Bronson's Orthodontic Mess

I mentioned yesterday that Bronson has a long orthodontic road ahead of him. He's been seeing the orthodontist since 1st grade (2 years ago) because I knew his mouth was small and that if we wanted to save all his teeth (like Maddie), we'd have to start soon.

They've been watching him and pulling teeth as new teeth come in so there's room. He has a bottom retainer keeping the bottom teeth where they need to be but the appointment this week let us know what we were in for now.

We really wanted to be able to widen his jaw and make it so he could keep all his adult teeth but that's not going to happen. When I had braces, I had to have 4 of my permanent teeth pulled out because my mouth was too small to hold them all. Now there are many things they can do to help widen things when you're young and it makes for big beautiful smiles.

Bronson's mouth is just too small to do that it and so he has to get 2 more baby teeth pulled on the top so there's room for more teeth to come in. He will need to have 2 of his permanent teeth pulled in a year or two so they don't all come in on top of each other.

Also - his gum tissue on the bottom teeth is very thin and you can also see the tooth and root all the way down where they start. That's not good and so he needs to go see a periodontist to get the little "thingy" that's attached to the bottom lip - snipped so it will stop pulling down on his gums.

Then he needs to go see another special dentist after that (dad - your friend Dr. Crawford) to get his tongue snipped because he's "tongue-tied."

After all that's done - then we'll see where we're at. Talk about having a "million dollar smile!"


Having X rays taken

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After he was done - playing the video games. The most exciting thing about the orthodontist! Obviously the news of all his surgeries and procedures didn't bother him. If it would have been Talbie in that chair - she would have been listening very intently - and freaking out a little bit!

A Rough Day for Talbie

Yesterday was a rough day for Talbie. She started off by having to go to the doctor (the same time as Emmie) and get 2 more shots to get her caught up for registration for 7th grade. I remember the day when the kids would get their kindergarten shots and then you could say, "After these shots, you'll never have to get another shot!" Well - those days are gone. Now they have the series of Hepatitis A (which she had already had all of those), they have the Gardisil shot that is a 3 part series of shots (to prevent cervical cancer)and a shot for meningitis. The shots she needed were a tetanus booster and the next Gardisil shot.

(It's pretty funny when you bring your camera to the doctor with you and they say, "You must be a blogger!")

After Talbie's shots, we let her pick where she wanted to eat lunch because it was her "last meal" before we headed to the orthodontist for BRACES! She chose Subway!





Aren't they pretty? She only needed to get them on the top for now. At least she never needed the "medieval torture device" that Maddie needed before she got braces. You know the one that you crank every day or so to widen their jaw and the roof of their mouth?

After all of this, we went later that evening to the Jr. High and turned in everything for registration for next year. She's growing up - whether we want her to or not!!

Bronson also went with us to the orthodontist but his is another story that will have to wait until tomorrow. We thought Maddie had a small mouth when she started out with the ortho - Bronson wins the prize. More on him tomorrow...

Privacy

Well, I think it's time...

In a week I'm going to change my blog to a private blog. I've been monitoring my blog through a program called "stat counter" (free online!) and my blog gets about 200 hits a day and MANY of those are addresses I don't know.

I love having a blog and posting things about my family and daily happenings. Going private will make me feel a lot better about this.

Anyway - I want ALL of you to remain on my list of people to view my blog so PLEASE email me your email addresses so I can get you "hooked up." Email me at kccknowles@aol.com.

Thanks and happy blogging!

Worst Mom of the Year Award!

I deserve the "Worst Mom of the Year" award!

Many of you know Emmie's history with her IGA Deficiency. She always has a runny/stuffy nose and we try and stay on top of it the best we can. She's had some head aches lately and has been pretty grumpy - compared to her normally cheerful self.

Well, 2 days ago she said, "Mom, I'm sick. Will you take me to the doctor?" I asked her why she thought she was sick but just blew it off. The next day she complained that her ear was hurting and again said, "Can I go to the doctor today?" I gave my standard answer of, "We'll see" - and blew her off again.

I picked her up from school that day and she said, "Are we going to the doctor?" I told her no and she acted sad. I couldn't understand why she wanted to go to the doctor so bad.

