What's happening...

As I say so often, it has been a busy week!! This week and upcoming next week especially though. This week, Grandma Linda and I took Kelsey in to be evaluated for orthotics for her feet. Kelsey has tried on another child's orthotics at physical therapy and did great in them. So Christen (Kelsey's heaven sent therapist) thought it would benefit us to at least have an evaluation from the clinic where they are custom made. Turns out, the man who evaluated her thought she was doing very well and having them made would not benefit her enough to justify the HUGE cost of them ($1000-$1600!!). He did however suggest that we get some "off the shelf" ones that are just a few hundred dollars. He hopes that we will get the same result, without the cost. We'll see - they should be in soon for us to try.
Next, in the world of Kelsey - we have a BIG DAY coming up this Monday. Kelsey goes in for her 3 year IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) evaluation to determine whether she is still eligible for services (school, therapy, etc.) Kelsey is doing fantastic, but we are very much hoping that she will remain in the program. We really want her to have the opportunity to go to pre-school at the Alyce Hatch Center where we know she will be safe. Because of her continuing balance issues and Nystagmus, we believe she needs an environment that has an excellent teacher-student ratio to ensure her safety and will provide her with the extra attention that she requires at this point. We are 99.9% sure that she will remain in the program because of a request letter from her Doctor. I will update Monday evening when we know for sure!
James is doing great! He has had a few fun days over at his buddy Colby's house this week! I am truly grateful to Cathy (my friend - and Colby's Mom). We have really relied on each other for childcare when either of us have appointments and carpooling this school year - although I feel a bit guilty! I have the pick-up shift (the easy part! I don't even have to get out of the car!). James loves his friend Colby and feels happy playing at the Shield's house! James also continues to amaze us with what her is absorbing at school. He loves to recite Matthew 7:12! How great is that??
(Matthew 7:12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you")
Lastly, Mike and Leo! What can I say - it's true love! Mike went hunting last week with a co-worker and brought home some bird wings (from the poor little birds that he shot) for training his Leo. Mike has been working with Leo and the wings as often as he can after work. They go in the back yard and Mike and James hide the wings. Then, they let Leo out to "Hunt the up!!!". I am THRILLED beyond words that Mike is enjoying his future hunting dog. And by the way, Leo is a very smart dog! He is so fun to watch searching for the almighty hidden wings! And when he finds them - oh the pride of a successful hunt!

Kelsey has made the move! She is now in a big girl (toddler) bed! The crib has a new home thanks to Craigslist!

Peaches...

Each Tuesday, Kelsey gets to go out to Healing Reins and ride her designated horse, Peaches. She is such an amazing animal and you can see in her eyes how much she loves these kids! Well today, James came up with the idea to take a "gift" out to the ranch for Peaches - a small baggy of baby carrots. When we arrived at the ranch, Kelsey was so excited to take her gift to her horse. Turns out that Kelsey had to exercise some patience, because Peaches trainer said she cannot get a treat until she has worked. So off Kelsey and Peaches went for their 45 minute ride. When they were back to the stall, out came the carrots again. We went and got a bowl to dump the carrots into and Kelsey proudly walked with this big bowl in her little hands over to this massive animal and held the bowl up so Peaches could consume her snack. As Kelsey was walking over to her, Peaches lips were quivering and she was literally "licking her chops" with the anticipation of the snack that she knew was coming. I have never seen anything so sweet! Those horses at Healing Reins are a gift from above. They are the most wonderful, gentle animals!

(Speaking of wonderful animals...I had to add this picture that I took this evening of Mike and Leo - we are all so in love with him! Leo loves furniture - especially the living room couch - but that's okay with us!)

The woman at the grocery store...

Yesterday, I had the luxury of going grocery shopping alone and did not have the feeling of being rushed like I normally do - like the second I pull away, the stop watch starts. As I walked though the parking lot of Safeway, there was an elderly woman with an empty cart that had just finished loading a few small bags of groceries into her trunk. I asked her if I could take her cart for her and she said, "Oh that would be great!" When I looked at her face, I had this overwhelming feeling of recognition of her. I said to her as I looked into her wise eyes, "Do I know you from somewhere?" She took my hand I said, "You look familiar too - what is your name?" I told her and it did not ring a bell for her. Continuing to hold my hand, she told me such a sweet thought... "How wonderful it is when you recognize someone and speak up to tell them - even when you cannot place the person. I may just have a familiar face...either way, eventually, everything makes sense and we do remember." With that, she let go of my hand and wished me a pleasant day.
Who was this woman? I still cannot place her, but I am so glad I had a moment with her - whoever she is.

Update on Kelsey and the insurance mess...Though we have not yet come to a firm resolution on this, I have peace about it. I know it will work out the way it is suppose to. We will be filing for an extension of therapy visits which we are confident will be approved. I know we are not the only people having to battle with insurance to get things covered - and with the way the economy is, I am just thankful that we have insurance!

My Birthday...

I had a fantastic 35th birthday on Thursday. Colette flew in from Seattle and was able to stay til Saturday morning! I so enjoyed having time with her! She was able to be here for a birthday dinner of Chinese food, we were able to go snowmobiling on Friday (which she has never done, but did fantastic - got her sled up to 50 mph!), we did a tiny little bit of shopping, and just had fun talking. Since I know you will read this Colette, thanks again for coming and thanks for being you! I love you!

A road block for Kelsey...

I normally never lose any sleep over worry. But, early this morning I was awakened by a whining Leo who had to go potty at 3am. When I returned to bed, I laid there unable to return to sleep, with the feeling of a 100 pound stone on my heart. Yesterday, we were dealt a huge blow in Kelsey's therapy. It turns out that our new heath insurance has some hang-ups with her coverage. First of all, it has a 20 visit cap on physical therapy, which we will do in about 2 months. You can file for an extension of visits, which we fully intend to do. But, it also turns out that Kelsey's medical issues are written into the contract as "non-covered" items. So even with an extension, she still may not be covered at all. I am feeling heartbroken today. I do not like to use my blog as a complaint venue - but this hits us where it really hurts and I just have to write about it. If we don't get this resolved, Kelsey will pay the price. We hope to come to a resolution with the insurance because if we don't, we will not be able to keep Kelsey in therapy. Even with the Sparrow Club's help (Which is wonderful, but to be quite frank, not even enough money to even cover 2 months of therapy should we have to pay for it out of pocket).
The outcome of her visit with the vestibular specialist last week was great. She ruled out BPPV (a kind of vestibular issue that runs in my family). She does however believe that Kelsey does have a vestibular issue and would benefit from seeing the therapist at St. Charles. Which brings us back to the insurance problem once again. She will not be able to see an occupational therapist unless we get this extension and they agree to cover her.
I will end my "soap box" here, but I ask for my friends and family to please keep this issue in your prayers. And most of all, please pray for me as Kelsey's Mom. That I will be able to let go of the INCREDIBLE anger and disappointment that I feel today. As Mike and I have said so many times before...We were given Kelsey for a reason. I believe because God knew we would be 150% dedicated to her care. I also hope this road block will be crumbled so we can continue our journey of progress for Kelsey. I also pray that if the insurance issue cannot be resolved, that a local business will step up to sponsor her with a significant enough sponsorship to actually make a long term difference.