Thank you for your service

Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoy the day with family and remember those that sacrifice so much to keep our country safe and allow us to have every day with our families!

Summer Fun

Costco had a great sale and this red machine made it home with us!

We made basic vanilla ice cream tonight and served with fresh raspberries!  Ella added chocolate syrup and sprinkles!

I may regret this purchase, but ohhh homemade ice cream is better than I remember and so, so easy!

Another Cuisinart to add to our collection!

I'm excited to try frozen yogurt and make sorbet when the fruit goes on sale!  Any favorite recipes?  Pinterest here I come.....

Surgery Vacation is OVER!

I jokingly tell my friends that Ella is ready to go back to school and I'm even more ready for her to go back to school!

She's READY!  It's been a hard week because she has her energy back and she's bored with me!  It's obvious she is ready for the structure of school.  She's killing me because today is the first nap all week and it would be fine.....except, she's freaking tired and crabby!  I won't even let her play outside in the evenings because she's too tired to even WALK! 

Yesterday her and I went to Jungle Jim's and there is nothing like watching the look on her face as that roller coaster goes round and round!  She smiles, laughs, waves and then puts her arms up!  The ride goes forward, stops for a break and then goes backwards.  EVERY SINGLE TIME, she shouts, "backwards now" like she is in control!  It's hilarious!

This morning we picked up our season passes to the water park.  She's excited.  I'm bummed I won't be able to do any of the slides!  She's old enough to ride all the slides with a parent, so Joe will be the one to take her on the slides!  I think she'll love it!  Her and I can still go and play in the little kid areas and the wave pool. 

We had some time to spare before meeting friends for lunch.  We found a park with a climbing wall!  She is so intrigued watching kids climb the wall at REI.  She sat for over 30 minutes just watching one day.  She lives in the right state for rock climbing and I'll freak out every time she goes, but what an awesome hobby! 

She was a bit intimated, but after a little convincing she flew up this wall and was down the slide and up again in no time!  She was a PRO!  Maybe we'll get her in the harness at REI sooner that later!  She was bummed that there wasn't a bell to ring! 

We had lunch with friends and then went to Jump Around Utah.  I was an idiot and forgot socks, so I sat and watched.  Ella just RAN and bounced.

Miss Ella, you are more than ready for school tomorrow and I'm so excited for you to run in and say, "I had surgery, my head is fixed, I don't need my helmet!!!!".

One Pony Tail - IN THE BACK!

Poor Ella just wants LONG hair like her friends!  Every morning I attempt to get a quick pig tail in the front of her hair to keep her hair out of her eyes.

Some days, she's fine with it.  Other days she says, "I'd like a pony tail in the back" and there's no talking her out of it.  I try the discussion about how we have to keep her hair out of her eyes and she responds with, "I can put a clippy there and I'll leave it in".  "I WANT A PONY TAIL LIKE ABBY!".

Poor kid!

Here's our compromise many days.....

It's been a fun day!

It's exciting to share our news! It's been a roller coaster of emotions the last few months. I credit pinterest for my photo ideas! The pictures were taken months ago and went into a photo project we gave to our sisters and parents to share the news. Then we told them to not tell anyone! I worry, I know too much, I'm still in shock this is really happening, but I'm excited to share! Thanks for the support! I've been dying to explain why I'm so tired, crabby, and emotional! It's awesome to hear Ella talk about the baby. Baby sweet pea, I hope you're ready for a life of adventure!

Ella can't wait!

Baby is due November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day).  We WILL find out if baby is a boy or girl.  I always promised Joe we would if we did it again and I think it will make it easier for Ella. 

If you ask Ella if the baby is a boy or girl she will say, "I don't know what it is, but I think it will be a boy or girl!".  So serious and matter of fact!

The good news is Baby has made it through the stress of our lives the last few months.  I'm guessing we have another strong fighter on our hands! 

I'm very thankful that my family and co-workers have continued to be supportive.  The emotional stress of pregnancy combined with surgery and the stress the insurance company caused me was out of control and I was a WRECK!  I have not been easy to live or work with!

We are super excited to welcome a new baby to our family and I think Ella will be a great helper and a great big sister!

We're...

Our Family

Summer Activities

CRAP!  I'm behind!  I've been so focused on surgery and recovery and still accepting that Ella has a closed skull and can do what any other 3 year old can do!  I forgot to sign her up for soccer and swimming lessons!

