Ryan Gregory

I have been a bad Aunt.  I have yet to introduce you to the newest member of the family.

It is always so precious to hold a new life.  To touch the tiny fingers and count the little toes.  To feel the soft skin, to study the beautiful features that are all uniquely their own.  To know the God created this little person, that He has all his days written already.  To try and grasp the miracle that birth really is, to try and wrap your brain around how this tiny baby was formed and created, that God took a little of Daddy and a little of Mommy and made a complete little Ryan.

Every time... Every time... I am in awe.  Every time I smell the sweet smell of newborn.  Every time I hear the little noises.  Miracle is really the only word to describe it.  What a gift God gave us.  This new life, for us to care for and love.

What an awesome responsibility it is to teach our children about their Creator.  About the One who loves them more than Mommy and Daddy ever could.

Thank You God for this new and very precious Miracle.... Ryan Gregory

Waves, Sand, and Sun.... and Freighters!

Well, it's Thursday morning and I am making a conscience effort to not write about the crazy government.  I think I would go all ape if I even started to write about it.  I just have to say that the slime Republican, Mitch McConnell should be thrown out!  Part of the "deal" last night included a 2 billion dollar dam for his state... Hmm..... shut the government down and hold out for a DAM? Why force a government shutdown??  Such idiots.. Thank you government for continuing to do what you do best, spending like drunken sailors!

 Soooo..... I am going to share the pictures from our week at the cottage.  That was a fun week, except for how horrible Kevin's allergies got out there.  Poor guy the minute he would step foot into the cottage his nose just ran like a faucet.

So the first set of pictures are all thanks to Toni who took all the beach pics of the kids.  the waves were rolling in and the kids at a blast playing in them!

Jilli was preparing to dive into a wave...

I love Tyler in this next one...

Micah loved letting the waves knock him around.

The boys playing bocce ball.

All the kids watching the waves splash down the pier.

Never have we seen two freighters in Grand Haven at the same time.  One was backing out while the other one was waiting to go in.

OK, the next set of pictures were what I took with my phone.

I was sitting on the deck reading and in the distance a freighter sat waiting to enter the channel.

I love this picture, we went on a morning walk all the way to the pier and I quick took a picture of the kids with Romeo.  Notice how calm water is!

The two freighters.

And a quick picture of the love birds.

Wow, that was a lot of pictures for one post!  But it feels good to get them down, so I can move onto my next set of pictures that have just waiting to be placed in it's place of honor on my blog!

Beautiful Day

Two nights ago my brother, sister-in-law, and I were having a discussion (via email).  I was emailing them back joking about how a specific something caused Tyler to be so crazy.  As I was writing it, Tyler was causing all kinds of ruckus upstairs as he was getting ready for bed, making everyone laugh. I went upstairs to handle the situation and this is what I found...

TyTy was playing russian roulette with the fan, just cracking himself up.  I quick took his picture before he knew what I was doing and then for the next 10 min he kept making me promise that I wouldn't send the picture to Uncle Timmy (for the record, my blog isn't Uncle Timmy).  This picture totally captures my TyTy so I had to post it.

Last night our church had tryouts for their Christmas musical.  Early this spring it was like pulling teeth to get Tyler to participate in the musical.  It seriously came down to "You don't have a choice, you are doing the musical" kind of discussion.  This time around my boy decided to tryout for a part!  

All three of them decided on which part they wanted to tryout for and we had been working on it all week.  Micah is going for a larger part than last year, Jilli is going for a small part and a solo, and Tyler is going for a small part as well.  It's all of 5 words, but those 5 words is a HUGE step for him.

At tryouts the kids had to read the part they wanted.  There are usually around 6-8 kids grouped together so they sometimes take turns reading different parts.  When it came to Tyler, the instructor asked him to read the part he was trying out for and then asked him to read a second part.  His face immediately turned all red.  My heart was thumping so hard... We had practiced his part over and over, I know it's only 5 words, but to him... it's like a main part!  He loves being center stage among people he is comfortable with, but to stand on stage with hundreds of people watching him....

Once the kids had all their parts they started reading.  Jilli and Micah had been asked to read extra parts as well, I wasn't worried about them at all.  But Ty, I could tell the rug just got yanked out from under him.  I so remember the feeling...

