Well I did it!! The car is completely packed, except for what we need in the morning and we still have a little bit of room. I was impressed, didn't think it would all fit but it does! I' also impressed that I finished packing and I'm not stressed!!! Now I am just trying to wash all the clothes and dishes and clean the house. Yeah I know who is going to be here to see it? But there is nothing better than coming home to a nice clean house.

We had such a busy day today. We went and got Amelia's blood drawn this morning...they were good too! White blood cells were 3.3, hemoglobin 10.6 that is up and her platelets were also up to 26, they were 17.....Still no roller coasters....which is fine with me as I am not a fan of them. I like a few of them ya know the real calm ones...like big thunder mountain, and test track. She might ride test track cause that one is sooooo much fun and not a lot of jerking.

We also had to go and get Marshall his allergy shot and the doctor saw him in the hall way and gave him a breathing test and decided to put him on a steroid pack.....oh joy, lucky us!!

Then as we were leaving out the door Nate's shoes broke. Well I can't complain they were almost a year old and well the kid won't wear anything else but them so he has worn them just about every day. The were Sketchers the only ones he will wear so we had to of course had to get Sketchers again. Nathan is a picky one when it comes to clothes and shoes...so he went in the shoe store and looked and looked I tried to talk him into a few different pairs, I thought I was going to get lucky and he find a pair on the sale rack, but they didn't have his size....so he picked the ones that were 50 bucks!!!! Oh my.....but he loves them he wanted to sleep with them.

Then it was wash and vacuum the car and gas and haircuts. It has been a non stop day and tomorrow, I get to sit in the passenger seat and relax, I don't even have to be the navigator on this trip thanks to the built in GPS system in the car and if that fails we also have on star and they will send the directions to the car too! So I'm off to fill that out so we will have back up!

Good night and we'll see you when we get back......with of course lots and lots of picture.

Happy Mardi Gras

Greetings...
Things here has been non stop! We are getting ready to celebrate Mardi Gras tomorrow. We are just going here with the kids to a local parade. Too much to do at home to head to the city! The kids usually have fun there anyway and this year we are going to meet with my friend Jamie and her kids. So we should all have a great time, and best part of this is dad will be with us. That's the first time in about 10 years!!

I didn't take pictures of my living room but I should have to show you what the floor looks like. There is about 5-6 suitcases and clothes everywhere. I decided to start packing today and good thing I did it has taken me most of the afternoon to just get the 3 kids packed. I will finish tomorrow evening and have it all ready to be packed in the car Wed. evening. Which will be a chore as I am use to having room in the van. Now with this new car we are a little limited on the space in the back. This trip is just a wee bit harder to pack for. I didn't want to have to bring all the suitcases with us into Disney World. SO I am trying to pack what we will need for there and then bring the rest of the stuff with us on to the ship. Anyway, you don't want to hear about my OCD of packing. The kids are so geared up and ready to go. Marshall has done his own research on line to see what there is on the ship for him to do. Amelia has scouted out the pools already too, online. Nate is just excited period. We should have adjoining deluxe family Ocean view Stateroom with a Navigators verandas. SO yeah I don't have to panic while we sleep about the adventurer Nathan going over board, but yet we will still be able to sit on the Deck and enjoy the ocean views! And we have two bathrooms with both tubs and separate showers. No fighting over the bathroom!
Amelia said she and I were going to share a room and the boys can have the other one...sounds like a plan to me! Old stinky smelly boys can have their room. Oh and be fair warned I will be taking plenty of pictures and I also got my digital water prof camera so I will be posting lots of pictures when we return!!
Well I gotta run, still have so much to do...hopefully I'll catch you up maybe Wed. night before we head out the door. Wednesday we will be getting Amelia's counts before we go so we will know where they are.

Insurance stuff...

Bare with me here, I just sent two kids to their rooms for fighting and arguing and I couldn't even think straight. They drive me crazy they get along one minute and the next they are at each others throats!!!
Ok so a lot of you have been wanting to know where we stand as far as transplant goes...Well to be truthful we really don't know at this point. We are still fighting with the hospital and insurance company to come up with a solution. We have appealed the $300,000 cap for transplants, to no avail...they refuse to raise it. I mean honestly three hundred thousand for a transplant come on who are they kidding? That was nothing when it came to Marshall's transplant and well I guess the hospital doesn't want to get stuck with a 4.2 million dollar bill again....Oh well maybe they shouldn't charge so much for necessary procedures!!! Anyway the hospital is looking in to the Louisiana medicaid picking up some of the bill, not sure what is going to happen there. I have been so freaked out about this and after talking to the financial personnel at the hospital in Minnesota, she didn't leave me on a positive note stating that Medicaid just won't pay at an accurate rate....meaning that they probably won't cover enough for them to still accept her as a patient.
In desperation I emailed Dr. Wagner

