Withdrawls, Job Titles, and other random thoughts

I hope that I am not violating a Biblical principle by sharing this . . . really, I do, but if I am really writing about our family, then this is VERY RELEVANT!! So just know I'm not trying to be like a Pharisee or anything . . . just sharing.

I decided to give up Diet Dr. Pepper for Lent. I know. And yes, you read that right. If you have read 3 random blogs of mine, chances are good I invoked the name of Diet Dr. Pepper in at least 2 of them. I love my DDP (but because I will "suffer" through a Diet Coke when the best isn't available, I am really giving up all carbonated beverages). If I understand the point of fasting correctly, it is not about me proving what I can or can't do (although, I will be honest, one of the biggest hesitations I had in doing this was that I might fail because I am morbidly afraid of vomit, dentists, and failure!). Fasting is a physical way to remind me of my need for God or to be reminded to lay something before Him. The idea being, every time I have the urge to grab a DDP, I take a moment and spend some time praying or reflecting on God and who He is and what He has done. My mom and I laughed that I will praying all the time if I do that. Not a bad side effect. (Assuming the extreme dip in caffeine intake coupled with closing my eyes to pray does not equal falling asleep all the time instead.)

I had been contemplating giving them up anyway, or at least cutting back, because on our community group retreat, part of my answer to the question, "what relaxes you?", was a good bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper. Obviously, there are other things that relax me, but it was such an easy and true answer that I got a little concerned about my love for the fizz.

So . . . if I seem disoriented or mad or shaky or tired, just know that the tea and water and alternating aleve and ibuprofen aren't cutting my withdrawl enough. And maybe pray for my family who must endure this 40 days with me.

In related news, perhaps one reason I am dependent on the DDP so much is the crazy life that we lead. Caroline asked me today what a mom of one of her friends did for her job. I told her I didn't know and she should ask her friend. And in a moment of fatigue and humor, I said, and if she asks you what your mom does, tell her I run a circus. That is definitely what it feels like.

And, finally, I have never claimed to be a woman with lots of confidence. I am also a people pleaser and the thought of offending someone unnerves me. So let me just say to follower #16 who quit following me, I am sorry. For whatever I did to make you leave me. I hope it wasn't our dental issues or the fact that I let my daughter dress like a modern day modest Madonna; perhaps you heard that Sascha glued her lips together with superglue and feel you need to distance yourself from my delinquent parenting. Whatever the case may be, #16, you are always welcome back.

And if the randomness of this post doesn't attest to the fact that I am in withdrawl, maybe the confession that I have reached for the bottle that isn't there several times while posting will.

Rock Star Morning

Today is dress like a rock star day at school. Caroline has been counting down the days for over a week now. That child loves an opportunity to dress up and wear lipstick. Oh dear. We are in trouble. 

Last night, she and I had a mommy/daughter outing so she could work on her outfit and we could hang out. I would just like to say to my mom that she is avenging our shopping days for you. I am getting back all that I gave . . . don't you worry. She put out full rock star attitude last night. Diva was ticked off that they didn't have shoes in her size and that disappointed somehow translated into disappointment with me. I guess she wanted me to keep driving around until we found a pair of for her to wear today. (And probably never again!) Diva isn't paying $3.38/gallon for gas!

Somehow we semi-agreed on her rock star ensemble. I think that I have not watched a rock video since 1980-something because this was what we came up with . . . 

Crimped looking hair, a tutu like skirt with black leggings and fingerless gloves. She thinks she looks like Ashley Tisdale . . . I am seeing Madonna inspired rock wear. Whatever. We agreed she was rockin' it!

Tru, on the other hand, was less than thrilled about dressing up. He refused to have his hair spiked and was slightly annoyed to be wearing the guitar shirt I bought for him. Tru had a fever Sunday afternoon and night, so he got to stay home yesterday and enjoy the spoils of being "sick" while not feeling bad. He was a very disappointed boy with a temperature of 97.6 this morning. He channeled sullen star well, don't you think?

Let me just tell you that I am kind of over all the strong wardrobe opinions around here. Bo would wear the same red or gray polo shirt everyday if he could. He had a total meltdown over his long sleeve choices yesterday (because he has some sensory issues, he really does not like to layer). We were almost late to his speech therapy because his shirt was not the small one (aka, short sleeve) "wif buttons"! And no surprise here, but Sascha is not shy about things, either. She daily rejects the first several things I suggest and only acquiesces when I pull out something she deems "pincess" enough. 

Speaking of clothes, I guess I should go fold theirs so they can shove them in a drawer and then pull them out and throw them on the floor because they can't find anything they like to wear. (I know, Mom, my 4 apples are all sitting very close to the tree they fell from.)

