Where are the loop holes?

Life has been interesting the last month or so. As many of you know, I work at R.E.I. We just had our annual Anniversary Sale. I was in charge of it for our store. So between prepping for training new hires for R.E.I.'s new store in Tucson (which is doing incredible) at the beginning of May, working on Anniversary Sale, all of Laura's accomplishments, Laura's Parent Child Commitment at Second Baptist, Mother's day (a huge success according to Tara, thank God), and at least one hundred other appointments that I cannot remember at this point, it is easy to say I am glad May is over. The words worn out do not even begin to describe how Tara and I are feeling.

For the record, Laura gave Tara a photo album that had twelve photo's in it of Tara and Laura. One from each month of Laura's young life. Laura has promised to update the album every year with twelve more photo's. Laura also gave her grandmothers a framed picture of her and her hand prints. Laura really enjoyed making these, as she got to get paint on everything. Each of her grandmothers teared up. Laura has great ideas for gifts. I wish Tara and I were that creative.

June and July look to be much more simple months right now. In June we have Laura's 1st birthday. I cannot believe she is turning a year old already. It seems like she was only born two days ago. It seems like her heart surgery was yesterday. Now she is just about ready to start crawling and walking. She is starting to get interested in feeding herself. She has been swimming for the first time, and looked like she loved it (there is a video of it on my facebook page). We all had fun with her swimming. We cannot wait for her birthday so we can get in the pool again.

We also have Father's Day in June. It will be hard for Tara to top last year's Father's Day. You see Laura was born before Father's day but after Mother's day. A fact that I choose inappropriate times to remind Tara. And if I happen to point out that it means that Laura loves me more, well so much the better. I am just looking forward to spending some time with my girls. Tara knows this, and knows that is all I want. G.E.O. (Laura's Grandfather, do not ask him what it means, you are just going to inflate his ego) may have other plans, but Laura has an appropriate gift planned for him already. She even thinks ahead. Tara and I are glad she is blessed with skills we do not pocess.

At work, my promotion starts this month. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves, and getting elbows deep into my new responsibilities as the new Market Sales & Product Expert for Houston. For those who do not know, this means I am in charge of all trainings for R.E.I. in the greater Houston area. Mike, Brad and I have some big plans, and I cannot wait to get started on making them happen.

In July we are planning a day trip to San Antonio to visit some family. Mr. Green "I promise" to let you know the date. It will likely be a Sunday. In August, the Birthday carousel starts again. I think I am going to enjoy a relatively quiet June and July. I need it after the whirlwind that was May.

Now for a short gripe. How is it that people that make hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars a year can get their disabled kids on Medicaid and SSI, but people who actually need these programs get told they make to much money to qualify? I do not understand this. Unfortunately I cannot blame the current administration for this, as it has been going on for a lot longer than the last 10 to 20 years.

I bring this up because a friend of mine just got the word that he makes to much money to qualify for Medicaid and SSI. He has three boys. His two youngest are newborn twins (one of whom I believe is still in the hospital) with Down Syndrome. His wife is a stay at home mom. Yet, like Tara and I, he did not qualify. He makes to much money. I do not get it! Can someone please explain to me what we did wrong? Surgeons who make millions qualify, but those of us who struggle to make ends meat, make to much money. Does this make sense to anyone?

Where are the loop holes?