3 months ago, Heather and I were talking about how nice and
relaxing this summer was going to be.
She was eager to spend some 1 on 1 time with Gavin while I was looking
forward to having plenty of extra time to study. Heather and I knew that come August we would
most likely be moving to a different house, but before then, it was going to be
a nice stress-free summer. Little did we
know, the universe was chuckling to himself saying, “I don’t think so!” At the
end of May, I decided to apply for an internship with the Environmental
Protection Agency. I didn’t really think that I would get it, but I applied
just to see if I would get a call back.
2 weeks later, I get a call from Ada, Oklahoma. It is the EPA’s water research lab, and they
want me to start July 2. Caught
completely off guard, Heather and I decided that this was too good of an
opportunity to pass up, so I made plans to move to Ada, OK for 7 weeks. I will be putting in 40 hours a week and then
coming home to spend a few hours a night on my classes, so much for having
plenty of time to study.
Meanwhile, Heather was having a rematch with the devil
himself, more commonly known as Blue Cross Blue Shield for several weeks. The week before I was to head to OK, it was
clear that BCBS was going to win this round.
They were no longer going to pay for Ethan’s ABA service at Behavior
Exchange. Behavior Exchange is our thrid
ABA center, and they are the only ones we have liked. Losing them was pretty
devastating to the family. On Ethan’s
last day, there were many tears shed. Not just by us, but by some of Ethan’s
teachers as well including our beloved Ms. Amanda who hugged and kissed Ethan
lots of times. Not only did they touch Ethan’s life, it was clear that Ethan
had also touched theirs. Heather and I
were very distraught over the loss of such a promising center for Ethan. We
racked our brains and tried to figure a way to get back. After several days, we
had given up. We were defeated. Heather
made an appointment with the only in-network ABA center. It was about an hour away from our house, so
this meant we would have to move to be closer.
While we were planning on moving, we definitely were not planning on
moving to this area, nor did we want to.
We toured the facility. We were not very happy with it, but what choice
did we have? We started proceedings to enroll Ethan into this new center.
This was about the time I had to ship off to Ada, OK. I was excited about the opportunity, but also
worried about the family. Without ABA,
Heather had both boys all day long all by herself. Luckily, Grandma Marcie came down after a week
or so, and Grandpa Mark and Grandma Ginger also came down to help out with the
boys. While it was a stressful time,
Heather and the boys had tons of fun with the grandparents. So much fun and so many gifts, I am not sure
they are going to want me back. Ethan
has even learned how to swim this summer.
It makes me so happy to see him shine.
Ethan led by example, and helped Gavin get over his fears and swim by
himself too. Without his big brother’s push, I don’t think Gavin would have
ever taken off his life vest. Now, he is swimming just as good as Ethan. Way to go big brother!
While maintaining a glimmer of hope for a return to Behavior
Exchange, Heather continues the process of enrolling Ethan into the new
center. However, Heather just doesn’t
feel right about it. A week before Ethan
was scheduled to start, Heather and I just do not think it is the right
fit. But again, what choice do we
have. Not taking no for an answer,
Heather began to investigate other options and other opportunities. After shedding lots of tears and pulling a
few strands of hair out, she did it. She
found a way, a private insurance company that has worked well with Behavior
Exchange in the past. It would cost us a
bit more, but we should be able to return to Behavior Exchange. Due to the additional expense of the new
insurance plan, we decided it be best if we did not move this year. The new insurance plan has taken into effect
as of today. Theoretically, everything
is on a path back to Behavior Exchange.
We are hoping to return in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, back in Ada, classes ended last week for me, so I
am pretty much trying to take advantage of the downtime. I am renting a dorm room for the summer at a
local college. However, I received a call from the college this evening, and
now they are kicking me out. Apparently, they have some painting and fumigating
to do, so I have to move out by the end of the week. I am not scheduled to go back home for
another 2 and a half weeks. On one hand, I am stoked to go back home. On the
other, I was still holding out hope that I may actually learn something at the
EPA, so I am kind of bummed too. Either way, Dad’s coming home in 3 days.
Gavin has had a pretty good summer. Although it’s not been
with Mom, he has gotten lots of one on one time with the grandparents. He’s
accumulated a years worth of new toys in just a few weeks including this way
cool pirate ship from Grandpa Mark. He
really enjoys going to the library. He completed the library’s summer reading
challenge and received lots of cool stuff including free ice cream and a free
pool pass. He liked the reading list so much that Heather made him a new
one. Once he “reads” another 20 books,
he gets to download a new Harry Potter game for the iPad. As of last night, he completed his second
reedling list of the summer and I am certain he is at home enjoying his game
right now.
It has been a very tumultuous summer with many ups and
downs. As it is winding down, life
appears to be returning to somewhat normal.
Ethan should be starting school soon with Heather soon to follow. I will be home in a few short days, and Gavin
will no longer be the self-proclaimed, “King of the House”.
We began with an idea of a revitalizing summer. A time to
recover from a tough year, but the universe decided to throw us another curve
ball, then, another and then one more for good measure. At first, we were knocked down, but we stuck
together and made it through. Not only
did we make it through, but we may be even stronger as a result. This fall promises more challenges. Heather
will begin another school year. I will need to find a new job, as I was forced
to quit my part time gig a Costco to take the EPA internship. Ethan will be
continuing his medical treatments, and Gavin may decide to turn into a teenager
this year. However, if we made it
through this summer, I think we’ll be alright.
