The Smartest Cat Ever!

OK, so I walked into the kitchen to see the cat reading! I thought it was worth a picture! Isn't she the cutest and smartest thing you have ever seen? snicker snicker! That is it that is my post! have a great day

New Post!!

OK, heckle me go ahead!! I have been busy today and I didn't get a chance to post so, I will do it now. It is a thought that I have had for awhile now, and one that I am going to ask input for. So, here is my idea... I am thinking of a web site for my jewelry you know the jems in the name here! I would like to get one up and started but I am not too sure what I should do, how I should set it up what format I should use. Make pieces and people buy what they see and when they are gone they are gone? Make special order pieces? Like a mothers bracelet, or a special type of stone that someone may want (lapis lazuli, leopard skin jasper)? Or set it up as I would a home show and what you see is what you get take it or leave it. Any thoughts for me? I am supposed to put my stuff into a shop a friend of mine runs. I haven't had the chance to get it to her yet, but this hobby is getting expensive and I need to generate some moola from it!! Well...There is my long...um post! Just throwing out the ideas...Help me out here would ya?

Happy Holidays?

Ok, I just read a post in Nikkis blog about Christmas... Made me think and I was on a soap box, and if you haven't read it yet don't go there until you read this!! (then you can read hers)
How many times do you say Happy Holidays to someone instead of Merry Christmas? Are you concerned that you may offend them by wishing them a Merry Christmas when they actually celebrate kwanza? Chanukah? Or nothing at all? I do find myself on occasion saying happy holidays after all, I wouldn't want to hurt feelings...Makes me think whose feelings are actually being hurt? Who is the real season for? Who was born for our sins? Who died for us? Why are we afraid to upset someone else? Kind of makes me think.
Another thing that I have been bothered by for a LONG time (since I was in elementary school!) Why do people write X-mas on things instead of Christmas? Seems like they are too worried about the "other" things that the season has to offer. Well I was directed to a site about xmas I found it interesting and those of you out there are who are proficient in Greek! So I may be a little slow on this! I still am thinking that not too many people know why they are writing it xmas instead of Christmas so, I am sticking to my guns and writing the WHOLE thing out!
So...
Merry Christmas everyone


OK, now you can go and read Nikki's blog!

Wanna know what my Christmas present is?

So, Phil went away this weekend with a friend (Colin) I am going to have a new hobby according to Colin. Deerfield Fair here I come... Can you guess? A "new" tractor a Minneapolis Moline or "Minnie Mo" as the tractor people call it. Apparently this is a rare tractor they only made it for a year, and only 300 of them were produced. It is a G707 110 horse power. Can't you see me now? nails done, hair done, makeup on, jewelry to match and pulling a boat! Watch out Colin, I think it may be fun. Do you want to see a picture of it?





So, what do you think? Cabot looks pretty happy sitting on top of it. He was told standing in the HUGE salvage yard that he was "in Heaven". He was impressed with that! Phil took a bunch of pictures that we are going to frame for the walls in his room. He will finally have a room to himself sometime next month! He is pretty thrilled about that one so... We are going to make it a "farm" room. He already has a John Deere blanket! If you are looking for something cool for the boy, head on over to Cracker Barrel they have a great assortment of John Deere!

OK, really I think that I had better get a good Christmas gift since Phil was able to purchase that tractor! What do you all think? A nice new diamond? (hint hint hint) or a new bedroom set? (hint hint hint) hopefully Phil is reading this!!

Merry Christmas!!!

It's a SNOW DAY!!

WOW!! A snow day! Does everyone know that you aren't supposed to have a snow day BEFORE Christmas? Do you all know how much stuff needs so get done? Decorating, baking, wrapping, wrapping, and more wrapping... The kids are out of school today!
I must say it is absolutely beautiful outside, the snow is so light and fluffy. Not snowman snow, just pretty play in the snow kind of snow! Fire crackling in the fireplace. Sipping hot chocolate, making cookies, I really do love a snow day, we kind of have a ritual that we do on snow days, however...Today is different. Some of the kids walked to my moms house and a few of them went over to my sister in laws house. So, I am sipping the hot chocolate all by myself, and I will be making the cookies and eating them all by myself! hmm... Why bother?
So, what do you all do on a snow day? As Phil says... Adults don't get snow days, I disagree! When you are a stay at home mom you do have a snow day. Just a little different than you would expect!!
Enjoy the snow!!

