Finally...

Finally, I got my hair cut!!! Yes!!! Two wonderful young ladies I know came over on Sunday night and cut my hair for me. (I love you guys!) It feels so good to have my hair cut. No more dead ends and it is so much lighter. I have tonnes of thick, thick hair and it is SO hot in the summer time. Bill & I will be going down to the States for the 4th of July and so I am really going to enjoy not having quite so much hair. Now, I just have to pick a new color and maybe some highlights...hmmmmm...

We tried to get a couple of extra days off, when going to the States, as we found out (not that long ago) that my step-sister is getting married a day or so ahead but our getting to her wedding is just not feesible. We will, however, be able to enjoy the fireworks, not once but twice. The church we attend when down there is having their own firework celebration on the 3rd with a carnival type deal and then there is July 4th itself. It will be a lot of fun; I can't wait! The church down there has an apartment we were able to book so we don't have to deal with a hotel or feel like we are imposing on someone by being billeted out to a house. We'll be taking all the kids with us in August but this is our anniversary present to each other...

Hmmm, our anniversary present is fireworks? Interesting. I think I'll stop blogging there for now...

Baby Update

I just thought I would give you all an update on our three fish babies...fries as they are called. They are doing so good; they are growing and are they ever cute. We bought some baby fish food called Small Fry and we have to feed them several times a day. Some would call it a pain in the butt and not really worth the time or the effort but I think it is. Hallie really enjoys helping me take care of "her" babies. She has named them ALL Strawberry Shortcake; I'm not sure if that's because they are all actually named that or if because they are still too small to really tell apart (if you can tell fish apart).

I am thinking there is still a mama fish in there. If she's not pregnant then we need to get some low fat fish food for her and put her on the fish version of the South Beach diet or Atkins or something. Maybe she's just big boned...I dunno. I really don't profess to know a lot about fish. I've had a few but really, I'm learning as I go.

I love watching them; they are very peaceful and relaxing, until you feed them and they go savage. I do, however, find them interesting to watch. Bill laughs at me when I sit at the tank and watch these fish but that's okay....I'm just attempting to relax. Nah, I just really enjoy watching them and their behaviors...they remind me a lot of people in their behavior. I wrote a poem about gold fish when I was in grade 12 about how they swim around sedate watching you watch them, swimming peacefully and then when you feed them they turn savage but once the food is gone they return to their original sedate little fishy selves, watching you watch them...
One guy who read my poem thought I was really writing about politics. I was just a warped teenager writing a poem that honestly just popped in my head...the more I learn about politics, the more I think he may be on to something...

5 Years of Bliss

Today is Bill & my 5th anniversary...5 years of bliss, right? Well, we have had our ups and downs and we have both had moments of wondering if we really did the right thing but things have gotten so much better. We have had a couple of terrific years...not saying fight free but we have learned how to fight fair.

I consider myself pretty lucky; Bill is thoughtful most times and he protects me when he thinks someone is trying to hurt me. At times, he gets a little too protective and gets upset by a simple comment that was said off the cuff but it makes me realize that he loves me. He is a good dad to the kids and a good friend to me. He provides for us and I know he wishes he could do more and that makes it all the more special.

I do wish we were able to spend more time together and had more time to do stuff together, with friends and with family but I am sure that day will come.

I hope this doesn't come across hokey or whatever. I just can't seem to express myself accurately on this subject. I am so thankful that I have Bill in my life. We didn't start off this relationship as best friends; I think I can honestly say that but, we are now and it can only get better from here, right?

So happy anniversary, Baby. I guess I get sort of sentimental on June 24 every year. Not only because I married Bill on this day but because my dear, dear grandpa was born on this day in the year 1900. He is no longer with us but I remember him always and especially today. I love you, Grandpa...see you...someday...

When I Grow Up...

