One Week To Go

It has been awhile since I've updated. Life has still been a crazy roller coaster ride. After being told for 5 1/2 weeks that the "check is in the mail" from unemployment we suddenly got a letter saying they would NOT being giving Mark any money at all. We jumped through so many hoops for them and then we were slapped with this. They are not giving him money because he quit his job. Yeah, he quit because he had a new, better job lined up. It was not his fault that the job fell through. Needless to say our situation is not good. I pretty much spent the day crying when we received this letter. I still have no idea how we are going to get to the hospital next week. Or how Mark is going to be able to stay with me up there since we won't have money to feed him. I stress about this constantly. Someone commented on one of my posts that if all my problems were financial then I have no problems at all. I think that is probably one of the most insensitive things someone could say to me right now. I am a week away from giving birth and I have no money. None. I cannot pay bills. We are close to losing our home and car. I can't even get my kids winter coats, boats, hats etc. Just got the shut-off notice for the electric....but yeah I have no problems.

A week and a half ago my mom took me to my doctor appointment. I finally saw my doctor. I was a bit annoyed though. She was a little testy with me for not having been there in over month. I explained our situation and that I just couldn't afford to come up. She seemed to understand and then she went on and on about how I HAD to come the next week. I did not want to come in but since I had to be in town for the Maternity Prepared Stay at the hospital I said I would but only if she could get me in on that day. Of course it was a day she would not be in so once again I was going to be seeing someone new. In case you are wondering the MPS is something the hospital there requires. You come in and sign paperwork and if you've never been there you get a tour of the maternity ward. Since I am having a planned c-section I had to sign all the paperwork for that. Plus I filled in part of the baby's birth certificate.

At my next appointment I had to see the mid-wife. I was just annoyed to be seeing yet another different person. I arrived twenty minutes early for my appointment. The hospital appointment was scheduled for an hour and a half later. Plenty of time...right? I sat and waited and waited. An hour and twenty minutes later I went to the window to tell them I had to leave. Suddenly they could get me in. I explained why I had to leave and I was assured that they would be quick. I waited in the exam room another five minutes. I had just gotten up to leave when the mid-wife came in. She didn't know anything about me at all because...THEY LOST MY CHART!!!! They could not find it anywhere! When I left they still did not have it. Oh but they did call the hospital to tell them that I was running late. Me? I was not the one running late!!!!! Needless to say I was not happy.

I hate to keep going on and on with my crappy life. Stay with me....I'll try to come up with happier news. A week and a half ago my hubby was given an interview with a company about 45 minutes from here. He seemed to impress them with his skills and experience. They said they wanted to hire him and that he would start this past Monday. We were sooooo excited! Granted he wouldn't get paid for two weeks but he got a job!!!!! On Friday they said to call Monday and they would have him come up and get a truck and get on the road. Mark called all day Monday and all day today. No one has answered and no one has called back. Okay....if you changed your mind or if the plan has changed then why can't you let us know this?????!!!! We were just so thrilled. Happy days last week and because Mark was about to be gainfully employed we were able to get some help from Salvation Army. They said they would pay two months of our back rent and one car payment since Mark would need the car to get to work. Yay! Plus we were able to get the cable/internet extended. It was about to be shut off at the pole but they were willing to wait because of the new job. Now all these things are in jeopardy because of these people. We have internet until Monday so it is back to frantically searching for a new job. Oh and Michigan leads the country in unemployment. Yay! (that's sarcastic in case ya couldn't tell)

As for good news....it's surprising how when your life in falling apart "friends" suddenly disappear. People stop commenting on your blog. People stop talking to you on Facebook. Even family can't be bothered to care. No one wants to hear about your troubles. And then.....there are people that surprise you with support. People you've never met sending you prayers, kind words, and sharing their own stories. Some family sends a huge box of diapers and wipes. My mom who has no money helps where she can. A sweet friend drops off formula, diapers and some money to help with gas. I am truly grateful for these people.

I've been worried about how my mom is going to cope with my kids while I am in the hospital. They are very energetic. My brother Pete said he would come up and help her. I was thrilled with that idea because they love him and he is very protective. He cannot come up now though, he finally got a job here in Michigan. I am happy for him but I wish it started a week later ;-) Oddly enough another person is going to help my mom. My father called her and offered his help with the kids. I am surprised that they both are willing to be in the same house for days at a time, but I am relieved that my mom will have some help.

Henry has been enjoying preschool. The other day he told me that he loves it. He brings home his projects and I hang them on the fridge. He is reciting the alphabet although he gets mixed up and he is learning songs. I am thrilled to have him there!

We have moved Irene into Henry's old toddler bed so that the baby can have the crib. It is decorated in trucks. She doesn't seem to mind though. She has been a stinker. She gets up and roams around her room getting into things. She piles every stuffed animal onto the bed then yells for daddy that she can't get back in.

