Jingle Bells!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.... okay, I'll refrain!

On Thursday, Isaac and I headed down to Mom's so we could go to the Jingle Bell Parade! I haven't been to the parade in years or any of the holiday festivities. Friday night was the spaghetti dinner and variety show (mainly Shannon's Studio II dancers and singers) at the new high school... not that new, but it was the first time I've seen it! I haven't spent much time with Shannon since we've been back in Ohio, so after the show she treated me to a mocha latte at Tim Horton's. No Starbucks or anything fancy in Waverly... just good 'ol Tim's to end the evening! The parade was Saturday evening, and boy was it freezing outside! Isaac was bundled nicely in lots of layers including baby bunting and blankets. He was comfy-cozy, but I thought my toes were about to break into tiny pieces. I don't think they've ever been that cold! Here are a few pictures of the holiday fun in Waverly, Ohio. Maybe you can go next year! I know you want to, right?!

Tonight at Home...

Here's a video of Isaac tonight. He and I went to K-Mart and Goodwill earlier today. As soon as we got home, he really wanted to play with this little pumpkin my mom gave us. I thought I'd capture a clip of him since we're so bad about it. He'll be in college, and we'll wonder why we didn't video all the sweetness of his younger years! I hope you enjoy!

A Fractured Tooth and TMJ - A Recipe for Trouble!

So, over the past oh I don't know... 5-6 weeks, I've been having some tooth pain on the lower left side of my mouth. It's progressively gotten out of control. I saw the dentist about a month ago for a routine cleaning. I informed him of the pain I felt from one specific tooth. Turns out... it's fractured and needs a crown. I already had so much filling in this particular tooth, so the only option was to crown it... or yank it! I knew it was a problem, which was just my luck. I can daydream about eating a jawbreaker and all my teeth will crack. Or, I can look at a bag of skittles and have a mouth full of cavities.

I knew it needed fixed in a hurry because it was already hurting pretty badly at this point. The hygienist wanted to make sure my insurance would cover such a nasty sight, so I needed to wait a few more weeks to make sure Tricare was on my side! Needless to say, the next few weeks were quite painful in the mouth area. It was so bad that I couldn't talk at times. Maybe the Lord is trying to teach me something about how I use my mouth?! I know He will use whatever necessary to purge the nastiness from my character. Okay, back on topic. Finally, I received the good news from Tricare that they will cover over half the cost! Great news, right? Well, we still get to pay a whopping $336.00. Oh, the joy!

When the dentist put on my temporary crown, I told him about all the pain I was having. He wanted to make sure the tooth was still vital, so he did a series of tests. He told me I wasn't that weird; all the tests revealed tolerable measurements. He thought it best to proceed with the crown but leave the temporary on a bit longer to make sure my tooth settled down. I was to call him if the pain didn't subside within 4 or 5 days. This is when it all gets ugly. The pain was unbearable at times. Ironically, the pain wasn't in my tooth. I had terrible ear and jaw pain. Not a good sign!

This past Monday, I went to Caribou at the Greene with some friends. Shortly after leaving, my left ear and jaw were throbbing so badly, I thought my head was going to pop off. It was excruciating. I could hardly focus on the road. When I got home, Matt was working at the computer, and I couldn't even open my mouth. By this point, I thought I needed to see my Dr. just to make sure I didn't have some coincidental ear infection. Matt thought I should go to the E.R. I just wanted to take some ibu. and get some sleep. I could call the Dr. in the morning.

So... I called the Dr. but couldn't get an appt. for 2 days. At this point, I knew I couldn't wait any longer. Linda came over to watch Isaac for me, and I was off to the E.R. I wanted to rule out any type of ear or throat problem before calling the dentist. Sure enough, my ears couldn't be any healthier the Dr. said. I waited for over 2 hours just to hear her words!

I called my dentist (of course the office is closed on Wednesdays!), but they were able to see me the very next morning. I love them! Now to the end of the story... the crowned tooth is not why I'm in pain. Although it certainly didn't help! I have TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). I am a big time clencher at night and wear a "Brux" appliance at nighttime. However, the pressure placed on my jaws has finally showed its ugly self! I then had to make another appt. with my actual PCM (Primary Care Physician in military lingo) to get a medical referral. So, next week I'll have a full TMJ evaluation and then we'll see what all I need.

