WARNING- Graphic Images Below

"The Human Mouth is a disgusting place."
-- Finding Nemo

It never ceases to amaze me ...take one sweet and innocent child, add a few little pieces of metal and a few large pieces of metal, and a huge chunk of "ka-ching!", and at least one miserable year of daily pain, undecipherable communication skills (her mouth is so full of appliances, that no one can understand a word she says!) and no Tootsie Rolls... and you can create a monster.

I know it's all worth it. Try telling Emma that now, as she carries around a wad of drooly tissues and a pocket of wax. She's already a beautiful girl, but she'll be walking down runways when we're through with her. (Over her daddy's dead body, actually, but you know what I mean...)

THE MUG SHOT--"BEFORE"

Our good friend, Donna, took these lovely keepsake photos for us, and it was difficult to get Emma to not smile. But looking at those choppy chompers, I can only feel total and complete responsibility for her pain and anguish. I am, after all, her mother. She did, in fact, inherit a few of my crooked genes. Poor kid.

THE MUG SHOT -- "DURING"
She wants to call them "br-ow-ces". They just plain hurt.

Luckily, they don't hurt as much today as they did yesterday when she got them -- she wouldn't pose for me yesterday -- and she's even been able to play a little bit. I keep telling her she'll get used to it, and the pain won't be bad for long, but she would much rather not have any pain at all. In her mind, it's just getting worse. She would much rather have had glasses than braces, but I'm sure that, too, will come. (More defective genes, unfortunately...)

Please stay tuned -- like, in a year from now -- for THE MUG SHOT -- "AFTER". Emma's really looking forward to it!

Because I have nothing better to do...

Just a quickie today: the past few weeks have been filled with one financial whopper after another. I won't bore you with too many details, but Emma is getting braces on this Thursday (did we know how expensive our children were going to be?), our heat pump decided to shut down permanently (thankfully, after the snow finished melting), and a whole bunch of other stuff all seemed to just go wrong all at the same time. Big sigh. But we pray and pay our tithing and hope for the best, and thank goodness for miracles that happen when you least expect them. Miracles that have names. Thank you. You know who you are.

So, a little humility can go a long way. I am so grateful for so many, many little things, like appliances that do work (knock on wood so they don't break tomorrow!) and a car that runs (even if we can't afford gas) and a refrigerator full of food and pay days and a job that I love. Which, by the way, stay tuned for a new blog: I've decided to catalog my portfolio of custom sewing on line so everyone can see what keeps me busy. I love making beautiful clothes and costumes, and it keeps my creative juices flowing. Squirt, squirt!

I HEART QUACKENBUSHES!

Well, boys and girls, today's the day—you know, that holiday reserved for sappy romantics and cheesy Hallmark commercials. Just for the record -- beyond the Disney Princess tear-apart cards and a few assorted chocolates (for the kids, of course!), we do not celebrate Valentines' Day in our house. No, we're not fuddy-duddies-- I just don’t like Valentine’s Day! I never have! It may have something to do with the fact that Roy chose Valentine's week to break up with me when we were in college...hmmm...I’m not bitter, and I don’t have issues. Fifteen years of therapy have done the trick.

Having said that, however, I don't want you to think that I am against the expression of affection. On the contrary--we just don't wait until February 14th to express it. For example, here's some evidence that my family loves me:

I know my husband loves me because I woke up this morning to a dishwasher full of clean dishes, a kitchen floor that is mopped, and a couch full of laundry (colors separated and everything!) Brag, brag, brag. Roy is the most house-proud man I know. I am so grateful I married a man that cooks and cleans and likes it! Some people (the high priests group and elder's quorum) think he's sick in the head, but I can't complain! I love my husband!

And my kids are awesome! One of them actually made her bed this morning without being told! (I won't tell you which one) And the bathroom floor is clean -- no stray pajamas or towels strewn about, all the curling irons and toothbrushes were put away -- I almost cried.

Sophie woke up a little cranky this morning, but as soon as she located her Pink Blankie, she became Super Sophie, Comic Relief. (Pink Blankie appears courtesy of my good friend/old roommate Nicki. It's her absolute favorite, by the way, and she and it are inseparable!) Her calling in life is to make people laugh. I love her imagination and her cutesy-tootsy little grin and giggle. She's a joy!

