Not to be Outdone

Carlie has had a loose tooth for probably two months now.
Wiggle. Wiggle. Wiggle.
That's what we kept telling her.
Well, at the dentist with Noah yesterday, she got a lot of encouragement from the hygienist, and Carlie just yanked the tooth right out. She was so brave. I think the fact that she didn't know what to expect was what was so scary for her.

I thought it was funny that the hygienist kept saying the dentist could come in and pull it. Really? Can he? Can I pay him $100+ to reach in her mouth and barely tug on her dangling fang?

I also found it a bit odd that they had me throw me her bloody gauze in the regular trash. When I worked in oral surgery, we never threw bloody gauze in the trash. Where's the biohazard bag, people? I hope someone with an opened cut doesn't take out the garbage and come into contact with bloody gauze of a Hepatitis C patient. They probably don't change the plastic protectors on the aidec light between patients either. That's gross. I hope they sterilized their instruments before they used them on me.

Sorry, back to the tooth...

Almost there.

Dangle Fang

Minor Bleeding.

A little gauze to bite down on.

And, a take home container.

Noah Goes to the Dentist

Yesterday, Noah had his first dentist appointment. I was a little concerned that he may not do well since he was whining all morning that he "didn't want to get a shot."
After explaining for the hundred thousandth time that he already had a flu shot, and this was to get his teeth cleaned, he seemed to do much better.
Although I think the knowledge that the dentist had a treasure box was what stopped the whining.

He did great!

Puppy came along for support.

I'm Ready!

He had a death grip on that chair.

Dr. B. checking for cavities...

No Cavities!! (Thank goodness because then the whole "no shot" thing would be out the window.)

Santa Came Early

I had to put a call in to 1-800- NORTH POLE, and, luckily, Santa was able to come a bit early. They love their spoils from Grammy D. and new sweaters from Grammy R.
Most of our gifts to them were received with the question "Did you buy this at Costco?"
Yikes, didn't realize the time. Here are some pics. More on the flip side.
Merry Christmas!!!

Making A List

As we prepare for our Christmas festivities, Carlie made her party list and had to call Grammy to make sure everything on her list was covered.

The List. I had nothing to do with this. One thing I can guarantee is that we won't be suffering a carbohydrate deficiency.

Noah making sure Pawpaw knows the agenda.

I don't think the cousins realize they will be participating in a Narnia play. Apparently, Trent has been cast as Aslan, Meredith as the White Witch, Carlie is Edmond (don't quite get that), Caroline is Susan, and it escapes me who Noah is playing. We'll have to keep the cameras rolling if they pull this off.

Ideas Are Scarce

What a blessing it truly is to not really "need" anything. Well, there are some things I guess I do need, but I could get by. There are some things though that I could really "use", things that would come in handy. Like...

A New Bible. Why a new Bible when my current Bible is in fine condition? Well, my current Bible is LARGE and quite heavy, especially when traveling by airplane and carrying to BSF.

Lately, I have been borrowing Carlie's Bible since it is lighter and smaller (and much easier to understand since it is translated for kids;-) I took it upon myself to do the grunt work, so those who love me don't have to.

These are perfect. Thin. Compact. (key words for those paying attention.)
Cute designs. Perfect.
And, since I have a 33%off coupon good this Friday and Saturday at the Lifeway Christian store that I have conveniently stuck in Mike's drawer, even more Perfect.

They even have some with Bugs on them. I'm sure an excellent choice will be made.

Hmmm... besides a new Bible, I could really use clothes. Surprisingly, I don't have a whole lot of clothes. I think I have 5 sweaters. I got rid of quite a few because I can't wear wool. It scratches me to death so we just had to part ways. Leaving me with not many options. So, I could also really use one of these. Mike, Mom, Bueller, Bueller...

Translation: Loft Gift Card

Pray for Noah

Noah had his appointment with the children's eye specialist last week for his drifting eyes. He does have intermittent exotropia where the eyes occasionally drift outward, especially when tired or relaxed. There is nothing that can be done outside of surgery to correct this.

Should the drifting persist for the next six months without getting progressively better, they do recommend surgery to shorten the eye muscles. If surgery isn't performed, 60% of the time the condition worsens, 30% becomes a constant out-turning, and 10% resolves. We are praying to be in that 10%. When I have my eye appt. next month, I will get another opinion from my doctor. Since I used to work for him and he has young children, I think he would give me good advice on what to do.

So, if you could keep Noah in your prayers that God would heal his eyes so he doesn't need surgery, we would appreciate it. Thanks.

As a side note, I'm having the blog re-designed and should have it up by the end of next week! Yippee!

Here Comes Old Man Winter

We were fortunate to not have gotten the amount of snow they did in some parts of the Midwest, but we did get about an inch. Enough for the crazy kids to want to go outside in 5 windchill. Daddy bundled them up and headed out. He was able to get the driveway shoveled, then shoveled our neighbor's driveway as well. Our neighbor fell off his roof and broke several ribs among other things, so we (the neighbors) have been trying to help his wife with various outdoor chores.



