Define your future

 When your kid starts making lures and refining his skills over the next decade it’s amazing to watch. As he persevered through high school kids making jokes about his hobby but he’s still enjoying that hobby years later I’m super proud of this kid.  He’s always fishing…work, free time….whenever he can. 

This kid has always had skills.  He has always loved art.  He has really grown with it over his life.  He draws out his own designs, carves them and paints them while developing all color schemes as well.  His love for fishing since he was so small always amazed me.  He did it.  He fishes at work and he fishes at home.

@cfor_finarts 

 #enjoy life #dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo  #supportyourkidsdreams #watchthemgo 

God in my life

 This song is amazing. I feel God. I know He hasn’t abandoned me. I know that this storm is by far the worst of the turbulence I’ve been through in my life but He is here. I trust that though I hate the situation and daily feel the pain I will feel Him when I need to.  I have never felt so steadfast in my faith but don’t mistake that for not grieving or feeling intense pain.  It’s all I really have to get me through this. I have so many great people surrounding me right now but this is a battle I need God for. It’s that big. It’s that scary and painful. And I’m looking to Him to guide me in the direction I need to go to find me again. I’m not lost in faith. Just lost in my life. 

I have always shared my feelings for God, openly, to my kids.  I believe because God has gotten me through so many hard times even when I blamed Him or thought He was punishing me. I haven’t gone back to that place during all of this. Maybe I’m too tired to fight?  Or maybe it really is all I have.  If I can’t believe that God will help through this I may as well stop now. No one can make me feel better. No one and not a thing in this world  will bring my son back and make me feel whole again but I’m choosing to believe that God will help me find peace to life in. 

#choosefaith #griefishard

New kid on the block

 Moms, remember sending your kids to college is not sad. It’s a new beginning of independence for them. Let them start adulting before they go and you’ll feel confident in their ability to do what they need and make good decisions. And some of those decisions include calling or texting you for advice. That doesn’t mean they’re not independent. That means they know when they need their home base contact.  

Third kid being dropped off for college and haven’t cried yet. I’m happy for them. Of course, we’ll see her in a few days. I let her make her own mistakes and left the packing to her. She forgot her he rest of her pencils and most importantly she forgot her blankie. lol. She’ll make it to the weekend. 

Pardon the Monica hair. It was straightened and smooth in the morning and then we were caught in a really hard shower there.  My hair immediately frizzed out. 

Integrity and kindness

 

Sometimes you get to find out that your kids really do know what’s right and wrong when they don’t know you see.  My 15 year old is an Atlanta Falcon fan first and foremost. BUT, he LOVES football so going to the Kansas City Chiefs training camp was a no brainer. He keeps on top of every pro player and knows everything about them.  

He brought his football for autographs but when he went towards the field to get them there were a lot of younger kids and some were crying because adults were shoving their way in. He backed off so that kids could get autographs. He didn’t want to be a part of that. He said those kids were bigger Chiefs fans anyways and he didn’t want to be in their way.  

Sometimes your kids just make the really right choices and make you proud.  Even when it means they don’t end up with something that would have been social media worthy or make friends envious; they do what’s right.

#sweetboy #chiefstrainingcamp #goodkids

We went big and then went home

 We booked these flights originally. They weren’t upgrades because I happened to be up late when I was looking for the flights and they were super cheap. They’re not as nice as Delta One international, no doors etc, but still pretty nice if you’re on a plane for 8+ hours. The food in lounge one Honolulu was the best. It had Hawaiian food along with really great tropical drinks. I had a blue Hawaiian for the first time and it was delicious. It’s a much quieter lounge there too. The flight food wasn’t too bad but @delta didn’t have mashed potatoes with the dinner like the menu said. I was fine but I was kind of looking forward to the garlic butter potatoes. Still didn’t sleep all that well but that wasn’t the fault of the ride.  All in all such s great experience. 

#flydelta #deltaone #honolulu #skylounge 

Don’t pay your bills

 

Gotcha!

I ALWAYS pay my medical bills right away. I have a high deductible health plan but have been putting away money monthly for several years into my health savings account.  I ALWAYS have the money to pay this way.          

BUT WAIT!       

 I also ALWAYS read my bill to make sure the insurance allowance is on there and matches my EOB from my plan and make sure it’s the services I received.  This bill was generated by a hospital that my doctor was attached to when I went to HIS office for a cortisone injection in my hand. I was never in the hospital and was billed like I received surgery in an OR.  This made my bill from the hospital over $1000 in addition to the $200 bill from my doctor.  I called the biller and they said that’s just how they bill.  I then called the doctor’s nurse and told them about it. He agreed it sounded weird and said he would ask someone who might know. Low and behold a couple weeks later my insurance processed a new bill with me owing $1 for the steroids and the original bill is gone.  I saved over $1000 by saying something.  Check your bills. This isn’t the first time I’ve been misbilled so always check. 

Now do I agree with the $1?  No  I never received anything from that hospital and the last shot had a $.10 allowable from the doctor because HE billed the steroid.  However, chances are I’ll never see a bill for $1 anyways.

 #incorrectmedicalbilling #savemoney #reviewbills 

Kūhiō Beach Vibes

 

We stayed near Kuhio Beach and walked Kalakaua Avenue every day.  It was where we saw the parade during the festival and was the street where the Royal Hawaiian Center was located.  You see places like Jimmy Choo, Harry Winston and Stussy. There is a great open air food court to eat affordable foods you’re familiar with as well as grab some yummy malasadas. We enjoyed these outings so much. It’s a laidback Beverly Hills sort of vibe.  The street entertainment at night was pretty cool too. Definitely a nice area to stay. 

FYI our home base was the Pacific Monarch Hotel

#kuhiobeach #waikiki #streetentertainment