Friday, January 4, 2013

It is 2013 already?

2012 ended in a flurry!  Not only were we crazy busy but then we all got sick.  Not at the same time but all with different ailments that made the month of December not quite what I had hoped for.  First Jared had pneumonia then Maggie had a sinus infection then I had Shingles AND pneumonia (at the same time) and Christmas night Rod came down for the stomach flu.  It seems to be running rampant ... this illness stuff - but I dislike how it sets me back!  I am still trying to catch up on laundry!

Because of illness, we had to postpone a followup apt to Riley Children's Hospital for Maggers hearing aids. For clarification, the new audiologist (audi) had just upped the volume of the aids - we still weren't ecstatic about where they stood but they were much better.  So like for the first time in 18+ months Mags could hear the beep of the timer on the oven, hear the microwave bing and tell us it was done and even hear our van brakes squeal as I would slowly back out of the garage.  So we headed back yesterday for a follow-up.

Maggie's hearing is mild/moderate in low pitches and drops to profound really quickly.  That means she can hear bass or low pitches but a lot of speech sounds are really hard for her to hear.

The audi decided to try a different brand of hearing aids.  Very quickly, we realized that this different aid could give Maggie access to much more hearing.  It was exciting to see.

The problem is that we've had these "ears" a little less than 3 years and insurance only likes to replace aids every 5 years.  The audi is going to write a letter with the request for new aids.  It is not that her current aids are "bad" it is just that they do not meet all of her needs.

Please pray that the insurance sees the need for Maggie.  If she could hear better - it would help her speech, her spelling (as she attempts to sound out words), and interact better with her peers.

After we left the audi we ate lunch at Riley - felt like old times, but the kids thought it was so fun.  It was weird to eat in the cafeteria with them instead of rushing back upstairs with our food.

Then we went up to see our nurse friends on the stemcell unit.  I was filled with such jealousy as they had just recently moved to a brand-spankin-new unit.  The rooms are large.  Each have their own bathrooms, multiple tvs (one for patient and one for parent) and fold out bed for the parent and it was "pretty".  I was/am so excited for the families that have to endure that treatment - that at least there are a few more conveniences for them.

Family portrait on the People Mover.
Then we took a ride on the People mover...  this is an elevated train that connects all of the IU hospitals in downtown Indy.

Then we stalled for a little bit.  I had remembered that the first Thursday of the month the Children's Museum offers free admission from 4p-8p.  So we ran thru the newer exhibits quickly and were on the road for home by 5:45.  It was a full day and a LONG one but lots of fun!

I also did some school prep on the way down in the van.  I am looking at some fun places to do fieldtrips - preferably low-cost ones.  My goal is a weekly fieldtrip.  That may not always be realistic but if we could do 2 a month I will feel good.  Also, I am getting excited about getting back into school - we are going to start with Cursive! (yikes!) and really trying to delve into things that the kiddos are interested in.  For example.... Jared is really intrigued by the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.  I am wanting to also include a lot more character building schtuff.  (yes, my family is Jewish.....just several generations ago...its all good).

That would be a BRIEF catch up.  God is good and challenging me all of the time to give up more of me for more of Him.  Just got done reading Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place.  My mind is still swirling over that one!

Live Big!