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Invisalign – Carolinas Dental Center

August 30, 2012

Just this morning I began my 20 week adventure with Invisalign. My eight year old daughter had just gotten her metal braces two weeks before. Due to some dramatic gum recession her orthodontist recommended braces immediately.

{why she needed braces}

To support her I decided to also get braces, only a little different. Every single one of my children is going to need braces. My nine year old has an over-bite and a cross-bite. My eight year old…you saw the photo. My five year old has over crowding. My three year old has an under-bite. I’m sure the rest will need braces as well. Already my first three have glasses.

{daughter and I with our braces/aligners on}

Not only is my eight year old in braces now but she will need to be in them again when she loses all her baby teeth {probably in about five years}. I’m hoping she’ll be eligible for the Invisalign because so far, for me, it’s been wonderful! Our dentist, Dr. Christopher Phelps of Carolinas Dental Center, has been very helpful throughout the entire process.

{Dr. Christopher Phelps}

I want to give you a run down of how Invisalign works, because honestly, I didn’t know when I began. They begin by taking molds of your teeth, top and bottom. Just trust me, it’s not the most attractive thing in the world, hehe.

Then the molds are sent off to be made into your new clear Invisalign aligners.

You will get a chance to come in a couple weeks later to view a video that explains Invisalign and also to see how your teeth will change over the amount of time you need to wear the aligners. I’ll be sharing a clip from my personal video next month.

I came in a week or two later and received my first aligner. I wore it for one week to get my mouth used to it and then returned, this morning, to have the finishing touches done. This is the part that I hadn’t heard about before beginning the process so I’m assuming you haven’t heard of this either. And just so you know, not everyone needs this done. Each Invisalign is specific to each person. I need little attachment like things put on some of my teeth. These are going to help the aligners to pull the teeth in certain directions. After those were applied Dr. Phelps had to shave .2 cm off of my front bottom teeth due to over crowding. That was…interesting. Like having a jackhammer in your mouth. It didn’t hurt but was very shaky. And that was it! I put in my aligner and was given two more aligners. One I trade out and wear in two weeks and then two weeks after that I trade it out with my third set and wear that for two weeks. This will continue until my 20 weeks are up. As I said, everyone is different so what may take my 20 weeks may take somebody else more or less time.

{if you look close you can see the few clear attachments they had to put on but generally you can’t see them}

When all is said and done you keep your very last mold as your ‘retainer’ and wear it every night for, well, the rest of your life. Otherwise your teeth will naturally try to go back to their original positions. So I guess had I continued to wear my retainer at night from when I was a teenager I wouldn’t be doing this right now. But I’m very thankful for the opportunity to support my children while they’re going through the same thing.

The Invisalign is, obviously, a change and tricky to get used to. For example, we were at the grocery store and my husband handed me a cheese sample. Well, I couldn’t try it unless I wanted to risk my pride and pull two clear pieces of saliva covered plastic out of my mouth. Yeah, not worth it. In fact, the majority of people will lose 5-10lbs during the duration of the Invisalign process. And I can totally see why! You have to decide if a snack is worth removing your aligners and brushing your teeth afterward. So far I haven’t found a snack worthy of that extra time. BUT I do notice I’m drinking way more water than before! And that’s a good thing.

The best part of Invisalign is nobody can see it! Unless they are all up in your face it’s very difficult to see. So for teenagers this is a wonderful choice. Or I guess especially for adults, right?

Keep watching here as I will be updating my Invisalign adventure throughout the next five months.

And if you’re looking for a dentist in the Charlotte, NC area I highly recommend Dr. Phelps from Carolinas Dental Center! If you come in as a new patient during the month of September 2012 you’ll receive a free car wash and detailing during your appointment! How sweet is that?! Go get them pearly whites shined up!

Blessings!

In Invisalign braces, carolinas dental center, dr. phelps, invisalign

A New Shopping Experience

August 4, 2012

Today was the first day I have ever shopped at Aldi’s. To be blatantly honest, the ones I knew of were always in really sketchy areas so I steered clear. Well, pride had to be pushed to the side cause I needed to start pinching pennies and I had heard so much about the new Aldi’s that had opened not to far from us. With lots of good advice from friends I packed up the kids, tossed my canvas bags in the car and grabbed a quarter.

