30 Never Looked so Good

To be honest, I was ready to forget my birthday. We are on a tight budget. My older three kids would not be home with us. And my husband was in the middle of his work week. Plus, it falls on a Sunday. The day I try to catch up on everything before the school week floods in again. Yes, I got a little down on myself about all this. And I even argued with my husband on the pointlessness about having a birthday party when you are as old as I am. But I have come to learn a couple things from this past week. Some things I think that Moms in particular need to be reminded of.

Just because we are Moms, doesn't mean we should skip celebrating ourselves. My Mother pointed out that I am to be an example to my girls. What example am I showing? That when you become a Mom, you give up on doing nice things for yourself? 

Or how about the idea that once you reach a certain age, no one should bother being happy for your special day? Whether you are 5, 21, 30 or 99+, you should always celebrate the day you were born. Each of us should be reminded that we were, and still are, loved on that day. More so, perhaps, than any other day of the year. It is after all, our day. Reflect on the past year and what you have accomplished while holding to the joy that you have a new year ahead to do even more!

If someone wants to do something nice for you, let them. I argued with my husband on this. After all we are on a tight budget. But, after realizing that he really wanted to do something, I caved. Sure, we can't do some of the things I would really want to do, but he at least made me cupcakes. We had them with the kids and a neighbor.

My kids were glad to have cake of course. And I got to use some of my Star Wars decorations for them.

We went out to dinner thanks to my Mother-in-law. Texas Steakhouse was quite hospitable. And the food was delicious! I was glad not to have to clean up the mess. For all those who freak out at turning 30, you are overreacting. Its as good, if not better, than turning 20. Plus, I can legally drink and not worry about being carded. Enjoy it. One day at a time.

Prepping for the Party!

First part of getting ready for a party, always has to be the invitations and guest list. We will be having a party for his friends to come to at our house and then head up to his Nona's for a family party. The first thing I did was write up a list of the people I thought he might want to invite and then ask for his input on them and any others he might want to ask over. I'm keeping it small since it will be on a Wednesday night (school night!). Then I went looking for some cool, free printables to turn into invitations that will follow his choice theme. I came across these on Family Shopping Bag. The picture was too small and I wanted to print multiple at once, so I copied the picture and put it into a Word document and made some tweaks. After my adjustments were made, they were card-sized and ready for envelopes.

I had to make envelopes. Since I didn't have small ones that fit these, I took regular big letter envelopes and cut them in half.

Then these cards fit into them and I taped up the sides and back. Looks cheap, but it works. Thankfully, I did not have many to send. Next task is to try and make at least one game and possibly some decorations. Can't believe that we are past the halfway mark in January already!

How Much Do You Like Valentine's Day?

Or as I like to call it, Singles Awareness Day! 

This year, my Mom was showing me the Valentine's Day boxes that her kiddos made. I was pretty impressed. There was a robot one from her youngest

                                                            and a plane from another.

I went on Pinterest with my kids to look at ideas. Especially since today was a snow day. We had some more snow and ice. Not enough to make a snowman or snowball fight, but enough to make it slippery.

My kids have basically had a 4 day weekend. And unless they are playing video games, they are getting bored of being indoors. 

So I showed them Valentine's Day box ideas. And asked what they thought. They were super excited. Mostly because they love doing crafts and are not intimidated by them like I am. I'm getting bolder with my creativity. Much like I used to be when I decorated a wooden doll house I built with my Dad. I created a board on Pinterest for the ideas we liked most. They each picked a theme for their boxes. My oldest wanted a Plants vs Zombies box, my other son wanted to make his look like an Xbox console and my daughter wanted Elsa's castle. 

We got started. I scrounged around and managed to find 3 boxes. While looking for paper to cover them, I actually found a shoe box. After I had already started using the tissue box and two small Amazon boxes... But it's all good. I will keep that shoe box for another project later. 

We covered my oldest sons box with green construction paper, the middle had black construction paper and the castle was done in blue construction paper with blue card stock paper for parts of it. My husband was a huge help in getting the details just right. After my middle boy had the bright idea to trace a real Xbox controller (I'm so proud that he thought of it himself!), my husband worked with him to create the details and make it look like an actual controller. 