It's crazy how such a small part of your body can make you feel miserable. I had a really bad spasm tonight on the way home from Apex and couldn't talk again. Maybe God wants me to wire my mouth shut or something! I do hope to have everything taken care of very soon. It's no fun having chronic teeth/mouth problems! Dear Lord, I've learned my lesson! Please heal my mouth!

Animal Sounds and Words, Words, Words!

Over the past couple of days, Isaac has become our little animal in the house. He LOVES making animal noises when someone asks him what something says. Now, he doesn't always perform on cue, but when he does, it's a precious moment! He learns new words every day it seems. He's growing up so quickly.

Isaac amazes me with his language ability, particualarly his receptive language skills. From an early age, he seemed to understand what we said to him. When he was around seven-eight months old, I would point out things in his room. After telling him what something was only one time, he could remember it and scan the room to find it. After days of not mentioning something, he still knew what it was. He has a valance in his room with a monkey, lion, and giraffe on it. I would ask him, "Where's the giraffe?" or "Where's the monkey", and he could always find it with his eyes. Over the past few months he graduated to pointing with his finger. It truly is amazing to talk to him and know that he comprehends what I am saying. He learned early on how to praise the Lord. So anytime you say, "Praise God", he'll lift his hands! He signs "please" now, and it took him less than a day to learn it! He talks and jabbers all day long and clearly wants to be in conversation with people. I guess it's no surprise with me as his mother!

My little boy is learning how language works. He is constantly pointing to objects around the house. If he doesn't know what something is, he wants to know immediately and asks, "What's that? or says, "Ooh.. ooh.. ooh". Last night he wanted to talk about the fish on his jammies. He now says fish anytime he sees a picture of one. He is our inquisitive toddler! I love this quality about Isaac, and I hope to cherish it throughout his life.

I leave you with some of his animal sounds and words:

... a duck says... "kak" "kak"

... a lion says... "raahhhhhh"

... an owl says... "hoooowooo"

...a cow says... "mmmmmmmm"

... a dog says... "uh ruh ruh ruh ruh"

... a baby says... "wanh wanh wanh" (my favorite!!!)

... a sheep says... "baa"

... bath... "bap"

... fish... "ish"

... duck... "guk"

... truck ... "kuk"

... clock... "kauk"

... cup... "cup"

... pumpkin... "pum"

... flower... "ow-er"

... mom... "mom mom mom"...

... dad... "dad", "dat", or "dada" (depending on his mood, I guess!)

... light... "it"

... that... "that"

... oh wow... '' ohhhh wowww"

... sock... "ok"

I just had to share all the cuteness and brag about my wonderful son!!!!!!

Our Story

This past Wednesday, Matt and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. We were married October 29, 2005 at the beautiful Legacy Chapel in Xenia, Ohio. Many of you came to our wedding, but many of you we had yet to know. Some of you have been life-long friends, where as others we've met fairly recently. Whatever the case, I wanted to take you back to where it all began for us. Here's our fairytale story:

Once upon a time, a small-town girl named Traci had dreams of marrying her prince. She searched and searched for many years hoping to find him. Somehow, she never seemed to find him among all the toads. Surely she wouldn't have to kiss a toad would she? Well, it turns out that she was looking in all the wrong places. Toads and frogs lined her path in life. If she wanted to marry her prince, she better get her act together and seek out what is most important in a husband.

Traci grew and grew into a young woman heading off to college. Maybe this would be the place to find the young lad! Again, she roamed around hoping to bump into him somewhere on campus. At one point, she thought she found him. She wondered if this was it! He was a cute boy with big muscles, deserving of a second glance. He seemed nice enough and had the smarts, too. Still, an unsettling feeling overtook Traci's heart. Why wasn't she happy with him? Why did she want more? What did she really want? Who was she after all?

