Boys to Men

I've often thought about writing my boys a letter, but never actually sat down and done it. So, finally, thanks to the Breastfeeding Blog Hop, I am.

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My boys,

You are such wonderful little men already, I pray that as you grow up you will never lose or change who you are for anyone or anything. I hope that you will learn to accept all people, respect them, and be comfortable around everyone, from the homeless man on the side of the road to the President of the United States.

I hope you never feel like you have to apologize for who you are. I hope that you learn to express yourself and your opinions tactfully, but without glossing over the truth.

I hope that in every dealing, business or personal, that you act with the utmost integrity and honesty. I hope that you become princes among men. Know that everything you do affects someone else, while this may not change your actions, it will increase your awareness of those around you and help you make your decisions carefully.

I hope that you find someone who respects you to share your life with. When you do, treat her like the lady she is. No matter how feminist her views, you open the door for her. Not because she can't, but because she shouldn't have too. She should be worth your life, and she should know that. Don't waste time on anyone who will not let you be her prince, and when you find the one who is your match, defend that relationship above all else.

Follow through on your promises. Verbal, handshake, or signed contract. Promises to friends and vows to your wife. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Be men of your word.

On one hand it seems so silly to be writing all these things now. Jaron, you're only 10 months old, laying here in my lap and looking so tiny. Aedyn, laying among your toys and watching Robin Hood, learn to defend those who have no defense.

Boys, you will be men all too soon. These things that I hope and pray for you, are not only hopes and prayers, they are expectations. I expect you to be and become men of excellence. You have no excuse. Your profession, dreams, and desires, they are unique to each of you. They may change once or multiple times. But your core values and foundation, that will stay with you forever.

Learn from your Papa, he is a wonderful example to you. Stay close to God and listen to His voice.

I love you forever, to infinity and beyond,
Mommy

Integrity & Honesty ~ At the Expense of My Kids?

Have been having a bit of a dilemma all afternoon. Well, not really, I've known what we were going to do all along. But I've been trying to rationalize my way around it.

You see, in the next few weeks we're going to have some big changes come along. Wonderful changes, things we've been waiting on for years are finally happening.

But it means that from October 1 to sometime in January my boys will be without medical coverage. As a mom that scares me. As a mom of boys, that about causes me to have a mental breakdown. It makes me want and think things that would normally not even enter my mind.

Since Jake lost his job in '09 the boys have been on Medicaid. I was on it for both pregnancies. It's not something we like or are proud of, but we are grateful that it was available. In a few weeks, we will no longer be eligible because our income will exceed the cut off (Yay!!!!) but we won't be able to get on company insurance until open enrollment in January.

Our next Medicaid review isn't due until December 31.

Jaron's 12 month check up is November 4th.

I've got a few "options."

     1. Say nothing and close our case in Dec when the review comes up. Jaron's appt and anything else would be covered.

     2. Wait until after Jaron's appt, close the case, and pray nothing happens between then and when we have coverage again.

     3. Close the case immediately upon our pay increase, pay out of pocket for Jaron's check-up, and pray nothing happens between then and when we have coverage again.

I wish so much that I could, in good conscience let it go until the end and keep the boys covered. But I can't. I was brought up better than that. Plus, I'm so happy that we can get off of state assistance that I don't really want to wait to close everything out either...

So, I pray the boys will stay healthy and be fine. I know that God didn't bring us this far to let us get swamped in the debt of medical bills, so I trust. And I am so grateful that we are even in the position to talk about closing our case in the first place!

P.S. More details about all the changes will be coming in the next couple of weeks, when I've been given the all clear!