What’s the quarter for? The grocery cart! It’s pretty ingenious if you ask me. Having been a bagger at Kroger when I was younger I absolutely hated bringing the carts back in from the lot. But Aldi has you ‘rent’ your cart. When you return your cart you get your quarter back. You don’t return your cart? Somebody else will and will get your quarter. Pretty good incentive.

{sorry man I don’t know, but I had five kids and couldn’t wait for you to walk to your car}

I was pleasantly surprised to find the store fairly empty. Now it didn’t stay that way, but the first half of our trip was fairly easy. Around lunch time people started flowing in. But nothing, I repeat nothing, like Walmart on a Saturday! This was still very do-able.

The only problem I had the entire time was that the cart that I received had a broken belt for the kids seat. And technically I could have returned it and gotten another one but I didn’t want to. I just wanted to get the trip over with. However, the lack of a belt really peeved my young son. He kept holding up the broken belt and yelling at me.

The layout was perfect cause the snacks were the first thing we walked into. That’s usually the part I forget! So A+ for layout.

Most everything was off brand and I’m ok with that. I only checked the ingredients on one item and wasn’t happy to find out that high fructose corn syrup was the very first item listed. But it’s ok, cause I know that Trader Joe’s sells the same type of item for the same price. And was however thrilled to find this…

I didn’t buy any but being from Ohio I was thrilled to see these! Go ahead and scoff at me but we all have our guilty pleasures.

So my favorite part of the entire trip was the checkout! The cashier was crazy fast! I started yelling at my kids {in a joking manner} because there are five of them and he was going at super speed! We couldn’t keep up! Of course, he wasn’t bagging any of our groceries. He was scanning and throwing them into another cart. And that is why we brought our own grocery bags. They have a long shelf area where you can load up all your groceries into your own bags.

I used ALL of my grocery bags including that huge Ikea one! You can’t see the one behind my son on the right but there’s a big insulated Trader Joe’s bag. That’s a whole lotta groceries!

So I know you’re curious to know the total. I’m still thrilled. The only item I forgot to get was eggs. And maybe bananas but those aren’t so much a necessity as eggs are. Ready??

$90.91

For an entire week of groceries! Sans eggs. Now granted, we have some stuff in our freezer and pantry we’ll be using, but really, who doesn’t? One of my favorite finds was turkey ham. I totally did not expect to find any there. So when I saw that and the dried navy beans I knew navy bean soup would be on our menu this week.

I am very pleased and can’t wait to return next week! We used to spend three times this at Trader Joe’s. Not that I don’t love TJ’s, it just that it’s penny pinching time for us. So if you haven’t gone, make a trip to Aldi’s! It’s like Ikea in the fact that it’s ‘an experience’.

Blessings!

In House

Do Not Conform Any Longer

August 1, 2012

Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

I’m just gonna jump right in.

Of all things in the Chick Fil A controversy the one that has my heart afire are the people who are calling themselves christians and yet are fighting against a christian based company. My question is: why? Why would somebody who proclaims to be a “christian” not want to be joined with brothers and sisters in Christ? We are meant to be an army for Christ not against Him. Why do people want to be called “christians” and yet not want to follow Him?

Here’s a solution. Don’t call yourself a christian.

If you believe Yahweh is so flawed in His thinking and in His commandments then why would you want to follow somebody like that?

There have been countless articles filling newsites with believers and non-believers blasting Chick Fil A for not wavering on their faith. How dare Dan Cathy actually believe what we preaches? Are we so used to the American gospel that we’ve forgotten how incredibly radical the Bible is?

And when I say “believers” are blasting Chick Fil A I want you to know I’m using that term very loosely.

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! James 2:19

I don’t want to know if you are a Christian. I don’t care if you’re a believer. I will call you a brother or sister when you show that you are a follower. When the Holy Spirit is so evident in your life that no one can deny it.

You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works…Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? James 2:18 & 20

Will you buck the system and follow Christ no matter the consequences? Even if that means your business is going to tank? Even if that means your friends will all leave you? Faith is not easy. Your humaness is going to fight you at every decision. Comfort in this life seems so much more desirable to our here-and-now than a hope of eternity with Christ. I even hate writing that but it’s true. It’s a constant battle of will.

So back to Chick Fil A. Do I believe that every single person that went through the drive thru today was a follower of Christ? Absolutely not. Some were probably just christians in name only. Some probably went for political reasons. On the other hand, do I believe that every person that didn’t go to Chick Fil A is a lost cause and has an eternity of Hell awaiting them? Absolutely not! On one hand, not everyone has the money to buy a meal today. I had to search my house and car for the funds to take my family out for lunch. It wasn’t easy but I definitely wanted to show my support for my brother, Dan Cathy. Without diving into too much theology, most people are not a lost cause. There is hope for all of us! No matter your background we can be saved…if we want and are willing to be saved.

