Okay we didn't really get a new car, we are doing the next best thing, braces. This week child 1 of 2 got braces on, which in the end will cost about the same as a used car. Camden was the first to get his on. He is 14 and still has a baby tooth, the adult tooth is coming is sideways, so it isn't making the baby fall out. In the x-ray, the baby tooth isn't the one that the tip of the adult one is at, it's the one to the left of it. He will have braces for a while, then have an oral surgery where they pull that baby tooth, then put a bracket and chain on the adult tooth and pull the tooth into place that way. If left untreated, it could/ would damage the front adult teeth and possibly knock them out.
He was pretty nervous getting them on. I'm not sure what he thought would happen, but he asked if he had to be awake for it.
The worst part is leaving your mouth open for so long.
His mouth full of metal. The past few days they have hurt and he talks a little weird now, but he's slowly getting used to them.
Next is Emery's turn. She starts her journey in October.
When you make a lot of phone calls, you are bound to have a lot of different experiences. Happy people, angry one, ones that are confused, one that don't want to talk to you at all, one's that are glad you called and ones that just want to talk. The ones that want to just talk can be hard, because I'm not really good with small talk and also, I have a list of others that I need to call. The other day I got someone who talked a lot. After I did what I needed to he asked when I grew up and graduated from. It was a little weird, but I thought it was ending soon, so it wasn't bad. He told me where he graduated from, a little town in Idaho he thought I'd never heard of. He was surprised when I said I have family who lives there. He then when on and asked if I could Google something for him real quick. I thought it would be directions, but it was the title of a book. I found it and he said the woman was his wife. She got dementia and he took care of her. He loved her so much and it was a really hard thing for him to do. He knew that there has to be others out there like him and so he started to write down his experiences and time spent caring for the woman he loved. After she passes he wanted to make a book to help others through the same trial. Again, I'm not good with words, but I thought it was so sweet that he shared this. He them asked if someone has ever recited a poem from memory over the phone. I could honestly say no to that. Then he said sit back and just listen and he started...
Should you go first and I remain,
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known.
In Spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue,
In early Fall when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.
Should you go first and I remain,
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.
Should you go first and I remain,
To finish with the scroll,
No length 'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death cannot destroy.
Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same,
For some day down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.
This was a one of a kind experience to have happen. In the short time I talked with this person, you could sense the love he had for his wife, how much he misses her and how much people need someone to talk to. I now need to get this book and read it. This happened about a week or so ago and I think about this poem often. Before I hung up the phone, I thanked him for this and wished him well. I need it to remind myself to pause sometimes and take a breath. I don't need to make call after call after call. Taking 20 minutes to just listen to someone can change your whole day.
This month was Camden's special night. He wanted to do an escape room, but the one we found you had to have 4 people. We told him he can take a sibling or a cousin. He wanted to take Zandar. We did a Titanic one that was pretty hard. The guy said about 30% make it through. We weren't part of that 30%, we died. But we were close.
We went to a move this weekend. Yes an actual theater movie. It was cheaper and we saw "The Goonies", but it was still fun to be back at the theater. Ours wasn't very full, which is to be expected. We (well maybe I) sure missed theater popcorn.
Jackson made a game for us all to play. Boss 1 of 4 had 1000 health. While our heroes only could do max 50 damage a turn. We played for about 45 minutes before we took a break. While it was an impossible game that would last for hours, it was still fun to see his imagination at work.
Next challenge, Nuggets. We drove a few places and got nuggets, or chicken strips and fries and ranked them. We did not put Chick Fil A in, because that is number 1, no contest. Because cold fries are nasty, we just drove to each place and tried them out.
Number 2 is Burger Kind chicken Fries (not sure how), then McDonald's, Popeye's, Golden Wheel and last Sonic. Sonic is much like Jack 'N the Box and was trash.
For Fries it was McDonald's, Burger King, Golden Wheel, Sonic and Popeye's.
For a few months Camden has been talking about getting a 3D printer. He wants to make characters for D&D or a game that he is making with Beck and Brad. Brad also wanted a printer, so they went in together to get one. The one they got uses resin (a liquid) to make the prints. I really don't get how it starts as a pan of liquid to make what it has. The detail this one can get is pretty amazing.
This was the test run. We don't know what it is, other than to show a few things that it can do.
When you the print is done and you open it us, this is what it looks like. A lot of the lines are supports, and they get cut off.
The final guy. We cut all of the supports off and its just a guy with a gun. Its pretty amazing though.