The countdown is on for this baby. I am excited to meet him. I am grateful for many things in my life, children, hubby, some family. I just stressed about everything though and keep wondering when we'll get a break.

And to my sweet friend Shannon...I am sooooooo happy and excited for you and Warren!!!!

Let's Try For A Happier Post

My younger brother's new wife has started a job at a university here in Michigan. She moved to Michigan a couple of weeks ago. My brother moved this past Monday. Late afternoon on Tuesday he drove up to see us. We have not seen him since Christmas!
My kids like to chat with him on the phone and Henry is so much like him. He even looks like him. And they both have a huge love for cars. We had dinner with my mom at our house and pretty much talked and had fun. The kids were shy at first but once they got over that they were non-stop Uncle Peeda, Uncle Peeda! He had to read to them and play cars. Plus my dogs were even all over him. It was funny.
Pete stayed the night here and took Henry to school with me. Unfortunately he had to leave early this afternoon. Back to see his wife...ah newlyweds ;-)
I can't wait to see him again and of course it would be nice to see Ashley too. On October 3rd Northwood University has their car show. We are hoping to meet up there and then Uncle Peeda and his sidekick Henry can check out every car and kick a bunch of tires.
In other news Pete was not able to purchase the ps3 but I asked my other brother if he wanted it and he did! Yay! Sold it! I feel bad not saving it for when Pete had some money but we really really really need money right now. I'll be sending it with my dad when he comes on Friday. Last night Matt was at Wal-Mart and bought a bunch of household items we needed. I am not sure what all he got but he is sending it up with my dad. My brothers have been very kind and helping out when they can.

Opps...Had to come back...
I forgot to mention a very kind friend who put as her wall post on Facebook all the info on the ps3 we had for sale. She also sent me coupons for diapers and wants the info on the refridge and dishwasher so she pass it on. It was a surprise and a kind gesture. Thank you Stacy!

Also a sweet gesture...I am friends with Ashley's mom on Facebook. She has some beautiful nature pictures posted on there. There are two in particular that I liked and I commented on them. I thought they would be great in my daughter's room. She so sweetly framed and sent the two pictures up here with Peter. What a lovely lady! Thank you! And Irene loves them!!!

5 Weeks

Well it's five weeks from today for the birth of baby #3. I wish we had more time. It is hard to get excited about this when all I can see is the impossibility of actually getting to the hospital and even buying the things we need.

We have officially reached the critical stage of lack of money versus bills. I find it almost amusing that when I say we have no money people take this to mean that I actually have money but I am being a drama queen. No, seriously, we have no money.

The gas light is now on in our car. So no more transportation. I am going to have to walk across town twice a day to get Henry to school. I am not sure I'll be able to do it. 34 1/2 weeks pregnant makes it hard to walk long distances comfortably. Of course there is no way we'll be able to pay October's tuition for Henry so I am going to have to break his heart at the end of the month when I tell him he can't go back.

I had to cancel another doctor's appointment. I am praying that the baby is doing well and that this won't come back to bite me in the butt...BUT what can I do? Oh and on the doctor front... Another amusing story from the land a Medicaid. I was told I needed to switch doctors because they could not find a primary care physician for me in our county or the next county above ours. This is after I was forced to pick this health plan because they had a secret cut off date for the health plan we needed. The health plan I am on is the only other one that my ob/gyn takes. Once again I tried to explain that I am five weeks away from delivery by c-section. Who would take me now. And surprise surprise!!! This woman actually was smart and said yeah...no one would take me now. So I get whatever doctor they can find that takes this crappy health plan and is taking new patients. Of course the doctor might be on the other side of the state since NO ONE in a 75 mile radius is taking new patients with this health plan. I am hoping to never need a primary care physician but you never know.

The kind women at the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center gave us diapers for Irene today. This morning we put on the very last diaper we had. Some day I am hoping to be able to repay their kindness. The people at FiveCap think they'll be able to pay one months back rent for us. They might have a program that can help with September and October's rent. We sent the paperwork to the landlord and are hoping he'll take this and understand we are trying to find ways to pay him.

We want to have a yard sale. We have a nice fridge and a dishwasher sitting in my mom's garage. The best part is....we can't get her garage door opened. She hit it during the winter and knocked the track away from the frame. The door has given up and will not open. Mark and I tried to get it up but I wasn't much help and after spent the night with a sore belly. Decided I would not try again since early labor would not be good. Mark has decided to sell his Playstation 3. He hasn't played it in a ling time since he was always on the road. My brother was going to buy it (we are including the games, controllers, and 11 ps2 games). We were super excited thinking we'd get a little money and pay some bills...but...in typical Williams Family Style...he has decided not to. Well...poop.

