Reed usually works the week of Spring Break. No vacations here. I think most people would be surprised to discover that Reed works a second job on his days off from Alpine School District.
This week though we also packed in some heavy duty get ready for Spring stuff too.
Every year we say we are going to stain this fence. It looks awful. Every year we wind up promising ourselves that for sure we’ll do it next year.
The garden has been tilled. Kale, Mustard Greens, Parsnips, Chard and Beets have been planted.
A bathroom has been painted.
And we switched out some old curtain rods for new ones I was able to pick up on clearance…..PLUS 40% off of that……..AND a 10% off coupon. Made each rod a little over $3.00 each.
Score!
I went to DI (think thrift store) today to look for some platters for the cake stands I’m making for Bailey’s bridal shower. Alas, they had no non-Christmas themed clear platters.
Drat.
I stopped by the shorts section. Happily enough I was able to grab a few pairs of size 4 shorts for $1.50 each. Not as good as yard sale prices, but nothing like the price tag I would have seen if I had been at Gymboree either.
Without a cloth diaper Parker could easily fit a size 3. With that cloth diaper he needs at least a size 4. Yes, those size 4 shorts come halfway down his leg, but luckily longer shorts are cool right now. phew.
The bigger sized shorts do help to hide Parker’s serious case of Chicken Legs.
Reed and I have been listening closely to the budget cut wars going on lately. We had to crack up when Shaun Hannity talked about how offended he was that the Democrats are ‘fear mongering’ on the issue that kids like Parker would lose their health insurance if the Ryan cuts go through.
“We don’t want to DO AWAY with Medicaid, just get rid of the losers.” (Okay, I paraphrased that. But that was the message.)*
Seriously?
Been to Utah lately Shaun? Many members of the Tea Party would like nothing more than to end the waivers that 79 kids plus Parker receive in the State of Utah. Yup. 80 kids out of all the kids in the State of Utah.
Their answer?
Private donations.
Yet each time I ask these people to step up and sponsor or volunteer to be the chief fundraiser for one of the kids on a Waiver in this state……well, let’s just say I’m still waiting. I mean, it’s THEIR plan. THEIR idea. THEIR goal to end Medicaid.
Wouldn’t you think they would stand up and show us how it’s done?
Lead by example?
Personally I think actions speak way louder than words. Especially when a child’s life hangs in the balance.
*I support block grants to each State as per the Ryan plan. I support the States having control and getting the Federal government out of the business of Medicaid. I support dealing with fraud and waste. I support families lightening their Medicaid footprint via avenues such as the Special Needs Undergrounds.
I can’t say I understand all the politics. But I can tell you how freaking cute Parker is!!! you capture some great photos. What clothe diapers do you use? I know a woman who sells Fuzzy Buns and I think she is trying to get rid of them and dirt price. If i can recall she was literally handing them away. Let me know if you are interested and I can see if she has any more.
McKinley recently posted..DUMB
HI… I have a special needs child too…actually, 3 of them, all on the autism spectrum. Of course our family needs are different from yours, but I can relate on the medicaid issue. My middle child (bio son, we are a blended family) is on disability due to issues from birth (weighed 1 pound, multi organ failure, hypoxia, etc) and while progressing (he’s 9), he’s still well behind others his age. He has medicaid, but it doesn’t help with long term OT and speech that he needs. I’ve kept him in the public school solely for those, but just pulled him out last week, and praying for the need to be met somehow. Schooling wise, we’re doing things as early as 1st grade on some things, up to 3rd/4th on others…he is 3rd grade. He can do the work, just a matter of him being able to show me. He takes more time, needs more breaks, etc, but I see improvement already.
Praying for ya’ll! And I believe I have your button on my site.
Angie in KS
I always wanted to be a teacher to special needs kids because their unique sense of the world is a refreshing perspective to take. I think that if I do that, I will be able to learn more from them than they do from me. I can only teach them what I know, not exactly new. But sometimes the greatest lessons come from a child and moreover, a special child. Parker is really an angel. Send him my hugs!
-June
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