Yesterday, I had to check Talbie out of school when I picked Emmie up, so Talbie could go to the doctor and get her last shot she needed to register for Jr. High last night. When Emmie heard we were going to the doctor she said, "Am I seeing him too?" I told her Talbie was just getting a shot but that I would talk to them. By now, I'm starting to think something might be up.

Anyway, long story short - I had the doctor look at Emmie while we were there and sure enough - she had double ear infections and a sinus infection. I'M SUCH A LOSER! She turned and looked at me after the doctor said that and said, "I told you I was sick!"

I'm thankful we've had the same pediatrician for almost 16 years and he just laughed - instead of reporting me to the authorities!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my birthday! I love birthdays but I've decided that I don't really like getting older. Next year will be the big "40" for me and I honestly can't believe that. I don't feel old, but I guess I am.

I had a great birthday because of my wonderful friends and family. I was truly spoiled. Dave surprised me on Saturday and made arrangements for us to go out to dinner with my parents, Brittany and Jared, and Dave's sister - Sandy. That was a lot of fun. Then on Sunday we had another little party and birthday cake with our family on Easter. I spent yesterday morning with Brittany, shopping and going out to lunch. Then the rest of the day was spent receiving gifts and birthday wishes from all my friends.

All I can say is that I'm truly blessed to have such supportive family and friends. I can't believe how kind you all are. Many thanks again and I love you all.

FYI - I was born in 1969. Here are some interesting facts from that year...

1. Neil Armstrong lands on the moon
2. Woodstock is held in upstate New York
3. Record of the year was "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel. The funny thing about that is that song is that it's currently one of Maddie's favorites and if you were to go onto her "MySpace" you would hear that song. I love it when she discovers new songs that have been around for 40 years!
4. Cost of a first class stamp is $.06
5. Average middle income family made $8,389 a year.
6. A gallon of gas cost $.35!
7. The average cost of a new home was $27,900 (cheaper than a car today!)

Easter

The Easter Bunny came to our house on Saturday so we could celebrate the true meaning of Easter on Sunday. It works out really well for us to do it that way!

The tradition in our family is to hide the baskets and the kids have to look all over for them. It was fun this year because we hid them in the car and they didn't suspect that. It took them about 30 minutes to find the baskets (and Dave had to give them a hint). They were really grateful for them by the time they got their hands on them!

This is us on Easter morning. We went to church at the single's ward where my dad is Bishop - so we could see my brother, Dustin sing. It was fun going to their ward and a treat to keep all the grand kids quite in a ward of adults - where no one makes a peep!

After church we all gathered to Dave's sister - Lynn's house for dinner. It was delicious. This is a picture of 5 beautiful cousins :). Maddie, Megan, Abi, Talbie, and Emmie.

More beautiful cousins. Charile, Ben, and Emmie

The kids had an egg hunt at the party. They did a great job hiding them. Bronson had to climb a tree to get 2 of them. He didn't mind, though!

We had a great weekend with our families. Thanks for everything!

You also may have noticed to beautiful pictures we had taken of the kids on Saturday. We did these at "Portrait Innovations" and they did a great job. We had a coupon because it had just opened. It was a special for a big package of pictures for only $9.95 (one setting). Of course they had the kids pose for many settings and I bought more pictures than I should have but I couldn't resist. I'll post more soon.

Happy Easter!

How Well Are You Writing?

I saw this on a friend's blog and it's seemed fun but I think it's just a random thing. I don't think it really scans your blog and determines your writing skill. This is what my blog came up as but another blog I know said it was the writing of someone in elementary school and that's not right. Anyway - it's just another one of those fun things you can do when you're bored. Give it a try!

Movie Reviews

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy "First Day of Spring" to you! We started the day with rain/snow mix but as the afternoon approaches it's turning into a sunny day!

Home Improvements

Spring is upon us (even though it's still so COLD) and every spring I get the bug to clean my house and remodel something. We have really been aching to get the yard and garage cleaned out but every Saturday that we have time to do it, we are treated to another snow storm. I've had to resort to some indoor projects. This is my first...


I inherited this wonderful table from my Great Grandma Christensen. It's a "Duncan Phyfe" for all you antique enthusiasts out there. This table was a treasure for my grandma and they saved and saved to purchase it in the late 1920's or early 1930's. It was used as their dining room table and was only used on special occasions. I hope she wouldn't be too upset that it's been our kitchen table since I got it, 15 years ago. It's not in the same shape it was even when I got it, but I treasure it and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of my grandma and all that table meant to her.