He quietly inched his way over to where I sitting and gave me a look that broke my heart.  I knew what he was thinking, I knew what he was feeling...  quietly as the other kids started to read through the scene we read through his added part.  Thankfully it wasn't very large, but it was a whole lot more than 5 words!  He kept reading it over and over, trying to see all the words in the right order and not miss any.  He was concentrating so hard, his nerves showing in his face that had turned bright red.

When it came time for him to read the part he did so good!  I was jumping up and down inside screaming... After he was done reading, he let out a big huge sigh.  I knew how he felt, I knew what a hurdle he had just jumped over.  

No one else in that room, really knew the miracle that happened last night.  No one knew how a year ago my son wouldn't have even thought about trying out for a part.  Last year my son couldn't even SEE all the letters let alone group them together into words.  How I wish Kev could have been there to witness the birth of this young man, how I wish he could have watched the emotions play across his face.  To hear him read in front of so many people... and to watch how he walked out of that room with his head held high, knowing that he just conquered something extraordinary.  

Yesterday during school, we were studying one of the names of God... Elohim.  I asked the kids to draw a picture of what that name meant.  Tyler drew at the top of his paper a moon shaded blue with black sky surrounding it.  Then just below he colored the sky yellow for day.  Then at the bottom of the page he filled in green grass, then placed a large tree to the left side of the paper and a beautiful yellow flower on the right.  In he middle he drew himself with a smile on his face.

Elohim is the Hebrew word that means Mighty Creator.  It appears in the very first sentence of the Bible.  Tyler drew a picture of some of the things that Elohim created, and in the middle of creation, he drew himself.  Now, most people would probably not even think twice about it.  However, in our home, Tyler's dyslexia is called a gift.  We talk about how God, Elohim, created him so uniquely special that his mind works in such a creative way.  Tyler and I talk about this a lot.  His simple, yet beautiful picture, shows me that all of our discussions have pierced his heart, he sees himself as a creation of God.  That he is worthy to be placed amongst the trees and flowers, things that we regularly point out as beautiful.

Tyler's picture and his courage for reading in front of strangers was such a blessing to me yesterday.  It again confirmed to me that homeschooling is the right choice for us.  I am able to speak truth to my son the way no one else can.  I can form his thoughts surrounding dyslexia as a gift not a curse.  No teacher would love my son the way I do.  Elohim created me to be Tyler's teacher, to love, encourage, support and watch him fly on his own, to heights only God knows.  

Yesterday was a beautiful day.

Not Very Happy

I want to write a happy blog about our travels and the places we have been this year.  I have many pictures to share of different places we have seen and gone.  But every time I open my blog to write a post, my fingers take over and it is never about happy times.  It's about what is happening right now and what is coming.  So I erase them and shut off the computer.  That is mainly why I haven't written a blog since September.

It's been over a week now since we received a letter from our insurance provider telling us that our insurance... that has worked well for us for the last 10 years... is no longer good enough because of the new tax law, affordable health care act (sorry can't capitalize those words.. my fingers won't type it), is going into effect.

I have written before that since this new policy has been law (3 years) our insurance rates have continued to climb.  It has gone up about $200 dollars a month already.  Now we must change again because someone somewhere says that our current policy isn't good enough... Except our current policy covers more for less money than what is being offered to us.

So far the closest plan I can find, that compares to what we have now, will cost our family $14,734.80 a year.  That does not include the total out of pocket expense of $10,200 that we need to pay before we are covered at 80% plus copays..  Even with this plan, I am not sure I could keep the man who has been my Doctor since I was 10 years old.

The lowest plan option is $6384.60 a year (sounds great right?) but has a total $12,700 out of pocket maximum before we would be covered at 60% plus copays.  So if I have an ER visit (and we had met our deductible of $11,900) we would have to pay $250 copay plus 40% of services.  An average ER visit costs $2500.  So I would pay $250 (copay) + $1000 (40%) = $1250.  Don't forget we already hit our $11,900 deductible for the year and we are paying our monthly premiums.

Just to compare with what we have... We have a deductible of $5000 before we are are covered at 80%.  We are covered at 80% until we hit $10,000 and then we are covered at 100%.  With premiums our worst case scenario is $15,700.  We would not pay a dime more than that.