Mark has applied for at least a job a day. Michigan has a severe shortage of jobs. We are willing to move if need be. Still no unemployment. I know that we are healthy and our children are healthy. Our situation could be much worse. But it is hard to see the positives when each day brings another kick to the head.

Now that you've been kind enough to listen to my whining let's see if I can find something positive to report. Henry really loves school. He has been learning songs and the letters a,b,c. They are also learning about the color red. I had to keep him home yesterday due to a cold and cough. He was not happy about that. He is looking forward to tomorrow. Below are pictures from his second day. Irene has to wear her backpack every time we take him. And yes, they are saying cheese in these pictures. If you bring out a camera they start saying cheese like crazy.

Henry's First Day of Preschool

Henry had his first day of preschool yesterday. He was very excited. Mark, Irene, and I walked him to his classroom. He barely had time to give us a kiss before he was off playing with the other students.
Two and a half hours later we picked him up. He was pinked cheeked and tired from the fun time he had. He made a picture that he glued together of the school. He also had Teddy Grahams and red juice (his words) for a snack. They played outside and a dump truck dropped off dirt while they were out. He described the different sounds that truck made including the banging of the back metal flap.
When daddy went in to get him the teacher had to tell Henry three times that his daddy was there. Henry just didn't want to leave. I am pleased that he had such a good time. I hope it continues to go well. He has asked today about when he goes again. I told him tomorrow so he is happy. Irene was not happy that she was not old enough to go to preschool. She has her own backpack and insisted upon wearing it to the school. We told Henry to make sure to listen to the teacher and Irene kept telling us that she would listen to the teacher! I felt bad for her. The cut off age for three year old class was two and a half by a certain date and she didn't make it. She got to go to the grocery store instead.

After school we decided to go to the beach. The summer weather here was not very summer-ee this August so we didn't beach very much. Yesterday was a hot and sunny day, perfect for the beach. There were some people there but near as many as had been before Labor Day. We had a great time.

When Life gets You Down

Yesterday was Henry's first day of preschool but I want that to be its own happy post. This one is an update on the weekly crap happening in our life.
It has been almost a full two months that my husband has been out of work. That's a long time to go with no money. We saw a poster about section 8 housing and how they can help you with your rent. Great! We need help! Called them...they'll send us an application but they currently have a year long waiting list. Sooooo I guess if we can get someplace to live for a year before paying them then we'll be ok. Right. That leaves us in the same boat as before and it's a boat quickly taking on water.
Yesterday I called MichiganEnrolls to sign Henry up for a health plan on Medicaid. He is the only one that got a letter stating he had to be on a health plan by September 12th. I found out that even though only Henry was listed I was suppose to figure out that Henry meant henryirenenicolemark. I called my doctor and their doctor to find out what health plans they take. They took took several and thankfully they had one in common. This is important since the new baby will be automatically put onto the health plan I am on.
So I informed the MichiganEnrolls (oh so helpful) person that we all wanted to be on this particular plan. Oh but wait...that health plan had a cut off date of September 4th and I called on the ninth. When I raised a stink about this, saying NO WHERE on the letter did it say that this health plan had an earlier cut off date, I got a snotty response that basically meant "too bad."
I put the children on the other plan that their doctor takes. I was told that I had 90 days to change the baby's health plan. Of course they couldn't guarantee that the health plan I needed would be available though. I decided to take a chance that one of those plans would be available. BUT then I found out that since the baby goes on my health plan the VERY SECOND he is born that the pediatrician I have for my other children cannot be there or be his doctor because I will not be on that correct health plan. I was told I had two choices...1. I could change doctors. I am just over 5 weeks from the birth of this baby. The birth will be by planned c-section (my third) by the same doctor I have had for my first two children. I also have issues with post partum depression that my doc is well aware of and has an after birth plan in place for this. So my question is this what doctor would take me as a patient now? I am considered a liability at this point in pregnancy. So that leaves option 2. Find a different doctor for the new baby. Now I realize that I am picky and may be making a big deal out of this and that others may not think this a problem BUT I picked my children's doctor for a reason. Our doctors are not in the same city as we live in. We drive an hour to see them. These doctors are good and I feel good about the care they give my children. Now I am told that my newest child can not have that same care because the state could not be bothered to give me the correct cut off info. I am suppose to find a new pediatrician that takes my health plan and is as good as the other doctors. Of course none of these doctors list their medicaid health plans in the yellow pages.
I am so upset over this and spent a good part of yesterday in tears. Please pardon my language but the state is itself and has turned this into a giant clusterfuck.
Every week we have another problem. No one seems to care. My mom with what little money she can spare has tried to help where she can. My husband has applied for jobs everyday. Any job, anywhere. It is very hard to try and stay positive especially when some members of my family are more concerned with their vacations and new "toys." I am not asking them to fix my life but it would be nice if they could pretend to care about what happens to us.
Okay...enough wallowing. I am trying not be get bogged down into others lack of compassion.
So there is the update.

