Teeth

I am NOT a teeth person. What does that mean, you may ask. Well, I get extremely troubled by the thought of bleeding gums or loose teeth or- the worst- getting teeth knocked out or chipped. I used to have NIGHTMARES about my teeth falling out. I don't mean once in a blue moon- I mean EVERY night to the point I would dread falling asleep because I knew my teeth were going to fall out in my "dream world". I've always been a "grinder" while I sleep and I would dream and clench my jaws and grind away and dream the only way to unlock my jaws was for my teeth to fall out- which they would do. It was horrible and it went on for way too long. I think I read once that dreaming about losing your teeth is a sign of underlying stress. Looking back, it probably was. I let go of some things in my life and haven't had those reoccurring dreams in some time. I do, however, have the random dream where I lose a tooth and it is quite disturbing. Its always killed me to see people on the news so willing to talk about an event on camera without all of their "important"- FRONT- teeth. If I needed new teeth and money were tight I would rob a bank if I had too- but I'd be sitting in jail with ALL of my teeth! Just kidding. But seriously, I just can't imagine walking around without all of my teeth- the thought kills me. So, I say all this to explain that I really have issues about teeth (or the lack thereof), among the other issues I probably have! Well, my husband, the Paramedic who sees all kinds of blood and guts and horrendous accidents, also is not a teeth person. There are two things he is squeamish about- puke and teeth. Our poor children are pretty much thrown to the wolves when it comes to pulling teeth. Now, Alyssa is the only one who is at the point of losing teeth, but she is on her own! She lost her 7th tooth this morning and for the 7th time she pulled it herself. Of course, she wouldn't have wanted us to do it anyway, but I'm just saying... Anniston might but I'm afraid that will be too bad. You know that lady/teacher in elementary school that was sort of the unofficial "official tooth puller"? Well, our girls will have to go to her! So, tonight the tooth fairy gets to visit our house. Its been almost a year since her last visit. It seems Alyssa hit a slow period on tooth losing. While Anniston is quickly approaching the "snaggle tooth all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" stage Ayden Claire is just trying to get her full set of baby teeth in. She has had the bottom two teeth since she was eight months old and the two top side (not front, weird huh?) teeth followed. Finally, after a couple of months the front top two came in and that's been it for about 6 months. But over the past month or so she's been getting the back molars which seems to be horribly painful. They are huge teeth in her little baby mouth and sharp and jagged and have taken forever to come through completely. The top molars are still pushing their way through and hopefully soon she'll be pain free from teething. She's a trooper though and hardly complains. And, on the bright side, she was able to enjoy cubed steak with us the other night because she had teeth to chew it with! Here are some pictures of the girls teeth/missing teeth.

Little Legs

This morning we were walking through the parking lot into Annistons preschool building. It was cooler and drizzling rain and of course I was umbrella-less so I was walking a little faster than I normally do. Anniston was two or three steps behind- not umbrella-less, she was high and dry under her 6 inch circumference Dora umbrella. She said, "Hey, wait on me! I just have little legs!" I giggled. But she was right- she does just have "little legs" and sometimes I have to be reminded of that. She has "little legs" with not as many miles on them as mine. I hope one day she does though, and many many more miles! I love those little legs- all three sets of them.

Annistons Special Birthday Party

For the past year Anniston has said she wants to have her birthday party at Disney World. I'm not sure she remembers a lot about going the first time we took her- she was 2 and a half. But she remembered enough to know she wanted to go back! We have been wanting to take the girls back before Wes starts his three semester nursing school next January. So it just kind of made sense to go during spring break which also happens to hold the day Anniston turns 5! Well, the week of our spring break was pretty booked so we backed it up and are going the week before. We are leaving on Sunday March 8th, and coming home Monday, March 16th. Anniston will get to celebrate turning the big "5" at the most magical place in the world! I am so excited for her. She's so sweet and doesn't really ask for a lot. Being the middle child, she gets a lot of Alyssa's hand me downs- toys and clothes. They usually don't make it to Ayden Claire so she winds up with lots of new stuff like the first child. I guess in a way, I feel like Anniston deserves to celebrate her birthday at Disney! I'm not sure if Alyssa is more excited about going on a family vacation to Disney or missing a week of school! Either way, I can't wait. I can't wait to see the looks on all our girls faces as they see everything. I love seeing Disney World through little eyes! I may love it more than them. So, happy early 5th birthday, Anniston. I can't wait til your party!

Practice School and Sex

These are a couple conversations I've encountered over the past week...

Anniston came home from school Wednesday and told me, "I hate school and I'm not going back. Ms. Brandi is mean and she yells at the class!" (Now, I don't really think Ms. Brandi is mean nor does she probably "yell"- she just has to be firm with a few of the kids and this bothers Anniston.) Great, I'm thinking...because I know Anniston and if she has made her mind up not to go back to school we are in trouble! I tried to play it off lightly and told her, "No, you have to finish going to preschool so you will be ready for kindergarten next year!" She considered this and said, "Oh, preschool is just practice school?" I laughed at the idea, "Yep, preschool is practice school and you have to practice!" She seemed okay and went to school Friday without problem- for the most part. I love how her little mind thinks!

