Jessica hears from Ben Carson

Wow,  Jessica texted me on Tuesday afternoon asking me "Guess who our Devotional speaker was today?"

Well, as you can imagine - I have NO idea.

She writes back - BEN CARSON!

NO WAY!  That's so not fair.  I consider him and his mother as some of the most admirable people I have had the pleasure of meeting.  Ben Carson pulled himself up from being one of the worst students in the entire school, to being a scholarship winner at YALE, and continuing to be the first pediatric neurosurgeon to successfully separate siamese twins (at the head).

Robert makes Varsity

Although Robert wasn't allowed to try out for the NOMS soccer team, we had talked to the NOMS coach and he was aware of Robert's knee condition.  He called on Monday - just a few hours after we heard the news about his healed knee.

He was excited to hear that Robert could play and offered him a position on the Varsity team!  Robert is so excited!!!

MRI Results

What great news!  It was Monday afternoon before we knew anything.  Betsy had called the doctor on Friday for the results, but she wouldn't be in to the office until later that day.  We all waited for the results but they never came.

Finally, Monday afternoon the doctor's office called with the great news.  Robert ACL had healed 100%.  It was completely in tack!

Oh, we are so happy!  Robert didn't believe it at first.  I think I had to repeat the results six different times saying it just a little different each time so that it would register - you are healed, it is fixed 100%.  There isn't a tear any more!  Your knee is 100% healthy.

That night we went to the first soccer practice since December.  It was so good to see him out there with the other boys.

Small but Amazing Miracle

Well, today is Mark's last day at Flextronics - or so we thought.

Mark had his exit interview with the HR director at 2:30.  At the conclusion of the meeting he decided to return the laptop, instead of keep it, so he ask for a few minutes to remove some personal files.  Mark went to his office and started to remove files when the HR director appeared and asked him if she could speak with him again.  Once they got back to her office, she said that after further review and consideration, they would like to extend his exit date out for 30 more day.  Could he stay on until 3/23?

WOW!  That's great.  Another 30 days to find a job.  Another 30 days pay.  Another 30 days to take care of our financial needs.

What a wonderful blessing and miracle!

Robert's Second MRI

Hi,

Today Robert had an appointment at Kosair Children's Hospital at 7:00 AM to have his second MRI test done.  It's a long process (approximately 1 hour) where Robert is in the MRI machine.  This is to find out if the torn ACL has healed and fused back together or not.  We are all very hopeful and prayerful that the test results will show favorable.

He did very well and now we just have to wait for the results.

The Ball continues to Bounce

Today, Saturday, February 11 started bright and early on a super frigid morning with an 8:00 am girl's basketball game for Marissa.  There were 7 girls for each team so it was fairly even.  It was a very low scoring game with our team winning 8-6 at half-time.  Marissa had 4 of the 8 points.  During the second half of the game we weren't able to make any points.  The Lagrange girls played extremely aggressive (foul) defense sending Meg O'Brien to the free throw line 3 times for 6 points (unfortunately she missed).  Everyone played to the best of their ability and it was nice to see the girls work as a team.  There were several times were Marissa passed off the ball to another girl for a better shot (they just missed by a little bit).  In the end we lost 8-10.

We were able to get a ride home with the Phipp's (Mark had a church meeting from 8-10) because they were coming to our house to pick up Jessica's bunk bed.  She's had that bed for 10 years and now it's gone.  We took it apart and loaded it in the Pina's van.

At 9:30 Mom made bacon and bagels for breakfast (of course, Devon had Cocoa Puffs instead).  It was delicious.  Mom had blueberry while Robert had Marissa prefer the plain.

At 11:00 Mom, Dad and Robert went to the boy's basketball game for Devon.  The boys won by forfeit, but they also won the scrimmage (4v4) they played for exercise.  The final score 24-23.  Devon made 2 baskets (one a great long shot) and had several rebounds.  Devon fed D Jay the ball, scoring 10 points (5 assists).   Robert really wanted to play but we didn't let him.  He only has two more weeks until his MRI.  All the boys had a great work out (red cheeks to prove it).

For the afternoon we will bounce around the house doing our chores and taking the top bunk of Robert's bed up to Jessica's room.

Devon had to work at 5:30 (till midnight) and Marissa went to the church Valentine's Dance at 7:00 at the Louisville Stake Center.

Mark and Betsy had a date to serve concessions at the Boys Senior Night Basketball game at NOHS.

small joys in life

I have been suffering from sinus congestion since last Friday night.  Tonight I made myself a wonderfully warm and creamy, sumptuous mug of hot chocolate with marshallows and whip cream.  It was so perfect!  I had to share!

More Bad News

Well, one week ago Mark called me with the bad news that he was going to be losing his job at the end of the month (2/24).  Today I had to call him to let him know the school will not be allowed to keep me on full time after this Friday.

The principal was very complimentary, and said they would like to hire me as a sub as much as possible, but that the State law requires a "Highly Qualified Special Ed" teacher with a Master's degree to teach that class.  Wonderful!  I have 15 years experience but I don't have the degree!  Oh how I wish I had that degree, but I didn't want to be a teacher until after I started substitute teaching 4-5 years ago.  Now, I'd love to be teaching but I don't have the official credentials.

We were counting on my income to supplement the loss of Mark's - even though it wouldn't be 100% of what we need, it would help tremendously, making it so that we would only have to withdrawal $1000 from savings per month to survive.  Now, it is more like $3500 per month - and that is without medical insurance.

Medical insurance - that's a huge one.  Mark found received confirmation from the HR department that medical insurance will be $1500 per month to insure our family.  With our track record - we need insurance, but how can we (or anyone for that matter) afford medical insurance.  I don't know what we are going to do.