Wednesday was Jenn's last day of school for the year. She is now in grade 12. Wow...another one almost done high school. Yikes! Really where does the time go? I met Jenn when she was in grade 6 and I have watched her grow from a shy awkward 11 year old to this beautiful, graceful 17 year old who is now in the final year of her life, really, at home. There are so many big steps coming her way and she realized this on Wednesday.

After getting out of her final grade 11 final exam, Jenn went and had herself a good old panic attack. You know what I'm talking about: the hyperventilating, the sweating, the thoughts that ramble out of your mouth without you really focusing on what you are saying:
"I'm in grade 12"
"I don't know what I want to be when I grow up." (reassuring friend says"It's okay you still have a year to decide.")
"Not if I want to go to college. I'll have to apply and what about scholarships and I'll have to apply and what am I gonna do.....?"
At this point we all know that the typical thing to do would be to slide down the wall in the smelly high school hallway and crumple on the floor. (Are you thinking back to that moment?) And that is just what she did. Panic attack over, Jenn is doing fine now; she needed a few minutes and a few deep breathing exercises. The eery feeling of the unknown has subsided...for now.

Now, I, on the other hand, have just realized that Cherish has just finished grade 6. If you remember that is when I met Jenn and it sure doesn't seem like that long ago and she is on the verge of getting her wings. Do you know what that means? Are you anticipating what is coming next...?

Me hyperventilating?
Me breaking out in a cold sweat?
"She's gonna be in grade 12 soon?"
"What am I gonna do when she grows up?" (reassurance from child,"I'll visit mom")
I remember when she was 5 and told me she would never, ever leave me and that she would live with me forever with her husband, her kids, her dog, her cat, her horse and her gorilla. Yes, gorilla. And now, she is all ready talking of moving down to Kansas City to go to the same Bible College as Billy and has all ready started saving money so she can afford school. (Wow, I wonder where she gets her "lets plan a million years in advance" idosyncrasy from...don't look at me. I'm serious....not me. )

This only means one thing. "What," you may ask. I have to cherish my Cherish and every little moment I have with her. We have gone through a lot, Cherish & I. For a while, we were all we had. We have gone through scary times with her biological dad; we have gone through times when we were so poor she was the only one eating most days. We have gone through times when I thought I was going to lose her, like when she had pneumonia really bad and we have gone through times where we would just snuggle on the couch and tell wonderful, beautiful stories of where we would go, what we would do, see and eat as we went off on gorgeous vacations together in our imaginations.

I need to stop being so "busy" and enjoy the time I have with my kids (all 7 of them); it's been a really long time since Cherish & I have gone on one of our special vacations. Hallie & I have never gone on one and I think she is just the right age to start. Pretty soon she will be wanting to save money for going to school and telling me what she will do when she grows up...

Dual Graduations

Okay, so thanks to the insight of Natalie, I have now realized that next year there will be two, count them, two graduations....Jenn's and Hallie's. Yikes. How will I cope? You know me. What am I going to do? I can't breathe. I think I'm hyperventilating....

However...think of all the wonderful photo opportunities waiting for that moment....

I smile just thinking about it.

We Have Babies!!!!!!!

Okay, now that I have caught all of your attention; no, it is NOT me!!!!! We got a fish for Bill for Father's Day and she was expecting. Yikes! How do you care for a mama fish? Better yet how do you care for the babies once they get here? I have found three so far and put them in this floating fish thingy that we have and so, for now, it shall be the maternity ward or nursery. They are so cute and so little. I almost wanted to wake the kids up so they could see it but then...ah, never mind. I can't wait for them to see their babies in the morning!

I'll keep you posted on if we have more babies or not.
I will place bets on at least one of these babies being called Strawberry Shortcake. I know the mama is as is the male betta we have. Who wants to take this bet? Any takers? Any one?

Always Worrying

Hallie heard that a young lady we know stole money from her family and ran away from home. Instead of worrying about the girl, Hallie focused her energy on how sad it was making Jesus that this girl ran away from home and wasn't safe. She then proceeded to tell me that Jesus is really sad right now. When I asked her why, she told me it was because so many people were dying and it was making Him sad.