I have recovered the chairs a few times since I've had it. Usually when I do, I just add the new fabric on top of all the old stuff. I couldn't do that this time because there were too many layers and the staple gun couldn't handle all the "bulk." I took off all the layers and this was the bottom layer - still in tact with antique nails. I left it on. I'm not sure if it's the original fabric but I left it on because it's the most original and I didn't put it on.

This is what they looked like after I was done.


Dave has had many projects of his own that he's been wanting to tackle. The first of them was rebuilding a house for the bunnies. They are SO happy now. The one they have been in all winter was getting a little cramped and this one is a lot more roomy for 5 bunnies.

So Excited!

I just pulled up the BYU Women's Conference website and they have the program listed for this year's Women's Conference. I love to go to Women's Conference. It's so uplifting and it "fills my well." Anyway - who's with me?

Click here to see full detail and program!

Easter with Grandma and Grandpa

On Saturday we went to my parent's house so they could give the kids their Easter Baskets (bags) since they will be out of town this week and wanted to do it before Easter. The kids always look forward to this. Not because of the mounds of candy they get, but because of the eggs filled with money. It's quite a treat.

Thanks mom and dad for the fun day. Hope you're having fun in Vegas!


Emmie posing before tearing into her bag

Grandpa helping Bronson because he's making a mess!

Talbie reading her card


Maddie looking for money

The girls with Grandma

Everyone with Grandpa

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I got the kids all decked out in their green before they left for school today. I even thought ahead and saw some cute necklaces that "flash" when you turn them on - at the dollar section at Target the other day. I was so proud of myself. I even found a cute "flashing" bow tie for Bronson. What I didn't notice, however, is that the girl's necklaces have big mugs of beer on them. Oh well - they wore them anyway!

Dave is even decked out today. I wish I could say the same but after a crazy morning, going to work out, and then a mile long list of things to do today - I forgot to put my green on. Emmie has been pinching me all day and its getting a little annoying!

Dave - being the wonderful husband that he is - even got up early and went to the store for corn beef and cabbage. It's been cooking all day in the crock pot. It smells good but I'm not a big corn beef fan. I think Brittany and I have plans for Cafe Rio tonight!

Talbie Riding Her Bike

Maddie's Dance Competition & Talbie's Bike!

Yesterday Maddie had a dance competition in Ogden. I was not looking forward to driving up there but it actually turned out to be a nice day (despite the random snow storms). We drove to Ogden and she had to be there 2 hours early so that gave me time to leave and go shopping for Easter things while she waited. I went back in time to watch her perform her two dances. She did a great job!







While we were gone - another miracle happened at our house. Talbie learned how to ride her bike! Here's the video to prove it... (take in mind that she got this bike 3 years ago and she has about out grown it).


Video to follow! I'm having technical difficulties

Hair Cuts

Yesterday was a day for hair cuts. Talbie went to a friend of mine in our ward who just built a new house and salon. She got highlights and bangs cut! She looks so dang cute.

Bronson got his regular hair cut at "Fantastic Sams." Nothing fancy but he looks handsome just the same and it's better than me cutting it and having to deal with the mess.

All About Us

I was tagged again and this is a different/fun one. When I was tagged by Barb, it was originally titled "All About (husband's name here)" but I think the answers will include both of us so here goes...



Us with our first bikes :)

