My Watchdog Hedgehog

Living in base housing afforded me a sense of what I called false security. Who would possibly try to get by armed marines at the gate just to break into my house or steal my kids?

When we moved back to the "real world" PK was geobaching and spending his weeks at the base. The kids and I were alone during the week. I really wanted to get a watchdog, but we were renting and weren't allowed to have pets. My sweet friend, Becky, decided if I couldn't have a watchdog, she would give me a hedgehog.


That was about five years ago and this little guy has had a place on my counter ever since. He isn't going to do much protecting, but he symbolizes a friend who is praying for me. He makes me smile.

PK is leaving for two months this Friday for Bahrain. He will be ministering to sailors on board ship. Yesterday Rachel went to check the mail. When she came in she said, "I think you have something from Mrs. Becky." Becky makes homemade cards and my kids are thrilled when they get their birthday cards from her. She really tries to top herself each year and make the card something the kids are "in to."

I tried to remember if Becky had told me she was sending something. It isn't my birthday or anniversary. I opened the package and read the card. Of course, it is a Becizzle original.

On the inside she had written that she thought my Hedgehog Watchdog could use reinforcements, since PK is going to be gone. I was almost in tears before I even opened the bundle of tissue paper inside the box. Becky gets it. I don't need sympathy or anyone to try to point out how sad it is that PK is going to be gone. When I say we will be fine and I am looking forward to hearing the stories of how he is able to minister to the guys, I don't want someone to come back and try to convince me how bad it will be. Becky has been there, done that.

This little guy was wrapped up in the tissue paper.

After a photo shoot with his friend, they both returned to their spot on my counter. When I see them, I will remember that I have a friend who prays for me when I come to mind. I will remember that friends are a blessing. I will remember that God is good.

The Cost Of An Extra Tooth

About a year and a half ago at one of the kids' dental check-ups, their dentist found an extra tooth on Rachel's x-ray. He had to pull another tooth that wasn't falling out, but when he went for the extra tooth he realized it is attached to a tooth next to it. They are both permanent teeth. Hannah also had lost two baby teeth that had been missing for almost two years and had not yet been replaced by permanent teeth. Here came the dreaded words, "I am going to refer the girls to an orthodontist."

I have loved our orthodontist. I was expecting him to give me a list of things the girls needed done right away, but at the first visit he said, "Let's wait and watch." He knew something would eventually have to be done about Rachel's extra tooth, but she had some loose teeth and he wanted to give them time to fall out and the permanent ones to grow in. Hannah had fallen several times as a toddler/preschooler and caught herself with her mouth. One fall chipped a tooth and one fall loosened a couple. Our dentist at the time did x-rays and said everything appeared to be alright. The teeth tightened back up and one turned slightly gray. The ortho thought that because of the "trauma" to her baby teeth they probably fell out prematurely so the permanent teeth were just taking longer to appear. There was no charge for the consultation. Really? You aren't going to recommend any treatment right now and you are telling me that for free? We made an appointment for six months later.

By the time we went back for the six month appointment, Hannah's permanent teeth had made an appearance, so she was good to go. The ortho was still a little unsure how to proceed with Rachel's extra tooth and wanted to wait a bit longer as she was still loosing teeth. Another free visit!

At her last appointment, the ortho decided it was time to move forward. He made a mold of Rachel's teeth and once again we walked out without paying a dime and with an appointment for today.

This is the mold of Rachel's teeth. It allows the ortho to see them out of the mouth and from different angles. It was kind of fun to see them.

Here's my girl.

The extra tooth still hasn't grown in all the way and Rachel doesn't have much space. She will have braces for about 12-14 months and then a retainer. After we make some space, our ortho will send us to and endodontist who specializes on root canals and working on the inside of the teeth. He will have to see if there is a nerve in the extra tooth. If not, he may be able to just file it down. The course of treatment will also depend on how far into the gums the extra tooth is connected to the permanent tooth.

Rachel had the spacers put in today. Those are the little blue things at the back of her mouth. She has a set on the top and bottom. We will go back in about a week and half to have the braces put on. At that point the freebies are over.