Seriously people

Last May, on the heels of Granny dying and Josh's job loss, we decided to embrace life and keep our Disney plans. In the midst of all the sadness, we needed a little get away to the happiest place on earth. It did NOT disappoint! We had an amazing time . . . laughing and crying sometimes as we missed being able to call Gran with some of our funny stories . . . like when the birds in Animal Kingdom rushed us and then pooped on my dad. You have to know how neat and clean he is to appreciate how really, really funny that is! There is a family story from my grandfather's hospital stay that Granny loooved to retell. It ended with her almost in tears laughing every time saying, "That persnickety David." So when the birds pooped on him, we all knew she was probably in heaven retelling that story and laughing at persnickety David getting hit.

Our last day there, we had to hit the race car track again. Sascha and Bo had passed out in the stroller, so Mom offered to sit with them. I was over the whiplash that occurred when Caroline drove the car, so I decided to take pictures of Dad and Josh with the 2 big kids on the track. Between their wait in the line and the fact that I positioned myself at the end of the "race", I had plenty of time to people watch. Now I am not saying that my family is all that, but let me tell you at Disney you see ALL kinds. I got tickled watching some of the people driving by and started snapping pictures. Josh and I laughed until we hurt looking back at them.

I am soooooo sorry if any of these are you or someone you know! There is no telling what people who don't know us would write about the Basses at Disney, but from a distance with no background some things are just funny . . . .

 Little man was sportin the do-rag and intense about his driving! 

This guy kept it at 10 and 2 the whole time . . . except when he stopped to take a sip from the drink that you can't see from this angle. He was biting his lower lip and concentrating on NOT driving off the track. (Wonder if he knew that no one could drive off the track?)

Wish I could find this guy--I bet he got some good pics too since he was snapping away the WHOLE TIME he drove. 

And these buddies . . . oh my . . . bowl cut at 3, bowl cut at 43. Let's just say one works and one, well, one might need to rethink his hair do.

Hope you think they are kind-of amusing . . . there is always the chance that you just had to be there.

Fundraising FUN!

Last night Caroline and Tru's school had its first annual fundraising event. They are attending a brand new public school and the PTA has worked very hard to raise money. We modeled the evening after the fundraiser our old elementary school does--in addition to buying tickets, there is a silent auction and a live art auction. The art is made by each class and are all amazing and beautiful!

Our theme was "Come as you were" . . . basically, instead of having a disco or an 80's party, we had an open concept retro party. I cannot tell you how hilarious it was to see everyone's interpretations of it--most went 80's . . . the hair alone was awesome! Hairspray sales must have hit an all time high this week!

Josh and I went 90's . . . I wore a dress from a 10th grade formal and Josh wore his football practice gear 

But some people went big . . .

Have you ever seen anyone so creepy in all your life? The best (worst?) part was he stayed in character all night. He even managed to walk creepy. None of us were able to look at him and not laugh!

Like anyone that scary could land a girl like that! 

 Mandy and I

 Amy Moore, Mandy, and I

 Amy White on stage with the band Tragikly White

The band was AMAZING! I honestly have never had so much fun dancing or heard a better cover band! My legs were sore when I went to bed last night and I heard one of our friends is having muscle spasms today! 

This was probably my favorite come as you were! Susan and Bill Hoag are the parents of my friend, Heidi. And up until this year, I've always enjoyed them, but only known them as that or as Benjamin, Sophie and Georgia'a grandparents. In September, though, Susan and I were put in the same Bible study group and let me just say that I ADORE HER! She is a woman of grace and wisdom. When she would speak, all the younger moms/wives would whip our heads her way and listen attentively. You can be sure that what she says is true and worth trying! This is her ACTUAL PROM DRESS! Isn't that so fun and amazing?! Susan, you are a Lady of Wisdom, but last night, you were rockin' the Glory of Man!!

I don't know how successful the evening was as a fundraiser . . . but I do know that Josh and I had a lot of fun with our friends and I won swim lessons for Tru in the silent auction. He fulfills his New Year's Resolution and Roberts gets some money . . . we all go home winners!

I will leave you with this picture of my original evening out in the dress. Coincidentally, it was at the same country club as our fundraiser just a little over 18 years ago!

Adorable little people

You know what Caroline has been up to, but I do have 3 other precious children I didn't want to completely ignore this week!

Saturday, we went to the MDA walk to support our sweet Maggie-Moo. When we got there, Tru and Sascha were extremely excited to find out that Darth Vader, a Storm Trooper, Dora, and Minnie Mouse were also supporters of Muscular Dystrophy. I wish that I had a picture of Sascha with Dora, but Caroline took her over there, and to be honest, Dora sort-of creeped me out. I did snap this sweet one of her gazing adoringly up at Minnie Mouse. Sweet Love. She is so edible (and also such a stinkin' mess!)!!