My anger over all this controversy definitely stems for people being led astray. Non-followers will so easily take scripture and throw it in others faces. Despite the fact they’ve never opened a Bible and don’t know the context of said scripture. And you know what that’s doing? That my friends is an open door to an eternity of gnashing of teeth. So when followers of Christ stick to their guns and don’t hang out in their basements, hiding away from the world, that is true love. Speaking truth of Yahweh has nothing to do with hate but with love and a hope of a glorious eternity.

My friends, we’re in a war. We can only assume these are birth pangs. It’s not like we weren’t warned all of this was coming. But we need to encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ. This spiritual war is only going to get more difficult and more painful. Keep your eyes on Christ. Remember that controversies like Chick Fil A may seem politically based but it’s so much more than that. This is a fight against people blaspheming our God. And that, my loves, is a war worth fighting for. I will not sit idly by while others blaspheme my Father. I’m not going to become Peter and cut off peoples ears. My goodness. But I will support the fight for Him in a loving manner.

With all that said, I do want to share our Chick Fil A experience today!

We decided to go early to miss the lunch crowd. Ha! That didn’t happen! The place was packed! The parking lot was near full and the drive-thru was crazy long! Mind you, this was at 10:45am. Cars were trying to get in the drive-thru from three different directions. And everyone was patient and waited eagerly to support our local Chick Fil A.

I won’t lie, I was on the verge of tears. It’s like when I sing worship on Sunday morning with all my brothers and sisters at church. The feeling of true fellowship is so overwhelming that my eyes can’t contain His passion. Seeing all these cars lined up to support Chick Fil A…it’s truly indescribable to those who don’t understand His love. When you know and can taste His love, nothing tastes better.

When we finally arrived at the window I saw the manager.

An awesome man of God who has always taken the time to talk to our family every time we visit. I told him I was going to cry from all the outpouring of community and he told me he already had. I have no doubt that had his store not made a penny that day that he still would have counted it a blessing to work for a company that stands by their convictions.

So here is the icing on the cake. We were driving home with Chick Fil A in the passenger seat. I look to the side and see McDonalds. This McDonalds has two lanes for the crowds. There was one car in each lane at 11:35am. Two cars! Now, before you read into this too deeply, this by no means is a blast to McDonalds but a standing ovation for Chick Fil A and their supporters!

I pray if you’re not already a follower that His spirit is tugging at your heart. We only have one lifetime to make a decision on who we will follow and if we’re willing to risk it all. Are you going to risk eternity in Heaven or risk a lifetime of comfort? I know how hard the decision is. So prayerfully consider which you’ll faithfully stand by.

Blessings!

In Change the World, Encouragement

School Year 2012-13

July 31, 2012

Tomorrow we will be beginning our school year. And this is a whole new adventure for us! In the past we’ve stayed within the comforts of one curriculum. It began with A.C.E. and then went onto Abeka. Both are stellar curriculums. But I was feeling left out. We weren’t as hands on as other homeschoolers I knew were. We were ready to cut through our safety net and try something new! So tomorrow, with lots of prayer and a fun filled, jam packed schedule, I present our new curriculums!

Math

This was the easiest subject to choose. My girls begged to continue using Abeka for math. They have enjoyed the storyproblems and just the way they are taught in general. It is workbook based so not a whole lot of hands on, worldly experience there. However, they love it and they are learning! So I couldn’t argue with them on this one. Abeka it is!

Writing

This one I had never heard of but when I came across it online it looked like a lot of fun and had high reviews – WriteShop. Very hands on and lots of creativity needed on this. With the stories my girls are constantly coming us with WriteShop seemed like a great use of all those creative buds that are just waiting to be nurtured.

Reading

This was definitely more difficult to find. The last subject I finally chose for. After lots of online review comparisons and speaking with fellow homeschoolers we decided to try Rod & Staff for their reading curriculum. Honestly, I don’t have much to say about this one just yet since I have yet to really dive into it, but the reviews were glowing!

History

This subject I was most scared to do. But after choosing it it’s one that I’m very excited to watch the girls learn from. We chose World-Changers of American History. I had some of these books growing up and never considered they could be used as the basis of a history curriculum. We will be reading and giving reports on all the famous Americans this next year.