Last but not least, I had to share this valentine I received about 9 years ago. When Anne was three-year old "Annie", she made this poster and put it up on my computer desk, where it has become a permanent fixture. We've moved this desk around so many times, but that will never move. I love having this little reminder that, no matter how many times I mess up or how bad my day gets, my kids think I'm the best!

So, when it comes right down to it, I am in love with five wonderful people that put more than a little smile in my heart.

Muchas smoochas to all of you hopeless romantics and sappy, love-struck human beings!

ROP#1023: The Field Trip

What could possibly be more exciting than riding a bus on your very first field trip?!

Emma, of course, is a seasoned traveler, but this was Sophie's very first experience, and let me tell you, she can't stop talking about it! We got to ride "Gus the Bus", which is an interactive bus created just for kids and field trips. (Notice the pretty butterflies painted on the side -- Sophie can't stop talking about those, either!) "Gus" is a great educational asset for our school -- Emma has learned everything from Stranger Danger to Bike Safety. Gus takes the kids all over the valley, and it was fun to be able to be included on this trip.

(Come to think of it, when was the last time I rode a bus? It's been a while! And I don't think I was nearly as excited as Sophie was!)

Central Point, Oregon is famous for one thing and one thing only:

THE CRATER ROCK MUSEUM!

This is a way cool place to look at some way cool rocks, and shells, dinosaurs, petrified wood, Native American artifacts, and even some blown glass exhibits that are stunning!

Here's a few shots of some of the excitement:

This little beauty is called the "Purple Majesty". It's a geode (word of the day -- go look it up!), and the largest one ever found in the country. There were tons and tons of smaller geodes, but this one was the most impressive. (The orange one was pretty cool, but believe it or not, it was only half the size of the purple one.)

This little guy greeted us as we walked into the lecture room for a video presentation.

Sophie's first reaction was, "Wow! Cool!" until she realized we actually had to walk past it. Then she completely lost it. Needless to say, we didn't spend much time in the hallway.

The blown-glass display was incredible! I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was actually trying to capture the big, ugly lump underneath. That thing is a rock, and it's actually called a Thunderegg. It is Oregon's state rock, and we're very proud. (Okay, maybe not that proud, but do you know what your state rock is?) It doesn't look like much on the outside, but take a look at the link and you can see what it looks like when you cut it in half. Amazing!

Okay, I'm partial to sea shells, but take a look at these babies. I'm glad I caught Sophie in the picture, so you can see how big they are. (Can you imagine the size of the crab that lived in it?)

This was Sophie's favorite exhibit. The horses and everything are all crafted out of various precious gems, resulting in a work of art that is worth over $10,000!!!

(What can I say -- my daughter has expensive tastes!)

And speaking of beaucoup bucks, the collection on the left is a picture of the "Rare Gems Room", otherwise known as the "Expensive Room". Each of the rocks in the cases are worth over $1000 a piece. I don't remember what the rock on the right was, but it was my favorite. Isn't it amazing what Heavenly Father can create?

Last but not least, we went in a little room where there were a bunch of completely ordinary looking rocks. Then, the lights went off and a black light went on and here is the result. You can try this at home, even if you don't have a black light: take some ordinary rock and hold it up to a light and see what comes through!

What's all that white stuff?

Okay, for all of those of you who didn't believe me when I said school shuts down if it snows an inch, here's the proof! These were taken on the night of a big snowfall, causing a School Snow Day the next day. It all melted by three o'clock that afternoon. Sad.

As much fun as snow is, I don't think I could live with it for months at a time. The wet clothes, the muddy boots, the frozen fingers and noses, and the MESS IN MY KITCHEN...I think there's a reason why most homes in Utah have mud rooms! You have to have one room in the house dedicated to perpetual messiness during those winter (and spring, probably!) months, so you don't have to clean every half an hour when a troop of frozen offspring come in to get warm, then tramp right back outside again. I like snow--but just from the window! (That's what I get for growing up in Hawaii!)