The Perks of Paying Attention at Open Enrollment

Sometimes, I wish there were a manual for being a grown-up. It would work like this: each year on your birthday, a letter would show up detailing all of the things you will need to take care of that year (taxes, auto renewals, insurance). It would give you specific instructions on how to accomplish everything on the list without running into any snags.

I guess if that were the case, we wouldn't have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes? And that's something I know all about!

The year that we were expecting Addie, our health insurance situation changed four times. Before that, I had no understanding of our health benefits or options, because we had always just made a quick choice and selected the plan that seemed the best. Once we were hit with so many changes in such a short time - while incurring medical bills since I was pregnant - I learned that it was important to actually put some time into figuring out which opens were best for us.

Was it a walk in the park making a health insurance coverage decision while being full-term in my pregnancy and also chasing a toddler around all day? Not necessarily - but it was worth it.

Our little family - right around the time of open enrollment in 2012!

We haven't had an insurance change in almost two years now, but I try to review our options before open enrollment comes around each year, to ensure that we are still making the best choice.

When we chose our health insurance plan through Andrew's employer, we were also given the opportunity to purchase dental insurance for our family. At first, I scoffed at getting a family dental plan - because our kids were so young, would they really need the coverage? I spent some time researching the options and found that it was not a great cost to have the additional benefit added. It turned out to be a very good thing that I had read it thoroughly, because we ended up absolutely needing that coverage for Addie's teeth earlier this year.

This baby gave me no indication that just over a year later, she would need oral surgery.

For close to six decades, Aflac has been committed to providing insurance policies that give policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. Worrying about insurance coverage should not be something to add on to a medical emergency - or even a routine procedure!

Aflac conducted an Open Enrollment survey this year and found that 41 percent of employees spent fifteen minutes or less researching their benefit options during the 2013 open enrollment season. I'm sure we can all think of another big purchase that we would never dedicate as little decision-making time to - like a car, a computer, or even a vacation. Most workers also have no idea what is covered by their insurance plan - I have been guilty of that multiple times. You can read more about the open enrollment survey in this year's Aflac WorkForces Report.

We've made a family decision to be on top of our insurance this year and have already started talking about our options - with open enrollment just around the corner, it's definitely not too early to start a discussion and review what your policy covers! When you're reviewing health insurance options, make sure that you take the time to look up things you don't understand - I was so confused when I first tried to wrap my head around deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, coinsurance, and other similar terms. It took me awhile, but I think I understand it now - and that makes for far less stress!

Have you ever made a poor choice at open enrollment that you regretted throughout the year? Take the time to be prepared this year - and you can consider this note from me your "grown-up manual" entry of the day.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Currently // October 6, 2014

Happy Monday, friends! I'm trying to have an intentional/productive day over here, but I woke up to a child jumping on my face and then headbutting me...so I didn't get off to the best start. I'd probably feel a little more motivated if the cold/cough/ick I've had for three straight weeks now would just clear up and die, too.

However, I'm also trying to minimize whining and complaining because they are not exactly preferred or attractive tendencies in anyone - so let's get on with the day, shall we?

 Thinking //

...that I need a much better daily routine. Or, a routine at all. I just don't know how to establish this when my kids are up five times a night. Being exhausted all the time does not bode well for productivity, and just the thought of getting up even earlier makes my head hurt.

...that I'd love to be a vendor at a craft show, but I can barely get my Etsy shop stocked with new items more often than a few times a year. Putting together enough stuff for a show sounds like crazy talk.

...that I need to purge some STUFF. My.house.is.a.mess. And by mess I mean complete-and-utter-ridiculous-disaster-of-things-piled-everywhere. I'm past the point of "I can't deal with it anymore" to "I don't want to deal with it anymore," which means now I might actually do something about it. Great logic, right?

Listening //


...to Lincoln eating crunchy cereal while watching the new Octonauts movie I found at the library. Yep - my kids watch TV so I can blog. Addie is still asleep, after having been up several times in the night.