Yeah, I have been busy

So, I just finished my Christmas shopping!! Now, I can focus on making the cookies and the treats that I need to make for all my friends. OH happy day when you can say, yeah I finished my shopping!! OK I ordered a lot of stuff today, so I don't actually have it in my house yet! BUT it is on it's way. All I need is a couple of little stocking stuffer things!!
THAT IS ALL, I just wanted to brag!! BYE...
Craft fair is next Sat. Dec. 3 from 9-4 if anyone is interested in coming out to it!!

Craft Fair!

So, after a bit of consideration... A friend of mine and I decided to have a craft fair HERE at my house, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We have a "guest house" here so we decided that it would be perfect for the "fair" if that is really what we should call it? I think that we are going to decorate it so that it look like Christmas or winter! Fun,fun,fun... I am a little excited about this venture! It is only for a few hours on that day, but I can't wait to see what we do. My friend makes beautiful wreaths. (I did a couple fairs with her last year, they are gorgeous!) if you drive by my house you see her handiwork over my door! I of course am making jewelry. We need a few more people to put things in. Anyone interested? Knitters... Oh, Cheryl is still away. Quilters... snowmen makers? ANYONE let me know and we can set you up! Even some photography would be great! I am giving hints to people who read this... So, if you are up to it let me know! It should be a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to it.

Where is ERIC?

Yes, I am still around...

Well for the 2 of you that read my blog, I have been around and very busy. As I know that you are too. I have been here there and everywhere. Doing what? I am not sure! But with the gas prices going down, I don't fret when I need to drive somewhere now! I saw it for $2.29 today... yipee!!! I didn't ever think it would be that low again! So, what have I been busy doing you ask? Well, I really don't know I guess I have been just busy being a Mom. Oh, that makes me think of an e-mail that I received from a friend a couple weeks ago. I will share it with you...

Just a Mom ? ? ?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just A...?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, "housewife covers it," said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day..I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. *"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."*The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."
Motherhood! . What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants. Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know. May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but! Happiness come through your door!

OK, I hope that you all enjoyed that and had a good laugh! BYE...

A Watchlet

Have you ever heard of a "watchlet"? Well, my friend actually made the name up. I make jewelry... have you seen it? Look back a few posts, you may come across some things. I needed a watch so, I decided that I would make one and see if I really liked it. It was silver and gold (bali) I liked it, I actually sold one at my home show jsut from wearing it, I guess that really is a great form of advertising. Well, I took the thought and went a little further with it and made a bunch of "fun" watchlets, these watchlets look a lot like the braclets that I make. Whe I was away a few weeks ago, I was playing with the beads and made a stretchy 2 strand watch. I LOVE IT! Well, since then I have been asked to make more of these "watchlets". They really do look just like a braclet with a face on them. I am going to try to modify them and see if I can make the bands "removable" sot hea tyou can make your band match your outfit (or your mood). Does that sound great? Any thoughts on this idea? I am always open for suggestions. Really, I am... Well, I am goign to try to figure out the changeable band thing! Have a great day...

Click on the images to enlarge.

MOOSE!!

Well, he did it! Phil had a lovely moose in the truck last night when he came home. HUGE... 7oo pounds. It had a 51 inch rack. WOW that is impressive! The hunt for moose is a special treat here in our lovely state. Phil was telling me yesterday that only 550 permits are given out each year, there are 15000 people who put there names in to be drawn each year.(you have to put your name in for a lottery). You can put your name in each year but, if you are drawn you are not allowed to put in again for 3 years moose or no moose. That is the chance that you take. So, Phil has put his name in and has been drawn 2 times in the last 5 years. And even fortunate enough to harvest a moose both times. Something that doesn't always happen. Another thing that they do is tell you where you are going to hunt. Makes it a little harder! So, we may have moose in our backyard but... If he didn't get drawn for this area too bad someone else probably will be out there getting that one.
So, there are about 300 moose checked in at the end of the 1 week hunting season. What does that mean? They really are not that easy to A. find B. harvest I am just glad that he was able to get his 5 days into the hunt, it was a long week without the Dad being around. Bedtime (which he has the privilege of doing every night) was up to me. They look forward to that special time with their dad, they talk about the things of the day, they talk about what is going to be going on the following day. He gets them silly and then can calm them down... I really don't get that part. So, back to the normal routine of life again. Moose meat in the freezer. Mount to be on the wall. Where am I going to put THAT head? Next to the caribou? I guess I have a little time to figure that one out.


Click on the image to enlarge

Enjoy!

What is the cost of winning?

