update

Well great news... we have a car! well not really yet but as soon as we get the parts we will! Its awesome and Paige's dad and I bought it together so it has no payment! A 2005 fully loaded KIA OPTIMA EX... gorgeous and the cleanest car I have seen! I can't wait to have working windows and air oh and don't forget the 4 doors! lol

Gage's skin looks bad, his allergies are on overload...and paige has had hives for two days...but she did cut her first tooth 1 week ago and is working on her second as we speak...so its been alittle rough at my house the last week between both kids being sick and of course that meant I would get this terrible cold thing...please let us be healed this weekend! lol

I am still looking for a more permanant job, but have 5 days next week. I am trying to enroll gage in a reading program in july and he wants to do tennis. I think we missed golf signup-he keeps asking and I keep blowing him off because I don't want him to know. i couldnt afford team flip either...but we have a car!!!!

as for national jewish... we have 2000 in savings and i am praying for miracles. maybe if insurance would pull thru we came use that for travel and go in fall.

ttys~

Benefit update

Ok, well only a few days left...So exciting...We have a lot of things for the auction...not big stuff but alot still...we have bbq pork, buns, pop, baked beans mac n cheese and potato salad...what a stresser! I have alot alot alot of running to do!

Hope for a good turn out, things will be for the positive...

Gage is doing well, a-little flaired but better. Paige is eating me out of house and home, growing like a weed! SO adorable. I love my babies.

We had an awesome first swimming pool trip.

Hope to see you friday.
Courtney, Gage and Paige

Whats new #2

Well this has been a bad week, Gage is having problems bad with allergy and skin, and I am no longer able to feed my daughter (her father wont let me during her visitation and I don't get anything when I pump). Paige is beautiful, i am worried about her nursing but other than that she's doing awesome...Happy baby. I am on a waiting period with unemployment (that I didn't know exsisted) and so now...my phone will be shut off and maybe my utilities...and just when I thought I would be able to start to afford a car. Gage's dance recital is this weekend...he's doing so awesome and while he loves it I am so glad its about over...it wiped out my small savings account. I am glad that he had the opportunity tho.
Ive been pulling my hair out working on the benefit...mainly because he's bad enough that he has to go back and while people have asked many times why we are going back and forth to mayo when we are trying to save for colorado...its mainly because we all suffer when he isnt ok but mainly him...he needs the current treatment. We desperately need donations for the auction...if you know anyone that can help...please send them my way! its the two week countdown...im worried and praying.

In the mean time, I have marked things for a garage sale, called another photographer to try to sell some of my equipment, been making bows for crafts shows. and praying for miracles.

Going Home.

Well we are sitting here with a little boy that is CRYING...sad because he wants to leave the hospital...but doesn't get to do the things that he looked so forward to...I promised him last week that he would be able to see grampa and go to the aquarium...but now...since its thursday we don't get to because Brandon is not accepting of our family life and I signed a terrible agreement with him that hurts my kids, basically gives us no family time...and yes its my fault I trusted him I believed him when he said sign the agreement I love you we arent going to be apart...but then it was only a matter of days before he left and tore my kids apart. I care very much about this family, and my kids are the ones that are suffering. Paige needs to be with her mother and father...but instead she'd torn between and torn away from Gage.
I am just angry...i want gage healed always, but thats a prayer that has to be prayed forever...and i am mad that my kids dont get to have a normal life because we are interupted and have no time together...Yes I am the bad person for wanting better for them. I am hoping that Brandon is happy with what he's done to my son and daughter...but especially to my son...i hope that someday he relizes the pain he has inflicted on him, the way he let him down, and I really pray that someday someone pays him back for being so incensitive and hurtful. I also pray all the time that Paige doesn't feel like I know she will, the same way I felt when my dad left and tore our family apart.

As for my son and daughter, we will contintue to try to have normal life, keep gage healed, and hopefully move on with our lives as fast as possible...WE DESERVE so much better.

I am hoping that on the way home we will be able to get to see Aunt amy on the way home since Gage doesn't get to see Grampa or the aquarium.

May is the start of a new month and though we have had a TERRIBLE weekend...baby daddy stuff, sadness, and a broken tv that I still have 10 payments left on...oh ya and a broken wii remote....I am PRAYING for a better week. Gage has some odd looking spots on him, so I am sure he is infected. I just can't wait to hear the doctors...he is looking forward to playing with Mike the nurse helper...so I am praying he still works there! lol. I am going to CLEAN like a crazy person today...and go get my oil changed... and have my car checked out. I need to be ready because since Paige has to be at her dad's house until 9 pm we are leaving and driving as far as we can...then sleeping hopefully in waterloo and driving the rest of the way...if I would have had my way we'd be leaving now and be safe...but it isn't worth fighting with Brandon...I cant take him yelling at me anymore. I was amazed today...he constantly rode Gage's butt and made him feel like a terrible unwanted kid...but the neighbor boy that has ADD is his buddy and stayed at his house last night....what really pissed me off is Mason who by the way isn't related to my daughter is allowed to talk to her get in her face and what ever...but when Brandon was here...if Gage tried to play with Paige or anything Brandon would yell at him DONT TOUCH HER...you dont need to be in her face... UNREAL. I don't get him...but I am sorry Gage is has a hell of a lot more right to play with his sister than some neighbor kid.