...to the beautiful sound of my dryer running in the basement. It's fixed after about three weeks of downtime. Hallelujah! And it only cost $32 for a part, vs. buying an entire new dryer.

Doing //

...a LOT of blog work today, I hope. I have a full week of posts lined up, plus need to do some prep for kid craft ideas floating around in my head, and start working on my Holiday Gift Guide (email  me if you want to be featured - directorjewelsATgmailDOTcom).

...preschool this week, after an unexpected couple of weeks off. Between living at my parents' house for three days due to curb reconstruction and all of us being sick and the mega piles of laundry in every crevice, I have not been motivated to make school happen. Going to get back on track this week.

...massive housework and organization. Somewhere in my head, I'm believing that it has to look worse before it can look better, but this is what a good room in my house looks like right now:

Thankful for //

...my now-working dryer and husband who spent all of his free time for the last week dealing with it. The poor contraption is going to run literally all day today.

...crisp, fall air and thunderstorms. I'm way beyond tired of heat and mugginess.

What's up with you? What are your goals for the week? Linking up at Hannah's Joyful Life.

40/52

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

 

Lincoln - modeling might not be his strong suit.

Addie -"I find a weaf, mommy!"

 

Linking up at Practising Simplicity. 

Things He Says {October 2014}

 

Earlier this year, I wrote a post about Lincoln's language explosion and all of the cute things he had started to say. Once he figured out that talking was a useful communication tool, he took off at lightning speed. He talks literally nonstop these days, and while not everything he says is a specific hilarious Lincoln-ism, I still wanted to write down some of these memories before they are lost.

You don't realize that it's the last time when your kid mispronounces a word one day and says it fine the next. You don't know how much you'll miss the intonation of a little voice calling to you from two rooms away to share the latest everyday observation. Make the little moments count. Write down the cute things they say - even if they annoy you. Because one day, you'll wish more than anything to hear them again.

So, after that emotional discourse - here are my favorite Lincoln sayings right now.

"I willn't!" This word - willn't - means won't. Andrew tried to teach him the right word a couple weeks ago and I begged him to stop, because willn't is my favorite right now. I even find myself saying it sometimes. Ha.

"I need three, cuz I'm three!" This has lately applied to anything that we do. We have to read three books at a time, or do three errands at a time, or have three snacks at a time. Because, he's three!

"Follow me!" and "I will lead the way!" He loves being the first one to go somewhere. He is displeased when I don't let him lead the way when we're pushing a grocery cart or walking through a parking lot, however.

"All day morning." This means "all day long," and it's another favorite phrase that he uses frequently right now. Example: I just wanted to watch movies all day morning! 

"Where's Peso?" He's crazy about the Octonauts right now and has dubbed himself Captain Barnacles. Addie is Peso. They refer to each other by these names constantly and it's pretty much hilarious.

"Dashi, take a picture with your camera." Who's Dashi? Oh, that's me - it's MY Octonaut alternate identity. Andrew is Shellington. My parents are Kwazii and Inkling. He also plays with Tweak - but I think she's an imaginary friend. He's always looking for a carrot for her to eat.

"How come?" He still doesn't know the word "why" - but this is a close second. It is asked about every single decision or statement or instruction that is made in the course of a day. Over and over and over. I know someday I'll miss it, so I try not to become extremely frustrated.

"Hey, a little bit help here!" I hear this all the time. If he gets himself stuck in a puzzle or a game or while trying to put on his own clothing or while going potty, he chirps "a little bit help here!" It's really pretty adorable.

"In the beginning...God ma-crated....the heavens and the earth! Genesis 1:1!" This is his memory verse from our first week of preschool. He can say it all by himself with no prompting!

"Where we goin' today?" If I happen to get dressed - or if I get the kids dressed early in the day, this is the question I get immediately.

"I no like it." Typical toddler answer to almost everything. The other day, he told me "I no like delicans" - skeletons. I can't remember why we were talking about skeletons! 