She's in!  Swimming lessons are for 2 weeks and begin June 11th.  (Mom, that means you'll be taking her when we leave for the wedding).  Soccer begins June 25 and lasts for 4 weeks!  She'll miss a few games while we are in New York, but I'm sure all kids miss something during the summer.

I almost chose 2 soccer leagues, but Joe talked me out of it.  I'm just super excited for her!

Our next decision is to begin gymnastics now or later!  It's something she can do year round once she begins, but the schedule is tough right now!

Let the summer activities begin!

I think I made her day!

I just called the lady I originally worked with at our insurance company.  She was the one who made the original approval (even though it was the wrong code).  I called her to ask what in the world happened when our approval turned into denial and she was in tears on the phone.  She talked to me despite being told by her boss to instantly transfer me.  I knew she had a special place in her heart for Ella and her complicated case.
I just called her.  She knew instantly who I was and she sounded kind of scared.

I told her how well the surgery went and that I won the 2nd level of appeal!  She shared in my joy and told me I made her day and made her job a little bit easier!

I told her I hope I am never in the situation where I need her help, but if I am, I hope I can work with her.  She told me she is assigned to A-G, so at this time I would work with her again!

I won't forget you if you make my life hard and lie to me (I didn't call any of them), but I also won't forget you if you go above and beyond to help me!

The Record Setting Hottest Day - time for the Sprinkler!

She asked me to take her picture.  I took fake pictures with my fake camera and she begged me to go get the REAL camera!  She had a ball!

The neighbors had to wonder what all the giggling was about (me even more than her)!

We started out small

Then I cranked it up!

I've made her paranoid about only "clean water" on her
stitches, but I assured her, this was clean water and
she could get her stitches wet!  Poor kid!

Ella had an awesome weekend!

My schedule has it's pluses and minuses!  Working the weekend while Joe, Ella, and my Dad and Barb are having fun is hard!

Ella had the BEST time with Grandpa and Grandma!  It's awesome to see how much joy they bring eachother.  It's a love and excitement and awesome to observe!

Thank you, Thank you for coming to help us!  We really appreciate it and thanks for sharing your pics so I can share them!

Cake made and decorated by Ella

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

They blew them out too quick!

She's a machine on her bike!

Still working with the balance bike too

We met Abby a the zoo - they traded hats!

Riding the giraffes

She's our monkey!

A trip to Jungle Jims

Flower power

The neighborhood carnival had a jumper!

She's so interested!

This bee woke me up the next morning! 
She was so proud!

Games

Face Painting - Princess Eyes

An evening trip to the "yellow park"

So serious!

Joe and my Dad repaired our neighbors fence with Ella help!

To Clarify

We've had some strange questions and assumptions about our insurance and the approval of Ella's surgery!  It's NOT FREE!  We were approved at an in-network benefit meaning that the insurance will pay as if we were using an in-network facility and doctors.  We still have to meet our deductible, pay our 20%, etc.

The cost is much less than if the approval had not gone through, but nothing is free, especially not healthcare, especially not surgery out of network with an internationally recognized surgeon!

I anticipate it will take 6-9 months of additional work and fighting to get them to pay what they OWE to the providers in Texas.  I promised all the providers I would continue to fight with the insurance negotiators so they are paid! 

We still have the risk of some balance billing (the portion of the bill that the insurance does not pay) and we won't know what that will be for months!

A huge battle has been won, but the war is not over and YES we must PAY!

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!

Ella's surgery has been approved by my insurance at an in-network benefit due to failed access! It's the BEST possible scenario!

I've spent the last 9 months working on this. The battle was time consuming and challenging, but the last few months it has taken a huge toll on me! It's the hardest process I've ever been through! I'm a mama bear and I'm not afraid to ask for and fight for what I feel is best for my little girl!

I think I am officially an insurance warrior and I'm proud to say I won my battle!

I called to tell Joe when I got the great news and he said, "You did a great job! You worked very hard for this! Can we have the real Laurie back now?".

This took a HUGE toll on all of us. I've been a WRECK! I don't handle being LIED to! I don't handle lazy people! I don't take NO for an answer very well when it is something I feel passionate about!

Ella's healthcare has been my 2nd job for the last few years and the insurance battle took over as my 3rd job! I'm happy to give up that job and her follow up appointments will be much fewer!

What a relief! Thanks for your support and prayers! I feel like a million pounds was taken off my shoulders today!