So I am definetly ready to take the kids, get gage healed, go see the fishies, and my step mom...I would say my dad but I am really angry with him so I don't care if I see him at all. When I get home...it is prepare for GARAGE SALE time! lol I am going to downsize, and hopefully get a chunk of money to put away for a new car...and if I am really really lucky maybe just maybe I will get the second job I interviewed for this week...I have to get more money coming in somehow.

In the mean time... I am thanking CASSIE and COLEEN and my real friends for pushing this benefit for Gage...I am praying for good turnout. We have a few auction items...it's going to be small people have been hit up too much lately...but hopefully it's going to be helpfull...
I have a goal of 15,000 between the benefit, garage sales, and work...we will probably have to push back our trip to denver to have more time to save but we are officially 0.003469 % towards our goal! LOL

HOPE ALL IS WELL!
Courtney, Gage, and Baby Paige

stressed out!

Ok, so I fell at work, can't work for a few days. Real great considering I just recieved a letter stating that we no longer get the rent assistance that we were getting, a wopping $50 but hey that was groceries. so now, we won't have the money for rent or food...wonderful huh. I HATE the way the government is set up. I HATE OTTUMWA HOUSING ATHORITY... I HATE unemployment.
I need to face facts..Gage is looking really bad today. We are never going to get him help, never ever going to have a house and a yard and a garage like we want, It is going to be FOREVER before we get a car that is good enough to get to the hospital. I GIVE UP. I'm not getting gage's full ssi, not getting my full childsupport, and now I have a huge er bill to pay. I don't make much money and only get partial unemployment but hey guess what...that means I don't deserve help. I do'nt know what to say...I can't think of one positive...I have two children that because of a screwed up government I can't get anything for. What a waste of a nice day.

FAAN night at the ballpark.

Well, we had a blast at the ball park and man are we exhausted! We left before the game was over and still didn't get home til midnight! But it was great to Finally meet the Taylor's after all the time that we have connected online. I am now even more dedicated to getting Gage healed as I watched how much fun he had last night and pray to find the support we need along the way.

Gage's Video

Ok Laurie, I took your lead. I am giving this to a few groups to show what is going on with Gage...improve awareness. I hope it gets the word out!

ideas ideas ideas

Ok. so if you wanna help with the benefit I may need it! Well I recieved an email and we can use the high school cafeteria...yeah! It's really big and really nice. I am going to start calling about food today. i really don't know where to start or who to contact but here we go! The doctors nurse that was extremely rude to me said she mailed his papers for the hospital to me, haven't got them yet so hopefully they are taken care of. and Elaine, the congressmans' assistant is checking into the insurance thing. and Brandon is up in arms...about going or me taking the kids and him not seeing paige that long...I just want him to go and help me, support us, and learn that this stuff is serious...i really think he is like most of the rest of the world that thinks allergies are just something, nothing serious. Laurie, made a slide that said it takes a whole village to raise a child with allergies... I SO agree! I love when people keep saying to me that they can't believe that it is so hard or they just don't know how you do it...i do what Ihave to...it isn't easy and I don't always or maybe ever do anything right. But I know in my heart that if I just keep plugging along, eventually Gage will get better, we will have the things we want and need, a house good car, and maybe someday my kids will have all the advantages that I pray for for them. But I won't live like this forever...it will get better...this benefit is a start..a step in the right direction for Gage. I know that National Jewish can help him, I have prayed and prayed for it.

if you have any ideas...let me know!

Hoppy Easter!

Well we made it thru easter...the bunny almost didn't make it...procrastinator! lol. I had to work so Brandon kept the kids at home...good thing because Gage is majorly flaired and we all have terrible soar throats and coughs. I am meeting with the superintendant assistant tomorrow about getting gage in to another school...i relaly would like it if he liked school again. I think Eisenhower will work alot better with us. I hope at least I have friends with kids there and if I get in a bind he can go to a friends. Brandon and I are starting to get better...i am really happy about that. BIG stress relief.

So NEWS of the century! Congressman Lobesac's assistant that represents Ottumwa came to my house on Friday to discuss Gage's case. She's going to see if there is anyway that the insurance can cover it and if not...why. Not just a oh sorry he has to suffer thing. Time will tell. in the mean time I am still going to raise as much as possible and if we by miracle get help...I will atleast be able to get whatever supplies he needs....

well i suppose I will add more later..ttys

thursday huh? thank god tomorrow is friday!

well gage's skin looks TERRIBLE. I wrapped him tonight as well as his neck...he was mad and doesn't like having his neck wrapped says it chokes him. My house is a mess! and i am exhausted. I worked tonight and my feet are killing me. Paige still has a fever and is sick with a terrible cough, Gage is sick too. buy they still cuddled and fell asleep together tonight...it was soooo adorable...gage said he needed someone to cuddle and paige just climbed right up on his lap.

