more updates

boring, I know.

Well, I don't get the new pump, but I will get a new-to-me pump. A friend over at teachingmom.com whose hubby was type 1 diabetic, recently had kidney and pancreas transplants. When she heard I was not getting my new pump thru insurance, she and her hubby graciously offered me his. I'm so excited for it! I can't thank them enough! It's due to arrive any time now.

Lane has been hired in a temporary job at Spartan Chassis in Charlotte-- they make the chassis for lots of large vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, military vehicles, and motorhomes. He's liking it pretty well, but feels that it doesn't compare to the organization and experience of working at GM.

Grace is scheduled for tonsils/adenoids to be removed March 20 unless there is a cancellation within the next week. She'd need two weeks full recovery before we did what I'm leading into now:

March 1, we are leaving on our trip to Montana! (as I type this, I'm really hoping Jack & Ellisteen don't read my blog.... it's supposed to be a surprise for them..) It's the Smith's 50th wedding anniversary, and we're going for the party and to visit for a few days. Lane's sis Lisa will be throwing a birthday party for Mercy as well, since it is the 4th.

In order to do this, we have to use a good chunk of our tax return to buy a newer vehicle. We've been milking our car for the last 6-8 months and it's just plain dying. I hope we can get rid of it-- that's the only part that scares me about buying our next vehicle thru a private owner rather than dealer. I know it's best to buy from someone who's been driving the car, so they can be helpful about needed repairs and such. But then we've got the whole mess of selling our car, keeping both licensed and insured, etc etc. Not to mention that with our budget, we'd likely get lots less car for our money at a dealer.

We're actually leaning toward minivans, hopefully a Chevy Venture or Pontiac Montana. Yep, Lane's still loyal to the GM products.

Also coming up right after we return from our MT trip, is our annual Ladies' Advance for MI/OH/IN surrounding areas. We'll also have attendees from PA and MD, and sometimes even have ladies come in from MT and OR. This is always a TON of fun, lots of fellowship, great messages, and uplifting music. I'm working on two songs for the young ladies to perform, "Thy Word," by Amy Grant, and "Enough" as performed by BarlowGirl (originally by Chris Tomlin). I'll also be singing "East to West" by Casting Crowns as my great friend and sister in Christ, Angela will be signing--- we did another Casting Crowns song last year together that was a big hit. Somehow seeing sign language put to a song is so visually emotional that many ladies cry even if the song would have otherwise not affected them. It's so beautiful to watch Angela too, almost like a dance! I'm also working on a hymn to sing with my mom and aunt, and maybe one more, called "Here's My Life," also by BarlowGirl.

I've collected so many BarlowGirl tracks that I think I ought to have a BarlowGirl sing-along during one of the breaks. Ha!

Anywho, that's about all for now. Gotta try getting a nap, though the snow might prevent evening travel to the assembly of the saints.