Then, on the way home from a day out with Alyssa and Ayden Claire (Wes and Anniston were hunting), Alyssa started professing her undying love for me and her family. Now, this is rare for Alyssa and I was truly touched! I asked her if she thought one day she would find a husband to love and love her as much as Mommy and Daddy love each other-not that I'm rushing her! She quickly told me "No! I don't want to have babies so I'm not getting married!" "Well, Alyssa, you know just because you get married doesn't mean you have to have babies. I know several couples who are married and don't have babies." She was concerned about the whole "sex" thing and getting pregnant so I reminded her that there were ways to prevent having a baby once you are married. She responded with, "Yeah, but why do you have sex then if you don't want a baby?" Uh-oh...good question! I stumbled around for the words and then pretty much told her something about married people spending time together and blah blah blah! I wasn't ready for that one! Maybe she will one day decide she does want to get married but right now it looks like she's headed for the title of "Cat Lady".

A New Day

Well, today is President Obamas first full day as the leader of our great nation. No matter how you feel about him (and I know we all have strong opinions on both ends of the spectrum), he is our President and he needs our support and prayers. He has "inherited" quite a mess and I know that can't be blamed solely on George W. Bush. I was glued to the TV yesterday watching the inauguration. I'm nostalgic and sentimental and I wanted to see history in the making. Anniston was so funny. She kept saying "Where is John McCain?" I told her he didn't win and wasn't going to be president. She said, "He was the loser?" She had decided to pull for Obama back in November while Alyssa chose to be a McCain supporter. A house divided! She couldn't help but rub it in at supper- "Alyssa, John McCain didn't win. He isn't president. He lost because he didn't get as many votes as Obama." Frankly, to hear my 4 year old talking politics cracks me up to no end, no matter who she's choosing! I hope they all grow up and stay somewhat interested in politics and our country. Raging conservative to middle of the road to tree hugging liberal- thats the great thing about America. We all get to have opinions and let our voices be heard.

One Life to Love

I heard this song today on the radio on my way home. I loved the lyrics! Its by a group called 33 Miles- go listen to them if you haven't. I really like this group!

One Life To Love

He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand
Until he started praying for, a second chance
If he could only do it all again
He'd trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk
For all he missed

He tells his wife, "I wish that this moment in this room was not me dying, but just spending a little time with you."

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love....

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands
That held on tight the day she left
Til she was scared to death
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road
The sun had set on her big plans
To feel young again

She picks up the phone, dials the number, hears that little voice
That's haunted every single mile, since she made that choice

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love............

You only get just one time around
Only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life........
One ride, one try, one life........
To love....
To love....


I know I won't get it completely right my "one time around" but I sure hope to try my best and know whats important and what isn't going to matter in the end.

The New Blogger on the Block

Wes called me Friday to tell me he was going to start his own blog. I guess he feels there are two sides to every story and he wants his to be heard too! No, he's been talking about starting a blog for a while and finally did. So, check his out at www.wessidestories.blogspot.com or click on his link on my page. He has a really sweet post about the 4 women in his life and hopefully he'll have more to come about his exciting life at home and work! :)

When Its Cold Outside- Go Ice Skating!

We had been housebound due to the 30 degree weather for a few days so Saturday we were more than ready for an outing. The girls chose ice skating over a movie so I took Alyssa, Anniston, Ayden Claire and Sarah. Ayden Claire and I watched from the sidelines. The last time they had been was in September for Alyssa's birthday and Wes had been there to help Anniston. She was on her own Saturday though. Well, I thought she would be but Alyssa helped her until she was confident enough to go at it alone. Alyssa was such a sweet big sister! Her friend Sarah never left the wall but that didn't stop Alyssa from venturing out and skating with her little sister. I was so proud of her for being so helpful. Afterwards, we ate at Chick Fil A, rode the carousel and the girls did a little modeling in Limited Too.

Sweet Girls

Alyssa- I love your seriousness and the way you will try anything. I love your outgoing personality and the fact that you are always up for a good time. You are braver than you know.

Anniston- I love the way you find the positive in everything and everyone. You are the most optimistic person, young or old, that I know. I love the way you stick to your guns- even though it drives me insane when I'm the one trying to persuade you differently.

Ayden Claire- I love the way you brighten up any day with your sweet little smile and the huge open mouth kisses you pass out daily. You remind me of lifes simple pleasures- a good thumb, a big hug, a wet kiss, pat a cake and Pat the Bunny.

Spaghetti Anyone?

Why is it that babies favorite meals are often the messiest? Ayden Claire loves spaghetti- the pictures actually do not do the disaster called dinner justice but, I'm sure if you've had kids you can get the picture! We reserve feeding her spaghetti for dinner rather than lunch so that we can go straight to the tub afterwards!



And yes, I do realize Ayden Claire is starting to sport a rockin' mullet...I'm not really sure what to do about that? My other girls weren't born with quite so much hair as her so theirs seemed to grow in more evenly. Hers is growing like wildfire in the back but the front is a little behind. I'm not ready to cut off her sweet little curls but we've got to do something... I need to cut the "twigs" soon- I'll blog about the ceremonious event when it happens!

The Wii- REALLY For The Whole Family

We got the Wii at the end of November from the girls aunts- Jen, Kendra and Jill. Wes and I have enjoyed it as much and if not more than Alyssa and Anniston. Recently, after searching high and low around town I found the Wii Fit one day at Best Buy. Needless to say, Ayden Claire sees us playing it quite often and not to be outdone by her big sisters, she's trying to get in some Wii play time too! I thought she looked so cute imitating her big sisters.

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas. Its been crazy busy, but here are a few pictures! The girls got way too much, we ate way too much and now I'm having to clean and catch up on mountains of laundry. But we are so blessed and I wouldn't trade any of this! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may you be extra blessed in 2009!