Her heart is so big when it comes to matters like this and to see that her focus is on how it makes Jesus feel really touches mine. I am so proud of her and her love for Jesus.

Summer's Coming

Okay so I am in the midst of making yogurt pops and healthy snacks for the kids and mom & dad. Hallie already wants to be outside all day every day whether it is nice, raining or just plain old freezing cold.

Jenn has one more day of school; she's in the middle of finals all ready and Cherish has one more week. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone. Hallie starts kindergarten in the fall and I can't believe that either. We did see a really cool strawberry shortcake back pack she would like though. I am pretty sure I will bawl like a baby that day.

This seems to just be random thoughts on nothing related but it's just what's popping into my head. Anyway, I am on MSN with Natalie so I will do some more of this later.

Our Special Guest

We had a strange young man arrive on our doorstep this afternoon shortly after lunch. He was wrinkled and disheveled, unshaven and pierced. His eyes looked pretty heavy but they had a twinkle in them and so I thought I would let this poor young guy in, maybe even feed him.

Some of you may be thinking "Have you gone m ad?! You can't be letting strange men into your house."

Well, this strange young man is my son!!! Billy's home!!!! WAHOO!!! He drove all night so he's a little worse for the wear but he's here and Hallie & Aren are beside themselves. They just keep looking at him, smiling and giving him big bear hugs. It's nice to have him back for awhile.

Natalie, you can call as often as you need or want.

Drummer Boy?

As I sit here debating whether I should just take a couple Advil Migraine Relief gel tabs or yell at my son, again, for drumming on EVERYTHING, I wonder what he will be when he grows up. He seems to have an absolute passion for music. It's coursing through his veins or something. From an early age, like 3 months, he has loved listening to his dad play guitar and when he was crying, the raunchier the guitar the better. He still gets excited about the guitar; he has his own electric guitar that is too big for him but he loves to strum it all the same. We have a small guitar here that belongs to Hallie that he strums while he dances and sings to the rhythym. He sneaks downstairs and plays Cherish's keyboard and other times he takes his Fisher-Price drum down to her room, turns the keyboard on so it plays one of the programmed songs and drums along with it. He is fascinated by movies about music. For example, he has watched "Raise Your Voice" with Hillary Duff countless times, several in a row even. He was having a hard night while we were watching "Ray", the movie about Ray Charles; well, he lay his head against me and tried to sleep while they were talking but as soon as any music or singing came on the boy perked right up. Now, lessons for all three of these instruments will cost a pretty penny so I am thinking about putting him to work right now (:P) so he can start saving some money.

Seriously though, I just sit and wonder where this love will go and how it got into him at such an early age. We all love music, Bill guitar, Jenn bass, me singing, Cherish trumpet and wants to learn keyboard, Hallie wants to play drums, guitar, keyboard and the pink violin. So I can see where he would like it but where does the obsession come from? He is by far the most obsessed about it; looking at the post I would say that Hallie is a close second. It just doesn't consume her like Aren. He is constantly drumming on something: table, wall, floor, dishes, tub, toilet, cat, bed...

It leaves me to wonder, should we invest our money in music lessons or in over the counter pain medications? Let me know what you think will pay off more in the long run...(:P) Until then, the mother of several aspiring musicians asks for your prayers for patience with the budding artists and any sample of headache medicine you can get your hands on. LOL

It's a Girl Thing

Tonight I got to spend some time with a friend of mine. We went for supper, did some shopping, realized our moms are a lot alike in ways and so are our husbands. We laughed at each other's stupid jokes and just had some nice time where we didn't have to worry about what our kids were into or listening to them whine about wanting to go home or what ever.

