Thursday, August 30, 2012

Today has been another eventful day in the city. Before we moved from TN I was able to get Sam and Chloe into their regular doctor for their school exam and all of their records up to date and all CPS paperwork filled out. Because Emma's last physical was less than a year from when we would be moving I could not get her another check up. We got a paper from our school about some clinics that do physicals and that is what we had planned to do. Each time Jeremy and I had to go to these clinics we did not need an appointment, so I figured (even though deep down I had a bad feeling I needed an appointment) that we could do a walk-in visit. So, I went to the clinic this morning that the school recommended. It opened at 10 but I was already out so we got there about 9:45 and just waited outside. Went in at 10:00 and was told that I would need an appointment and there next one was September 12th. I know she needs to see a doctor before school starts on TUESDAY, so I head back toward our house because I saw a walk-in clinic. Went in there but they do not see children. They gave me a number to call that will see children. I called that place but since we do not have our insurance cards (also the clinics Jeremy and I went to they charge about $30 for a physical) the other clinic said I would not want to bring her to them without insurance. They gave me another number to call. Everyone I talked to was very nice and helpful, but I was starting to panic and I had three children fighting in the backseat and I was about to lose it! Jeremy got on the phone and he found a clinic that could see her at 1:00. They said they would fill out what they could and would write a note stating that Emma would be back in for any shots when our insurance card came in. So, the kids and I headed back to the apartment and I tried to get a few things done. At 12:20 we loaded up in the car again and headed to the clinic. I parked on the street but I noticed a sign that said "No parking August 25-29" and that cars would be towed. I went into this crazy looking clinic. There were signs printed on copy paper that only said the dr.'s name. I went downstairs to see if I could park where I parked. I was thinking today was the 29th and getting our rental car towed was the LAST thing I needed. The receptionist told me to pull around back into their parking lot. Okay, so I tell the kids to come on and she told me I could just leave them in the office. There was nobody else in this clinic. The lady was Muslim and I was concerned that the kids would not feel comfortable staying. As crazy as I was, I left them to move the car. I pulled around back and all there was was an alley and I did not see anywhere to park. I parked down the street and ran back to the clinic. It was about 150 degrees in the clinic and it was the strangest "doctor's office" I had ever been in. The lady was so nice and really helped me out. I actually thought she was the doctor because another girl came in how was the receptionist. The lady that was helping me was the nurse. She looks over Emma's immunization record and thankfully she is totally up to date because she got all the regular Kindergarten shots last year when she was almost 5. She checked Emma and filled out the paperwork. She did all this stuff and she then said, "Okay, brother and little sister need to stay here in this room and we will go see the doctor." We open this door and this Indian lady doctor is sitting at her desk and their is an exam table also in the room. She looked in Emma's mouth asked me a few questions and signed all the papers. She wrote a note stating that a TB and hemagloben(sp) test will be done in a few weeks. The nurse and Emma and I go in the hallway and she says, "Your children must look more like your husband, but they have taken many of your characteristic too. I know they are Asian, but I see you in them too. " Her mouth hit the floor when I told them they were adopted:) I did not realize that it is against their religion to adopt. So, I go to pay the fee and they do not accept a card or a check. She tells me that I can go next door and use the ATM. So I go into this Indian restaurant and let's just say I was out-of-place (oh, I also left the kids again!) The ATM is not working so I had to go to this crazy little shop on the other side of the clinic to use the ATM. It was quite an experience! I will say that every day this week the Lord has given me a boldness to speak with other people that I did not know I possessed. I had to go to the post office this morning and their was a dad and three kids in their who just moved from TX so his wife could attend Northwestern. We talked for a while and I could not believe the boldness in which I spoke about God's blessings.

In regards to God's blessings:) I would ask that you would bring this teacher strike situation to the Father. They filed yesterday to strike. They have 10 days to come up with an agreement. God is good and faithful and I know He is in control. He was not taken off guard by this news, but it has been a great burden on our hearts these past few days. It is a double whammy since we both are paid from CPS.

Well I better get going. I need to go pick up Jeremy. I have CPR training tonight between 6-8:30 and then the kids and I are headed back to my parent's house. We are heading to TN tomorrow for our annual family reunion.Unfortunately I will not be close to my Pleasant View friends for a visit.

The kids got a sucker from the clinic. Sam and Chloe had a blue tongue and Emma thought she also had one.