[invisaline: I See the Light]

SO ... I'm done!! Invisaline ... well. Actually, that's a lie. I'm SUPPOSED to be done. I finished my last set of trays for my top teeth and went to the orthodontist to have him check things over. My bottoms have been done since November, but I always knew that the top may take longer.

But the COOL thing is, is that the bumps they soder on, have been taken off. THAT's exciting. Because I don't have these wacky bumps on my teeth that I think make me look like I don't own a toothbrush. At least that's how I feel about them.

They came off, because I am going to get molds for a NEW set of trays. Probably another 4 or 5 ... which, in "time terms" is about another 2-3 months. Totally not a bother - especially because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And they're NOT quite perfect ... and I've come this far, what's another couple of months? So I'll get new bumps. Ah well

This has been the EASIEST thing ever. I have definitely had nights of pain and cringing as I've had to take them out before I eat ... when I change to new trays, taking them out is THE most painful thing. Like being punched in the face. But it only lasts for maybe a day.

I am SO glad I did this and didn't wait another 10 years. I know that some of my friends thought I was crazy for spending money (we have GREAT coverage) when my teeth weren't SO bad. But you know what? I was self conscious about them. Every single photo, I never wanted to show my teeth ... my fangs.

But, alas, I no longer have those thoughts. YAY!

What do they look like at this point? Funny you should ask ... here's a pic. And you can click my "invisaline" category to see a picture of me wearing my first set of trays. Not really a good example, as the trays actually make the teeth LOOK straighter than they are.

I think they're well on their way. *SMILE WITH MY TEETH SHOWING*.

[make: Brocolli Salad ... and a Plug for Mona Vie]

I hate vegetables right now. Seriously, just TYPING the word gives me the shudders. I'm sure the average preggo woman detests veggies ... right now I'm all about a bowl of cereal, or a baked potato LATHERED in butter. *drool*. So sure, I'm taking my multi vitamin - but as an added "help", I've been taking Mona Vie.

It's a drink, made from the acai berry (yada yada yada) and each 4oz contains 13 servings of fruits and veggies. And I just down it in a small espresso cup, twice a day. Can I be a shameless plug and say that I've been feeling SO much better? Shameless, I know. And although I'm now considered a "distributor", I will not be selling it. If you ARE interested in it, I can hook you up with someone who is.

There are a few "vegetable" things I can stand. Like ... hmm ... zoo sticks with dip *grin*. Awe, come ON ... they're a veggie, right?? And IF I had all the ingredients, I just might have made this tonight ... for some reason, it sounds appetizing to me.

You probably already have this one ...

Broccoli Salad - serves 8

5 cups fresh chopped broccoli

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup sugar *which is PROBABLY why I think this sounds yummy *grin**

3 tbsp vinegar

1 cup mayonnaise

10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup sunflower seeds

Directions:

- combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl.

- combine next 3 ingredients in a small bowl.

- toss together in large bowl. Refrigerate.

- just before serving, add bacon and seeds.

[talk: Time to Save ... and Something Free.]

I'm not a regular watcher of Oprah ... she really does annoy me most times. However, I did watch today - and it was showing stories of young American families losing everything due to our current economy. And it freaked me out.

The continual message seemed to be that everyone WISHED they had SAVED their money when they had it. Most said that they spent frivolously ... and don't we all? A Starbucks here, a manicure there, ... ordering pizza instead of making a perfectly good dinner with what you have in your home. We've all done it - and sure, maybe some are better at budgeting and being stewards of their money - but I think that we would all agree, we live good lives.

And would you not say, that when things get tough, the FIRST thing people do is stop giving? I mean, no longer donating to their World Vision Child or to the local food bank ... or wherever it is that you give. And really - isn't that sad? OBVIOUSLY, there are circumstances where that is the ONLY thing a family can do ... but for most, we won't consciously give up our weekly latte to give the $25 (and a tax receipt ...) to a needy child. We do everything in our power to maintain our own high standard of living, instead of being responsible with what we've been given.

