I would love to keep blogging some more, but I can't make any promises! I really enjoy looking back on the posts that I did make in the past, so hopefully that will encourage me to continue blogging.
Love, Kara
Sunday, October 16, 2011
BitterSweet
Two Years, 14 days, but hey, "who's counting?" That's how long I was able to nurse my baby. And well, tonight he didn't even ask for any Mommy Milk. It was as if he had forgotten the comfort that he once needed. And now he has a strong sense of independence and well, "Mommy, I can do it myself." It was sad, yet at the same time I was so proud of the little man that he is becoming. Jaques warms my heart each and every day and my life would be incomplete without him. He had his second overnight with Oma and Pop yesterday and it was a great success! He slept almost 9 hours straight, which is unheard of in our house. I think that cousins, Cammie Jo, Maci and Ella wore him out, but also made it easier to stay without Mommy and Daddy. Below is a picture that I took at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I love the picture, so I just thought I would share:
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
Who's that baby in the oven?
Snuggling with Daddy and Suni
Burping (Jaques' Style)
So close to standing up on his own, but not quite there yet!
Enjoy!
Love, Kara
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Nail Polish
Okay, sooooo kinda a weird thing to put in my blog, but every mom out there has to know about this nail polish:
It works wonders and I am telling you.....it drys INSTANTLY!!!!! I first purchased it at Target about a month ago and I love it. Perfect for the BUSY MOM!!!!!
ENJOY!
;o) Kara
It works wonders and I am telling you.....it drys INSTANTLY!!!!! I first purchased it at Target about a month ago and I love it. Perfect for the BUSY MOM!!!!!
ENJOY!
;o) Kara
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
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
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Recapping the Weekend
We enjoyed Maci and Ella's Birthday party on Friday night and then it was off to The Porlier's for the weekend as Uncle Jack, Justin and Stefanie were in town. We enjoyed a good time of swimming, fireworks, and lots of food!!! Jaques loved the fireworks and he is a water baby indeed!
Below are some pictures of our weekend....
Earlier in the week, Jaques learned to drink from a straw for the first time. We figured that this would be a good thing for him to learn in the case that we are without a sippy cup. Jaques did very well, but Mommy got really wet from the water....
Until next time....
Love, Kara
Monday, June 28, 2010
Changes.....
Changes are on the horizon. Some good and some bad, but changes nonetheless.
First off; I recently had a mole removed from my left upper thigh. It was sent to pathology and the first report indicated that it was melanoma, so it was sent on to The University of Michigan for their review of it. They indicated that it was inflamed spitzoid dysplastic compound nevus, moderate atypia and recommended that margins be taken (thus remove more of the flesh around where the mole was) in order to prevent the possibility that the area could turn into cancer. So, that is just what I had done on Friday. I am so thankful that it was not melanoma. I have a new understanding of the dangers of indoor tanning, as that is the ONLY factor that would have led to this. I would like to strongly recommend anyone reading this to avoid the indoor tanning salons and to wear 30+ sunscreen. I have included a picture of my leg after surgery not to gross you out, but to just imagine if this would have been on my face, or worse yet had been cancer. I will now have a 2 inch scar and possible divot reminder that the tan is just not worth the possible consequences.
The next bit of change comes to us not as much of a surprise, but a new challenge. I learned that as of July 2nd that I will be losing my unemployment. I have yet to find a suitable job and have become accustomed to being a stay at home mommy. Though I have been diligent in my search for a job, I have not been offered any opportunities. This will be a bit of a struggle for us financially. I am working on a budget today, but can already tell you that I will need to take just about any job soon, as we don't want to deplete our savings. I am struggling with the idea of not being at home with Jaques. I know that I have been more than blessed to have had the opportunity thus far to be home with Jaques these past 9 months. He brings an abundant amount of joy to our lives, which brings me to the next change.
We had a whole week of milestones with Jaques. He started saying "Ba-Ba" on Tuesday night and then by Thursday he was saying, "Da-Da". Sunday, I happened to capture him taking his first steps unassisted behind his little bike. Below is a video of Jaques showing off his new moves. It won't be long before he is walking by himself....
Please be in prayer for God's direction for our lives financially and that the path be clear to us. We appreciate you following our journey with us!
Love, Kara
First off; I recently had a mole removed from my left upper thigh. It was sent to pathology and the first report indicated that it was melanoma, so it was sent on to The University of Michigan for their review of it. They indicated that it was inflamed spitzoid dysplastic compound nevus, moderate atypia and recommended that margins be taken (thus remove more of the flesh around where the mole was) in order to prevent the possibility that the area could turn into cancer. So, that is just what I had done on Friday. I am so thankful that it was not melanoma. I have a new understanding of the dangers of indoor tanning, as that is the ONLY factor that would have led to this. I would like to strongly recommend anyone reading this to avoid the indoor tanning salons and to wear 30+ sunscreen. I have included a picture of my leg after surgery not to gross you out, but to just imagine if this would have been on my face, or worse yet had been cancer. I will now have a 2 inch scar and possible divot reminder that the tan is just not worth the possible consequences.
The next bit of change comes to us not as much of a surprise, but a new challenge. I learned that as of July 2nd that I will be losing my unemployment. I have yet to find a suitable job and have become accustomed to being a stay at home mommy. Though I have been diligent in my search for a job, I have not been offered any opportunities. This will be a bit of a struggle for us financially. I am working on a budget today, but can already tell you that I will need to take just about any job soon, as we don't want to deplete our savings. I am struggling with the idea of not being at home with Jaques. I know that I have been more than blessed to have had the opportunity thus far to be home with Jaques these past 9 months. He brings an abundant amount of joy to our lives, which brings me to the next change.
We had a whole week of milestones with Jaques. He started saying "Ba-Ba" on Tuesday night and then by Thursday he was saying, "Da-Da". Sunday, I happened to capture him taking his first steps unassisted behind his little bike. Below is a video of Jaques showing off his new moves. It won't be long before he is walking by himself....
Please be in prayer for God's direction for our lives financially and that the path be clear to us. We appreciate you following our journey with us!
Love, Kara
Friday, June 25, 2010
Where does the time go?
So, obviously it has been FOREVER since I last posted. As you all know, our little man arrived on October 2, 2009 after a very long labor. He was 7lbs, 4oz and 19.5 inches long. Jaques will be 9 months old on the 2nd and growing like a weed!!! He brings soooo much pleasure to our lives and I couldn't even imagine life with out him! I love being a mom and Mike is a fantastic father. Here are a few pictures to check out. I hope to be posting at least once a week now....maybe.
Until next time....
;o) Kara
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