And Tru followed these guys around the entire time. I would turn and he would be out of my immediate sight . . . all I had to do was find Darth Vader and there was my Tru-bud . . . convinced that he was in the presence of the dark side.

Bo was more excited about seeing Mazure (Major), but I never managed to get a picture of them. I couldn't resist these two pics of my Bo-bo though . . . he is obsessed with the number 4, Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story, and dinosaurs. The second picture is of him with his dino hat on roaring at me. 

And, just for kicks, a couple of pictures of our princesses, one too cool for school and the other too pretty to let out of the house! Caroline and Josh went to the Daddy/Daughter dance a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful time. I teared up several times as he told me about their date. What a sweet memory for them both!

Dental Awareness Week

I'm not sure if there is an actual dental awareness week. I imagine there is since I have learned that next week is National School Breakfast Week (or something like that).

Anyway, this week we have had some oral fixations at casa Bass. You know Caroline's story. Tru has his first loose tooth-Woohoo!! But I am sorry to report that I had 2 unfortunate developments as well . . . a broken filling on one side and a cavity on the other.

For a while now I thought I had a sensitive tooth. I kept meaning to buy Sensodyne toothpaste and had been favoring the other side of my mouth in the meantime. Saturday afternoon, I ate some popcorn and out came the filling and some tooth. Eww. That grosses me out to even type it!! I had no good side anymore, so eating this week has required creative chewing and soft textures . . . grits, jello, bananas, and peanut butter have been my staples. Because I had a bad experience with a dentist (who is not practicing any longer) and because I am extremely prone to gagging (seriously--chewing gum can set me off and blowing up balloons or floaty pool toys is not even an option for me) I tend to only go to the dentist when there is EXTREME pain or no way to deny the need (i.e., a tooth breaks off). This was one of those times.

Well, hats off to Nayla Hatley again! My experience today was easy and painless. My cavity is filled and in two weeks I will be going back to get the broken filling replaced. I even had my teeth cleaned Monday and managed that well too.

Tomorrow, Caroline goes to the orthodontist for spacers and begin the process of being fitted for an appliance and possibly braces this summer. By the end of March, we may have to sell some plasma to cover our mouths, but they will be healthy and on the way to being straight!!

I promise not to take up anymore of your time with dental stories, but if this blog is an accurate record of our lives . . . well, this is what we've been doing! So go brush your teeth and floss and schedule your cleanings for every six months and maybe you can escape a week like ours!

Bless her heart

Sugar darlin' Caroline had 2 teeth pulled yesterday. She woke up Sunday morning with half of her face puffy and complaining her tooth hurt. When she was little, she had back to back ear infections coupled with some high fevers that resulted in one of her teeth being discolored (mottled?) When I looked in her mouth Sunday, I couldn't see anything different looking, so I called our friend and orthodontist, Tom Phelan. He was so sweet to help us and put a call in to a dentist we had been to before that he has a great working relationship with. In no time at all, Dr. Nayla Hatley was offering to meet us at her office to check Caroline out. After talking for a while, we decided to start her on antibiotics and come in first thing Monday morning. I was so touched that she was willing to leave her family on a Sunday to check on Caroline.

Long story short . . . the mottled tooth had some decay and infection and so she decided to go ahead and pull it and another tooth that Caroline needed out to make room in her teeny tiny mouth. Bless her . . . she has NO ROOM!! So, yesterday my drama queen acted like such a big girl and had her teeth yanked out (well, she kind of freaked out during the shot but was a total champ after that). I won't gross you out with details or pictures, but let's just say those two baby teeth looked like they belonged to a saber tooth tiger and I totally lost my appetite changing her gauze out. Meanwhile, Caroline was excited to "have to" eat ice cream and lay around.

This morning we discovered the tooth fairy had been very generous and she has earned a treat trip to Target. Unfortunately, there will be more teeth pulled in the future and retainers and braces to try and compensate for the bum oral deal DNA dealt her. I am also dealing with a little bit of mommy guilt that I didn't take her in a few weeks ago the first time she said her tooth hurt. At least I could have saved her the pain of infection and mump looking cheeks. Ah, the balance of correctly reacting as a parent gets me again. I'm willing to bet that I will overcompensate the next few times with our kids and run them to the dentist or doctor over nothing just to be safe. Mainly, however, I am so thankful to Tom and Nayla for taking such swift and wonderful care of my baby girl. There is little in this world that blesses a mama more than people going above and beyond for one of her kids.

Well, I'm off to brush Bo and Sascha's teeth for the 4th time this morning and then do full body checks to see if I need to overreact about any potential bodily threats.

Just kidding. It's just the 3rd time.