Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes I feel it is cliche to start the whole gratitude thing, almost like it is forced. Last week I went in to get my first root canal in my life. After sitting in his chair for 2 hrs and he wasn't done, I knew something wasn't right. Aparrently the infection had calcified making it impossible to drill all the way through the canal. Not wanting to risk breaking the tooth with more drilling, the endodontist recommended minor surgery to cut through the gums to the bone and go up the tooth from the bottom - I like to call it a "reverse root canal". I had convinced myself that since the endodontist would only be giving me a local numbing shot that the dental work was minor and I would be fine in a day or so...boy was I wrong. When he finished, he said that it would take 7-10 days... What?! With a swollen jaw and brusing, I've come to realize that it was "surgery". So this year, just having had minor mouth surgery, I really see many things to be grateful for.

1. breakfast cereal - glad that my kids don't mind eating it for dinner on those nights I haven't felt like cooking.

2. crunchy food - toasted sandwiches, etc. I've been relegated to only eating soup, yogurt, and soft foods. Five days after surgery and I still can't bit down very hard. I can only chew on one side of my mouth. With 15 stitches, I have to keep anything away that might pull them loose.

3. Myomed, ice packs, ibuprofen, and loritab - made the pain more like a discomfort.

4. a wonderful, understanding hubby - when I finished the surgery, I drove to his work and just cried on his shoulder. Then he said everything would be okay. Life was good again.

5. a healthy family - yeah sure, we've battled the flu a couple of weeks ago. But in general, we are fairly healthy.

6. wonderful friends - one of my friends kept Brady the entire day of my surgery, another friend brought me chicken noodle soup and a frosty for lunch and also dinner, and another brought us dinner. And another brought me soup again for lunch. So much thoughtfulness.

7. my faith, prayer, and a listening Heavenly Father. I've laid in bed, praying about various things, worries, etc. and I know he listens and is comforting me.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Last night was the Fall Ball - Daddy & Daughter Dance. It was Rachel's achievement day group (girls 8-11) from church. Since I am 2nd Counselor in the Primary, I oversee the achievement day girls and was lucky enough to get to be involved in this fun night. All the girls and their dads came dressed up in their best. (One of the dads even wore his tuxedo) The girls made boutineres out of candy for the dads and they also had coursages for the girls. Jared and I taught a little bit of Cha Cha and Waltz and then the "dates" danced and danced. The whole activity lasted only an hour and it was a little hard to end the dance because so many dads and daughters were having so much fun. I tried to only dance with Jared for the few steps that we needed to help demonstrate the Cha Cha and Waltz and then left him and Rachel on their "date". Brady and Luke came and just ran around the church during the dance but came in at the end for brownies and ice cream and a little bit of dancing.

Ethan's latest creation

Pretty scary if I say so myself. Wouldn't want to meet him on a back alley somewhere dark!

Halloween Fun

My kids think it is fun to wear different costumes thru-out the halloween season. Luke decided Friday morning - aka school halloween party day - to be Scooby Doo. Luckily for me, my kids know that they have to search our costume box because Mom doesn't "buy" costumes. It had been a crazy SICK week at our house with the flu (not the swine, just a viral flu). So Friday Rachel and Luke felt well enough to attend their parties. Brady and I were on the go helping Rachel's class with the prep work and then actually in Luke's class for the party. Brady was a trooper. I must say I am glad that trick or treating night wasn't until Sat. night.

Brady finally decided he wanted to be a "black ninja" - well close enough with the dark blue sweat pants and black turtleneck. He lasted about 2 houses with the sword and then I got to carry it for the rest.

As seen above, Luke decided not to be Scooby and instead went for Obi One Kenobi (can't believe after all these years I can't remember how to spell that jedi's name...shame on me!). Ethan carved the pumpkin that looks like a clone troop. Jared carved the great other one. Only they really do look much better lite up. We left Maike to answer the door for the trick or treaters and off we went. Brady and Luke were estatic, running to every door. "I LOVE HALLOWEEN MOM" "People just give us candy" "I've been waiting for this all year".

This was Rachel's first year to go all by herself with a friend, BFF Katie. For school, she went as a princess and then decided on this fun look for trick or treating!

Ethan was glad to help our little Ninja with his costume and then he and Dad went with friends to go see a movie. Still went with a few friends trick or treating when he got back. His costume??? A normal kid who just happens to have....wait for it...super powers!!!!

How do you know when Halloween is over??? I found Brady sound asleep at 9:15pm!