With my work schedule I don't get to do this very often and often have to take turns with different friends throughout the month so that we get one on one time. There are two very important people in my life I don't get too spend much time with at all. One is my oldest and dearest friend; she lives an hour plus away but that's not much of an excuse. Our schedules always seem to conflict and I miss her so very much. We met in the hospital when we gave birth to our first children as teenage moms. We've been through a lot of tough times and a lot of garbage together and I love her and, like I said, miss her so very much.

The other is my sister, well, sister in law but in my heart she is my sister and my friend. They live 45 minutes away on a farm and with both our schedules it seems so hard to find the time. We've gone through a lot of junk together as well but we always laugh and have fun when we can get together. I know that she is and will always be there for me and I hope she knows the same of me.

This wasn't intended to be some mushy little post. I had a lot of fun tonight but my thought process lead me down this road for some reason. Perhaps so that I can see I am really fortunate when it comes to my "girls". I have a couple friends I know really well, a few I am trying to get to know better and a few that I know would be there if I ever needed them. They have my back so to speak. I used to feel pretty alone and prayed for God to send me friends. Well, He did and I have to say He sent some pretty good ones for me. Each friend I have seems to complete some part of me: the silly me, the spiritual me, the serious me, the outraged me, the confused me, the artistic me, the wild me...the list is seemingly endless.

I am suddenly reminded of that little Girl Guide or Girl Scout poem (not that I was one)

Make new friends
But keep the old
One is silver
And the other gold.

It all comes back to jewelry...it must be a girl thing...just kidding.
To my girls, every single one of you and you all know who you are; I love you and I thank God for you. Keep on keepin' on.

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.
Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear
strong voice.
I didn't mean to disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK I explained to him.
Have you ever looked at your hands he asked. I mean really looked at your hands?
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the
point he was making.
Grandpa smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life. They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friends foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of
anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me
home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ. I will never look at my hands the same again.
But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel his hands upon my face.


I can't take credit for writing any of this; it was sent to me in an email but, wow. I have never thought about this before. It makes me think this is a conversation I could have had with my grandpa and it really puts things in a whole new perspective for me. I hope this blesses someone and touches someones heart as much as it did mine.

A look at Prairie French

I'm first!!! I'm first!!! Now that I have gotten that out of my system I shall continue.

I would like to instruct you all on the fine art of Prairie French. It is quite a language. Let me give you an example, the same one I gave to Paula at Boston Pizza today. Jaune-Vert equals John Vert. Emphasis on the "t". We were joking around when I gave Kayden back his crayon (the one he threw at me) and said "here is your john vert crayon". I think Paula darn near choked on her pecan salad.

Badly spoken french reminds me of a friend of mine from high school who only took a couple years of French (gr 6 and 7) and went to Quebec for a competition. We had to teach her how to ask where the bathroom is, a definite need when one travels is to know how to ask that question and she also wanted to know how to say 'I want french fries'.

This story was extremely funny as it was happening, less funny as I tell it but what I think made it funny was the fact that Paula found it so very funny. I dunno.

She wondered who would blog it first and being of a competitive nature I figured I would have to win and I did. Tee hee hee.

Hayrides and hotdogs and campfires and good s'mores...

...these are a few of my favorite things.

Sunday night we had a hayride..well, wagon ride with Young Adults; we had a good ol' campfire, roasted some hotdogs and smokies and marshmallows and my good friend thought about me (hee hee hee) we had graham crackers and CHOCOLATE. YUM!!!! I ate way too much, mainly s'mores. (this is me looking sheepish and guilty.)

I was reminded of my time in 4-H because their farm is right across the road from where I spent countless hours riding my horse, Gypsy. We owned the games day event the one year I was there, placing first in the egg race, the dollar bill race, the water race...we rocked! I remember pick a pops and roasted hotdogs and the moms lasagna with spinach in it (the first time I tasted it and it was GOOD). Times like this remind me of how small the world really is. I am starting to believe that somehow we all are REALLY connected to Kevin Bacon. (ha ha ha)

Buttercup, Bluebell Bouquet

Sweltering days of summer searching for something to do left us exploring in the woods, gathering wildflowers that grew in every nook and cranny of our land. Armed with scissors or even a paring knife we set off on a mission, to get a bouquet of flowers for Mom and a bouquet of flowers for Grandma.