I am investigating other options, but there are many options that are not available to us because 1. we are over 30 years of age and 2. Our household makes to much money (shocking because we don't make that much).  We are not eligible for any subsidies (and even if we were, not sure I would do it). Thanks but no thanks... subsidies are one step up from medicaid, now ask what doctors you will have available to you and how quickly you will be seen.

Seriously... Why was my old policy not good enough?  Why do I now have to pay more for less coverage?

I am so angry right now I could spit.  I am furious with anyone and everyone who voted for this death tax (and if you voted for Obama, you voted for this tax).  I cannot get over how blind some people are to think that this will help our country and not hurt it.  It is ALREADY hurting it, and it hasn't even taken full effect yet!  Ignorant people who live in their tiny shells and don't pop their heads out to see how this will destroy our country.

Oh and I found out today per a tax person that if we decide to pay the penalty for not having insurance is at a minimum $95 per person or 1% of your income.  An average family of four making $50,000 a year will pay THIS YEAR $2000 and next year $3000 and it keeps going up from there.  No wonder the administration doesn't want to postpone this till next year, the whole cat will be out of the bag by then.

Kevin said to me just last night.  I am scared for my children, I am scared that I am not going to be able to provide for them or give them any quality of life because of where this country is headed and what is being forced upon us.  I said to him last night... That no matter what happens, God is in control.  I still feel that way even after the research I have done.  God is in control!  But that doesn't mean that I am going to sit down, shut up, and not let my voice be heard!  I will fight!  I will call!  I will send emails!  I will give my money to fight the Democrats AND Republicans that are determined to ruin this country.  I want my children to know that I did everything I could to stand for freedom and oppose oppression!

Maybe tomorrow I can write a happy blog with pictures of my children who's futures are being ripped apart by the idiots in washington.

Dontfundobamacare.com  -  Sign the petition

http://obamacarewr.fwsites.org/?source=www-block  -  Another petition to sign that is through Freedomworks.org


One more thing that has my feathers ruffled... take a moment to read this article about what is happening in DC today that is being allowed even though the government is shut down.
USA-today article
How is it that our WWII vets were told they couldn't go to THEIR memorial yet the powers that be are allowing an Immigration rally today??!!  The MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM were told not to come, but the people who have come illegally have full access.  That is such bull!!

Hold me back.... Hold be back....

Historic

Kevin said "I thought you wrote another blog post?" I told him that I started but didn't get to finish it.  I have hoped to get a few posted written, but haven't had the time to sit and write... it usually takes me awhile to put a post together.  But this morning I feel as if I speak my mind here because I don't have another forum to do it.

I have been praying hard, the kids and I have spent time praying together during our school time for our country.  Senator Ted Cruz is standing up (as I write this) against Obamacare and I would be proud to call him my Senator.  Thankfully my Representative is standing with Cruz, but my Senators are are not (they have been informed in many ways that I am not happy with their position).

I know I have written on it here before, but I feel as if I need to do it again.  Obamacare will destroy this country.  I don't have time to go into all the whys...  But as the kids and I study our founding fathers and learn about the Constitution and all the Amendments, I can't help but see the stark differences from the MEN who built our country and the men who are ruining it today.

This country is no longer the country of my Grandparents.  I will admit that I fear the future of my children.  I know I am not to worry about tomorrow, but I do.  I pray on it daily.  I know God will provide and care for us, but I am making sure God knows that I am continuously looking ahead to what is coming.

We are living through historic times.  What is happening today is historic.  My children are learning in realtime the workings of the government.  They are seeing what happens when one man stands and speaks for (at this time) over 20 hours.  Will it make a difference?  Probably not.  More than likely Harry Reid will just do what he wants to do anyway and Obamacare will go through.  However, Ted Cruz and those who are standing with him, can say that they did all they could to protect our country from the people who are out to destroy it.

There is so much more I would love to write.  There is much more going on than just the craziness that Obamacare is... but I don't have time to write about it all.  I will just ask you to PRAY for this country, PRAY for the men who are trying to uphold the Constitution, PRAY for the future of our children, and as hard as it is... PRAY for Obama, I hate writing that, but God tells us to pray for our enemies.  He needs LOTS of prayers.