"I not need any broccoli!" Eating veggies is a pretty big battle, but we are making some progress. Slow progress, but I'll take it. Right now he eats maybe 3-7 tiny pieces of whatever vegetable we are eating - if it can be washed down with a big gulp of water.

"Let me help!" All day, every day, I hear this. He wants to be involved in everything.

I know there are so many other things he says that I don't want to forget - but even when I hear them from day to day, it's easy for them to slip from my mind. What cute things does your preschooler say? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Kansas City's Coterie Theatre Presents Rosa Parks & The Montgomery Bus Boycott - Now through October 19

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

I love it when I get to write about The Coterie, because it's been one of my favorite places in Kansas City since I was a little girl! I was able to attend the opening night performance of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott last weekend, and I'm so excited to tell you all about it.

Left to right: Ron Lackey (as E.D. Nixon), Antonia Washington (as Rosa Parks), and
Frank Oakley III (as Martin Luther King, Jr.) in Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

This historical play, written by Sue Greenberg and directed by Brad Shaw, is the opening production for the Coterie's 2014/2015 season. It is a drama that combines the story of Rosa Parks with music from the time period - the mixture of the two really give this show a perfect pace.

If you paid attention in history class at all, it's likely that you have heard of Rosa Parks. However, you probably only know one thing about her: she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Her story was far from over after that day, yet history books tend to move right on past her - because, after all, there are a lot of stories to be told.

I found it captivating to take a peek into the world of Rosa Parks after her life-changing decision. I didn't realize (or remember) that she was forty-two years old at the time. I didn't know she went to jail. I was unaware that Martin Luther King, Jr., was a young pastor who had recently moved to Montgomery, Alabama or that he was involved in the bus boycott that followed the actions of Rosa Parks. For me, this play was very eye-opening and I honestly wish my children were old enough to appreciate it - I know that I will remember these details from the past much better having seen the story come to life before my eyes.

Antonia Washington (as Rosa Parks) in Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

The talented cast showcased the characters for us in a way that made them seem truly real. From the official press release:

Along with Rosa Parks (vividly portrayed by Antonia Washington), the play also features Martin Luther King, Jr. (Frank Oakley III) as a young 24 year-old minister initially reluctant to embrace his own dynamic leadership; E.D. Nixon (Ron Lackey), the pullman car porter whose activism helped inspire Parks, King, and others; Mrs. Virginia Durr (Cindy K. Siefers), a good friend of Rosa Parks who proved the movement had supporters in the white community. Also essential to the true story are Rosa’s grandmother (Sherri Roulette-Mosley), Coretta Scott King (Shon Ruffin), and the Bus Driver (Michael Ott).

Rosa's story is one of courage, yes - but in this capacity, we are able to see many deeper motivations for why she chose not to give up her seat. The ensemble cast seamlessly rounds out the show, featuring many small characters who were important to Rosa and the bus boycott along the way. I especially enjoyed Antonia Washington's performance, but the full cast put on an excellent show.

Left to right: Antonia Washington (as Rosa Parks), Cindy K. Siefers (as a Bus Passenger), and
Michael Ott (as the Bus Driver) in Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

We were treated to a post-performance musical event from the Kansas City Boys Choir and the Kansas CIty Girls Choir - they debuted an original song written by a 17-year-old high school graduate and regaled us with a few other tunes. The two choir groups will return for select weekend performances, but if you can't attend on a weekend, don't worry! Each performance is followed by a post-performance event. Most performances will feature an interactive forum, which will delve into themes address in the play (community leadership, strategic thinking, etc).

I hope that many of our area schools - and homeschooling moms - take advantage of this stellar production at the Coterie. The chance to see history portrayed right in front of you does not come along in this fashion often - this one is definitely not something to miss.

Left to right: Ron Lackey (E.D. Nixon), Shon Ruffin (as Coretta Scott King), and
Frank Oakley III (as Martin Luther King, Jr.) in Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott plays now through October 19 at the Coterie. Tickets are available online.

Thanks to the Coterie Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.