I have heard from the financial people today they have yet to get in touch with Louisiana Medicaid. I tried to get Blue Cross to up their LM for transplants, only to be denied again. From talking to Beth in Minnesota, she doesn't think that LA Medicaid is going to cover the transplant. Or that our medicaid will not pay at accurate rates. Basically it looks like there is not an option for us, my question to you is where do we go? Do I need to start looking at doctors here in New Orleans? I know that Dr. Yu at Children's hospital had done FA patients before, But I am scared to death...I don't even know what kind of questions to ask them?
I haven't completely given up hope but I need to start preparing for something else, her counts are showing that a transplant will need to be done soon. I don't want to be needing a transplant and not have any idea of where to go?
Any advise that you can give me here would be of great help!
Thanks,
Kelly

His reply was:
Lets see how this works out. I'll talk to finance people. However, if we need to refer you elsewhere which I hope not, then I find you a place. Lets not give up yet. John

That helps a little bit to know that he will do what he can and then he will find us a place for transplant. I just trust him. He knows what doctors are going to work with him and who is not.
I know what his plea to the hospital will be, he is hired to do research in this disease and if the patients are unable to come to him, how can he do research!!!

I'm going to try for the next two weeks to not think about any of this. Tuesday is Mardi Gras and then Wed. I need to get all 5 of us packed so we can get out the door Thursday morning. We are driving. I didn't want to take a chance on putting Amelia on a plane. Besides we have more fun driving and it's not that far of a drive, and with the new car I could drive it cross country I love it so much!!!
I will probably be out of touch for two weeks. I am not sure if I will bring my laptop, besides who will have time for updating when we will have so much fun stuff to be doing. And once we board the ship our cell phones will be turned off till we get back to the port!
But when I do get back to update be prepared for lots and lots of pictures and for the first time I will get to use my new waterproof camera.

I sure hope I get over this cold/sinus infection before we head out the door on Wed.
Well I'm off to check on kids, they have been in their rooms for a while so I am glad I have had a little bit of peace and quiet for a little while, I know it won't last in this house.
The snow stopped it was coming down pretty good but the ground was way to wet for it to accumulate. I took some picture I'll put up later.

Tasty Tuseday...on Thursday!

OK you have to trust me that these are good! I kinda thought when I found this recipe yeah right...

They are Black Bean Burgers.
They are really good and good for you. Don't get me wrong I'm not giving up my meat, I love my meat, but these are tasty and nutritious.
Here are a few of the ingredients:

Chop one onion and one celery stalk, put it in a skillet with 2 tbs of vegetable oil heated, cook until wilted and then add one minced garlic clove....


Meanwhile drain and rinse one can of black beans.

The smash them as much as you can.

lightly beat one egg

Add the egg to the beans and also add 1/2 cup of bread crumbs and 1 tbs of cumin and the onion mixture.

Mix it all together well.

Then form patties and place on greased baking pan. Place in oven at 375* for about 10 minutes on each side.

Then you make them as you would a normal hamburger. You can add cheese and pickles.

They taste like a little like a hot tamale! They are easy and healthy and not to mention yummy! Try them and then let me know if you like them! I figured it out and for all 5 patties it was 9 grams of fat. For one on a bun with mustard and mayo it was about 3.5 grams of fat!

Black Bean Burgers

2 tbsp Vegetables oil

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 15oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp cumin

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375*;

lightly grease a large, rimmed baking sheet.

Warm oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. add celery and onion and cook stirring often, until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.

Pour beans into a large bowl and use a fork to mash into a thick paste. Scrape vegetables from skillet into bowl. Stir in egg, cumin and bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper and use your hands to form patties (4 to 5). Place on baking sheet and bake until firm and set, about 10 minutes on each side.

The City was a Rockin'

This guy he was ROCKIN'.....he looked like he was having the time of his life!!!

This is the guy...Pierre Thomas....he gets the job done...over, under and through!!!

So wished I could have gotten one of Sean Payton and the trophy!! To Busy..to crowded, TOO FRIGGIN' COLD!!! But so much fun!

I gotta get packing...we leave for the Bahamas next week!!

Saints Fever....

OK don't laugh, I did them myself.....here are my toes and fingers.....

Wooop THERE IT IS!!!!!

This is sooooo worth repeating!!!