It's fun to see the kids hang out with family that they haven't much in the past. Jayson's older 3 kids came over to swim and sleep over (well I don't think any of the boys actually slept).
Emery loves girl time.
Speaking of girl, this happened this week. Emery told me she didn't like it when people said she has a lot of blond hair on her legs. She wanted to know when I started shaving and why she couldn't yet. This was the first time she has ever brought it up. I told her next time I grocery shop we can get things for her. She was very excited and loves the fact she is growing up more and more.
Back in November I started a course to become a Certified Medical Coder. I freak out every time when I take a test, so a few tests in, I wondered what I was doing. I was set to take my final test in March... then COVID. The week before I went to take it, they canceled it. There was finally an option to make the test online. I put it off more than I should have, but the weekend after the reunion, I took the test. It was two 2.5 hour test. To say I was nervous is a massive understatement. Someone had to watch me on a webcam the whole time. I had to keep telling myself to breath, relax and go slow. After the second test I just had to wait, and wait, and wait. The longer you have to wait, the more you just think you failed. I got a call today from the company and the message said they needed to talk to me about my test. When I called back, I was waiting for a, 'Sorry you didn't pass.' Instead she told me I passed! I'm not sure I believe it still, but it is a good feeling to be done and to have actually pass. Now I just have to wait and watch for a coder job to open up.
The day we left was the day I turned 34! Yup, I'm getting old. It was nice to be home that evening just to relax as a family. Watched a movie and ate cupcakes that Emery made. I am excited to start whitening my teeth. I mentioned it a lot to Brad. Thankfully he listened.
Then Grandma Arrington came down for a girls day. We went to Zupas for lunch, then shopped at the mall, walked around Albertson's Marketplace (an amazing store) and got some massive cupcakes. They were good but way too sweet. I love that the three of us can get together for an afternoon of fun. I miss Twin and seeing mom every day, but I really makes me look forward to these days.
The even had dog cupcakes. Which the dogs were too sure of at first, but loved them in the end.
When I was still having to go back and forth for work the weekends were times where I didn't want to go anywhere. I debated a few times making the trip to Bear Lake, which now is 2 hours longer. I am glad I started in Boise and am even more glad we all went to Bear Lake for the reunion. It was nice and relaxing and good to see all of the family that came. Emery stayed close to the babies. She loves being a little mom.
Uncle Chris is good at wearing the kids out, and having fun with them. They ran around the yard and were worn out in the end.
There was also a lot of Corn Hole played. I for one am not good at it, but it was fun to see others play.
We went to the lake early, which was perfect. It wasn't too hot, not a lot of people, and by the time it was getting too hot, we were all ready to go. The water was pretty shallow for a long ways out. You can kind of see a white ball, the boys still could touch that far out.
Brad tried really hard to get Grant to be his buddy. It worked a few times, but mostly Grant wanted his mom.
We played Barnes BINGO. Some of the Great Grandparents were hard to find, but it was fun to see old pictures and watch the kids try to figure them all out. The kids loved all of the prizes the most.
Beck was given some sweet shades. If he knew I was taking a picture he would have hid.
Outside a pizza place we ate at. He didn't get putting his whole face in.
The boys, Greyson, Teresa and I went to this activity place. It was pretty hot out, but the kids had a lot of fun. They all did a slide and golf. Cam and Grey did a trampoline while Jacks and Beck did a zip line.
While I did not do the zip line, it was the worse in my opinion. You were obviously high up and had to cross a bridge to get there. Jacks and Beck had fun which is what mattered.
The scary bridge. That girl acted like it was nothing, but it was not fun.
Corn Hole Tournament. Jackson's team got second place. Cam and Beck were on a team and won a few. Brad's team lost right away. My team won once and Emery's won a few times.
Brad did the Social Distancing Games. You had to complete tasks while a safe 6 feet apart. First was brush someone's teeth.
Then put a hat on someone.
Make a PBJ and feed it to them.
Fold Laundry
Draw a picture
And feed someone and Oreo
We had FHE as well. This year someone from each family talked about something that they did that was hard and how with putting in a lot of effort, they got a reward. It was fun hearing everyone's stories and what they have learned. Seeonna talked about her treatments, all that she has gone through and still does. Not a dry eye but she is so strong and was still able to talk about some 'rewards' that she has had over the last year. Camden talked about piano. He got nervous and since he didn't write down what he wanted to say, he forgot to say some things. It was still good to hear him and was good for him to get up and talk in front of people.
It was a lot of fun and at the end, we were very tired. I could do without a long drive, but that's okay. Until next year.
