Just Five Days Till Everything Changes

Just 5 days left till everything changes. As of that day, Mike will no longer be a firefighter, and at this point we don't know what to expect. We will be without insurance. Mike has filed so many forms already, and we still have more to file that we can't until he is officially unemployed. It is going to be a very busy and uncertain time for us as we get everything figured out as best we can. We really aren't worried at this point, because we know God holds the future and is already there. His hands are all over our lives, and it's actually a little exciting to see what they are shaping our future into. I know the nerves and panic will likely increase in the days ahead. The uncertainty is unsettling, and we are going to need patience, peace and prayers. We thank you all for having kept us in your prayers through all of this already. God blessed us with some truly great family and friends.

An Update / Prayer Request

As many of you know, Mike suffered a heart attack at work on 10/29/2013. On 2/13/2014, a similar incident occurred while again at work. He has since been deemed medically unqualified to perform the duties of Firefighter. What most of you don't know is that recently he was given a "Proposed Letter of Removal". Basically it states that within no more than 30 days from that letter's date he would be out of the job. We have about two weeks left in that time frame. He filed for reasonable accommodation efforts (to find another job for him) but was denied.
Our current situation is this:
Mike has filed all appropriate forms for medical retirement benefits, but they could take up to 9 months to hear from. Only having 2 weeks of actual employment left, that is a bit scary to consider the potential 8+ months in between. In order to keep his current insurance, he must stay in the federal system. With Mike's medications and Gabe's therapies and vitamins, we need the benefits his insurance has been providing. Job hunting efforts have been unsuccessful to say the least. Even getting another job, he wouldn't make as much as he was making as a Federal Firefighter. We know that unemployment won't come near what he was making either. So the next several months are going to be tight until he hears from his retirement, which we pray goes through.
To say we aren't a little nervous would be a lie. We are. But we also have a great peace in knowing that none of this took God by surprise. We know that everything is going to work out to the glory of God. We have faith. We are still holding tight to our adoption plans. House building is very much on hold for the time being, and that's OK. It will happen when it is meant to. We know that great things are coming. God will provide all of our needs according to His will.
Through this, we would GREATLY appreciate it if you would keep us in your prayers. God has heard and answered so many of the prayers of ours and our prayer warriors, and we know that He will do no less with this situation. Thank you all.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and on the third day He rose from the grave conquering death. Now He reigns in Heaven. Our Savior is risen, and one day He will come again to take His children home. If you don't know Jesus, I pray today is the day you change that. Embrace a relationship with the One who paid it all for you, for everyone, while we were but sinners. He took our punishment and became sin so that our sin would be washed away. We have the victory in his name. No greater love.

Sorting It All Out

Due to changes in Mike's working conditions and uncertainties in his employment/income, we have put our house building process on hold for the time being. However, we are making lemonade from these lemons. We had hoped to have our house built in time for our new addition, but circumstances change. We intend to make the best of the house we are currently in. We are cleaning out our bonus (storage) room and going to turn it into our 4th bedroom. It's going to take alot seeing as how we have ALOT of storage and the previous tenants took the room door off the hinges and disposed of it, but junk can be sold and doors can be replaced. Just please keep us in your prayers as we realign and sort through the details. We know God has everything under control, and we are praying and seeking His will in all situations. We feel strongly that He means for us to keep pressing on, and He will prepare our path ahead just as He has always done. One day at a time, we are going to get there. Thank you all, and God bless.

Prayer Please

Please be in prayer for our family. God is at work in several areas of our lives. So much has happened the past few weeks, and we know great things are coming. Our prayer is for patience and wisdom as He works, that we will not hinder His Will but be a positive testimony of His works, love and compassion. Please also be in prayer for our extended family. Several of our family members are sick, battles ranging from aches and pains to cancer. Many are experiencing emotional trials also. Nothing is too big OR too small for our God. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

Valentines Day, Hearts and Love

For those who do not know, Mike had another episode with his heart at work on February 13th and had to be taken to the E.R. via ambulance. We ended up spending the night in the E.R. Observation Unit. Our Valentines Day started out with us waking up in the hospital. No breakfast. Mike was told he couldn't eat just in case they needed to order any certain tests that required that. Out of love and respect I didn't eat either. Around 1:00 they finally brought Mike a tray as it was determined there was no test they could run that he hadn't already had done in the past few months. Since he had food I went down to the cafeteria to get a plate and brought it back to eat with my Valentine. Mike was released shortly after finishing lunch. We went and picked up Mike's truck at his work and got his new prescriptions filled on the way home. We got home, shortly followed by Mama bringing the boys home. Then came supper, which was hamburger helper and steamed corn courtesy of Mike, followed by Finding Nemo (twice). There was no romantic getaway or dinner for two or flowers or candles. There were no expensive gifts. In fact, Mike and I didn't get each other gifts at all (just treats for the boys). And that is OK. We had each other and we were together. We came home and enjoyed family time together. It's the little things. Nothing says love like knowing you have nothing to give but yourself, nothing to do but talk and watch game shows and reruns and nothing to cook but hamburger helper and knowing that is ENOUGH. There is no where else I would rather have been than with my Valentine on Valentines Day... for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as we both shall live. You are stuck with me, Michael Laramore. I love you.

Gabe's Treasure

Today is a new day, and we just wanted to share another huge milestone Gabe has made. :) The blessings just keep on flowing.
A few months back, Gabe would have had absolutely NO interest in this toy, or any other toy for that matter. He showed no signs of functional play. He wouldn't have wanted this toy anywhere near him. The only thing he would really do is sit quietly, hold his blanky and suck his thumb.
Then he went through a "chew on everything" phase. Everything went to his mouth to chew or lick. He would likely have pushed the chest aside and just chewed on the coins and threw them behind his back when he was done with them. We are still working on keeping toys out of his mouth, but now he will stop when we tell him.
What you will see in this video has been a very recent accomplishment. He now sees this toy and will immediately go to inserting the coins into it. He shows GREAT joint attention skills, which is a big thing we have been working on. He sat still in his chair the entire time, and when he was done he handed the treasure chest to me as opposed to just dumping it out of his lap. We have watched this video over and over, because it just makes us smile to remember where he was just months ago and to see how far he has come. Enjoy. :)