Little Miracles

It's no secret things have been a little tight for us financially.  We didn't expect my maternity deductible to not cover Elli.  We didn't expect to get a bill from Michael's birth that the insurance we had back then should have paid for.  We didn't expect to take Elli to a Cardiologist.  We didn't expect our cars to keep breaking down.  Yes, life is full of the unexpected, but at some point you just look up to the sky and ask for a break.

To be completely honest it's made me really angry.  Elli was supposed to come to our family when she did, Josh and I both know that.  So then we were left wondering why everything seemed to keep hitting us when we were down.  It felt like a slap in the face to really feel like we were told to have a baby and then be thrown all of these bills.  These bills weren't the difference between us not going on our yearly vacation, these bills meant I had to get a job at night.

On top of that Josh saw firsthand that his former job has no future.  He had another year as a co-op, but there were four others who graduated this year who didn't have jobs with the company and only one had found another job.  One of them was going to Boise to live with his family and mow lawns to support his wife and baby.  He was offered a Co-op job somewhere else that is a pay-cut, but has a future.  He had to take the pay-cut and get out while he still had a chance.

Once it all adds up it has been a little too much to bare.  When we were at our breaking point a few little miracles happened just to help us out.

First, our neighbor gave us her double jogging stroller because they are moving and don't want to pack it with them.  I've wanted a double jogger so I can take both kids on walks or go to the park.  I had an opportunity to get another one for free but I would have had to replace the wheels.  This one is in great shape and has been wonderful so far.

Then my grandparents bought us some diapers that were the perfect size.  How my grandma knew exactly what size my kids needed is still a mystery to me.

Recently my aunt moved to Colorado.  Her moving truck was a little small so she couldn't fit everything.  When it came down to it she couldn't fit her small couch.  Josh and I gave our couch to some friends when we left Logan, but we had nowhere to store it until we moved into this apartment (and it wouldn't have fit in here anyways).  We've been using Elli's rocker and a desk chair for the last two months.  She graciously offered it to us and we took it right away.

Lastly, the neighbors who are moving gave us a huge bag of baby girl clothes.  They are in their mid-thirties and are not having any more kids, so they passed on a bunch of good stuff (and tons of baby shoes!).

Things are still tight, and they will be for quite a while, but it's nice to know we got a little help.  Sometimes a small win here and there can help when you feel on the losing side of a battle.