The answers to these questions unfolded before Traci when she was 20 years old. All the pieces to the puzzle of her life were in sync except for one. She felt empty. She felt alone. She felt ashamed. She felt like no man really loved her. Then, on a cool November evening she found herself weeping at a local church. What was going on with her? She was definitely not the church-going type. An occasional Christmas or Easter service was sufficient for her to show God she was all set in life. An evening of weeping over her sin and her need for more in life, led her to the One would fill every need she ever had. The One who loved her despite all of her shame and sorrow. The One who covered every part of her past. The One who cared enough for her to die on a cross. The One she had all along but never cared to meet. The One and only Jesus Christ. Sure, she had heard a few things about Him. She knew he had performed many miracles. She knew he walked on water. That must be some Man! This night was especially different from any other in her life. This night, Traci learned how Jesus wanted to heal her brokenness, restore her weary soul, and show her the unconditional love He has for her. November 28, 2000 marked a new start for young Traci. She was introduced to Jesus and began learning what He had in His plans for her.

Traci grew in her relationship with Jesus. She joined her first Bible study with some other college girls and learned much from them. Many of the girls had known Jesus for years. Others knew Jesus for about as long as she had. She read through the book of John in the Bible and understood that Jesus is the only way to the Father but much more than that as well. He is the reason she has breath every morning. He is the reason she has a beating heart. He is the reason she can live abundantly on this earth. Things were making sense to her. Life wasn't all about dating or having good friends. Life was about knowing her Maker and living out His purpose.

Traci finished college at Wright State University in March of 2003 and began graduate school the following fall. This wasn't her original plan after graduation. She thought she would stay in Dayton but begin teaching elementary age students. The timing for graduate school seemed to fall into place. After all, she did not have any other commitments. She settled into a new place with new roommates in similar life situations. Can you imagine a house full of four or five girls? A little drama here and there never hurt anyone! She was at peace with her life and what God was teaching her, especially in regards to dating. She hadn't dated anyone for a long time. In fact, she went on a male-diet for a short time expecting God to open her heart and eyes and reveal what she needed in a husband.

God did just that. He worked in her and let her witness the characteristics she desired in a man. She no longer looked at outward appearances like she previously did. Good looks surely are a bonus, but she was now after the heart - a heart beating for the Lord. For she knew that God looks at the heart and not the external. Around the time everything was falling into place, into her life walks a wonderful young lad named Matt. He was no ordinary man, and Traci knew this the first night she met him.

Traci met Matt at a college/career Bible study. She couldn't attend the study due to her new class schedule, but she joined after the study to play guitar and hang out with everyone. Her friends, Bryan and Allen, were teaching her. She had been over to their house the week prior to starting school. She called one evening to see if they wanted to play sometime later that week. Traci had much studying and homework to begin since it was the first week of school. She had no intentions of going... just making plans for a future lesson. As she sat at her desk reading, her mind aimlessly wandered. This was pointless. She might as well go over and hang out for a bit. Studying could wait.

As soon as she walked into the house, everyone was standing in the kitchen. Someone from the group was giving a knife demonstration for his new business adventure. Allen then introduced Matt and Traci. They were the only two people who didn't know each other. Did he notice her then? Maybe she noticed him first? At any rate, later in the evening she and Matt sat on the couch and played guitar. She quickly learned how talented he was. Something about him caught her attention. Traci noticed how patient and gentle he was, and she did not want the night to end. He was a knight in shining armor.

Matt and Traci saw each other every week at the Bible study. A few weeks went by since their first encounter, and it was safe to say that Traci had a special interest in her new friend. She saw something more in him than friendship. She knew in her heart he liked her also. He was kind and spoke sweetly to her. One night they sat on the couch and looked at pictures together and simply enjoyed the moment. No matter what they did, Matt and Traci looked forward to each other's company.