1. How long have you been together? Married 17 years in April - Met for the first time 5 months prior to that date.
2. How long did you date? 4 weeks until we were engaged.
3. How old is he? 38. He's 6 months younger than me. After I have a birthday, its 6 months of hell until he catches up with me :)
4. Who eats more? Dave by a long shot!
5. Who said "I love you" first? Dave
6. Who is taller? Me. Just seeing if you're paying attention. Dave is obviously.
7. Who sings better? Me - even though Dave loves to sing and is really good too :)
8. Who is smarter? Me - again just kidding!
9. Who does the laundry? I usually do but Dave helps put it away which is the worst part!
10. Who does the dishes? Both - who ever is in the kitchen when there's dishes to be done.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Dave
12. Who pays the bills? I do because I love "busy work"
13. Who mows the lawn? Me because it's great exercise for me and I love it. Dave does the trimming and weeding. Again - the worst part.
14. Who cooks? Dave is a really good cook and does most of the cooking. I always cook on Sunday but during the week I hate it.
15. Who is more stubborn? Me!
16. Who kissed who first? Dave kissed me first on our 2nd date.
17. Who asked who out first? We were set up on a blind date by a friend of my little brother, Cody. It was Matt Heaps who is Dave's sister's husband's brother. Figure that one out!
18. Who proposed? Dave - even though I knew it was coming. He's never been very good at hiding secrets from me.
19. Who is more sensitive? I don't know? Dave is very sensitive but very tough too. I act tough but I'm nothing but mush inside!
20. Who has more friends? I guess me because girls always seem to keep in touch better than boys. We really have the same friends in common though.
21. Who has more siblings? That would definitely be Dave. He has a long story. He was adopted by his dad when he was 8 when his mom remarried. His dad had 3 kids and Dave has 3 older sisters so that makes 7. (His dad also had 6 or 7 grown children at the time but we've never really met them)
22. Who am I tagging? EVERYONE!

She's Got Talent!

Maddie has been doing her own hair since the 2nd grade because the way I did it, never met up with her "expectations!" Having all that experience has helped her and she is by far, the best hairdresser in the family. Talbie is very easy going and I have been doing her hair since birth. She will be in Jr. High next year and I think I'd better set her free so she can learn how to do her hair. Maddie has agreed to give me and Talbie lessons on the new techniques of curling hair.

A Night at the Theater

On Friday night we went and saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Center Street theater in Provo. We had never been to this little theater and it has only been open for a few years. I'm So glad that we found it! For less money than it costs to take my family to the movie - we enjoyed a great performance and it was very entertaining. We will definitely be going back again soon for another musical.

PS - we also own the movie of "Joseph" with Donny Osmond and it's another "must have" for your DVD collection.

Planetarium

I volunteered to help with Bronson's field trip yesterday to the planetarium at BYU. I hadn't been to a planetarium since I was a kid and it was very enjoyable. The only down side was that after about 10 minutes of having the lights out - I was fighting falling asleep. I would have given in except that I snore!


Bronson with Brock in front of the giant crystal

Trying the "air shooter"

Bronson and his two best friends in the world. Twins - Ryan and Blake

I Don't Mean to Brag - But...

I don't mean to be a bragger but I just did the typing test again and got a better score. I'm going to try and break 100! I'll keep you posted :)

97 words

Speed test

How Fast Can You Type?

I got this website from my friend, Jessie and I tried it out. I haven't tested my typing for probably 16 years (since I worked) so it was nice to see that I could still do it! Try it out - it's fun!

94 words

Speed test

Can You Break an Egg?

It's a known fact that it's very difficult - if not impossible - to break an egg with one hand. We tried this experiment tonight as we were making hard boiled eggs. It's true - I couldn't break the egg and I tried very hard. The kids all tried too but failed. Dave is very strong and he did it without any problem (and got us all messy in the process)










Here's the video of Dave breaking it. It makes for a fun "Family Night" - try it at home :)

PS - if you're wondering where Maddie is in this post - at dance, of course! She lives there.

For Your Amusement

Every time I go to put pictures on my computer I come across many pictures and video that have been taken by the kids. This is a sample of what 99% of the video are like and now I know how they act when I leave the house!

Bean Museum

We're off to the "Bean Museum" for FHE. I'm not excited because I really don't "dig" the Bean Museum. The kids LOVE it though so we're going. Wish me luck!

Finally!

Talbie finally got to meet Ally on Saturday. She was SO excited. Talbie has such a love for babies and getting to see and hold Ally was the highlight of her life.

Today in church, Talbie asked if she could bare her testimony. She has NEVER done that before and she's always been too nervous. I told her to go for it! She gave a beautiful testimony and at the end of it she said, "...and I'm thankful for my new cousin - Ally!"

Big Girl!

I got home today to find that Emmie had learned to ride her bike! She hadn't really tried to last year but today the kids got their bikes out because it was a pretty nice day. Emmie went out with her bike (and training wheels) and saw our neighbor riding her bike without training wheels. She turned to Dave and said, "TAKE OFF MY TRAINING WHEELS!" He did - and off she went. She's been our easiest to teach - by far. Now, if we could only teach Talbie :)