Last Week

Last week Wednesday we left for a week out at the cottage.  Kev was working just down the road, so we took the opportunity to enjoy the last week of what might be summer here in Michigan.

We had a great time making memories on the beach and swimming in the water.  A few of the days, we had to be careful because waves were pretty big and I am a little overprotective of my kids when there is a high rip current warning out.  Kevin said that as a kid, those were the days they went way out and enjoyed playing in the waves.  Since I almost drowned as a girl in the ocean, big waves freak me out a little and big waves plus my kids freak me out a lot.

It was a wonderful time.  My Dad and I have talked about how important it is to be intentional about making memories with the kids and this week, although unexpected, was a week for memories.  We even had guests join us for the weekend!  And before I start getting the school questions.... yes we did school.  The kids were up early working getting it done so they could enjoy the afternoons on the beach.

I will share the pictures as soon as I gather a few more :)

Blessings!!



 

Girl Cousins

I was going through my phone to start organizing our latest UP trip pictures and came across this picture from Aug 1st.  I just had to share it because I think it's so cute.

The girls have the same dress....just stating the obvious :-)  Can you tell they are cousins??  Some of their baby pictures look a lot alike.

Blessings!!

Taking the Opportunity

I have to get this down before life steals this little memory away...

Yesterday Micah and I ran up to the library to get a bunch of the books that we had on hold.  I sent him in to check them out and I stayed in the truck waiting for him.

After about 10 min I figured I better go find out what happened to him.  I walked in the door just as he was walking out so I asked him... "Hey buddy, what took so long?  Did you have any problems?" His response was... "No, I thought that I would take the opportunity to find me some items."  I laughed out loud.  He may look like his Daddy, but he loves his books like his Momma!

Photo taken at Presque Isle Park in Marquette Mi (Aug 2013)

Final Post from 2012 UP Trip

I think I forgot to finish the last few pictures from our 2012 UP trip.  So even though my blog is no longer in a chronological order, I am going to finish up that before I start our latest trip to the UP.

The day we chose to go to Mackinaw Island was cold, windy, and rainy.  Thankfully while on the island it didn't rain, but it was bitter cold.  Our trip over on the boat was a ride all it's own with the big waves that we had to cross!

This was Micah and Tyler's third trip to the island and Jillian's second, but they really didn't remember the last time we were there and since the other cousin's had never been, we decided to take the carriage ride to see a lot of the island without having to walk most of it.  The added bonus was that the carriage ride had blankets for us to cuddle under while we rode around.  It was still cold, but it made it bearable.

Most of you I am sure know about the island, but to those that don't.... Mackinaw Island is a car free zone.  So everyone that lives there has to get around on bikes or by horse.  It's like being transported back in time and if you close your eyes you can imagine what it would have been like in the late 1800's to early 1900's in every American city.

After our carriage ride, we did some quick shopping... October is a great time to shop the island, everything is on sale because the tourist season is over.  Had lunch and bought some fudge (no trip to the island is complete without fudge).

These are the kinds of pictures you find when you ask your son to hold the camera while you are shopping...

Then we headed back to the boat for another wild ride back to the mainland.

Despite the weather not cooperating, we had a really great time and I doubt any of us will ever forget that cold October we went to the Island.

*******************

I don't remember ever posting this picture and since it is proof that I have witnessed a sunrise, I am going to quick post it.

Granted I shot this picture out the window of the trailer while I was still in bed... but that does not negate the fact that I saw a sunrise!

Home Again

Well Hello.... I just got back from an AMAZING two week camping trip that took our family all over Michigan.  We ventured from the northern Lower Peninsula to the banks of Lake Superior in the Upper  Peninsula, then back down to the shore of Lake Huron in the Lower Peninsula again.  All but just a few nights we had family along side us to keep us laughing and having fun.

As I write this, I am loading up my pictures... there was 990 pictures.  I guess I took a few and lucky you, I will be sharing many of them with you.

Just wait until you see some of the unbelievable things we got to do on our trip!

I will leave you with this quick picture of us at Presque Isle in the UP.

Looking at this picture, you would never guess how just a short time before it was cloudy, and misty.

Blessings!!