As time passed, Matt and Traci realized they were more than friends. They declared intentions for one another and began dating October 22, 2003. Their relationship had its ups and downs with tiffs and rough spots. Despite all their warts, Matt and Traci loved each other deeply. This love continued to blossom and grow over the next two years. Matt proposed to Traci in August 2005. Two and half months later, they married. The story goes on, but for now all you need to know is that they share a blessed life and now have a son in whom they delight. They love the Lord and hope to make a difference in this world for His glory. More chapters are sure to come. For now... Traci found her prince and they are living happily ever after!

Here are some photos of their wedding day...

Pro-life clip

Check out this pro-life clip from catholicvote.com. I love the beginning part of this video as it depicts life as a precious gift and family as foundational to our morality. Our society is going more and more downhill by the minute. Please take a second of your time to watch the beginning portion of the video. (You don't have to be Catholic to watch!!) Please consider what you endorse as you vote this coming November. We need to stand up for what is right and true. We need to stand up for the unborn. (It is the first clip on the web page. I'm still not sure how to download it onto my blog. It's the one w/President Kennedy)

www.catholicvote.com

A lazy, relaxing and refreshing weekend!

Isaac and I spent a wonderful weekend with my mom in Waverly. I knew Matt had lots of work to finish for school as well as mid-terms, so what better way to spend the weekend than lounging around my mama's house?! For those of you who don't know, Waverly is south east of Dayton. It's a small, little place with plenty of fast food restaurants to feed an army. You'll miss the town if you even blink when driving through! It's my hometown, so I don't mind it!

We arrived Friday afternoon. I can't remember if I put Isaac down for his regular afternoon nap, but I do remember our yummy yummy dinner. We had gondola subs from Lloyd's, and let me tell you, you're missing something if you've never eaten one. It's sort of like an Italian sub w/some extra goodness melted into it. And... you just can't go to Waverly without visiting the super Walmart. This building went up around the time I graduated; it became the hangout on boring Friday nights... especially when my friends and I were home from college!

We also spent some time with one of my best friends in the entire world, Jamie. She and her little boy, Jude, had lunch with us at the Emmitt House. Another place you have to eat at when you're in town... still good but not like it used to be. Jude is 3 months and 4 days older than Isaac. They seem so similar and very boyish. Jude now says "peese" for his food and gets embarrassed when you smile at him. We sure did have our hands full with our boys! I didn't get to see little Miss Sophie; she was with her grandma taking her afternoon nap. A must-do for any soon-to-be 3 yr. old. It was great catching up with Jamie; I look forward to our next visit!

The rest of the weekend my mom and I relaxed and watched Hallmark movies. Of course they made me cry. It's not like the acting is all that great, but I'm more sensitive now that I'm a mom. I guess your hormones never really return to normal or something! My mom said I should go for a walk, and she would watch Isaac. I gladly took her up on that offer. You see, when I go to Waverly, I'm extra spoiled. Mom loves watching Isaac for me, and she always makes me some tasty food. I do help out with dishes and such, but I admit, I definitely take advantage of Mama's cooking! Anyways.... I went for a walk and then to Krogers to check out the manager specials. Matt tells my mom, "You better not buy anything unless it has an orange sticker!" My mom is QUEEN of manager special deals. I'm just trying to follow in her footsteps. I got a few deals but no orange stickers this trip!

It's always a welcomed break going to Waverly. Yeah, the town itself doesn't exactly attract many tourists or anything. I just love spending time with my mom. I miss my friends in Boston, but I'm incredibly thankful that we're back in Ohio. Isaac loves seeing his Gammy, and it's a blessing seeing how good my mom is with him. After all he is "Gammy's little man".

Just when I thought my weekend couldn't get much better, I walked into our house and saw that Matt surprised me by having the living room and foyer area completely painted. He, my brother, his brother, and Wayne (from house church) conjured up a plan to paint while Isaac and I were at Mom's. I love it all! It looks so great. We need to do a few touch-ups here and there, but overall, our house is now becoming our home. Thank you guys for serving me this weekend. I appreciate you taking the time to help us especially when Matt is so busy with school. It looks like I owe you a home-cooked meal!

I forgot my camera this weekend, but I do have some recent pics of Isaac, which are darling. I'll post them once I upload them. Tonight is recipe club. I better get crackin' on housework!