I really wanted to go up and see our friends tomorrow to get away but nope...sick kids put a dent in that. but thats ok...i don't have any money anyway... I am going to really really try tomorrow to get some things going as far as a fundraiser...somehow. I just need things to get better for us. I am also going to look for a different house for us and a decent running car.

well hope all is well.
ttys Courtney and kids

unbelievable!

Ok....so as i am praying for a miracle, i am now praying for the strength to deal with the ottumwa school district and believe me i have a few choice words for them. I am sorry I am not making excuses... but I have a little boy that is up half the night from itching and sweating that wears rolls of wet gauze to bed everynight...can you imagine sleeping wet? I would hate it and know that I don't have the strength to stand it. The boy is laughed and poked fun at, thinks that he isn't normal and god hates him...and to top it off is worried that I will have to go to jail! NO JOKE!

I receieved a call last week that the school wants me to meet with the truancy officer about Gage missing school...well ok fine. I will go listen to the crap they tell everyone even tho i know that he isn't late or misses because we are lazy or out having fun...but because he is itchy, bleeding, sick, in the hospital whatever. I am SO PISSED. lol then i get letter when I get home from work today stating that we are being reviewed by the county attorney and I could face jail time and fines...can you believe that! I mean COME ON they have doc notes and the docs are sick of writing notes..the mayo doctors think that this is rediculous and they shouldn't have to to write a note for every illness or absence due to his illness...they say obviously they know whats going on with him. i AGREE...this is rediculous...please make things harder on my family aren't things rough enough....i am looking into different schools...don't know how that will work but gotta do something I don't deserve to be harrassed and it isn't like they keep him safe there anyway.

so god never gives you more than you can handle...oh my that is NOT TRUE... i am sooooo angry.

The Taylors post about the Game.

Gage and I will be attending. Maybe some of our friends will too.


Food Allergy Awareness night at the ball park! Please join the Taylor family at the Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Clinton Lumber Kings on :

Tuesday April 21st
Gates Open at 5:30 PM
Admission is $6.50 until 4-20-09 Price at the gate $9.00


The Taylor family will be manning the FAAN table again this year. Stop by say hi! Get some info and learn more about food allergies. And for goodness sake ENJOY THE GAME!

- No products containing peanuts/tree nuts will be served at the concession stands
- The stadium will be cleaned of any remnants of nut residue before the game
- Alternative snacks will be served in the stands during the game

To purchase tickets call the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560 or in person the Ticket Office hours are: 10 am to 5 pm M-F, 10 am to 2 pm Sat. The ticket office opens March 16th.

A special thank you to the entire Kernels organization for continuing to support this great event. Last year we had so many parents come up to us and say this is the only professional baseball game they have ever been able to go to as a family. Please support this worth while event so the Kernels continue to allow us this family activity every year! We are hoping for a sell out this year, help us achieve that goal!

Whats new #1

Ok so here is the actual first post of what going on!

Paige...oh my she is totally growing too fast! We are getting our first tooth...slobering and fever ewww! poor baby. She's pulling up on everything...and i know she'll be walking soon!

Gage... still doesn't like school. I promised him next year we'd try a different one. I made a mayo appt for in two weeks so hopefully i can save up some money to go...my mom will have to take us because our car won't make it up there and back. The doctors want him up there now...but we can't. Gage's skin is really not good...but he is absolutely obsessed with scratching I can't keep him from doing it. As for the asthma, we are having attacks at night...running out of inhalers and last night we had to get him a neb treatment in the middle of the night because he was coughing and gasping for air.....sometimes i don't know if he is faking it or if its real but its extremely scary as a parent not knowing if he's just saying it or if its real. but i know we are using the inhaler way way way too much...not good for his lungs.
As for National Jewish, we still can't get it passed through insurance...i don't understand why they just don't do the single case agreement and get him help... I pray all the time...even if they'd cover the 15000 we need and then I make payments on the rest...or what happens if we go and the bill isn't the 25000 they said and its more like 60000...then what...plus food, travel, and lodging, missed work... I pray so hard for help...I just don't think its going to happen. I AM going to start a fundraiser tho...somehow! I have a few people that say they will help.

as for the parents...i am not sure if brandon and I are going to be together or if we are done but I am worried that if we split up Paige and Gage will suffer.
I am waitressing...and praying to get on my feet enough that I can build up a savings for a house and a decent car. i guess time will tell. I wish extreme home makeover would come help us build a house for gage...not the ones like on tv a simple cheap 4 bedroom with 2 bathrooms and a big yard or country...thats a great dream for my kids...lol well i WILL have that someday...just not with that kind of help! Hope all is well...i will probably be posting some things today. ttys.

First post!

Ok, we will see if we can figure this out. I am starting this blog to keep everyone up to date on our daily drama! no really just kidding but to update all on what is new and what is going on with us. I will start tomorrow by making a post about Gage and one about Paige. Ttys!