wait.  I suppose it all goes back to that whole giving up control thing and letting  God in the driver's seat. Not an easy thing for someone who likes to know what is going to happen; when and how, but I will certainly keep praying that I can make this transition.

Keepin' it REAL (Porlier style, of course ;o))!!!!
Until next time.....
;o) Kara