What's that saying????

What's that saying about little pitchers having big ears????
My lovely Irene has become a talking queen. She'll ask you about something and then repeats what you tell her. Great, yes? Well...here is a phrase that is funny but not something you'd want repeated in public.
My hubby turned on the movie Christmas Vacation. This movie is a favorite and always makes us laugh. After these last two months and in particular this week we really needed a laugh. For those of you who have seen the movie you'll remember the scene with cousin Eddie emptying the chemical toilet of his motor home into the storm sewer. He is doing this in his bathrobe while smoking a cigar and drinking a beer. He lifts his beer in a toast to the neighbors and says "Merry Christmas! The shitter was full!" It's a funny scene and makes for an explosive ending to the movie. But what do I hear coming from the couch? In a sweet little voice I hear "the shitter was full" out of the mouth of my little girl. Funny? Yes, at the time it was but I'd be happy to never hear that again! Of course I called my mom and told her and then listened to her laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh. I texted Pete and got back HAHAHHA!!!! Glad we gave everyone their big laugh for the day!!!!
Let's just hope she doesn't remember that saying ;-)

Update on Life

Henry went to orientation for preschool on Thursday. He is in the afternoon class since the morning class was completely full. The afternoon class seems to have only 7 kids in it, but I think this may be a good thing for Henry. He loves to play with the toys there and it may take some kind persuasion by the teacher or aide to get him into school mode. With less children he won't be lost in the scramble and hopefully he'll get into the school routine more and more as each day passes.
School starts for him on the 9th. I am looking forward to it and he is as well. Irene wants to go so badly! I wish there was a class for two year olds because I would totally send her. Oh well...next year.
I went to the doctor today. It has been 4 weeks since my last appointment since the last time I was there the doctor was out doing a c-section and they couldn't give me a time when she would be back. They wanted to reschedule me for the next week but I asked to wait for two weeks since I could catch a ride up with my mom (my doc is just over an hour away from my town). With my husband still out of work we don't have the money to make multiple trips for no reason.
Thankfully today the doctor was actually there and I got in after about a five minute wait. Of course it was not my doctor I was seeing...they were still having me do the "meet all the doctors" thing that IS NOT something I wanted to do. I chose my doc for a reason. Anyway...I do like this doctor but I want my own. I will get to see my doctor my next visit which makes me happy.
I am measuring at 33 which is great since I am 32 weeks 6 days today. The baby is doing well and his heart rate is good. On my next appointment they want me to have a swine flu vaccine since pregnant women are more at risk of catching it. Plus it is recommended that I get a regular flu shot. Both shots will be given out at the office so at least I will not have to go to the hospital or health department for it. In a way I am a little wary about getting them. The shots themselves don't bother me but I've heard that you can get ill from them. I'm talking ill like a cold or a mini flu. I don't know if this is true, I am going to have to do a little research, but I just don't need to be sick right now on top of everything else going on. Life is pretty stressful right now, I don't need to add to it! I also found out that my c-section is scheduled for just over six weeks from now at 7:15 in the morning. We have to be there at 5:30am. Which means we need to leave our house around 4 am. Of course we have to be up between 2:30 and 3 in order to both get showers. I am glad that it is scheduled early since with Irene it was scheduled for the afternoon and then we were bumped twice. That is a long time to go without eating or drinking. I am hoping that if the financial situation is a little better that we could stay the night at a hotel with my mom and the kids. That gives Mark and I some extra sleep and save my mom the drive up with the kids in the morning. Plus we can take the kids swimming :-) Of course this all depends on the job/money situation but I am hopeful.
My hubby is still out of work. He has been sending in applications and resumes like crazy. There is a trucking company in Traverse City that sent him an application and told him to come in on Monday. He drove up (using money/gas we couldn't afford) only to find no one in the office. He called the office and got the operator but she couldn't tell him when anyone would be back. Thankfully a driver came in and showed Mark the correct office to leave his application at. I was so upset when he told me about this. We could have just mailed the damn thing in. Why did they want him to come up?! AHHHH!!!! Mark called the company on Wednesday and asked to speak with the person in charge of hiring drivers. The person that answered the call asked Mark if he put in an app., he said he had and the phone person rather snottily told Mark that he'd just have to wait for the guy to call him then. Geesh people...try some public relations skills.
On Thursday Mark had a two minute phone interview with another company. They said they had more applications to go through and would get back to him. Once again I am asking for prayers...please let Marky get a job!
I did have more to write but my eyes are hurting so it is time to call it a night.