Science

Ok, this is hands down, the one I am most excited for! We chose Botany from Apologia. I was blessed to hear the beautiful Jeannie Fulbright speak at the Teach Them Diligently conference this past spring and my kids instantly caught on to the idea of notebooking. This curriculum is extremely hands on! Being an artist and a musician I never had an interest in science. However, Mrs. Fulbright has even gotten my stubborn attention with how beautifully and engaging this curriculum is. {I can’t wait to post more about this throughout the year!}

Foreign Languages

We couldn’t just pick one. I took four years of sign language and, although, I could teach my children ASL I really wanted them to know spanish in case we choose to go on a family mission trip. So we chose Rosetta Stone. We were contemplating doing Latin through Rosetta Stone as well but heard better reviews for English from the Roots Up. So this year we will be diving into spanish and latin as a family.

Bible

I hesitate to put Bible as a subject in school only because we will be learning from the Bible all day long. At breakfast we will be teaching Character Qualities. One a month. And encouraging the family to take action on what they’ve learned.

At lunch we will be grabbing our notebooks and notebooking using the Abeka Bible flashcards.

At dinner we plan on listening to a sermon while we all help each other to clean the dining and kitchen areas.

And at bedtime we will be using our Jesus Storybook Bible or our Ruth Graham’s Step Into the Bible devotional.

So there you go! We are so excited for our first day of school! I tried to give these sweet youngin’s a month of summer vacation but all they wanted to do was learn the entire time. They taught themselves ASL and the piano. Speaking of, there will be music lessons this year also. Taught by mom for now. They were begging me to start a couple weeks ago but as you can imagine a detailed schedule had to be made up. What I just showed you here is only for two of the children. One of them will be doing A.C.E. this year. The others are still busy learning how to talk and their colors and letters.

Have a great time preparing for your new school year! Whether that means buying a new curriculum or meeting teachers or buying that brand new box of crayons! It’s time for a new season!

Blessings!

In Homeschool

Modern Modesty

July 30, 2012

As we raise our girls we have a strong focus on keeping our appearances very modest. I’ve heard everything from little girls as young as six years old saying they want to wear daisy dukes and crop tops to one eight year old girl telling us that a grown man had called her “sexy” to teenage girls proclaiming to be Christ followers and wearing clothes that are easily causing their brothers in Christ to fall.

Now don’t think we’re all wearing handmade long dresses from the 1980’s. We call our style ‘modern modest’. We do wear pants but definitely enjoy long skirts. And with them being in style now, believe me, we’re stocking up! I had tried for years to find long skirts because I loved wearing them when I was a teenager but they went out of style. Even when looking for maternity clothes I could only find short skirts. And besides not liking the length in a modesty context it just doesn’t work when picking up toddlers.

I have one daughter who loves to do gymnastics. She’s never been taught it’s just that she loves to flip around the house – somersaults, cartwheels, round offs, etc. So she wears bicycle shorts under her skirts or she wears pants.

When it comes to dresses we do not approve of the backs being open or, obviously, short lengths. And it’s difficult to find dresses or shirts without lots of graphics on them. We prefer clothing that isn’t making the children be used as a sandwich board. And on that note, we have the biggest problem in that aspect with boys clothes! To find simple boy shirts without writing is near impossible. So when we do find them we buy what we can in the sizes we can.

When it comes to shirts for girls they cannot, absolutely cannot, be low cut. They are more than welcome to wear tank tops as long as they’re not too open. We have to correct our girls when they try to wear their older sisters clothes because that will obviously cause their shirts to be low cut. And they will try to wear their sisters skirts. As you can imagine, that is quickly remedied.

Our focus is to not draw attention to our bodies but to be comfortable in what we are wearing. We don’t have to focus on tugging at shorts to pull them down or shirts to pull them up. Women should lean over to see if anything will be showing when they go to pick something up off the floor. I had a very embarrassing moment that convicted me of that. My mother in law had taken a photo of me dancing at a wedding reception and, though I have never seen the photo, she told me that things were showing that should have been covered up better.

So ladies, consider how much you are showing to the world when you dress. You are not only teaching your daughters but also young girls around you {in your neighborhood, in your family, your friends children, at church, etc}. You never know who your appearance or words are influencing. We need to teach, but also learn ourselves, that there is far more importance in who we are and not in what we look like. Focus more on your beauty within.

Blessings!

In Family, Parenting