Grey's Fans

What did you think?

Please leave a comment! 

My Blog Family

I really love my blog family!  It's nice to see what everyone else is up too.  I especially enjoy the blogs of those with spirited children similar to my Ella. 

I read this post last night and just sent a "Thank you for posting this and making me feel like I'm not all alone" email to Emily who I don't think I've ever met in person!!!

Parenting is hard and I enjoy reading the ups and downs of other families and being a part of this blog world!

Thanks again Emily!  I think our girls are personality twins! 

TEN YEARS!

Ten years ago surrounded by classmates who are life-long friends and family, I walked across the stage in Hancher Auditorium and I received a  Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa.  A first generation college graduate with a doctorate!

At age 16, I chose pharmacy as a career and I made it happen (not without a lot of stress, tears, help and love).  Growing up in a small town was a huge disadvantage when I had the 2nd round of tests with information I'd never seen before and now I was a tiny fish in an OCEAN!  I had one year of chemistry and I was competing with classmates who'd had 3 years of chemistry.  I didn't even know what AP was!

I've worked in a few different types of hospital pharmacy and I like where I am now.  I sure loved critical care while working in it, but this is a better job for me and my life today!  I really LOVE what I do.  I feel like I make a difference daily in many lives.  I love the teaching aspect of my job.  I don't lecture often, but I do make phone call after phone call saying, "are you really sure that's what you want?" and I'm there as a resource the entire time I'm at work.  It's a fun and rewarding job. 

My plans were to spend a year in residency in Denver, Colorado and then come right back to Iowa City where there was a job waiting for me in the PICU.  Of course I would live in Iowa, I'd be right back!

Life didn't go nearly as I planned 10 years ago and I never would have dreamed I'd be where I am today!

I wouldn't change a thing!  Life is GREAT!

Grey's - Am I the only one still watching?

It's been my show.  I love the show!  I just saw the last 2 episodes and I am in shock!  I'm excited to watch Thursday night!

Anyone else still watching?

Macaroons to die for

A co-worker brought these to work around Easter.  I bought some coconut kisses on clearance after Easter and have been dying to make these!  The recipe is on the back of the bag or here. I'm not sure if the coconut kisses are seasonal, but regular kisses would work.

Ella and I made a batch and brought some to our neighbors when we returned the containers.

Fun cookies to do with kids.  Ella rolled the balls in to coconut and did a great job unwrapping all the kisses!
They are dangerous! 

A date at the Grape Restaurant

Joe and I often hem and haw about where to eat dinner!  For weeks Ella has said, "let's go to the Grape Restaurant".  It's been driving us crazy!  We ask her where it is and she says we drive by it.  We can't think of anything!  She claims we have never eaten there and she doesn't know what kind of food they have, but it's the Grape Restaurant!
For weeks, I've been saying.  If you see the Grape Restaurant while we are driving, please tell us and we can have dinner there!

This afternoon on the way home from our last round of errands, she is exclaiming from the back seat, "There it is!".  What on earth did she see now?  "It's the Grape Restaurant and I want to eat there TONIGHT!".

Sure enough.....The Grape Restaurant is the Olive Garden just outside our neighborhood.  We drive by it EVERY SINGLE DAY and we don't eat there.  It's not our thing.  Worse....the new Italian restaurant in our neighborhood is WAY BETTER and MUCH CHEAPER.

Ella and I had a very special date night at the Grape Restaurant.  More than once while we were eating she said, "so this is the grape restaurant?" and I assured her, this is IT!

She likely saw the herds of people waiting outside to eat at this fabulous establishment and was in quite disbelieve of the crappy service and mediocre food!

She was a crappy date as she was very involved in her ipad games and she ate all the carrots and olives out of the salad!  No fits, she ate her food, and really it was a lovely time! 

Since she was occupied so I had to listen the the couple next to us.  I think they were on a date.  I would guess they're both lonely and choose to hang out occasionally. She was telling him about her doctor visit.  He told her she should go back to weighing 135 pounds like she said she did!  Did they meet on the internet?  She asked him about taking care of her if she needed help as she got older and he told her he would take her to Bryce Canyon and push her off a cliff!  It was CRAZY!  I should have looked around....maybe it was, "what would you do?" and I missed my opportunity!

Miss Ella, we take you many places and I hope that the OG is NOT your favorite restaurant!