OK... I have a soap box that I am going to get on here for a moment. Please feel free to comment and really let me know how you feel about this. I have been struggling with this for a few weeks.

I have a daughter who is into sports (as you know if you have read this before) Not a big girl, OK she is very slight. Doesn't appear to be an athlete when you look at her but given the chance she is a great player. And she is still learning how to play the game. Whatever it may be. She played basketball last year and when she made the team the coach very quickly told me that she didn't bring much to the team. WOW... I thought that was BOLD! I know she isn't a "strong" player but she gives it her all... Not all the girls do that. She ended the season with a letter and a pin. She also was awarded most improved player. She did great at she learned what she needed to do and did it!

On to softball. She made the team they played in a U16 league! Remember that one? 12 and 13 year old girls. They did great! No championships but they did great. She even caught a few "flyballs" go girl.

Now we are at soccer. Once again she has never played this sport... She is doing what the coach tells her to do and doing a great job during the games keeping the bench warm. OK she goes to a SMALL school. I have been a little concerned about this position that she plays (as a bench warmer!) she is a sub, but they only put her in when they are way ahead or way behind. No time to give her a chance to play and learn to play with the team. Most of the parents on the team feel that the girls need the game time to learn how to play as a team and feel the girls will work together and be a better team next year if they work together as a team. Well... The coach feels that they are there to WIN and that is it. Middle school soccer NOT varsity please remember that! I am having a hard time learning this lesson because I do not like seeing my daughter sit on the bench most every game. And to hear the coach say things that are very discouraging to the team.

Winning is great I will agree with that no one like to lose... As the saying goes show me a good loser and I will show you a loser. However, at what expense do you allow the kids to sit on a bench and not be really part of a team. How are they supposed to learn the game if they aren't given the chance to play. Practice? They don't really play a game in practice, they are not really giving it their all at practice. She is discouraged that girls 2 years younger than her are starting the game and really are not much better than her. As a parent it is very hard to sit back and watch all this go on without saying a word to the coach. OK... I did say something to the coach. We totally disagree! And most of the people that I speak with either parents on the team. The Athletic Director or other staff from school feel that Middle school is a time for them to learn the sport and learn how to play as a team. Seeing how she did in her past 2 sports, basketball (a different coach) and softball (where they all had to be on the field and play) She proved that she was able to play the game and do it well. Is it wrong of me to be upset that the coach will not give her the chance to play and feel like part of the team? She played last week. And played GREAT there were 5 girls that were missing (almost all of the starters!) She did a wonderful job. They played a team that has played together since kindergarten! So, there was not a chance that they would win. I think that she did prove herself to the coach that if given the chance to play in the game she will do a great job.

So, really what are your thoughts on this one? I need a little input on this! I can be very passionate about things and can be too emotional to look rationally at things so please, help me look closer at this one and let me know your thoughts! Thanks...

Fall Foliage and RAIN

We went for our annual drive up the Kangamagus yesterday. We decided last year that we would spend Columbus Day driving up north to view our beautiful state. Well, it rained. Hmm... I know it is a surprise! The trees are not as colorful this year as they usually are this time of year. WHY? My forester husband had something to say about it! The dry summer we had? The unusually warm fall we are having? Among some other things. Any of these things can make the foliage not so great. Oh well, we spent some quality time in the car with the kids. I remember last year they complained the whole drive up there and pretty much the whole way home... We did explain to them to look at the license plates how many were from NH and how many were from other states. They come here to look at OUR trees. They did get excited about that. We didn't need to remind them of that this year! Thankfully they see that people appreciate the beauty that God has placed around us!

Well, the highway has changed a bit! Has anyone been up there lately? It doesn't look the same. They are making it more "touristy" scenic views, bigger pull off areas, grassy land right up to the highway... And why do that? To attract wild life of course! I am sure that the deer and moose will walk right up to that plush green clover and devour it! They have done some wood cuts along some area on the road. Phil was explaining to me that it is for the moose habitat. They like the areas where the trees are cut down and the little sapling are all that is left. So, I am sure that the people who drive all the way up here from Maryland, North Carolina, hey even Texas to view our foliage will have the special treat of seeing a moose along the road one of these days!

I said to Phil, watch in a couple of years they are going to put a toll at both ends of the highway they are going to have to pay for all these "improvements" some way! It is all at the North Conway end of the highway. But I do think that the work will head all the way to Lincoln eventually. Maybe not! We will see!