This show has hit me ... many of the people on the show were moms, my age, who had homes and never thought they would be in this situation. Increasing home mortgage interest rates absolutely devistated them. And so, I think that it's a wake-up call to those of us who are a bit ahead of the problem right now. SAVE SAVE SAVE. Be smart, be stewards. Pay off your debts. Don't reward yourself when you owe for something else. Don't believe the lie that it'll make you "happy", that you "deserve" it. Downsize. Do whatever it takes. Because if we get hit as hard as our neighbours to the south, it's imperative that we have SOMETHING in the bank to hold us over.

And would I even dare to say, be generous where you are called to be. Giving is a Godly principle, and I believe it's always rewarded.

Ok. I'm off of my soapbox *smile*. I hope you can tell how passionate I am about this ... I feel that our homes, our children's security, our future is all at a crossroads right now - and we CAN prepare for this ...

I would love to hear if YOU are doing something tangeable to prepare for your family's future, if uncertainty rears it's ugly head. Any tricks that you could share? A special place you get gas? A place that accepts competator's coupons? A better rate on your phonebill? Please SHARE - would love to hear it!

Ok. ENOUGH.

How about something for FREE?? If you're a digiscrapper ... here's a free kit from Shabby Princess. You can find it here.

[baby: Today's Appointment]

*SMILE*

We heard the baby's heartbeat today ... and the Doctor thinks that MY dates (being 12 weeks) is correct and the ultrasound dude is not so correct (thinking I'm only 10 weeks). He said if they were right, we wouldn't have been able to hear the heartbeat with his instrument ... but if I was right, we would. And we did.

With every single baby, the ultrasound has been off. Mattias was born at 36.5 weeks (weighing 6.4lbs) and Josiah was born 10 days early (weighing 6.14lb) according to THEIR dates. According to mine, they were early, but not by as much.

I need to be 12 weeks, because my hubby's in a friend's bridal party in London during the dates the ultrasound dude gave me. I'm not worried. Well. Not terribly.

So - here's the poll. The baby's heartbeat was 170 (wow!!!).

What do you think? Boy or girl?

[talk: News News News]

Ok ... so - where to start? Well ... it's Monday, and I'm supposed to meal plan. I would, except for the fact that cooking makes me gag right now. So, that leads me to News #1. I'm 12 weeks pregnant, due the first week of September. Whether I'll meal plan in the next month or so remains to be seen *smile*.

News #2 is that I've been hired by another local church to help out with their worship services. I will not be leaving our home church, nor will I stop being involved there. This is just an opportunity that I felt strongly to take. They've asked that I help every 4-6 weeks, so that is more than do-able. I'm leading there this Sunday morning.

What else? Well, today I was told that my Sydney-Los Angeles flight in May, has been confirmed in Business Class. THIS is exciting ... I intend on sleeping the entire way in a complete lie-down position. SO great!! That's News #3.

And something touched me today ... a girl from Jr. High, whom I never really even knew as she was older than I, wrote something lovely about me on Facebook. As I intend on printing out this blog for my own keepsake, I hope you don't mind if I post what she wrote ... it reminded me that we all touch people, even when we don't realize it. She wrote:

There are a few people that I wanted to thank that I only deal with here on Facebook. They have no idea what an impact they have had on my life and I dont want to forget thanking them. "TAWN" - This girl is one of a kind. I started out reading her blogs and felt like I got to know her more and more. The way she lives her life is a huge motivator for me today. The way she is with her husband and children is just beautiful. The way she lives her life, the things she believes in and her love of the Lord are evident in the things she says and does. When I read her notes I am motivated and I feel every bit of love she puts down on that page. Please know that although we have never met ~ you have helped me through some very

hard times without even knowing it. You are a walking example of the power of faith, love and hope. I am very thankful for you.

So thank YOU, ES, for making MY day and validating the things that I say and do as something worthwhile. What a beautiful gift you gave me.

And to make you smile? WELL - I put Josiah down for his afternoon nap - which has proven to be a bit of an issue as of late. He's quite capable of climbing out of his crib and rattling on the door until I come and get him. Today, I heard him - but thought I'd leave him for a bit ... get it out of his system. Well, after about 15 minutes, I got curious as to the silence in his room ... and this is what I found.