I think she needs a bigger shovel!

Souper Sunday

As the snow finished falling today, I made my way into the kitchen to test out the Panera Bread Broccoli-Cheddar Soup recipe.
I think I am going to make Sunday official "soup" day, at least until football season ends.
It definitely warms the tummy and delivers a nice break from the Sunday sandwich.

I mentioned in a previous post I had checked out a book from the library with copycat recipes. This particular edition I would not recommend unless you have a hankering for knowing how to make the sauces they use for Subway sandwiches. Or, how to make Bisquick. Who makes their own Bisquick? It's cheaper to buy the stuff than to make it yourself. Not cost effective in my mind.

Anyway, on with the soup...

3 cups broccoli florets
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
8 slices Cheddar Singles
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup diced white onion
pinch ground black pepper

Steam broccoli and dice into pieces that are pea-size.
Combine chicken broth, half and half, and whisk in flour.

Shred the carrots if you haven't already.

Add remaining ingredients.
Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until mixture bubbles.
Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until soup is thick.

Enjoy your soup.
I serve mine with rolls from Costco.
These are great with soup and freeze well, so no worries on buying the entire bag of roughly 40 rolls for $3.99.

As for the taste of the soup, I really don't know if it tastes like Panera's or not because I typically order chicken noodle.
The kids were not wild about it. I liked it, but would not consider it "best broccoli cheese soup ever."
I'm not sure what soup I will make next week, maybe something from the Soup Nazi or Skyline Chili.

Like Men Playing Boys

I have to give credit to my Dad for coming up with the title of today's blog post. Made it back from Evansville yesterday from the game that we have been anticipating for over 2 years.
When the Tarheels come to town...


Well, they came, they saw, they conquered.
It was not pretty.
Although I did enjoy watching the Heels play. I am a Tarheels fan. Have been since M.J. played for them, but excluding the 2005 National Championship (look it up because I'm not going there.)

As many games as I have seen with my Dad from those seats, I would have to say this is the classiest team to ever come to town.



Typically, the coaches scream obscenities at their players.
The players drop the f-bomb regularly on the bench and on the floor.
They laugh on the bench if they have a big lead.


I heard none of that from Coach Williams or any of the players.
Granted they had a 15-20 point lead throughout the game, but I was still impressed with their attitude and behavior. (Maybe they reserve the profanities for when they play Duke- Ha!)

Honestly, I can't say enough about the players. This is one class basketball team who has an excellent chance of winning the national championship again in 2012. Can't say that about the Aces. I just hope they are good enough to compete in their conference by 2012!

(Lovin' the purple and white candy cane pants)

(No! That is not me!)

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback- The Loogie is Magical

Yes, folks the Magic Loogie stretched its winning streak to six games this week. And made the playoffs! This week I am up against The Obstruction. I do have cause for concern though.

My top WR, Larry Fitzgerald, plays for a team that I could quarterback for. Seriously, suit me up for league minimum, and I can throw him a 20-yard spiral. The AZ Cards really miss Kurt Warner. And, obviously, so does Fitz because his fantasy stats are abysmal. Dare I bench him this week? Ugh, it's quite a dilemma I may lose sleep over.

No benching these two guys.

Peyton Hillis is a rockstar! He's been carrying my fantasy team since I picked him up (with a little help from Drew Brees.) He should have a decent game this week because the Browns are playing the Buffalo Bills. I think Ohio State could beat the Bills. Go Browns Go!!

Deion Branch is another little gem I picked up mid-season. He's the only thing about the Patriots I like right now. Tom Brady (and his Justin Bieber hair) makes me want to throw-up. I don't know what it is about the guy I don't like. (Actually, I do know what it is but I need to be nice and non-judgmental.)

I would say more about my team, but I need to go to Goodwill to look for the "ugliest Christmas sweater" to wear to my KD meeting on Thursday. Loogie out.
(photos from nfl.com)

Hot Chocolate and a Good Book

I picked up a recipe book the other day at the library that has copycats of various popular restaurant cuisine. Well, not exactly cuisine, but the kind of stuff I order.
There are several recipes I want to try out, especially the Panera Bread Broccoli and Cheese Soup (YUM!), but I thought I would start off with something simple...
Starbucks Hot Chocolate.

2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
1/4 cup Water
1-1/2 cup Milk
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Whipped Cream

Combine Sugar, Cocoa, and Water. Heat on HIGH in Microwave for 30 seconds.

Add Milk and stir.
Return to microwave and heat for another 90 seconds until HOT.

Add Vanilla and stir.

Pour into your favorite mug and add Whipped Cream. (Yes, I go a little overboard on the whipped cream, but that really is the best part isn't it?)

Put that $4.00 I just saved you back in your purse, grab a good book, your mug of yummy chocolate goodness and spend 30 minutes chillaxin'