Kicking over toadstools, stepping over fallen trees we trudged through dense willows, long grass and wild rose bushes to get the perfect bouquets. Tiger Lilies, Buttercups and Bluebells grew all over throughout our pastures and woods. We would also collect Indian Paintbrush and this flower I have no clue what it’s called, except it had little white clustered flowers on it, you couldn’t pick it, you had to cut it and I think, it was really a weed.

We would tiptoe through Grandma’s garden and add some lilacs from her trees, daisies, pansies, peonies, snapdragons and the like just to give them that perfect touch.

I can’t help but think of those bouquets and how much fun it was exploring as we gathered those flowers and of the love that went into each picked flower when my children come into the house with handfuls of dandelions. Every time I gladly pull out a cup or glass and fill it with water so I can display the beautiful bouquets they have gathered. Some people see them just as a handful of weeds but I, I have learned to see them for what they truly are, a beautiful gift… a demonstration of absolute love. They are my buttercup, bluebell bouquet.

Rationalize This...

"Analyze This" was about a mob leader seeking psychiatric treatment. His antics were amusing and entertaining. Leaving the viewer feeling a little sorry for this man and sympathetic for his therapist.

"Rationalize This" is about a mom who daily attempts to rationalize with her almost 2 year old son as he goes through temper tantrum after temper tantrum.

Why can't he wave daddy's screwdrivers in the air like an air traffic control person?
Why can't he drum on the kitty's head with wooden spoons?
Why can't he have a bath 2 minutes before lunch?
Why can't he play outside by himself?
Why can't he shake the fish tank stand so that the poor fish are in tidal wave after tidal wave?
Why can't he have a popsicle like Hallie when she finished her lunch and he didn't?
Why can't he throw himself down on the floor when you try leading him somewhere he doesn't want to go?
Why can't he punch the girls in the eyes?
Why can't he give the girls a helpful shove down the stairs?
Why can't he wear all of his shirts at the same time?

This leaves the viewers feeling sorry for the mom (the dad, the sisters, the cat and the fish) as she pulls her hair out, tries not to burst into tears (or flames) and tries to explain the rational reason why it is probably not a good idea to stick the cat in the toilet for her bath.

Ah, we long for our children to stay little forever and for them not to grow up. People!!! Remember what 2 year olds are like!!!!! Perhaps we can put them on pause at a different age group...like 5 or 6...but then...

The Simple Things

As you have all read Hallie has the "pops" and is, without a doubt, uncomfortable, itchy and irritable. We bought popsicles and creamsicles and oatmeal baths. She loves the oatmeal baths; I imagine it must take the itch away. The popsicles and creamsicles make her smile when we give her one of those. Today, she glowed; her face lit up. Why? Well, those of you who know Hallie know that she loves Strawberry Shortcake. I happen to have a strawberry lipgloss and let Hallie put some on. It tastes really good and smells absolutely yummy. She told me that she felt like a Strawberry Shortcake princess. The simple things can make us feel so much better when we are feeling sick, sad or whatever.

I got my nails done a couple months ago now and I felt better about myself; now I just have to make the hair appointment I have been talking about since I got money for a haircut for mother's day. It has been a very, very long time since I have had a haircut of any sort. Taking a bath or having a shower when I am feeling under the weather helps me feel good about myself too. You know when you use all your pretty smelling shower gels and matching lotions, body sprays and what not.

I can't say that getting into my mercedes wouldn't make me feel better too but I don't have a mercedes, have never been in a mercedes and probably never will so I couldn't say for sure. Sometimes I think the people who can afford these luxuries take them for granted and it doesn't give them the simple satisfaction it would you or me. I will stick to my nails, my hair, my matching scent bath products and the glow on my daughter's face when she feels like a Strawberry Shortcake princess.