We went on a little 4X4 trip yesterday in search for moose as well. (we didn't see any) We went about 4 miles in on an old logging road in search for moose. Phil is headed up that way for his own moose shortly. So we did a little scouting! I think that he pulled some strings to get another moose tag. How many people put in for their tags and never get one? You need to wait 6 years to put in for a tag after you have gotten one already. And well, why his first year after putting in (again) did he get drawn? Rigged I tell yah' rigged! Another vacation. Yeah, he will tell you it is hard work, BUT, I know differently :)

Random thoughts yeah, I know... I am rambling! Oh well what can I say that is just me!

It takes FAITH!

So I had the privilege to attend the Women of Faith conference in Hartford CT have you ever heard of it? Well, I really enjoyed myself. I was able to attend with a few of my very good friends, we really enjoyed our time of learning and also the fellowship that we had with one another on the breaks and in the evening! I don't think that I have laughed as hard as I did while we were there in such a long time. I laugh yeah, but we are talking tears running down my cheeks laugh! It was great fun.
The conference was great the theme was FAITH. All the speakers spoke from their hearts of different things that they have been through to make their faith stronger. If you wan to hear some of their stories you can go right to their sites. The one that I know really pricked my heart the most was Tammy Trent if you have a chance and you are not familiar with her please read her story. What a testimony she has.
If you really want to laugh hard, check out Patsy Clairmont She is packed full of energy, I am not sure how old she is, I am sure that I could find out easy enough. But I certainly hope that when I am her age I am able to do half the things that she can do! What a hoot she is!!
Sheila Walsh this is another speaker that I really enjoyed, these women have all had real trials in their lives and really want to have people learn from their experiences and teach them, such hearts and devotion they have. I used to listen to Sheila Walsh back in the 80's when she was a "cool" hip happenin' singer! Yeah... She didn't last too long on the Christian artist list. She figured that she would do better as a speaker I guess, and well... I agree! Some of the other speakers that were there were... Lucy Swindoll, Nicole Johnson, Kathy Tricolli (another 80's singer!) and Marilyn Meberg.
It was a great time. I am so thankful that Phil was able to take a couple of days off and take care of the kids for me, he even took them to the fair and I hear that it was a sight to see! Phil and all 6 of them! haha... He strapped Claires carseat to a wagon! I wish I had a picture of that one!
Well, I guess that is about all in a nutshell. There was really too much for me to write about but, I hope that you can see from this that we had a great time and God was truly glorified over the time that we were there!
Oh yeah, have you ever heard of Chonda Pierce? Now she is funny!

Did you know?

DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?

As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.

DID YOU KNOW?

As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall,
right above where the Supreme Court judges sit,
a display of the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?

James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement:

"We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

DID YOU KNOW?

Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

DID YOU KNOW?

Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law . an oligarchy

the rule of few over many.

DID YOU KNOW?

The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said:

"Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."

How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?

Lets put it around the world and let the world see and remember what this great country was built on.

Chamber, US House of Representatives

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Big Picture

Have you ever heard something and you know that God has a great plan. Why things happen and we don't understand. Sometimes things happen and a few minutes later you realize oh, yeah... That is why I... Or sometimes it takes a long time to see Gods plan then other times we just will never understand why God does things and we need to trust Him, and know that He is right and good in all that He does.

Phil received a phone call last night. Just around 7:00 a phone call that you don't want to ever get. His cousin's husband was on his way home from work and was hit head on by the car coming his way. His father was going the other direction and saw the accident just after it happened. Not knowing it was his son he went to help and see what was needed for help. His dad was able to ride in the ambulance with him and they had Chris' precious last minutes on earth together. His father was able to hand him off to his Father.

I can't even begin to imagine what they all must be going through. Chris had been married to Phil's cousin Allison for 4 yrs. They have a 5 month old beautiful baby boy! He looks just like his dad. We will all enjoy watching him grow up and see what Gods plans are for this family.

We were able to see them a few weeks ago. We all headed up to Maine for a couple of days and we were able to make some great memories with him and the rest of the family.

I am writing all of this trying to think these things through... Asking you to pray for the family to guide them through this, God has a great plan and I can't wait to see what He has in store for all of them and us.

After you read this go and give your kids an extra hug, thank God for them. Give your wife/husband an extra kiss. Let them know how precious they are to you, spend an extra moment with them. Life is too short and we need to be prepared.

Are you ready?



