Dumbfounded....

I am absolutely sick to my stomach. I am sorry that this post is a vent session... but I also need some advice. We have had the same health insurance coverage for years. 7 1/2 years to be exact. When we started we paid around $350 per month. We are currently just pennies shy of $800 per month. It has gone up significantly since Justin was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Since that diagnosis... they have denied coverage for many things. So not only do we pay $800 per month to be insured, but we owe many hospitals additional money from the non-covered things. We are basically paying a mortgage every month in Medical bills. We decided to call and switch to Catastrophic Health coverage only. I know that's scary, but we are tapped out in medical expenses. Well, NO WAY would anyone even consider us! Are you kidding me?! Because of Justin, they won't make ANY changes to our policy. Nor will any other insurance companies! The only change we can make is to drop coverage all together or drop HIM and leave him un-insured. I know our system is whacked... but give me a break! Tyler works his butt off to put food on our table and a roof over our head, and this is what we get. But there are those who sit on their butts every day and work the system... they are better off than us at this point! It makes me sick! Now that I have gotten that off my chest, does anyone know what we can do for Justin. We can get insured somehow with out him, but what about HIM!? He is the one I worry about the most, even though he is very healthy. Does he qualify for Shriners Hospital if he needs medical attention? How does CHIP work? I know I can look all of this up and make calls, but I am in no mood to talk. I am in tears trying to figure out how to stay afloat through all of this. Thanks for your advice....

Hot diggity dog!

What do ya know... summer is almost over and we finally took the boat out! Well, Tyler has taken it out a few times... but this is a first for our family. Better late than never, right?!

I am always so glad when another adult can come along. I am not quite a "boaters wife" yet. I have a lot of fears, and driving a boat would be one of them! Thanks Kyle for joining us! The kids always have a good time with you!

Brynn continues to be our dare devil. She doesn't care how fast the boat is going, she'll reach over to touch the water during her ride! We even had to stop her from jumping off the hot dog before the boat stopped!

Justin wasn't a big fan of the water... but when it's over 100* outside, it was the only thing I could do to cool him off!

April has a lot of fears like her Mommy... and going on this hot dog was one of them. We slowly got her to warm up to it, now she can't wait to go again! That alone... made the trip successful!

We also noticed the voices of cousins while our boat was stopped so we could swim. Sure enough, it was the Dean crew! We ended up taking their kids on a few rides! The cousins loved it!

Justin spent most of his time doing this.... I couldn't help but capture his cute little feet!

Now we just pray for a few more weekends of fabulous weather. It was so much fun and the boat is actually working! YIPPEE!

Seriously Crazy!

We had a fun and crazy summer....

but now (unfortunately)... it's time to get serious.

School is back in session! I can't believe I have a 5th AND 2nd grader this year! It seems like it was yesterday when April was in 2nd grade! Where does the time go? We were able to meet both of their teachers this morning and they both seem fabulous! We are hoping for a fantastic year! I can't believe how grown up my babies are!

We're walking for....

TeamJustin!

This is a first for us! Last year at this time we didn't know that our little guy had Down syndrome. How lucky we are now to be aware and able to participate in our local Buddy Walk! We don't know much about it, but we have heard that it is quite the experience! Each participation helps promote the importance of understanding, awareness, and acceptance. It also raises money so that our sweet Justin and other kids with Down syndrome can participate in wonderful activities that are helpful to them and also their families.

With registration, you get a Buddy Walk t-shirt, hamburgers provided by Red Robin, and many activities for the kids! There will even be a raffle! But most of all... you'll get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside from supporting your amazing buddy! I know... you're dying to find out more info!

September 26th at 10:00 a.m. (mark your calendar NOW!)

1850 East 7200 South - Anctzak Park Cottonwood Heights

The cost is $7.00 per individual or $5.00 per person with a family of at least 4

You can pre-register now at www.firstgiving.com/UDSF with the Salt Lake/Tooele Chapter Buddy Walk. If you register before September 4th, you are guaranteed a t-shirt! (Which we will all be wearing that day! I also need some fun ideas to separate us from all of the other Teams so they know we are supporting TeamJustin!)

If you can't make the Buddy Walk and would like to make a donation, go to www.firstgiving.com/justinquick Or... you can do both! Anything is appreciated... but there is no pressure! It has been amazing to watch the donations grow on the right side of my blog! We are very appreciative to all who have supported us in anyway!

Thankful Thursday!

Today was Justin's 6 month follow up with the Cardiologist since his PDA closure. We felt pretty confident going in... but it always feels so good to know that your little one is healthy. He had an EKG and echo done, and all checked out well! So well that we don't have to go back for at least two years! I am SO thankful!
(He's gotten the "smile for Mommy" thing down pretty good. It's cheesy... but it's cute!)

I am also very thankful for these sweet princesses!
LOVE my kiddos!

Friends Forever!

You guessed it! Another fabulous get together with my Blogging Buddies! Everyone already knows the love I have for my new "family." I am so thankful for each of them and how they contribute to my life! The stories, hugs, laughs, and support. All are wonderful and I don't know where I would be with out them!

Thank you Lacey for putting this together and inviting all of us to your house! Thank you Denise for making the trip out to Utah to see us! It was so good to see you again!
I was able to see some families that I have met before and finally meet others that I have been wanting to connect with! I look forward to seeing everyone again in the near future!

This last picture cracks me up! Justin and Ella are looking a little flirtatious! He's gonna have himself some cute girlfriends when he grows up!