It's Getting Pretty Bad

Poor, poor Hallie. It's all right for me to say that here and at this time of night. We are really trying not to feed into her self-pity party but it is so very hard. This child has "pops" the size of dimes and a fever and, the worst part yet, "pops" around her eyes, in her eyelashes, on her eyelids, in her eyelids and her one eye is extremely bloodshot. Bill thinks she has one on her eyeball and that is what is causing it to go bloodshot. Is that even possible, to have "pops" on your eyeball?

She's having a hard time sleeping due to the fever and her lack of comfort so we let her sleep with us. I think that eases the comfort level for all involved. We can keep a close eye on her; she is with mom & dad and Cherish isn't kept awake by whimpering and crying.

I am pretty certain that once I tear myself away from the computer that I will wind up having to make a bed on the couch as I will be little kidded out of my bed. You all know what I mean. You've been there. The child is 3 feet tall but somehow takes up a Queen bed by herself. Science would say it is impossible; parenthood proves it over and over again.

I'm off to bed now though...I think we are in for quite a night. Thankfully Bill bought popsicles for Hallie and they seem to help her "feel better".

Paralyzed

As I was boiling some water in the kettle today (I was making some cookies for Hallie), something on the bottom of the burner caught fire. It looked like a fry had been dropped under the element. My heart stopped; my heart raced and I had to force myself to stay calm and rational so I could put this fire out. I prayed; I breathed deep and forced the thoughts of running to wake the kids and get out of the house out of my mind and simply put a lid over the elemnt to smother the tiny little fire.

To some, this may seem completely silly and irrational and if it were happening to someone else I would probably think the same thing. However, when I was 12 years old I woke up to my mom screaming "FIRE!!!! Get out of the HOUSE!!!". (We lived in a trailer with a full sized addition on it, one of the old trailers from 1970 something with the panelling that LOVES fire.) My brother was watching cartoons early in the morning while everyone else was sleeping and went to the kitchen for something; I don't remember. He saw flames shooting out of an outlet in our dining room (right at the head of the spare bed we had for when my grandpa came to stay with us). Pajamas on, feet bare we ran up the hill to grandma's house. it was February and our feet didn't feel the cold one bit.

We had a 100 pound propane tank in our yard right beside our house because we had a propane stove and our biggest fear was that it was going to explode. We lived on a farm 45 minutes away from town and 15-20 minutes away from the nearest volunteer fire fighters. When all was said and done our trailer stood, a shell; our family homeless with no possessions. No one was hurt (thank God) only scared out of our wits and devestated. I have been paralyzingly (is that a real word or am I making up words again? Marc? Dixie? Somebody?) afraid of fire ever since.

What I did learn though is that people will really pull together for you. You never really know who your true friends are until you really need them and that possessions mean nothing. The only possession I miss that was destroyed in the fire were pictures from my childhood.

So now, as I try to get over my embarrassment and my feeling foolish because I freaked out over a teeny, tiny fire and I dry my tears I thank God that my family came through the fire no harm no foul except for maybe a few emotional glitches.

Brace Face

All right, all right. I heard that often enough growing up. I also heard worse; people, kids can be so cruel when it comes to that kind of thing. Where am I going with this? Am I about to talk about how cruel and disrespectful children are to their peers and elders for that matter? No, not at all. Simply put, the title of this entry set me off on a bit of a tangent. Now, now I am okay and will continue with my original thought process.

Cherish had an orthodontist appointment today. She's off at Christopher camping but we went as it was a consultation regarding the need for braces etc. The dental assistant brought in Cherish's file and the paperwork for the bill (she needed a trolley...just kidding). We had an excellent discussion on the overcrowding in Cherish's mouth and the fact that she has an overjet of 4 mm and they only like 1-2 mm. She then discussed what options we have for when we sign our children over as collateral. Yikes!! $5000.00!!! Ay Karumba! For as little as $150/month for 20 months and a downpayment of a low, low $1100.00 Cherish can get her teeth centered (apparently they are off center and yes, I admit they don't line up), 3 of them pulled out (for an extra cost at our regular dentist) and braces put on to move her teeth to fill the gaps made by her 3 extractions and apparently it will also fix this overjet.

