Health Insurance

Willow was born on Feb 22, 2008. On that day, Blue Cross Blue Shield started insuring Willow and I, on Justin's policy. Within a month, BCBS had paid for about half of all the of the birth related expenses. On Feb 31st, my previous insurance was canceled. I paid them about $10,000 in the 3 years they insured me. After about 2 months, Preferred Health (what a joke), paid a few hundred dollors for the facility fees related to Willow's birth. Once every few months I call about the provider fees. I'm always left feeling defeated by the system and never know what to do. Call the birth center, call the billing office, call preferred health... the circle continued every few months.

Today is Jan 30, 2009. Today I spoke with a man named Brian at the Billing Office. Brian hadn't been around for the 6-12 previous phone calls about my insurance problems. Brian picked up a phone and called Preferred Health and I have finally received news that a check is in the mail. I can pay off the remaining debt we owe the wonderful people at the Birth Center... and can buy some groceries! And pay a few hundred on our sad credit card! Brian is my hero today.

holidays

These are images from our many holiday celebrations. We celebrated with Kassy about two weeks before Christmas. That was when we had her, and so that is when we celebrated. So that she wouldn't be the only one opening gifts, we went ahead and exchanged all of our immediate family gifts. I was pretty impressed at how much we were able to give, without buying anything new. I helped organize a toy swap at my fellowship.... that provided Kassy with some sweet (light up) snow boots, and about 5 really cool toys for Willow. A thrift store helped out with some giant blocks for both the girls. I made felted ornaments for each of them and a sweetheart necklace for Kassy. Justin traded art for a sewing machine and that lovely work of Kristin Morland art for me. I think trading is wonderful!

The weekend before Chirstmas we had "fakemas" at my parents. We had a great meal and some quality family time. Thanks to Justin and I's strapped finances, along with my dad's lay-off, we drew names for gifts. Joel got me a fat gift certificate for M and S grill on the Plaza. Justin and I look forward to that date! Mom and Dad got willow a new set of cloth diapers, the medium size... she was swimming in the toddler size, but we made do!

For Christmas eve we had a potluck in Topeka. This is the first time Justin and I have been in our own home for Christmas. We liked it. We liked it a lot! Celebrating with friends and my mom and dad was a great time. We had a white elephant gift exchange that many people went home from happy. :) Dad made latkas and I made some matzo ball soup... it was the closest thing we had to a Hanukkah Party this year. Our friends said it needed to be annual and that it was going on the calendar for next year.... we'll see.

On Christmas day we had some great breakfast with mom and dad and then headed to Hiawatha. We got there, just in time for breakfast. :) Aaron and Kendra had made a lovely meal, and we couldn't turn it down. After that we recieved really kind and thoughtful gifts from Justin's mom, Bonnie. She always does such a nice job. I got some clothes, some really soft pj's (that I wear as often as possible), and a novel that I am reading now. Willow hasn't learned to respect books yet, so it is missing it's back cover and the edge of a few pages! After that, we headed to Justin's aunt and uncles for some more great food, gifts, games, and gingerbread houses.

Whew... no wonder it took me a month to load photos and blog!