Update on DD21 & Such...

**suebeehoney** · 12-14-2009, 09:10 PM

Hi all!

It's been a little bit since I posted on this subject, thought I'd bring the "inquiring minds" up to date.

Quick background, for those who don't know: DD21 is pregnant, alone, and moved back in with me in November. She is unemployed, does not drive (no license, never learned) and we live out in the boonies, 20 miles from the nearest larger town where there would be job opportunities. DS18 also lives with me, and DS11 lives in another state with his dad.

Fast forward to today...and here's what we've accomplished so far, and the wonderful blessings we've received...

DD21 has so far:

-applied for food stamps and medicaid for herself (checked the status today, could be another couple of weeks before we hear anything...things are slow moving, too many people applying, they say.)

-has an appointment on 12/21 to get signed up for WIC - they wouldn't even let her fill out paperwork until then.

-has her first prenatal appt. on 12/23, and hopefully, we'll find out what the baby is at that time as well, since she'll be far enough along by then to see it on an ultrasound.

-has attended her first appointment as well as her first class at the local pregnancy center. Classes attended earn her "baby bucks", which she can use in their baby store to buy good used (and some new) baby and maternity items. Classes cover everything from healthy pregnancy to parenting topics.

-has attended orientation at our local MichiganWorks office to get started on the CNA classes. She is missing one vital piece of info - her birth certificate. She lost it after I sent it to her when she was living in another state.

Sooo...we've re-applied for that already.

-is signed up for a couple of babysitting websites, so that perhaps she can at least earn SOMETHING until baby is born.

And now for the blessings....

-I was able to get a small loan through my employer, which allowed me to get caught up on our rent (which is now current through this month), start work on the needed vehicle repairs, and pay back some debts that were causing me to lose sleep at night. I was also able to fill our freezer to overflowing with meat by purchasing a meat bundle from our local butcher. The payments will be taken out of my paycheck each week, and are extremely low.

-I was able to get help from a local agency with 50% of the utility bill, and paid the rest off with part of the loan.

-One of my co-workers is married to the manager of a large apartment complex, and when she learned that DD21 was pregnant, she told us not to buy ANY baby furniture or clothing until she showed me what she had. It seems a former tenant moved out and left behind a large amount of nearly brand new baby gear, because they were moving out of the country and couldn't take it with them.

-And I definitely can't forget to say thank you to a very special FV'er who sent us a few maternity clothes for DD21 to use.

All in all, things are coming together nicely. It will still take time for it all to work out, but it's well on the way! Thank you all so much for your support, suggestions and well-wishes!

**NikoSan999** · 12-14-2009, 09:14 PM

I am so glad it is going so well. Sounds like you all have a grip on everything. Also sounds like you've been busy. Keep us posted. Any chance of the drivers license? That would be a big help for when she finishes the CNA classes. Hugs coming long distance.

**suebeehoney** · 12-14-2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks Niko!

We're looking at getting the driver's license, yes - but the problem with that is it's kind of a catch-22 situation. If she starts driving, she has to go on my insurance, which will hike my premiums up. DS18 is also wanting to start driving, so having TWO youthful drivers on my insurance and having to foot the bill myself is not something I'm able to tackle right now.

So it's either get them both licensed and put them on the insurance, pay the premiums myself, or ferry them around for a bit until they can both get jobs and help pay the bill..and then get them licensed and put them on the insurance.

I have faith that it will work out, eventually - just need to get a few things in line first!

For now, DD21 is using the local bus system, which only comes out to our rural town a few times a day, but thus far, it's worked out ok for her. She is able to get to her appointments that way.

**Russ** · 12-14-2009, 09:25 PM

Thats great Sue. Glad things are going so well.

**AnW819** · 12-14-2009, 10:19 PM

So happy to hear from you, and you have many blessings going your way!! I am so happy for you

**NikoSan999** · 12-14-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by suebeehoney

Thanks Niko!

We're looking at getting the driver's license, yes - but the problem with that is it's kind of a catch-22 situation. If she starts driving, she has to go on my insurance, which will hike my premiums up. DS18 is also wanting to start driving, so having TWO youthful drivers on my insurance and having to foot the bill myself is not something I'm able to tackle right now.

So it's either get them both licensed and put them on the insurance, pay the premiums myself, or ferry them around for a bit until they can both get jobs and help pay the bill..and then get them licensed and put them on the insurance.

I have faith that it will work out, eventually - just need to get a few things in line first!

For now, DD21 is using the local bus system, which only comes out to our rural town a few times a day, but thus far, it's worked out ok for her. She is able to get to her appointments that way.

Oh yes, I forgot....the dreaded car insurance. Don't know how since we've got one just barely 18. Yep, that's a killer. Don't blame you. Here there is no bus. Nothing. It will work out somehow in the end. You're doing a fanatastic job of dealing with it. A mother's love deals with alot....and then some

**chevy_chick95** · 12-15-2009, 01:09 AM

great to hear! i'm glad things seem be coming together quite nicely! your DD is very lucky to have such a great mom. give yourself a huge pat on the back you've done a tremendous amount of stuff in a very short amount of time

**MaryCarney** · 12-15-2009, 07:15 AM

Great job on EVERYBODY's part!!!

**Lora88** · 12-15-2009, 07:19 AM

Beleive it or not it was cheaper to have ds 20 get his own insurance and not go on ours We live in Nj highest car insurance in the nation We saved money by buying him his own policy .

**Mummy2** · 12-15-2009, 07:31 AM

I was wondering how this was all working out, Im so glad its falling into place.

**ladytoysdream** · 12-15-2009, 07:37 AM

Glad things are working out for your family.
A thumbs up to your co worker about the furniture

When our kids ( 4 mine, 3 his= 6 boys, 1 girl ) reached driving age....each one got their own vehicle and their own insurance. We could not afford to put them on our insurance plan . They went out and got jobs. Everything worked out great.