I had braces for 2 years because I had overcrowding as well and I had an overjet. Correction, I have an overjet (the things you learn when you pay attention in the dental offices: an overjet is similar to an overbite and most people say they have an overbite when it is the other.). The braces DID straighten my teeth; they were really crooked but honestly, they did nothing for the other. NOTHING!

I think we will be holding off for a few years if we decide to do this; I mean, we asked them and they said straight out not having braces will not affect Cherish's dental health; they will make her smile prettier. Honestly, we can't afford it. Bill has some coverage (we'll find out how much and make a final decision later) and we all ready know that we can't count on David who is supposed to pay half of her medical and dental but so far as only paid $130 on a $700 dental bill. Perhaps we can start saving now, call it a brace account if you will. I guess we'll just have to see what the future holds.

Seeing Spots

About 3 weeks ago Aren developed a very bad case of the chicken pox. Hallie fretted, fumed and prayed that she wouldn't get them because she had dance recital and she never got them. Today as I sat in a pile of toys that didn't belong in Aren's room and sorting through everything where the tornado hit (well, it must have been a tornado...), Hallie approached me telling me she had a question for me.
Sure! Go ahead, honey. What would you like to know?
What IS this, Mom?
Um, let me see....Ah. It looks like you are getting the chicken pox.
(With tongue stuck out...) They're on my tongue too, Mommy. (Just a note: no, they're not on her tongue. Aren had some on his tongue at the tail end of the "pops" and she just figures they should be there. She's not quite understanding that no, you dont want them on your tongue.)

Hallie is not a great one for scratching. She has had a mosquito bite between her eyes since the mosquitos showed their stinking, stinging mugs this spring. Why? Because she is constantly scratching it and picking at it. She is a chronic scratcher when she is sleeping and has made herself bleed where there was nothing in the first place. I am not really looking forward to her having the chicken "pops". Maybe I'll invent some type of child chicken pop restraint mitts or something. Maybe....

What is that...

...in the sky? What is it? Oh wait...I remember!!! It's the SUN!!!!! Wahoo!! The SUN is out! The SUN is out!!!

Doin' the happy dance! Doin' the happy dance...
Gonna go outside and play or something, bask in the glorious warmth of the SUN!

By the way, did you see? The SUN is OUT!!!

Of Mice and Men and Cats and Boys

Will my cat survive the terrible two's? Will she survive the "hugs" that leave her tied into pretzels and the "kisses" that leave her nose somewhere near her tail? She is a good cat...too much like a cat for Bill's taste but a good cat. I am relieved that we got her front declawed. I wasn't sure we should do it at first but she is a strictly indoor cat and I wondered what was less humane, declawing the cat or watching her scratch Aren's eyes out. He is never malicious, simply a little too loving and I can't say I blame Jewel. I doubt I would sit there and let some giant baby squish me without putting up a pretty darn good fight.

Rain, Rain

Rain, rain go away
Come again another day....

Okay so the rain was nice to begin with but really...

I don't want to turn into one of those people who complain when it is cold but turn around the next day and complain that it's too hot. So please, don't take that from this post. The rain has been great. Water levels are up in the pasture where Shawn works and that is super now we need some sun, some warmth.

I love running and playing in the rain, when it really rains. You know what I'm talking about, the rains like we got last week where if you even thought about stepping foot out the door you were soaking wet. It's the dreary, cloudy, depressing weather we're having today...cool, cloudy and grey, blah weather. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow....(Tomorrow, tomorrow...I love ya tomorrow....ok, I'll stop.)