How much will all of this cost? Let's just say that after insurance pays their portion, I could still afford to take the entire family to Disney World for less than what we will be paying out of pocket.

Scared the Hair Right Off of Him

Aaron decided to let me cut his hair with the clippers. No, I didn't take a picture.

He was a little nervous when we first started because he wasn't too sure I knew what I was doing. I really don't, but all I really have to do is go over his entire head and it is an even cut.

I tried to ease his worries.

Me: Don't be afraid. I use to cut Daddy's hair with the clippers all the time.

Aaron: Ya...He was so scared he stopped growing hair.

Me: Bwhahahahaha

In my defense, PK still grows hair. He just chooses to shave it off.

Safari

Last year when Bethanie was visiting, the kids and I took her to one of our favorite places. It is a wild life park. This year, she requested that we be able to go back to show Mom, Hailey and Riely.

Usually we ride the big bus through the safari, but this year we decided to rent one of the vans to drive through the safari ourselves. It was well worth it. This was by far our favorite visit. The van was a 15 passenger so there was plenty of room for everyone to have their own window. The bus is usually full and the kids have to try to climb over each other to see.

This is the entrance to the drive through portion of the park. There is a cattle gate on the ground and the animals know they can't cross it. As soon as the van crossed the cattle gate, the animals swarmed the van waiting to be fed.

I was amazed that the larger animals have learned that if they stand directly in front of the vehicles, the vehicles will stop. Then the animals slowly move to the side of the van.

These little calves had me stopped, but they had no idea they were supposed to move to the side for food or move out of the way so I could drive. This momma cow came along and gently bumped them with her head until they moved out of the road.

My mom cracked me up. She kept her window rolled up most of the time so she wouldn't be surprised by any unexpected guests sneaking up to her window.

There are tons of pigs running around. This momma pig is being followed by one of her piglets.

Then we saw these two little ones trying to climb the hill.

It looks like Aaron is actually talking to the elk which he was.

There are two camels who aren't allowed to roam free, but we were able to pull right up to their fence to feed them.

The giraffes, on the other hand, are allowed to roam free. I took this picture as the giraffe was approaching the van.

He bent down for Riely to feed him.

Then Riely got to pet him. This is the best smile I saw from this kiddo all week. Priceless.

Here Hannah and Bethanie are feeding some of the many elk.

Hailey also thought it was fun although she was not happy about being slobbered on.

We packed lunch to eat at the park. There are picnic tables set up where we were able to sit and watch some of the animals.

Mom and the girls enjoying lunch. Rachel wasn't with us because she went tubing with the youth from our church for Youth Week.

After lunch we went through the "walk about" portion of the park.

When Hannah first walked up to this bird, it said, "Hello." I wish I had had the camera on her at that moment because she looked at me with such a fun look of surprise. The rest of the group came over to hear the bird talk. When they started to walk off, my mom said, "Bye" and once again I wish I had had my camera focused on the entire group because they all looked at me with that same open mouth surprised expression Hannah had when the bird said, "Hello."

One of the employees had an Albino Burmese Python out sunning in the grass. The kids were excited to get to touch it.

Of course, I had to end the day with a bit of silliness.

Red, White and Blue

Our tradition on the Fourth of July is to go to the parade first thing in the morning. All the entries throw candy at the kids. Of course, that is their favorite part.


Rachel, Hannah and Bethanie...In their defense, the sun was in their eyes. The girls have their bags ready to load up with candy.


Hailey

Aaron and Riely

The second part of our Fourth of July tradition is going to see the fireworks. It stormed that night so the fireworks were postponed until the next evening. My friend, Tracie, from church and her kids decided to join us. I didn't take my camera to the big fireworks, but I got a couple shots when we set off our own fireworks at home.

Aaron

Rachel

Hannah

Bethanie

Puppet Show

My mom is visiting for the week and she brought two of my nieces and my nephew along. The first night they were here, Bethanie and Hannah put on a puppet show.

Many different toys made up the cast of puppet characters.

Behind the scenes.

Stylin'

Sunday morning I told the kids to go get dressed for church. This is how I found Aaron.

He seriously thought because it was plaid and plaid that it matched. Plus, he made sure he pointed out the dress socks that he thought really made the ensemble.