The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Psalm 18:2

Trust the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

I find it quiet ironic that I am pushing for a fund raiser at school that is a car magnet that states One Nation Under God!
The paper that I received with the package of material was great these are direct quotes from the paper and I hope that I don't go on too much, but I fear for what this country is turning into and I am saddened to see how quickly people forget the true roots of our country!

We live in a time when even the name of God is being erased from our heritage. God has been asked to leave our schools, out government and even some churches. It is time that we Christians unite to redeem the past, hold firm to our Christian virtues and the foundation on which our nation was established. We are STILL One Nation Under God. We must stand for this truth and not let it slip away or be stolen by those who claim "political correctness"

Mercy Ships

So have you ever heard of Mercy Ships? here is the site if you are interested. I have heard a little about them, some from a friend who would love to teach on one and some from a friend whose church supports their ministry. It was the friend who supports the ministry that I heard this story from and thought it quite interesting!
The Mercy Ship was docked in the Gulf, they don't usually have one docked there, I am not sure why it was there. Well, the ship was in the direct line of the hurricane last week. When the workers went to check on the boat and saw that everything around the ship was destroyed they were assuming that their ship would have sustained significant damage. As they approached it they were amazed little damage to the boat! They were able to get the boat ready for patients and refugees quickly and they were helping those in need that very day! Was it chance that they had the boat docked in the Gulf? I think not! Hind site is always 20/20! Take a look at their article!


Mercy Ships is working to bring practical assistance to alleviate some of the suffering caused by catastrophic Hurricane Katrina. Our response will be twofold; to help in the actual hurricane disaster area along the Gulf Coast and to assist hurricane survivors who are pouring in to East Texas with little more than the clothes on their back.

This coming week we are dispatching teams to Chickasaw, Alabama to begin relief efforts in damaged areas. Chickasaw Mayor Jim Trout has formerly invited Mercy Ships to work in his community and has a task list waiting for us. Jobs include debris removal, clearing community roads, and to assist where needed covering damaged homes with tarps so they are not exposed to elements.

We have a great asset in the Caribbean Mercy that appears to have safely survived the hurricane at a berth in Chickasaw. The ship did not sustain significant damage according to initial reports from city officials. We intend to use the vessel as a platform to launch relief teams into the surrounding communities. We can house relief team members and provide them with safe lodging, potable water, hot meals, and ample power – all without drawing on scarce local resources. Crewmembers are anxious to “get boots on the ground” in support of communities like Gulfport, Mobile and Chickasaw that have been so generous to Mercy Ships over the years.

On the hometown front, Mercy Ships is working alongside the local ministerial association, government agencies and community groups, to help meet needs of evacuees who arrived in East Texas. Neighboring Tyler has received several thousand evacuees. Some of these displaced families may be forced to remain in East Texas for months.

So, should I be done?

I am starting to feel weird about this blog thing... I write I put pictures up and I can see that people come to the site but no one leaves a comment. hmm... I know that you are all visiting my site as well you have all posted on Eric's blog! How did you get there? Through me? Or do you all have it on your favorites list now! Am I wasting my time posting for all to read when no one really cares? So the question still remains... Should I be done?

A New Realm of Parenthood!

We have officially started with braces, this has been a long time coming. And if you knew me or Phil in our teen years you knew that our kids would not be able to go without these wonders! 16 years between the two of us. I may add that our orthodontist was not the most highly motivated among the ortho world! (8 years for each of us!) a bit much if you ask me!!

Well, Abby had hers put on Tuesday morning, pain yeah I would say that she was in pain! But she was a trooper and went to school so that she could go to soccer practice. Now that is devotion! What a girl! Well, she is doing great and has spent may hours in the mirror practicing her smile! (or making sure there is nothing in her teeth)! So, I dropped her off at 9 o'clock and picked her up at 10:15 and they changed my little girl into a teen, Yeah... She looks so different with them!

Betsy will go in a few months for her next appt. They think that she will be in them by spring. $$$$$$$ yeah! So, What do we get out of the deal? (other than nice teeth that bite where they are supposed to!) A mug, yeah a little travel mug! hmm, I wonder if I will get one for each of the kids? I will say that they are nice mugs, will I end up with 6 of them? A nice set!

So, here is a picture of the sweet smile just a few minutes after she had them put on! What do you think?

So, if I do my math right 2X6=12 right? I think that if all the kids have braces for 2 years Phil and I will still have them beat with 16 years between us! hmmm... Ok lets try it this way 3X6=18 OK I would feel better with that one unfortunately I don't think the kids will be in for more than 2 years! I could be wrong!!!