I did my own pedi and Mani for the Saints I have pictures I'll post tomorrow...I'm going to bed....5am come early and the hubby has to go back to work tomorrow. Time to get back into a routine!!!
Saints are SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOO

BLESS YOU BOYS!!!

Happy Anniversary

Today we celebrate 17 years of wedded bliss!! We have had ups and downs, trials and tribulations and been tested a lot, but we remain strong and committed to each other, more today than the day we said I do. The ride through this journey has been worth it and keeps getting better and better!!


Dear Mr. Bennett,
Another year has passed and we have again survived some ups and downs together. Our life has been tested in more than one way and we continue to turn to each other for support. I think that says a lot for our relationship. It was very hard to go almost a month with out a proper hug from you, but, after your accident, I knew that I was just lucky to still have you here and to be able to wait for you to heal to give me that hug. Our love grows stronger and stronger each and every year. I think I love you more today than I did 17 years ago!! Yes it is still hard for me to believe that I still married you, even after you tossed a 50 cent coin in the middle of our wedding. I love the way you take time out to spend with the kids, even when I know that you are tired and they need that too.
You have made my life so much better and so very, very interesting! There is no place else I would rather be than in the safety of your arms… you are always there to help comfort me. I try to be strong for the kids and not let them see me worry, but its very hard to do sometimes. I love the fact that you know just how much I do to keep this family running smoothly, and for that you call me your Glue! I love the way you always tell me goodbye in the mornings, when you were working or anytime you leave and we will be apart for the day. I don’t think we have ever left each other with out a kiss or an I love you! And that I do not ever want to change. Your accident proved to me how quickly life can change. I am so thankful that we got to take a wonderful trip to Vegas, by ourselves. I love the kids, don’t get me wrong, but for the First time in almost 17 years we were alone on a vacation, it was nice.
I know Monday is going to be another adjustment for me. I have grown to love spending every single day with you for the last 3 months and taking care of you! I know that I will still and always be taking care of you. That is my job and I love my job immensely! I know that it is time for you to return to work, but I will so MISS you! Most people keep asking me if you are driving me nuts being home, or if I am ready for you to go back to work…truthfully I am not. You were a wonderful patient. Much better than the time the tree fell on the same leg and crushed. Of course you were older this time and we had more kids this time around! It just proves to me that when it is time for you to retire, we can and will be able to spend lots of time together and not get one each others nerves.

It is so true that I know you are my soul mate and that it was just meant for us to be together. Our paths have crossed over the years prior to our first date way too many times. Like the quote from

"Sweet Home Alabama"

where she says no one meets their soul mate at 8 years old….well I did! Who would have know all those years ago…. I guess no other three little words could not say it any better than I LOVE YOU!! Today tomorrow and always…………
Your Loving Wife,
Mrs. Bennett

Happy Anniversary!!!

I honestly and literally can not handle another blow!! My stress level is off the charts right now. I finally get my mind settled that we are going to transplant and let things go. I emailed the doctor today to see where we stand as far as a donor goes this is what I got in response from him....
Kelly

Here is what I learned.

John,
The prelim search looks good for potential 8/8 donors. Unfortunately, insurance coverage has not been determined and we need that to formalize the search here. I'm told that our financial rep has tried to reach Mrs. Bennett by phone to problem solve surrounding what she learned from Louisiana MA case mgr., but so far no response. Hopefully she can now reach Mrs. Bennett via email.

Funny thing is...I never received any phone calls what so ever about this and here I was the entire time thinking that they were already narrowing down a donor. Then I finally get a phone call late this afternoon that well nothing has progress any further due to our insurance coverage. We only have a $300,000 dollar cap on transplants, so they are not wanting to touch us. We do have La Medicaid on Marshall and Amelia only because of their disease, but Medicaid doesn't pay very much because it is a secondary insurance and their rate of pay isn't comp able to Minnesota's. They have such a higher cost of living there!

So now I start the fight of our lives with the insurance companies!!!
Please keep us in your prayers as I set out to fight to get her the transplant that she needs WHERE she needs it at!!!
I will try and keep you posted on all of this! I need to go settle down and think things through more thoroughly.....I'll be back when I know more....

Saints Fever....

Yes I have a Shockey Brees running through out my house!!!

Really?

Really......is this little thing really worth more than two dollars?? Come on if that's the case I might start pulling mine!!





Sure hope the tooth fairy can find it! Do you think the kid would take an IOU since they don't have a debit machine...well not that I know of anyway........God, I hate being out of cash at times like these!!!

Wordless Wednesday...yeah I know its MONDAY!!!!

yep that's how I spent most of my weekend!!