For the princess castle, I had beads and ribbon to add little decorations. She wanted a snowy look, so I used pearls to look like delicate snow falling. We printed a tiny Elsa picture to put in the doorway too. We used toilet paper rolls to make the towers on the corners.

I'm not a Plants vs Zombies fan, so I had to follow my sons lead and have him tell me what he wanted. I also found one that had been made on Pinterest and loosely followed the design on the box we made. We printed out characters since he didn't have toy versions. 

Overall, I'd say I'm pretty impressed. These look fantastic! And my kids are going to be the cats pajamas when they bring them to class to collect their Valentine's. What about you? Are you and your kids making anything like this? This could even be good for on the office desk... After all, who says employees can't give Valentine's? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Slipping Through the Cracks

At the beginning of a new year, you are supposed to be full of hope. You are supposed to be full of ambition. Your goals are set high because you believe in your ability to accomplish them. On day 10... I was losing that. 2017 had a lot of letdowns. I was trying to have a better 2018. 

I have lost the drive to seek medical treatment for the spinal issues that plague this body of mine. They say you get one yes after nine "no" answers in the business world. I'm beginning to feel that is a better chance than when seeking medical answers. I started receiving treatment when the pain hit a high note while working for Amazon in January of 2016. I went home in tears, daily. Since then...
I have tried chiropractic care.
I have tried steroid injections.
I tried getting a massage.
I have been taking pills in increased dosages for the past year or more.
I drink chamomile tea, take warm showers, sleep with a heating pad, and avoid too much activity when the pain level is starting to rise.
Since losing my job in March of 2017, I have been trying to get assistance for medical care. Believe it or not, on our single income and with 4 children, I don't qualify for Medicaid. I also can't get disability because I have not been specifically treated in the past year for this condition of mine. Haven't been able to without insurance and spare cash. And because I don't have insurance and will be paying for my visits in cash, I am not able to get anything past injections from a pain management physician that came highly recommended in San Antonio. 
A suggestion had been made that I should seek care from a medical school. I had this when my Mom got me braces. Schools have students that need practice. But they can't get real patients just yet. So you pay discounted amounts and the students use you under supervision of medical experts. I sought out one in San Antonio that is under a hospital. They told me that I didn't qualify because I am not a resident of their county. They gave me the number of a place that is 45 minutes away in another town. So I got everything together that I would need and sought out the Indigent Medical Assistance. My husband, baby and I sat for just over an hour waiting to be heard. Then I was told that I may not qualify. Why? The city I live in is split into 3 counties. One of which already told me I do not belong to them. So I have to find out and prove what county I am a resident of. My vehicle is registered in the county that told me I'm not in their jurisdiction, despite living within minutes of the city limits. The other hospital, so far away, says I have to prove where I belong. This program is for Indigent patients. You know you have fallen far when you are called an indigent person. Impoverished, needy. Yes, that's me. And yet, I am falling through the cracks of the programs designed to help those like me. This answer came right before the other doctors office told me they would only allow me steroid injections for cash payments. A simple consultation would cost me $200. The injections start at $300 and go up with additional fees for supplies and anesthesia. 
I have asked for referrals by medical professionals and friends. Advice on what they think I should do next. What I should try next. My list of dead ends is growing longer.
Hope is hard to hold onto when you reach this length or trials. I keep praying. I hear songs of encouragement to hold on to hope for even the impossible. Chronologically, I'm going on 30 years old this month. Physically, I'm pushing past 80. So it's time for plan B. Or whatever letter I'd be at now. Just to pray. They say there is great power in prayer. And when you have nothing else, it is what you cling to. 
My advice to others who are in this situation - pray. And then know what county you are in. Know what is out there. There is nothing that I have found for me, but every city is different. Some of these programs do serve people from other counties. They have a program extension. Sadly, that won't work in my case. And depending on where you are, I have heard from one worker that there are clinics that you can push for sliding scale prices based on your income. She said it is very difficult, but it is possible. You just have to live in their county and be prepared to sit and wait and refuse to be to told no. These are usually some type of community clinic. Not privately owned. 
Hope thins out when you are suffering with no relief in sight. But you have to look for the bright side of where you are. My mother reminded me of this. I have to believe that this situation is strengthening me for what is yet to come. I might not like the method, but the results will be worth it.

Psalm 56:4

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.